Juan is Spanish and he was one of my colleagues during my year in England. I loved deeply the company’s international environment, so friendly and open. Juan was such a cutie and he was happily married to beautiful Maria 🙂 Below you can find some of his headshots, taken in August 2014. Juan, you really look good!
This is the second photo shooting I had with Sarah, Gina’s niece. Back in 2014 she wanted to be a model, and I vividly remember her determination, the pride in her eyes and her somewhat rebellious sense of independence. I hope she succeeded! She was certainly a natural in front of the camera and she felt no discomfort in posing. At moments she reminded me of Kate Moss. We took these shots in Windsor, in a green area during a sultry, overcast afternoon. I am in love with these shots, which reflect character and style!
Gina had asked me to take her a series of head shots that she could add onto her resumé, so the results are below. I remember that, even though she tried real hard to keep a straight face, she was laughing. I miss her smile, her big heart and the sound of her laugh!
My landlady Gina was also passionate about photography. Early on a Sunday morning, at the end of August, we went to Speen forestry area and took each others impromptu portraits. Here are mine, edited by myself. Gosh, I loved that blue navy ceremony dress so much!
One of Gina’s nieces had had a baby girl in August. As I had never taken photos of a newborn before, I volunteered to take some shots of her. Gina’s niece, Emma, and her partner agreed, so not only I had the chance to meet 2 weeks old Brooke, but also to work for her 🙂 No matter how many babies I have seen in my life, every time I see one I find it hard to believe that we were all like that: vulnerable, with wrinkly skin, but at the same time, super alert when awake! Brooke, on her side, also had a lot of rebel blonde hair and the fortune to have a big sister who literally adored her: editing their pictures (that are the sweetest and the most meaningful of the whole photo session), I noticed how enthralled she was with baby Brooke!
Maria was a friend and Juan’s wife. In her I saw in herself not only beauty but also strength and endurance. These street shots are dated August 2014 and were taken in Reading, in a gorgeous late afternoon light. Enjoy these memories!
Istvan had Hungarian roots and was the best friend of Juan, a friend of mine. In August 2014, I took some shots of him in an alley in an industrial area of Reading. I was positively impressed by his easiness in front of the lens and by the depth of his gaze. In some pictures he even looks like an actor to me!
Sarah was a niece of Gina, who was my landlady in England. In the summer 2014, this young lady was determined to take a career in modeling, therefore I had a couple of shootings with her, the 1st one below was at the Speen Moors Walk, when she came to visit her aunt in Newbury. Sarah had a graceful and elegant bearing, an all-around personality and was self-confident and natural in front of the camera. I really hope that she has made it!!
When I arrived in Newbury, in July 2013, Gina was really the first person I spoke to and who welcomed me. I rented a room at her place between 2013 and 2014. I still remember with delight her warmth and friendliness. In July 2014 I had the pleasure of taking some shots of her together with her husband John and one of their nieces in Victoria Park. Unfortunately, we lost touch over the last few years and it’s a real shame, because I really miss her smile and her laugh!
I met Andreia the year I lived in Newbury. She was originally from Portugal, reserved but warm. It was easy for us to talk about our Expat experience in the UK and she gladly accepted to pose for me. I took these portraits of her in May 2014, the first part (corporate style) in a small park in the city, whilst the second part was in the wild Speen forestry area, close to the Kennet and Avon canal. The weather was not the greatest (euphemism!) but at least an overcast sky allows the shooter to work under a uniform light and I admit that the green of the forest was at its best, in that context. I like Andreia’s proud, brave look and her noble bearing, not to mention her big, thick hair! Enjoy these photo memories!
This post is for those who believe that happiness comes in a small, fluffy format! You may ignore though that Gizmo was extremely vocal and loud…To be a companion dog, he worked pretty well as a watchdog too 😆 This gorgeous Papillon belonged to our neighbors, whilst I lived in Newbury. I have watched him grow from a puppy to an adult dog and he was always sweet to me. Rose, enjoy these memories, dated May 2014!
Super fluffy ears!
Getting extra cuddles from his favorite photographer!
In her gaze I could find courage, pride and strength. Thank you for this playful session, Adelina!
I am in love with love and I love working with couples, how clichéd is that to say?! I know! And I will go out on a limb and say that 2 for me is the perfect number to work with in a shoot! Maria & Juan, enjoy these memories, dated March 2014, taken in Reading.
Lorna is English and Hugo is French and…they are a brilliant combination!! I had the pleasure to take some couple portraits of them in March 2014, whilst I lived in Newbury. Enjoy these memories!
In late September 2013, I went on a one-day visit to my friends Adele and Daniel, who were living in London. These shots show me the warmth of a family…and it so sweet! They have always been close and it has been a pleasure for me to catch some of the speedy moves of their little ones, who were 1 and 3 years old at the time. Adele, Daniel, Joshua & Lucia, thanks for trusting me!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 