Roses, and other portraits

This one is about portraits of Masha. I photographed a lot more on that day. And then I was not sure what to do with them. Cause when I look at them, something feels off. So much so that even those I liked felt tainted.

Usually it is either about the person whose portrait is made. Or about the edit. Or about the mood. Or pose. Or expression. Or some trend which is fashionable now. Or the overall message. Or the photographer. It can be just one or all of these things, it does not matter. The picture does not touch you anymore. I learned my lesson here.

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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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Caccia fotografica natalizia

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Anche tu hai la sensazione che il Natale arriva sempre nel momento sbagliato e non abbiamo il tempo di stare con la nostra famiglia? Tante cose da fare e lo stress di prepararsi portano via tutto il divertimento e poi le feste finiscono senza essere riusciti a trattenere nessun ricordo. Con questa caccia fotografica natalizia riuscirai a ritagliare qualche momento di pausa, divertirti un po' durante queste feste ed avere ricordi unici del tempo passato in famiglia. Scarica il file e segui i suggerimenti per fare semplici foto di sicuro effetto. In questo modo conserverai i ricordi di queste vacanze di Natale per sempre.
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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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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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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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Her. And my personal photo challenge for 2017.

This was our special photo project for 2017, hers and mine. We were supposed to do a portrait a week. It was interesting, useful and a challenge in more than one way. Some weeks we did more, than we had weeks of doing nothing. Sometimes we both were excited, later we both hated it -  each of us for different reasons. Yet we are proud with results. Here are my favourites, and some of them I am getting printed. Quite large :-) 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 and Fife, as well as Dundee.
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Beach fun photo session in St Andrews

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Beach Fun Mini sessions - for all the lovers of dancing on the beach and jumping in the waves, flying kites and climbing rocks and playing with sand! Let's have some beach fun and create beautiful unposed photos of your family or your little ones! Maximum 5 slots available in the evenings between 3-6 of July. St Andrews, East Sands or West Sands. 30 min shot, min 15 photos to choose from, 3 digital images with print rights or 10 printed photos. Photo-session cost - £100, option to upgrade. Please get in touch for more details, and to book.
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Saying goodbye to St Andrews, family photo session on East Sands

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I've had several shoots lately with families who are moving from St Andrews and who wanted to have family photos in their favourite places around the town. It's always bittersweet to say goodbye to the town you grew to love, while looking forward to the new beginnings and adventures. This is what we did one summer evening in July, we met on East Sands to take some photos on the beach, the pier and around the Cathedral ruins. We timed it for the low tide - East Sands gets really small during high tide so there is not much space to run and play.  We took photos outside of the Cathedral - to avoid crowded and very touristic looking shots. It's surrounded with lovely green grass, grown quite high in that time, high grass always makes beautiful backdrop with its colour and texture. Kids loved to play and goof around in it, as well as on the ruins close to the Cathedral walls. We also took some photos of the parents on their favourite bench overlooking the pier and the sea - such...
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Littlest people and lots of love/ newborn and baby photographer St Andrews

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Some of my most favourite things to photograph. Tiny fingers and toes, big yawns, how they fit snugly in your arms. How they stretch and curl naturally when they sleep. Those kicking feet. How tiny they look on your bed, and how solid and warm they feel in your arms. If your new most favourite human has just arrived or you are expecting and would like to have something to remember these first days with your new baby - drop me a line at info@juliapagano.co.uk, I'd love to hear from you. 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 and Fife, as well as Dundee.
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