“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!

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…

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.

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!

You are in love when you are:

#1 keeping the small rituals from your early dates alive

#2 copying each other’s body language

#3 proud of all the years together

#4 feeling the urge to be as close as possible

#5 and inevitably – enjoying the pleasure of a kiss

Oh and a short story…

I like to shock people. Usually I make the shocking tales up, or at least there is a great deal of hyperbole involved. But there is one, which I tell exactly as it happened and yet people never believe me. It’s the story of me getting married. The short version is:

“I never wanted to.

But my dear husband was persistent.”

Anyone a Disney groupie? Besides me, of course. The latest princess, Tiana, has a friend, the mayor’s daughter Charlotte la Bouff. Charlotte is obsessed with getting married. And I mean obsessed. (If you have not seen it, go rent it – it’s quite hillarious really.) I have always been the opposite. I blame it on the >100% divorce rate that accumulated in my closer and more distant family. I grew up being sceptical. The whole concept just didn’t click.

But over the years I have been meeting people from the other planet, where marriages last. My neighbours, for instance. The lady was 86 and the gentleman 89 when we got to know each other. They were soulmates and friends, a deep understanding resonated between them. I wanted to photograph them, I wanted to document the majesty of such a relationship. Sadly, we never got around to do that. He died asleep at the blessed age of 90 years, after spending his entire life with his beloved wife. Some things I never stop regretting…

So I made a promise to never miss an opportunity like that again. And you should not either. Let me document your love (your parents’ love, your friends’ love) and get a wonderful gift – an archival print (20x30cm) of your most favorite image from the session. That’s how much I enjoy the BELOVED photography. You can contact me here or send an email to niki@nikistrbian.com.

That’s the moment when I feel the urge to start something new. It’s the same old inner pressure … every year as far back as I can remember. Some years I succeed, some years I leave the signs outside and in my soul unnoticed. Not this year, not today. It’s time to start something new and it’s time to pay back. Or actually pay forward as I am not likely to be able to pay back to all those who helped me so much during past couple of years. Instead I will try to help those who are in need of help. I can’t say more at the moment, except that I can’t do it alone. Thus I am offering a “harjoittelija” position for 3-6 months with following requirements:

• fluent Finnish and English
• good organizational and communication skills
• ability to work independently, based on given guidelines

The job will not require any photography skills and will be part time (if 6 months) or almost full time (if 3 months). I will send a more detailed description of the job via email – shoot me an email at niki@nikistrbian.com with the subject “harjoittelija” if you are interested.

#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!