New York City Wedding Photographer | Vintage Modern Southern California Wedding Photography » Maggie Harkov is an international modern wedding & lifestyle photographer based in New York City.

I realize that I might be ever so slightly biased, but, really, there’s no disputing it.  Madelyn and Delaney are pure preciousness. I mean, really, look at these faces.

While we were in San Diego for the holidays, I took some 6 month portraits of sweet baby Maddy and a few of her equally adorable sister, Delaney.  What a joy it was!

Here are a few that make me smile!

Last year, Mr. Hallmark and I missed Christmas in California.  Being the traditionalist that I am, and finding comfort in familiarity, Mr. Hallmark knew it would be tough for me to miss so he tried to recreate the holidays for me at home.  We got a real tree, eggnog, Bing Crosby, the whole nine yards.  Our Christmas morning was spent enjoying cinnamon pastry while opening our stockings with a wee little 5 month old Sophie, who was thrilled over her latest toy treasures from Santa.  We had a wonderful morning, but it didn’t feel like Christmas to me – it just felt like a lovely day playing dress up or staging a holiday with all the props necessary, but without all the characters.  His family joined us for brunch and we talked and laughed over roasted red bell pepper soup and pesto, tomato, and fresh mozzarella paninis while Bing warmly serenated our meal.  Thoughts of my family gathering together laughing and loud filled my mind throughout the day and I missed them and all their wonderful noise.  We spent the rest of Christmas day the Jewish way: with Chinese and a movie.  It was a really lovely day, and I adored being with people I love, but I missed my family, our traditions, and all the warm fuzzy feelings of Christmas.

This year, we flew to San Diego for the holidays, and warmed ourselves in delightfully sunny 60 degree weather.  Actually, kind of a lie.  Mr. Hallmark will attest that I found it quite chilly, but it was pleasantly warmer than New York City and I enjoyed taking morning strolls without wanting to flee indoors as quickly as possible and being free of my layers and wool coat.  The best part though, of course, was the presence of my husband and family, all under the same roof.  And, even though our Christmas’  have begun to change with our ever-growing family, the day is still filled with that same contagious joy and laughter that it did when I was a child, and a million amazing moments to remember with those I love and treasure most.

When the door buzzed, I finished sipping my morning cup of Joe and walked casually to the door, trailing miles behind an overexcited Sophie, who’d already beat me to the door and furiously wagged her tail awaiting my arrival. She was elated, of course, because someone was here. Someone other than me.  A UPS visitor, to be precise.  They had arrived.  Sharon & Chris’ wedding albums came in and I couldn’t wait to see them.  Sophie, however, didn’t appear to be as entertained as I was…

There is something so amazing about reliving a wedding day by looking at the story being told through a beautiful  album that will be around for generations to come.  And, KISS Wedding Books are so exquisitely gorgeous and well made that you can’t help but be impressed by their incredible quality.  Oh, and they come with these adorable covers, too. KISS is an absolute pleasure to work with and guarantees their albums for life.  I heart KISS and, understandably, so do my wonderful clients.

Shortly after they met, they just knew.  You know, the way you know about a good melon.  Ok, I had to folks, MAJOR When Harry Met Sally obsessed fan here.   But, I digress…  For Kelly & Jay, knowing they wanted to spend their lives together really was that pure and simple.   And, to me, that perfectly sums up their relationship.  Pure and simple.

Kelly & Jay are completely real and down to earth.  Their love comes from this beautiful and genuine place and it is an absolute pleasure to be around them.  They are full of smiles and their joy is utterly contagious.  Even through email, their light hearted spirit and warmth exuded onto the screen of my iMac and I could tell that I would absolutely adore them. 

We had such a lovely afternoon walking through Central Park in the light dusting of snow and then headed over to the Waldorf Astoria, where they were staying.  If you haven’t been, the Waldorf Astoria is amazing, and we had so much fun discovering all the wonderfully old nooks and crannies throughout the  incredibly vast hotel.

Kelly & Jay will be getting married next December on a day that will be equally as amazing as they are.  It’s just that pure and simple.

To see more of their Central Park and Waldorf Astoria Engagement Session, click on their slideshow HERE.

They’re just those kind of the people.  You know, the kind of people you meet and instantly like.  The kind of people that make you feel like you’ve just made an new friend. The kind of people that put others before themselves, even on their wedding day.  They are the kind of people that when standing out in 20 degree weather with significantly less layers on than I asked if I was freezing my buns off.  The kind of people that went out of their way at their reception to ask if I’d gotten something to drink and something to eat.  They are the kind of people that welcomed me into their lives and made me feel like family and I couldn’t have been more honored to document the wedding day of such extraordinary people. Individually Melissa and Kevin are wonderful, but together, they’re simply incredible.

They joined their lives before their equally incredible family and friends at the Manhattan Penthouse and it was absolutely beautiful.

Wishing you a lifetime together filled with all the love, joy and warmth you bring to every life you touch!

With much love & appreciation,

Maggie

To see more from their lovely wedding at the Manhattan Penthouse, check out their slideshow, HERE.