Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Our family portrait at Pink Elephant Labs

I always love a simple but well-taken photograph and appreciate that it is not easy to take one. As the owner of Pupsik Studio, I have put together several photo sessions with models by some pretty amazing photographers. However, I never had the chance to organise a professional photo session for the family. Over the years, we have had several good pictures taken of the girls but rarely one taken together as a family.

I have long admired the work of a small home-based studio called Pink Elephant Labs. Known for her simple, fun and candid style, photographer Indriana strives to get portraits that show her clients' personality and their relationship with each other. So it was really a privilege for us to finally engage her to do our long awaited family portraits. 

Prior to the shoot, Indriana was really thoughtful to mentally prepare us and sending us a list of clothing suggestions for the family. We were advised on the colours that will go while with certain backdrops and very importantly, what to avoid such as busy graphic patterns and big logos. 

The shoot took place in Indriana's home in Tampines. It is amazing how she cleverly converted her HDB home into a comfortable photostudio apartment complete with all the necessary props and lighting gear to create the perfect environment for a great photo. Being in a home, the kids definitely felt more at ease and it was not long before they warmed up to Indriana.

Here are some of the pictures we took from the session:

Left: Nadya (3yrs) , Right: Vera (5yrs)

Nadya (who is always up to something)

Vera
The entire shoot took less than an hour and we chatted comfortably with Indriana throughout the session. She was sensitive to notice the needs of the children and constantly kept them interested and entertained by whipping out different props and funny antics.
The girls with their favourite stuffed animal friends

 As you can probably tell, the kids had no qualms pulling funny faces at the camera which really reflected their real personalities.
Taking these pictures reminded me somewhat of our wedding portrait taken 7 years ago
And finally, our long awaited family portrait. We will treasure this moment always.

Thank you Indriana for helping us take these precious photographs which we will love and treasure for a long time!

x,
The Zagorodnovs


For the lastest promotions, do check out Pink Elephant Lab's website, blog and Facebook page! The first 5 customers to book a photo session with Pink Elephant Labs will get a $25 gift voucher to spend at Pupsik Studio!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Fundraising for Little Nur

A member of the Pupsik team shared with me the story of Little Nur today.  Really sad to hear how this little girl is suffering and how helpless she and her family are in this situation...

Little Nur is 4, has only 'weeks to live' unless she gets a heart transplant. Her heart inflammation has caused her kidneys to deteriorate, which in turn has caused her abdomen to bloat until her tummy is now twice its normal size. The little girl's bloated stomach, pressed against her other organs, also causes her to suffer from breathlessness, severe pain and a regular fever.

To understand more about Nur's plight, please click on the following links below:
  1. Yahoo
  2. AsiaOne
  3. Little Nur's Heart Fund
There’s no cure for Little Nur except for a heart transplant which has to be performed in either the United States or Europe.

The cost of such an operation is something their family cannot afford. The family of 6 depend on her security supervisor husband’s monthly pay of about $2,200 and live in a two-room rental flat in Ang Mo Kio. I can only imagine the emotional and financial strain that is being placed on this family as they care for Little Nur during this difficult time.

To show our support for Little Nur and her family, all net proceeds from the sale of smartmom teething pendants between 1-8th June will go to Nur's family. 

Please purchase a pendant if you would like to show your support for Nur during this short fundraising period. If you would like to help Little Nur by donating directly to her via a fundraising effort organised by a close friend of the family, please click HERE.

Lets do whatever little we can to support someone in need. Please help spread the word.

Thank you so much!

The Pupsik Team

"Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain."
Helen Keller