As the couple feared that the more elderly guests wouldn’t be able to make their wedding next year, Elyse and Josh decided to throw an engagement party just for family in Chalton Village’s historic hall. Beautifully decorated and lots of lovely people this afternoon was pleasure to shoot.
Proud parents Marilena and Zac could not keep the smiles off their faces as they christened their third gorgeous daughter Amalia in a traditional Greek Orthodox Christening ceremony.
And I was thrilled to be their Greek Christening Photographer for such a significant day for their family at the Greek Orthodox Church of St Panteleimon in Harrow.
Little Amalia looked utterly adorable in her cute little outfit by Maria Bambino (@bambinocoutureltd) and the Lambada Christening candle was decorated by the talented ladies at Alexandria Couture (@alexandria.couture.uk) Jordana and Anna.
As a Greek Christening photographer with over 14 years experience I always take photographs of all the details, such as the lambada (Christening candle), the Christening outfit and the Christening Cross etc.
The service was followed by a lovely celebration back in Marilena and Zac’s garden, complete with delicious private catering ensuring all the guests were well fed and watered.
The stunning Christening cake and candy treats were courtesy of Sophie (@sophiekcakes) and displayed on a cart which had been beautifully decorated by Despina from Jamboree Carts (@jamboreecarts).
Oh my!!! And HOW adorable are these images?!!!
The following weekend I went back to their house for a much more intimate photo shoot of just Amalia and her immediate family.
With less people and distractions around it meant we could focus on recreating some absolutely adorable portraits using the props they had kept from the previous week’s party. And we came up with these!!
St Mary’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral is one of the oldest Greek Orthodox Church in South London. It was originally built for the Catholic Church in 1876, and the original structure was much larger than it is today. Sadly much of it was destroyed in the Second World War. In 1963 it was taken over by the Greek Orthodox Church and as a Greek Orthodox Christening Photographer based in nearby Clapham, I was delighted to be asked to capture baby Tommy’s Christening there. Here are my favourite images from the day..
Christening photographers LOVE details and I’m no exception..
I was also delighted to be asked to be baby number 2’s Christening Photographer too!!
Hampstead Heath is a well known and well loved area of wild park and woodland around four miles from the centre of London. Not that you’d know it as it feels like you’re in the countryside! It sprawls over 800 acres and boasts some of the most spectacular views in the city. It inspired author C.S. Lewis to write The Chronicles of Narnia and Londoners have been coming here to escape the city for over 200 years.
Hampstead Heath is also surrounded by several wonderful local pubs and boasts popular swimming ponds for those brave enough to take a dip. Come to fly your kite on Parliament Hill, bring a picnic, and while away your afternoon. Love shooting here as the vast open spaces are perfect for kids to run around and for those mad crazy pictures!
Lifestyle photography is a type of photography that aims to capture real-life moments in a natural environment. And Hampstead Heath Family and Kids Photographer Christine Constantine Photography LOVES this type of photography! These are some of my favourite shots taken on Hampstead Heath near Kenwood House.
Making the most of the amazing Autumn colours!!
To see more of my kids and family photography click here - Christine Constantine Photography
Globetronica and Hakkasan music director Pathaan and his fiance Nadia approached me earlier this year to shoot their intimate London wedding at their home in Parson’s Green. The couple opted for the traditional Nikah ceremony, honouring their Islamic roots. A beautiful and sunny day filled with so much joy it was a total honour to be part of this special day.
Big nod to the talents of hair and beauty artist Saira Hussain FASHION and the stunning Mehndi of @hennabykapre, both firm favourites at Asian Weddings.
As a Cyprus wedding photographer for many years and now a London wedding photographer, I have always enjoyed the custom of having musicians present at a Greek wedding. When I arrive at a Groom’s Stolisma and prepare to shoot - the musicians arrive shortly afterwards and take their place next to the Groom’s chair - where he will be shaved and dressed by the best man according to tradition. Myself, the vidoegrapher and the guests are all ready and waiting for the music to start and the groom to enter the room and take his seat. The groom’s family stand behind his chair and the guests, who are mainly relatives of the groom and his family, gather around to watch the ceremony and be ready to participate.
All images taken by Christine Constantine Photography.
The musicians start playing the introduction of the main wedding song and the groom enters the room and takes his seat next to the musicians. The ceremony starts. The groom is dressed in a white vest. The ceremony starts when the musicians perform the main wedding song . The singer performs some verses of the wedding song and then the best man prepares the clothes for the shaving which is the first custom, starting the ceremony. All the customs are performed with the accompaniment of the violinist or the lutenist, who give instructions through the lyrics of the song.
The musicians always start performing the wedding song with these lyrics: “Oran kalin tzi ora agathin, tzi oran evloimenin, touti douleia p’ akepsamen, na vgei stereomeni”. The main wedding song starts with this greeting to the new couple and the poetic content is one of its most important features. The instrumental music is secondary to this. The lyrics sung are those of the wedding song, which will stimulate the guests and the couple to experience a variety of feelings. The wedding song has many couplets and refrains with different lyrics, which are repeated several times until all the customs are performed.
Some couples also opt for their wedding musicians to lead the procession to the church. as was the tradition in years gone by when many couples lived within walking distance of the church.
All images taken by Christine Constantine Photography.
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