Month: September, 2009
It’s a good trade-off that sometimes I introduce my customers to a beautiful place they have never been to and sometimes my clients want to photograph in a spot which I have not visited so far and cannot understand how I missed it. The latter happened this Sunday.
In the warm light of sunset I was given a gift by my clients – Tähtitorninmäki. Thank you for this exquisite place, which makes our usual near-by destination, Kaivopuisto, look ordinary. And thank you for being such a great and positive family, I loved the many hugs from your children and I enjoyed observing the subtle way, in which you guys express love for each other. It was great working with you and I hope your sneak peek will make you want to see more!
Disclaimer – this post sounds as if targeted on mothers, but perhaps others will find the situation familiar as well?
Did this ever happen to you? You find yourself in front of your closet, which is just packed with clothes, and you honestly think that you have nothing to wear! Nothing that would make you feel good, sexy, wanted, goddess-like… All your clothes you either wear too often or have not put on for three seasons now (those, I suggest, should be thrown away – or better gifted to a charity or to aunt Mitzy, who turned seventy three last spring but stays forever young in her mind). And whatnot, you have a photoshoot of your whole family this very afternoon. There is no time to go shopping for new clothes, even if you had the money and were not utterly terrified of the idea of clothes shopping for the whole family.
Don’t worry, don’t you worry, I am sure there is plenty of clothes right in front of your eyes that will make for fabulous photos. The key is the right combination. Here three sets to inspire you and now, don’t forget, if you have not booked your photoshoot with me yet, do it now, the autumn sessions are almost full!
Opposites attract – Niki Strbian Valokuvaus
18/09/2009
I am a member of a photoclub. To become a member of a photoclub was one of the best pieces of advice I ever got. You might not find answers to all your technical questions, or any other questions for that matter, but you will meet people who are posessed by photography just like you are and what a relief it is to talk with them – they know what you mean, what you go through and how you feel 
and they are real people (not a slam on any forum, by the way, some forums are wonderful). But it’s much nicer to have a coffee and a cake with another human being wearing a strap and a camera around its neck than with a laptop and wifi connection to any forum right?
Our photoclub Kameraseura has about 1500 members, it’s big! I attend the International Evening section – a place to unite all people who want to experience photography in English. We have about 30 members from all continents and solid amount of visitors in each monthly meeting. Besides the monthly meetings we also go out and photograph together – and one of these outings was today. the rules are:
1 hour of photographing on a given theme
don’t take more than 36 shots (we have film people as well, so to even out the field and also to make the digital guys to think more before they go CLICK CLICK CLICK) (I constantly break this rule… oops, but rules were made to be broken right?)
The theme today was: “Opposites attract”
Look what I found downtown Helsinki – it’s straightforward idea, but I am just not able to photograph anything else than people
This pair is my recent favourite. I know, I know, I promised you our Italian adventures, but all in good time, shall we? First things first and these two photos certainly come ahead of any sunny and warm memories because here in Finland the autumn has already started. Even though photographed in full summer, I feel an autumn mood in these two photos. Just today such a strong wind blew that it’s bound to bring a change. Sunshine is over and now we are in for a long, rainy and dark period. But this year I made a major decision. I won’t anymore be bothered by the Finnish weather! Instead I will strive to create more photographs like this. Hope you like them!
Answer is: Well, of course! With the charm of both subjects (the French man and the Finnish rural background), there was hardly a space for a mistake. We had fun despite being soaked up to our knees, the fields were wet through and through after previous rainy days. And no, my French friend absolutely can’t deny that he enjoyed himself, even though he tried to hide the showman inside him at the beginning 
Thank you, monsieur, it was a great experience to work with you.
And you, dear reader, might have noticed that it’s been a while since my last post. That’s because I was on the most lovely 2-week holiday in Italy – and nowhere else than in Tuscany. Keep coming back during the next few days, there is going to be a LOT of photoevidence
13 Comments
Niki – what a precious family! That second one of Sister peeking out from behind Daddy stole my heart! Just lovely!
I LOVE that second one! It’s such a classic look a beautiful B&W!
fantastic session! two and three are my faves…such sweet emotion!
Gorgeous family and beautiful location. Love that 4th shot!
Absolutely LOVED all of these but especially 2, 3 and 4. You really captured the true nature of A & A. Thank you! Can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures:)
You did a wonderful job! The family will love these!
Beautiful!! 2 and 3 are so so wonderful!!
What a gorgeous familly!! I love your photos, they are honest and happy and so well taken.
Great work! That second one is just gorgeous.
Great session- LOVE #3 especially
These are lovely! What great family shots and I just love the 2nd and 3rd. Beautiful work!
These are lovely! You did a wonderful job. LOVE #2!
Talk about GORGEOUS lighting!!! WOW! That second image is just STUNNING! It literally made me gasp.