iwona photography blog

I have been pretty bad updating my blog….I have no idea where people find the time to do that.  It seems that between work, family, schools, kids there’s barely enough time to sleep.Well, I’m at the airport right now waiting for boarding the plane to Las Vegas, so here is my “free time”.   I finished shooting a beautiful wedding of Kristen and Brett last night, backed up my files and home and packed up to make it by 6 am to the airport. I’m going to the WPPI convention (Wedding and Portrait Professional International) which is the best convention there is in the world. I’m going to see some remarkable work of the industry guru’s and pick up a thing or two from their classes.  The schedule is packed with awesome classes and activities including a very special reception to which I got invited as a finalist of Best of Wedding Contest.   Yep, you read that right…two of my images I’ve entered made it to the finals and will be displayed at the convention.  I’ve entered “Cheers!” and “Just a glimpse…” to a humor category.  I love the candid look of both of them.  I just love candids….the true character of the subjects really comes out.Anyway, keep your finger crossed for me….the winners will be announced in a few days. By the way, kudos to those who returned the signed model release forms so fast to me.  You are guys awesome; I wouldn’t be able to enter the images without your help….and of course thanks for those awesome moments that I was able to capture.Time to board….wish me luck!  

Steve and Janie have been married for 15 years and have 4 beautiful children! They found some time and decided to have a very special V-day….they travel from Utah to celebrate the  V-day alone and have a photo session that reflects their love, devotion and a great sense of humor….

I took a break for a little bit to do something that’s important to me…..spend same time with a little boy and his family from Make a Wish Foundation who came here from Chicago. Meet Maxi, one tough four-year-old cookie who has already went through a lot of pain and suffering in his life.  He is doing well now and I was more than happy to be his guide and translator on his Orlando vacations.  We visited ALL Disney parks, Sea World, Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. Maxi was full of energy even after the adults were getting worn out…what a trooper!  

The family stayed at the Give Kids The World Village that hosts only families with Children with life-threatening illnesses.  It’s a truly whimsical resort where Christmas comes every Thursday, you get to eat banana split for breakfast and be tucked in in bed by a giant Rabbit. (www.GKTW.org).  If you ever have a desire to volunteer for a good cause, the GKTW always welcomes volunteers.  As a matter of fact, their operations is based on volunteers  so go ahead, give them a hand,  you will be glad you did when you see the little kids being care free and happy.  

I’ve just received my new camera  –nikon d3 is fantastic!  i don’t want to put it down.  It’s so fast….9fps and the high ISO capabilities the best in the industry.  I knew that Nikon had to came up with a full frame camera and so they finely did.  It took them a while but it was worth the wait. Check out the reviews.  

Shawna and Kevin are totally cool!  They are nice, they are fun and open.  They will be getting married in May and I know it’s going to be a great and very dynamic day because I’ve met their bridal party and they are crazy fun…. Last night Shawna together with her mom and mom-in-law came to pick their engagement photos for their guest signing book and I can tell all three of them are such a great friends.   Here is a couple of pics.

We got our Christmas gift early this year…A baby squirrel decided to spend some time with us.  We’ve found her cold, dehydrated and abandoned in our garage.   She was about 7 weeks old. …the kids made her a nest very appropriately in an old santa clause hat.  Happy Holidays!

This is why I like Florida — family portraits by the pool in November!    I still haven’t pull out any long sleeves although Christmas is coming up so soon.

I can’t believe how fast the time goes…..November was super crazy busy. I got to shoot a couple of fun weddings and bunch of cute kids.

I started off with Faith and her mom….the mom wanted a couple of pregnancy images, and photos of her 3 year old daughter, Faith. The little girl was so much fun to photograph, we ended up with a variety of looks. My favorite one is the one of Faith on the wooden floor. Isn’t she just gorgeous with this beautiful red head and huge, I mean HUGE, blue eyes? And she is also very smart. She knows all the songs to her favorite movie “Annie” and can act it out pretty good too. Faith is a big sister now and I can’t wait to hold her precious little sister!

Here is my attempt at taking a family portrait of parents with 3 little boys.  The boys were really good, and photographing them was just a pleasure. They did play a little bit at the end and that’s when I snapped my favorite photo.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We went to friends house (Ciocia) and had a great time eating there and playing cards. No cooking for me! That’s what I call perfect Thanksgiving Dinner.