Justine Ungaro Photography - Modern Weddings & Lifestyle Editorials - Los Angeles, CA - Washington, DC

Lollibakes by Diana Sproveri

justine — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:18:29 +0000

There are few things in this world that I love as much as I love Lollibakes. If you have never heard of Lollibakes before now, you will soon. And if I am the one breaking the good news to you, then good for me, or you’re welcome…or something. What are Lollibakes you ask? Ever heard of cake pops…aka cake on a stick? Well a Lollibake is the gourmet version of the cake pop, created and trademarked by my good friend and designer baked goods chef to the stars, Diana Sproveri. If I could have my wedding all over again, I would do away with the wedding cake and just serve these…or use them as favors, or something. Seriously, they are that delicious. Is it possible to be in love with baked goods?

Anyway, Diana is opening her very own shop in just a few short months so in preparation for that, we put together a little photo shoot last Friday. We completely trashed my house in the process, I mean seriously trashed…and I was left with a fridge full of goodies…half of which I have eaten myself…no willpower here whatsoever.

Anyway, from what I hear if you watch EXTRA this evening on NBC at 7pm, I believe you may be able to catch a glimpse of a bunch of celebrities eating Lollis at The Emmy’s. I will watch and probably just get jealous that I have eaten all of the Lollis out of my own fridge. I suppose I can just stare at the pictures instead.

Nantucket Wedding - Becca & Rob

justine — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:31:36 +0000

Becca was my bestest bestest friend for so so many years when we were kids and teenagers. But as things sometimes go we managed to lose touch during our college years. But at our 10 year high school reunion several years ago, we got to catch up and I had the pleasure of meeting her adorable boyfriend Rob for the first time. So you can imagine how delighted I was when Becca got in touch with me last year to tell me that she and Rob were engaged and that they wanted me to shoot the wedding.

So back in June (yes, I’m a little bit behind) I flew to the beautiful island of Nantucket to spend 4 days with this beautiful family. A big thank-you to Rene Tirado for coming along to shoot this gorgeous wedding with me.

First, here are a few images from the rehearsal dinner which was a lobster bake held outside next to a lighthouse. The highlight of the evening was definitely when Rob’s 5 year old niece dug a rabbit carcass out of the sand during dinner. Her father promptly jumped up from dinner to delicately retrieve the dead bunny and throw it into some tall grass. It was one of those moments when I wish I’d had a camera in my hand instead of a fistful of lobster but that’s just the way it sometimes goes. Still it is a great memory even if it wasn’t captured on film.

And now, the wedding day. Becca & Rob and their families rented out 3 private homes on a bluff called Whales Watch where everyone stayed for the weekend and where the cocktail hour and reception were held under the most gorgeous sail tent. Everything was just so gorgeously “New England”, loved every minute.

The ceremony was held at the very old, very famous Siasconset Chapel.

Thank you Becca and Rob for asking me to be a part of such a special day, I truly treasure every moment I got to spend with you this summer.

Who else made this wedding special? These wonderful people.

Wedding Gown: Marianne Caroe
Bridesmaid Dresses: Thread
Groom’s Suit: Corneliani
Groomsmen Suits: Brooks Brothers & JCrew
Florist: Flowers on Chestnut
Bridesmaid Gifts: Peter Beaton Studio
Caterer: A Taste of Nantucket
Reception Music: The Bob Lehman Trio
Sail Tent: Sperry Tents
Rentals: Placesetters

Lisa Loeb Eyewear

justine — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:18:45 +0000

I don’t know about the rest of you but I have been waiting for this for a long time. My lovely pal Lisa has teamed up with the wonderful people over at Classique Eyewear to launch a brand new line of designer eyewear in Lisa’s own signature cateye style. And I was the lucky one who got to photograph her for the campaign. We shot a few different looks to show off the fact that these glasses dress up or down really easily and that they are fabulous for any occasion. Check out a few of my favorites below.
Musician Lisa

Everday Casual Lisa

Glamour/ Red Carpet Lisa

The glasses are not available just yet but they will be soon so be sure to head over to the Classique website to sign the interest list and you’ll be notified when they are available for purchase. Yay!

Lake Tahoe Wedding - Amanda & Mike

justine — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:52:18 +0000

Sometimes I forget to ask people how they got my name or where they heard about me. In fact I usually forget. But sometimes when I arrive at a wedding and see some familiar faces, I can trace back the referral to a past client of mine. This was one of those weddings. But when I saw the familiar faces, I realized that I had never actually met them. They were actually Jenni’s clients, but since I had done their post-processing and wedding album design, I thought that I knew them. Jill & Stephen (the familiar faces) had been a referral from Molley & Tim, some of my clients from 2008 back in DC. So this particular referral string led me all the way from Washington DC to Lake Tahoe for Amanda & Mike’s wedding.

Like many of my weddings, I never actually got to meet Amanda and Mike until the day of their wedding. But I immediately adored them. They were just the coolest, most laid-back couple ever…not to mention super cute. The wedding was held up at the Lakeview Lodge at the Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe, we had to take a gondola just to get up there and wow, what a view. Lake Tahoe may just be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. A big thank you to Jaime Emery for coming along to shoot this one with me!

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A Decatur House Wedding - Tracy & Matt

justine — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:07:04 +0000

Memorial Day weekend this year was a busy one for me…and I know, I’m way way late to be blogging about Memorial Day weekend but what can I do. Jenni & I started the day with Tracy over at the Sofitel in Washington DC and eventually made it over to Decatur House which is right next door to the White House. Personally I love a wedding that is all in one location. No driving, no traffic, it make everything so much more streamlined…and fun.

I was just tickled to work with some fabulous vendors on this wedding:
Coordinator: Ritzy Bee
Flowers: Chapple Flowers
Caterer: Susan Gage

San Diego Engagement Session - Sarika & Prabhu

justine — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 04:17:52 +0000

Well after a ton of traveling and a ton of shooting this summer, I have tons and tons of images to blog. So first thing first.

Sarika and Prabhu were one of those couples that I just adored right from the start. Lucky for me that I get to spend two wedding days with them. One wedding in San Diego where Sarika is from and another wedding celebration in Washington DC 2 weeks later where they live. It’s going to be gorgeous and I was so thrilled to be able to get these two in front of my camera for their engagement session a few weeks ago.

We started out behind shooting behind Sarika’s parents house with Sarika in this gorgeous eggplant-colored sari which she brought back from a recent trip to India and then headed off to La Jolla for a little variety.

Thanks so much for being so much fun to shoot, I’m so excited for next month!

A Woodend Wedding - Cherie + Matt

justine2 — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:28:58 +0000

Well since my last blog post I have been to Nantucket, NYC, Haiti, San Diego and Lake Tahoe so I swear it’s not my fault that I’ve been a bad blogger. But still I apologize and luckily have plenty to post about over the next couple of weeks.

So let me take you back to memorial day weekend which I spent in DC shooting back-to-back weddings with the lovely and talented Jenni Green, my favorite person to spend a weekend with aside from my husband. So on May 29th we were absolutely tickled to photograph Cherie and Matt, one of the most light-hearted and fun couples you will ever meet. And their wedding day could not have possibly been more perfect or beautiful or fabulous and all pulled together seamlessly by the incredible Sara Muchnick of Engaging Affairs.

Other amazing vendors I worked with:
Video: Blue Sky Films
Florals & Decor: Capitol Decor
Caterer: Occasions
Tent: Sugarplum Tents
Valet: Marc Parc
Band: Fabulous Fantoms

We started with Cherie at her parents’ home. Pattie Martin was already there working on the girls’ makeup.

And Cherie definitely wins the award for the most awesome wedding shoes I have ever seen!

Jenni headed over to Blessed Sacrament church to hang out with the guys for a bit before the wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony we headed over to the Woodend for the largest reception they had ever hosted at that venue, complete with an enormous tent and several cabanas covered with white flowy fabric behind the main house. Cocktail hour was held in the tree grove and bubble wands were provided on tables for a little splash of entertainment.

McDonald’s cheeseburgers anyone?

Cherie & Matt met kayaking so it was only appropriate that they enter their reception through an archway of paddles…

Thank you Cherie & Matt for including us in your big day, it was SUCH a pleasure!

Published - Martha Stewart Weddings

justine2 — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:33:50 +0000

I’m a little late on this post but I wanted to share with those of you who have not yet come across the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. Kristen & Jon Paul’s gorgeous Palm Springs wedding which I shot back in February at The Parker is featured on pages 74-75 so run right out and pick yourself up a copy.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to read the awesome interview with my friend and all around awesome wedding planner, Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee!

Back to Haiti

justine2 — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:36:30 +0000

Well the countdown has begun. In a little less than 2 weeks I will be heading back to Port Au Prince for my 2nd excursion to Haiti since January’s devastating earthquake. I was fortunate enough to be invited to go on a medical relief trip with an organization called New Reality International and I am thrilled to be going back with them again. I will be traveling with a small group of doctors, nurses and other relief workers to help provide medical care which is so desperately needed by the people of Haiti…and has been for many years now.

The last time I went to Haiti, I was very fortunate to receive donations from family and friends to help foot the rather hefty costs of getting there (and back). Thank you so much to all of you who donated and/ or sent me your well-wishes. This time around, I am footing the bill myself and have been very fortunate to have been busy enough this year to do so. But we still need supplies and we need them desperately. The medical staff are dealing with medications and supplies to treat patients. I would like to bring a couple of large bags full of baby bottles, diapers, vitamins, soap, toothbrushes and other basic humanitarian supplies. This is where I need your help, so that I can bring as much as I can possibly carry. If you would like to donate, you can do so here through Network For Good. Just put my name in the designation box if you would like for your donation to go towards the supplies I will be carrying there personally although please feel free to make a more general donation if you’d prefer that. Donations are tax deductible and even a small amount can do a great deal of good.

If you’re comfortable doing so, please leave a comment below to let me know that you’ve donated so that I can be sure to follow up with NRI. And of course I will be posting images when I return so that you can see exactly where your money is going. Every penny donated will go directly towards purchasing supplies.

Here are a few images from my last trip to Haiti.

My week in Haiti was one of the hardest and most gratifying experiences of my life. I have never come across people who are so eternally grateful for every little bit of help, kind word, smile, anything. Thank you so much for your amazing support!
xo,
Justine

A Capitol Hill Wedding - Danielle + Ken

justine2 — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:22:45 +0000

Okay, I am gradually starting to catch up on my blogging. Yay! So at this point we are up to mid-May. The day after I photographed Abby & Zack’s engagement session, I woke up bright and early to head downtown to photograph Danielle & Ken’s wedding-day triathalon. I will blog about that in my next post but in the meantime, let’s get right to the wedding. Luckily after the morning activities, Danielle & Ken and their families had plenty of time to rest and recover before the 9:30pm ceremony at the rooftop at Charlie Palmer’s in Washington DC. I had never photographed a wedding at this particular venue before and now after doing so, I am surprised that there aren’t more weddings up there. Overlooking the Capitol building, the views are absolutely stunning…one of the best views in all of DC for sure.

Danielle’s family owns a string of grocery stores so they styled their whole wedding around a rustic, market theme. One of my absolute favorite planners and great friends Sara Muchnick of Engaging Affairs helped them to pull the whole thing together. Every detail was exquisite from the mossy wooden tables to the mismatched wooden chairs, a vintage cart, and clusters of fresh produce serving as centerpieces. They even had a beer pong table over by the dj. I loved shooting this wedding, it was tons of fun. Thank you to Kim Seidl for shooting along with me!

Dressing up the model on the cover of DC Magazine in the bride’s jewelry has kind of become my thing. Don’t ask me why but I seem to do it every time I see the magazine lying around.

As someone who has a sister I can completely relate to this little sequence below. After the 4 mile run earlier, they brought up some ice buckets so that the ladies with sore feet could ice them down a bit. Somehow that turned into a competition on who could dunk their feet in the ice for the longest. Danielle won this particular battle with her sister. Gotta love a little friendly sibling rivalry.

Danielle’s boss, Senator Lieberman arriving. He even signed their ketubah.

Thank you Danielle and Ken for a wonderful night and for being so incredibly chic!

And a little video/ slideshow I put together.

Danielle & Ken’s Wedding from Justine Ungaro on Vimeo.