Anyone know where 2018 went? Boy, did the year wiz by! 2018 was even bigger and better than my amazing 2017! As a Hong Kong-based photographer I was fortunate to have a fully packed schedule working with incredible Hong Kong events, international luxury brands and artists, memorable Hong Kong weddings, and off-the-chart multi-day Indian destination weddings worldwide! Naturally, I’ve been documenting it all on Instagram, so I can celebrate with you my Instagram highlights of 2018! Want to connect with me? Look me up at @aligphoto, I’d love to hear from you! 

January 

I could not have chosen a better destination wedding to kick off the new year – the wedding of my good friends Cyrus and Katy in San Diego, California! A truly kick-up-your-heels fun celebration of love which merged persian and chinese cultures, as well as a full-on salsa dance party! 

 

 

 

 

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YES!! Doesn’t this just make you smile!? Cyrus and Katy celebrate tying the knot at their fabulous wedding in San Diego! #aligphoto MUA: @beauty_by_kassaundra . . . . . . . . . . #chinesewedding #persianwedding #persian #hkwedding #shesaidyes #weddingforward #wedding #bride #weddingday #weddingphotography #chinese #weddinginspiration #instawedding #weddingideas #weddingplanning #weddingphoto #weddingtime #instabride #gettingmarried #weddingblog #dreamwedding #weddingphotographer #weddingideas #weddingfun #couplegoals #weddingdress #destinationweddingphotographer #loveauthentic #weddingdress @weddinginspiration @wedding.photo.inspiration @thebridestory @weddingideas_brides @weddingdresslookbook @asiaweddingnetwork @weddingideas_brides @theknot @junebugweddings @myhkwedding @allaboutweddinghk @weddingchicks @nikonasia @nikonhongkong @nikonphotographers @chineseweddingplanner @cbo530 @salinadaria @katykat.yung @farshadstudios

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Jan 25, 2018 at 4:10pm PST

February

Mira and Ravine’s destination wedding was what fairytales are made of! Not only was it 4 days of ceremonies and celebrations in Bangkok including a Batmobile entrance, an LED sneaker party with mind-blowing performances and decorations, but there was also an all-star lineup including makeup artist Natasha Moor.

 

 

 

 

 

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Something extraordinary happens when a bride is dolled up by celebrity makeup artist @natasha.moor Here @mirauttam floated like a butterfly & gifted me this amazing photo in her @manishmalhotra05 @mmalhotraworld jewelry: @butanijewellery #aligphoto . . . . . . Planning, decor & styling: @sarasabymashu Planned & executed by: @pinkpalki . . . . . #weddingfashion #engaged #weddingmakeup #bridetobe #fairytale #brides #weddingphotography #lovewhatido #indian #indianwedding #weddingring #luxuryweddings #celebrations #shaadi #weddinginspiration #swag #styleiswhat #weddingfun #desiwedding #asianwedding #indianbride #beautifulbride #nikonasia #destinationwedding #weddinghair #happybride #bridalwear #weddingphotographer #planetrara @weddinginspiration @wedding.photo.inspiration @thebridestory @weddingideas_brides @weddingdresslookbook @asiaweddingnetwork @weddingphotoinsiration @weddingsutra @theweddingbrigade @theknot @weddingphotoinspiration @weddingz.in @weddingchicks @nikonasia @marriottmarquisbkk @manishmalhotra05 @mmalhotraworld @indianweddingbuzz @indianweddingsmag @bridalaffairind

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Feb 25, 2018 at 10:26pm PST

 

March 

Did you ever imagine henna artwork to go viral? Well, it did! The magnificent work of Barbie Ima on the hands of beautiful Indian bride Divya was still being reposted months later over dozens of social media pages and platforms including weddingsutra!

 

 

 

 

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Check out this amazing henna artwork by @barbie_ima on the hands of beautiful bride @divyakirp ❤️#timetoshaadi #aligphoto . . . . . . . . . . @innazcommunique @stanzcatalan @stanzweddings #indian #indianwedding #shesaidyes #weddingring #luxuryweddings #celebrations #weddingdress #weddinginspiration #henna #mehndi #hennadesign #indianstyle #indiangirl #indianwear #bollywoodfashion #desicouture #desiwedding #asianwedding #indianbride #instabride #instawedding #instacool #beautiful #happytogether #destinationweddingphotographer #partytime #bridalstyle @weddinginspiration @bridelanindia @thebridestory @weddingideas_brides @weddingdresslookbook @weddingsutra @indianweddingsmag @indianweddingbuzz @theknot @weddingchicks @bridesofsabyasachi @sabyasachiofficial @shangrilamactan @barbie_ima

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Mar 1, 2018 at 4:35pm PST

 

April

Anushka & Shaan were my photo of the month and the biggest Instagram hit for April 2018. This grandiose shot was taken on the helipad of one of my favorite hotels, The Peninsula Hotel Bangkok in Thailand.

 

 

 

 

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Photo of the Month -April 2018 can only go to this beautiful couple @asaurora & @shaanbhatia photographed on the helipad of @thepeninsulabangkok MUA: @natasha.moor hair: @hermanhairstyle . . Planners: @magnificenceevents . . . . . . . . . . #indian #behindthescenes #indianwedding #engaged #indianbride #shesaidyes #luxuryweddings #indianweddingbuzz #indianweddings #henna #hennadesign #bangkok #weddingphotographer #preweddingphoto #indianwear #bollywoodfashion #indianbridal #indianfashion #indiancouture #weddingmakeup #bridesmaids #desiwedding #asianwedding #weddingbells #junebugweddings #weddinghair @weddinginspiration @wedding.photo.inspiration @indian_wedding_inspiration @indian_brides_ig @weddingsutra @weddding.styles @weddingz.in @popxo.wedding @brides @brides.of.india @indiagramwedding @bridalaffairind @fearlessphotographerscom @theknot @martha_weddings

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Apr 23, 2018 at 9:40pm PDT

 

May 

In May, I had the opportunity to capture the always stunning Sonam Babani, IG: @Fashioneiress from India wearing luxury fashion brand Hermes! I chose to juxtapose Hong Kong’s high-end fashion against the city’s iconic neon lights. 

 

 

 

 

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My goal with @fashioneiress & @hermes was to juxtapose high fashion and the iconic neon lights of Hong Kong. Do you like the result? #aligphoto . . . . . . . . . . . #discoverhongkong #hongkong #hkig #ilovehk #hongkongfashion #hermes #luxuryfashion #fashiongoals #fashionista #highfashion #instaglam #instacool #streetsyle #luxurylife #artofvisuals #portrait #portrait_universe #styleblogger #travelgoals #beautyshot #neonlights #citylights #juxtapose #color #cityscape #colors #celebritystylist #fashionphotography @vogueindia @voguemagazine @vogueitalia @elleindiaofficial @nikonphotographers @nikonasia @nikonhongkong @phottix @elleindiaofficial @gqindia @fashionphotographyappreciation @discoverhongkong @reveleventshk @phottix

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on May 4, 2018 at 10:11pm PDT

 

June 

This month we’re back with the recurring theme of Indian destination weddings with our fabulous and famous viral bride Dolly and her out-of-this-world wedding in Cebu, Philippines. Missed my blog on how Dolly’s bridal portraits broke the internet? View it here. 

 

 

 

 

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B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L Indian bride @dolly_menghani on her wedding day in #cebu #philipines @stanzweddings @barbie_ima #aligphoto . . . . . . . . #beautifulmoments #memories #indian #beautifulbride #indianwedding #shesaidyes #weddingring #luxuryweddings #celebrations #engaged #weddingdress #weddinginspiration #mehndi #henna #indianstyle #indiangirl #indianwear #bollywoodfashion #indianbridal #desicouture #desiwedding #asianwedding #indianbride #destinationweddingphotographer #partytime #rajivkidollhania #instawedding @weddinginspiration @wedding.photo.inspiration @thebridestory @weddingideas_brides @weddingdresslookbook @weddingsutra @indianweddingsmag @indianweddingbuzz @theknot @weddingchicks @bridalaffairind @indian_brides_ig @bridalaffairind @popxo.wedding @rajivchandnanit

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Jun 26, 2018 at 3:31am PDT

 

July 

OK wedding proposals don’t get much better than this! Michael proposed to Lulu by sweeping her off of her feet, quite literally, with a helicopter ride over Hong Kong’s breathtaking skyline. How cool is that!? A huge thanks to The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong as well!

 

 

 

 

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And that’s how it was done! Michael proposed to Lulu by sweeping her off of her feet, literally! ? #aligphoto @peninsulahongkong @peninsulahotels . . . . . . . . . . #hongkong #hkigers #shesaidyes #elopementphotographer ​#engaged #couplegoals #brides #weddingphotography #beautifulbride #weddingring #luxuryweddings #celebrations #weddinginspiration #dreamwedding #weddinginspo #myforever #lovestory #weddingphoto #bridalportrait #engaged #asianwedding #helicopter #brideandgroom #destinationwedding #weddinghair #bridestory #weddingmakeup #weddingphotographer @martha_weddings @theknot @myhkwedding @allaboutweddinghk @bravogreatphoto @thebridestory @weddingideas_brides @weddingdresslookbook @weddingphotoinspiration @nikonasia @brideunionhk @brideandbreakfasthk @wedding.bells.inspiration @she_saidyes @asiaweddingnetwork

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Jul 24, 2018 at 7:33pm PDT

 

August

August was an amazing month for me as I had the honor of being featured on the cover of Beyond the Boundaries Magazine. As a professional photographer, I often shoot cover images but very rarely is my face actually on the cover. What a treat! 

 

 

 

 

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Sometimes I’m working undercover, more often shooting the cover, and once in a while, when the stars and planets line up, I’m on the cover!! ? So humbled to be featured by Beyond the Boundaries Magazine. HUGE THANKS to Editor @gurpreet_sgag and extra special thanks for the cover photo! ? #aligphoto . . . . . . . . . . #covershot #magazinecover #magazine #hongkongmagazine #magazinefeature #humblebrag #editorial #interview #magazine #published #hongkonglife #hongkong #professionalphotographer #hongkongphotographer #photographer #selftaught #lovewhatido #bravogreatphoto #awesome_shots #discoverhongkong #grateful #lovemyjob #careergoals #followyourdreams #reachforthestars #heatercentral #lensbible @nikonhongkong @nikonasia @nikonusa @phottix @aligphoto

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Aug 27, 2018 at 3:11am PDT

 

September 

Family photography is a favorite part of my job and my definite 2018 highlight was capturing Lisa Ray and her ABSOLUTELY gorgeous twin girls! The stars could not have aligned more as my images were featured in The Bombay Times, Times of India, Vogue India and Hello Magazine India.

 

 

 

 

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Did you catch @lisaraniray’s inspiring story to motherhood? Check my IG feed for more posts! Meanwhile, we simply can’t get enough of Lisa’s cute twin girls! ???? . . PR: @bazinga_ent MUA: @jomakeupartist Thanks to @natasha.moor for the intro ? #aligphoto . . . . . . . . . . #beautifulmama #babyportraits #actor #actress #bollywoodstar #familyphotography #hkiger #igershk #desi #bollywoodsongs #bollywoodactress #bollywoodactor #bollywoodstyle #indian #bollywoodfans #bollywoodglam #bollywoodlove #published #magazine #vip #nikonasia #ilovemyjob #motherhood #twinsofinstagram #twins #celebratelife #familygoals #mumbai @bollywoodbubble @bollywoodreport @thetimesofindia @nikonasia @nikonhongkong @vogueindia @elleindiaofficial @maxim.india @bazaarindia @nikonindiaofficial @phottix

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Sep 26, 2018 at 3:21am PDT

 

October 

Kathy and Mark’s pre-wedding shoot in Hong Kong was an absolute knock out! Do you want your own pre-wedding photo shoot against Hong Kong’s iconic cityscape? Contact me for details.  

 

 

 

 

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What better place for a PREWEDDING PHOTO SHOOT than the iconic streets of HONG KONG!? ?? Kathy & Mark absolutely rocked their shoot and so can you. DM me for details of my prewed photography packages. @kloklo8 #aligphoto . . . . . . . . . . #hongkong #hkigers #preweddingshoot #preweddingphoto #preweddingideas #shesaidyes #weddingplanner #elopementphotographer #engaged #hkwedding #brides #weddingphotography #beautifulbride #weddingring #luxuryweddings #celebrations #dreamwedding #weddinginspo #weddinginspiration #lovestory #weddingdress #bridalportrait #brideandgroom #destinationwedding #weddinghair #bridestory #weddingmakeup #weddingphotographer @asiaweddingnetwork @myhkwedding @allaboutweddinghk @thebridestory @weddingideas_brides @weddingdresslookbook @weddingphotoinspiration @brideunionhk @brideandbreakfasthk @wedding.bells.inspiration @she_saidyes @tiaraweddingsnevents @fshongkong @grandhyatthongkong @mo_hkg @hktramways

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Oct 16, 2018 at 3:11am PDT

 

November

Stunning Hong Kong model and actress Ankie Beilke wowed us all with her pre-wedding photoshoot with handsome hubby Simon Van Damme and their adorable son Sebastian. The media were quick to snatch up these images including everyone’s favorite Cantonese publication, Apple Daily and Hong Kong’s very own popular entertainment site ON.CC! 

 

 

 

 

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NEW BLOG! ? The bilingual scoop on Ankie & Simon’s HOT-in-the-media PRE-WEDDING shoot which was featured in both @appledailyhk AND @hk.on.cc Link in bio!! ??? @ankiebeilke @simonvandamme @ifathindes MUH: @wingkee.wingkee @timothylee Outfit: @susannasooatelier @susannasoo @sninebysusannasoo @rsfashions @rajantolani #aligphoto . . . . . . . . . . . . #hongkong #blog #weddingblog #writersofinsta #shesaidyes #weddingplanner #hkweddingphotographer #elopementphotographer #engaged #hkwedding #brides #weddingphotography #beautifulbride #isaidyes #weddingring #luxuryweddings #dreamwedding #weddinginspo #myforever #weddinginspiration #lovestory #weddingdress #bridalportrait #brideandgroom #destinationwedding #weddinghair #bridestory #weddingmakeup #weddingphotographer @martha_weddings @theknot @asiaweddingnetwork @myhkwedding @allaboutweddinghk @thebridestory @weddingideas_brides @weddingdresslookbook @weddingphotoinspiration @brideunionhk @brideandbreakfasthk @wedding.bells.inspiration @she_saidyes @fshongkong @grandhyatthongkong @mo_hkg @ellehongkong @marieclaire_hk @vogue

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Nov 7, 2018 at 2:13am PST

 

December

What a way to wrap up what has truly been an AMAZING year! Kunal and Mia’s incredible 5-day destination wedding in Phuket, Thailand had an all-star lineup which included international artists LMFAO, Jason Derulo, Akon, and Bollywood music kings Mika Singh, Baadshah, Sukhbir Singh, Guru Randhawa as well as Bollywood legends Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan. Talk about ending 2018 with a bang! 

 

 

 

 

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And they’re officially married! After what has been one of the most incredible & amazing weddings ever, congratulations to Kunal & Mia! @kuns.28 @divya.vanessa #aligphoto #dknlove Her outfit: @varunbahlcouture His outfit: @manishmalhotra05 @mmalhotraworld MUA: @natasha.moor Hair: @hermanhairstyle Henna: @barbie_ima . Jewels: @butanijewellery @mahikadiamondjewellery Planners: @innazcommunique @sarasabymashu @mantra_events Decor: @dp_designbypa Sound, lights & visuals: @eliteentertainmenthk Invitations: @moordesignsevents . #indian #indianwedding #engaged #indianbride #shesaidyes #luxuryweddings #indianweddingbuzz #bridetobe2019 #realindianwedding #bridesmaids #hkweddingphotographer #weddingphoto #elopementphotographer #thailandwedding #indianbridal #bridalmakeup #bridalhair #desiwedding #asianwedding #destinationwedding #bridalfashion #isaidyes #weddingjewellery #justengaged @thebridesofindia @weddingsutra @weddingz.in @weddingplz @indianweddingsmag @indianweddingbuzz @weddingwireindia @vogue_wedding @bridalguide @nikonasia @nikonhongkong

A post shared by Ali G Studios (@aligphoto) on Dec 2, 2018 at 9:22pm PST

 

 

I wish to thank everyone who made the year so amazing, and I’m looking forward to an even better 2019!  Please show us some love and follow us on social media to stay connected with more of our exciting projects!

Ali G Studios   IG: @aligphoto   Twitter: @AliGStudios 

A big thanks to Phottix for the professional lighting equipment provided to Ali G Studios. 

All photos are © Ali Ghorbani and Ali G Studios