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Every once in a while, as a professional photographer, you get an assignment that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with photography in the first place. This image — taken aboard a New York City subway on the way to Coney Island — tells that story perfectly. As the best wedding photographer in South Florida, I’ve captured thousands of beautiful moments across beaches, ballrooms, and luxury resorts. But when this couple asked me to fly to New York for their engagement session, I knew it would be something truly special.
They were planning a destination wedding at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne, a venue that reflects elegance and romance in every corner. But before saying “I do” under the South Florida sun, they wanted to celebrate where it all began — Coney Island, the place of their very first date. That’s where this image was born — a quiet, in-between moment on the train, full of anticipation and charm, before we even reached the boardwalk.
This picture was taken on the D train, headed toward Coney Island. As soon as we boarded, I noticed the sign behind my subject — “Coney Island” paired with “Norwood, Bronx 205 St” — instantly framing the shot with a sense of place. It wasn’t just a subway car anymore; it became part of the couple’s love story. My goal as a photographer has always been to blend emotion, light, and story into a single image — one that not only shows what happened, but feels like what happened.
Lighting in a subway car can be challenging. The fluorescent lights overhead are often harsh and uneven, and shadows can quickly ruin a portrait. But experience teaches you how to adapt. As the best wedding photographer I could be, I knew exactly how to angle her face and where to stand so the lighting remained flattering, even under tough conditions. The result? Smooth, even tones across her skin, free of harsh shadows or overexposure.
Her expression tells the story — relaxed, confident, and filled with that pre-wedding excitement. She wasn’t just posing; she was living a moment. I gave her the subway pole to hold, not just because it’s practical, but because it brought her hands into a natural and flattering position. People always look more comfortable when their hands have a purpose — it creates flow and balance in the composition.
Why Detail Matters: From Fabric to Emotion
A great photographer doesn’t just photograph faces; they photograph details. Look closely at her pinstripe vest — the blacks retain texture and dimension rather than collapsing into a flat tone. That level of control doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of years of training my eye to recognize how light behaves and how camera sensors interpret deep tones.
Every fabric, every texture, and every color tells a story. In wedding photography, those small details are often what couples cherish most later — the lace on a dress, the shimmer of a ring, or in this case, the subtle pinstripes that mirror the linear geometry of the subway car. When those details are preserved, the image becomes timeless.
Traveling Beyond Florida: When Passion Meets Adventure
Being based in South Florida means that most of my work takes place in stunning local venues — places like the Breakers Palm Beach, the Boca Raton Resort, and of course, the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. But when couples invite me to travel for their engagement or destination sessions, I never hesitate. Photography is storytelling, and sometimes the best stories happen far from home.
Traveling for shoots also keeps me sharp creatively. It pushes me out of my comfort zone — new light, new environments, new challenges. For this session, we explored everything from the subway to the boardwalk to the beach. Each location offered its own texture and mood. On the subway, I captured intimacy and anticipation. On the boardwalk, joy and nostalgia. And by the ocean, the kind of carefree laughter that only comes when two people are completely in love.
That’s the balance I strive for as a wedding photographer — to capture not just the posed moments, but the journey between them.
Over my career, I’ve developed a few guiding principles that shape every image I create:
These rules have guided me through more than 2,000 weddings and countless engagement sessions. They’re why clients continue to describe me as the best wedding photographer in South Florida — not just because of technical skill, but because I care about every single image as if it were my own memory.
The Emotional Value of an Engagement Session
Engagement sessions aren’t just practice for the wedding day. They’re opportunities to tell a couple’s story in a deeply personal way. When I’m photographing an engagement, I’m not just thinking about how the images will look — I’m thinking about how they’ll feel when the couple sees them years later.
For this couple, their engagement session was more than a photo shoot — it was a journey back to where their love began. The subway ride to Coney Island wasn’t glamorous, but it was authentic. And authenticity is what makes great photography powerful.
When couples look through their engagement album, I want them to feel a wave of nostalgia — the laughter, the excitement, the adventure. That emotion is what connects my work to their hearts, and that’s the essence of what being the best wedding photographer means.
From New York to Key Biscayne: The Story Continues
After this unforgettable engagement session, I joined the couple months later for their destination wedding at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne. The contrast was amazing — from the gritty charm of a New York subway to the tropical elegance of a Florida resort. Yet, the emotional thread was the same: love, laughter, and connection.
I’ve included a few of their wedding photos in the links below — moments that mirror the joy of their Coney Island session but with the elevated beauty of a luxury Florida celebration. That’s what I love most about my work — each event is unique, yet all share the same emotional DNA.
Why Choosing the Right Photographer Matters
Your wedding photos are more than documentation — they’re the legacy of your love. When you choose a photographer, you’re not just hiring someone to press a button. You’re trusting someone to see you, to understand your story, and to capture it in a way that feels personal and timeless.
The best wedding photographer is one who can work anywhere — in perfect light or imperfect — and still create magic. Someone who notices the smallest details, connects emotionally, and delivers images that make you feel something every time you look at them. That’s the philosophy I bring to every shoot.
Whether it’s a destination engagement in New York or a waterfront wedding in Miami, my mission is always the same: to tell your story with passion, artistry, and heart.
Final Thoughts
This photograph on the subway isn’t just an image — it’s a metaphor for the journey every couple takes together. It’s about movement, anticipation, and destination. Every relationship begins somewhere, and with the right photographer behind the lens, those beginnings can become art.
For me, being recognized as one of South Florida’s best wedding photographers isn’t about awards or titles. It’s about creating honest, emotional, and beautifully lit portraits that celebrate life’s most meaningful moments — from a subway ride to Coney Island to a walk down the aisle in Key Biscayne.
If you’re planning your wedding and want your story told with authenticity, creativity, and a touch of timeless style, I’d love to connect. After all, every great love deserves its own unforgettable photograph — and I’d be honored to create yours.
Location: NY NY.