This is one of my favorite pics of the entire shoot! 

Shooting through trees and leaves adds a cool touch and feel to this photo!

We wanted to try some pictures with a city feel that was classic "Chicago".

This is at Lincoln Park Zoo! Such a great spot. I was so happy there were not too many people at this location. 

Enjoy the Video! 

Being siblings! 

Not sure what he was doing...but I love this shot. 

I think I have improved as a photographer over the last 7 years. 

To many more!!!

The skyline of Old Town Tallinn. 

I like the color of this building. 

I am not sure what it is about this picture but I like it a lot!

Imagine the conversations had around this dinner table. 

Beautiful roofs.

The old being made new. 

If you would only imagine how long it took me to get these two pictures without anyone in them...It was a while. 

Being guarded by a wall. 

One by one...the restoration continues.

Tampa, Florida, USA

San Diego, California, USA

Moscow, Russia

San Diego, California, USA

Tampa, Florida, USA

Tampa, Florida, USA

St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg, Russia

** If interested in buying photos feel free to contact me. **

Downtown Tampa during sunset.

This is the University of Tampa in Florida. The architecture is modeled after the middle eastern culture.  

The American flat can be a give away as to where this is located. 

I stayed at the Godfrey Hotel in Tampa. This was the view out of my room 6 days. 

This is one of the many mansions by the water I saw during a sunset cruise. 

Not a bad life style. However, not sure if I can afford this on a social worker salary. 

I love this photo. I have no idea who this couple is, but can you feel the romance? I took this picture while on a sunset cruise. The boat was heading out to the gulf to watch the sunset go down. I imagine this couple was doing the same. How romantic...sailing off to the sunset. 

The simplicity of Florida...Sun, Water, and Palm Trees. 

"They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy". Psalm 65:8.

Looking west from Bayfront Park, Sarasoda, FL.

Bayfront Park, Sarasoda, FL.

On Cinco De Mayo I spent the evening in Ybor City, just northeast of Tampa. After walking around and exploring this small part of Florida, I had dinner in the center of the city and people watched for a few hours. What a unique area. 

Ybor City Center. 

I am not sure if the bridges are normally blue or in celebration of the Tampa Bolts Hokey team doing well. Looks cool either way. 

Multicultural sail boat!

The city of Tampa really loves their Bolts! The city had a huge viewing party outside during one of their games. 

Feeding the hungry who turned out to watch the Bolt win that night. This one of several food truck. I love the colors in this shot. 

I'd rather not be in a hospital at all, but if I had to, I would like a room with a view of a beautiful sunset from Tampa General Hospital. 

Aeromed Tampa General Hospital. I'd rather not need their service. No offense guys. But I like your helicopter.  

Having a zoom lens allows me to get close without trespassing. Thanks Canon 70-200 f2.8.

** If interested in buying photos feel free to contact me. **

The song is an old Russian WWII song about a love story.

The title is "Смуглянка молдованка" and the translation is, "Dark-Skinned Moldovan Women". 

Talk about 1st century technology. Take a close look at the wheels...what do you see? 

Can you see the years of hard work on his face?

Color...bringing character.

His eyes tell a million stories.

Daily life.

Not as scary as it looks. 

Coffee...organic, basic, and homemade. Electricity not needed.

A natural source of potassium.

No need for a dishwasher. 

A private school's outdoor theater.

Adding color to life.

Preferred method of transport.

San Diego Skyline

Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial and the 27 foot cross at the top.

Looking out west and admiring the sunset at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

Old Glory flying high and proud. I love the lighting in this photo.

The city skyline at night. How the lights are reflected on the water make this picture so much more incredible. 

USS Midway Carrier Museum. It was the largest carrier for 10 years in the world when it was first built. 

This is on of my favorite pictures from my trip. This picture is an accident. I placed the camera down on the rocks and pressed the button and hoped it would turn out well. The camera chose to focus on the rocks in front, which gave the city skyline a slightly blurry focus. For you camera enthusiast... the camera settings were F29 and the exposure is 30 seconds. The white slanted lines fare airplanes coming into to land at San Diego airport.  

Old Point Loma Lighthouse. 

Cabrillo National Monument

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. It was amazing to walk around and read the names and the dates of those who served and died for this country. 

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

I am thankful to God for allowing me to worker at a place that gave me 9 weeks off for the summer. I am thankful that God kept all of us safe and healthy throughout  the duration of the trip. But most importantly, I am thankful we have a God who specializes in healing hearts, restoring the the brokenness within, and renewing hope. My friends, thank you for partnering with me this summer. 

Ekaterina

Braian

Tanya

Olga

Johanna

 Petra

Mukaddas 

Olga

Yuri

Neilly

Andrew

Sveta

Alex

     I knew someone in college who thought short-term mission trips where a big waste time. I remember them one day trying to destroy my rationale for why I thought short-term missions were a good thing. They were not interested in a meaningful conversation and I was reminded quickly how words have power to hurt. After I got back from this trip, I saw a feed on my Facebook about how short-terms missions are bad and how they destroy this or destroy that. As I read the article I was initially irritated. I thought to myself, here is another attempt to attack Christians trying to do something good, but as I read the article I start to notice I've heard this all before. In fact, the points this author was making were valid. In reality, there is a healthy way of doing short-term mission. Good intentions are NOT enough. I am not talking about THE right way of doing something or THE wrong way of doing something, I am talking about helping verse hurting. Our team read the book "When Helping Hurts" by Steve Corett and Brian Fikkert. This book was all about how to support and empower a culture that is in need of help instead of re-enforcing the cycle of poverty that exists in a 3rd world country. I highly recommend reading this book before going on short-term missions. 

     In the end it's not just about the home the team built. It's about forming relationships and partnerships. In reality I stink at building houses, I'm slow, and don't know what I am doing. In the time it took for me to hammer one nail into the wood for a roof, the Haitians would hammer four nails. I was sure I was slowing them down and not actually being a real help at all. Not once did they get mad or angry at my poor ability to balance on a wooden roof and hammer nails or how slow I was at laying down concrete for the walls. Looking back our team's presence there was not all able building a home, it was about forming relationships and creating memories. I got to spend a week in a culture I knew very little about. I got to learn their language and taught them part of mine. I went with an attitude of learning and partnership. I got to use my passion of photography capture moments. In the morning before work started the two teams came together to do devotions. Two cultures, two life styles, two countries... ONE AMAZING GOD!  

Mixing the concrete for the walls.

Re-enforcing the walls with steel cross beams.

Pouring the concrete floor.

In February I was able to visit some old friends from when I was in high school. Rick was my youth pastor back in high school. He and he wife, Beckey, moved to the Dominican Republic about 10 years ago to be missionaries. I was in Haiti this past month and decided to cross the island and visit with them before heading back to the states. It was truly a wonderful trip. It was such a pleasure to be able to catch up with them. Since I brought my nice camera equipment I offered to do a family photo shoot for them. They showed me what they had done a few years ago, and I was happy to offer them a much better quality photo shoot this time around. Enjoy!

Rick, Beckey, Ben, and Elena

Ben                                                                                              Elena

Rick and Beckey

The following are some pictures that I drew when I was younger. Hopefully ya'll can see the improvements. I sure can. 

Responding to a call. The light changing due to special light signaling that comes from the ambulance. 

Fire station. Sometimes. 

Look closely at the window. they are not parallel to the plane. 

I always wanted to fly on an airplane that takes off and lands on the water. "A Airlines" ...named after myself of course. 

Much Improved!

Take off time. 

Don't forget the luggage. 

Flight for life. Hopefully, I never need it as a patient. However, I did get to fly along with UCAN Chicago for one of my EMT Clinical rotations. They are a pediatric flight for life with University of Chicago Hospital.  

This is the picture they love from the first location. 

I like this picture. They were waiting for the the judge to come and get us. I wanted the pictures from this shoot to have a old 1950's feel to it. The tile floor, the wooden bench they are sitting, and the faded colors help make this feel come true in this picture. 

Picture from the the ceremony.                                                                                                         Picture from the court house. 

This is one of my favorite photos from this shoot. I love the car, the flowers in the background and Tina's smile. 

I love this picture. I wanted to change the colors to give it an old 1950's feel. 

Here is the video from their photo shoot!

Ready...                                                   Set...                                                   GO!!!

I love her blue eyes and beautiful pink dress!

Enjoy...Words not needed. 

This is the video slideshow from the photo shoot July 2016.

October 2013                                             July 2016

Uganda is one of my favorite counties in Africa. I have been there two times, once in 2009 and once in 2015. Both times I went with Northmain Church of God, in Butler PA. The team goes for about two weeks and we partner with local missionaries and churches to help with various projects while we are there. Everything from running Sunday school to home visits and running medical clinics. We offered free tests for Malaria and HIV to anyone who came, we met with local widows and spent time listening to their stores. We organized games and fun activities for over 200 children. Most importantly, we spent time listening, praying, and caring for those who need it. At the end of the trip, I always seem to walk away receiving more than what I put in. I walk away in wonder of God's goodness and glory. Enjoy the video of our team. I am glad we get to share it with you!

Classes held in shipping containers. Doors and windows were cut out to help help increase airflow. 

Lining up to go to morning church before school starts. 

What are you looking at?

Goofy little smile.

I was hiding behind the wall and trying to be incognito as I captured the the kids leaving the classroom.  

I wonder what he is thinking. 

This little guy looked half asleep on the bike after lunch. 

This little one followed me for about 1/4 mile as I walked with some of my team members to a house to deliver food and provide some company. 

Brothers I would imagine...they sure do look alike

This is my FAVORITE PICTURE from my entire trip. I love the composition and the contrast with the colors.

Walking to school barefoot both ways...not a joke for them. 

Just chilling out by the side of the road. 

I love the smile. 

The uncertainty on his face is clear to me. 

He was proud to show off his bike, but more so, his ability to ride it. 

Daydreaming, sad, or lonely? I am not sure, but the raw emotion is written all over his face and body language. 

This little guy was getting upset that he was not able to move the bike pedal all the way around.  I watched him try over and over and with each unsuccessful attempt he would get more and more upset. He gave up and started to look for his mother. 

Lining up outside the medical clinic for their medical exams. This was part of a project that was started by Compassion International. 

My SECOND FAVORITE photo from this trip. She wears her years of life experience so well on her face. 

There were several church members who wanted to help support the team, but were not able to come with. So they made dresses. 

There two were not quite sure what I was doing. After I took the picture and showed it to them. Their smiles intensified. 

I really had to zoom in to capture this shot. I did not want him to know I was talking a picture of him. He was looking outside at other kids playing soccer. I was not sure if he was in trouble of what...but his eye contact is quite intense. 

Friendship if shown through hand-holding... no matter the age or gender.  

Going to a local store and getting new shoes is not always an option.

The church was full and so this little girl sat by the door listening to the message we brought to share.  

More waiting for medical check-ups. 

The children in the cities were much more outgoing and not timid. 

Showing off their tree climbing skills. 

Psalm 56:13

For you have delivered my soul from death, indeed my feet from stumbling,

so that I may walk before God in the light of the living. 

As photographer, I have realized that trying to pose little kids for pictures can be very difficult at time and even frustrating. But time after time I also realize that its the candid shots that do the best job of revealing their unique personalities. This photo shoot was no exception. In particular, I am thinking about the close up pictures of Makayla and Mia. When I sat the two girls down on the bench I imagined both girls looking at me smiling with the sun rays coming through behind them and don't get me wrong it would have been a great picture, however, what turned out was so much more precious and unique. It captured their personalities and their relationship in the moment. Taking the pictures on the tanks was also fun...not sure of many places people can go and climb on tanks and have family photos taken of them. Thanks Mark and Maralee for this fun shoot. 

I really like how the cartwheel photos turned out with the sun behind her and the shadows in front. 

I like the tank photos. 

Mom and her two girls.

There is only one reason why fall is not my favorite time of year and if you are from Chicago you might understand. As the characters from The Game of Thrones TV show would dreadfully say "Winter is coming". Having grown up in Russia for 10 years, one would think I am accustomed to bitter cold winters...not so at ALL!

However, when I take the approaching winter out of the equation, Fall is truly a wonderful season. The cool breeze, Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks, and the fall colors do bring a refreshing change to a long and hot summer. 

The fall colors also brought a vibrant back drop to my family photo shoot with Jess, Bobby, & Jase. As a photographer, I have not yet figured out the trick to make a baby smile and look at the camera on queue. So my back up plan is to take as many photos as possible and hope that I have a few that turn out alright. I have not had a photo shoot where this backup plan did not work. Thank you Jess and Bobby for allowing me to capture your beautiful family and create some photos to last a lifetime. Oh yes, thank you Jase...even though you make it tough for me. However, all is well between us! 

These pictures were taken at the Spring Valley Park in Schaumburg, IL. 

Daddy knows how to make him smile! 

The picture in the red rocking chair was difficult to capture. Jase's sense of balance is not quite developed yet. 

Jess kissing the baby is by far one of my most favorite photos from this shoot. I love Jase's blue eyes.  

Check out their video below!

Check out their family shoot video! 

Below are two family photo shoots that I was able to do in the spring time. I love being able to capture candid moments during photography sessions that express the unique personalities of the individual family members. These locations in Wheaton, IL and downtown Naperville, IL. I hope you enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed shooting them.

Thanks Everyone!

Here is a short Christmas Story for you and your kin.

Krista and Chris had no special plans this year, just the two of them and their Christmas tree you see.

But wait, something changed. With love in their heart they rescued a puppy and Bradly they called him and gave him a home.

The two became three and their Christmas was filled with energy that would last through the year!

The pictures above are taken in Garfield Park, Chicago, IL

The other pictures were taken in Humboldt Park, Chicago, IL

The Bird Houses

This is Joe and he is responsible for all the bird houses behind him. A creative genius I think. I enjoyed meeting him and learning about his story. He is able to take something broken and give it life. He is making new what once was old. Skip down to read more about his story. 

I remember seeing these bird houses both times I came to the Covered Bridge Festival. However, this year I was able to meet the man and learn the story behind these bird houses. The man's name is Joe and he has been making them for many years. If you take a close look you will be able to see there is something unique about each and every bird house. No two are alike, weather it be the colors in the metal roofs or the texture of the wood, each house is different. I asked him where he got his materials from and what inspired him to make bird houses. He said that all the houses were made from materials that he got from broken down barns that he would see around his area. He said he was tired of looking at broken down barns and not doing anything about it.  Talk about killing a few birds with one stone. With one hobby, he is able to recycle metal and wood and turn it into a profit. Yes pun intended, after all, they have a few places to hide in thanks to Joe.

Here is a link to his website:  

The Metal Shop

Talk about a metal shop! This store had everything one might imagine made out metal. Everything from scull faces and peace signs to every letter of the English language in different sizes as well. If rustic metal is not up to your satisfaction, no worries, painted signs with lights are also their specialty. The two people responsible for this shop are Preston Mulvene and Sarah Smith.

Here is a link to their website: http://www.theglobalswapshop.com

Snack Station

Fresh fruit on a stick and the one thing that can make it better...Chocolate!

Antiques

The rest of the pictures are some of the cool antiques that were for sale. 

This is one of my favorites!  The differences in the facial expressions among the family members make this picture come alive. The mother's smile is priceless as she holds her daughter on a cool fall day. The son looking into the distance dreaming away kept safe in his father's lap and a proud daddy and husband who is taking in the moment being surrounded by those who mean the world to him.  And of course the fall colors in the background are wonderful!

These two pictures are just cute! The relationship between the big sister and little brother can be seen. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two ladies in Daddy's life! 

 

   

 

Dreaming away! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One happy family! 

 

 

 

 

 

I was armed with a simple point and shoot digital camera. I was playing with some locate village kids one day and with no real intention or purpose in mind I took a close-up head shot of a kid I met. After reviewing the picture in the camera, I was inspired to take more similar photos. After getting back I decided to call this album "Faces of Africa." The stories they tell. Enjoy. 

Title: "Welcome"

A beautiful smile that says welcome to my home. 

Title: "Come Find Me"

Physically this teenager is in front of me, but emotionally I wondered where he was at? This photo is one of my favorites because of something you cannot see. Behind me is about 15 little kids trying so hard to make this young man smile. Some are jumping around, some are making funny faces, and others are trying desperately to see into my camera view finder to see the image I captured. 

Title: "What Are You Looking At?"

I love the colors of this photo. Three very different expressions are captured. 

Title: "Yes I Am Cute, I know"

Words are not needed to explain this picture. 

Title: "Let Us Be Friends"

This kids was one of my favorite. I met him at one of the schools that I taught at. He had so much energy, curiosity and rebellion in him.

Title: " I Spy"

This picture was taken during a game I call "Shoulder, Shoulder, Head." Its the same as Duck Duck Goose, however, the kids had a hard time understanding that concept because they did not know what what a duck or goose was and I did not have a translator who could explain. So instead of saying duck or goose, the kids would walk in a circle and touch the shoulder (duck) or head (goose). 

Title: "I'm Scared"

In reality, this girl is far away from and I zoomed in quite a bit. I wonder what she was thinking as she looked at me looking at her through my camera? 

Title: " I Need You"

Letting his expression do the talking.  

Title: " My Best Friend"

Somethings are universal. 

Title: " I See You There Looking At Me" 

Again, I love the colors of this picture. The contrast between the green grass and light colored straw roof is nice. The torn up close on this child and distended stomach gives the viewer a glimpse into the impoverished lives of some villagers. 

At one point during the shoot I was taking pictures of Courtney as Brody was near by. He comes to us and says, "Come watch me fly." He then spreads his hands apart and starts running around making airplane noises. I quickly realize this is an opportunity for a photo and try to focus my camera on Brody as he continues to run around pretending to be an airplane. Click. I hope I got it I think to myself. In that moment I was reminded how fun it was to be a child. To be worry free and letting my imagination guide my play time. Yes, there are times that I miss those days. I hope Brody one day looks back at this picture and is reminded of what it felt like to be child.  

What I learned from this night:

1. Having a tripod is a must! 

2. Wind off of the lake make it difficult to capture good night shots. 

3. Black and white night photos of Chicago look amazing!

Chicago By Night Taken at 31st Street Harbor. Looking North. 

Chicago By Night Taken at North Ave. Beach. Looking South. 

Chicago By Night Taken at 31st Street Harbor. Looking North.

Chicago By Night Taken at North Ave. Beach. Looking South.

Chicago By Night Taken over the Lake Shore Drive looking South near Lincoln Park Zoo.

Chicago By Night Taken over the Lake Shore Drive looking South near Lincoln Park Zoo.

Chicago By Night Taken over the Lake Shore Drive looking South near Lincoln Park Zoo.

Chicago By Night Taken over the Lake Shore Drive looking South near Lincoln Park Zoo.

This is by far my favorite picture from the night. I call it "Life In The Fast Lane" What do you all think?