 To be honest I am a little bit of a control freak. And I am like this not only in my life, but also in my photography. So I do like to control what is going on during my photo session and to be sure that I will get all the images I want. Images that will show the connection between all family members and your family unique character. I like to keep my session short and my directions effective. Because at some point everyone gets tired and should just go on playing, have coffee and ice-cream. I selected ten photographs I took in 2019 which sum up some of the things I love most and I am looking for over and over again in every session I have. Those things are not exact poses - these are the moods, the emotions, the relaxed atmosphere. And because I know exactly what I am doing and I bring you to this safe happy place quite quickly! I encourage my clients to do something, to stay closer, NOT to look at me ))) I create a situation where i know there will be giggles, kisses and hugs. And i keep my eyes and heart open - so I do not miss any moments which are the most unique and valuable for your family.  This one was taken after „hey guys look at me“-family-portrait. I let this lovely family stay in the same spot and made a couple of jokes. I always try to make a family portrait when everyone is looking at me, just because in this way you can remember later, how everybody looked like. But those portraits do not tell you much about relationships and family dynamics. That is why I really prefer photographs where family members are making contact with each other, not with my camera. My favourite family photo of me and my parents is one where I (about 7 years old) look straight to the camera and my parent are standing nearby and just laughing hilariously with their heads up. It gives me an incredibly warm feeling!  It was an autumn session at it was not particularly warm, but of course we did some splashing and had fun! I love bringing children to water and see what they will come up with. As a parent you never know what is coming next, so I always leave space for experiments and improvisation during my family sessions. And I am always ready for anything!  We took pictures near the lake and wanted to change the location. I was talking to the mum when I suddenly looked up and saw her waiting for us at the stairs. I constantly fell in love with her expression and was lucky enough to take this picture. I think you can see a strong personality in this lovely three-years old girl. When I work with families year after year I start noticing how child's character shows in different ages and situations. I have a dream that I can follow my clients families for many many years to come ))  We placed this lively boy on his dad's shoulders and had about 30 seconds to take a couple of family portraits. I encouraged the boys to show me his daddy's eyes, ears and hair, so he is occupied for a minute and does not run away too soon. Keeping toddler in one place is a true “mission impossible”. Giving a child a task to actually do something in stead of “look at me”, “stay there” etc commands works so much better for the natural relaxed portraits. And yes, he did look at me at some point. They always do!  I asked them to embrace their mummy as strong as they can. And of course this started wild but a moment later the true tenderness came trough. For me a portrait of a mother, being happy and beautiful, surrounded by her kids is one of the most important portraits to make during the session! These will brighten up your not so bright days and they will be everything for your children, when they get older! And I keep reminding myself to get such pictures for myself and my kids as well!  The baby was lying on his back looking at my big black camera, but when I asked his mum to lay down near him he immediately turned to her. This amazes me every time how even just a couple hours old babies know their mummy and always trying to reach for her. When my kids were tiny babies, we spent many many hours laying together, looking at each other, getting to know each other - just like this!  This was the very end of the session and they were waving bye-bye on me. I think they liked me and I think they were glad the session is over! Siblings life is not always hugs and kisses, so every time I manage to capture my boys happy and connected I feel like a winner! And I am sure my clients feel the same.  I asked them to embrace each other while the boy was on his dad's shoulders. I like giving my clients not-so-easy-to-follow directions sometimes. They often result in very natural and emotional photographs. I like to see when everyone feels relaxed, peaceful and together. Usually these portraits are made when all family cuddles in bed. But I am always looking for ways to express this mood in different situations. Hugs always help! And it is very interesting that different families hug in completely different ways.  It was a moment just before the look-at-me portrait. I really like the different types of looks I captured in this one. This is a great example how one picture can tell you a story, even there is no action involved. Such pictures happen towards the middle of the session, when everyone feels more relaxed and do not pay so much attention on me!  The moment he wakes up from a short nap! I manage to capture the full spectrum of newborn activities within just two hours: sleeping, being awake, crying, eating, changing a diaper and going back to sleep. This is always a miracle! 2019 was a very creative year for me! I met many new people and was glad to see my old clients coming back to me again and again! I want to thank Lise, Anete, Susana, Emily, Bianka, Wiebke, Bo, Mary, Johdi, Claire, Valentina, Julien, Marta, Elizabeth, Marie, Linda, Heather, Jaonna, Susie, Sarah, Mita, Mary Rose, Felicity, Denise, Marina, Carolina, Inna, Irina, Adam, Caitlin, Fiona, Jacobo, Mae, Olga, Rebecca, Uma, Xenia, Gina, Dasa, Maria and all their beautiful kids and lovely partners, supportive grandparents and other wonderful relatives, who I had a pleasure to photograph this year! I wish you all a great 2020 and I am looking forward to get creative with many wonderful people this year! I am so lucky to do this every year since 2014! Check my other sum up posts of 2015, 2016 and 2017 to see many beautiful moments and hopefully some familiar faces! * I did not do 2018 - I was too busy with my third baby )) HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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