The 2018 Bear & Dragon Adventure Line up

Botanical-3

Adventure ahead! So much as grown and developed over the last year. Kids are getting older and even B3 starting creche soon. New studio space and a more developed eye in the studio sessions. Truly I am in love with this space!

That said, I am sooo ready for some outdoor adventures.  The trouble is I really loved all of adventure sessions in 2017. Honestly I cannot cut a single one. Thus, time to be creative, explore and break new ground in yet unphotographed corners of Belgium. 🙂

2018 Bear & Dragon Adventures 

What is a Bear & Dragon Adventure? A 30 minute family photo session always in a special location which highlights the peak of the season. Sessions also have a special price, usually 150 EUR (sometimes more if the location charges a fee for use) and include 8 images of your choosing.

Always very popular, if you would like to learn about the dates and times before they are release officially, you can sign up for the advanced notice list here.

Amongst the Apple Blossoms: Spring brings the blossoming of millions of apple, pear and cherry blossoms in the Belgian Haspengouw region. Not to be missed! Mid April. Check out last couple of years here and here.

fathers day blog-15

 

Bluebells are Ringing: Capture the magical bluebell forest in Hallerbos. Our most popular spring session. Late April. You can see some examples here and of course below.

Bluebells blog-11

 

Botanical: I have fallen in love with the Botanical Gardens in Meise and am excited to welcome you to a special session inside the Green House. Explore the jungle, the desert and the Savannah in this lush Belgian icon.

cuties!

 

A Splendid Harvest: A return to the Apple Orchards to capture the ripeness of summer and transition to fall.  This ended my being ab absolutely gorgeous day that started misty and turned sunny with a looong sunset. Here is our family album.

Roxana Liao apple harvest for websharing-8

 

La Vie est Belle: Similar feeling to the Royals session, La Vie est Belle is set in another iconic Belgian property, Horta’s own country house in La Hulpe.  Come dressed to the nines for this very special art deco adventure. Check out Royals here.  Early October.

Caroline Henquin la vie est belle for websharing-14 (1)

 

Merry and bright: A trip to the Christmas Tree farm just over the border in NL is about as merry as it gets.  Sadly, this event was cancelled last year due to freezing rain and mud. I have learned my lesson and decided, why not bring Christmas forward to September and forget about the cold weather, viruses and last minute rush to get your cards printed. Why not?! Mid September.

Merry and Bright

 

A Walk through Time: Set in the 13th century Abbey, Rouge Cloitre, this adventure offers up the height of fall colors in a timeless and stunning location. Mid October.

Kristen Banks Card images-2

 

Sea of Leaves: Autumn finds the lawns of Parc Cinquintenaire ankle deep in an amazing sea of fall leaves and colors. Our most popular fall session. Check it out here and here. Early November.

Johanna Schulyok Sea of Leaves for websharing-24.jpg

The best places of all: Rouge Cloitre in the spotlight

Agata Sybowska walk through time for websharing

Finding a great photo location can be a bit of a fine art. I look for beautiful features and shapes, easy access, not too crowded and often for a place with a little extra magic and wow factor. Though it changes quite often, my favorite photo location at the moment is the Rouge Cloitre which is a beautiful abbey located in the Sonian Forest just 10 minutes from the center of Brussels.

Founded in 1367, definitely brings the wow which makes it a very special backdrop for a photo sessions in all seasons. Brilliant colors, large reflecting ponds, a wild flower and vegetable garden and of course the abbey.

I don’t just come for photo sessions either. They have a great playground, a weekend cafe for cake, coffee or a beer and special events around the year including our favorite haunted forest around Halloween time.

I can’t wait for the Walk through Time Adventure on October 21 in my favorite fall location of all. 🙂 Here is a look at some of my favorite Rouge Cloitre images from all around the calendar.

Ana Klenovsek maternity for websharing-17
Promise
Victoria Martin de Hijas for websharing-16
Summer days
Victoria Martin de Hijas for websharing-3
Sweet breeze
Valerie Bode-Aristizabal for websharing-40
Wander
Valerie Bode-Aristizabal for websharing-23
Frame
Kristen Banks Card images-2
Tickle time
Harriet Wadsworth for websharing-26
And go!
Cooper second birthday for websharing-32
Falling leaves
Emilia Janisz maternity for websharing-16
Winter quiet
Cooper second birthday for websharing-60
Peakaboo

Announcing the Bear & Dragon Fall Adventures!

Bear and Dragon Adventure Walk through Time 2017
The air is getting crisper, days shorter and the fall harvest in coming in. Welcome to Autumn! Autumn is my favorite season and Brussels knows how to put on a show. This fall I am proud to offer two special Adventures  that show off the height of fall colors: 
 
A Walk through Time – October 21
 
My most recent favorite outdoor location for family sessions is the Rouge Cloitre which is a beautiful abbey located in the Sonian Forest just 10 minutes from the center of Brussels. Founded in 1367, it makes a very special backdrop for a fall session. Brilliant colors, large reflecting ponds and of course the abbey. 
 
A Walk Through Time
  • 9:00 – 9:30
  • 9:45 – 10:15
  • 13:00 – 13:30
  • 13:45 – 14:15
  • 14:30 – 15:00
  • 15:15 – 15:45
  • 16:45 – 17:15
Bear and Dragon Adventure Sea of Leaves 2017
The Sea of Leaves – November 4
It doesn’t get more lush, lovely and fallish than rolling around in
the enormous sea of leaves that carpets the iconic Parc du Cinquantinaire in early November. This setting is perfect to capture the changing season as well as showcasing one of the most beautiful parks in Brussels.
Sea of Leaves
  • 9:00 – 9:30
  • 13:45 – 14:15
  • 14:30 – 15:00
  • 15:15 – 15:45

 

We always hope for good weather but in case of rain, will reschedule for the adjacent weekend day or the following weekend. Space is limited and we tend to go to a waiting list quickly so please let me know very soon if you wish to reserve a place.

Announcing our 2015 Fall mini sessions: A Walk Through Time and Sea of Leaves, part deux

Debut
Debut
Part deux
Part deux
The air is getting crisper, days shorter and the fall harvest in coming in. Welcome to Autumn! Autumn is my favorite season and Brussels sure knows how to put on a show. This fall I am proud to offer two special mini sessions in two very special locations:
A walk through time – October 24
My most recent favorite outdoor location for family sessions is the Rouge Cloitre which is a beautiful abbey located in the Sonian Forest just 10 minutes from the center of Brussels. Founded in 1367, it makes a very special backdrop for a fall session. Brilliant colors, large reflecting ponds and of course the abbey. You can check out a recent photo session at the Cloitre here.
The Sea of Leaves – November 7
We had such a good time last year that I decided to do it again! It doesn’t get more lush, lovely and fallish than rolling around in the enormous sea of leaves that carpets the iconic Parc du Cinquantinaire in early November. This setting is perfect to capture the changing season as well as showcasing one of the most beautiful parks in Brussels. You can check out some of my favorites from last year here.

We always hope for good weather but in case of rain, will reschedule for the adjacent weekend day or the following weekend. Space is limited and we tend to go to a waiting list quickly so please let me know very soon if you wish to reserve a place. Hope to see you there!

First look: A day of play at Rouge Cloitre

Run!
Run!

Two days in a row? That’s right!

I just wrapped up editing this super fun family session today and I could not wait to share. Sometimes I feel like once our children get older, we just get too busy to arrange a photo session. I also believe that some parents are afraid that their older children will feel self conscious or quickly lose interest in being photographed. Though it is more of a challenge than working with new babies and toddlers, I absolutely love working with kids. Using a series of games, including some solo exploration time and treating them with respect like the young ladies and gents they are, we have a recipe for beautiful and truthful moments.

This session embodied all of these elements. At six and four years old, these lovely ladies came ready for action. And with a strong “that’s for babies” radar, they kept me on my toes. It was a great 90 minutes and I am happy to share some of the good memories with you today.

T minus 5
T minus 5
Impact
Impact
The story teller
The story teller
Lift off
Lift off
Daddy's girls
Daddy’s girls
Kelly green
Kelly green
Cosmos
Cosmos
The bond
The bond
On the fence
On the fence