After nearly 20 years in big Tokyo I was feeling burned out in my not-so-successful "career" in the service industry, knocking on several ceilings....so after a chance discovery of cheap old farmhouses we set out towards the countryside - but still close enough for my wife to further pursue her working live, commuting by Shinkansen while I would take care of the house and kids and build my own little cafe at home...
Our first bump came when we realized that the bank wasn't willing to give a loan for an old rundown house on some worthless property in the "Hinterland". So, we changed plans and will be building a new house. We already bought the plot last year, with about 400 square meters size, and I have started the vegetable garden beforehand, next project will be the garden house.

08 January, 2012

Hannah moving around

Hannah started walking with 14 months, back in November. The first weeks it was carefully placing one feet before the other, hands raised to catch herself when loosing the balance and falling forward. Which she did often, but even when tripping and landing hard, after the tears subsided she was always back to it again for a revenge challenge.
 A sunny morning, middle December. First rule for photographing kids is to get down on your knees, eye level.
 Also these photos, with the sun shining low from the right, might have looked better with an even lower point of shooting.
Testing some expressions for LL Bean modeling here..."Urban Outdoor Explorer"

No, it's not a Halloween costume

It's just a reverseable poncho

 I'm afraid wearing a cute poncho with a lamb-like hood might be just a bit too much...

Wearing daddy's cap, reminds me of...Jean Paul Belmondo?

 Another day, another outfit, smart-casual? Or function-fashionable?

 Changing your shooting position from time to time can result in an interesting picture
When shooting children, the second rule is: shoot a lot, than a lot more, and then some more again
Because children are totally open with their expressions and fast in changing moods, its important not miss that moment, even if your partner gets a bit noisy about it. Showing her/him these kind of pics will silence every critique. 

New Year's holiday was spent as usual at the grandparents big house, with lots of space to run around - and a fashionable hat from the cousin's past 3rd birthday, worn here in British fashion with a glove as accessory. 

 Playtime was used to get close to each other

But sometimes she didn't like it not being the only star around

Back in Karuizawa, enjoying the fresh air and the nearly empty roads


Hannah's walking style has much improved, it is getting more and more relaxed, leaving room to express herself with the whole body.

 But a smile straight from the heart and covering the whole face, is still the best one