Of flowers, and children

We went to Botanical Gardens on Sunday. I found this wall still covered with the leaves of last year, and I absolutely wanted to photograph Masha there. Here's what we've got.

As well as lots of flowers, dry and new.

And then there are these three flowers. It takes an effort to get them together and sit quietly, and look at the same direction, oh my.

Piú letti

3 reasons to have your family photos in Villa Giulia park

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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...
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Photo a day - February

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Published on 25th of March 2024 This February did not feel like February at all. We were hoping to find some snow and were treated to spring-like temperatures and lots of sunny days instead, slow weekends spent outside collecting oranges or playing hide and seek in a giant blooming rosemary shrub, climbing trees, collecting rocks and even some splashing in the sea. Yes it was warm. We went to Scotland to take care of some personal matters, came back with a new cough, as if recent Covid and other cough and ear infections etc etc was not enough. I made a sweater for Mara and realized I've miscalculated the size, what I hoped would last also for autumn is just right for now. She is growing so fast, which makes me both sad and proud. Still loving her dinosaurs and playing hide and seek (the laundry basket is apparently an excellent hiding spot!), discovering 'big kids' Lego and liking it a bit too much, and trying to keep up with her big siblings.   Like what I do? Get in t...
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Photo a day - January

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Published on 13th of February 2024 This January has been... different. It should've been great, we had a trip planned for New Year, my brother was expected to visit with his family, Mara and Matteo have their birthdays in January too. It turned out not quite what we planned and expected. The trip to Sila had to be cut short because everyone got ill, which turned out to be Covid, which as a consequence affected also Mara's birthday and made the time with my brother and his family a bit less fun too. On the other hand, it felt like my body and my mind needed this slow time after busy and stressful December, there was a lot to reflect about, a lot of rest and quiet. It's ironic that Covid became the answer to this, oh well. The January photos reflect this slow time too - we stayed at home or visited grandma's garden to collect oranges and to play, we baked and built pillow forts, planted bulbs for spring, read books and baked some more. Cookies and muffins are usually what...
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The magic of reading during your family photo shoot

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5 reasons to include books and reading in your family photos If you are reading this, you are probably considering a family photo shoot. I know all the different concerns that my clients have before their session. And one of them is - what do we do, how do we get those images with genuine moments and real emotions? During my 7 years doing family photography I've discovered one activity that always works - it's reading books with your kids. There are so many good reasons why integrating books and reading into your lifestyle family photoshoot can bring a touch of magic, warmth, and togetherness, while capturing beautiful and candid moments along the way. Below I'll let you know the top 5.  Let's get started! 1. Reading with your kids is great for those who might feel uncomfortable in front of the camera Because you do what you usually do - you sit down, take a book and read. You don't need to worry what to do with your hands - they are holding a book, or both the boo...
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A walk in the woods

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Last week-end of winter, it did not feel like winter at all. On Saturday we went to Lade Braes, our local wood. It was full of sunshine and spring blooms. We did not have rain for the whole week. So finally it was OK to roll in the grass. Some things never get old. Like boys throwing sticks in the creek. Or sunshine. Or spring vibes in the air. There are so many things to do outside, games to play, discoveries to make. These two may shout and complain about getting out, and then shout and complain more when it is time to go back. Hello Spring!
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Newsletter!

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will arrive to you by email twice a month. It's about photographing children and documenting childhood memories. I'll share personal experience and practical tips how I photograph my own kids at home and outside, beautiful places to explore (and take pictures) around St Andrews, practical tips and inspiration for documenting holidays, tips and tricks to make how to make kids cooperate for photos - and a lot more. The newsletter will also include ideas for organising your photos and memories, gifts involving photography, as well as special offers and announcements from me. Few words about GDPR and safety of data, since the new EU regulations require it. I use GDPR compliant company for this mailing list, and access to it is protected by passwords which are not 12345 and not my birthday date (none of my passwords are). I do not store your contact information neither in my computer nor in my phone. I will not share your contact information with anybody, and I will o...
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Gorky park

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We spent several gorgeous days in it during our holidays this summer. We did car rides, all sorts of playgrounds, climbing frames, snacks, benches, playhouses, balloons, ice-creams for adults and coffees for kids :)... In this order and reverse, and then again. It was fun. We met with cousins, which increased the fun. Undeniably when you put two and two kids together, the amount of fun does not get simply added, it gets multiplied by four at least. The most anticipated and desired attraction was tree climbing. While the older trio was up and high in the tree tops, Matteo was making his own discoveries, including the sliding rocking horse. Still he's got all the gear to use. And this is the last piece of our summer, which was still stuck in the memory card of the camera. Time to greet the autumn.
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Summer on the beach

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Published on 6th of October 2023 When I thought about the title for this blog post, summer on the beach was a firm winner. This is where we spent a large chunk of our summer, so it fits well. There was a lot of bathing, splashing, swimming, jumping from the rocks. There was barely any snorkelling this year, and not many waves, Matteo was disappointed. We found the canoe of my husband, that was believed to be gone, and it was a great addition to our sea activities. Although paddling with Mara is tricky, as she wants to hold the paddle too with her little hands. We spent a lot of evenings swimming till the sunset, or watering the rocks and the sand in case of Mara, and even made a night swim once. Apart of our usual beach, we tried several new spots like cala Bianca near Scopello, Monte Cofano (I loved that one, and the nature reserve too, hope we'll visit again in winter to climb the mountain) and Guidaloca. The last one we knew and visited several times before, but it was a nic...
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One

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Our baby has turned one! There is something about girls and their jewellery. Diamonds are the best friends, this we remember. In the absence of latter, also some nice bright wooden beads would do. They are friendlier on the tooth, of which we still have just two so far. Tutu - check. Lipstick - check. Jewellery - check. Got to go, smash the cake!
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Personal update and my 'a photo a day' project

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Photos were one of the 'big' things that helped me to keep my sanity these past weeks. I started 'a photo a day' project when Mara was born. It helped me to think of something else when the war has started, and to do something else, a break from reading news and worrying. There were days I did not feel like picking up the camera, there were days when inspiration just was not there. Or energy to go through the photos and edit them, so they remained in the camera for a long time. Most days I did take a photo, now I'm starting to go through them, and I am glad I made this effort. Like what I do? Get in touch, let's chat about photos of your family! Get in touch!
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