Shining light on Marina Itskova. She came to the studio from a simple Facebook ad and as we worked together during the 40 Over 40 Experience last year we also became friends! (as always in my world! ).
Marina wanted to do something special for herself as she turned 50. So she did a portrait exploration with me and....let me lead the whole time as much as she is always a leader herself. When I asked her what the best thing was about this time in her life she said "enjoying EVERY MOMENT. Take the time to smell the roses and not to rush through life like she did before". Marina also tragically lost her beloved husband and I was a witness of the depth of her soul who went through a lot...
Marina loves challenging herself and exploring new passions and new creative ways to express herself. As she turned 50 she also started playing saxophone and writing poetry. And even started a YouTube channel where she reads her own poetry.
At the end of the video Marina reads a poem that she wrote after her portrait session with us. I'm still utterly flattered and grateful!!
You inspire me at each of our interactions!
A little preview of what's coming soon!! And I absolutely can't wait! Photographing love and special bond between moms and their girls (at any age!) is something that I'm deeply passionate about. Mothers and Daughters Portrait Experience is launching soon! Stay tuned!!
Karissa Van Tassel 😘😘
Continuing to shine the light on Julie Stabiner.
Julie participated in our 40 Over 40 Experience celebrating her journey of self healing and self rediscovery. Coming from a place of never putting herself first and hiding behind the camera to a place of self love, acceptance and a new beginning, personally and professionally. Thank you Julie for our conversation! It was so special to meet you and create these portraits for you!!
Janice's story...
I must say, meeting and photographing our beautiful 40 Over 40 participants has been such an inspiration and quite a life changing experience for me as well. I started recording video stories and testimonials that I'm so happy to finally share!
Presenting you Janice Bowman and her husband Jim!
If you'd like to be a part of this year's 40 Over 40 Experience, please visit our website and fill out the form at https://www.irynasosnovska.com/
Nancy, 68, an attorney, psychic, author, teacher and so many other amazing things.
Nancy and I connected within our 40 Over 40 Project last year. Nancy is passionate about women supporting women and loved the idea of celebrating women, especially more mature ones. And being aware of her own mortality, she wanted to have her own little artifact in a form of a portrait. She shared with me that the best thing about this time in her life, this age is embracing her inner power. "I've learned by now to stop giving away my power. Women learn that late. And I did learn that late. Now I respect myself more. And at this age I've seen so many things that I know many generations have never seen. It’s an interesting place to be right now".
During our pre-session consultation, as we were planning her beautiful portraits that would reflect her passions, her story and her vision Nancy showed me some phone snapshots of her family. It was obvious that her husband and her 2 kids were a huge part of who she is. And as it often happens in my world, our session took an unexpected angle. Nancy's family was going through a vulnerable time as they all were supporting Nancy's son going through some challenges. As we were looking at the phone camera roll, Nancy asked me - should I try and bring them along? I'm glad we took "the risk" and included Nancy's beautiful family. It was truly amazing to see their love, connection and support for each other. Thank you Nancy for trusting the process and bringing your wonderful people in my studio! I believe we created some really special meaningful portraits together!
If you're interested in this year's 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience please start here: https://www.irynasosnovska.com/
Featuring wonderful Esther, 56, an expert in corporate risk.
Esther and I connected as she was on a healing journey after suddenly losing her beloved husband. She shared with me that she was looking to find joy in life again after the sudden loss. She started writing and that was a tremendous help with dealing with all the emotions. Her portrait experience with me was really an exploration of Esther's inner world and connecting with joy as well as sadness, strength, sensuality and also vulnerability. She wanted to do something different for herself while starting a new life's chapter.
I asked her what was the best thing about this time in her life despite everything that she was dealing with. She said: "I feel like I've gone through enough in life where I know what I want and I'm not afraid to go out and experience the things that I want to do. It's a whole new experience - you really get to be yourself because you know who you are, what you want and where you want to go". And having two grown kids now she also has some time to really dedicate to herself and explore new opportunities.
Happy Women's Day! Let's celebrate how far we've come! Keep inspiring! Keep nurturing! Keep loving with all your heart! Because that's WHO YOU ARE! WHO WE ARE!
Celebrate you, your sister, your mother, your daughter, your neighbor!
This month I'll be featuring the wonderful women I've photographed. Inspiring, strong, beautiful inside and out. Just FYU, if I photographed you - you are that person! The photography along with the stories. In the meantime here is a compilation of some of the images from our beautiful and transformative sessions. Transformative also because I myself get inspired, moved and transformed after each of our portrait experiences.
Beautiful artwork of and for a beautiful person!! From beautiful vision to seeing it on the wall! An injection of self love and confidence. Every day!
Heidi, you and your mom are truly beautiful!
#momdaughter #motheranddaughterphotoshoot #beautyportraits #beautifulportraits #nycphotographer #newyorkphotography #newyorkphotographers #newyorkphotographer #nycphotostudio #nycportraits #womeninpower #artwork #photoart
Three generations of love...
When is the best time to do a family portrait... There is never a better time than now...
#familyphotography #timelessportraits #timelessart #love #motherhood #beautyfulmom #grandmalove
I've been hiding...
As much as I encourage my clients to be brave, put themselves forward and celebrate themselves. I've realized that I've been doing the exact opposite. Shying away from any kind of attention. Behind my camera. Behind my computer. Even sharing my work often feels like exposing myself.
My wonderful make up artist and dear friend Susan Donoghue made me realize that I am hiding.
But the people I photograph are just too amazing, beautiful and inspiring not to show and talk about.
Meet Nancy. She wanted to feel herself, see herself happy and joyful. Playful. Being a primor and full time care giver to a loved one she's been losing touch with who she was, like many of us.
She wanted to see her life spark. And what an amazing way to celebrate being 80! I'm in awe with Nancy's energy, love for life and beauty.
Capturing love between people and showing them through their photographs how beautiful they are inside and out is the most rewarding "work". Thank you Pamela and Jamie @pamelamilam1 for being YOU!!
#40Over40Experience #NYC #portraits #studioportraits #couplesphotography #studiophotography #love
About 5 years ago I had an idea to photograph just women - pull a mom or a grandma aside and take her portrait. Focus on HER. Not the kids. Not the family. HER. Try to look a little deeper into what's beneath that "I can do it all and with a smile". Get a little closer. Listen a little longer. And show her through the portraits how genuinely beautiful she is.
Although, I had no idea about how to wrap all my thoughts into a portrait offering. How to talk and "promote" this kind of photography to my friends and clients (and if you are my client you know you are my friend). How to make them see the value in it.
About 3 years ago I learned about a movement in portrait photography world. The movement is about bringing focus to women in portraits, especially those of us just a little older, a little wrinklier and with a few more gray hairs. To those who are under-photographed.
We ourselves often don't think we should be in photographs. Why!? Well, there is no limit of excuses that I hear...
So I jumped into this movement 2 years ago and started my own 40 Over 40 campaign - photographing women who are over 40. Right after I turned 40.
It was the first time (since I don't remember when in my photography business) when every single morning I was getting up EXCITED. Excited to make a call. Scared but excited. Excited for a shoot. Excited to create a very unique kind of art. Scared that no one actually needs this. That people will laugh in my face. That I will let someone down and they don't enjoy their experience or portraits of themselves. After all women are the HUGEST critics of themselves.
And here I am today, with 2 rounds of this amazing campaign under my belt, starting the 3rd round.
Now that I can look back at it with fresh eyes, with experience, with so many women I'm truly so grateful for, I can say I'M PROUD. I'm proud and humbled that this is something people need in their lives and I can do this.
This is an invitation for you (or your wife or girlfriend if you'
Food tastes better when the ambiance is right. I love the asymmetry here too.
