Vadym Vasylenko Photography

New product - Cube Décor

2011-11-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

We'd like to introduce a great addition to our Product List. Just in time for the holidays! Cube Décor - Made from durable Gallery Block™ material, each cube is created from four inch image panels that come together to create a one-of-a-kind photo cube.

These adorable cubes make the perfect keepsake for remembering all life's most precious moments like new babies, growing families, holiday memories, graduations, weddings, anniversaries and more.

More Products on our website: http://vadymphoto.photobiz.com/cart/index.cfm?start=products

2011-10-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

Sugar and spice

and everything nice

that's what little girls are made of.

Sunshine and rainbows

and ribbons for hair bows

that's what little girls are made of.

Tea parties, laces

and baby doll faces

that's what little girls are made of.

What are little boys made of?

Snips and snails,

And puppy dog tails,

That's what little boys are made of.

To view more images visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/vadym.vasylenko.photography

Quinceañera

2011-09-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Quinceañera - sometimes called Fiesta de Quinceañera, or simply quince, is the celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday in parts of Latin America and elsewhere in communities of immigrants from Latin America.

This birthday is celebrated differently from any other birthday, as it marks the transition from childhood to young womanhood.

It was an absolute pleasure for us to photograph this event. We had a great time with Beatriz and her family. Beatriz is a very talented and sweet girl. Her family and friends made this celebration shine like an Oscars. Her sister Maria, chorus and musicians, cousins and friends with dance delight, choreographer, decoration and cuisine, light and sound everyone and everything was astonishing and unforgettable! Everyone had a great time and enjoyed it.

Christine + Nate

2011-09-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

We had a great pleasure photographing Christine and Nate. We were moved by the intensity of care and consideration these two have for each other. They listen with their eyes. They hug with their smiles. They laugh with their hearts. They fully submersed in their blanket of happiness. We are grateful to bear witness of such contagious heartfelt expression of love. Thank you both for sharing this remarkable love story with us.

More photos on our Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.253525434685853.58111.101380229900375&type=1

L + A = LOVE

2011-09-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

"I will never be alone beneath the rains tears.

You will be there to keep me safe and warm.

You are the heaven I hold in my arms

never again relying on sleep to dream.

Your endless love is my dream come true.

Our hearts entwined forever in love

till the very last day of our journey".

We would like to thank you Anton and Liliya for allowing us to freeze memories of their Love Journey! They are a great couple and we had a blast working with them. Much Love and Appreciation!:)

Natasha + Roman

2011-07-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

Sneak peek of Engagement session with Natasha and Roman:

The Super Mini 3x3 Accordion Books includes 30 image panels!

2011-07-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Our Super Mini Accordion Books are made from the same high-quality materials as Fine Art Books. More Options, More Custom, and High Quality! Every book comes with free extra-strong Earth Magnets to hold them together.

Accordion Books are available in over 55 cover options with 9 high quality paper options, each with its own unique look and texture.
Contact us for pricing.

Springtime Packages

2011-04-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

Springtime is here! As the weather warms up and the days getting longer. There are signs of life, flowers starting to bud, birds are sinning! Warm wind blows across your window. We would like to celebrate a new season with special Spring Packages for our clients.

Why are these packages so special? Each package has great savings!

Easter Bunny Package

Portrait Session - Portrait sessions are up to 2 hour in length. Many options are available for sessions: indoors, at client’s home, outdoors.
Unlimited wardrobe changes and poses
3pc. Accordion Mini Books
Password protected online proof gallery for viewing and ordering prints
(3) 8×10 prints
(3) 5×7 prints
(3) 4×6 prints
(16) Wallets
Moderate digital retouching of all images. On average you will receive anywhere minimum 250 photos, each hand-edited and artfully retouched. You will receive a mix of color, black and white and sepia tone photographs.
10 Easter Greeting Photo Cards (variety of designs)

Your prints deserve a beautifully polished presentation! All your print will be packed in Boutique Folder Packaging or Boutique Boxes. Crafted from textured paper stock, Boutique Folders are enclosed with natural raffia or an eco-friendly paper ribbon.

Tiny Chick Package

Portrait Session - Portrait sessions are up to 2 hour in length. Many options are available for sessions: indoors, at client’s home, outdoors.
Unlimited wardrobe changes and poses
3 Accordion Mini Books
Password protected online proof gallery for viewing and ordering prints
(2) 8×10 prints
(2) 5×7 prints
(2) 4×6 prints
(8) Wallets
Moderate digital retouching. On average you will receive anywhere minimum 250 photos, each hand-edited and artfully retouched. You will receive a mix of color, black and white and sepia tone photographs.

Painted Egg Package

Portrait Session - Portrait sessions are up to 2 hour in length. Many options are available for sessions: indoors, at client’s home, outdoors.
Unlimited wardrobe changes and poses
(1) 8×10 print
(1) 5×7 print
(2) 4×6 prints
Moderate digital retouching of printed images. On average, you will receive anywhere minimum 250 photos, print images will be hand-edited and artfully retouched. You will receive a mix of color, black and white and sepia tone photographs.

We have many options for printed-paper for prints. Including Lustre “E”, Glossy “F” - Kodak ENDURA professional photo paper, Kodak ENDURA Metallic, Fuji Pearl and many more.

Many unique products available for order.

Accordion Mini Books

2011-04-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

We are excited to introduce an awesome new product: Accordion Mini Books. As a special promotion, ALL PORTRAIT SESSIONS booked by May 1 will receive one FREE Accordion Mini Book!

Accordion Mini Books are the perfect to use as mini folios and brag books. Fun to use as a guest book for small events or a unique album for: Mini scrapbook, Love letter, Invitation, Baby Announcement, Attendants gift, Valentine’s Day, Grandchildren photos.

Available in a wallet and a square 3x3 size, order an Accordion Mini Book on any press printed papers – standard semi-gloss, art linen, art watercolor, art recycled, and pearl. UV coating can also be added.

Cover options include fabrics, leathers, suedes, or a personalized custom photo cover in lustre or metallic with a matte laminate. The wallet Accordion Mini Books have up to 14 customizable panels and the square 3x3 has up to 10 customizable panels.

They are durable and easy to carry around to show off your beautiful photos and make great gifts!

Wall Clusters & Splits

2011-03-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

We are excited to introduce a great new product!

Wall Clusters & Splits - Available with Canvas Gallery Wraps, ThinWraps & MetalPrints.
Make a bold impact with wide assortment of Wall Clusters and Splits!
Clusters and Splits can be assembled with multiple images, or use a single image across prints for a dramatic mosaic effect.
Cluster packages are discounted at 20% less than the individual mounted print prices, and are designed to be hung 1" apart.

Click on image to view more info:

Family Happiness

2011-03-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

We are so pleased to share some of the photos from recent family session:

New product - Gallery Blocks!

2011-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to introduce a new product to our product list.

Gallery Blocks are made of wood box with a professional quality photographic print laminated over its hard frame. Corners are absolutely seamless and have no fold. All Gallery Blocks come ready to hang and lay perfectly flush against the wall.

Floating Gallery Blocks gives photographic wall art a new dimension and unlimited creative possibilities.

What makes Gallery Blocks so exciting? Gallery Blocks can be completely personalized to make every piece a work of art.
Best of all, every Gallery Block comes with a lifetime warranty!

Kristina's Design Studio

2010-12-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

We would like to introduce Kristina's Design Studio. Los Angeles based florist Kristina Sirakanian unlike any other who strives to achieve perfection in creating unforgettable bouquets and arrangements. What sets her apart from the rest is amazing ability to create not a pretty bouquet but a show-stopping work of art.

Her work is guaranteed to impress! Kristina’s unique bouquets boast originality and color. She provides full design and set up services for any events and weddings.

Please see samples of her work in our slideshow.

Please contact her here:

Tel: 323/243-0285; e-mail: totalunagi@hotmail.com

12 Simple Wedding Day Tips for a Bride

2010-11-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

Simple wedding tips that can make the day go smoother and for you to think about things you have never thought of before….

1. Wear a veil. Where else can you ever wear a veil! It is your wedding day, be bold and make it long!

2. Keep your flowers close. It really adds to your look. Hold the flowers around your belly button so the dress is not covered up and always tilt the flowers towards the camera so we see them and not the stems.

3. Girls be edgy it is 21 century after all! Wear red! Well if you don’t wear red wear something red or green or pink just do it.

4. Talk to the photographer about the time line before you do it. Have them involved with the day’s organization so they can add to it. The photographer is the one that makes the award winning shots so they should be involved in this process. Photographers are master directors - use their experience.

5. Get bubbles if you can’t do rose petals. Have everyone blow bubbles as you walk down the aisle after the ceremony. They are inexpensive and fun and make for great pictures.

6. Have your bridesmaids dressed and ready to help you into your dress. It is the bridesmaid’s job to help you get ready hence, the name also get them to keep the room tidy for the photographer. Think about the photographer’s job. If he/she comes into a room and it is a mess that will hinder some great angles.

7. Get a professional makeup artist. There is nothing worse than shine on the nose. It is not as easy as it looks. But remember….they always seem to take more time than they think they are going to take, so add an extra 1 hour…for the makeup and the hair people. Have the makeup artist give you some power for you to powder before the formals photos, a little powder on the Groom works as well…

**Get your makeup artist to use powder-based foundation and blush… Creams appear shiny on camera…

8. Set enough time with your photographer to get the perfect portraits. Great images do happen but many times, they are well planned for too. The photographer needs time to set up and sometimes it takes a few so don’t get annoyed get happy. He/she is going to make you look like a fashion model.

9. Walk slowly down the aisle and ask everyone to do the same. It gives the photographer a good chance to grab some different angles, people’s reactions, etc.

10. At the end of the ceremony stop on the way back and kiss your spouse. You will remember this great shot years to come. Imagine you are in a movie, because you really are!

11. The toasts should be very short. Nothing faster kills a buzz than long speeches. Make sure every orator toasts no more than a couple of minutes. When the toast is over people are either ready to eat or party; therefore, they are anxious to finish with a formal part.

12. Place the cake in a picturesque spot; otherwise, it's just a cake against a wall. Why spend the money on a lovely cake if you don't give it a beautiful presentation? The table counts too, so decorate it.

Summarizing... whatever you do, do not afraid to make mistakes. After all, with the help of many people that passionately cheer for you success you will do your best. So while in it, enjoy it fullest. We fish you a very happy celebration and long lasting memories.

Marriage Proposal

2010-06-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Unique marriage proposals often take a ton of planning. Afterwards, most couples note that the entire event seemed to go by in a blur. Do not let that happen to you! Hire a professional photographer to document your proposal.

The photographers at Vadym Vasylenko Photography strive to raise the standard...s of what engagement and wedding photography can be - a series of interconnected moments captured to document the transformation of two separate lives into one. A Love Story. From the moment your loved one’s face registers by your heart. Followed by that brief pause. Then all your shared moments of love and affection flash before your eyes. Your heart flooded with a genuine fear that you might fail. You are both shocked and awed to be in the moment you have been dreaming of since your childhood. Knowing your lives will NEVER be the same again.

There will never be another love story like yours. That is why the moment is special and memorable to all who witness it unfolds. Most engagement proposals usually happen in less than five minutes. Even so, what does that time really mean? When Einstein asked himself a similar question about our relationship to time, he came up with the theory of relativity. His simplification of the theory was, “Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT’S relativity.

”What do you call the brief hush between the offer and the acceptance? Some people might have called it, “A condition of complete simplicity… is costing no less than everything.” If you have ever experienced this moment, then you know, that these actions do not originate in the mind. Therefore, they cannot be fully understood or rationalized by it.

You can take pictures with the woman you love all the time, but the smile on her face in that moment is something you cannot recreate. This is the real deal. This is authenticity at its finest. Keep in mind she will share this proposal story for many years to come and now, she will have a beautiful photo album to go with it.Vadym Vasylenko Photography offers consultation services, from the preparation of your proposal idea to the final photo album to capture that unforgettable day.

Marriage Proposal package:

- Unique idea for a proposal

- Advice for the location for a proposal

- Photos of your proposal

- Photo book that will capture every second of her/his surprise and excitement

Please contact us for a price: vadymphoto@gmail.com or 714-718-3840, 323-791-9764.

We also offer variety of products: Invitation Cards, Reception Slideshow, Matted Display, Guest Book, print on canvas, cups and etc..

Visit our website: vadymphoto.com CLIENTS/PRODUCTS section for complete list of products.

PYSANKY by Adriana

2010-06-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Couple weeks ago we visited Renaissance Fair in Irwindale, and had a pleasure to meet with Adriana who does colorful art of decorating EASTER EGGS, or PYSANKY, that has been a Ukrainian tradition for over ten centuries.

PYSANKY, the richly decorated raw eggs, are never eaten. They are kept in the home from year to year as decorations and as protection from evil, fire and lightning. Friends exchange pysanky that have been blessed on Easter morning to commemorateChrist’s teachings of peace and love.

The word PYSANKA comes from the Ukrainian word “pysaty” which means to write. PYSANKY are decorated by a complicated dye process similar to Batik. Melted beeswax is applied with a stylus, which is called a “kistka” or “pysaltse” to afresh egg, raw, and clear of blemishes.

The egg is dipped into a succession of dye baths, starting from the lightest, usually yellow,and ending with the darkest, typically black. Between each dipping, wax is applied over areas where the preceding color is to remain. After all the designing is complete, the wax is melted off and a hard glaze is applied. Bees wax is used because it staysliquid longer than paraffin, is more pliable, and has an adhering quality; and, of course bee-keeping was very common, so a large natural supply was on hand.

More info about her here: http://www.pysanka.com/the_art.php

Archstone Kickball Tournament

2010-05-29T16:50:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we had a blast photographing the Archstone Kickball Tournament. Archstone is a recognized leader in apartment management with a portfolio concentrated in many of the most desirable neighborhoods in the nation. Their communities reside in such metropolitan areas as Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, New York City, Seattle and Boston, to name a few. Four teams participated in the tournament from Southern California: the LA "KICK"ERS, Beachside Ballers, GrAss Kickers and Hatorade. They represented branches of Archstone in the Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties and the Inland Empire accordingly. The talented GrAss Kickers from Orange County fought fearlessly and won the Cup this year, making them the champions for the second year in a row.

California Poppy Festival in Lancaster April 24 -25, 2010

2010-04-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

In the spring time after the winter rains, the California poppy blossoms in fields, meadows, and most place where there's a temperate climate and mellow weather. The bright orange flower is a treat to see when it grows in patches or roadside grasses. It is even more of a delight to celebrate the blossoming of the poppy in a city celebration that the City of Lancaster hosts annually. Celebrating the State Flower of the State of California, and one of its native habitats--Lancaster, come join the fun!

Lancaster prides itself in providing fertile ground for an abundance of poppy crops. The California Poppy Festival comes from a proud tradition--Lancaster once co-sponsored Wildflower Information Center, which welcomed thousands of visitors who flocked to the Antelope Valley to view the flowers in the spring at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Since the Golden California Poppy blooms each year around the time that Earth Day occurs, Lancaster in 1970 held its first California Poppy Festival, in honor or Earth Day and its principles.

Continuing the proud tradition, Lancaster invites the public to celebrate its spring bounty of flowers, food, festivities, and fun, in a celebration that includes elements such as an art show, carnival, concerts with great bands, and lots of activities for the kids.
(info from http://www.beachcalifornia.com/)
California Poppy Festival website: http://poppyfestival.com/

New Begining

2010-04-10T01:23:00.000-07:00

Congrats Thom and Vanessa!

An excerpt from "The Prophet" by Khalil Gabran:

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the winds of heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

International Pillow Fight Day in Los Angeles 2010

2010-04-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

On Saturday April 3, 2010 hundreds of cities around the world, from Stockholm to Shanghai were participating in International Pillow Fight Day.

Los Angeles hosted this event at the Pershing Square in the heart of Los Angeles' downtown. Tons of people used their pillows to have fun. The best and most appropriate question... you may ask, "Why a pillow fight?" Well, we say, "Why not?" Can you think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon in LA?... ☻ Of course, you can! But, what the heck!

As the appointed time of 3 p.m. approached, the waves of fighters streamed into the square from every direction.

It was such a unique experience when people of different lifestyles and believes joined a peaceful fight. Some folks came prepared: pajamas, a surgical mask, glasses and helmet.

The Los Angeles Times wrote, "The loosely coordinated events were part of the so-called urban playground movement and promoted by Newmindspace, http://newmindspace.com a public art group based in New York and Toronto. The project is intended to show how social media can be used to organize people to embrace urban public settings."

We are happy to know that one of the few rules in pillow fighting - do not hit person with the camera. Well, most folks were rule-abiding citizens. As for some... We will respond back to them next year without cameras in our hands. We survived so we can share our memories with all of you. ☺☻☺

Fight! Fight! Fight! Until the feathers fly away!

LA Marathon 2010

2010-03-31T23:25:00.000-07:00

"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." Emil Zatopek

The Los Angeles Marathon 2010

2010-03-23T09:24:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Marathon is an annual marathon held in Los Angeles, California since 1986. The 2010 LA Marathon took place on Sunday March 21. Celebrating 25 years, the Los Angeles Marathon's new "Stadium to the Sea" course was designed to be a visual tour of the city.

The course beginning at Dodger Stadium and passing landmarks such as Graumann's Chinese Theater, El Pueblo, City Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown. It continued on Hollywood & Vine, the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, Beverly Hills' and upscale shopping district, Rodeo Drive, on the way to a finish near the ocean.

Here are some of the highlights of the LA Marathon on Hollywood Boulevard near 10-mile mark:

2010-03-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Seeing is the beginning of understanding. A camera can enhance the viewing experience by extending time and place:

What is the definition of happiness anyway?

2010-03-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

So many ways to define happiness...

Here are some definitions of happiness to inspire you:

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
Thich Nhat Hanh

Money can't buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
Spike Milligan

Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow.
Swedish proverb

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.
Author Unknown

Happiness comes only from appreciating what you have right now. You can even be happy by appreciating your troubles because they are helping to build your character.
Harriet Meyerson

It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
Agnes Rippler

Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.
Mark Twain

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.
Mark Twain

If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time.
Edith Wharton

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
Buddha

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.
Fyodor Dostoevsky

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
George Bernard Shaw

It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same amount of energy loving their fellow men, the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui.
Helen Keller

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.
W.J. Bryan

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever
Gandhi

Don’t cry because its over, smile because it happened.
Unknown

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.
But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, someunfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
Alfred D Souza

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
So, treasure every moment that you have.
And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special,
special enough to spend your time ...
and remember that time waits for no one ...
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now.

So stop waiting until you finish school
until you go back to school
until you lose ten pounds
until you gain ten pounds
until you have kids
until your kids leave the house
until you start work
until you retire
until you get married
until you get divorced
until Friday night
until Sunday morning
until you get a new car or home
until your car or home is paid off
until spring, until summer
until fall ... until winter
until you are off welfare
until the first or fifteenth
until your song comes on
until you've had a drink
until you've sobered up
until you die until you are born again
to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy!

Happiness is a journey ... not a destination!!

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself...

Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug.

Valentines Day

2010-03-05T12:03:00.001-08:00

History Of Valentine's Day

"Every year, the fourteenth day of the month of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and other lovely gifts. In many countries, restaurants and eateries are seen to be filled with couples who are eager to celebrate their relationship and the joy of their togetherness through delicious cuisines. There hardly seems to be a young man or woman who is not keen to make the most of the day.
The reason behind all of this is a kindly cleric named Valentine who died more than a thousand years ago.

It is not exactly known why the 14th of February is known as Valentine's Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. The history of Valentine's Day is impossible to be obtained from any archive and the veil of centuries gone by has made the origin behind this day more difficult to trace. It is only some legends that are our source for the history of Valentine's Day.

The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. As per one legend, the holiday has originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that used to observed annually on February 15. But the rise of Christianity in Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14. He proclaimed February 14 to be the feast day in honor of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern Valentine's Day honors.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on 14th February.

It is clear that Pope Gelasius intended to honor the first of these three aforementioned men. Most scholars believe that this St. Valentine was a priest who lived around 270 AD in Rome and attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II who ruled during this time.

The story of St. Valentine has two different versions - the Protestant and the Catholic one. Both versions agree upon Saint Valentine being a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter. During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Education declined, taxation increased and trade witnessed a very bad time. The Roman empire faced crisis from all sides, from the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asia. The empire had grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Naturally, more and more capable men were required to to be recruited as soldiers and officers to protect the nation from takeover. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed that marriage made the men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers.

The ban on marriage was a great shock for the Romans. But they dared not voice their protest against the mighty emperor. The kindly bishop Valentine also realized the injustice of the decree. He saw the trauma of young lovers who gave up all hopes of being united in marriage. He planned to counter the monarch's orders in secrecy. Whenever lovers thought of marrying, they went to Valentine who met them afterwards in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. And thus he secretly performed many marriages for young lovers. But such things cannot remain hidden for long. It was only a matter of time before Claudius came to know of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested.

While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine was approached by his jailor, Asterius. It was said that Valentine had some saintly abilities and one of them granted him the power to heal people.
Asterius had a blind daughter and knowing of the miraculous powers of Valentine he requested the latter to restore the sight of his blind daughter. The Catholic legend has it that Valentine did this through the vehicle of his strong faith, a phenomenon refuted by the Protestant version which agrees otherwise with the Catholic one. Whatever the fact, it appears that Valentine in some way did succeed to help Asterius' blind daughter.

When Claudius II met Valentine, he was said to have been impressed by the dignity and conviction of the latter. However, Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. It is also said that the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods but was unsuccesful in his efforts. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. This angered Claudius II who gave the order of execution of Valentine.

Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius' daughter. It caused great grief to the young girl to hear of his friend's imminent death. It is said that just before his execution, Valentine asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after. As per another legend, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD.

Thus 14th February became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint. It began to be annually observed by young Romans who offered handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, on this day to the women they admired. With the coming of Christianity, the day came to be known as St. Valentine's Day.

But it was only during the 14th century that St. Valentine's Day became definitively associated with love. UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of "Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine", credits Chaucer as the one who first linked St. Valentine's Day with romance. In medieval France and England it was believed that birds mated on February 14. Hence, Chaucer used the image of birds as the symbol of lovers in poems dedicated to the day. In Chaucer's "The Parliament of Fowls," the royal engagement, the mating season of birds, and St. Valentine's Day are related:
"For this was on St. Valentine's Day, When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate."

Today, Valentine's Day is one of the major holidays in the U.S. and has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are "valentine"s. The "valentines", as Valentine's Day cards are better known as, are often designed with hearts to symbolize love. The Valentine's Day card spread with Christianity, and is now celebrated all over the world. One of the earliest valentines was sent in 1415 AD by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife during his imprisonment in the Tower of London. The card is now preserved in the British Museum.

There may be doubts regarding the actual identity of Valentine, but we know that he really existed because archaeologists have recently unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to a Saint Valentine.

Grand Openning

2010-03-05T12:00:00.001-08:00

Last Saturday we witnessed an opening of new women social club The Tea Room. The reception took place in the Larissa Morais Art Gallery. This spacious gallery is hidden from prying eyes yet in the heart of the historic downtown of the city of Orange - the Orange Circle. After a short speeches and introductions guests were served tea, champagne and tasty treats. Ilya Sergienko was dexterously performing jazz throughout the evening. Ana Gudkova and Shoja Adel delighted us with magic of tango. The pinnacle of the night was a raffle of freebies: restaurant dinner, home decorator consultation, 6 months of membership in the Tea Room.

Here is how organizers explained the club's mission and vision:

"Общение – это основа нашего развития. А живое общение ценно вдвойне. В нашем Салоне Вас ждут встречи с интересными специалистами, курсы и практические занятия. Вы получите знания, которые пригодятся каждой женщине. Увлекательные экскурсии, дегустации, торжественные обеды, а также семейный досуг. Вы наполните жизнь новыми эмоциями, расширите кругозор и обретете новых друзей. Наслаждайтесь жизнью в приятной компании! Открывая дверь в наш клуб, вы открываете дверь в мир безграничных возможностей."

"Communication is the foundation of our development. A live communication is doubly valuable. In our salon, you will be introduced to interesting professionals, courses, and workshops. You will receive knowledge that will be useful to every woman. Fascinating guided tours, wine testing, gala dinners, as well as family leisure. You would fill life with new emotions, broaden your horizons, and gain new friends. Enjoy your life in good company! Opening the door to our club, you open the door to the world of infinite possibilities."

We all looking forward to new meetings and ideas for that wonderful women club in Orange County.

Here, you can look at the pictures from the opening reception:
http://vadymphoto.photobiz.com/cart/event_welcome.cfm

Enjoy!!!

Please visit Vadym Vasylenko Photography website: http://www.vadymphoto.com/

LA Decompression

2010-03-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

Last year was full of adventures & hard work for us! There were many different events that we visited & documented with camera. One of them was the LA Decompression. It was held on October 3rd from Noon to Midnight at the Los Angeles State Historical Park.

That was the second year that L.A. State Historical Park has hosted Decom and I hope they would come back this year. Art was everywhere: from huge fiery sculptures to mirrored limousines. As usual, the collective masterpiece continued well into the night. It was twelve hours of art, performance, live bands, Djs, theme camps, art cars, green technologies, puppetry, circus, marching bands, fire steam, and 2009 imagery. In the spirit of Burning Man, people were encouraged to don costumes for self-expression, and over 5000 natives attended.

We love Jack Kerouac’s words that we think describe this event the best:

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”

Here, you can look at never fading memories of Burning Man in LA:

http://picasaweb.google.com/crossroads.of.colonies

Enjoy!

About us

2010-03-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

Vadym

The photography has become an essential part of my life. I thought that I could be just fine without it working my way up in sales and applying degree in marketing. However, time after time I had been coming back. I still remember brightness and shallow warmth of sunbeam caught on film with my first very own camera. I was 10 and I was learning the chemical magic of dark room and fickleness of film. Hundreds of thousands pictures later, armed with a state of art digital technology of ultra fast processor and mega sensitive censor I am still mesmerized with delight of sunset glow painted over feminine face.

I believe that the eye is the entrance to a photographer's creative soul. I love to capture moments of our lives that are too quickly sweeping away by the enduring march of time. Moments that should be cherished and frozen so that they would astound us time after time.

For me photography is the way of feeling, touching, loving. What I have seen through my lens is captured forever... little things with reflective meanings… they continue living long after I have forgotten everything… at the time when world will be a happy place for everyone.

Successful, appealing image could not be created without observation. Finding something interesting in an ordinary place, showing astonishing insight of common populace is a key to gratifying picture.

Lena

For me photography is a way of listening to life, a way of recording the story of a lifetime as it unfolds, moment by moment… I am passionate for digital post-production of Vadym’s work on products that we offer to our clients.
I believe that our clients, in essence, hire us to see their event through our eyes. It is our privilege to ensure that every meaningful detail is photographed in a relaxed, unobtrusive, artful way. It's also just as important to create a masterpiece album or slideshow, custom designed by us and specifically for each client.

I personally design each photo album that we offer our clients and retouch photos when necessary. The idea is not that you look retouched; the goal is you and your family should look your best!
I continuously keep up with latest technology in graphic design and retouching to ensure that your images will be incomparable.

Our documentary style combines illustrative portrait artistry and photojournalism. Let us tell your unique story through unequaled images that will be shared by generations.

Our clients deserve the very best!

Our new website is running!

2010-03-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

Check out our new website: http://www.vadymphoto.com/

Don't forget to visit photo gallery on Picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/crossroads.of.colonies/

Enjoy!!!