Cumhuriyet Bayrami'miz Kutlu Olsun!  Daha nice, nice seneler bunu soylemek nasip olsun.

2013-06, DSC_7955 retouch

Temiz, isikli, dogru, durust yollardan yurumeye devam edebilecegimiz,
Cocuklarimizi baris, medeniyet, insaniyet icinde buyutebilecegimiz "yarin"lara insallah...

Isiklar icinde yat, canim Ata'm.
Hersey icin sag ol!!!  Seni hic unutmadik, hic unutmayacagiz.  Cok derinden seviyoruz.

- Pamira

The Angel is in the Details | NJ Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen

Newborn details, macro, baby hands, feet, eyelashes, lips. Newborn Photography. New Jersey Family Photographer, Newborn Photographer Pamira Bezmen.

They say "The Devil is in the details", and it probably is true, but I've noticed that the Angel is also in the details.

Even at the age of 3, I watch my daughter sleeping. I just lie next to her and I get as close as I can. 

I watch her breathing. I study every little detail on her face: 

The tiny little nose, the long eyelashes, the pout, the little fingers, toes, and nails...

Every little detail is perfect.

Created with care and wisdom.

DSC_3071Newborn details, macro, baby hands, feet, eyelashes, lips. Newborn Photography. New Jersey Family Photographer, Newborn Photographer Pamira Bezmen.

DSC_3075Newborn details, macro, baby hands, feet, eyelashes, lips. Newborn Photography. New Jersey Family Photographer, Newborn Photographer Pamira Bezmen.

DSC_3088Newborn details, macro, baby hands, feet, eyelashes, lips. Newborn Photography. New Jersey Family Photographer, Newborn Photographer Pamira Bezmen.

DSC_3078Newborn details, macro, baby hands, feet, eyelashes, lips. Newborn Photography. New Jersey Family Photographer, Newborn Photographer Pamira Bezmen.

You cannot look at the little details on a newborn and not fall in love with them.  You cannot not notice the perfection, the beauty, and the function.  Newborn details, macro, baby hands, feet, eyelashes, lips. Newborn Photography. New Jersey Family Photographer, Newborn Photographer Pamira Bezmen.

You cannot not take your hat off and bow down in awe and amazement.

If you are a believer, you will believe deeper.  If you are not a believer, you may just end up believing after noticing these details.

Each one is a tiny little replica of what it's supposed to one day grow into, and fully functional, too.

I am convinced, the Angel is in the details... Of our little ones.

That's why I now include a close-up study of your precious baby in each newborn session. 1739Newborn details, macro, baby hands, feet, eyelashes, lips. Newborn Photography. New Jersey Family Photographer, Newborn Photographer Pamira Bezmen.

So that when those hands are big enough to help you carry the grocery bags, when those feet are large enough to run and jump, you can still remember, just a while back, how small, fragile and delicate they were.  How sweet they smelled.  How you sat there staring at them for hours without getting bored.

So that you can continue to be reminded of the miracle and gift of this angel who was placed in your arms and life.

The Angel is in the details, and the details are in the Angel...

Go ahead. Take an hour. Leave your phone charging. Turn off your laptop and tablet. Just sit there, stare and fall in love...

Love,

- Pamira

1793 copyNewborn details, macro, baby hands, feet, eyelashes, lips. Newborn Photography. New Jersey Family Photographer, Newborn Photographer Pamira Bezmen.

The Light in Me Sees the Light in You |  Visiting Day at For The Animals Sanctuary in Blairstown, NJ

story and photographs by New Jersey Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen Photography

October, 12, 2014

Mom and baby petting rescued goat Henry at For the Animals Sanctuary, Blairstown, NJ. Compassionate living. Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen Photography.

If you are like me and many others raised in the Western culture, you probably grew up eating meat. It was always "eat your protein", "eat your meat", "drink your milk".

Even when I got hard core into working out and "living healthy", I consumed a lot of dairy and meat for protein.

DSC_5122Mom and baby petting rescued Cow Amy at For the Animals Sanctuary, Blairstown, NJ. Compassionate living. Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen Photography. Now this is not me talking from a higher place, nor am I trying to convert anyone to veganism, but in the past couple of years, I've been having a hard time digesting all that goes on in dairy farms and factory farms to raise the "food" we are so accustomed to consuming out of a package.

A ton of studies and data suggest the harmful health effects of consuming dairy and meat, in addition to many environmental and scientific concerns such as carbon footprint, waste, climate change, soil erosion, greenhouse gases, overgrazed pastures, water shortages, contamination in our water sources, inefficient use of fossil energy, the hundreds of millions of people we could not feed with that grain given to farm animals, etc, etc, etc... the list goes on and on...  - on none of which I am an expert - that state that modern society has come to a point of consuming way too much of these "foods", at a very high cost to the earth, other species, and the future of our children. 

While talking about poverty and famine, we often forget that a huge portion of usable land in the United States is occupied to grow food for the factory farmed animals, and more than half the grain grown is fed to farm animals.

I don't know about you, but I can't help wonder:

"What if we used all that beautiful bountiful soil to grow healthy, wholesome fruits, veggies, and legumes full of vitamins, minerals, useful phytochemicals, protein, shining in all gorgeous colors of the rainbow, and we fed the people of the world with it - instead of growing a bizillion tons of GMO-corn to feed cows, pigs and chickens, which will cause them to live miserable lives on antibiotics?"

(until they are slaughtered, of course, and then we eat them and ingest the antibiotics that cause super bugs that are impossible to kill)

All that aside, the ethical concern about how these farm animals are treated is probably the most tangible and immediate issue for me.  It does not matter so much to me any more whether or not humans are meant to be omnivores and cave-men hunted bison for food, or if cows are bred for human consumption and otherwise would not have existed in the first place, or if we truly need our protein to come from an animal source, blah blah blah, and many other reasons and excuses we may find to continue consuming animals...

The issue is this: If a creature is capable of feeling pain, do I have the right to hurt it?

DSC_5076Family Visit to For The Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate living. Photos by Pamira Bezmen Photography, New Jersey Family Photographer. When I find a dog, do I kick him?

When I find a cat, do I jam her into a cage so tight she can't even turn around or stand up, and have her live there all her life having baby after baby until she is so spent that I cut her and eat her?

When I find a beautiful horse, do I take her baby, kill it (and eat it) and then hook machines to the horse's teets to take her milk while she cries and cries after her stolen baby for weeks?

No.

Why would I do it to a cow, pig, goat or sheep?

I wouldn't.

And if I don't have the heart (or the stomach) to do any of this, why would I give money to someone else to do it for me?

I shouldn't.

But because old habits are hard to change, our journey is long.  We are eliminating one thing at a time. And trust me, once it's out, we realize we didn't need it so much.  We eat almost all organic, unprocessed, wholesome foods, take no medication, and almost never get sick.

Last weekend we went to visit For The Animals Sanctuary in Blairstown, New Jersey.

For The Animals Sanctuary is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to providing a safe haven and life-long veterinary care to rescued farm DSC_5217For the Animals Sanctuary, Blairstown, NJ. Compassionate living. Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen Photography. animals.  We drove about an hour from Verona and our baby fell asleep just as we were pulling in.  The weather was gorgeous, but we were stuck with a sleeping baby. What to do?

We gave our donations to the very sweet 10 year old girl who greeted us and put kitty cat stamps on our hands :)  Later we learned that her name was M.J. and she "volunteered" at the Sanctuary.  When I heard this, I wanted to weep in joy and love.  This little girl, who is so young, found it in her heart to "volunteer" at a sanctuary. 

I asked her what she did as a volunteer.  I must be honest, I expected her answer to be about some feel-good small task that did not add up to much.  I was doubly impressed when she said "I mostly clean poop."

I wanted to hug and kiss and love this girl, and thank her mama for raising such a wonderful human being.  We all have so much to learn from M.J. and her mom!

We laid our baby on a blanket under a tree and enjoyed the scenery for the next hour.  She slept in peace in the soft fall breeze while my fiancee and I basked in the sweet sun. 

We watched other visitors and volunteers go about. We didn't know anyone but everyone gave us a kind smile, a gentle head nod.  It was an unspoken agreement of some sorts. It meant:

"I see the light in you, and I salute the kindness in your heart, from the bottom of my own heart."

We were all there to support this organization and the people who dedicated their lives to helping save animals from torture, sickness, sadness, pain and eventually - unavoidably - a bloody and painful slaughter.

Family Visit to For The Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate living. Photos by Pamira Bezmen Photography, New Jersey Family Photographer. A bit later, we heard the sweet voices of some of our dear friends who were also there for the same purpose. My daughter woke up when she heard her dear friend Leela's cheerful voice, and we spent the rest of our day at the Sanctuary. 

We listened to the stories of each of the animals, how they ended up at the Sanctuary, their personalities. I wept a little when Tami, also a volunteer and M.J.'s mom, told me about how Grace the cow ended up at the Sanctuary with her newborn calf after 2 of her previous babies were taken away from her to be slaughtered for veal. - Remember the taste of that Veal Milanese?  It's someone's newborn baby! :(

We experienced their individuality as we talked to them, petted them and fed them.  The kids ran around in the sun, up and down the hill, rolling in the grass with joy.  We shared our food with one another and the animals.

Our Sunday at the Sanctuary was a wonderful experience. There was a deep sense of calm and completeness that came from loving, not killing. The vegan food we shared with friends on the blanket tasted better than any bar-be-que I can imagine.  The taste of compassion. The taste of love. The taste of giving up something in order to respect and protect another.

This, I feel, is what I want to teach my child.  Love for One. Love for All.

With special and deep thanks to all my vegan friends who have compassionately shown us a better, kinder way of living. With special thanks and gratitude to all people who have dedicated their lives to saving, protecting, and loving animals, and taking on the sometimes impossible challenge of educating a society of the facts and alternatives.

And a very deep and humble Thank You and I'm Sorry to all the animals who have had to suffer and give up their lives to provide us with food.

The light in me sees the light in you.  My heart is one with yours. My soul is a sister to yours. 

- Pamira

DSC_5382Visiting Day at For the Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate Living. New Jersey Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen Photography.

DSC_5251Family Visit to For The Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate living. Photos by Pamira Bezmen Photography, New Jersey Family Photographer.	DSC_5180Family Visit to For The Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate living. Photos by Pamira Bezmen Photography, New Jersey Family Photographer.
DSC_5238Family Visit to For The Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate living. Photos by Pamira Bezmen Photography, New Jersey Family Photographer.	DSC_5291Family Visit to For The Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate living. Photos by Pamira Bezmen Photography, New Jersey Family Photographer.
DSC_5331Family Visit to For The Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate living. Photos by Pamira Bezmen Photography, New Jersey Family Photographer.	DSC_5265Family Visit to For The Animals Sanctuary. Compassionate living. Photos by Pamira Bezmen Photography, New Jersey Family Photographer.

You can visit For The Animals Sanctuary on their web site or follow them on their For The Animals facebook page.

Presenting the "SPOOKTACULAR" Special Edition Halloween Sessions by NJ Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen

Pamira Bezmen Photography of Verona, New Jersey, presents the 2014 SPOOKTACULAR Special Edition Halloween session

on 2 days this year:

October 31 (Friday) from 10am to 4pm

November 1 (Saturday) from 10am to 2pm

2014, SPOOKTACULAR Special Edition

Only by appointment. Pre-booking required.

Studio session fee $50.

Minimum print order: $100

Jump on this spooktacular offer to have 3 lovely images of your little monster (or witch or angel or ...) for an unbeatable price.

It's so easy, you'll never regret the 15 minutes you invested in this project!

Call, book, dress'em up, come on over. Get amazing photos. Hang on wall. What's not to love!

But if you think you want a spot, you must remember to call and book first. These will fill fast!

If you think another friend will be interested, please forward on.

Call me at 862.812.2313 or e-mail me

I'm looking forward to seeing you on Halloween!

- Pamira

Pamira Bezmen Photography is in the Koç University (Koç Üniversitesi) monthly newsletter for October, 2014.

Thanks to my alma mater for sharing my news with other graduates and friends...  And many thanks to Güneş İngin ’03 for her personal attention in including my news in the newsletter.

To go to the interview page, please click here

To go to the newsletter, please click here

17 Eylül 2014 

Professional Photographers of America’dan ödüllü fotoğrafçı: Pamira Bezmen’97

Koç Üniversitesi’nin ilk mezunlarından 1997 Tarih mezunumuz Pamira Bezmen Amerika’da sürdürdüğü profesyonel fotoğrafçılık kariyerini Professional Photographers of America’dan aldığı ödülle taçlandırdı. Pamira ile fotoğrafçılığa nasıl başladığı ve aldığı ödül hakkında konuştuk.

Merhaba Pamira, bize kendini tanıtır mısın, profesyonel fotoğrafçılık serüvenin nasıl başladı?

1999 senesinde Amerika’da Drexel University’de MBA’imi bitirdikten sonra Amerika’da kurumsal iş hayatına atıldım.

Takip eden senelerde Wyeth, BASF, Novartis ve Reckitt Benckiser gibi dünya devi ilaç ve kimya firmalarında yükselen idari görevlerde global pazarlama, yeni ürün ve operations ekiplerini yönettikten sonra 2011 yılında kızımın doğumu ile aktif iş hayatını bırakarak bebeğimi kendim büyütmeye karar verdim ve başka ailelerin de anılarını ölümsüzleştirmek üzere daha önceki senelerde part-time olarak yapageldiğim profesyonel fotoğrafçılığı asil işim olarak benimsedim.

Ne tür fotoğraflar çekiyorsun?

Yılın büyük kısmını geçirdiğim New Jersey’de, hamile, yenidoğan ve aile fotoğrafçılığı üzerine bir niş edindim. Burada Amerikalı ailelerinin yanısıra doğum için Türkiye’den gelmiş pek çok Türk ailesine de sevgi dolu bir servis ve hayat boyu bakmaktan keyif alacakları fotoğraflar sunuyorum.

Türkiye’de fotoğraf çekimi yapıyor musun?

Türkiye’yi ziyaret ettiğim zamanlarda İstanbul’da da küçük bir miktar çekim kabul ediyorum.

Aldığın ödülden bahseder misin?

Bu sene fotoğraflarımdan biri Amerika’nın önde gelen bir profesyonel fotoğraf birliği tarafından ödüle layık bulundu. Professional Photographers of America’nin düzenlediği International Print Competition’da başarı ödülü alan bu portrem özellikle iki çocuk arasındaki sevgi dolu gerçek bir anı tüm dürüstlüğü ile görsel bir bütünlük ve akıcılık içinde yakaladığı için bu onura layık bulundu.

Ödülle ilgili duygularını paylaşır mısın?

Kalpten aşk ile yaptığım işimin tecrübeli meslektaşlarım tarafından bu onura layık bulunması beni hem çok duygulandırdı hem de teşvik etti. Giderek artan tecrübem ile müşterilerime yüksek kalitede ve en önemlisi onların hayatlarının gerçek güzelliğini artistik olarak hapsetmiş portreler sunmaya devam etmek profesyonel çizgim.

Mezunlarımız çektiğin fotoğraflara nasıl ulaşabilirler?

Profesyonel portfolyom www.pamirabezmenphotography.com adresindeki web sitemde bulunabilir.

İş ve özel hayatınızla ilgili paylaşmak istediğiniz güzel haberleri bu sayfalardan mezunlarımıza duyuracağız. Güzel haberlerinizi [email protected] adresine bekliyoruz.

Photography from the Heart... Pamira Bezmen Photography in the news

September, 28, 2014

What an honor it was to have been included in my dear mother's newspaper column in Pazar Vatan.  She is known for her high profile interviews and handling of social and political matters from a considerate, kind and humane perspective.  I am humbled that she and her editor have seen fit to write about me and my photography journey in this popular publication.  Thank you Nermin Bezmen, thank you Gazete Vatan, Vatan Gazetesi.

Bugun Pazar Vatan'da annecigim kosesinde bana yer vermis. Ne buyuk onur. Cok tesekkur ederim annecigim. Seni cok seviyorum. Umarim okuyan dostlarimiz da benim fotograf yolculugumla ilgili kucuk bir keyif yakalarlar. @ Pamira Bezmen Photography @ Nermin Bezmen.
Pazar Vatan "Kalp Gozuyle Cekilen Fotograflar"

click here for the interview page

Kalp gözüyle çekilen fotoğraflar

28.09.2014

  Nermin Bezmen

 

Eylül sonunun ılık Verona akşamında, İstanbul’a dönmeden önce kızım, damadım ve torunumla bir veda seremonisindeyim. İki haftadır beni uzun zamandan beri yaratmakta olduğu sihirli dünyasıyla daha da yakından tanıştıran Pamira’mla bu defa ana-kız olmanın dışında profesyonel bir sohbet yapıyoruz.

Pamira’yı on yedi sene önce Amerika’ya master eğitimi için göndermiştik. Sözüm ona iki sene sonra geri dönecekti. Ama öyle olmadı. Daha talebeyken kabul edildiği Wyeth bünyesinden BASF, Novartis, Reckitt Benckiser gibi ilâç sanayiinde dünya devleri olan firmalarda çok önemli pozisyonlara yükseldi. O günleri; “O zamanlar önemli gördüğüm işler yaptım. Ne zaman ki kızım doğdu o işlerin hiçbir değeri kalmadı. Kızımı kendim büyütmek istedim ve öyle de yapıyorum.” diye özetliyor Pamira.

Evet, gerçekten de bütün o başarıyı, yükselişi, kazanılan titr ve maddi imkânları Shaya’nın doğumu ile sildi, bir kenara attı ve çocuğunu kucağında, yanı başında tutabileceği, aynı zamanda huzur bularak birilerine de huzur verebileceği bir dalı kendisine meslek seçti. Bu öyle hemen olmadı ama azmi, inancı, çalışması ve hayatının akışını daha natürel ve harmoni içinde bir yola doğru değiştirmekteki kararlılığı onu yine başarıyla tanıştırmakta gecikmedi. Geçenlerde ‘Professional Photographers of America’nın düzenlediği ‘International Print Competition’a gönderdiği bir fotoğrafı ödüle lâyık bulundu. “Kâlpten verilen kararın gücü yanında geliyor.” diyor Pamira.

Daha çok para kazanmak, kendisinden küçük, büyük yüzlerce insanı yönetmek ve uluslararası şirketlerin işleyişinde payı olmak imkânlarını bir kenara bırakıp, sıfırdan, sadece yaşamın huzuru ve anlamı konusunda ortaya sanat koyabileceği bir işi seçmek her babayiğidin harcı değil. Bunu yapabilenleri her zaman takdir etmişimdir. Ama kızımı hep bir anne olarak desteklerken bir yazar merakıyla hiç sorgulamamıştım şimdiye kadar. Şimdi, fırsat mı fırsat, soruyorum; “Neden fotoğraf?” diye.

“Kendimi hatırladığım en eski hallerim hep fotoğraflarla pekişmiş anlar.” diyor, “Babacığımın elinde hep bir fotoğraf makinesi olurdu hatırladığım. Tüm özel günlerimizi, tatillerimizi, seyahatlerimizi, hatta gündelik hallerimizi dahi belgelerdik. Buna ek olarak da hem babaannemin hem senin ressam olmanız ve kardeşimle beni sabırla fırça ve renklerin büyüsüyle küçük yaşta tanıştırmış olmanız sanırım bende görsel yaratıcılık, dokümantasyon, sanat zevkini birleştirdi.”

Fotoğrafları bugün için değil 60 yıl sonrasına çekiyorum

Fotoğrafın anlamını; tüm insanlık hallerini bir küçük kapsülde hapsedebildiği, bebeklerin en masum yüz ifadelerini hiç unutulmayacak şekilde onun büyüklüğüne ve çocuklarına teslim edebildiği büyük bir şans ve lütuf olarak gören Pamira. “Fotoğraf çekerken Tanrı’nın yarattığı o güzel bebek, çocuk veya tüm ailenin gerçeğini, iç güzelliklerini, kâlp gözümle gördüğüm mükemmelliklerini yakalamaya çalışıyorum. Bu hem benim en zor ödevim, hem de en büyük tatminim.” diyor ve ekliyor: “Bu fotoğrafları bugün için çekmiyorum. 30 sene sonrası için, 60 sene sonrası için çekiyorum. O arada da keyfini sürmek işin kreması.”

İyi bir fotoğraf için iyi bir fotoğrafçının olmazsa olmazlarını; “Aşk. Sevgi. İnsana, doğaya, fotoğrafladığı şeye sevgi, saygı” diye yorumluyor, “ Hakkını vermek için bir söz vermektir kamerayı her ele alış. Ve tabii ki tesadüfen değil, bilinçli olarak hayâl ettiği fotoğrafı gerçeğe dönüştürebilmek için teknik bilgi, tecrübe ve yetenek. Son olarak da hayâlindeki fotoğrafın olabilmesi için her ortamı hazırladıktan sonra işi natürüne bırakabilecek kadar da alçakgönüllülük. Fotoğrafın estetiğini ve duygusunu veren en önemli faktör ise kâlp. Pamira’nın fotoğrafladığı hamile, bebek ve bebekli/çocuklu aile fotoğraflarında sanki ideal bebekler, ideal hamile kadınlar ve ideal aileler izleniyor. Bunda fotoğrafçı olarak katkısını soruyorum. “Bence” diyor, “ herkes ideal kadın, ideal bebek, dünya güzeli çocuktur. Herkes kendi mükemmelidir. Ben fotoğrafladığım kişileri böyle görürüm. Hepsine teker teker âşık olurum. Onların beni kendilerine âşık eden güzelliklerini fotoğrafımda yakalamaya ve yansıtmaya çalışırım. Şayet fotoğraflarımda gördüğünüz hamile kadınlar birer tanrıça, bebekler birer biju, çocuklar birer yapma bebek gibi görünürse gözünüze, benim gördüğümü size göstermeyi başarabildim demektir. Ne mutlu bana!”

Önceleri nü çekerek başladığı fotoğrafçılığının konu değiştirmesini “Kadın vücudunun güzelliğini yakalama arzum bir ailenin gelecek nesillerine miras bırakma arzusu tarafından kenara itildi. Şimdi bu tutkumu hamile kadınların güzelliğini fotoğraflayarak kat be kat tatmin ediyorum.” diye açıklıyor ve kendini hantal, şişman ve çirkin bulan hamile kadınları şöyle cesaretlendiriyor: “Hamile bir kadının vücudunda en yüce enerjiler, değişimler, en mistik güçler, Tanrı’nın en büyük lütufları iş başındadır. Kadınlık, annelik, bilgelik, güzellik, cinsellik, herşey üstün bir yerdedir. O, Tanrı’nın küçük bir elçisidir. Ben de bunu ölümsüzleştirmeyi seviyorum.”

The Last Roll of Toilet Paper | by New Jersey Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen

DSC_1997

If your family is like mine, you may be going through a ton of toilet paper, fast!

Last Tuesday, I noticed that we were down to the last 2 rolls.  I told my darling fiancee to go easy on the toilet paper until we could re-stock.

Then he had a long day at work, and I was busy with retouching and ordering, and no one went shopping.

On Wednesday we were down to our last roll.

Then it was cold and it rained.

Fiancee had another long day at work.

Thursday brought on other things to do, and it might have rained, or it might have threatened to rain, or maybe that was the day I took my daughter Shaya hiking in the woods...

No one went shopping.

On Friday, we still had that last roll.

On Saturday, we could finally go shopping to re-stock, but the funny thing was that we still had that same last roll going!

How did that happen?

While we could run through a whole roll in less than a day under regular circumstances, when resources were scarce, and when we consumed mindfully, we made the same roll last almost 4 days.

This made me think of how we live our lives.  The faster we roll, the more perceived resources we have, the more we consume.  Things, memories, and time alike.  We roll'em up and use'em up. Fast.  Then flush. It's gone. Way too fast!

When we slow down and start consuming more mindfully, we get to really minimize waste and maximize value.

We have so much to learn from our children about living life.  They are truly engrossed in whatever they do. They are in that moment, be it real or imaginary.  And the way they invest time in us. Without rushing. Without pretending. Truly watching. Truly listening. Truly enjoying. Truly "being" in that moment.

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Go ahead. Slow down. Make your time stretch. Breathe. Listen. Hug. Love. and Enjoy.

Make that last roll of toilet paper last. Especially when it comes to your kids and family.  Because this one roll you've got is the best roll you'll ever have in life.

With Love,

- Pamira

Note: We have since re-stocked on our toilet paper :)

An Honorable Award for Pamira Bezmen | New Jersey Newborn, Child and Family Photographer earns merit at the International Print Competition

Entangled

"Pamira Bezmen of Pamira Bezmen Photography is honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography."

My Friends,

An image I created earlier this year has recently been accepted into the General Collection of Professional Photographers of America's 2014 International Photographic Competition.

A panel of 45 eminent jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from nearly 5,000 total submitted entries. Judged against a standard of excellence, worthy images were selected for the General Collection and Loan Collection.
(click for press release)

And may I say how humbled I am to be on that list!

I thank you all for your continued love and support of my work and for trusting me with your family's memories.

This award is not an arrival point, but a mere landmark on my continuing journey to excellence.  I will keep on learning, growing, and getting better at my photography, and I will offer you all that I've got.

Thanks and Love,

- Pamira

Pamira Bezmen's Photograph ENTANGLED Earns Merit at the International Print Competition

Entangled
Pamira Bezmen of Pamira Bezmen Photography is honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography.

(Verona, NJ)(August 8, 2014)—A photograph created by Pamira Bezmen of Pamira Bezmen Photography in Verona, New Jersey has recently been accepted into the General Collection of Professional Photographers of America's 2014 International Photographic Competition. Bezmen's work will be on display at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee Feb. 1-3, 2015. This International Photographic Exhibition is held in conjunction with Imaging USA, an annual convention and expo for professional photographers and several photographic associations.

A panel of 45 eminent jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from nearly 5,000 total submitted entries at Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia. Judged against a standard of excellence, worthy images were selected for the General Collection and Loan Collection.

Titled ENTANGLED, Bezmen's photograph will be in the International Photographic Exhibition alongside other top photographic works from the competition and traveling and special invitational displays. These images constitute one of the world's largest annual exhibits of professional photography gathered simultaneously under one roof.

About PPA:
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest international non-profit association created by professional photographers, for professional photographers. Almost as long-lived as photography itself, PPA has roots that date back to 1869. It assists more than 27,000 members through protection, education and resources for their continued success. See how PPA helps photographers be more at ppa.com.

Contact: Pamira Bezmen Photography
862-812-2313 (U.S.A.)
[email protected]

A Summer in Love | by NJ Family Photographer Pamira Bezmen

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Having a "summer in love" means a completely different thing now at 39, as a mother and child photographer, than say when I was a young DSC_4454.2 corporate gal, childless, traveling the world in my high heels with a Blackberry permanently attached to my thumbs.

Oh yes, I tremendously enjoyed the self discovery of young life, the excitement of traveling to India, China or Paris by myself, "on business" of all things, feeling a great sense of self-worth and accomplishment that some company trusted my talent and intellect enough to fork the bill for first class travel in a lay-flat seat... The little weekend I spent discovering Sydney, meeting the most gorgeous men created (apparently they all live in Australia), or walking barefoot in a traditional wedding outfit in Indonesia (but not getting married), trying to keep my head up right under the heavy crown...  The yoga retreats, the shoe shopping, buying strings and strings of pearls from the Far East...  Taking a holiday in Mexico by myself, roaming through ruins with serious sunburn on my shoulders... Business dinners, sexy pencil skirts, long lashes coated with Blackest Black mascara, working out 5 days a week, marathon spin classes followed by close examination of my abs in the mirror, nights of dancing, Salsa and Bachata, days of meditation, falling in love with people - men and women, and countries, and life itself...

"A summer in love" was absolutely delicious before the baby. 

But then something really amazing happened.  Once I held my baby in my arms, I fell in love so deeply in so many ways that all the love in the world rushed into my room, and into my very heart.

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It was like India, China, Paris, Istanbul, the Greek Islands, Puerto Rico, Germany, Australia, the world's loveliest mountain tops and valleys, rivers and oceans, the toughest work-outs and the most serene meditations were combined into this one little room where everything existed all at once.  All the excitement and love was trapped in a 7-pound piece of flesh that came equipped with a grand soul. She was my past, my now and my future.

All my passion for nude photography and architecture went out the window. My desire to capture still life was replaced with a desire to capture actual, live moments. My interest in styling pretty women was replaced with an interest to style babies in a way that would capture their innocence and personality.

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Now I can honestly say I could care less about one more pair of high heels or another long-haul business trip.

I wake up to the snuggles of a little person, and after feeding her, playing with her, and caring for her, I gulp down my black coffee and run to the door to greet my clients, who walk through the door with their own 7-pound piece of preciousness. 

For a couple of hours I roll all over the floor to capture her beauty.  I get peed and pooped on.  I burp her and hold her and sing to her.  I get teary eyed thinking about how much love I feel for her and all the babies I photograph.  I sometimes cry in front of my clients because my heart swells with so much love that I can't contain myself. I stay up most nights retouching images. Some days I work longer hours than I did in corporate life, but I cannot call it work.

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Looking back at this summer, I'm noticing once again how quickly it flew by. But I have fallen in love so many times that I can't feel sad about the passing time.  With my own daughter, and many little boys and girls, some were a couple of days old, some were a few weeks old, and some were very, very old, like 4 or 5 or 7 years old ! :) 

They have each given me great joy and I have left a piece of my heart with each one of them.

To me, this is "A Summer in Love".

All the people in the world: I hope you all find your own summer in love.  Wherever it may be, whatever it may be.. may it be full of love.

- Pamira

Maximus

Newborn Angel, 4 days old

(July.30.2014)

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It is with the greatest love and joy I have met sweet Maximus.

At only 4 days old, he was precious beyond words, and denied neither is gorgeous mommy, nor his handsome daddy, and surely none of his heritage.

Here is a little sneak peak for his Mama, especially, before I share his final gallery.

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Maximus, sweet little love,

Welcome to the world!

May the strength of your name and blood fade in comparison to the strength of your personality and your soul.

Go ahead and make this world a better place for us all.

We all love you!

- Pamira

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Copyright Pamira Bezmen Photography, 2014

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Jaxson

Newborn Angel, 5 weeks old

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Dear Jaxson,

Sweet little love, you gave me a run for my money, but I gotcha!

Even with your eyes open and wide awake, you are lovely and wonderful!

Welcome to the world,

We all love you!

- Pamira

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Copyright Pamira Bezmen, 2014

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Copyright Pamira Bezmen, 2014

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Newborn Photography at 5 weeks | Newborn Angel Serena | New Jersey Family Photographer, Pamira Bezmen Photography, Verona New Jersey

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It is very unfortunate that some photographers like to scare new parents about newborn photography - with a bunch of rules and regulations about the timing and must haves to ease their own lives, or due to inexperience.  I am saddened by how many parents miss out on this wonderful opportunity to create heirloom family portraits with their newborn baby because someone told them it can only be done within 10 days of birth.

So after 13, 18 or 33 days, parents feel like they've missed the window of opportunity, and they decide to wait for the next opportunity to come around at 6 months old or 1 year old.  But of course, your baby is completely different at 6 months old and even more different at 12 months old, and that very short window of miniature treasure in your arms, tiny hands in your hands, itsy bitsy pea sized toes on your lips is gone for good.  They will never fit on your chest that way ever again.

Fortunately, the truth is that newborn photography is possible and wonderfully rewarding for families at any age - that is until 3 months old because after that we don't call them newborns any more, and it is a Baby Portrait after that point.  (By the way, those are also amazingly lovely and delicious, but that's the topic of another blog post.)

Here are some lovely images we made of a very special little angel, who came to visit me when 5 weeks old.  Yes, she was awake most of the session, and yes she was not possible to bend into those little womb-like poses, but also yes, we captured beautiful images of her, showcasing her beauty, innocence, and thanks to those open eyed poses, her personality. Not to mention the family portraits, that will be priceless not only for her parents, but for her as she grows up.

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It was a complete honor and joy to photograph this wonderful family, and I am grateful that they were not worried about that 10 day mark.

If you or someone you love is expecting a baby, I encourage you to plan ahead and make your newborn portrait appointment before the due date. This will guarantee that you will secure a spot with your favorite professional photographer and get those peaceful slumber portraits of your precious baby.  With the choice of the right professional, you will sail through your newborn session.

But, if for any reason you miss that golden window, go ahead and call anyway.  Just make sure you choose a photographer whose work you love and reflects your style, and who has experience with newborns of all ages (in days and weeks, that is) :)

Enjoy your new baby and happy memory-making to you :)

- Pamira

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all images copyright Pamira Bezmen Photography, 2014

for information or a consultation about your family's portrait projects, you can contact Pamira from the Contact tab above.

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