Central Park portraits, a childhood church, and a rooftop view of the Empire State Building — all captured on film.

A Love Story That Crossed Oceans

Zana and Visar’s story began years ago in Kosovo, where they met at work while Zana was completing her internship. What started as a friendship turned into a long-distance love that spanned countries, time zones, and countless airport goodbyes.

After several years of flights and reunions overseas, Visar finally moved to New York so they could start their next chapter together — side by side.

A Ceremony Full of Sentimental Significance

Their wedding day felt like a love letter to both their roots and their present. They were married in the same church Zana grew up attending — by the very priest who once taught her religion classes.

It was an emotional, full-circle moment surrounded by family and tradition. Zana carried a rosary that belonged to her grandmother, one she used to pray with every day — a quiet thread connecting generations of love and faith.

Central Park Portraits on Film

After the ceremony, we made our way to Central Park — the place where Visar proposed years earlier with a handmade scrapbook documenting their long-distance story. Photographing them there felt like revisiting the heartbeat of their relationship.

The spring light filtered softly through the trees as they wandered hand in hand, laughing and taking in the calm before the celebration. On film, it felt like a scene from a classic New York love story — nostalgic, honest, and full of joy.

A Rooftop Reception with the Empire State Building in View

As the sun began to set, guests gathered for a rooftop cocktail hour overlooking the Manhattan skyline. The Empire State Building glowed in the distance while the city lights flickered to life.

The evening felt effortlessly New York — champagne toasts, traditional live music floating through the air, and the kind of sunset light that makes everything shimmer. It was intimate and electric all at once, and the city became part of their story.

Why I Love Photographing Weddings in New York

This day had everything I love about photographing weddings in New York — the blend of old and new, quiet and bold, intimate and iconic. From a childhood church to Central Park to a rooftop celebration, every moment felt layered with meaning.

Shot entirely on film, Zana and Visar’s wedding was a reminder that love here isn’t just documented — it’s felt. Every frame tells a story of connection, nostalgia, and the magic that only New York can bring.

A Balkan Party Extravaganza

Once dinner wrapped up and the lights dimmed, the energy shifted — and the night transformed into a full-blown Balkan celebration. The music picked up, and within minutes, everyone was on their feet.

Traditional songs filled the room as guests formed circles and danced in unison, the rhythm contagious and full of life. There was laughter, clapping, and that unmistakable pulse that only Balkan weddings seem to have — pure joy that radiated through every frame.

Tables overflowed with baklava, served at every seat, the air rich with the scent of honey and pastry. The combination of New York skyline views and this vibrant cultural celebration created something unforgettable — a night that felt like home, no matter how far from it they were.