this family has a special place in my heart. a year ago, i was new to gainesville and thinking about how i was going to start my photography business up again. my new friend, stacey, welcomed me into her home and let me photograph her beautiful babies. then she was kind enough to spread the word about me. she truly helped get the ball rolling on my business. and i am oh so grateful.

fast forward a year and here we are again with her cuties for their holiday session. we decided to try kanapaha park and it was the perfect backdrop. mac and logan climbed trees and rocks (plus a bit of wrestling in swampy grass) with all their big boy energy. sweet lil maggie charmed my camera with her sparkly blue eyes and shy smile. the light was gorgeously golden. and the wardrobe that stacey selected was right on – bright, bold and youthful. and don’t forget, winnie! their lovable dog that is a true member of the family.

all in all, a fun and lively session. here’s the fogler sneak peak….

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

when i found out the ginder family won my photography session at the Gainesville Country Day School’s silent auction, i was thrilled for so many reasons.
first, they are a beautiful family. blue eyes that stop you in your tracks. smiles that light up the room. casual and warm and welcoming. second, they have boys – lee (age 9) and dale (age 7). and i get and LOVE boys. all the rough play, potty humor, sports talk. the bond of brotherhood. and last, they live and love in the moment. they cherish every hug and kiss and laugh. not only could i see that behind my lens, but i could feel it in every image.  and when i asked them what they love most about their family, mom said it best, “that we are always together”  they are a family dedicated to each other and their cause, cure dale’s duchenne.

this photography session touched my heart and i thank the wonderful ginder family for this opportunity!  hope you enjoy your sneak peak….

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

when i was pregnant with akshay, fellow moms of three children would share their pearls of wisdom. i was told that life would always feel unbalanced. crazy. a whirlwind. there would never be enough time. not enough hands. older children would mature overnight. the new middle child would demand endless attention. i was advised to embrace the chaos.

embrace the chaos? i didn’t now what that meant. but now as i live this new lifestyle, i get it. life is busy and exhausting and divided. but if you look closer, it’s also exciting and rewarding and loud and dynamic. you are kept on your toes. you are loved and needed by many. your life is full.

enter the bosshardts, another family with three lively kiddos. jack is in first grade and has a clever sense of humor. dark-haired cosette is stunning and spirited. and one year old rose is friendly and quick as a fox. all going in different directions. all with different personalities. all needing and wanting different things. but in between the chaos of the day, there were treasured moments….like a brother’s kiss. a laugh-out-loud tickle. a mother’s warm embrace. a ride on dad’s shoulders. and these were the special times that i tried to capture of this lovely family of five.

here’s a sneak peak of the bosshardt gallery photographed in haile village….

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

two of my favorite subjects – tyler and maddie smyth.  not only are they full of sparkle and photogenic yumminess but they are also really good kids with really good hearts.  they are the type of kids who aren’t afraid to talk and chat and ask and laugh and play with you.  and in front of the camera, they just make magic.  especially, little madeline.  this girl has soul and playfulness and a whole lot more.

take a look at the smyth sneak peak taken in haile village…..

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

they are back….the dynamic trio of andrew, kate and josie! i photographed them last year at this time and boy what a difference a year makes. little josie is no longer stationary. she darts around exploring the world like a pinball. her eyes are full of light and curiosity. andrew is now a confident first grader with a smile that will break hearts. and then of course their is 5 year old kate who has the loving spirit of a caretaker. not to mention the most luminous skin. all lively. all cheerful. all sweet as pie.

here is a sneak peak of their holiday mini-session at the kanapaha botanical gardens…..

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

isn’t the weather just amazing here in gainesville? starting to feel crisp yet still warm and sunny. i can pull out my light sweaters and continue to wear my flip flops. heaven!!!

well, here’s to a happy and fun-filled weekend to all. and speaking of happy….here’s my happy bug eyed little man.

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

meet ten year old twins, amy and will. both interested in athletics, volleyball for her and football for him. both fun loving kids who appreciate the land and nature surrounding their alachua home. both happy and bright eyed.

they told me that they didn’t really get along….but i found that hard to believe. it seemed so natural for them to be side by side with amy’s head resting on will’s shoulder. or will tickling amy to get her to laugh. or amy jumping on will’s back for a ride. it didn’t feel or look awkward. it felt like the closeness only a brother and sister could share.

take a look at their sneak peak and judge for yourselves….

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

children. fashion. photography. three of my favorite things. so when michelle colburn, the designer behind katydids, asked me to photograph her winter 2009 collection…i said yes! yes! yes!  how could i not spend the afternoon with 5 darling girls in the cutest handmade dresses.  even with all the chaos and some tears (yes, there are sometimes tears shed during photo shoots), i had a great time and satisfied my girly fix.

here are the fabulous new winter dresses, now available in denim and corduroy….

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra

this year we have three little boys to dress up and a new neighborhood to trick or treat. the boys are very excited about all the festivities….candy, costume and carefree fun. let’s get ready for the sugar high! happy halloween

check out our scream ghost (niko), wolverine (kishan) and a super handsome superman (akshay)….

thanks for reading,
mikifoto by mallika malhotra