About the Photographer
My name is Simona, and when I was a mama-to-be I began to think about how I would want to remember every moment of my daughter’s life. All the new things she would do, the little smiles, and the silly sounds she made.
After she was born, time moved so fast, and now looking back I am so happy I took photos of her often. I am not talking about quickly snapped photos with my phone, but gorgeous, high quality pieces of art. She changed so much in that first year that I decided I would put together a beautiful handmade album with my favourite photos of her.
I want to share this experience with you as well through my Year in a Life photography experience, and I promise you will not regret it.
I am a passionate photographer with a fine-art background. My photos are created with care and love using natural light. I will help you tell your story, as viewed through my camera. Your story doesn’t have to be perfect or extraordinary, but it’s yours, unique only to you.
Being a photographer means so much more to me than clicking a button. In fact, sometimes I wish we still used analog cameras. I love seeing my work printed, for there’s something so magical about holding your own creations in your hands. That’s also the reason why, at the end of your Year in a Life experience, you will receive a handcrafted flat lay album that you will be proud to show your loved ones.
The best and most rewarding part of my job is meeting people just like you and me, getting to know them, and hearing that I captured their personality in a way no one has done before. I’m a people person, so don’t be surprised if we get together outside of your photo sessions, sipping chai lattes together. When I have free time, I love trying out new places to eat, going to the movies, and treating myself to a special spa day.
If after these few lines you think you might like me, send me a text and let’s grab a delicious, over-sugared drink with whipped cream on top while we talk about your Year in a Life experience possibilities.
Preferred professionals
I love working together with other professionals who want to serve the same clientele as I do!
If you're looking for anyone who can help you in the areas mentioned below, I can highly advice you to go to these ladies!
Meida van Baal is a certified doula, chilbirth educator and registered kraamverzorgende (maternity nurse) in The Hague. She is the owner of Mitera & Co., doula services, and is a member of the NBvD (Dutch Organisation for Doulas). Doula and Kraamzorg services available outside The Hague, such as Delft, Wassenaar, Leiden.
Keven van Zoen is an illustrator and linocut printmaker. Her work often references memories and landscapes from her life growing up in the Pacific Northwest of America, as well as her current life in the Netherlands. She now also sells her products in a small shop in Leiden!
Paz from Les Girls Collective. A brand that empowers young girls and woman to believe in themselves, to embrace risk and failure, to keep trying to achieve their biggest and most outlandish dreams.
Birth preparation courses with Marie Hobbs-Vijendran at Mindful Birth in Oestgeest! You can learn how to deal with pain during labor, and it will surely be a life changing course for both you and your partner!
Olena is a den Haag based hair and makeup artist. Her style is playful and avant-garde, but still very wearable.
Her biggest strength is her versatility. You’ll get to feel like your shiniest, most authentic self – whatever that means for you! You can get a feel for her style here.
Miriam is the founder of Feel Good Moms.
She is a Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Pre and Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Core & Diastasis Consultant. She helps empower expecting and postnatal mothers with safe, fun and sweaty workouts to keep them fit during pregnancy, train for birth, and heal / re-strengthen postpartum.
Anna Buonomo is one of the most fun people to photograph, she's also running Cuddles and Music in Leiden. She has baby massage courses, singing classes, family concerts and all sort of fun events for your little ones.
Jovie is an American mama living in and loving The Netherlands.
She makes YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok videos about life in The Netherlands as a foreigner. The goal of her videos is to teach viewers how something works in NL; to share her observations of Dutch life and culture and to get to know her new home country. Her insights are helpful, positive, and often funny.
Rebecca is a Kinesiologist in Leiden and she can help you and your child in numerous ways. If you have been going to your GP with the same issues over and over with no change, she can help you identify the root of the issue and find solutions.