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Clients: 2012 Bucharest Romania Family Photographer
Posted on May 3, 2012
This year for me has been so strange. With the move overseas I found myself happy to be forced to take a break from my business and find the joy in simply taking photos for myself. It hasn’t been easy. With my craft business and adding my photography business to it, I found myself very motivated and eager to work (and the money was nice too!) With our move everything came to a halt (sadly, my craft supplies had to be left in New York since we could only move a limited number of things).
After the new year, I slowly started to take on clients. With the cold weather, the phone wasn’t ringing very much but I was happy to work with a few families here and there. This cutie was all bundled up and ready for some snow fun. The winter here was BRUTAL so not many other families had the same idea.
This gorgeous young lady is the talented daughter of a friend of mine. I was asked to take this photo to be used on the cover of sheet music that she wrote (yes, SHE wrote it… she is 12 and published! Gorgeous and talented). She plays the guitar in case you were wondering.
In the past few weeks things have become busier (and the weather has become MUCH nicer… coincidence??) Last weekend I went out to the southern part of Bucharest (“parts unknown” to me) and was lucky to work with a gorgeous high school senior who couldn’t have been more pleasant. Great weather, great girl, great location, great mom (who makes GREAT bagels… yes, this New Yorker said that!!!)
And finally, my neighbor contacted me to take photos of her daughters. It’s going to probably be their last time meeting in Bucharest since my neighbor (who I’m not sure I can live without actually!!!) is moving to Warsaw in June. Such is expat life…. everyone moves on to bigger/better things. I’m happy for her but sad that I can’t just ask her for advice (though with Facebook no one is really gone, are they?)
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Busy Busy Busy!
Posted on April 11, 2012
Who said being an expat life is one of leisure? Ok, lots of people say that and, in some instances, it’s very true but I find myself almost as busy here as I was running a business in New York. I’ve hooked up with a great group of women who love photography and we all enjoy getting together and working on technique and coming up with interesting photos.
We love to get our macro on!
What else is new and exciting for us you ask? (You did ask, right?) One word: KITTENS!
The stray cat we adopted (ok, it adopted us) came to us “in the family way” so we are currently housing 4 kittens and I am taking every opportunity to photograph them as they grow. They have changed so much in the 2 1/2 weeks they’ve been here. They have brought us great joy and we hope to find good homes for them (3 of them actually, we are keeping one… how do you choose????)
Another aspect of expat life that I’ve taken advantage of is the ability to go on day trips and extended trips throughout the city of Bucharest and the countryside. Recently, I was privileged to join a group to tour the old Jilava prison. If these walls could speak! The feeling in the place was just bone chilling cold and intense. The textures I discovered captivated me. While the subject matter is not my usual style, I found myself drawn to all of it.
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The Wide Wide World
Posted on January 17, 2012
Santa must have decided that I was a good girl and brought me a gorgeous WIDE ANGLE lens for Christmas. I can’t wait to continue my European adventures with this bad boy! I hope to really get some unique perspectives.
Before returning to Europe I was able to take it for a spin at Minnewaska State Park near our home in New Paltz. I was pretty excited when I uploaded the photos and saw the images on my computer.
This photo was taken on Rt 299 going toward Minnewaska. The farmland on both side was devastated by Hurricane Irene and I was happy to see that the land will bounce back and the farm will grow again this spring.
Sunset: Gunks Style!! I’ve seen my share of beautiful mountains (hello Carpathains, hello Cliffs of Moher) but I feel that the Shawangunk Mtns in New Paltz provide the most striking view I’ve ever seen.
Huguenot Street… my favorite location. No, not because of the cock fighting.
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Is it 2012 already?
Posted on January 9, 2012
What happened to the rest of 2011? How have I not updated my blog since November? I won’t even say my resolution is to blog more because I’ve said it over and over again but haven’t done it. The best I can do is try!
For my birthday in November, my family and I went on a wonderful trip to Prague. Prague had been a dream of mine for many years. The stories you hear are about the beauty of the city and how it seems to be untouched by time.
These photos are just a small glimpse of the wonderful things we saw and experienced in our short time in Prague.
While in Prague we enjoyed spending time walking in the town square (and sampled hot wine… REALLY REALLY HOT WINE… burned the roof of my mouth), visiting a playground, touring the major attractions via motorcoach, and an evening cruise on the Vltava River. We also learned that the original Budweiser was brewed in the Czech Republic. Andy refused to try it since he figured it tasted like American Budweiser (not his favorite beer).
What I loved about Prague (besides everything) was the seamlessness between the modern and the classic. The above bridge was just a few hundred yards from the graffiti covered wall.
Prague is also famous for the “Dancing House” (called Fred and Ginger) See the resemblance?
Europe is proving to be a great adventure for our family. We were lucky enough to make a trip to NY for the holidays and we look forward to further travels this year. We booked a trip to Italy for February and we can’t wait!
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The City of Lights. The Curriers Take on Paris!
Posted on November 3, 2011
We are fortunate to be living in Europe and our goal is to show many of the sights of Europe to our girls. We understand that we are blessed to have this opportunity and we plan on taking advantage of it every chance we get. Since September we have made some small trips around Bucharest but we really took the bull by the horns by booking a last minute trip to Paris for the girls’ autumn break.
I think if you ask most people to name the places they’d love to visit, many would have Paris, France on their list. My girls had been talking about going to the top of the Eiffel Tower since they found out our plans for traveling. We decided to grant their wish right off the bat.
We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon and didn’t rest until we got back on the plane the following Monday. We saw most of the major attractions including, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Seine, Sacre Couer and soaked in all the sights and sounds. We also soaked in the TASTES (we are all in love with crepes now!).
The first collage features examples of my work as a professional. Being in Paris as a photography (with a history degree, bonus!) was like being a kid in a candy store. I had my camera (ok, on one day I even had TWO cameras) with me at all times and managed to fill over 20G’s of memory cards. Everywhere I turned was a photo opportunity and I took advantage of it! (scroll down to see some family photos!)
My older daughter was quite excited about the idea of going to Paris. Even before we moved she made sure to get Eiffel Tower earrings to wear around when she was in Paris. It was a brisk evening (and we weren’t dressed properly!!!) when we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower but the girls were so excited. I know they are only 8 & 6 but I hope these memories stay with them for a lifetime!
On our first morning in Paris, we decided to hit the Louvre. We had read online that there could be long lines to see the Mona Lisa and some of the other popular, priceless pieces. The weather was fantastic… brisk and sunny, a perfect autumn day. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the Mona Lisa is actually displayed in a large, bright, wide-open room. We waited only a few minutes to get to the front and had time to see this magnificent piece.
(Added Bonus, if you are reading this blog you are actually seeing my photos of the Venus de Milo and Michelangelo’s “Dying Slave”. I know Facebook has restrictions on “nudity” and I didn’t want to risk having these kind of “profane” images displayed. And yes, being 8 & 6 my girls were quick to point out that all of the statues and many of the paintings were naked)
Giant Cotton Candy!!! Oh, was I supposed to see something else in this photo?
Saturday and Sunday of our trip featured some great “bonuses” for me and my girls. We were able to take a bus tour out to the sea to visit Mont St Michel. As a lover of all things Middle Ages, getting to see this village and church that were trapped in time was a dream come true (my girls were enticed by being told it looked just like Rapunzel’s village and castle in “Tangled”). It was a short trip but one that I will always remember (though, I might remember that we spent more time on the bus to get there but, overall, I was thrilled to go there)
Knowing typical children, I would have to say that Sunday will stand out the most in their memory forever. Originally we were going to take a bus tour of the sites of Paris but we figured we had been to most of the stops on the bus tour and thought it would be a nice surprise to take them to Disneyland Paris. We woke Sunday morning and told the girls mommy wanted to see “just one more castle” which was met with groans and pleas of “nooooooo”. We boarded the train out of town and the girls had no idea where they were going. As we emerged from the train, they were in a state of shock when we told them the “one last castle” I wanted to see was actually Sleeping Beauty’s castle! We had a great day (and the SUN WAS SHINING… TAKE THAT ORLANDO!!!!!!!!!) It was the icing on the cake of a spectacular trip.
up next…….. (wait for it)……… PRAGUE!!!!!!!!
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On the Hunt for Dracula
Posted on October 31, 2011
It has been a busy month for me and my family! When we moved here our goal was to see as much as we could and to experience as much of the European lifestyle as we could. We’ve been so busy that I’ve neglected my blog!!!
With the weather cooling and the leaves beginning to turn, our thoughts went to Halloween. Halloween is not a widely celebrated holiday in Romania. Through television and the internet, more and more American influences have made their way into the culture but not to the degree that you see in the US. This actually was quite shocking considering that Romania is home to one of the greatest “spooky” characters of all time, Dracula. We took the opportunity to visit 2 sites attributed to Dracula (one was closer to the Bram Stoker version while the other was linked to the man, Vlad Tepes, who was known as Vlad ‘the Impaler’) Both sites were beautiful and intriguing.
This first photo is from the town of Brasov, where we spent a night after our trip to Bran Castle. It was a charming town… a place I could see myself living if the opportunity presented itself.
Bran Castle: the location that inspired Bram Stoker to write the novel Dracula
The following weekend we drove… and drove… and drove (through the back country!) to Poenari Castle… where the actual Vlad Tepes was known to stay. I honestly don’t know how he and his army found that location because we had to walk up about 1,500 stairs to get to the top. Luckily the weather was fantastic and we enjoyed a breathtaking view at the top.
Many of my friends have asked me to start a blog with my “observations” about Romania, the people, the food, the sights, the sounds… everything.
I can easily start with the sounds. The sound I hear in Bucharest is “barking”. Stray dogs are an epidemic in Bucharest (to the detriment of other wild animals you’d normally see in a big city, squirrels are a rarity) and they bark incessantly. I call them “Romanian Roosters” since they seem to gear up right around sunrise (which is GREAT on the weekends!)
The sights are fantastic. The city of Bucharest is gorgeous. It has been dubbed “Little Paris” for a reason. Obviously, as in all cities, there are ugly parts. The communist bloc areas are truly hideous and many of the developments are lacking a polish. I notice an overall lack of civic pride. They are rough around the edges. Cigarette smoking, litter, houses and apartments not being maintained are all part of the urban scenery. They have a long way to go but when you speak to people on an individual basis, they know the problems exist and they have a great attitude and desire to make it better.
Oh, I guess that brings me to the people! As a whole, they drive like MANIACS and they make me dizzy if I try to shop with them on weekends… PEOPLE EVERYWHERE (which is also a reflection of overall big city living when I do not seek out big city living). On an individual level, the people are very very nice. What is the most amazing is that over 90% of the people I’ve encountered can speak to me in English. Even people who say “I only speak a little English” can carry on a complete conversation… it is amazing and humbling, to me, as a unilingual.
The food…. the food gives me a case of the sads. I am not a cook, by any means. When I do cook I rely on many starters that I can get easily in one store in New Paltz. In Romania, to cook a full meal often means going to several specialty shops… not very convenient (oh, speaking of convenient, I didn’t even rant about the post office!!!). Pizza here is good… but they don’t put sauce on it… weird. McDonald’s is available in a pinch too! (I haven’t had McDonald’s since I’ve been here so I guess I’m doing ok!). I have discovered chocolate filled croissants that are delicious but I’m still seeking out a decent cupcake.
The Post Office!!!!!!! Holy Ridiculousness!!!!!!! Ok, so when we were moving we were told that the Romanian postal system is unreliable. We had no idea. We received 2 packages from the US. In the US, a package either comes to your door or it is sent to the post office nearest your home (in your zip code). I took the slip of paper to our nearest post office to get our package only to be told it was actually at a post office in the center of the city. The next day we received a second slip for a second package that was at a second post office in another part of the city. And they wonder why they have a traffic problem!
Overall, our kids are adjusting amazingly well and their school is fantastic (it has a gifted program!!!!). Andy is enjoying his new job and reaching the goals that have been established in record time. I am enjoying my “down time” from my busy-busy business. I have had several inquiries into shoots here but for the moment, I am working on my landscapes (photos from Romania and Paris are available for purchase). I will continue to keep everyone posted as well as I can. If you have any questions about my expat life, please ask!!!
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Back in Action! {Reporting LIVE from Bucharest!}
Posted on October 5, 2011
As you know, my family and I had a unique opportunity to move to Bucharest, Romania for a period of time. After about a month of settling in and having our home transplanted, I am finally back up and running with my computer and internet access. As much as I love my Ipad, it is limited!
I have been spending my days getting the lay of the land and trying to procure a car (Rav 4 in honor of my BFF Kelly) while trying to make our fabulous villa into a cozy home that the family will enjoy for the next year (or 2?) We are adjusting to our new life, our new schedule, our new DIET (this has been the hardest adjustment!). There has been the mistaken purchase of pear juice that we thought was apple juice (the photo was deceptively ambiguous!), the language difficulty of trying to tell a repair guy that the sink in the master bathroom has a slow leak, the re-learning how to drive on the cutthroat streets of Bucharest (I drive like a native now, all my formative years in Brooklyn helped)… and I haven’t even mentioned the stray dogs. Anyone who knows me well knows that I.cannot.stand. barking dogs. It’s the OWNERS that annoy me more than the dogs because if your dog is barking for hours on end, you are a neglectful owner. Here, the dogs have no owners and they are the Bucharest equivalent of a rooster, except roosters have the good sense to sleep all night. Needless to say, I am glad that the windows are well insulated.
I hope to share stories of my “adventures” here and keep you posted on my activities (both personally and professionally). I hope to get back behind the camera for clients but for now I’m focusing on getting the family adjusted and seeing some local sites. Stay tuned!
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Canvas Dezign
Posted on August 28, 2011
I love it when the mailman delivers pure joy! Those are words I’d use to describe my awesome new canvas by Canvas Dezign. Located in the UK, Canvas Dezign is a company which strives to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact by using local resources and supplies. Their products are also non-toxic and free of corrosive chemicals. I was so pleased when they contacted me about their canvases and I jumped at the opportunity to have one of my photos as a canvas.
It is one of my favorite photos of Brynne and the colors just pop! I can’t wait to get it on my wall in Romania! I will definitely be using this company again when I need to order products overseas.
The texture is amazing!!!
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Been Around the World!
Posted on August 16, 2011
And I, I, I… took lots of pictures! Ok, I didn’t go around the world but I did go to Bucharest and London this summer and made the most of my time in both countries.
I will be relocating to Bucharest for my husband’s job. He has taken an opportunity with his company to expand their team in Romania. The family is really looking forward to this adventure and we can’t wait to jump on over there and start this adventure. I was lucky enough to have a chance to visit (it wasn’t all pleasure, hubby had to work and both of us had to go house hunting) and I made sure to bring my camera.
The first two photos were taken at a museum area at Herastrau Park in the heart of Bucharest. This “village” was made up of houses that were moved from their original towns/villages and reconstructed for this museum. It was like taking a step back in time (much like my favorite location here, Huguenot Street)
This is the ceiling of the entry to Stavropoleos church which dates back to the late 1700′s. The mosaics were fantastic and the preservation efforts are intense here and in many other important religious and culturally important buildings.
This building was part of Old Town, the banking center of Bucharest, but more importantly, it’s the restaurant and bar center as well! Guess those bankers knew the importance of LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. We were lucky that our hotel was a stone’s throw from this beautiful (and DELICIOUS) area. Dodging the plethora of smokers was an unpleasant challenge but the food and atmosphere were worth it!
This last photo is a monument to the communist era, the world’s 2nd largest office building and not exactly a source of pride to the local Romanians. Rather than invest money into the country, their dictator started construction on this huge palace. It was only 70% completed at the time of the revolution which resulted in his execution.
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I Heart Faces: The Eyes Have It
Posted on August 16, 2011
I have participated in several challenges for “I Heart Faces” and I was excited to see this challenge posted this week. ”The Eyes Have It” had me convinced that I needed to submit a photo of my daughter, Catrina. In my UNbiased opinion, she just has really incredible eyes. I had the photo all picked out and ready, all I needed to do was watermark it. Now, my watermarking procedure is a little antiquated; it involves me using an saved photograph, opening it in photoshop and dragging the watermark onto the new image. Well, I had forgotten how awesome the eyes were on the photo I use in this crazy method. Change of plans, I’m using Miss D and her AWESOME baby blues. Added bonus, this cutie was a true rock star!
Head over to I Heart Faces to see all of the entries and enter the challenge! (Challenges are posted every week!)
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