They say that a super mum and a super dad will pave your way and I cannot disagree with that! It was a lovely experience for me to take some portraits of this well-knit family. Elisa and Vittorio are amazingly caring and attentive parents and their two little princesses adored them! Both Livia and Amelia displayed enchanting, bubbly and strong personalities, apart from being extremely cute!
I was still in the addictive phase of studio portraits, planned carefully at the desk prior to the shooting + dark backdrop (which seems to me now a lifetime ago|). I just can add that I was delighted to photograph Ami in typical Japanese clothes, getting the chance to capture her curiosity, her bursting enthusiasm and her glee!
I never stop being amazed by the facial power of expression of children and how suddenly it can change. This little girl, who had just turned 2 at the time of this photo shoot, said very few words but made herself understood clearly with her gaze! Her grandmother is a friend of my mother’s, so I offered to take some photos of her grand-daughter and we met in a park close by our neighborhood. The hour we spent together passed real quick, and after a short while, I noticed that the little one began to gain confidence and started to play freely with granny and Max (the smartest, kindest and most patient Poodle I have ever met), looking a bit mischievous but also as an accomplice! Enjoy these lovely memories.
My first shoot of 2014 shows a family that I love! Even though we are not blood related, I consider them as part of my family. Chiara and Pietro, I have “known” them since they were in the belly of their mum, yes, they are our neighbors! Throughout the years I have also met more times Lisa and Margherita, their first cousins who live just out of Parma. We met at their grandparents house and they posed for me.
In case you wonder whether they are twins, they are not: they were born 3 months apart!
Don’t ask my why this happened…
Based on my experience, I can say that if children don’t want to do something, it’s better not to insist and keep asking them. That November afternoon of 2012, Adele and Cloe, the daughters of Alice (a dear friend and a videographer), were not in the right mood to pose in front of the camera. At the beginning, fairly for shyness, it seemed to me that they did not want it but also that…they did want it, just for a short time! So I had to adapt to their wishes, and chased them around Parco Ducale for an hour or so! They both ARE beautiful but not only that, they are clever with many talents. On the other hand, having a super mum, the result could only be astonishing! Adele was a beautiful, elegant, calm but also very quick observer whilst Cloe was the smiley rebel who would forcefully lead and engage you in her games. And still has today this buoyant optimism! Enjoy these memories!
Sometimes things start one way and then the lead goes in another direction. This was the case! It had to be a “solo” portrait session that turned up into a group shooting! My idea was to take some shots of Margot (daughter of my friend Claudia), a sprint 8-year-old, sports enthusiast, in her after school, but unexpectedly a small, compact group of kids (who were on the playground) joined us! One point that fascinates me about working with kids, is that they are natural. Even when they are not laughing or playing, they usually have a catching, spontaneous expression. These images are dated 4/10/2011, it was a warmish late afternoon and the light was gorgeous. Enjoy these memories!
Bats-position, hanging upside down!
I have NO clue about how & why we skipped to this “shoes-off-show” part of the shooting! Whose idea was that?!
And to finish end, a out of focus photographer!
It was Kilian’s birthday. He had invited some of his friends at home to celebrate it together. His parents (who are friends of mine) had prepared something tasty to eat but the kids were just interested in playing. For sure, it was a lively, lovely bunch of pals! They started at home and eventually moved on to a local park, finishing with a rugby match.
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 