November at Natural Light Photography

I'm so bored of boring. Boring photos. Everywhere I look I feel like I'm seeing the same old concept dressed up in a different color, prop or pose but its all the same...idea. You know? And I was flipping through some children's magazines the other week and I was noticing how fashion photography is so...unboring. The kids are hardly ever posed, not looking at the camera, often you'll have feet cut off, heads cut off... still, when its done right, its so ... right.

So I was playing around with this idea in my head of starting a line of... I don't know what to call it... Urban Photography? Fashion Photography? And modeling it after the look you'd see in kids' fashion magazines. Heavy on the accessories, heavy on color, heavy on personality... less on posing, less on matching, less traditional. Not 100% sure if I'm going with this, have to see what kind of response I get, but if anyone out there has a 4-8 year old boy or girl with a fantastic wardrobe and accessories, give me a call and maybe we could start something up.
Of course, I'd give you the photos for free and all... of course.

Anyway, on other note, almost done booking for Chanukah Discount season which ends on December 18th. If you didn't read the blog on the specials yet, see the post before this one. You can win up to 50% off..

In any case, hope all of you guys are off to a good start this school year and that's life's beginning to calm down somewhat. Enjoy your Chanukah vacation, if you have any; your latkes, if you eat any, and the snow. If we get any. But we will

From november

So this family comes down "all the way" from Belle Harbor and were really the ones behind my whole "urban" idea. I'm in love with this photo - I could easily picture it as an ad for Gap Denim, or Guess Kids... know what I mean? Love the girl on the left... the boy's knee, his arm around the baby... This photo wouldn't have worked the same for me if they were all lined up in a row smiling straight for the camera. Do you see what I mean, or is this just me?

From november

I was thinking of sending this photo to Bencraft (hatters in Boro Park) and seeing if they'd purchase it from me... No?

From november

Maya is so........photogenic, for a not-yet-three year old. We had a lot of fun with her, see below.

From november

Mom said that taking pictures wasn't really Sammy's thing. She doesn't know what a gum lolly can mean to a five year old kid...

From november

Had to include one more of 1 year old Ben. So you could see his adorable face. His personality reminds me of my baby Tzvi. Didn't want to sit still for one second. Still, at least we got something of him, which is more than I can say for my Tzvi...

From november

Mom brought in these accessories... I'm thinking of buying them for the studio. They were amazing.

From november

Mom liked my wall collage of Ita that's online and she had similar red boots to match, so we made this. Love it.

From november

Here's another example of what I mean by not being afraid to try something different. I've had this red backdrop from the beginning, and its one of my favorites, but when I take it out, the customers usually say, "Red? I don't think so."

Well, this family decided to be a little braver and good for them, cuz no other backdrop could've done this gorgeous little 18 month old more justice...

From november

From november

Anyway, here's to not being afraid of COLOR!

From november

This little guy is the whole reason behind this photo shoot - he's having his hair cut in just a few weeks! Mazal Tov to the whole Oratz family! You should have only nachas from both your adorable children!

From november

From november

Time to update Ita's photo album in honor of her turning 4. Here she is getting comfy on one of my fur rugs..

From november

From november

This would be one of my most favorite photos of her her, if it wasn't for the glare from the glasses. Oh well, still a cutie.. I do love my son, too, if you were wondering. He's just the hardest thing in the world to photograph. He travels at the speed of shutter. You click - he disappears.

But anyway, I'm waiting for one of my new backdrops to come in the mail and hopefully we'll get something of him in honor of his 2nd birthday.

From november

Sarala and Rachelli Koff are old friends of ours...our kids were in nursery together and I've been excited to do their portraits for a long time. These two could not be more photogenic!

From november

We chose a dramatic theme...notice the expressions, the poses and the red against black...

From november

These two clearly love each other...according to me anyway, if you ask their parents you might get a different story... Just kidding, they're the best of friends.

From november

Just after this shoot, Sarala donated her waist-length stunning blond hair to Chai Lifeline. What a tremendous mitzvah!

From november

From november

4 year old Rachelli is a natural. After trying a few poses, I stepped back and told her to "do her own thing". Here's what we came up with...

From november

From november

This is the 6-picture wall collection that's going on their wall - all frameless gallery wraps in various sizes. Its going to be stunning.

Happy Chanukah, Happy Winter Everybody!!!!!!!!

Some Announcements

I'm not sure how many of you started thinking/shopping for Chanukah yet, but I'd like to let you know some of the exciting specials the studio is offering for the Holiday of Miracles.
Check these out...

SPIN THE DREIDEL AND SAVE!!!
Customers booking appointments between November 15th and December 18th will have the opportunity to "spin a dreidel" at the studio and qualify for one of the following super specials:
"Gimmel" -- Free leather bound 4x6 brag book with 10 of your favorite images!
"Hey" -- Half off your largest wall portrait!
"Nun" -- Free 8x10 copy of any wall portrait!
"Shin" -- Free 5x7 copy of any wall portrait!

So... start practicing those spins!

THE GRANDPARENTS COLLAGE

Have a large family, ka"H? Do your group grandchildren photos always look messy? Try this option.


In these stunning wall collages, each grandchild is photographed separately, on his/her own time according to the families' individual needs. This gives each child the opportunity to photograph at his/her best in a calm, relaxed setting. The photographs are then printed individually with either a framed or frameless option and best of all....
we can come to YOUR HOUSE and do the hanging for you on your wall! Happy Chanukah!
Prices vary based on print size chosen.

As always, space is somewhat limited, especially Sunday sessions and I will book appointments on a first come /first serve basis.

The October and November blog will be posted together as one post in a few weeks.

September 09 at Natural Light Photography

It almost rained the first night of Succos. It was supposed to; everyone was talking about it. Talking about how long to wait, how long other people wait, how they know someone who knows someone who'll wait till chatzos before giving up and eating indoors. But mostly we talked about how scary it was. What it means if you can't eat in the succah the first night. That He didn't like our prayers. Didn't accept them.

Like others, I was plagued with guilt and worry. Maybe I should've gotten that babysitter in the end and went to shul. Maybe during the kids' nap, I should've davened a little longer and not gone to lie down. Maybe, maybe, maybe...

But it didn't rain. Not that night nor the next night or the next day. In fact, the weather was perfect. Uncharacteristically warm for this time of year. So warm, in fact, that the black tights, wool coats, sweaters and blazers that I rushed to buy last minute before yom tov weren't needed. The sun shone, the wind blew - it was all perfect. Even the bees stayed away.

We were guests at a few different succahs this yom tov, and meal after meal, my family and I were gladdened, inspired, overfed, and most of all - joyous. So joyous. Because it didn't rain.
We ate in the succah.
Everything was just as it should be.

Late that first night, I put my ear to little Ita's bedroom door and listened in as she was putting herself to sleep. My heart melted at her sleepy voice:
"Hashem loves me. Hashem loves everybody..."

My daughter has faith that her father in heaven will grant her a year of sweetness and good things.

So should we.

From september

It's cute how this family of five and I know each other. Our babysitters are friends! Go figure. Anyway, they were a delightful family to photograph.

From september

Baby Kalman is adorable. Bald, or almost bald babies are my absolute favorite.

From september

Only a baby.

From september

Devora used to help my babysitter watch my baby Tzvi! As the only girl, she's a little Mommy already.

From september

Here's the older boys... Mordechai,

From september

Yitzi,

From september

And Shmuel. Thanks for coming down guys...we had a blast!

From september

By the time I printed this family's photos, a fourth little boy joined their crew. Mazal Tov!!

From september

Love this relaxed pose...

From september

Now here's a color I haven't seen in a while, turquoise. I like it... Emmy and Atara were in a great mood for pictures.

From september

Yes Atara, I like your gold shoes too.

From september

A sweet smile from Emmy...

From september

Okay so this is not my usual "portrait" but I happen to love how this picture shows "exactly" how much this baby did not want to be here! ( We got better photos later!!)

From september

Back inside to the studio! Elisheva is 17 months old and delightful.

From september

I adore this photograph. The vintage dress, her toes, the expression... I couldn't have posed it better myself.

From september

An upsherin boy! Haven't had one of these in a while

From september

From september

Big Brother Yitzi came along to help out...

From september

His brother had his photograph done two years before and was showing little bro how its done! Mazal Tov Tennebaums! May you have only nachas from both your "big" boys!

Summer 09 at Natural Light Photography, part 2

Some babies are exceptionally beautiful. Some have adorable personalities. And sometimes, you come across a baby with both. Meet Gabriella.

She's going to be someone to watch, I can tell...


And lucky me, I got to photograph her! Thanks for bringing her down, Mom. I can't wait to watch her grow up!

We didn't close for upsherins this summer; we just did them outside. Eitan's hair simply had to be recorded on film. (Actually, its on SD digital memory cards, but whatever.)


Mazal Tov to the Weisz family! You should have only nachas from this zees little boy!


Okay, here it is. My favorite sibling photo from the summer. Miriam and Yakov were terrific! It was especially nice to meet Miriam, as she is in my daughter's kindergarten class this year.


Welcome back Friedmans! This is my third summer photographing this family and I look forward to it each summer. These kids have what I call "photogenicity". Take a look.

Here's Aliza. (Her wonderful photo from last summer is in my girls' gallery on my site, so you can take a look there and she how she's grown..)




This little guy, Eli, is new! Look at that face - did you ever?
And Mazal Tov on Ari's upsherin, he should bring you loads of nachas and not too much trouble.


Speaking of photogenicity, WHOA! I have no words to describe what I think of little Zevi's face, except that I'd probably pay you Mom, for the privilege of photographing him again... just let me know...


Here he is again, with big brother Benny. Two gorgeous boys- what could go wrong?


And just when we were getting bored keeping things traditional, along came the Weiser family for a fun morning session.


Did I mention that I'm crazy about red hair? Cuz I am, especially outdoors.


Here's another red-head beauty, Adina. (Who's also in my daughter's class this year...)


Baby Aryeh just kept us laughing. He's delicious.


Heading back to the studio. I haven't had as much fun as I've had with these three in a long time. And yes, those two girls are twins.



We really started off with upsherin "after" photos. Take a look below, here's his photo from last year.


Isn't he cute?

Another family shot... and below are a series of black and white photos of the twins...




Yep, here's Ita! All ready for kindergarten and turning four in just six more weeks! Unfortunately, I could not get a single portrait of baby Tzvi. He refuses to sit still not for nothing. Even the gum lollies couldn't help...

We did get one half - decent sibling shot, which I printed a small 4x6 and put it on my mantle.

Anyway, that's all for summer folks... those of you who came in early September, your photos will be posted on September's blog! Get back to school, back to work, and enjoy everybody!!