Klebanov Family

This photo session symbolizes to me the end of the beautiful fall season with the still warm sun, luscious foliage, and the gorgeous light. It also symbolizes a mother's love. This Mother is strong and beautiful, while also very tender and loving with her three boys. Lots of long hugs and gentle kisses, which is not easy with teenage boys. The Father helped everyone relax with his good-natured humor. 

The eldest, Moshe, is a smarty-pants in high school and is a gentle, quiet soul.

The middle child, Ari, a sunny, confident guy with a busy social life.

And Leeb, a darling, talkative boy.

It's reassuring to me to see genuine love and tenderness between two people after years together and while raising teenagers. Raphael and Irina look after each other and look at each other with adoration and respect. 

Thank you, Klebanov family, for giving me a glimpse into your lives and for allowing me to capture the love between you. 

Gore Family {cool four}

Teenage actress, tween twins (yes) and father a.k.a The Rock (not the actor, figuratively). It's amazing how a simple photo shoot, mere two hours spent outside, reveals volumes about the family's dynamics, and often not through words spoken, but through the tacit: the body language, the eyes, the touch. It became clear fast that in this family the father is the magnet that holds it together and loved without loud words. This family is cool. They are avid travelers, bikers, and readers.

The elder sister acted mature and succinct with me (I appreciate that in teenagers). The twins. I find twins fascinating (any twins, really). These two have obviously found their unique un-twin qualities, successfully. The brother is sweet and laid back (a lot like his Dad); the sister is bubbly and curious. The three siblings are tight.

The children admitted, unanimously, that the younger sister (and the older twin), is Daddy's princess. I was touched and thrilled by capturing this relationship, with its tenderness and closeness.

The older twin sister also loves to be in front of the camera the most, and the camera loves her right back. It was amazing how in an instant she changed from a goofy kid to a poised teenage girl for my camera. She loves books, gymnastics, dance, and Tae Kwon Do.

The brother was the most relaxed and non-nonchalant about being photographed, which resulted in pure, authentic, revealing images. He is a black belt (Taekwondo) and loves to cook (a perfect combination!).

The older sister is an aspiring actress and singer and dreams of studying theater in New York. Isn't it grand to be so young, full of ambitions and energy, and have wonderful adventures ahead of you?

It was a beautiful day that turned cloudy and cold, but we all braved the cooling temperatures, and even enjoyed the sight of a family of deer elegantly crossing the bike path. I am grateful that I had a chance to spend an afternoon with these four awesome people. Thank you.

Anton {nine and hip}

My middle child is nine years old today. He got up early this morning, while everyone else was asleep, to finish assembling his new LEGO set (At-At Walker) he worked on for 5 hours straight yesterday. His back is aching today.
Anton is our performer and our musician. He plays the piano daily, started violin lessons and finally embraced his love for dance by attending dance class where he is the only boy. He surprised himself this summer by falling in love with swimming. If he is your birthday party guest, it's likely that Anton will sing a solo of "Happy Birthday" in his opera voice.
Unlike his sister and brother, he is a joy to help with homework (no "that's not the way we do it in class!" or "the teacher doesn't ask us to do that!").  He got my spelling gene, and aces even the spelling pretests. I love this guy.
For our birthday photo shoot, we went to Babi Yar park in Denver with the brand-new violin.

The sunset was breathtaking. We walked and goofed around the park until the mosquitoes came out. 

Love,
Lena

Najla {Two and Wise}

Najla's Mom is a courageous, strong, beautiful young woman. She immigrated to U.S. from Bosnia and waited for years for her fiance to join her in Denver. Today, her daughter Najla is two, and the family just welcomed a darling baby boy. I had the honor of photographing Najla when she was just a few months old.

When I was getting ready for her 2-year-old photo session (and I tend to obsess with upcoming photo shoots), I thought it'd be typical: unpredictable, uncontrollable, not very verbal, and adorable. Wrong. Najla ran up to me, Mommy's friend with a camera, in the park, smiling, showing off her pink Dora crocks and engaging in a lovely conversation with me and my assistant Zara. 

I immediately fell for her blue eyes, but there was one thing: Najla only speaks Bosnian, and I don't. Now, I was only thrilled by this, as my kids were raised speaking Russian only when they were little, and you can't stump an ESL teacher with not having a common language to communicate. So, Najla's Mom interpreted when needed, and I quickly started picking up some Bosnian words essential for communicating with a 2-year-old girl. "Ljepo" is "beautiful." Enough said. 


Those blue eyes.

Najla is a big fan of princesses, and luckily her favorite one is Cinderella (Pepeljuga), the book I instinctively picked for the photo shoot. Guess what? Najla took the book home with her.

I love capturing range of emotions, and Najla's soulful glances were as haunting as gleeful laughs.

Before the clouds moved in, we played on the train tracks. There is something nostalgic and infinite about train tracks that attracts both children and adults. I love train tracks.

The rain drops finally started dropping on our heads, we ran for the cover, but managed to get a few more images before parting ways. 

And here is a sneak peek at Najla's little brother sleeping blissfully through the photo shoot. By the way, ever since he was born, Najla's been referring to herself as "sister," and not Najla. 

Love, 
Lena