The due date of Oleg and Ksenia's first child is just around the corner in mid-February! I've known Ksenia for about 7 years now. Oleg came into the picture about 3-4 years later when they began dating and it was fun to watch their relationship grow. One thing I noticed about them both is that when they pursue friendships with people they are very intentional and interested in their lives. It was a privilege to be at their wedding, take the photos of them here and now I can't wait to be able to meet their little one soon. I'm extremely excited for them and know they will be amazing parents.
Moscow weather is so unpredictable especially as it was on this day. It went from cloudy, to partially cloudy, to sunny with no clouds in the sky and back to cloudy in the course of an hour in and half, all with a biting wind in the air. Not ideal circumstances for a photo session, but with this family's flexibility, we managed to capture some great and unexpected moments. Their oldest daughter's personality came out when we discovered a snow pile in the back of St. Basil's. She and her brother threw themselves into climbing up the mound of snow and playing in it. They were in their element. Their youngest daughter didn't miss smiling in every photo and her smile and humor were so contagious. And of course, the parents were ideal subjects :) After the shoot, they invited me to have some tea and some "to die for" fruitcake, that Dawn, the mother, made. A memorable day it was!
Patriarch's Ponds, known as one of the main settings in the Mikhail Bugalkov's novel, "The Master and Margarita", is one of the most picturesque places in Moscow. It is in central Moscow and was built around what was called the 'Goat Marsh". The area has been gentrified over the years and it is a lovely place to take a stroll through the streets and around the pond. In the winter the pond is turned into an ice skating rink and a Christmas tree decorates the center. It was here where I took photos of Kristin. She herself is half Russian and half American, is well-traveled and has lived in a few countries before she graduated from the Anglo-American school in Moscow. She is currently doing her studies in California and thriving. It was a pleasure to photos of her in her neighborhood. As you can tell she is a natural in front of the camera.
Part 2
I got a few more shots of Katya a few weeks later, but this time with her husband, Slava, in their home. I wasn't able to be around the last months before the birth of their son, but felt honored to be around for most of it. It is such an amazing period in one's life waiting for the first child. I have never experienced this firsthand, as I have no children, but have been fortunate to observe and be with many parents-to-be while they are waiting. They glow with joy and excitement! Today is the eve of their child's first birthday. What a celebration it will be!
Almost a year ago, Katya, a dear friend, and her husband were still waiting their first child to arrive. There was great anticipation of their little one to come. But, before he came into the world he was covered with many prayers from family and friends and truly is a gift from God. Here I was able to capture a few moments into Katya's 6th month of pregnancy.
