Four years later, I smile at those thoughts. So many worries were put to rest. Sure, creating and balancing a business just when you had a baby is difficult, but not impossible. Traveling (which fuels my soul) is more complicated, but still very easy especially when they’re young. But that biggest fear – the one of me missing some sort of maternal genetics – disappeared as soon as I saw Aviv for the first time. She had me – hook, line, and sinker. Something inside me shifted, changed, grew.

I became a mother.

I knew as soon as I held her in my arms that I would do ANYTHING for her. I stared and stared and stared at her face. Soaked in the beauty radiating from her. Floored, awed, humbled that she is mine.

Motherhood is an amazing thing. Aviv is three and a half years old, and I still find myself sometimes staring at her, awe struck. This past weekend we went to see Disney on Ice, and all of a sudden I became a weepy mess. Looking at the amazement in Aviv’s face as she took in the show I couldn’t stop tearing up. It was as though I couldn’t contain the love I felt for her.It overflowed, seeping through me.

I’ve been talking to a few friends lately about the changes parenthood brings. I like to keep it real: its not easy. And I was scared out of my mind when I was pregnant with Aviv. I was scared about so many things – and they all turned out just fine. Maybe not in the way I had envisioned them to be, but as the saying goes….. “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans”. Motherhood is a miraculous roller coaster that stretches your heart more than you can imagine it can stretch. In a good way.

There’s never a right time. There is always more money to save for a home, trips to go on, careers to start… I sure wasn’t ready. But it turned out to be the best thing in my life.

Aviv, by far, is my best accomplishment. She made me a mother, an Ima, and thereby forever changed my life in the most amazing way possible.

When I photographed these two gorgeous sisters at a recent workshop/shoot out at the Tri-age (organized by the fabulous Natalie) I had less than 30 minutes to interact with them, and they mostly wanted to giggle and be silly. So I talked to them. A lot. I constantly moved them around, and asked them to do things, like share secrets.

I make funny noises to make them suddenly look at the camera (every one of my clients knows I apologize for how ridiculous I may sometimes sound during the session! but it works)

I say they can’t look at the camera or (G-d forbid), smile.

I ask lots of questions. And talk nonsense. Sometimes it makes them tune me out (who can blame them?) or just think about what I’m saying, which results in natural portraits that just steal my heart.

After a while of being in front of the camera without the expectation of cheese, I am sometimes lucky and am able to capture soulful, authentic smiles. MELT.

Sammy and Lexi absolutely stole my heart. They made me miss my own sisters so much….

And lastly, one of my favorite images. LOVE.

Wishing everyone a wonderful & relaxing weekend….

Shabbat Shalom!!

XOXO

Noa

I adore photographing new families. There’s  this magic and beauty surrounding the miracle of new life…. Yes that may sound cliche, but its SO true. Each time I leave a newborn photo session feeling invigorated, inspired and humbled for having the honor of documenting such a special family moment.

Aghhhhhhhh look at that smile! Those eyes! The hug! I die…..

Joslyn and Craig — thank you from the bottom of my heart for welcoming me into your home and allowing me to capture your gorgeous new family.

xoxoxo

Noa

This quote from one of my favorite books growing up sums up how I feel about today. It’s January 1st, people. Happy new year!

I love this time of year. LOVE IT. There’s something cathartic about making a mental inventory of the year that passed, figuring out what worked (or didn’t) and applying those lessons to 2012. The holidays in December are all about comfort, coziness and tradition and then January 1 hits and I’m full of fresh new energy to do serious family/home/business housekeeping. Ready to tackle the year in the best way possible.

I’m not a fan of new years resolutions, but there are themes I want to focus on in 2012. Writing them down will allow me to re-visit them and hold myself more accountable, so here goes

•  Continue the daily juicing I began several months ago. I’m amazed by how my energy level has gone up (no more 3pm droopy eyelids here!).
• Prioritize my marriage. Its so easy to get caught up in the many roles and tasks in the day to day life that romance inevitably takes a back seat. I totally admit to being guilty of that.Scheduling regular date nights —> MUST for 2012. No ifs or buts.
• Set quarterly business goals to ensure the plans I have for 2012 come to fruition. Hold myself accountable to them.
• De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter. Remove distractions and tolerations from my studio & home environment.
• MAKE the effort to find time to include some sort of exercise in my life (such as yoga or pilates).
• Continue saying no to work that is not 100% synced with the future of my business.
• Shoot more for myself.

I have big hopes for this year. Dreams I’ve been fiercely guarding and nourishing within me. I know there will be challenges and I can’t wait to face them head on. These dreams that I have, they’re so worth fighting for, and its a wonderful feeling knowing that I’m on the right path.

I hope you fight for your dreams this year too. I challenge you all to dream, and then dream bigger.

Wishing you all a happy new year. May it be full of health, happiness & success.

{{{Aviv slept at my mother in law’s last night for the first time ever. I was all nerves and guilt for leaving her overnight….. But Emiro and I got to go out with friends and ring in the new year with music, champaign and dancing}}}

Advantage of having friends who are photographers? They’re always with their cameras & ready to snap away! Thank you Michelle for taking these photos of Emiro and I

(all of the above photos were taken at 6400 ISO & 1.4 aperture with my trusty 50 1.4 lens)

XOXO

Noa

Leaving Israel was hard. When J K Rowling wrote that to create a horcrux one has to split their soul – well, that’s what it feels like each time I leave. I know it was my decision to move abroad, my choice to seize adventure and explore. I don’t regret it – not one bit. But each time I have to move and maneuver between these 2 worlds, there’s an adjustment period. Guilt. Happiness. So many emotions in between.

This year our return to the States was cushioned by the holidays, which made for a much easier transition. We got to spend 4 nights of Channukah in Israel and 4 nights of Channukah in the States. It meant returning to a decorated home, tons of presents and family traditions Emiro and I are integrating into our family. It made the heartache of missing home and my family a little easier to bear.

The day after we landed was Christmas so we invited our friends Michelle & Charlie over for pajama brunch & movie. Decadent french toast, mimosas and the movie “Love Actually” may or may not have been involved *wink* because yes, we’re cliche like that and one can never get enough of Collin Firth and Hugh Grant!

Pajama brunches rock. You can go ahead and laugh at my Harry Potter socks…. I think they bring a little extra magic to the season

Aviv really lucked out in the present department – being away for 3 weeks certainly encouraged her Aba to go overboard with shopping. Although we celebrate the Jewish holidays, Christmas is the one tradition we agreed to  keep as it is a very special day from Emiro’s childhood… We celebrate it secularly and not religiously, and what it basically means is quality family time at home, hot cocoa, lots of gifts (long live commercialism!), cozy fireplaces and now also pajama brunches with friends.

I’m pretty much in denial that I only have this week left, and that before I know it I will have to start saying goodbye and go through the fatiguing process of leaving family and friends behind.

It sucks.

Of course, I have a lot of fabulous things to look forward to: holidays in the USA are magical, reuniting with Emiro, getting reacquainted with my juicer and preparing my business to transition to 2012. I am so lucky, so blessed, to have amazing family and friends on more than one continent. Amidst the difficulties of saying goodbye, I have to remain focused on the good. And there is so much of it.

For now, I’m soaking in the sun. I’m enjoying family and friends. I’m resting and reading books and eating tons of decadent food.

I’m enjoying the now. I hope you are too…..

XOXO

Noa

Being away from home and Emiro for 3 weeks can be very tough, but at least technology makes things bearable and bridges the distance of the almost 6,000 miles between us.

For example, Aviv was ** SO ** happy that her Aba was able to read her a favorite bed time book via skype video.

He read and showed her the pages as he went along, and for a moment Aviv was transported back to our life and home in the USA.

I’m so thankful for technology (mostly skype!). I know there are so many people living far away from their families, who are now able to communicate easily. It sure makes the distance feel somewhat… closer.

And speaking of technology, what the hell did people do with their children before the days of the iPad? It is (seriously) a life saver, and there are so many great educational applications for kids. It occupied Aviv a good portion of our (cough) 13 hours on the plane getting here…. Between the puzzle apps, the Toy Story movie and her 6 hour nap I was set!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

XOXO

Noa