Month: July, 2010
Leo Tolstoy is best known for his literary works, of which I was utterly bored by his masterpiece Anna Karenina and though I have never read War and Peace, my dear husband loves it so much he can quote long passages from memory, so I have a good grasp of the book’s many fine details. But besides his world-known novels, Tolstoy also wrote a number of essays on art, history and religion. Recently I have stumbled upon excerpts of his essay “What is art?”, originally published in 1896. Now, let me show you, why every baby is an art. Here is a proof from Tolstoy’s essay … and I dared to include a few more. 
#1 In order correctly to define art, it is necessary, first of all, to cease to consider it as a means to pleasure and to consider it as one of the conditions of human life. Viewing it in this way we cannot fail to observe that art is one of the means of intercourse between man and man woman.
While Wikipedia claims that the definition and evaluation of art has become especially problematic since the early 20th century, we all know that art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions.
#2 (emotions) My favorite quote about babies is from the book “Our babies, ourselves” by Meredith Small: “Babies emit cuteness so adults emit love.”
#3 (senses) Babies smells good, their skin is smooth and perfect, they make funny noises (even when crying), they look adorable and they probably taste good, but I have never tried that… 
(oh and sometimes babies look like miniature old men, too)
Various people have been answering the question “What is art?” and these are some of the answers (apply them freely to babies):
#4 Art has the facility to actually enrich and empower your life and make you happy.
#5 Art is anything that requires a maker; it cannot make itself, said Aristotle.
#6 Art is the opposite of war.
If you want to have your own newborn miracle photographed outdoors, book me quickly, before the heat wave (and summer) is over. There is not much time left, so call 0400-358990 or send email to niki@nikistrbian.com today. And, of course, I want to hear your own proof that every baby is an art!
I believe that everyone has once in a while the urge to be glamorous, radiant and star-like. Even the most saint and self-decentered human beings I know sometimes want to be like that. Me too. (not saying that I am a saint or self-decentered…) 
I, too, want to be classy and ravishing… Especially when my dear husband takes our kids to the ZOO by car and I have to walk to the photosession. It would be ok, I like walking, but it was far, it was +33 degrees Celsius, the sky was clear, there was no shade en route and there were no buses (Thank you, YTV, for a gap-free summer schedule. Not!). Add the heavy equipment in a black backpack. Finally I arrive. And start frantically running from one side of the lake to the other, because we have not agreed an exact spot. Sweat is dripping from my eyebrowes, my t-shirt is completely wet and, of course, I forgot the mosquito repellent at home, so now thousands of hungry mosquito ladies are dining on my skin.
And then my customers arrive. Fresh, smelling like a rose garden and all smiling and happy. Right there, that’s the moment when I want to be glamorous, radiant and star-like!
But then I take out my camera, end up on my stomach in the dirt and knee-deep in smelly water of the lake and I am thinking that it wouldn’t last long anyway. Though it could have saved the first impression I make. I hope to impress you with the photos at least. Because I was not there on Wednesday to show off, but to capture who you are. And you are…
Playful.
Acrobatic.
Cute.
Loving.
Sisters.
Family.
And very much in love.
It was a pleasure to meet you!
Oh and anyone knows a proved cure to mosquito bites that are itching so much it is driving me crazy? I want to know it!
If you read my blog, you remember this post where I finally started participating on the 52 weeks challenge that my friends, photographers Whitley and Kate, prepared for our photocommunity to keep the ideas fresh. I need to admit:
I am so behind the schedule! This is meant to be week 9 – hats, yet I am only posting the theme “water”.
This is from our spring trip to my home town in the Czech republic. My father is a small aircraft pilot and enjoyes much hanging out with his buddies on the airport and taking care of the machine… And the flying of course. The flying … a dream the human kind has had since the dawn of time. Once a year or so at my home town’s airport the firefighters have an excersise with a helicopter – learning how to fill the sack with water in case of bigger fires where a helicopter has to help from the sky with putting out the fire.
I, of course, took the opportunity to be there. Not only because of my little boy, who was absolutely thrilled and smiled the entire three hours in the wind, noise and flying little stones. Also because I wanted to try a reportage or event type of photogaphy. It required much different skills than portraits, as you can well imagine. This is what I got.
The theoretical part … my home town’s firefighters, in orange are firefighters from Prague, the helicopter belongs to the police force, in black jacket a police officer from my home town and in blue overall the pilot of the helicopter.
Waiting around and getting the sack attached to the helicopter…
It was loud and windy … and my lil princess doesn’t like either of those conditions … well well well.
Firefighters had no problem, put the helmet shields down and no wind or harsh sun could harm them. Filling the sack was not an easy task, everyone had to try.
Hitting a marked spot with water. The pilot was really skilled. (And also listened well to all instructions that I asked from the local guys to give him. “More between me and the sun!” and such… hehe.)
And then it was time to pack up and leave back to Prague, where the helicopter flew in from. It was almost noon and at 1pm the air space above the Czech republic closed for many days because of the volcano eruption. We got stuck in my home town for another week, but we enjoyed the extended time with my family much much much.
The 52 weeks current topics are these:
- Time
- Trees
- Books
- Candy/treats
- Chair
- Water
- Money
- Shoes
- Hats (yesterday)
- Tools (next Friday)
Roger and out.
Remember my whining posts about the neverending winter? Well, guess what, it’s over, officially and totally over. Finland, right now, is HOT! Of course that I am still whining, would you expect anything else from a person whose mood swings are totally dependent on the outside temperature and amount of sunlight per square meter per hour? I am on the phone with mum and all I can talk about is how fantastic it is right now but how it makes me depressed to know that it will be over. SOON. Yes, I am impossible, I agree.
But besides me being energetic, happy and in a good mood, there is another advantage to the heat that many of you might not realize. The newborns are not cold.
So here’s the thing. I am looking for newborns under two weeks old, boys or girls, to photograph outdoors. Babies of different than typical northern European looks most welcome . The photoshoot is for free and shall happen during next week (19.-23.7.2010). I intend to use the photos in my portfolio, so the condition is that you have to sign a model release allowing me to do that. In exchange for that you will get free 3 (three) digital files (value of 350€) of your favorite images from the shoot.
xx
Please read about how the newborn shoots are done in the info section on my webpage and get inspired by images in my newborn/maternity gallery.
If interested, contact me immediately via email niki@nikistrbian.com or call 0400-358990.
I must do it again (though I know it’s getting old). I so love my job! It again brought me to the most exceptional place where I meet people worth befriending. This family has booked a shoot with me while back and there was much anticipation and energy flowing both ways during the wait. Wasn’t it for the fact that they live in Hämeenlinna, I am sure we would have been hanging out as friends long time before the session. Given the distance and the (universally known) fact that my family prefers travelling to the south, geting to know each other had to wait till the officially booked date. But boy, did we click!
The shoot happened at the verge of and inside of Aulanko, a forestry area turned in spots into a beautiful park with ponds, romantic little alcoves scattered here and there, a stone gazebo and … and … and go see it for yourselves, will you? If you have not yet, or even then… All this was built by a wealthy foreigner, Hugo Standertskjöld, for a lady of his heart. This woman, much coldheartedly, never really appreciated his efforts and so he died old and alone and in his will gifted the whole area to the town of Hämeenlinna under one condition – it will always be free, it is eternally forbidden to require money to enter the park.
Ok, dry your tears, my dears. You will need your sight clear to appreciate more beauty in the pictures below than the Aulanko scenery in the background. The fate has thrown my way the first doppleganger I met in real life. Mom of this family looks like a ……………. (insert a name of a Hollywood star, or better yet leave me a comment, if you dare to guess). Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but also is a skilled pizza chef. But one question keeps coming back… Are there more stars hidden unrecognized in Finnish homes? I am asking you: COME OUT! *thinking hard* Maybe I can wish even for specific names? Brad Pitt, anyone? Meryl Streep? Al Pacino? Taylor Lautner? Ok, I better stop, because this list can get real loooong.
Enjoy the pics and do leave a comment with your guess. You never know when you might win something …
A beautiful family. A beautiful spot. A beautiful day. Much enjoyed session… Nothing more to add.
xoxo
Someone I love – Niki Strbian Valokuvaus
05/07/2010
I have owned you this post for quite a while now. 3 weeks, almost exactly. It was my birthday and our friend/nanny arrived in the evening when I went to visit an old neighbour (and deliver the last saved piece of cheesecake). The neighbour lady wasn’t at home and our nanny didn’t come to congratulate me but to work, so my dear, dearer and dearest husband could have finally revealed that we are going out. Surprise! Not to eat, I hope? was my answer. Because I have been stuffing myself during the whole day and now cannot even breathe or drink, let alone eat some more…
Have you ever seen a deflated balloon? A kid who buys an icecream that falls on the ground immediately? A dog whom you say that today we are not going out for a walk? Then you know the face my husband pulled. Poor dear! Surely enough he booked a table in the hot spot of the Finnish summer and was starving himself the entire day in order to be able to enjoy the luxurious dinner. Well, that obviously didn’t happen, instead we went to the movies and he ate a hamburger in front of the public library in Leppävaara.
What’s most important is that he let me take some portraits of him while destroying his favorite suit on the rocky benches with whatever-was-in-that-hamburger sauce. And we did enjoy the movie!
My love, despite the frequent empty threats, I am never going to want to upgrade you. I love you!
This is my beloved and chosen one and his idea of a cool pic. Holding library’s bear’s paw through the window… Don’t ask!
I will not be jumping here like an ape, he stated firmly. Sure you will, honey, it’s my birthday!
Then few portraits of us together. We have none, even the wedding kind of passed without proper portraits of us taken… If you want something done, do it yourself, right?
Then it was already time to head to the movies. After all the coke he drank, a visit to the smallest room was necessary. I did the same and it took me twice as long because I was doing this!
Ok, thanx for looking, enough of the crazy stuff, back to serious business tomorrow again!
7 Comments
What a sweaty! I love the all, but the basket shots are totally my favorite.
So cute! These look great! I love the outdoor shots!
Gorgeous shots, Niki. You are such a great photographer!
What a beautiful baby!!! You created beautiful artwork here Nikki….well done
Awesome work yet again Niki. That 3rd one down with the blue wrap and hat is soooo beautiful and that BW one, amazing!!
Awww so sweet! Great job Niki!
This was a wonderful experience! Thank you for the opportunity! I totally recommend to all!