We are moving!


It's been a quiet time online for me lately, because something big has been going on offline. And now it's time to announce it! After 10 years in Scotland, we are moving to Italy, Palermo will be our new hometown. 

Saying goodbye to Scotland is bittersweet. The people, our favourite places, trips to Highlands, the school, strawberries - so many memories and ties, photos and emotions. It's not a goodbye, we will be back!

Like what I do? Get in touch, let's chat about photos of your family!

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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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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 - 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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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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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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A new beginning

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It's spring, everything is coming back to life. It's time of new beginnings. So it will be also a new beginning for this blog. I will be posting my favourites from my customers' sessions, and also some of my personal work. So you can get a better idea what a family, or baby, or newborn session with me would be like. And our families will appreciate me posting more pictures of our children too, win-win! 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, Fife , and around.
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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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A bit of portraits, and a bit of personal

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I've been exploring fine art portraiture. I am glad I have a model who can be made easily available. Or convinced. Or bribed. With frappuccino in Starbucks, for all that matters.  I have more portraits, still unedited, and something stops me there. The perks of being perfectionist and trying to fix something that you cannot even grasp, you just feel that its wrong or not yet ready. This is part of my creative journey. And I want to leave these words here, that I read recently and they struck a cord. "Very little grows on jagged rock. Be ground. Be crumbled. So wildflowers will come up where you are. You have been stony for too many years. Surrender". There is a lesson here that I am still learning, the light I am still searching. 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 D...
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Christmas Family Photo Hunt

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Christmas family photo hunt! I've prepared a little game that you can play with your kids and the whole family over Christmas break, and share results with friends and family who you cannot see in person. You can take photos together, your kids can take some of the photos too. No camera or special equipment needed - you can do it all with your phone camera. The list of ideas included in the photo hunt is also open to your interpretation - for instance cookies you can make or eat, can be just cookies or your child dipping them in milk! Have fun and let me know how it goes! Merry Christmas!  
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