Nicola Borland Photography Blog » kids

The New Arrivals {Kantor Family Portrait}

Nicola Borland — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:17:34 +0000

This family were the lucky winners of a portrait gift certificate from The Little Gym in La Cañada. They are new to the area and what better way to start than with a new family portrait, even including Tex, their 12 year old lab! It was great meeting this family and chatting with them, especially Dad Jonathan, whom is also a photographer. He does some amazing product and beauty photography. Check him out at jonathankantor.com. I am looking forward to getting to know this family better and showing them some cool hot spots in their new neighborhood!

Mommy and Her Muscle Man {Natalie, Wyatt and Baby Zane}

Nicola Borland — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:15:34 +0000

Even though she is due in only 22 days, Natalie still decided there was time enough before the big day to capture some special moments, with Baby Zane still in her belly and Big Brother Wyatt by her side. They both came to my home studio in Pasadena last week for our session. Wyatt was a little shy at first, but after some funny face pulling we were getting along fine and Wyatt was a testament to his parents love. He was so well behaved and he listened to my direction so well I was amazed.

Wyatt has such a sweet smile and I know he will make a great big brother in a few weeks. I am very happy for Natalie and Michael as well and look forward to meeting Baby Zane soon!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Nicola Borland — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:14:41 +0000

So here I am in the Mother Country! Beautiful Scotland! It was the longest trip to get here with both flights being delayed due to mechanical problems, never encouraging! And a long wait in Edinburgh to get my suitcase. Although that was not too bad as my nephew made the trip out to the airport, so he was entertaining us all while we waited.

In my business and line of work I am always talking about memories. Making them, capturing them and just having them in general. I always try and tell my clients how important it is to have photography and a good professional photographer in your life. I sometimes feel like a broken record saying the same things to everyone and it can feel a little cheesy at times. The phrases “Memories that will last a Lifetime” and “For Generations to Come” seem to come out of my mouth on a daily basis!

It is not until I come back home and visit with my family and old friends that it really hits me. Its true, the memories do last a lifetime and for generations to come. I just had a look through a photo album that my grandmother, known as Babí to the family, made of my sister and I as kids and some trips she took with my Granddad, known as Dêda (d-yeda). It was so cool to look at that album and see what images she loved and wanted to keep, what was important to her, and to just remember her. Her smile, her style, her grace, adventurous spirit and green thumb.

Babí had the best green thumb! One photograph was of Babí and myself standing in her veggie garden and it brought back some of my favorite memories of having Sunday lunch on the tiny patch of grass surrounded by the bounty of all her hard work. There were potatoes, strawberries, gooseberries, chives, poppies, carrots and so much more. We would have whatever cold foods and goodies we could pack into containers, and enjoy the weather while Babí watered and looked after her plants. Dêda would have to cut the grass with the hand mower, but there was always hay fever and a bad back to contend with, and of course, once the back goes, well that’s it gone!

I talked with my mother and sister about it and we all smiled and laughed and paused for a second to remember the scene in our heads. Yes, the memory could have come up of its own accord, but that picture was the starting point for me for that one memory. Then all the other ones come rolling out of the woodwork and before you know it you are on the floor laughing at something obscure that happened 20 years ago in a distant land, but is still funny today.

What makes us people? Is it the houses we live in, the jobs we have, and the places we are going? Or is it the places we have been and what we have learned from them? Sure I like to look forward. To look ahead to the future, keep moving on and learning and growing. But what we have done in the past, places we have been, and people we have met are what I think truly shapes us. We learn from the past, the good things and the bad things. The happy memories and the sad memories. Our lives are no longer quite with little distraction, but loud and quite frankly all over the place. Meetings, classes, phones, work, computers, obligations, kids, pets, the gym and so many other things fill our lives. We forget the people that make up our lives. I forget the people in my life. I forget people that I haven’t seen in a few years. Does that mean I hold their teachings any differently? No. It just means I am looking ahead a little too much and need to slow down and look back. To sit with a photo album and remember. To read a diary, or an old birthday card sentiment, and laugh.

To look at my old photos at home brings back so much I feel like I want to bring them all back to California with me! To hold them close and never forget. To show people why I love photography so much. That before I was even able to hold a camera, photos were already a huge part of my life. To try and convey that those baby pictures of myself, and my sister and not just a quick shot that doesn’t mean anything, but something so big and important I may never be able to convey what it really means to me. To show my clients that when I say that the images I capture will be “memories to last a lifetime”, and the images will be here “for generations to come”, that its true. There kids will hold them close, and their grand kids and great grand kids. They will look at them as I do mine, and wonder do I have her nose, her eyes or her style. And of course the one that most of us are heard saying as we look as childhood photographs, “What on earth was I wearing!”

So next time you are about to snap a quick shot with your point and shoot or hire a photographer to do a family portrait, remember that it is not just a picture, but actually a memory that you will cherish, and your kids, friends and family will love even after you are gone, as I do with Babí’s pictures from so long ago.

The Making of a New Little Man {Antonio Gael’s Baptism}

Nicola Borland — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:26:39 +0000

I have been lucky enough to take images of Antonio from 7 days old and was so happy to be a part of this milestone in his life. All his family were gathered on this special day to see him become a part of their faith. Antonio was not quite aware of the importance of the situation as he was laughing and giggling throughout the service at St John Eudes Catholic Church in Chatsworth. He did really well with the poring of the Holy Water on his head, as did his Godparents, Hector and Ester.

After the service we all went back to his new Godparents house for some family time. Antonio had a great time with his big cousins on the bouncy castle. I think he liked the colors and the not being on solid ground part. All the friends and family that were there loved seeing him in his little white suit and with the coolest little white chucks as well. I am loving being a friend of Antonio and being there for all his big days. Next big, 1 year old!!!

Call me at 323.240.4407

Email me at nicola@nicolaborland.com

The Three Little Lovelies {Hudson, Channing and Keeten}

Nicola Borland — Fri, 07 May 2010 05:26:01 +0000

These are the last little ones of my Mother’s Day specials to come to my home studio. Hudson is a great big brother, listens well and holds his little brother just right. Channing is a cheeky little one that loves, loves, loves getting tickled, and Keeten, is the little brother with the big blue eyes. I had great fun with these three. Especially holding Keeten as the end of our session while mum got the other two ready to go. His little legs are so cute and chubby!

Call me at 323.240.4407
Email me at nicola@nicolaborland.com

The Lollipop Monsters {Cayden and Charley}

Nicola Borland — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:07:55 +0000

These two little blond haired gigglers are Cayden and Charley. They love to run, giggle, and tickle. And they LOVE being bribed with lollipops. Especially the red ones that make your mouth go red as well! We had a quick session in my home studio that was great fun and exhausting for the adults present. Namely their lovely mum and myself.

Their Uncle Taylor just proposed to their new Aunt Jamie in a very Cool way, that you can see below, and we are all very happy for them. Can’t wait for the next time with these two little ones!

Call me at 323.240.4407

Email me at nicola@nicolaborland.com

The Beauty and the Ant Squisher {Aidan and Ansley}

Nicola Borland — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:41:51 +0000

Aidan and Ansley were the first to come to my home studio for some Mother’s Day memories. In our short session we had fun throwing leaves into the pool, squeaking toys for Ansley and of course squishing ants with Aidan! I loved capturing their baby blue’s and look forward to getting mum and dad in as well next time!

Baby Boy Blue {Jude Milton has Arived}

Nicola Borland — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:24:12 +0000

You may remember my maternity shoot with Holly and Joseph of a few weeks ago. Well they have been blessed by Jude at last. Jude Milton Karas was born at 1:16am on March 22nd weighing in at 7lb 13oz and 21 inches long. It was a long labor that ended with much joy. As most new parents Holly and Joseph are tired, but so so happy with their little bundle.

Grandma and Grandpa Karas dropped by for the shoot and I got some great images of them adoring the new addition to the family. I am really excited to be (unofficially) Auntie Nic again, and can’t wait to watch him grow. Here are some images from his newborn shoot and the slideshow has some of him in the hospital, so be sure to check it out and let me know what you think.

The Leone Family

Nicola Borland — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:24:43 +0000

These are my new and most favorite neighbors. Diana sent me a little note after the La Cañada Station Fire to get to know her new neighbor, in a times when you just might need them. I was so touched by her not,e and always willing to meet new people, that I returned her note immediately, and we made instant friends. Her son, Luca, is one of the funniest kids I have met. To me he seems like he might be either a mad scientist or an actor when he is older. He does the funniest things and is super smart. Gotta watch out for him! Diana is an amazing massage therapist at The Four Graces in Sierra Madre. And Michael, working in the medical field, and studying to further his education at the same time, is a devoted dad. When he gets time off he spends it all with his family. You couldn’t ask for much more.

I was so excited when Diana asked if I was able to shoot her family portrait that we arranged it for only a few days later. We met and went off to a local park to have some fun and take some pics for their new family portrait, earlier this month. Of course, Luca we entertaining us all with his mad ideas and playful nature, and the time just flew by while we were having all the fun. I love the way these images really capture Luca’s fun side, Diana’s gentle fun nature and Michael’s role of devoted father. I can’t wait to be able to play with this gang again and am dying for my next massage with Diana. Yay for new neighbors becoming new friends! Let me know what you think!