I'm not very happy that summer passes so quickly in these parts.. There is not enough time to take full advantage of it, however, we do what we can. This year we have had a rare opportunity to take some of my family and friends along for a trip to the Rockies. It was a wonderful adventure, though there was not much time for fine art photography. There is simply not enough time to wait for a perfect light / conditions, especially when you try to cram as many places to show your visitors as you can. However, one can always practice a bit of travel / family photography while visiting all those beautiful places in Alberta Rockies.
Newborn Photography and Fuji
Family Camping
First pick-nick of the year - testing Fuji 56mm f1.2
People in the Mountains - Candid Photography
While making images at tourist destinations, you will always run into people. I always try to catch a few shots of them, while they are not paying any attention to me. This makes it easier if you are carrying a small camera, that makes almost no noise. Enter Sony NEX line. I have one of those and coupled with a 24mm f1.8 lens it's perfect for street/candid shots. Just carry the camera by your side point it in the fight direction and snap. The shutter is nearly silent, and the whole system is very discreet. There is always a chance that you might miss the action, but by not raising the camera to your eye, the people you want to catch, act natural. Here are some candid images I captured... but the last were posed portraits of the family. HDR too. Enjoy!
Family at the beach
Recently we had a great pleasure to photograph a lovely family at the Astotin Lake. I have to say, it was a wonderful time, and beautiful weather. Time filled with laughter and happiness. There is really not much I can say about the experience, only that it was one of those times when I really love being a photographer. My wife felt the same. It did not matter that one was shooting with Canon, and the other with Fuji. It did not matter what lenses we had. It was the beautiful family in front of us, and our ability to capture the fun, the smiles, and the love.
Happy Easter .. Part 2
The egg hunt is the most popular Easter activity in my house. The kids get up at some ungodly hour searching for eggs full of candy scattered around the house... Today it was apparently no different with my younger being up little past 4AM to start his search! (I'm so glad we do the Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve instead the next morning cause we would not get any sleep at all ;D). And it's not the candy but the hunt itself that is so exciting to them, because they proudly tell me exactly where and when they have found their eggs, not only what they've found in them ;D. And since sharing is mandatory, all their loot ends up in a communal bowl so that all of us can enjoy. Thus I'm sharing our loot with you all. Hope your holiday weekend brings as much joy, laughter and excitement as ours! Kasia
Walk around town
I've been privileged to photograph the Wala family. Last year in during one of those gorgeous fall days, we took a stroll through the University of Alberta campus and did some family photos. A sunny day, happy family, what could be better? Mac
The Pasemko Family
This was such a great session. Beautiful day, beautiful family. Can't say much more. So enjoy!
The beginning of Christmas...
The Christmas at our house starts, when the whole family descends on the local store to pick up the Christmas Tree.
Then we pull out the boxes of lights and ornaments and we spend the next few hours listening to Christmas music, and decorating the tree like this:
Best time ever. Merry Christmas to all!
Halloween
Halloween at the Sokulski house it's always a fun event. A week before we decorate the house, then a day before we carve the brains out of the pumpkins. As the kids are growing they are taking a more active role in the preparations.... although I cannot get them to watch a really scary movie with me yet. The older one just got back.... he went with his friends, because his younger brother and dad are not cool enough anymore :) ..... yes getting old.....
Playing on the farm - Part 2
Continuing on the post from yesterday, here is the rest of the photos from the family photo session. It was really a wonderful time, even when the kids got bored with all the cameras clicking away. One thing I found is that as a photographer, I have to really pay attention, because moments go by very quick and I have to be ready to catch them. Enjoy.
Playing on the farm - Part 1
Families that plays together, stays together as they say. I had a honor to capture such family recently. We drove down to Vegreville, as my buddy Randy Pond, knows of a little quiet farm on the outskirts of town that was a perfect location for the photo session. Since I never like posing portraits, I let the 3 girls run around and just play, then invited the parents to join in the fun. Here are the results. Enjoy.
Looking for spring in analogue color.
Continuing our little Spring finding trip, I finished a roll of b&w film, and decided to try things in color. Enjoy.
Family session with Olivia Kovios - Part 3
Family session with Olivia Kovios - Part 2
Family session with Olivia Kovios - Part 1
Olivia Kovios is a great family photographer, so I was a little nervous when I was invited to photograph her family. She has three wonderful kids, that are as photogenic as their parents. It was a lot of fun, but nerve racking at the same time. Alsways having the thought in my mind, how these snapshots are going to be received by a fellow photographer. It was a success. Enjoy.
Our Christmas - Part 2
Our Christmas - Part 1
So it's that time of the year again. The time we wait for impatiently whole year. Our Christmas preparations really start in early November. Lists are being made, checked at least twice. Little hints are dropped in the middle of conversations. Then first week of December it starts for real. On a weekend we all go out and pick a fresh christmas tree. Then take it home, trim it, and usually decorate it the same day. Everyone is involved. Then the rest of the house gets it's share of garlands, lights, and bows. It's festive. But that doesn't even touch on the baking that goes on after the decorations... on that in the next part. Here are a collection of photos from the day the Christmas tree arrived home. Enjoy!