With every trip to Cuba and there were many, I would make it a point to visit Ofelia, to make sure that she was doing well but what I now realize is finding her was more for my own sanity. You see Ofelia kept my emotions, my spirit grounded. When I would go to Cuba I was flying by the seat of my pants on an emotional roller coaster that was quite intense. With her wit, the stories that she would share with me over café in her rooftop wooden home, my seeing her would give me a balance that I so needed.

Ofela is Cuba ~ she never quit and her outlook on life was always positive ~ she would always say in our conversations ~ Imaginate! (Imagine it)

Today my friend has gone on to a better life ~ Imaginate!

Ofelia ~ Gracias por todo ~ Nunca te voy a olvidar.

Roy

Click on the slide show to revisit that wonderful moment that took place two years ago today!

After their engagement session, I was so looking forward to this wedding on many levels. For me the engagement portrait session is an opportunity to connect with my couples, get a sense of who they are on a deeper level and our engagement session no doubt was a wonderful experience.

You may also recall the Blog post where I wrote of the “fabled” Christian Louboutin Blue Soled shoes. These belong to Melissa!

This wedding had everything but a visit from Sebastian the Ibis…from the “Getting Ready” moment at Melissa’s parents home with Mom, Dad and Melissa’s fabulous bridesmaids, to the beautiful, spiritual wedding ceremony at St Brendan Catholic Church in Miami and a rousing and wild wedding reception at the historic Alfred I DUPont Building in Downtown Miami…it was an amazing day!

Here we have Xavier’s best man asking if anyone knows where the rings are?

A wonderful moment captured–see how this image unfolds in the slide show.

But the most special part of this day for me was visiting Xavier’s Abuela on the way to the reception. It was a very special moment to see how excited she was to see her grandson and his new bride. It is a tender moment like this that makes me so happy to be a wedding photographer. To be a part of a a new beginning in the life of a couple in love is a great feeling.

Some notes about the detail images above: As a child, I remember coming to the Dupont Building with my Dad…back then it was a bank. In the first image, they chose images from their engagement session to decorate the place-card/gift table. In the center bottom image, Melissa & Xavier honor marriage with wedding photos of parents and grandparents displayed.

Details: Melissa’s Wedding Gown by Vera Wang; Wedding Shoes by Christian Louboutin; Event Coordination: Eric Trelles of ET Events; Catering: Misha Culinary Events; Wedding Florals by Jason Frix; Wedding Cake-Cake Design By Edda; Music: @ St. Brendan- Luis Curza & Vista Alegre Club, @ wedding reception- DJ Frankie Bravo & the Band- DMD

By the way, Sebastian, the Miami Hurricane’s mascot was at Landshark Stadium finalizing the details to an ideal wedding gift for Melissa & Xavier…a win over eighth ranked Oklahoma…Go Canes!!! Enjoy the slide show below!

I’d love to introduce Stella—the newest member of Roy Llera Photographers and a creative dynamo that will capture your event with an eye on “the moment”. Stella has been photographing weddings and special occasions for six years and we are excited that she has decided to join us in providing our clients with an exceptional experience. Stella’s portraits have been published in Ocean Drive, Ocean Drive en Espanol, SoBe Fit and Social Affairs magazines. Not only are her talents obvious behind the camera, Stella is also the production manager at Roy Llera Photographers, directing our creative production team with layout, design and retouching.

Stella has an incredible eye and the intuition to capture moments.

Stella was one of my photographers at my son Ryan’s wedding and this is a beautiful image of the flower girl.

Click on the slideshow below to get a view of what I am talking about!

An incredible moment as Mom gives Karla to Gerry…

Karla & Gerry were married surrounded by swaying coconut palms, a soft bay breeze, and the love and warmth of family and friends at the beautiful Grove Isle Resort in Coconut Grove.

What an incredible moment, “Just Married”!

Karla is absolutely stunning in a Romona Keveza creation.

The details: Wedding Location: Grove Isle Resort & Spa; Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza; Wedding Officiate: Rev. Eddie Rodriguez; Wedding Floral Artistry: Avant Gardens; Wedding Cake: Ana Paz Cakes; Miami Wedding Photographer:  Roy Llera Photographers

Click the play button below to view their slide show!

We love photographing weddings at the Grove Isle Resort & Spa! Click here to see more Grove Isle Weddings!

After 27 years and being the photographer at a couple of thousand South Florida weddings, I will be on the other side of the camera…Not only am I the Father of the Groom but I am also his Best Man…I’ll stand by his side as I always have…love him, support him and be happy for this wonderful couple and then I’ll wait for “grandchildren”!

Have a great weekend! I know that I will…

Most Habaneros live with the reality that when a pipe is beyond repair…that the electric wires short out…a glass breaks…that it won’t be easily replaced. Stores just don’t carry the items necessary for home maintenance…

But when a building collapses…and after every major tropical rainstorm and hurricane there are quite a few that go down…there’s a run on the “home depot”… the resourceful Cuban knows that the ruins are recyclable.

Eleven years ago I stood in front of this building in La Habana Vieja… first the sign caught my eye and then observing the balcony, I noticed the old lady swaying in the window back and forth with the baby in her arms. She was aware that I was shooting and started to fix her hair as if prepping for a portrait. I kept waiting for both child and woman to be in a position to capture both…remember they were swaying. I wonder is she still alive today…the child fast approaching his 12th birthday…

At first I was attracted to the gesturing…slapping down of “las fichas”…the commentary…”me pegue”(the joyful, cocky voice of the player who puts his final domino piece on the table at the end of the game) but as I observed the “theater” that I love in life. I noticed this “actress” playing her role…I love the way she fixed her hair carefully bringing the curls out (reminiscent of a cupie doll) out from under her bandana…her bright eyes alert as they danced from each participants gestures…it was late in the day…

Santiago De Cuba