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richard israel photography bio picture

welcome!

My name is Richard Israel and I am a photographer who lives in
Charlotte, NC with my beautiful wife Beth and our three amazing
daughters, Ferris twelve, Sophia nine and Priscilla five.

I love life, I love
photography.

the wedding row and ruffled blog features

first off I just want to say a big “Thank you” for all the wonderful comments on Grace and Aaron’s wedding post, my gosh!!!

I awoke this morning to find two weddings featured on two different and equally wonderful wedding blogs  ruffled blog and Charleston’s very own the wedding row thank you Amanda and Della so much for the shout outs

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neal carpenter - You are awesome! Do you offer leasons, "ride alongs", etc?September 3, 2010 - 3:21 pm

Kristin Vining - You are...utterly amazing!September 3, 2010 - 6:09 pm

Melissa Barton - You are the bomb!!!September 3, 2010 - 6:36 pm

jerrell terrell - congrats! well deserved for sure.September 3, 2010 - 11:44 pm

grace & aaron

Grace and Aaron’s mountain wedding was simply the sweetest and lovliest I’ve been involved in.  I’ve been trying so hard to describe it so I’ll just let Grace do it for me.

Antique, country mixed with some great depression, old time and folk. Everything was pretty much homemade and SUPER low budget. The people kinda made it what it was too.”

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tech note: first two images, Super Speed Graphic, 210mm lens, Ilford HP5.

The rest: Kodak film, Rolleiflex, Nikon F100


Brandon M Sweet - Out of this world seriously. Seriously amazing shots.August 19, 2010 - 8:14 pm

Yvette - STOP IT. My mouth is hanging open. That is just too much beauty. Those first two photos about killed me. XOXO YAugust 19, 2010 - 8:32 pm

neal carpenter - The 4x5 images are so perfect. It is hard to imaginge anything more perfect.August 20, 2010 - 3:47 am

Riccis - These are superb... Fantastic job! Now you are making me look into a 210 for my Crown Graphic :)August 20, 2010 - 4:23 am

Kristin Vining - Seriously? Seriously? OMY!! I'm in utter love! Richard - these are PHENOMENAL!! I FEEL EVERY BIT of these images...DELICIOUS!! What a wedding to capture - I want one!! WOW!! Perfect!August 20, 2010 - 4:57 am

Rodney - Richard... excuse me while I go outside and cuss. These are the best I've ever seen. Everything is so "Israel".August 20, 2010 - 6:13 am

Becca Bond - DUDE! Really?!?! I want to BE there! Not only is the event beyond beautiful and the people, but your work enhances all of it! LOVE!August 20, 2010 - 6:58 am

Brian Woodward - Seriously great work, especially love the tonality and mystery of the group images and the image of her in the foreground looking down her shoulder with him softly in the back. . wonderful images Richard. You inspire me to be a better photographer. bwAugust 20, 2010 - 7:01 am

rafa shea - NO WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!August 20, 2010 - 9:09 am

Christopher Record - Amazing images bro! Some of your best, and that's saying alot!August 20, 2010 - 2:38 pm

Fer Juaristi - dude, you really rock this wedding, awesome work!August 20, 2010 - 3:19 pm

Grace Buchanan - Richard.... Im sitting here shaking my head, blown away, unable to come up with words perfect enough for what you've captured here. I've prepared myself for not getting to have that most perfect day back, what a beautiful, spiritual, love-filled day... and when I came to just get a preview of the pictures you took, my eyes welled over and I am still in disbelief. Who knew photos could do this to a person. You did it. You captured every ounce of that perfect day. Other people don't have this opportunity to experience these moments over and over so beautifully through photography, and you've given us this. I don't know how to thank you, but I thank you... from the bottom of my heart.August 21, 2010 - 9:37 am

Cheyenne Schultz - wow. richard - these are freaking incredible.August 23, 2010 - 11:32 am

Paul Gero - Richard... LOVE this work...very sensitive and powerful. Well done! PaulAugust 25, 2010 - 8:03 am

gian - Super vintage wedding & photos, congrats!! perfectly timed photos, God bless youAugust 25, 2010 - 10:13 am

Chris Edwards - This is spectacular, Richard...man, this blew me away.August 26, 2010 - 10:26 am

Blake Miller - Absolutely stunning, Richard. Blew me away.August 26, 2010 - 10:31 am

Michael E - Richard - the comment from Grace really says it all. That being said, I really have to agree with Christopher...this is some of your best imagery. They are completely from the heart and 100% you. Well done my friend!August 28, 2010 - 7:57 pm

Heather Roberts - Absolutely amazing.August 30, 2010 - 7:16 am

Susan Dean - I Love this! A simple wedding is a blank canvas waiting to be painted by the beauty of the people who share in it. Like you Richard ;) "People as Fine Art"September 1, 2010 - 2:41 pm

Dina - Wow, totally beautiful!September 3, 2010 - 3:39 pm

olga is having a baby

I’ve been photographing beautiful Olga since she was fifteen when she sang in a band, her wedding and now her maternity pictures. One of the perks of my job, being part of peoples lives.

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Olga - O my goodness Richard, you are brilliant!! I am totally thrilled!August 16, 2010 - 5:46 pm

Olivia - Ohhh my goodness these turned out great!!August 16, 2010 - 7:08 pm

Masha - Sister...these are amazing! I want one to put in my house. You were right about the photographer.August 16, 2010 - 7:50 pm

Dara Maclean - Awe, Olga, you look stunning!August 17, 2010 - 8:33 am

Kristin Vining - Ahhhh...life is wonderful!! Absolutely spectacular!!August 20, 2010 - 4:56 am

Rebekah - OLGA LOOKS SO PRETTY AND HAPPY! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER NEW BABY GIRL MAYA! FABULOUS WORK AS USUAL MR. ISRAEL! FABULOUS!August 21, 2010 - 8:45 am

Jenni Drennen - Breathtaking. Striking. Simple. I absolutely love these pics.August 22, 2010 - 7:50 pm

three days old

Eva Catherine, congratulations to the Parsons family.

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neal carpenter - One word-WOW!August 10, 2010 - 5:55 am

Kristin Vining - Another word...DELICIOUS!August 10, 2010 - 8:03 am

Della MacNicholas - my word....inspiringAugust 10, 2010 - 5:05 pm

low fi

Testing the Olympus OM1 is over, this camera/lens blows me away, we are now inseparable buddies. I love this camera for it’s size, it’s tiny, when photographing kid’s it’s amazing how much better interaction you get when not using an intimidating camera and huge lens,

It’s totally low tech, fully mechanical, manual everything and lens quality that rivals Leica lenses (my opinion)

tech note: Olympus Om1, 50mm, 1.4 lens all shot @ 1.4, Kodak 400 CN, window light

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ferris’ rock “n roll look

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Kristin Vining - I'm DYING!! WOW!! Gorgeous, Sir Richard. Simply breathtaking, friend! xoxoAugust 9, 2010 - 1:07 pm

neal carpenter - I love seeing you in the sunglasses!August 9, 2010 - 1:27 pm

Drea Cunningham - Totally awesome dude.August 9, 2010 - 7:13 pm

Elisabeth Rose - i adore these.August 10, 2010 - 10:14 am

Rebekah - AWESOME PICTURES OF THE GIRLS! I ESPECIALLY LOVE FERRIS AND HER ROCK AND ROLL PIC! LOVE IT!August 21, 2010 - 8:43 am

food

balsamic chicken

Ok, I’m definitely not a chef nor claim to be one, however our family love food and I love cooking, so I thought I’d share this  dish I cooked last night. which seemed to be a big hit, I also need you tell you that I’m in love with Grits and only stone ground grits are acceptable.

marinate chicken breasts in Balsamic vinegar, crushed garlic and fresh rosemary sprigs for about 12 hours

roast chicken @350 for about 25 minutes covered (aluminum foil) 10 minutes uncovered

pour juices into saucepan, add whipping cream, a little  flour to thicken and reduce

drop turnip greens in boiling water for 5 minutes

cook yellow stone ground  grits, (directions on package) when done mix in more salt to taste, ground black pepper, butter and sharp cheddar cheese.

drizzle (pour) sauce generously over everything

yum, yum!!!


Emma - I was one of the esteemed guests from England and I can confirm that the whole meal tasted great! The chicken was delicious and moist and you could really taste the seasoning, and as a visitor to the South I was very impressed with the grits! And Richard definitely didn't tell me to write this comment ;). XAugust 6, 2010 - 10:18 am

neal carpenter - It sounds yummy and I love the garlic shot.August 6, 2010 - 10:19 am

Drea Cunningham - Delish! We will be borrowing this recipe. Sounds fantastic!August 6, 2010 - 10:54 am

my baby + my new baby

I simply had to dig out the very first camera I ever owned, the venerable Olympus OM1 + 50mm, 1.4  lens after seeing UK photographer Jocelyn Bain Hogg’s amazing reportage photography, he uses Olympus SLR’S for their tiny size and legendary optic’s.

I completely forgot how wonderful this camera system was and that lens……wow!!!

I shot a roll of Miss Priscilla to refresh my memory and couldn’t resist sharing them due to the fact that Priscilla is so exceptionally cute :)

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neal carpenter - These are so beautiful!August 5, 2010 - 3:45 am

Rebekah - SHE IS A SWEET LITTLE GIRL WITH A WHOLE LOT OF ENERGEY AND BEAUTY!WHEN IT COMES TO PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD YOU ARE THE BEST EVER!!!! WELL DONE!August 5, 2010 - 12:24 pm

elizabeth & sarah

Wishing my old friend Elizabeth Webb and my new friend Sara Hall of Hall and Webb Event Design all the very best in their new adventure

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tech note: Mamiya 634 afd. 80.mm, Fuji 400h

Sara - they look fantastic!!! thank you, again!!!August 2, 2010 - 8:42 am

Elizabeth - Thank you my friend!! You're the best:)August 2, 2010 - 2:46 pm

Angela - Ladies, you look so pretty!! I wish you both the very best in your new adventure - Go ROCK IT LADIES!!!! - AngelaAugust 2, 2010 - 4:35 pm

Michael - Such vibrant colors! Nicely done Richard.August 3, 2010 - 2:46 pm

Carol Webb - Looks great girls. Wishing you both the very best. I may be a little biased.August 3, 2010 - 4:08 pm

ashley and riki

A beautiful and truly classic Charlotte wedding.

ceremony: Myers Park Methodist Church reception: The Morehead Inn

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brandon - Awesome work! Love the first portrait!July 23, 2010 - 9:42 am

Beccca - what a lovely couple and a lovely evening :)July 23, 2010 - 9:48 am

neal carpenter - Amazing! as usual, of course.July 23, 2010 - 10:23 am

Drea Cunningham - I absolutely love them Richard! But is it just me, or does the brides dad look like a famous wrestler?July 23, 2010 - 12:00 pm

admin - Thank you!!! Drea, you are correct :)July 23, 2010 - 2:04 pm

Carlos Bostick - Beautiful work! Is that the Nature Boy Rick flair dancing with the bride?July 23, 2010 - 8:26 pm

admin - Yes, the father of the bride is indeed Ric Flair.July 24, 2010 - 5:22 am

Dustin ledo - Woooo!July 24, 2010 - 7:30 am

Rebekah - Awesome work richard,"you got to book the man to be the man" -THE MAN(RICHARD ISRAEL) GREAT PICTURES AS ALWAYSJuly 31, 2010 - 8:55 am

courtney and michael

photographing a wedding in my favorite city with my favorite girls is always a treat.

wedding design: A Charleston Bride location: The William Aiken House, Charleston, SC.

thank you Darrell for the help, friendship and fabulous images

lembo

love it when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony

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lembo3always incredible details from the Girls

The Connellys - Thanks for letting me tag along....good times!July 22, 2010 - 11:55 am

Della MacNicholas - Really gorgeous workJuly 23, 2010 - 1:20 pm

Claire Gallam - Absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to meet with you in September to talk about my wedding!!!August 7, 2010 - 2:32 pm