Just a quick look before holidays, more when I am back! She was the sweetest little thing

You must remember my beautiful customers from Hämeenlinna. They must have been really satisfied with their images, because they booked me for another shoot. This time the whole extended family was going to be in the spot light. Everyone, Janne and his sister with family and their parents. We photographed near Lohja at their parents’s house and it was a fantastic spot, right in the middle of nowhere. Despite many warnings I didn’t get lost. And I don’t use GPS! Just old fashioned map. I found Lohja. Then the smaller town. Then the road. The the mail box with number 79. The only problem appeared when I drove into the yard. There was a lady, smoking, clearly confused with having a photographer driving up to her front door.

“Are you Janne’s mother?” I asked.

“Yes, yes, that’s me,” came the answer.

“Do you know I am going to photograph you today?”

long confused look

Me: “Janne is joining us soon, right?

I could feel her confusion growing. So she called her husband. I asked again if they were Janne’s parents. Yes, yes… without a doubt.

“Janne Mycustomer’s parents?”

And then the light shone and we discovered that no, not Janne’s Mycustomer but Janne’s Somethingelse indeed. Mycustomers live just up the road. They have their mailbox here, but that’s all …

Luckily I had enough time. Mycustomers were waiting for me. We visited a nearby swamp that had a very particular, very subtle smell. It was really dangerous in certain spots and Janne’s father of course had to go right there to pick up some rare plant for Janne’s mother. We were happy when he got back, safe and sound. The we took off the rubber boots and took some images around their garden. At the little pond, at savusauna, in a small apple tree orchard… We had much fun and then Janne and his family arrived and we had more fun and then we got tired and the light was gone and there was excellent pizza and then I had to say good-bye, but got a bag full of fresh lettuce pressed in my hands before I was able to disappear in my car. I didn’t object and made a delicious salad later.

These are just few. A quick sneak peek. The problem with you guys is that there are just too many good ones. I can’t choose!

Cheers to all Jannes and their mothers … I am curious, how many Jannes do you know? And is that the most common Finnish male name? Because it sure does look like it!

I can’t believe it’s the time of the year again when the freedom ends and the slavery starts. Yes, I am talking about school. Actually I liked going to school. But H-O-L-I-D-A-Y-S are something completely else. Just taste the word on your tongue and you will know – it promises freedom, no shoes, no nice clothes, no need to learn things that you don’t find interesting, no need to get up every morning so early, no need to go to bed early too… and the list just goes on and on. Holidays … that’s a promise of an adventure.

But even adventure gets boring and that’s why your kids are actually looking forward to going back to school now. Aren’t they? Because now they can put nice clothes on and will see friends every day and some of them might, actually, enjoy learning new things.

Wether they are loving it or dreading it, it’s the start of a new school year and that’s worth remembering. You never know what it might bring to you or your kids.

I am taking bookings for back to school sessions for September and the first half of October. With each session you get gifted a school calendar with images of your little one(s). Oh and there is a competition on my Facebook page, so if you want to win a free back to school portrait of your child, I guess you should participate…

My clients bring me joy. My work makes me happy. My photographs hopefully reflect that.

Some people don’t experience joy, but everyday fear, grief and sadness. And famine and scarcity of water, that is any water, not just your favorite brand of the bottled crystal clear spring water. Some people experience sorrow and loneliness, while being amidst of the loved ones, as they might not be able to recognize them anymore. And in their world full of living people, they are dying alone.

We should remember that not everyone is happy and shining… Please take a moment and look at the work of James and Phillip.

James Nachtwey – a contract photographer with Time Magazine since 1984, who dedicated his entire life to documenting wars, conflicts and critical social issues

Phillip Toledano – who excels in socio-political photography and has touched my heart above all with his project Days with my father

As you will browse through their images, you might not experience happiness, but your soul will be richer when you finish watching….

Satu likes lime…

Ville likes rock music…

Satu loves Ville.

Ville loves Satu.

They love their little princess.

Congratulations!! … We had fun, didn’t we? Loved meeting you… More pics any day, come back soon! And leave a comment or two for the lovebirds and wish them happiness forever and ever.

This is a blog post #100. I guess, it better be a good one. Except that I am sleep deprived and it’s after midnight and I can just about SEE the viruses marching across my keyboard every time I sneeze. I will do my best.

Actually, I don’t have to. This post is going to be great no matter what I write or do. It’s because of them. My awesome clients. A little girl, who was also sleep deprived and tired but unlike me calm and pleasant. Her mother, beautiful, sexy , elegant and smart and much adoring her little treasure. The father, clearly belonging to rare species of Padre Fantastico and he was funny too!

You said you have been together for eons. But your love was as radiant and your comfort in each other’s presence as clear as if you were together mere months. Perhaps it’s been eons, but you are still in the honeymoon phase. You must have found the much-sought-after spell – a recipe for happiness. Admit it!

Actually, you don’t have to. You already showed me and I was there to capture it forever or at least until you loose the cd with your pics. So you better frame them! Enjoy your sneak peek. I am blessed to have met you…

And the little star of the day… Happy 1st birthday!