First look: Ieva and Mathias got married

Time stands still
Time stands still

I can scarcely think of a greater honor that being asked to photograph someone’s wedding. Your big day, and unless you are Kim Kardashian, certainly one of your most photographed ones! Ieva and Mathias are one of those couple that embody all the beautiful things about being young and in love. Sweet, light-hearted and above all, incredibly devoted to one another. I had a great time getting to know them! While respecting the privacy of the ceremony, I am happy (and proud) to share some of their fun and moving portraits. Cheers to this wonderful couple. Cheers to love!

May I have this dance
May I have this dance
Twirl
Twirl
Merry and Bright
Merry and Bright
Timeless
Timeless
Get over here :)
Get over here 🙂
Hand in hand
Hand in hand
Handsome
Handsome
Now break it down!
Now break it down!
Veiled
Veiled
From this moment
From this moment
Sunshine
Sunshine
A classic
A classic
True love
True love
The fun lies ahead
The fun lies ahead
Enjoy the ride
Enjoy the ride

A look back at our first annual apple blossoms mini session: Six families, three pairs of wet socks and millions of apple blossoms

This buds for you
This buds for you

It really was magical. Stepping out into the orchard with the heady smell of apple blossoms and buzz of bees at work. Green grass, pink and white buds, light rain and then sunshine. It was a gorgeous April day!

Thank you so much to the six adventurous families who joined me for this day out in Limberg at the PiPO organic orchard. Such a fun time was had by all. I am looking forward to bringing this experience full circle this fall, in the same location, to see our darling buds fully grown into bright apples. Another day in the fields awaits. 🙂

Fly
Fly
Bright eyes
Bright eyes
Roar!
Roar!
A girl and her boy
A girl and her boy
Big sister
Big sister
Fall in to me
Fall in to me
This moment in time
This moment in time
Boink!
Boink!
Rain
Rain
Love
Love
Lift off
Lift off
Flower girl
Flower girl
Dreamer
Dreamer

The ultimate vacation photos with Localgrapher

Go Local
Go Local

Even as a photographer, I am loathed to drag my big camera out for family vacations. It just does not do getting lugged from sight to sight, thrown around with sandy beach towels and jostling with iPads, jars of baby food and books as precious carry on. That might be the reason that most vacation moments are either stuck in my head or on my iPhone. Not that I am in them anyhow. What a pity!

That is why I was so excited to be contacted by a fledgling start up called Localgrapher. An idea born in Prague when a solo traveller contacted the founder, Matej, to be photographed around his city. Just exploring, taking in the sights and enjoying her adventure. Since this inspiration, Matej has put together a team of photographers (myself included) in dozens of cities. San Francisco, Hong Kong, Vienna, Sao Paulo, etc – a dreamy list indeed. You can leave your camera behind and instead be photographed by a friendly professional who can also give you some great tips on what to do in their city. Why didn’t I think of that?

Check out their website and you might find a (very embarrassing) video of myself talking about what to wear for a photoshoot.  Urgh, definitely more suited for behind the camera work. Travel, have fun, get amazing pictures taken. Ta da!

Our family album: Amongst the Apple Blossoms

A meeting
A meeting

Ok, I could not resist. I mean I have been preparing for these blossom mini sessions and hey, I have a nice little family I like to take pictures of so why not get a jump on the fun and a little practice at the same time! We head out to scout the location and enjoy some beautiful spring weather. We had an amazing time and I can’t wait to get some of these pics up on the mantle. If this does not convince you, I don’t know what will. Three spots left! Just email bearanddragonphotography@gmail.com to reserve your place.

Happy blossoming. 🙂

Scream!
Scream!
Dandelion girl
Dandelion girl
All the world for me
All the world for me
seriously, I love these two
seriously, I love these two
Swing
Swing
Most handsome
Most handsome
Soft
Soft
Contrast
Contrast
Sweetness
Sweetness
Movement
Movement
Blooms
Blooms

All the pregnant ladies – I salute you!

Working it
Working it

This one goes out to those gorgeous ladies out there rocking their bumps to the max. You are awesome, beautiful and I salute you!!

Major hair envy aside, I loved having Stacy and Jason in for their maternity session and can’t wait to see then again when their little girl arrives late this spring. Rock on!

Right as rain
Right as rain
That moment
That moment
In these hands
In these hands
Us
Us
Glow
Glow
Shape of things to come
Shape of things to come

First look: the most delicate cake smoosh of all

The birthday princess
The birthday princess

Somehow there is a little extra razzle dazzle in the air. Its Friday and its almost spring. Hooray! In the celebrating mood, today I am going to share a very special birthday session with one year old Liv. Arriving dressed to impress, we had one important mission. Capture some special birthday pictures and then proceed to smoosh the sweetest little birthday cake you have ever seen. While complying with the first part, Liv proved very lady like in her cake eating. After some encouragement she dug in. Go Liv!

So in the spirit and in celebration of little Liv, this weekend have your cake and then eat it too. Yum. 🙂

Momma Love
Momma Love
Wishes
Wishes
Ready to roll
Ready to roll
Throne
Throne
Have your cake :)
Have your cake 🙂

First look: Sweet summer rain family session

Summer rain blog-2
Sweet summer kisses

Today I have a throwback for you. All the way back to the green and lush summer. It was a warm day, though a bit overcast with light showers. Classic Brussels. Set in one of my favorite parks, Parc de Tervuren which was once the hunting lodge (aka stunning side castle) of the Duke of Brabant.  Here you will find fishing and duck ponds, long tree lined lanes and the soon-to-reopen Royal Museum for Central Africa.

On this particular day, I had the pleasure to work with a lovely British family including little girls Seren and Fion. One thing that I love about working with kids is how much fun you have just messing around! Dancing, running, playing with feathers. These girls were a blast and absolutely gorgous in their matching dresses and bows. What a lovely day and a sweet reminder that long summer days are just around the corner. Enjoy!

Birds of a feather
Birds of a feather
Bridges
Bridges
Flower follies
Flower follies
Flight
Flight
Play
Play
Whee!
Whee!

First Look: I Love San Francisco engagement session

Soar
Soar

My little sister is growing up. Crazy but true story, she is even getting married! When I heard that Lauren and her long-term love, Ben (aka Uncle Ben) were getting hitched, I knew I needed to get my butt to California and take some engagement photos. Having missed this opportunity myself when I was still young and unwrinkled (cough, cough), I wanted to make sure they made some love-filled memories to reflect back on one day and to be admired on their save-the-dates and at the wedding itself.

Throughout a bright and romantic morning exploring Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, I found myself getting a little tearful (happy tears) just to be close to the special love these two share. And now I can share it with you to. A bright spot on a soft grey Sunday.

On the love note, I am excited to launch a new offering for engagement and wedding photography packages. More to come soon on the blog and website.

Here’s to love, youth and magic. Enjoy!

On your toes
On your toes
Journey
Journey
Lean on me
Lean on me
Tangled
Tangled
Being with you is like walking on a very clear day
Being with you is like walking on a very clear day
All grown up
All grown up
Just for fun
Just for fun
Soulful
Soulful

First look: Sea of leaves mini session

The Sea
The Sea

Is it already time to get nostalgic about fall? Winter is closing in and with it all the good cheer, rosy cheeks and holiday treats we love in late November/early December. I am especially excited about this Christmas as it will be the first in which bababoo is actually aware of what is happening. Also the first that I can use the lightly veiled threat “Santa only brings presents to little girls who eat all their vegetables”. Yes!

Before we step into our red, white and sparkles. I wanted to share some of the beautiful pictures from the recent “Sea of Leaves” mini sessions held in Parc Cinquantiaire on one of the most gorgeous fall days of the year. Seriously, I am afraid I am using up all my good weather karma in one go. But hey, it feels good. 🙂

The fall mini sessions were such a hit that I am definitely planning more. The ingredients will remain the same: 30 minute sessions at a great price, a very special seasonal location and beautiful family photos. Send me a note or leave a comment if you want to get on the mailing list.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Sweet
Sweet
The look
The look
Daddy's girl
Daddy’s girl
Fly
Fly
Out and about
Out and about
Magic
Magic
Sailors
Sailors
Tidal
Tidal