“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…

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!

#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, 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!

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 …

xoxo

This is Julietta and her two kids. Julieta is without a doubt the most beautiful woman I know in real life (and actually she is more beautiful than any of the virtual creatures magazines and movie industry daily serves us). Yet she hates being photographed. The nerves some people have! My heart aches and bleeds and my camera twists and turns in the bag whenever I see Julieta … I met her about 3 years ago when she had few weeks to the due date with her son. She and her husband were strolling through a mall where I was searching models for one project I then photographed. Unfortunately, solely to my own mistakes and wrecked nerves, the photos turned out to be a disaster. I didn’t keep them. But I kept Julieta, we became friends and I love having her in my life. Not only is she absolutely stunning, but she also makes the best hot chocolate in the world. Who would not want to be friends with her?

Julieta, darling, I love you. Don’t move anywhere abroad, my life would become really boring! And please, please, PLEASE, let me photograph you more!

And dear readers, if you like the photos, please leave a comment to tell this stubborn lady that she has to let me photograph her. Ok?

Julieta and her charming kids.

Just in case the 52 weeks challenge intrigues you, here the first 10 topics:

1. Time
2. Trees
3. Books
4. Candy/treats
5. Chair
6. Water
7. Money
8. Shoes
9. Hats
10. Tools

Where should I start? Oh, by mentioning that I love my job because it allows me to make people happy. Different people. First time mums. Parents. Small kids. Teenagers. Brothers and sisters. (getting all emotional now) People of all kinds let me in their homes and close to their hearts, if just for a moment. It’s precious. It’s priceless. I value it above all. And this time powers of universe brought me the most exceptional family. A sister and two brothers, grown-ups, who share their lives, sorrow and happiness alike, so tightly that they made me feel like I want to be part of it for longer than just a moment or two. And what more – they were absolutely cool in front of the camera as well. We had so much fun, I hope the pictures show it! (besides the lovely photos we took at the beginning, there was a surprise theme … heavy metal!) You guys are not getting rid of me now …. because this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

First few for their mom and grandmother (happy birthday, by the way )…

Then we started unleashing the devils…

And finally, the Theme! There are two heavy-metal drummers in this photo, do you care to venture a guess which ones they are?

The little  ones are SO lucky to have such fun family…