Radost, 6m

Radost is my niece who just turned 6 months old. Her name is a direct translation of Joy.
She really is the happiest little girl I've met so far.
We shot the day after Christmas day, 2014.

Families in B&W

As every beginner photographer I went through the vivid-color phase first. I loved it, I still do. But as conservative as I am with things I like, I like to change my game every now and then. I started thinking of black and whites. They are so much powerful than everything else. This is why I have decided to learn and make stunning B&Ws in 2012, and yes, in order to be more disciplined I included it in the 2012 Resolutions list.

I found out I love black and whites for family portraits. It makes it easier to see the resemblance between the parents and the child. I like the fact that black and white will always be in fashion, and it also puts the emphasis on the emotion, rather than on the setting and attire. Furthermore, if you have a background that is not as pretty as you'd wished, it simply doesn't matter when you make the conversion. And sometimes, it could emphasize things in the background even more, if desired. It's all up to you and your idea. Here's a couple of brand new B&Ws with a certain amount of haze on. I like the tenderness it adds to the contrast ;)

Nikon D700, 50mm.

Day 173: Days of summer...The cousin affair

Cousins are like siblings. It's just that they are your parents', grandparents', or your grandparents' parents' brothers and sisters and their children. Oh well, this could be explained way better by a chart. In other words, cousins are family, but not immediate family, even though you might feel them just as close as that. The curious thing about it is that sometimes cousins can be real "lookalikes". The young ladies below are not a mother and daughter, nor sisters. The older one is a cousin of the baby's mommy. And that's all. But they look so much alike, especially when comparing baby photos of Qni with recent photos of Alexa. Cousinship (i just made that word up) is so cool! I hope I meet a mini-me one day, too... :)))))))))

Nikon D700, 50mm.

Day 172: Days of summer...Alexa's Christening

A week ago we were invited to attend a very special family event. It's Alexa's christening at the Troyan Monastery (absolutely amazing place!). This baby girl was just adorable! She kept her blissful smile on the whole day, and even when she got scared in the chapel and started crying, she would stop intermittently to give air-kisses around and then she would go on with the crying. Her most favorite person in the world would be her uncle, and it's mutual! Precious little thing!

Nikon D700, 50mm.

Day 73 - Joy of ♥ 8: love from the heart

The next joy of love topic is called love from the heart. The assignment was to try to capture a "gift" from the heart - something said, promised, done or given by a loved one.

I could probably make more than a thousand photos on this topic with all the faces and the things I was given by friends and family...it makes my heart warm just thinking about all those things said, promised, done and given.

The gift I chose to capture today is a pair of heart-shaped earrings I got from M. last Christmas. They quickly climbed to the top favorites in my jewelry box. And it's not just because they are pretty. When I get a gift that I feel comes from the heart of the person giving it, I hold on to this gift, whatever it is, because it gives me faith, strength and makes me believe in the good side of everything.

So, give and receive with love, and hold on to everything worth loving! And, please, not only on Valentine's day ;)



Nikon D700, 50mm.

Day 72 - Joy of ♥ 7: generations

Okay now, a very important post is coming up. It is called generations and it's asking for a photo of as many family members as possible. It's a great idea! We always think we have all the time in the world with our families and loved ones but sometimes it's a little less than all the time in the world. Unfortunately I do not have a photo that applies to this post right now, but I am working on it and as soon as I get it I'll post it.

It feels important and exciting at the same time. Let's see ;)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know it's been almost a year since that post was done, but somehow we got a family photo at my father's birthday this last November 6, 2011. Of course there are people missing here, which is about to be fixed next year I hope :))))

Nikon D700, 50mm.

In this photo: Me, grandma Kerana, grandma Ivanka, dad, uncle Hristo, grandpa Ivan, aunt Rumi, and mom.