Every now and then I have a session that makes my heart pound. This session was one of those. I am a huge fan of all things vintage, beautiful families both inside and out, and magical indoor natural light. Combine all three and my heart sings.

This session was made possible in part by some wonderful people. Thanks to you all.

Fabiana- who flew all the way from Idaho to watch me play. I feel honored that you chose me to learn from and blessed to have gotten to meet you.

The Z Family- For just being so beautiful and full of that calm sort of sweetness that makes me want to hang out with you all and photograph you every day.

and Kay for making this magical location possible.

Here are some of my favorites.

Share your images here:

Leiba: Beautiful Zoe. Every single one. So imaginative and fun. what a great family too! Lucky them!

amber: wow. wow. wow. beautiful location, awesome subjects and simply stunning work.

Salina J: Absolutely gorgeous, amazing use of light!

Rowena: Love your work! Beautiful photos!

Lina: Those are fun! You can make anything inspiring. Gorgeous!

Joanna: So so great - these are works of art. LOVE them!!

Fabiana Beatriz: What an honor to watch you work your magic. Your work and the way that you interact with your clients is outstanding. Thanks for letting me come out and play - and to meet the incredible Z family!!!

Kara Layfield: These are stunning!!! What a treasure for this family!! Wow...amazing Zoe!!

shelley rankin: Wow! these are stunning. I can't imagine that decor and how great it would be to use. your images are always stunning. The use of light beautiful! Can I fly to visit you to! :)

I have tremendous gratitude to all the wonderful families that took part of the mini sessions. I love that they allowed me combine  their beautiful children with sun, smiles, twirls, and kisses to create art that will last a lifetime and beyond.

All of you were so wonderful. Thank you for giving me a chance in being part of documenting this time in your families lives. I have so many favorites and can’t wait to show them all to all of you!

Just a little tease from the sessions for now.

Share your images here:

Kara Layfield: Just in awe!!! Your work is beautiful!!! It's a treat for my eyes! :)

Dezarae: Wow these are stunning! LOVE your work, Zoe!

Laura Morita-Yeun: You, Zoe Berkovic, are the backlighting master. I love these so much!

Julie Delgado: Amazing! Love the light in these. Beautiful.

Lina: Weeee! Love it!

amy: very cute. love.

Kathleen: I love the sweet innocence that you capture. the way you use lighting to convey a feeling is amazing.

Claire: Great shots Zoe!

Audrey Litfin: Absolutely amazing Zoe!! You shots are always so crisp and clean, LOVE them.

amy: gorgeous!!!! love love the light in these!! stunning!

Teeny, tiny, mini, itsy-pitsy, minute, and minuscule. I love them all. Anything that can be created as a miniature version of something bigger holds a certain charm to me. Especially when it comes to people. :)

I had to stop from my busy schedule to post at least a mini sneak peak of some of the mini sessions already photographed. I look forward to the rest of them!

In the meantime enjoy these really little people full of really big emotions, dreams, and expressions.

Share your images here:

Julie Delgado: Love! Perfection.

Joanna: awww, love these!!

Jen Gasper: Zoe, I pretty much love everything you create. You are brilliant. These are perfection.

Tori Piercy: The look of joy in these is so priceless! Oh, how I would *love* for pictures like this of my children. Gorgeous, gorgeous work Zoe! And she is soooo adorable!

Lina: How fun, both shots are so spunky and fun :)

dsr: Always such beautiful work. That first one is amazing!

Jamie Siever: Zoe, you are so talented. These are just gorgeous - I cannot imagine how these kids' parents felt when they saw them! Gorgeous work, as always!

Kara Layfield: Love the energy that you always capture!! You have such a talent for capturing childhood!! Beautiful work Zoe!!

dawn: They look like they're having a ton of fun with you, Zoe. I can only imagine... :)

Rachel Aberle: Love them! Great work Zoe!

window light.

August 18, 2010

There is something about the outdoors. I love the space and the expanse; the air and the sky. I get the feeling of wanting to lift my face to soak in the rays of the sun and want to giggle with glee as I  hold my hands up as far as they reach. I do contain myself though so as not to be locked up in a funny farm. hehe.

I have to admit though there is something about the indoors too. Something about light streaming through a window and the homey warmth of a chocolate chip smelling kitchen.

This session pays homage to my love of indoor natural light and all the photographic possibilities that explode with it.

Mazel Tov on your upsherin Mr. A. . I hope you will always sparkle with life as you do now.

Share your images here:

Julie Delgado: Love the light! She is so cute. These are GREAT!

Katherine Durham: Really beautiful Zoe! There is truly nothing like window light. Mazel Tov to him. Such a big accomplishment :)

lisa lucky: beautiful Zoe, my fave is the fan one! i always look forward to what you are going to come up with next!

Leiba: What a sweet boy! Love how you captured him!

Joanna: These are really gorgeous - I love the lighting and the childhood - carefree feeling you get. Indoor or outdoor you are really amazing!

Kathleen: Beautiful work, and amazing use of light. Gorgeous!

Salina J: Beautiful! I do love the light, so soft and warm!

Carrie: Beautiful use of light and simple props! Divine!

Lina: Oh Zoe, those are so good. And so fun. And scream childhood !

Kara Layfield: I agree...these props are just so simple but have such a HUGE impact. These are AMAZING Zoe as always!! Your photographs always evoke such beautiful emotion of childhood. You captured him perfectly!

amy: Wonderful Lighting.. soft..

Kim: So gorgeous. I love looking at your images!

Barbara Hurst: Your work is always so much fun and so classic and timeless.

Leah Jent: You are so full of ideas and inspiration!! I love your photographs!

dawn: I LOVE the fan shot. What great images!

Laura Morita-Yeun: True talent just lives inside of you. These are lovely.

shannon: these are great!! LOVE, LOVE the one with the fan!!!

dsr: LOVE these! Gorgeous light in the first two.

Tiffany Bender: handsome little guys....you are just so amazing!

EmilyC: ..and I LOVE your capture of indoor light! These are truly amazing, and you are truly talented Ms. Zoe!

Audrey: Beautiful....these totally made me smile. :) Love your photographs!!

Brandi-lee: Your shots have this way of making me so emotional, I tear up. The purity of your work is so impacting, I love these.

Rachel: Love your work! Great variety here and use of window light.

Kristi Deter: These are too cute. I LOVE the second one! Precious!

Kelly Mack: Wow Zoe - just magic!

Ramsey: So pretty. I love your use of window light. It is so fresh and clean.

Cindy: super sweet images Z! the light IS gorgeous

We  were driving home from the session singing in the car our own off key version of 99 bottles of beer on the wall. My kids. My husband. My family. All of us giggling hopelessly. We were up to 66 when the thought struck me. I love my family. Yeah, well, duh. (roll eyes.) But seriously, I love how we are all such unique individuals and how we mesh together to create one whole.

And that got me thinking about how lucky I am that I get to peek into the lives of other families. How connected I get and how awed I am to see the dynamics and personalities weld into one fantastic unity.

This family was especially rewarding. I feel so blessed that they gave me the opportunity to step into their lives for a bit and get to photograph and document with art who they are both individually and together as a family. C Family you are all so beautiful both inside and out.  Thank you for allowing me to capture just a slice of it. I can’t wait to show you all the rest of what we created together.

Share your images here:

Becky Earl: Zoe, these are phenomenal! LOVE!

shannon: zoe, these are amazing!! i am LOVE with the one of the the boy reading on the blanket. they are all seriously, amazing!!

Claire: Gorgeous Zoe! You have the best locations.

Jen Gasper: Once again, you have outdone yourself! Everything you create is truly art and so inspiring. And so lucky for you to work with such gorgeous people and locations!

Daniela: Stellar work yet again. I am blown away by the amazingness of your images...the colors, the expressions, everything about them is fan-freaking-tastic!!

Kristin: Fabulous Zoe. They are all great, but that family picture is so amazing. I want that for my family :).

Cindy: beautiful family! You captured them perfectly. LOVE the setting

Kara Layfield: Simply Stunning!! Love the lighting and the gorgeous location. The way you capture each individual is magical!!

Joanna: Wow, these are so fabulous!

Kristen: seriously zoe...where is this??? these are all simply incredible!!! i think I want our next shoot here!!! You're amazing!!!

lisa lucky: so so so beautiful!!! too much for words!

Julie Delgado: Fantastic! Love looking at your work. You are so talented! Beautiful kids!

Dezarae: Oh wow Zoe! I would love a picture of my daughters like the girl and the horse one you capture! Absolutely beautiful!!

Faigy: Wow! Wow! Wow! These are unreal! Every capture is a true masterpiece!!

Michelle Kane: You find the coolest locations that just "make" your images. Awfully wonderful once again!

Leiba: Wow Zoe! Your posts never fail to inspire me in so many ways! Beautiful!

Laura Morita-Yeun: Zoe, your understanding of light, composition, styling, and most of all love and connection always BLOWS ME AWAY. Is it cheesy to say that you make me want to be a better person? I adore these.

Jill Velicer: 'Wow' doesn't do this justice. I'd LOVE to learn some tips from you someday.

Lina: oh my world, Zoe, those are superb! Breathtaking captures. Such a lucky family, beautiful!

Zoe Berkovic: Thank you all of you. :)

Christie: You = AMAZING!!!! Seriously, these are fantastic! Every single one I would want ginormous. Gorgeous family, I love how you captured their personalities!

Katie: Amazing! Love the one with the horse, gorgeous!!!

Barbara Hurst: Gee Wiz Zoe these are marvelous. love the pumpkin patch.

cmom: Z, Thank you for a breathtaking day that we will cherish forever!

T. Hirsch: Zoe amazing!!!

Ramsey: I will not come to NY without a visit to you. You bring out the best of childhood and photograph it.

Brandi-lee: Yep, yet again, you totaly get those awesome shots every time. I LOVE that one of the girls together!!

Carrie: Zoe it is no surprise that I love all of these, but the shot with the horse stopped me for a moment! Absolutely stunning!

amy: Love these. There are wonderful. Location is WOW..

Audrey: Absolutely stunning images Zoe, I love them so so much!!

Anya Coleman: Wow – these are fabulous. Love them!

ashley: Oh my goodness! They have to be just thrilled. These are exquisite!

Rachel: What a beautiful family, and these images are all amazing. Gorgeous light and colors!!

Leah Jent: Zoe, you have outdone yourself. Beautiful!!

amy: these are truly stunning images!!!!

Liat Biderovsky: Incredible as always Zoe! Love your work... you gonna come to Aus to shoot my newborn?? ;-)

Amanda Keeys: Wow, wow, and WOW. Everything, every single one of them, is perfect.

Just one for now. This time I will let the image speak for itself.

Share your images here:

Joanna: Love it!

Cari Berry: Wow. Gorgeous.

Jill: And you know what? I actually went "mmm" when I saw this lol Gawjuss Zoe!!

Barbara Hurst: I was going to say the same as Cari, just gorgeous Zoe

Laura Morita-Yeun: It's as though the child and the sky and the sand are all connected in perfect bliss. LOVE THIS IMAGE.

Leah Jent: I always love the joy in your work. You are such a great talent, Zoe!

Lina: GORGEOUS!!

Malin: Wow!

Brandi-lee: Very, very, very cool shot!!

Stephanie T: WOW... this shot made me gasp. Beautiful and one of my favorites that I have seen in a long time.

Faigy: Wow!! Your work is simply BEATIFUL!

Faigy: Wow!! Your work is simply BEAUTIFUL!

Jill Velicer: Stunning! Amazing work as usual.

dsr: That's beautiful Zoe! Would love to see it really BIG!

You know the feeling you get after a successful shopping spree? The kind that promps you to keep on peeking at your finds and makes you smile and squeal to yourself a little in total bliss. When I got to meet this beautiful family today that same sensation bubbled up in me. That kind of “wow. I am so lucky to have found this.” happiness that fills you in its entirety. I challenge you to see for yourself why I didn’t want this session to end, why I wanted to take them all home with me, and why I smile and squeal a little to myself as I go through these. one by one.

F family, thank you for such a blissful and wonderful morning. I can’t wait to show you the rest.

Share your images here:

Shannon: I totally get it.....and I can see why you loved this session! Adorable, beautiful, perfect!

Kate Craft: simply amazing as always

Joanna: I see it. These are so good! you are definitely one of my favorite photographers. LOVE these!

Michelle Kane: Completely darling! Love it as always!

Daniela: Wow, just beautiful. your work is stunning :)

Chanie F.: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have such an amazing eye and captured their personalities spot on!

Lina: Those are so adorable. And they truly represent childhood. Beautiful work.

Barbara Hurst: That last image could just make your heart melt. Love it.

Laura Morita-Yeun: Love these, Zoe! The sparkle in their eyes, their happy smiles, their love for each other. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Julie Delgado: Stunning!

Whitley Pollet: I love these!!!! A beautiful family for an amazing photographer!!!

Jen Reif: What a fun session! I love the one with the hats.

Salina J: Lovely! These are very happy and fun.

Audrey Litfin: Amazing captures Zoe, I just adore your style!! I love the clarity of your images, so awesome!!

Leiba: Zoe, you blow me away, on a regular basis! These are really really beautiful! And gorgeous children too!

Leiba: Zoe, you blow me away, on a regular basis! These are really really beautiful! And gorgeous children too!

ashley: Precious and beautiful. Love every one!

Nichole: Absolutely beautiful. I adore the one with the coke bottle. So cute. I love the color in them all.

Brandi-lee: You always amaze me with how you come up with fresh ideas to show the beauty of childhood. These are pure perfection Zoe!!

monyeen: i love the first outfit with the boots! always such beautiful images.

Kim: I love your work. It is amazing! Following the blog for sure!

dawn: UGH! These are just amazing, Zoe. Love them!

Tori Piercy: Oh wow Zoe! This might be one of my faves from you! The family is gorgeous and they are styled to perfection! That location is divine and you sure worked it! GREAT job!!

Fabiana Beatriz: Zoe, these portraits just RADIATE energy. No wonder you did not want it to end - they are adorable. I think I need a copy of the "hat" one...it brings the biggest smile to my face!!! Just Priceless!

desi: just gorgeous!

Leah Jent: Beautiful. I love them all. And especially love a child giving herself a hug. So sweet!

Dezarae: Wow, you are wonderful at capturing the emotion and soul of childhood! Youre photos blow me away!

Katie: Man, these are adorable!!!

amy: Beautiful captures. Adorable..

Today I am grateful. Today I take the love and wonder hidden inside me and I try not to take it for granted. Often I forget. I am very human, and yes my kids tantrum and can be, well, kids. But today I will smile instead of sigh. Today I will try to  close my eyes, inhale, and think of the wondrous gifts I have been granted. Mostly the gift of my being here, today.

Earlier this week my friend and fellow photographer Kathy has lost her battle to cancer. I knew it was coming, refreshed her blog like a madman, and couldn’t stop thinking about her. But still I was unprepared for it when I found out. It was as if someone came and punched me in the gut. It hurt. hard.  And all I wanted to do was curl myself up and cry.  Worse was thinking about her beautiful baby girl, loving husband, and wonderful family, and how they must be hurting.

Kathy had such a strong strength and spirit about her. She gave this battle her very all. Yes cancer took her away from us, but she didn’t lose the battle. She won by inspiring many, many people with her  fierce will to fight and hang onto hope and life.

Just one image that I have to share today. Just because it took by breath away and so adequately expresses what I feel.

Share your images here:

Lina: l.o.v.e

Julie Wagoner: Zoe, your way with words is almost as amazing as your talent with a camera. Thank you for putting into eloquent words the same feelings I have had this week...and thank you for sharing such a wonderful and inspiring image.

Melanie Talley: Your work is completely inspiring. I love everything I see. Excellent work

Leiba: I also had an emotionally wrenching week, thank you for putting into words an important reminder of what is important in life.

Joanna: beautiful words and beautiful picture.

Kelly Mack: Amazing Zoe.

Carrie: Beautiful post Zoe x

Laura Morita-Yeun: I am so sorry for your loss and my heart is broken for Kathy's family. Thank you for your writing. You have a way with words.

Brandi-lee: Just like Kathy, this shot is inspirational and a true reminder to embrace life.

Barbara Hurst: You have captured the joy in a little boy. Wonderful Zoe.

Julie Delgado: What beautiful picture. Love the light.

Kate Craft: Beautiful

Leah Jent: Today I am just in awe. So thankful for the many blessings I have been given. Life, love, joy, laughter... Zoe, that is a touching tribute to Kathy and a beautiful image.

Jill Velicer: Your story and then seeing the image welled up tears in my eyes. I will pray for Kathy's family during this tough tough time.

Boy am I grateful. I am grateful that I got to photograph these beautiful and vivacious boys. I am grateful that their wonderful Mom was so in-tuned to my style and vision and helped me plan it. I am grateful that after weeks of planning this shoot we pulled it off  amongst giggles, sun drenched acres, and sweet pleadings for more candy.

L., here is just a teeny tiny sampling of the sunshine we captured.

Share your images here:

Claire: He is adorable. I love them all Zoe!

Anelle: Zoe, these are awesome!!! Love the expressions, the colours, EVERYTHING!

Whitley Pollet: Wow Zoe!!! Your style is amazing and these are proof of that! Love love love the carnival set up!!

Nina Benjamin: These are absolutely gorgeous!! Great job!! Such adorable kiddos :)

Marzena: Zoe - those are fantabulous !!! What a great idea with the carnival! Way to capture the spirit of a little boy.

Amy: Oh how I love this Zoe.. Great captures and connection.

Jen Reif: Zoe-- These are all amazing! I love the timeless feel and the connection in #1.

JoNell: These are so awesome. Love the creativity. Gorgeous color.

Kate Craft: amazing as always. I love the second one

Tori Piercy: Zoe these are magical!! I adore the styling on these! And how cute are those boys- so so handsome!!

Fabiana: You captured some amazing sunshine, Zoe. I love you vision and your execution. Perfection!!!

shannon: these are absolutely heaven! love the carnival theme with the boys! adorrrrrrable!

Leiba: Awwww, such cute boys! LOVE what they are wearing!

Liz: I adore this session Zoe! You are amazing. They are the cutest little guys!!

Kathleen: Oh my - I love this concept. Your use of light is just absolutely amazing!

Kari Wright: Oh Zoe! Those last two are priceless, I love them both!

Jen Gasper: Zoe, I fell in love with these photos. I have never seen such originality and creativity captured as you have done hear. I want to beg for more images. They are sweet, they are tender, the are truly amazing and inspirational. You must so be a child at heart because it makes you so amazing at what you do. Love everything about them. (Oh, and the kids are pretty darling too!)

Cari Enticknap: I love love love these. Adorable boys - great creative concept. Everything you touch is magic - the light and color in these are amazing. Gorgeous!

monyeen: oh those boys have such personality in their faces. beautiful work.

Tiffany Bender: These are just amazing...although I am not surprised ; - )!!!!!

EmilyC: Truly inspired. There is obviously a lot of talent that goes into producing pictures like these! I will need to bring my kids for pictures!

Rebecca Rodriguez: Zoe, these are superb! I love them, the color's the light and memories that you have captured is beautiful!

Cindy: so sweet!

Lina: Those are fantastic! Your style is just divine, and those captures are to die for. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Michelle: Love the light and colors, but most especially love how you caught that little boy sweetness mixed with rough-and-tumble. Perfect styling, the carnival shot is to die for!

Laura Morita-Yeun: Do you know how you have those photographers blogs that you just love to stalk cuz you know you're gonna see some outstanding images, creativity up the wazoo, and just feel all around inspired? Well, Zoe, you are on that list. I adore adore ADORE your work and THESE ARE AWESOME. Sorry to shout. I just love them.

lisa lucky: zoe, those are gorgeous! another amazing concept perfectly executed!

Clarice: Oh wow they are both so cute and I love the carnival theme! Great images as always! Mom is going to have a hard time to pick.

SYlvia Borgo: These are so darling! Your style is one-of-a-kind. You captured these cutie-pies perfectly!

Barbara Hurst: such a cute series of shots. Love that second on of the little guys face, made me smile.

Karen: Zoe - totally awesome. I love how your photos tell a story. I so wish that one day I will be able to create art like this. Cute little boy and great theme. Great work

Leah Jent: TOO precious! I love the color and fun in your work. You are amazing, Zoe!

Joanna: I totally LOVE your work!

dawn: Zoe, these are SO great!! Mom is going to LOVE these!!

Kelly Mack: I love you Zoe! These are wonderful!

Carrie: Love your vision Zoe! Perfection!

Kara Layfield: Zoe these are perfection!! You always capture the spirit of childhood in such a beautiful way! I'm in love with these!

Stephanie: I love these! You are such a wonderful story teller, you work magic in every single image, and your subjects are about the most adorable I have ever seen!

ashley: I am so grateful for your blog.....I place where I am treated to beauty, innocence, and love and I leave feeling inspired!!!

Brandi-lee: what a fun, great idea for a shoot, that first one, oh my gosh!!! I bet the Mum LOVES that shot.

Faigy: Love this!

Katie: Amazing!

Share your images here:

Elle: Awesome! I wish we lived closer!! I'd sooo have you photograph my boys!!

Brandi-lee: :( wish Australia wasn't so far away from you. Great deal Zoe!

Laura Morita-Yeun: What an INSANE deal. I wish I lived there. I adore your work. Adore. Adore. Adore.

Barbara Hurst: What a gorgeous image and a great deal for anyone who wants a top knotch photographer.

Carrie: It is almost worthwhile flying over to see you with a deal like that!

Leah Jent: I would be all over this if I lived within 100 miles! What a great deal!

Zoe Berkovic: Thanks all of you for the sweet comments. :) And thanks to the enthusiastic response! Only one mini session slot still available!

Ariana: Zoe, I'd love to take your last slot! I've mentioned to you before that I have always dreamed of doing a mommy & me session with Jasper. I'd like for him to remember he had a mother, because if he looks at the family pictures you'd think he was raised by my husband alone LOL.

Kelly Mack: Move to Australia Zoe!

Stephanie: That is an awesome deal! I wish I lived near you, I would love to have you photograph my family. I love your style.