While I am exploring printing, I discovered this company producing books on demand, Fotofabriek. I decided to try it out and I like the result. With my latest photoshoot, portraying the mother and daughter relationship, I had an idea to go one step further and make a coffee table book. I photographed them at different ages and I thought it would be interesting to see the development. I also love coffee table books. On any given sunny day you can find me on a coffee corner, browsing through their coffee table books collections.
The book is a design element in your house featuring you and your daughter. It will remind you both of your lovely experience together and book quality time together.
You can make a coffee table book at this site.
One doesn’t really know a person unless they’re in front of the camera. Looking through the lens, there’s another layer uncovered than the familiar face we post to the public. Maybe that’s why personal photoshoots are more intimate, you go through the layers of you, unveiling the different layers of your personality.
This was the case with my client Ionela, I knew her from events we organised and attended together, I grew familiar with her bubbly personality, and I saw her as the cool chick.
But seeing her in front of my camera, I have discovered the woman that she is, talented, creative, resourceful, authentic.. vulnerable, and not afraid to show it, powerful at the same time a complete woman in her own rights.
I felt affection, and for me, that means being inspired and motivated to look beyond the public face.
“Seeing these portraits empowers me, all the while making me feel extremely proud of the woman I have become. “
As you know, last year I have become a mother.
It was indeed the most remarkable and unforgettable year, becoming a mother, having a daughter.
It’s been a time of growth, acceptance and much-needed self-love.
It’s incredible to see a new story come to life, to witness it from the early stages, my daughter’s story, to be part of it intimately and also an active role as a parent. It’s a thrilling experience.
I’ve learned so much about life, again and again, it is like getting a new understanding of the world.
While I love my baby immensely and spending time with her has been the main pass of time in the last year, it is time to go back to work.
It is calling me, to be fully fulfilled, there is a side of me which aches to create again. Doing my life’s work, creating with a camera is essential to me.
Of course, my mission feels even more important now, having a daughter. I want every woman to realise her beauty is unmistakable and to understand that her role in the world is both irreplaceable and imperative.
My promise to you is that once you step in front of my camera, this will happen.
Leaving a legacy behind has become to me more important than before, knowing there’s someone to leave it behind to. I will make it a priority to get behind the camera more.
Returning to work will be a balancing act, and I will probably fail a couple of times in the beginning, and that’s ok, I’m new to all this. I hope you’re going to understand my clumsiness. It will all take time.
Anna allows me to play on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for now, and those are my studio days dedicated to you.
| I can’t wait to see your comments, bookings as I am ready. |
Photo by GENEVIÈVE CHASSÉ
I have been quiet lately, focusing on my next big lifetime adventure. This is the result.
I am proud to go through this transformation, becoming a mum, embracing life with life, bringing up in my womb a miracle, the touch of divine creation.
I have wanted this for a long time, ever since I can remember, and I am finally in the right place and time for this.
I made space for it in my life and arranged it in such a way that a kid could fit right in.
I found a photography studio close to home, with daycare on the ground floor, so I’d always be close by, I modeled my business so it would fit my mummy life. I learned about healthy eating, taking breaks and caring for myself. Learned how to care for my partner and communicate effectively so both our needs are met.
And then … she arrived. can’t be more proud and happy to carry her in my belly.
I am now expecting her arrival any minute, and she kicks in my belly as I am writing this. :)
I will be taking six months of maternity leave to enjoy this new life and be close to her and give her all the love and nurture she needs to adapt to this new world.
I will be back to work early next year, February 2020 is when I plan to continue my portrait practice.
JOIN OUR VIP LIST
Looking towards the future, 2020 seems to be the year of new endeavours (such a cool number, isn’t it?) and I want to be the one that brings out the beautiful and confident, amazing person that you are.
Therefore I would like to invite you to join my VIP list personally. You will be the first to know about:
- My new ideas for portrait photoshoots
- Inspiring new tips for self-care, confidence, ageing
- By enlisting in the VIP list, you will secure the same prices as shown today on my website for a new shooting. Because also prices grow up ;)
Babyonline Damen Huebsch Royalblau A-Linie Spitze Ballkleider Cocktail Abendkleider, Hellgrau, Gr. 38
Have you been wondering how to preserve this moment in time with your daughter?
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Getting your Portrait taken is nothing short of magic.
Last year I have done a self portrait, this year I wanted to experience a full portrait experience like the one I give my clients.
Hair and makeup and the whole day pampering me. Pose training and dress change and expressions exercises.
I knew it was not going to be easy, let yourself go in front of the camera is not something that comes naturally to me. Putting myself first is something I don’t do well.
For this reason, I decided to preach what I teach and get myself this experience.
I can let you know that I understand it better now. It’s hard to let go of the daily tensions, stay focused for 4 hours, let yourself led by the expert, and just enjoy.
It’s like the holidays you take after a long year of work, you find it hard to de-tense and disconnect in the first few days.
What I realized is that the sooner you let go of control, (and boy, as an expert myself, is hard to do) the sooner you can achieve the results you want.
So what did this photoshoot teach me?
Well, it was easy to see, I am tense. Does this apply to you too?
I don’t take time enough for myself to enjoy time off, selfless time off for me, with me.
Like a massage, a spa day, a dinner alone reading a book, checking in with myself more often, how do I feel right now. Am I balanced? Or am I tense? Am I calm and grounded or am I all over the place? Am I clear and sharp in my thoughts or is it hard for me to focus. These are clues that tell you how far you are in your tiredness and stress. Being balanced is a trained muscle and one that you can develop.
So it was good to slow down and take some me-time and then reflect on it.
I learned how hard it is for me to let go of control. Can you relate?
This is something unhealthy, I think and possibly the reason I work for myself. Perfection doesn’t exist but good results can be achieved multiple ways. Sometimes is good to let someone else take the lead and let yourself flow with them.
I am shy. Shy to be watched, shy to connect with someone’s eyes for my own purpose, shy to hold the gaze.
So after all these preconceptions of how things should go, are let loose, that’s when the magic begins and the photographer can do its job.
I realize how hard this is for you and I will be ever more kind and allowing you more space to open for my future photo shoots.
I am pleased with this portrait, this is me at the age of 35. Even though it was a journey to achieve it, I recommend this experience to everyone because it is a valuable lesson of self-discovery.
Empowering women is what I do best. I did with CRAVE, featuring stylish women entrepreneurs in a book, and I continue empowering women in my portrait business. Seeing women thriving is what gives me a kick. Pushes me forward to do what I do and makes me happy to share my life with so many fabulous women.
She came into my studio the other day for a Personal Branding shoot for her new website. Karmen is building a brand “Flower and Spice Modern Apothecary“, a natural skincare cosmetic company.
… We had such a great time collaborating on a variety of elegant looks and overall feel. We wanted her portraits to match her brand… and I think we totally nailed it.
Karmen switched from a stressful corporate career in advertising to something completely different, embracing entrepreneurship and learning a new trade.
“It is never too late to do what makes you happy.”
