It’s that yearning to stop time which drove me to become a photographer in the first place. Grabbing the moment, I plunk my two daughters into matching periwinkle smocked outfits, tucked cameras under my arm, and off we went to find the field of flowers I used for location shots last year. “Oh, can’t Tertza come, too?” Shira Esther pleaded. A quick call and we were on the road again with the three girls safely buckled in the back.

Here’s the results of a bright day’s romp through the colorful countryside… Blossoms bursting forth from fresh and fragrant spring earth to the delighted squeals of our little girls, flowers in their own right.

These little sisters brought an intimacy to what could have been just an ordinary breakfast in their huge eat-in kitchen. Natural daylight swept into wide windows, allowing me to focus on the girls rather than the mechanical technicalities of the camera.

Their Los Angeles home afforded plenty of space to film the girls in the back yard. Romping barefoot in the woody garden, the girls stop to strike a pose.

Perched in a convenient tree doesn’t stop the chattering. Our little ladies take tea time quite seriously. Let’s not spill a drop. Or lose one precious moment of this glorious morning. Hooray for photography!

You can see Shira took her strawberry picking seriously, concentrating on the fruit’s flavor.

Chana was satisfied on just inhaling. Carrying their own baskets were proud moments for them both.

While Shira stopped to count her score, Chana decided it was time to taste.

Chana sang through much of the session. Though she greatly admires her older sister, who projects ‘Star’ in our family, little Chana is definitely a singular child with her own mind.

It doesn’t matter if they’re picking strawberries, coloring at their table, or just walking into kindergarten, my heart overflows. I still can’t believe these are my very own daughters. Lucky, lucky me.

Baby sister’s got a smile to grow into….though she’s not so sure when the kids chauffer her off to who knows where.

Our trendy little Miss rocks those stripes with just the right pink touches from head to toe. And Baby doll is head over heels with some accessories of her own.

We ended the session with the Prince & Princess’ favorite looks for Shabbos. I don’t know how I can call my job ‘work’ when I have so much fun capturing little spirits like these on film!
 

They say ‘God is in the details’. Well look at this little masterpiece. I hesitate writing because they say a picture is worth a thousand words. And that is so. Where are the words to fill in the soft details? Whether it’s the tiny nose, fine hands, or peaceful eye lashes, you have to see it to feel it. How do toes start so small?

I wish all parents realized how fleeting these moments are, how fast these early days pass. I’m so grateful to help parents preserve these priceless memories.

What a pleasure to shoot these two brothers. Clean-up was a bit rough, but the resulting photos were well worth every swipe of the sponge. As you can see, even the tub bubbles merited shooting.

These two had no problem playing naturally in front of the camera. Their loving relationship shined through the entire session. Older brother took to the hat and tie like an experienced model.

Towards the end of the shoot, we put them in soft jammies for an interactive bedtime story. Yeap, that was a full day … for all of us.

The connection between 7 year old M and his parents is right out there, so it wasn’t difficult for my camera to track. On location at their Ramat Raziel home, surrounded by nature’s green bounty, I couldn’t believe the pure oxygen in my lungs. Maybe that what makes M such an active kid. I had to hustle around the property to keep up with him … digging, playing and of course, carousing with his mom and dad. Here’s a few favorite shots of this incredible day.

Oh, and lucky for my lens, one of M’s little friends showed up. Tell me he isn’t cute!

Full of fun, the girls’ smiles were infectious. You can’t miss the affection between the girls. By the way, those guitars weren’t props. The girls entertained us while I shot away.

With clients like these I’m embarrassed to call my job ‘work’!

’til next time,

Riki

This is why I got into photographing children. The giggles. The Whispers. You can feel life and love in every pixel.

Some say I have a way of orchestrating the environment, stepping aside, and letting the shutter rip.

Yeah, perhaps, ‘cause… just look at them!