She is 5!

Maya is 5 today! 5 years of adventures and giggles and running after this little girl of mine.



Maya at 5 loves to dance and wear dresses, beach and Christmas, to eat ice-cream and to watch Peppa Pig. Her best play (and mischief of course) buddy is her brother, she has a bad day at school when there's painting. She is passionately avoiding any green leaves in her food (like parsley or spinach - big no no). Her next big project is to learn to ride 2 wheels bicycle. And her birthday cake request is chocolate with raspberries and pink frosting - so I am signing off for the day to work on that, and balloons, and surprizes, and yes there's also ice-cream stashed in the freezer :-)

This is her official birthday portrait. By special request - with glitter. Lots and lots of it!


Piú letti

Outdoor family portraits with baby - Capo Gallo, Palermo

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This photo-session has been kept under wraps for a while because the photos were Christmas gift, presented as gorgeous custom-made album. That's why now in the middle of winter I am posting some warm and sunny summer photos. This baby stage when they sit but cannot yet walk, is absolutely adorable to photograph. Your little one is so expressive and active, yet mostly sits still - making it an easy job for both the parents and photographer :-). I do not recommend to have only outdoor sessions with young babies, before they master sitting, especially in colder seasons. Warmth and quiet of home create better atmosphere for young babies, to capture simple moments of life, holding and comforting your little one, and all the sweet details. When they confidently master sitting and first steps - then its perfect time for outdoor family photos. Little Greta was happy to play with her parents and be carried around and show her cheeky smile and funny faces. W...
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Very windy evening / Family photographer in St Andrews

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It was windy. So windy that we had to cut it short and run away. The little one did not like the wind, and I totally agree with her opinion. But the few ones we managed to take are wonderful - moody sky, flyaway hair, and all the cuddles! 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.
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How to select outfits for family photos at home

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Dressing your family for photos is often challenging, and even more so when the photo session takes place at your home. At home sessions usually are reserved for newborns and babies, but there are so many reasons for doing at home shoot with kids of any age! Everybody feels more comfortable at home, you don't need to worry about carrying extra clothes or shoes in case someone gets messy and needs a change. You have all your favourite books and activities right at hand. Having photo session at home is also a deeper insight into your family and your life. Choose colours that you like looking at, because they will remain on the photos for a long time. Start with picking your palette of 3-4 general tones - for instance greys, pastels and earth tones etc. Then select clothes which fit with the chosen colour palette. Everybody should not wear the same colours, and as you've started with a common palette, outfits would coordinate together beautifully. When deciding about...
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Private beach

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There are plenty of nice beaches along the Coastal Path in Fife. This one is probably our favorite, it is small and often empty. So you have it all just for yourself. On a warm Saturday afternoon, it was a perfect getaway from home. To mess with the sand (somebody also ate it), to wade in the water and explore the rocks. To jump and run and just enjoy. With long days of Scottish summer, going home always seems too early. The time and the sun confuse you so much that picnic for dinner might be a good idea. We'll definitely come back, picnic or no :-)
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Sunset

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I realized that it is my first post in 2016. With holidays, travels, settling back, school and all the daily routine there was no time, or no energy, or not enough coffee (and never enough excuses :-) I am reconsidering my photo editing process, which is part of the reason too why I've been reluctant to process the whole sessions I was photographing, and post them. Once they are posted, it is done and I am still not happy and still searching for some little something to improve my editing. On the other hand, till something is out - it is like not yet finished and blocks me from doing something new. Instagram is easier in this regard, as it goes one photo at a time. I am posting more regularly there - @yuliapagano , should you be curious :-) Some sunset races and football, taken during a walk to the beach shortly after we came back home. Matteo became a fan of silhouette photos, so we might produce more :-)
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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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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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At the harbor

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St Andrews has a harbor, and there is even a lighthouse. Not a large and fancy-looking one, it is more like a large torch, but it is there. We continued to East Sands beach and with its playground and nice green area for running and rolling in the grass. We found a dandelion, the poor thing has missed its season. Matteo had its way with it :-)
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Special sun effect

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We have this special effect in our kitchen on sunny evenings. It was calling for a camera for a long long time, and finally the camera came. To capture some portraits. And a special artist's moment, looking for inspiration :-)
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