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Even tough plenty of people think that being a photographer is extremely easy and simple, everyone from the photography industry are very aware of the traps this job can bring. One of the most often one is working at the venues with very bad, or no light at all. It is easy to arrive at weddings with bunch of additional lighting equipment, but what to do when you are traveling as a destination wedding photographer and the number of your luggage bags (read: equipment) is limited?
There is a piece of equipment I never leave without, no matter where I have to travel and photograph...
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As my plane takes off, I feel the drag of the jet engine as it pulls me back into my seat. Slowly, the cars and buildings on the ground become smaller and smaller. We're ascending. I feel a rush of energy overtake me as I think of the wild, crazy decision I've made. Then again, my life has been full of crazy decisions, but they have always given me treasured memories to take home with me and an amazing ride to enjoy.  After almost a year of frequent traveling Croatia - Cyprus and some countries in between, I have finally decided to stay for a month in my hometown Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Even tough my 2015 wedding season is still not finished, I needed to spend a day creatively and amongst gorgeous dresses... Without any luck, my friend Ivana from I.J.Design had been trying to catch me for the past months to make a shoot of her new collection. No wonder that she managed to organize location, model, makeup and hair in just a few days to make sure I don't fly away again. :)   As I mentioned in my previous blog post, being a wedding photographer means that sometimes I end up playing other roles as well, a coordinator being one of them. However, I can not be everywhere at once. This is where a day-of-wedding coordinator comes in. 1) Having an experienced person running the show gives you peace of mind. I have seen firsthand the results of brides having relatives or friends attempt to juggle the tasks a wedding coordinator. They end up feeling overwhelmed, and they are not able to enjoy the wonderful experience a guest should have at a wedding. For your wedding, you need someone who knows exactly what they are doing so that your big day is free of any hiccups or worries about things going wrong. 2) You'll have more time to spend with your guests. Nothing is more stressful for the bride than constantly being called away every twenty minutes to fix yet another problem. Having a wedding coordinator means you don't have to lose time chatting and spending time with the ones you love. 3) No wrangling. Leaving this task to a friend or relative is absolutely out of the question. When it is time to take group photos or have the maid of honor do her toast, no one wants to spend half an hour trying to find the missing persons. Your day-of-wedding coordinator will have everything well in hand; after all, it is their job to know where everyone is and have them at the right place at the right time. Leave the wrangling to the expert, and you won't have unnecessary stress, and neither will your guests. 4) Assist bride with putting on her wedding gown. This can be very difficult to do, especially when the wedding dress is bulky or has multiple layers. Although family and friends can help the bride into her dress, adjusting all the little details to make sure it's put on correctly is sometimes over their heads. The wedding coordinator will help ease the process, making sure it is not time-consuming or stressful for the bride. 5) Making sure the dance floor is clear. You want that first dance to be a glowing special moment. All eyes are on you as you gaze lovingly into your partner's eyes. The last thing you need are misbehaving children tripping you up or stomping around you, ruining this moment. The wedding coordinator will keep the dance floor clear and make sure that everyone, including the little ones, are respectful of this precious moment. While I am capturing the precious moments of the bride and groom's big day, the wedding coordinator is orchestrating the smooth flow of events from behind the scenes. The day-of-wedding coordinator is an essential addition to your bridal team.
Here are five reasons not to skimp on your coordinator budget: My morning begins at 6am, when the daylight hours have barely begun to peek over the horizon with pink and golden rays. I drag myself out of bed, eyelids still heavy, and take a quick shot of the sunrise in stunning panorama. I check to make sure the shots are good and then stumble down to breakfast. Even half asleep, I am still a photographer. The moment I'm fully awake, it is time to get to work. As a destination wedding photographer, my job takes me to the most amazing places. I have been through the hectic haze of London, taking pictures of every police box I see and stopping native Londoners for a fashion photo op. I have been to the coastal Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where crystal waves break on turquoise shores. The shore glows at night with lights peeking from city windows, tall buildings engraved in the cliff side. Each day is a new adventure, ripe with potential and the chance to take that perfect shot, the one all photographers dream about. It's not all fun and games, though. When I tell people what I do for a living, I typically get the same response: “Oh, so you take pictures?” Well, duh. But there's so much more to it than that. Wedding photographers oftentimes are the lynch pin that holds the wedding together. We are not only photographing your special moments; we do a bit of everything. I have many times found myself playing decorator, coordinator, therapist... I should really start putting these things on my resume. I am also a stylist, entertainer and children-finder. I have had brides and mothers cry on my shoulder, and I have taken more coffee orders than I can count, or drink orders for that matter. The list goes on and on...   But I am not complaining. I love all of it. I love the bustle and energy, the beauty of fresh new love blossoming in front of me as I capture romantic moments, but most of all, I love knowing that I've made the bride's day special. I guess you could say I set the mood. How I do my job sets the tone for how the wedding is going to be. When I do my job well, everybody's happy, which makes me feel rewarded and sets my heart aflutter.
It is not just my work; it is my passion. It is the tidal wave that sweeps me away into an ocean of ideas, and it's also the gentle flow that brings me back to calm waters. My brain is always bursting with anticipation of where my job will bring me next, what exciting new opportunities I will find that day. It's not just a job. It's my way of life.  Too many people do not realise there is indeed a way to do just that - not all engagement sessions need to be staged, to be set up after the question has been popped, used only to commemorate the event once the initial thrill has passed and the couple can pose calmly together. On the contrary, one can hire a destination photographer to go “incognito” and act as a secret engagement photographer, blending into the crowd as I did and then springing into action just as you pop the question to your beloved. Capturing that moment is so important; in many ways, it's equally as important as creating lasting images of you and your love saying “I do”. Never again will you and your partner stand on the cusp of such a well of emotion - love, anticipation, fear, shock, awe, and delight - as that moment when you cross that first bridge of agreeing to truly commit your lives to one another. As beautiful and touching as weddings are, they are most often a “sure thing”, where the commitment has been planned, the vows have been written, and each person is ready and willing to set the relationship in stone as an eternal bond. The engagement*, on the other hand, is where it all begins - and the look of knowing, for the very first time, that someone wants to spend the rest of his or her life with you, can never be recreated. * Book your secret engagement session until 31st of December 2015 and get 10% discount on any engagement package. More info at info@photo-timeless.com :) I felt on that day like I captured something too precious to be described in words - the moment love comes to full bloom, the moment it overflows its cup and spills into the souls of all those around it, a wave of joy rippling out through the great sea of humanity. I wished in that moment that every couple could preserve the memory of such beauty, create lasting impressions of something so perfect and so fleeting, so that it might never slip away.   
It is no secret that next to a wedding, fashion photography is my big love.
Beautiful models, awesome designer creations, gorgeous locations, lots of creativity - those are the words I can use to describe my latest editorial shooting I have organized during my trip to Cyprus. I was lucky enough to meet Katerina, beautiful soul in love with smiles and life, and what is more important, fabulous fashion designer and young enterpreneur. Our story started with a simple coffee in Nicosia, resulted in so many ideas and plans. This is our first fashion editorial, in collaboration with my good friend and photographer Cristian Dascalu and two wonderful models, Karina and Tina. Amazingly talented makeup artist Svitlana Koroleva made them even more beautiful. Special thanks go to Hasan, who was our light assistant this time and to Sparta Sandals for providing our models amazing handmade leather sandals. Whole editorial with this amazing team is coming out soon! :)
Carpe Diem spring/summer 2015
Photographers: Martina Hohnjec (Timeless Photography) & Cristian Dascalu Light assistant: Hasaj Haj Designer & stylist: Katerina Parpa (Carpe Diem) Models: Karina Bond / Tina Andres Makeup artist: Svitlana Koroleva Hairstyle: Katerina Parpa Shoes: Sparta Sandals Accessories: Angeliki Savva (Trendy Accessories) Video Editor: Filip Hohnjec 
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." From the moment I had picked camera for the first time, photography brought me so much joy, taught me many great things, led me to some amazing places and gave me an opportunity to meet wonderful people. I am honored when people tell me how much they love my work, but I feel even more thrilled when I get recognition from photographers. Out of 110 928 submitted work to Shoot & Share photography contest, my photo has made it to the top 10% of ALL photos and I am a proud Finalist in the 2015 Shoot and Share Photo Contest! :)   Yesterday I spent time with a photographer friend who told me that she is impatiently waiting to see photos I have done in Cyprus with beautiful Litous wedding dresses. As I am having a hard time to select only the best photos from that shooting because each one is so gorgeous, I want to share a few behind the scene photos until the final ones come! :) 
I have met Cristian and Costas in Bucharest while attending Roberto Valenzuela wedding photography workshop. Since I planned my trip to Cyprus, we started talking about shooting an editorial together, and also, have some fun. 
For our shooting location, we chose Akrotiri Salt Lake in Limassol, which is special for its vegetation and low shrubbery. The lake itself is pretty much shallow; the water level over 50 percent of the lake is less than 30 centimeters deep. 
There are times in everybody's life predetermined for big changes. For me, this year was like that. I started searching widely the true essence of my being, simultaneously growing and learning how to be the best I can be.
Here are things 2014. taught me: - Letting go is okay. - The sun always rises (and it is always beautiful). - Life is a map to a hidden treasure, just follow your heart! - There is music in everything. - Trees can grow through rocks. - Simplicity, patience and compassion are the greatest treasures. - Everything comes in the right moment. - Some of the best days of my life haven't happened yet. - My inner child is still ageless. This is my 2014. in review... Last weekend I traveled to Split, beautiful second-largest city in Croatia, placed on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.   I am thankful for the opportunity to participate and show my work at Just Say Yes, the first autumn wedding show there. I would like to thank all those beautiful couples who stopped by to say hello and talked with me, telling me their story... I am happy because I met so many people in love who reminded me why I absolutely love my job! :)
I had so much fun and I am lucky because I have met so many great people; wedding organizers, florists, photographers, designers... I am looking forward to next Just Say Yes wedding show! :D Also, many thanks to Foto Studio Toni for these lovely pictures. :)   When she was younger, she wrote down a list. It wasn't a grocery list, it wasn't a list of things to do... It was a list of characteristics that the love of her life and her future husband must own. Then she met him, her best friend and a soul mate. Best thing of all, he was everything she wrote down on that list... Even more than she expected! I was lucky enough to had an opportunity to met this extraordinary couple in love, and furthermore, document the most important day in their life. Iva and Tino, thank you for letting me into your life!  I am really blessed for doing something I genuinely enjoy. It is a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together and my heart skips a beat every time my photo put a smile on someone's face. My goal is to show people photographing can be really fun and pleasant. I also want them to leave with a positive experience, as well as with timeless memories. Wonderful people, like Iva and Tino who wrote me this card, inspire me to be the best I can be. You can check out their wedding here. Feel and live everything you do.   Introducing Timeless new Wedding Book Packs! If you like elegance, you will love Timeless simple & sophisticated wedding books that showcases the photographs of your big day with style and elegance. Wedding photo books are made to last so you can keep them out and flip through them as often as you like. Book covers come in a wide range of beautiful and modern colors and textures. Various sizes are available, from smaller ones ideal for great parent books, to the big ones which will feature your photos spectacular, rectangular or square. All of them comes with a nice presentation box which will protect your book. Also, you will get your edited, full-resolution photographs on a USB flash drive, ready to watch and share with your friends and family. I value each and every one of my clients and I also LOVE packaging. I believe my couples will enjoy unwrapping theses cute boxes!     
Live.Laugh.Love.
Martina. Prošli vikend sam imala prilike boraviti na predivnom imanju Višnjica nedaleko Slatine. Skriva povijest staru više od dva stoljeća, a proviruje iza perivoja prekrasnih starih lipa i kestena, visokih borova, javora i duda. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last weekend, I had an opportunity to stay on a gorgeous Višnjica estate. It hides a history of more than a two centuries old, and it peeps out of beautiful gardens of old lindens and chestnuts, tall pines, maples and mulberries.  Imanje se može pohvaliti bogatom ergelom koja broji oko 70-ak konja. Jedna od konjušnica je uređena kao izložbeni prostor, a tematika se mijenja otprilike svakih 5 mjeseci. Imala sam sreću da sam zatekla ovakvu postavu, po mojem mišljenju savršenu za romantično rustikalno vjenčanje. Naprosto sam uživala fotografirajući! :) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Višnjica has a rich haras with 70 horses. One of the horse stables is decorated as an exhibition area and the theme is changed every 5 months. I was lucky to find this setup, which is, in my opinion, perfect for a romantic rustic wedding. I really enjoyed photographing it! :)     Ne kaže se uzalud da najbolje stvari dođu spontano... Tako je nastala i naša priča. Dizajnerice Ivanu i Andrijanu iz Dies Gaudii-a sam upoznala prije skoro godinu dana, na jednom modnom eventu. Još od tada smo dogovarale fotkanje, no puno posla i manjak vremena nam nije išlo na ruku. Prije mjesec dana, odluka za fotografiranje je pala i cure su se bacile u šivanje nove kolekcije. Nakon mozganja što, kako i gdje, odluka je pala na idilično malo mjesto Bale u Istri. Jedino što nam je preostalo je utrpati stvari u auto i krenuti... 
Timeless created a new editorial for a reputable Nova Vjenčanja magazine. Considering this is the last issue in this year, we wanted to show new trends for the upcoming 2014. Ranunculus, daffodils, laurus, roses and tulips are must have for the new season. Take a look at some ideas from Pollak, Flora Rustica, Mimoza and Fiola. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Timeless je fotografirao novi editorial za poznati časopis Nova Vjenčanja. S obzirom da je ovo posljednji broj ove godine, htjeli smo pokazati nove trendove za nadolazeću 2014.. Ranukule, narsici, laurusi, ruže i tulipani su must have za novu sezonu. Pogledajte neke ideje s potpisom Pollak Cvijeća, Flore Rustice, Mimoze i Fiole. 
Photos were taken in a gorgeous Wedding City with great team: Marko (florist & stylist), Vladimir (magazine editor), Martina (Timeless photographer) and Tajana (model). Thank you all for such a wonderful day at the shooting. :) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Snimalo se u predivnom interijeru Wedding City-a sa odličnom ekipom: Marko (cvjećar i stilist), Vladimir (urednik časopisa), Martina (Timeless fotografkinja) i Tajana (model). Hvala vam svima na divnom danu i ugodnoj suradnji. :) 
photography: Martina Hohnjec (Timeless Photography)
model: Tajana Ramljak flowers: Pollak Cvijeće, Flora Rustica, Mimoza, Fiola dress: Maggie Sottero, Silhuete Bride, Biser location: Wedding City “Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” ― George Eliot  Stay tuned 'cause it's coming soon...
Martina. :) Timeless Wedding Studio brings you an exclusive preview of a new Wedding City in Varaždin. The grand opening will be on the 24th of May. Wedding City is the place where you can find everything you need: wedding dresses, shoes, jewelry, decorations, invitations... Almost anything you can think of for a perfect wedding. Timeless wedding studio Vam donosi ekskluzivni pregled novog Wedding City-a u Varaždinu, čije će se otvorenje održati 24. svibnja. Wedding City je mjesto gdje možete pronaći sve što trebate: vjenčanice, cipele, nakit, dekoracije, pozivnice... Možete pronaći gotovo sve što ste zamislili za svoje savršeno vjenčanje.
 photo: Martina Hohnjec (Timeless Wedding Studio)
design & styling: Pollak Cvijeće decorations: Dobar partner candles: Damien's Candles wedding invitations: Bugi Graf Here is a sneak peek of new wedding editorial session. Photos will be published on Wedding.hr with beautiful Tatjana Grivić in Vesna SPOSA dress and Irena Vucinic Art Jewelry. Thanks to Marija Vračević for make up and Bouviér Zgb for gorgeous hairstyle. And special thanks to Davor Kolarić-Bukvić for behind the scene photos! :) 
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