What eventful time in my life. I am getting ready for a visit in China. I am usually so tired during my travels that I shoot very little, but this time I will make the effort – as a celebration of my first visit in Asia. Me and Juhana Stolt, my dear friend and co-founder of Haavoittuneet enkelit have arranged first meeting with our photographers. Thanx to all of you who made it today, it was very special for me to see that my dream is coming true. My dream of being able to give back, my dream of being able to create something valuable for families that are going through so much. We got some great ideas from the meeting and our action point list got much longer. Thank you, really.

Also I have put on the big girl panties and officially (as in through a form) asked for feedback from all of my clients. I used surveymonkey and have been totally happy with how easy and user friendly the set up, sending, follow up and analyses are with that site. Loved it. (They speak Finnish too.) For me, asking for a feedback is a big thing. Anyone who knows me (and my parents and hubby most of all) can tell you that I am not, I repeat not, famous for taking criticism in a graceful manner. Quite the opposite. Even the constructive criticism, yes. But, I know it is absolutely essential for my growth and once I stop, ehm, gnashing my teeth, I will bring on the actions… Big thanks to all of you guys, who will take or took the time to answer my questions. I value, value, value it!

And today at 22:01 I realized that I just want to photograph every day. I don’t want to do anything else. I want to take pictures, take pictures, take pictures… I dream photography. I breath photography. And all my friends can tell you that I have not been talking about anything else in the past 3-5 years. (Poor them, it must be SO annoying!)

One last bit, someone pinned today link to tips how to create natural expressions when photographing kids. Especially the first point is really beautifully written. I wish I had written it myself. But I didn’t, so I am copying it here and you can continue reading the rest on the Paint the Moon website:

“RESPECT THEM

I often get asked how I get such natural (and many times very happy) expressions from my little ones (and those of clients). To start with, I’d like to dispel the rumor that my girls are never surly or just awkward in front of the camera. My five year old will frequently groan, give me a big ol’ grumpy face and even run in the opposite direction when the camera comes out. However, it’s rare that I don’t walk away with at least a few good shots if I’m really trying. I think getting down on a kid’s level – both literally and figuratively with the way we talk and interact with them – is very important. So is respecting their feelings on the matter if they don’t want to have their photo taken. When I began photography I made it a rule that I would never coerce a child – whether my own or a client’s – into letting me take their photo. The number one reason is because I think little people deserve the same respect as anyone else and if they are saying no, then I respect that. We play, get silly, do other things to make them comfortable and then I can come back around and ask again if they might be up for a few shots once they’re having fun. And the number two reason is because a child who is made to sit in front of the camera for photos is never going to give you a nice, natural expression … well, that is unless you are going for naturally grumpy and ticked off (I’ve seen plenty of “real” expressions that convey nothing but frustration at the person taking their photo … that’s not something I want to record forever and hang on my wall). ”

The music for today is a version of my beloved song Here comes the sun… by the magnificent Nina Simone. Take it slowly, hug the ones you love, hug the sad and lonely, and have a HAPPY MONDAY! ♥♥♥