Porcupine’s diary: chapter one | Lapsikuvaus
I am sitting at my computer with a hat on my head. Not the fancy one, the warm hat that I wear when skiing. We went swimming with the ducklings today and somehow I have felt really cold afterwards. Despite sauna, despite hot tea … I must look ridiculous, but I feel comfortable.
Not as ridiculous as a porcupine, though. This is a porcupine, the animal on the picture to the left, and I am Niki, the person who thinks porcupines look funny. In Czech language it’s a DIKOBRAZ. Dikobraz used to be a magazine during the times of communistic Czechoslovakia. It had a column called: Your questions on our quills. (Yep, it does sound a lot better in Czech. 
) Basically, answers to any kind of serious or ridiculous questions. Nothing revolutionary.
Are you sensing the direction of this post yet?
Couple of days ago, I asked on Facebook from my wonderful fans (785 and growing, thank you …) what would be their one and only one question about photography. I got some interesting Qs and because I am so busy swimming with the kids, my friend DIKOBRAZ sneaked in to answer …
Nea B: What setting u use the most often at ur camera?
Dikobraz: Right now indoors probably ISO 1600-3200, f 1.8-2.2 and shutter speed 1/125-1/160. Have you noticed how dark it is inside? Getting slowly better, I know!
Mishka K: What is your best tip for shooting in low-light conditions when you only want to use natural light?
Dikobraz: Either of or a combination of the following – steady hands, good tripod, good camera and fast lens. (Unless you are out to shoot a black cashmere sweater in a black tunnel at night. Then it doesn’t matter.)
Kate C: What do I need to improve on to take it to the next level?
Dikobraz: Shoot every day. Practice, practice, practice. Never give up. Get inspiration from art and music. Go shooting with other photographers. Second shoot a hero photog. And the most important of all – ENJOY IT.
Now, don’t you agree, curiosity is such a wonderful quality. If you have anything more to ask, about photography, the best recipe for tiramisu or anything else, ask away, either here in the comment section or via my Facebook fan page. ♥♥♥
PS: And now it’s my turn. Which of the children book’s heroines is the most curious? Hint hint…
My father said about this image: “I think you didn’t do a very good job with the freckles, honey. They seem so fake.”
Ehm …
About the tree of life | Odotusajankuvaus
I am walking into the sushi place thinking once again: “She is pregnant and should be easy to spot in this small restaurant.” Coincidently, my client was thinking the same: “How will I recognize Niki?” She even discussed it with her colleague, who answered: “Pregnancy and baby photographer? I think I might know how she looks.” 
Regards to Eva! Finland is such a small and cosy place…
And so I walk in, hat and all, and of course we recognize each other immediately. My troll Finnish kicks in, after almost 15 years of living here I think I can get along quite well. It’s the same kind of feeling when one goes for a run. You think you look like a supermodel from Nike ad, slender and graceful. People around think that you move like a gorilla escaping from a ZOO… Same thing with the language. I feel like I can get along. All I get is the wondering looks… Like this time. Again.
And my client says: “But I am Australian! I don’t speak Finnish almost at all.” Yes, an Australian with a Finnish name, I might add. It got me puzzled.
The day of the shoot comes not too long after the snow fell. We agreed on a belly painting and it was to be something related to the natural and earthy way of living that my client loves and enjoys. Laura, my talented and beautiful stylist, did a tremendous job again. About half way through the shoot we agreed to take the painting off to get some images with just “naked” belly. Shower, rubbing, soap, nothing helped! Now we had a huge belly with a spoiled painting on it. Laura did a tremendous and thorough job. 
And also instructed us that if the paint would not come off, we should try some baby oil. But there was no baby and so no baby oil in the appartment of my client’s Italian friend.
Italian, did you notice?
Olive oil.
Yes. The highest quality and freshly imported.
My big thanx to all the ladies that participated on the success of this shoot. I can’t wait to photograph the little baby! ♥♥♥
PS: The vegeterian sushi was excellent there. It’s difficult to find a good sushi place though. Do you know one? Care to recommend it to a sushi-lover?
PS2: Still in time for the pinning contest – it’s fun and easy - participate!
About soft and grey | Vastasyntyneen kuvaus
There is nothing like a wedding client coming back for a newborn shoot. It’s always enriching to watch the shift in the mood of the shoot. Tenderness replaces wilderness… Peace replaces energy… I especially enjoy witnessing how the new responsibility makes all of the weddings clients more mature, regardless their age and previous experience. There is something about the saying that people with children and people without children feel sorry for each other. Those truly are two completely different worlds… I hope you will like today’s image load created in the comfortable and soft grey environment of my clients’ home. Happy Monday! ♥♥♥
PS: Don’t forget about the Pin to Win contest – still running for 2 weeks – you have a chance to win a free session with a gift of digital files on top (go for it now!). You can start pinning simply by using the cute little button on top of this post
(ask me for invitation if you are not a Pinner yet)
The Story of Books (and their importance for childhood) | Life Stories
The day when we learn to read, we lose a huge part of fantasy. Because what used to be Prince’s Palace is now Obst & Gemuese… plain plain plain. Enjoy reading to your kids, at least while your ability to read makes you a half-deity in their eyes.
Today’s story is a tribute to all parents, who will stop in a bookstore before buying a new Barbie/Lego/insert the last must-have on your kids’ list. With books, there is fantasy. Do you notice the moment when this little lady falls through the pages of her fairy tale book and to the rabbit hole? And with another book opened, there is the what-will-I-become-when-I-grow-up world. Reading, my friends, is ALWAYS going to be awesome. ♥♥♥
This is the new part of the Life Stories serie (if you missed it, check out part 1 – The Flu and part 2 – The Monster Class). You see, me and some amazing friends photographers from around the globe have taken the vows to photograph more often normal daily situations. And we shall post these life stories on our blogs – last Friday of each month. I am adding a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures.
Life Stories January 2012 – next in the chain is the much talented Amy Siggelkow Duffing of 3 Peas Photography. Click through and enjoy! Let’s see if you can make it through the entire circle.
PS: What is your favorite childhood memory related to books? Mine is my Dad reading us Moomin stories. Yes. I have always loved the books more so that my Dad had introduced them to us. Recently we spoke about it and my Dad told me that he actually never really liked the stories, that he finds them too depressing and somehow dark. And I always thought he loves them too. Go figure!
Mixtape Monday: About tender moments | Perhekuvaus
I want to photograph moments like this every day of my life. There is nothing more truthful. And beautiful! Don’t you agree?
These are the times when it’s enough to just pick up your child and rock her and kiss her and tell her all will be fine. But it doesn’t take long and such moments are gone for good. To be reminded daily, to enjoy more the togetherness and the now, I recommend listening to Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried… Happy Monday everyone! ♥♥♥
Summer flavored memories | Lapsikuvaus
A few from the very lovely summer 2011 in Finland. ♥♥♥ (Don’t miss the Pin to Win contest, get addicted, start pinning!)
PS: I am planning to exhibit in Lapsimessut 2012. Anyone has been or knows anything about it? Is it a fabulous experience?
Just one … | Vastasyntyneen kuvaus
From one of my recent newborn sessions. What an adorable little bunny… Despite the darkest times of the year, we got very lovely results! Many thanks for her invaluable help to Irene (my right and left hand and my consciousness!). ♥♥♥
PS: Don’t forget, to win a free session with me, read the do’s and don’t of my new contest Pin to Win!
2 Comments
From one sushi lover to another: try Sushi and Roll in Ullanlinna, sushi + wine (Freda) has never disappointed me either!
PS Great photos!
Mom-to-be looks amazing! Her belly is perfectly round.