Diane and Rob got married!!! - the slideshow.

Here's the long awaited slideshow from Diane's and Rob's fabulously fun wedding!!!

Hey you two love birds: sit back, get a glass of wine, relax and enjoy this really long (5 minutes!) recap from your nuptials day - I couldn't help it with all these images I love! It was great seeing them again and remembering just how beautiful and joyful your wedding was. I've decided that the photo below is now one of my top favorites from the reception because, to me, it shows genuine happiness in a 'yeah, we did it and we're loving every minute of it!' kind of a way. Sweet.

xoxo,
Monika

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Introducing Baby Margo!

What amazes me the most about babies is how much they already know – how intuitively smart they are. When I arrived to photograph Margo, Aylin and Daniel’s lovely seven week old baby daughter, she gave me a most inquisitive look! Never having met me before the expression on her face asked – ‘Who are you? What are you doing here?’ - and when I started photographing with my big Canon 5D camera (with an even bigger lens!) she must have thought I was some strange one-eyed creature! Yet, she was not afraid having quickly sensed the amicable way her parents and I related to each other. Very quickly she warmed up to my presence and astonishingly, started naturally posing for the camera!

Margo is such a sweet little bird! She doesn’t really cry but coos. Actually she has a whole repertoire of cooing sounds. I especially liked when she would softly call out ‘aaa’ to get my attention as if saying ‘hey, look at me!’ And when she smiles well... your heart just melts!
I heard somewhere that the Greek origin of the name Margo means ‘pearl’ and that is such an apt description for this baby girl – a splendid little gem so uniquely her own being already! This is the other thing that amazes me about babies – they’re born with innate personalities and talents and I guess it’s up to us, the grown-ups, to give them the love and safety to encourage their uniqueness to blossom.

Thanks for the fun photo session! Enjoy your slideshow and a peak at some of my favorite moments:


I love the serendipity in the way the shape of Margo's lips is repeated in the formation of the birds in the painting on the wall.



Have I mentioned that she is only seven weeks old?! I couldn't believe how engaged she was with the camera!


Aylin and Daniel make parenting look like it's the best fun ever!


The bonding look... I'm so awed by the way Margo looks at her mama.


Making funny faces!


Little adorable head!


Aylin's, Daniel's and Margo's favorite place to hang out on a Sunday afternoon.




'We have the same lines on our feet!'


Love that color!


Feeding time.


Aylin's friend made this fabulous chandelier just for Margo - isn't it great?






Margo's plush friends...


These two are literally in love with life itself!




So cute - the way Margo's tiny lips curl out in a happy slumber.




The wonder-filled world of Margo!

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Happy Birthday Oskar!!!

Mila, the rollicking German shorthaired pointer, in her usual fashion, greeted me halfway up the stairs to apartment 3L. After a few quick licks, happy bark or two and incessant tail wagging she sprinted up and away, her paws clickety-clacking against the linoleum flooring. A couple more steps and as Mila announced my arrival a savory aroma delicately permeated the hallway. Ahh... yum! My very dear friends, Lisa and Philippe always start enticing their guests' taste buds way before one even gets to their front door. As I entered, the kitchen was abuzz in last minute food preparations and excited conversations in both Turkish and English.

And there he was... sitting in his highchair at the head of the kitchen table as if conducting the happy bustle around him: Oskar, the birthday boy!
To every 'ooh', 'aah' and other silly gibberish uttered towards him by the adults he responded with a calm smile. Little Oskar has turned one year old and we're all amazed at how much he has grown. He is now almost, almost, almost walking on his own, his first tooth has made an appearance and he knows how to say 'mama' and 'dada'! This little boy is much loved by all around him and his first birthday was a delightfully intimate celebration with family and close friends . I'm happy to have been a part of it!!!

Here's some of my favorite pics and a slideshow - hope you guys enjoy it!


Ohh... putting on a very special, 'I'm one!', birthday hat.




Maestro Oskar



'Mama, can we do without the hat?'

'How did I get stuck with this hat?'

'Hmm... what's he up to?'

'Have you noticed my cool t-shirt?'



Boys will be boys... feeding each other toy salamanders...



Auntie Caroline as 'Curious George'

'I just found this the other day!' - remembering Oskar's first pair of socks

I love the way the sock's shape get's echoed in in the light streaming through the window and reflected on the floor

Mila eyeing Oskar's cracker...

Here, I love the way Lisa's face is just glowing. She is an amazing mother (not to mention an amazing friend and everything!)

Play time!

'New toys make me happy!'

Uncle Johnny

'Yeah! Daddy time!'



Happy Birthday Oskar!!!



Lisa's delicious cake

Party remnants...

My kind of 'bliss' image - the first birthday party over, the baby's fed, a little sleepy but still curious and the parents tired but in love. I like the tender way Philippe's hand rests on Lisa's side as he kisses her whispering 'thank you...'

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