Celebrate life:5 years old

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Olivera Rusu

Kahlen’s mom told me about her daughter 5th birthday… the little princess of the family want it perfect! Many late nights speaking about the details of the party, many expectations and many many dreams for the big day…

Unfortunately, I had a wedding that day and I couldn’t attend the party from the beginning, so I reach on scene almost at the end of the party… but still, wasn’t too late for few photos… I was very lucky that we had few spot lights around and I used everything possible. And how I had my new fabulous 50mm lens… I shoot the entire party with the same lens. I’m very happy with this!

Kahlen had a huge smile on her face when she saw me and as soon I aim my camera on her, she start posing, but not silly… like a professional model. Seriously!

See her portraits… no instructions from me :) That was all her! I was “waaaw”…

This was a traditional birthday party, held at their private residence and was just perfect!
Family, friends, good food, drinks, painted faces game and TONS of fun!

After I finish the photos, the entire family loved them so much that their perfect Christmas gift was a coffee table book with the photos from this event…

See below the design of the book.
Enjoy!

: The actual album

: 02-The covers/front & back

: 03-Birthday Party Details

: 04-Painting the faces for every kid invited

: 05-Kahleen, posing for me

: 06-Family Portraits & party details

: 08-Family Photos & Party details

: Daddy’s little girl & mommy’s princess

: B-day party moments…

: Kahleen, at 5 years old, joy of childhood, sweets table

: Mother and daughter moment

: Aunt and b-day girl, moments

: Pinata time

: Happy Birthday, Kahleen! Wish you many more!

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Olivera Rusu

Ambergris Caye, pronounced “am-BER-gris”, is the largest island of Belize located northeast of the country in the Caribbean Sea. Though administered as part of the Belize District, the closest point on the mainland is part of the Corozal District.

The Caye (pronounced as “key”, meaning an island, derived from Spanish: cayo) is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) long from north to south, and about 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) wide. It was named after large lumps of ambergris which washed ashore here.

The Belizean island, where it has not been modified by man, is mostly a ring of white sand beach around mangrove swamp in the centre.

A Maya community lived on the island in Pre-Columbian times, and made distinctive polished red ceramics, most notably small well molded figurines of animals.

San Pedro Town is only town on Ambergris Cate. There are also a number of small villages and resorts. Captain Morgan’s and Mata Chica resorts north of San Pedro played host to the first season of Fox’s Temptation Island in 2000, aired in 2001. More recently, the availability of skydiving during the winter has become a draw for tourists so inclined.

Tourism development of Ambergris Caye began in the early 1970s and grew considerably in the later years of the 20th century. The main attractions are the Belize Barrier Reef and its beaches. That barrier reef is the second largest in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The caye has a small airstrip serviced by Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, and can be reached by plane from Belize City as well as by numerous fast sea ferries. In the meantime Ambergris Caye can also be reached by ferry from Chetumal in Mexico.

Being my home, time to time I’ll add photos from this island :) More photos under my website under Belize Best.

Enjoy!

Ambergris Caye, San Pedro town, Belize - aerial view

Ambergris Caye, Belize after rain

Full Moon at Ramon Village Doc - Ambergris Caye, Belize

Fido's Bar - Ambergris Caye, Belize

Golf Carts on Ambergris Caye - Independence Day

Independence Day - San Pedro, Belize

Wild Life on Ambergris Caye, Belize

D-Sea - beach gift shop - San Pedro town, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Grand Caribe, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Elvi's Kitchen - a must in San Pedro

Rain on Ambergris Caye is FUN!

Romantic dinner at Matachica, North Ambergris Caye, Belize

Rojo Lounge is a MUST on Ambergris Caye.

This is not a commercial. This was my food when I was there.

One of our (my family) favorite places for breakfast in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, is at Estel’s. Located on the beach, right on the center of the town (near Central Park), Estel’s offer one of the best morning coffee’s and awesome breakfast. No matter if you wake up early, or late, they serve breakfast from 6 am until 4:30 pm… how cool is that?

Estel's - Dine by the Sea

Best beach breakfast

Estel's - Dine by the Sea

Cutest bartenders at Estel's!

Unusual Menu!

The Schedule at Estel's

Ambergris Caye, Belize, estell's in December

Ambergris Caye, Belize, Estel's in December

More photos from Ambergris Caye, soon!

Makesha & Jack – Wedding at Portofino, Ambergris Caye, Belize – 10/10/10

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Olivera Rusu

10-10-2010 unusual date and extraordinary wedding!

I’m a big fun of intimate weddings, and what can be more intimate than a wedding only with the bride & groom.

The Bride and the Groom , being just the two of them, are enjoying every detail of their wedding day.

One of my favorite moments from a wedding is “The Bride’s Prayer”… I leave the bride to pray before wedding and I could feel the emotions in the air. This is one of must have photos! I also call this “Mom’s photo”

Bride's Prayer

Makesha… I have to tell you: you were GORGEOUS and was a honor and a joy for me to be with you in the most important moments of your life.

Portofino, is one of my favorites resorts from Ambergris Caye, Belize. They always amaze me with the settings at the ceremony.

Today, the ceremony place was like a fairytale. The rain before ceremony give the sky one the most amazing game of colors what I ever had the pleasure to see… Every minute, the light was different. Was amazing!!!

Wedding Ceremony at Portofino, Belize

Very rare happen to me to stop my work and enjoy the view and I did it many times during your wedding… We were so fortunate to have that weather and sky!

Than, we went around resort… all over!

Makesha and Jack, Thank you for this WONDERFULL Experience!!!!

Enjoy!

: Bride’s Prayer

: Wedding Ceremony at Portofino, Belize

: Wedding Sunset at Portofino, Belize

: Special Date Wedding in Belize

: October Wedding, Portofino, Belize

: Happyness!

: October Belize Wedding

: Fresh

: Amazing Belize Sunset at Portofino!

Girls Trip at Cayo Espanto, Belize

Posted on October 5, 2010 by Olivera Rusu

I meet them at the local airport. 3 girls with cute dresses and the cutest hats. They went to a party where I was the photographer. Small world…

Maya Air airport, San Pedro, Belize

Next day I went to meet them where they stay. Cayo Espanto is an exclusive private island vacation destination located in Belize where paradise and luxury come together as one. And only 3 miles away from San Pedro town.

I found them exactly like this (relax in the pool with their drinks).

Relax at Cayo Espanto, Belize

And I just snap some photos of them doing “regular” things.

Cayo Espanto is spectacular and definitely should be on your list with place to visit at least once in your lifetime.

Enjoy!

: Maya Air airport, San Pedro, Belize

: Relax at Cayo Espanto, Belize

Belize City love story & Engagement at Altun Ha, Belize Maya Ruin

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Olivera Rusu

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams” Dr. Seuss (Samira & Mark favorite quote)

Samira & Mark, my first couple who trust me to do their photos. 3 years ago I had no clue how closed we’ll become in time and what experiences will have together. Since than they chose me as their photographer and I went back to their house for every important event they had…(thank you for that)
They told me about their wedding about 2 years ago and definitely wanted me to be the photographer. And finally… they contact me last week and told me that they’ll want an engagement session in Belize City, where they meet and fall in love. A storyline… I love it!!!
We decided to have our engagement photo shoot right before Independence Day of Belize so the town was all dress up in Belize colors! Perfect timing.

Was early morning so the streets weren’t crowded!

I’ve had few words with Mark and he told me that he want to propose, officially… how exciting?! We made a plan and went to Belize City where we recreate their time together in Belize City (their favorite places)

First Caribbean Bank, Belize City

Belize City Center

Lighthouse. View from Sea Wall Belize City

The Belize City Swing Bridge is the oldest such bridge in Central America and the only manually operated swing bridge in the world still in function.

The Swing Bridge, Belize City

Fun at BTL Park, Belize City

Fun at BTL Park, Belize City

the bus station from the school where they went together…

St. John’s College Bus Station in Belize City

Mark’s house (is abandon now, but the memories are still fresh and feel like yesterday). Is quiet & beautiful there! All of us loved it!

Traditional Family House in Belize City

Traditional House in Belize City

At Mark’s house: tall trees & green grass

Tall Trees & green gras, Belize City

On the second part of the day, we went at Altun Ha, the Maya Ruin near Belize City.

A 35-40 minutes drive until there…

Drive Safe

I always get goosebumps when I’m going to the ruins… Is my favorite place on earth. After I photograph Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, next in my list was Altun Ha!

Right before we to reach there, a rain clean the place. The grass was unbelievable! Green and fresh! The sky was really blue with white clouds… all of us feel like we’re in a fairytale.

Mark and Samira had a picnic and than…

Propose at Altun Ha, Maya Ruin, Belize

He start talking with her and I went away leaving them to enjoy this unique moment what they’ll remember for the rest of their life.
She was thrilled and emotional and I just loved her reactions. Start from laughing, giggling and crying… all in one time. Amazing!

Propose her at Maya Ruins in Belize

And than she jump and scream

Engagement at Altun Ha, Belize Maya Ruin

Altun Ha will be their maya ruin and will bring them a smile on their faces all the time when they’ll hear this name.

Proposing there, they’ll be in connection with the past, the present and the future…. All in one place, and only at maya ruins!

Fun at Maya Ruins, Belize - Altun Ha

We had a photoshoot there and after after 2 hours we went back in Belize City and Samira remind me to save the date for their wedding!

Save the Date

Thank you for this incredible experience! And of course, see you at your wedding! :)

See more photos under my Latest Sessions

Fore more details about Altun Ha, please visit MayanRuinsWeddings.com (under BLOG you’ll find all the info)