For a free consultation and booking, please call me at 718-680-9779 or email me at mijolaphoto@gmail.com.

For a free consultation and booking, call me at 347-782-2734, or email me at mijolaphoto@gmail.com

I had the pleasure of doing the Christmas pictures for one of the most wonderful moms I know, K., and her daughter, L. Well, L. is a buddy of my daughter's, and was extremely unhappy to discover that the visit to my house was not exclusively for the continuation of their earlier playdate. She tolerated her mother and I pleading and cajoling enough to get a few shots, but when she went into cutup mode, it was as good as it gets. Again, if you just go with what a child wants to do in front of the camera, that is the key to capturing their personality. I think these pictures reflect her intelligence, energy and her mother's deep love for her. I hope her mom is as happy with these as I am. 

I did this quickie Christmas card shoot this afternoon of A. and V. and their new baby sister.We literally had about 15 minutes total, and the light was disappearing by the second. Both their mom and I were scrambling all week trying to coordinate school and activity schedules, good light, naps, babysitting, drop offs, pick ups, I swear I don't know how any of us get anything done!! Oh, but I love this Burberry theme, and the baby could not have been more "on"!!!

These are Christmas-y shots of H., a beloved classmate of my daughter's. I had her over after school and I had just a few minutes before the sun disappeared to do these as we got home late. I have been wanting to do pix of her as she is so incredibly cute and I have a soft spot for her because we have the same birthday. I saw that hat and I knew it would be perfect for her. I didn't buy it when I first saw it because I didn't know if her mom would like it, but I'm so glad she gave the ok! I wish I had more time with her, but the pictures were cutting into playtime and everyone was getting impatient!

This is my big guy, I love the idea of these as a collage. I'll get to that sometime :) !!

I want to add some information about what I do and how I do it. I am a portrait photographer, currently specializing in children and families. When making portraits, I use only natural, available light. This means sunshine and "the light from outside" even if it's raining or cloudy. In fact, cloudy, overcast days are my favorite for outdoor shooting and even misty, drizzly days can work for beautiful, diffused light. Check my labels (on the right) for posts showing pictures made on days like these.

I do set up some of the shots with direction from parents for something specific that they may want, but I try as hard as I can to avoid posed, stiff-looking pictures. I strive for pictures that are as natural and spontaneous as humanly possible. I will tell children on a shoot NOT to smile because we all know how those phony, strained smiles look. No cheek cramps on my watch!

The thing about what I do that is the hardest to explain is that truly, what I think are my best pictures just "happen". Somehow, all the stars in the universe align at an exact moment and that toddler who won't sit still for her group shot gets up, and starts spinning around and laughing when my camera is set for another type of shot. I shoot anyway, and she comes out slightly blurry and it just looks like a dream. I may tell a big sister to close her eyes and out of nowhere, her little brother spontaneously reaches up and kisses her. A baby needs a diaper change in the middle of a shoot, I keep going, and these turn out to be her most animated moments! I think children are magical, amazing creatures and I cannot say how much I anticipate every shoot to see what will unfold. I can never say exactly what we'll get, and we can always try for any set-up, but the fact is- it's them doing what they do naturally that makes the best picture.

 You can reach me for consultation and booking at 347-782-2734.

What more interesting subject is there to a mother than her children? I was doing a light test to see what I might be able to get at home as windy weather was preventing us from making a planned trip to the Botanic Garden to do our Christmas pictures. Everyone was still in pajamas and I was just trying out a few settings- I am always trying to figure out how to make the most of this camera. The amount of options you have is totally dizzying to me. Well, L. was totally willing and even though my big guy was not, I got him anyway!! I absolutely love these pictures. Christmas cards will have to wait.

I went to the park again yesterday to do the A. twins. Again, the skies were about to open up and the pigeon lady was in every shot I wanted to get!!! Good thing the male half of this duo kept us laughing. He is such an amazing kid- when he was 5 years old he did a comedy routine in the school talent show that was unforgettable. The both of them are such sweet, affectionate kids and I think it totally comes across in the photographs. I am honored to have the opportunity to shoot them as their father is an accomplished video artist with an art school background. The videos he creates can take up to 4 months to make!! You can see his work here: http://www.youtube.com/bsffilms.

I just found this one. This is A. in the backyard, just toddling around. Wow!

The girls were sitting on the kitchen floor yesterday afternoon playing in the sunlight, so I snapped a few there and then L. agreed to let me do some more in the upstairs bath/skylit hallway. All told, about 20 minutes of shooting. All I need is a teeny bit cooperation and light light light!