When it all comes together

I don't take my camera with me everywhere I go.  It's heavy and I'm pretty sure I recently pulled some muscles in my upper arms, so it's nice to leave it at home sometimes.  There are other times, however, when I'll have my camera with me and we'll end up at an old Swedish castle, which just happens to have beautiful soft light pouring through its windows.  The walls will have texture and my subject will be in just the right mood to be photographed, and I will be so thankful that I have my camera with me :)

Do you have fun?

Everytime I pick up my girls from school, I ask them, "Did you have fun today?"  Mostly they reply in the affirmative, and I smile because I value fun.  A lot.  One of my favourite expressions is, "Don't take life too seriously, you never get out of it alive."  Think about that... What a freeing statement!  There will always be someone who brings the seriousness to a situation, but personally, where possible, I like to bring the fun.  Have you had fun today?  Have you laughed?  Have you made someone else laugh?  Well, whatcha waiting for?

Revealing | Stockholm children's photographer

I'm a sensitive soul.  In my younger days, some may have even described me as over-sensitive.  From a young age, I have been hyperaware of the energy of those around me.  As soon as I meet someone, I am instantly aware of the energy they are holding.  I won't lie, it has been both a blessing and a curse.  Reading energy, body language and eyes is second nature to me.  I regularly remind my girls to look people in the eyes when they are speaking to them.  The eyes reveal so much.  They hide so much.  They are fascinating, and that's why I love a close-up photograph of a face, where you can clearly see the eyes, and if you look closely enough, maybe even that person's soul, too.

Smiling siblings | Stockholm barn fotograf

It was my third time to photograph this very photogenic family in twelve months.  The mom has a genuine appreciation for photography and loves to be surrounded by photographs of her family.  When I got to their home, the entire living room was full of Sandra Jolly Photography prints!  Cue a happy dance from me!  We had lots of fun indoors, before wrapping up and going out in the snow.  It's the perfect way to photograph a family at this time of year :)