February at Natural Light Photography

Welcome to the new home for Natural Light Photography's monthly updates! A few of you were complaining that you weren't getting the email newsletters - some of your accounts couldn't handle such large emails, others were being sent to spam... so I thought it through and found a new home for the newsletters at blogspot.com.
Here you can view ALL the monthly newsletters since last summer's, so feel free to browse through them over on the right under ARCHIVES... you can click to FOLLOW this blog and be updated whenever new photos are added, and you can leave a COMMENT after any photo - and please do - I really appreciate them.
So in general, I really do think this format is going to work a lot better. You will still get a reminder in your email when the new month's newsletter has been updated and all you have to do is click on the link and it will take you right here.
For those of you that want to bookmark the blog... its avivarandphotography.blogspot.com
In other news, Purim is coming... I have a really cute theme in mind this year, but I'm going to have to wait 'till next month to post the photos... but (hint) its a pretty hot topic these days and its NOT the presidential election. And those of you who have appointments before Purim, bring in your kids' costumes and I'll be happy to snap a couple of photos for you.
By the way, I am donating a $500 portrait package prize to the Flatbush Bonei Olam Chinese Auction which is this Wednesday at Kings Terrace 815 Kings Highway. Bonei Olam is a wonderful organization that gives financial help to couples suffering from infertility. The committee puts a ton of work into the auction night. Expect great prizes, yummy food, live entertainment and inspiring speakers. I'm excited about going and if you have a free night, you might want to think about popping by.
In any case, here's some of this month's memorable moments...



Mom and I played hairstylists with Aaron's hair to find the perfect look for his pre-upsherin photos... but I think we agree that he looks wonderful, don't you?

Aaron loved all the toys in the studio, and sitting just like a "Totty" on all my different chairs!

Although I love the way Aaron photographs unposed, I have to admit that this infectious smile

has its charm. Mazal Tov Frieds! You should reap nachas and bracha from little Aaron and his baby sister!

Ruchela and Mordechai came in with a Victorian Theme in mind... its been a while since I've done one of these, so I was really excited.

These two cooperated so nicely. Even the baby kept a happy face throughout all the different poses and wardrobe changes.

We loved this one. Look at the symetry in this photo - the lines of their arms, the touching of the heads, even the roundess of the flower connects with the baby's round cheek... and of course the joint attention on whatever's inside that carriage...

Here's a new update on an old classic photo of mine... Here the rustic stool and the weathered pants and hat set add an "old timers" look to this shot. Love it.

When I saw this red coat I immediately thought DESIGNER!

Ruchela looks really confident here.. And she should be, her photos are beautiful!

This is my favorite new baby photo ever. Love the lighting, love the finger, love the flab.. precious.

These gorgeous boys came in for a special "Brothers" portrait. I had a blast with Yehoshua and Akiva!

I couldn't decide if it was the gorgeous faces or the incredible personalities that made all their shots come out so good...

In the end we chose this one... and made a gorgeous 20x24 gallery wrap. I printed a copy for myself to hang in the studio's viewing room...

Akiva was the infectious one... he kept giving out one adorable smile after the other.

Shua had the personality!! I can't wait to see him grow up to be a chevra man!

And of course... no month is complete without a delicious little newborn. Okay, Yisroel is 3 months old already, and as cute as can be.

We were so afraid that the whole session was going to go by without one of his signature smiles, but finally just as we were about to give up... we got this.

Moshe Gelbstein is having his haircut this month and its goodbye to that stunning, long blonde hair! Mazal Tov Gelbsteins! You should have ONLY nachas from this zees little boy!

January 08 at Aviva Rand Photography

Okay so its cold. Very cold. I'm starting with this because lately its all I've been thinking about. How cold it is. And wet and snowy. And how its so much warmer in Florida. And dryer. And sunnier. And... warmer. But I'm not in Florida, and there are no immediate plans on going to Florida (even if everyone else is), so I'm here. And making the best of it.
For starters, we don't complain about snow or cold or wet in front of the kids. No. Cuz for my little ones this is their first or second experience of snow and whatever I say about winter is what winter will BE for them. Forever. First impressions stick the strongest. So at 8:30 a.m. during the shlepping and heaving into the car for school, while I may be thinking that the snowsuits and wet boots and fingers getting tangled up in gloves and toddlers that don't want to wear hats and I lost my de-icing pick AGAIn is making this SO much harder - we DON'T say any of that.
We talk about how pretty the street looks in white, and isn't the snow just like a blanket covering up all the cars and trees, yes, just like they're sleeping? And isn't it fun to splash in puddles with our boots and look- our feet aren't even getting wet - and yes, we could even do it thirty times and then bring all the wet slush into the car...
And licking snow? Isn't that just the best, it tastes just like water, except ...colder. Right. And we can keep licking it and never run out cuz its just - everywhere.
And snow days... no school! A day at home with Mommy. A lot of Mommy. What a treat!
So to sum up, I'm working on my "positive outlook". And when that fails, I just remind myself that pretty much before you know it, it'll be so hot that I'll be fantasizing about snow as I race from a sweltering minivan into a hot house and dive for the air conditioning...
But the good news is... snow and ice did NOT keep you guys away from the studio. Plenty of adorable children and babies visited me this month and we just had a grand time with everybody...
Here's a small recap:


Adorable twins Yitzi and Michoel came in for their upsherin pictures this month.

These twins don't look alike, but they're clearly best friends.

Michoel was cooperative, eager to pose, and gave me some gorgeous shots.

Yitzi was mischievous and funny... I had to race around to keep up with him, but nothing beats that smile.

I gave the boys a little break to play, and "accidentally" got this great shot.

This is the wall collection we designed... Mazal Tov Minzers! You should have a lot of nachas from these adorable twins!

This yummy redhead recently celebrated his first birthday.

Here he shows off his block-building skills.

We did a Designer Shot too... I just love the green against his red hair.

Now that little Moishy is all grown up with big boy hair, the Hechts returned for a family portrait.

Here's Mendy... the big brother.

Miri... the oldest. Lucky girl, she actually gets to keep that long blonde hair!

And finally little Moishy.

[This is his "before" shot, to remind you. Mazal Tov Hechts!]

I'm so lucky. I get to spend my evenings with the cutest babies... This is 3 month old Ariel.

Big boy, he holds his head up nicely already...

I know, you're going to be furious about this when you get older, but you're so delicious now... (and you can't really stop us...)

These two really stole my heart this month. Between the incredible wardrobe and gorgeous faces, they made my job a cinch...

This is my stunning new backdrop from Designer (Black and White) is this is just about my new favorite photograph EVER. Look at the expression on the boy's face... all heart.

Big sis Rachelli was a real star... cooperating through a few wardrobe changes and a million different poses...

Dovid is just a yum... And I got that dimple for you, Mom..

Here's a few more...

This is the wall collection we put together. I chose a 24x36 for the center, with long 12x18s in the corners, and neat 12x12 squares in the other corners.



That's all for now folks. Thanks so much for reading. All the best and stay WARM.

December 08 at Aviva Rand Photography

Happy Post Chanukah and Happy New Year 2009!

For those of you getting this newsletter for this first time, Welcome! Its great to have you with us. A friend of yours may have recommended you to this list. This is the email newsletter/blog of Natural Light Photography Studio in Flatbush. We send out a newsletter once a month with photos from that month’s shoots –( so you can scroll down and see if you recognize some faces!) and we chat a little bit. If you want more information or to see more photos, please visit the website at http://www.avivarandphotography.com/ and if you don’t want to receive this email, its no problem at all- just replay with a quick message to unsubscribe and it’ll be taken care of right away.

I Hope you all had a nice Chanukah - good parties, good food, good company, (good presents). Myself, I look forward to the Chanukah parties- with the kids on the floor tangled up in wrapping paper and the adults getting a chance to mingle… we had a really beautiful family party this year.

A lot of my customers blew up portraits of the grandkids and gave them as gifts to their parents and in laws. Great idea, imho. I can't post all of them here, but I choose a few for you to see. I think you’ll agree that there are some very special families. One lovely family invited me to come down to their party to photograph their entire extended family. They asked to keep their photos private, but I had a fantastic time getting to know them and their adorable kids (from 3 months to 4 years).

The website has been updated – new photos added to the galleries and.. the Designer Collection is up! Well, partially. This collection features luxurious velvet backdrops in a variety of designs and they’re absolutely stunning. I print them on gorgeous canvas, and mount them on sturdy masonite for easy framing. They're available in all wall portrait sizes 11x14 and up. I have new designer backdrops coming in monthly so if you're looking for something truly unique… look no further. I posted a few samples below as well.

I’m also doing wall collections now. Just let me know the dimensions of your wall and I will design a collage of photos in various sizes to fit. I included one idea below for you to see…

Thank you all again for your comments, I read every one of them and appreciate it. Special thanks to Y.L.for the helpful advice, especially on the BCC.

Happy viewing!



This gorgeous 3 month old came to us for her first baby portraits. Can you figure out who her big sister is?

Yes, if I was wearing this outfit, I'd want to play with it too! It's that beautiful!

Can't figure it out? Her "big" sister is the baby with her feet up in ballet slippers on the opening page of my website. Mazal Tov Galls!

This little princess came along after 5 boys, can you believe that? What a long-awaited bracha!

Did you ever? I could eat this face up!

Kayla was definitely my only 3 week old that smiled for her portrait.

We did a gorgeous gallery wrap of this for over the baby's crib. Mazal Tov Levitans!

Adorable Shmuli is having his first haircut this month - and he's the first to try out my new black armchair!

Mommy and Tatty, make sure you keep a lock of this hair - its incredible!

Shmulie's thinking..Okay, so should I go for the winkies now or the ices later?

Mazal Tov Edelsteins! You should have only nachas from Shmulie and your other children!

I had a blast with these girls! Their little brother came two years ago for his upsherin pictures. For this shoot, the girls dressed in authentic ballerina costumes and we did magnificent ballet poses with the two girls to hang in the girls' room. I can't post them here, but at least you can see the outdoor ones...

...which are going to hang right next to little Avromie's portrait. I had a great time, girls!

Here are a couple of samples from the Designer Collection. (This one's the green - my personal favorite).

And Designer Black...

And finally, my favorite, fabulous five! These guys have honored me with taking their portrait more than a few times already and its only a joy.

Avi's the big boy, my helper. He's a great piano player, too. :)

Sruli's a natural - photographs like a dream. I never have to tell him what to do.

Can't this face speak for itself? Rachelli's my star.

Ahh.. the angelic one... so well-behaved, so cooperative.. Oh, I actually meant someone else. But we love Moshe.

And finally, baby Tzvi. (Not my baby Tzvi- this one's walking). Tzvi wasn't so thrilled with the whole sitting still, not moving thing, but we managed to capture a few winners.

This is the wall collection I told you about. In this one, the 20x30 is the center, with the vertical 8x10's completing one side, and the three horizontal 8x10's completing the other. You buy matching frames for all of them - and you have a wall collection!