This project has been planned, postponed, amended - and finally implemented. Lots of serious work - weeding, cleaning some winter leftover mess, planting new flowers, as well as rake dancing and broom-guitar playing.
Villa Giulia is a park in historic center of Palermo. It has its origins in 18th century and is remarkable for its perfect square shape with diagonal alleys dividing the park in different sections. Marble statues and fountains, a sundial, shady alleys and open spaces, and wide variety of trees and shrubbery make it a popular spot both with locals and tourists. If you'd like your family photos to have lush green background with a touch of special Sicilian atmosphere, this park definitely should be considered. It ticks all the boxes - plenty of space, nice surroundings, easy access, lots of options for things to do during your photo shoot to get natural and emotional images (anyway we don't do posed photos on the benches or next to flowering shrubs!). Here are my top 3 reasons why villa Giulia is a great location for family photo sessions. Reason 1 Lots of space and diversity. The park has an alley with Ficus trees, a little bamboo forest, a hill with cacti and succulen...
Beautiful summer evening in Tentsmuir forest. This family wanted their photos in a green space, not on the beach, so Tentsmuir seemed to be the best option. It is one of my favourite spots around St Andrews and offers a wonderful mix of scenery - forest, dunes and the beach. Plus, plenty of space to run, things to do and explore for two active boys. And this is what we did on a warm summer evening a few weeks ago. I love to capture families in their element, talking and having fun together, without posing or direction. This was easy to achieve here, as our photo session was about a walk in the forest, with a variety of activities captured - balancing on logs and climbing trees, stick and pinecones fight, piggyback rides, races and who has the biggest stick competitions. Of course, some cuddles, tickles and stories were thrown in the mix, and flowers the youngest boy has found for his mom and put in her hair. The result was a collection of beautiful, natural, at times funny, emotio...
The shadow we've got, in a girly way with a wee bit of pink :-) The sun, sitting low in Scottish sky, invites for all sorts of shadow plays. We already had this , and this a while back. And will have some more probably, with a new twist.
The days are longer, the sun shines brighter and the bluebells are dancing in the wind! Spring, blooms and bluebells mini photo sessions. Timeless and artistic photographs of your family and kids surrounded by spring beauty - something special that will fill your heart with joy. St Andrews, 11th and 12th of May Limited time slots available, message me for more info & to book. Useful - how to select outfits for family photos
Yesterday was big and special. The school has started. Matteo had his first school day. Then we made a cake, but this will be a different story. So, are we ready for school, did we like it? Here's one opinion:
This is our reading club. Not all members could attend, so the reading plan was adjusted accordingly. Meet the members - as you see, interest, and taste in a good book is encouraged from very young.
Published on 11th of April 2023 Smell of hyacinths, rain drops on the window, slow lazy mornings basking in spring sunshine outside on the terrace - me with coffee, Mara with watering can which she often turns into a puddle on the floor. Tiny purple bursts of crocuses I planted as bulbs in the pot with an olive tree. Blankets, seasonal bugs, messy curls I am still learning how to tame. Picking last oranges in grandma's garden, finishing her sweater - she was very good with tangling the yarn, multiple times. Rare week-end trips - because, the weather, or the bugs - and missing it dearly, cabin fever is the thing here. These are snippets of March. One place we did manage to visit during these rare week-end outdoor moments, is Bosco dell'amicizia on Monte Pellegrino. We discovered it by accident, it's just a turn from the regular path up to the sanctuary. It's an easy trip as Monte Pellegrinno is close to our home, so in just 15 minutes you have fresh air and nature arou...
Published on 12th of May 2023 April has been about enjoying our terrace and sunshine, and week-end trips to explore new places. We made a trip along the coast to visit Aspra, St Elia and some beaches along the way and ended up in Capo Zafferano and its old lighthouse, with picnic and dipping our feet into the nice and fresh sea. It's a great place to visit, just a short walk too, with option to stop on the beach - lido del Carabiniere, which we did. I don't have any lighthouse photos to show, due to damaged fence we had to keep extra close eye on Mara. The lighthouse is no longer operational, but all the buildings are there and in quite decent state, except missing windows and doors - it has an interesting vibe. It has great views too, all blue of sky and sea. I loved it, and it would make a great photo shoot location for a family with older kids! Another one to visit thermal springs, where we found a field of wildflowers. Of that I do have a photo, with Mara sceptically ...
I was photographing them couple of months ago, when they were barely out of newborn stage. Look at them now! However, there is a little problem here. We wanted some sleeping baby shots. These two were supposed to sleep. Do they look like sleeping? Not even close. This is what happened instead. And I love it! Photographs are copyright of Julia Pagano Photography. Julia Pagano specializes in candid natural light photography of babies, toddlers and families, as well as children portraiture in St Andrews, Cupar and Fife, as well as Dundee.
I have something to celebrate this week. All women do - it's International Women's Day today, and Mother's Day on Sunday. For me it's also 1 year since I made this giant leap of faith, published my photography web-site and decided to give it a try and make my hobby of last 12 years into something more, and share it with the world. So I am doing something very special to celebrate. It's about bond between mother and her child. It's about love, holding hands and messy hugs. It's about laughing together, exploring together, being together. And remembering what it felt like to hold the small hand of your child in your hand, or to lift up your little one and hug and twirl and laugh together. Photograph is one of the few things that can capture this special connection and love. That can help us to remember it and treasure for many more years to come. This is what my fine art motherhood photo sessions are about. And one of them I'd like t...