Welcome to my blog
Originaily, I am from Ukraine.
Since I moved to USA, I live in Buffalo, NY. Two of my great passions in life are photography and travel. I started this BLOG to share with you my new pictures from wedding, engagement, glamour sessions and art work.
I also will share with you my new experience, ideas and impressions.
Yuliya
Already for couple times I was trying to illustrate and write about our 12-days trip and every time it was a big disaster. How it is even possible to describe what we saw, heard and tried. How it is possible to describe the paradise?
Costa Rica is the place you dream to visit and the dream to come back… People who live there were so kind and so welcoming us that we even started to think we can live there. Confusing and impossible to path road conditions did not scare us. The nature impressed us with colors and contrasts.
Our trip began from San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. We rented 4×4 and moved to the North to La Fortuna right near the Arenal volcano. Here we hade great opportunity to enjoy volcano view right from our bungalow…During the next several days we took hiking to Rio Celeste and rafting on Rio Toro. It worth to do if you really like “Pura Vida” which means “real life”!
After Arenal we drove to Montverde Cloud Forest reserve and spent there 2 days. This place is one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics. It was an unforgettable experience- we were flying above the cloud forest on the Sky Trek Canopy Tour, the most thrilling zip lines in Costa Rica. I truly recommend trying this if you ever will go there!
After the cup of perfect espresso we have put together all our strengths and drove down to Golden coast of Costa Rica – Pacifica. Warm sand, ocean, hammock and mojitos were waiting for us there.
I would like to share our experience with you. If you planning your trip to Costa Rica, this information can be interesting and helpful:
-Do not miss Montverde when planning your trip.
- November is not high season, however the weather is perfect and you have great opportunity to enjoy silence and nature…Hotels are almost empty at this time.
- If you wish to rent a car, it will help if you print some Google maps with you. You will get some maps in Rental Company and hotels, or you can ask for GPS unit at Rental Company for an additional charge. You should be for this- all these maps will have different names and numbers for roads. The only ways to get to your destination- is proper planning or get a GPS. Never leave you belongings in the car, those can be stolen (personal tips from Lyosha)
- San Jose, this place is not safe (Even locals are saying this). Not much to see there …
- If you pass board “SODAS” you can stop by and have a good lunch. Those are usual places where locals eating. Lunch is delicious - rice with beans and meat, some salad and juice ($5)
- This country is a paradise for gourmets of good coffee. I found 40 types of coffee in our menu.
- Cows and dogs walk on road and of cause they have priority!
- All beaches are public
- We recommend drinking water only from bottle
-The Pacific Ocean’s cost is excellent for surfing
-Hotels, which we are recommending - Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort (Golden coast of Costa Rica –Pacifica), Mountain Paradise Hotel (North to La Fortuna), Capitan Suizo hotel (Golden coast of Costa Rica –Pacifica)
-This cost is not for good interesting diving
Here the map which shows how we moved thru the Costa Rica:
Sky Trek is a system of platforms suspended above the ground in the midst of tree boughs. Zip lines attached from one platform to another allow our to slide with the use of special equipment.
Rain forest
Yammi!
Wild beach have many surprises….
So cute!
My favorite! Thank you Lesha for this picture and idea!!!!! Love you!
3 people comment this postLelichka KalinichenkoNovember 18th, 2008
Yukin, I looked through all pages and I, literary, enjoyed every single picture. All these pics are amazing... every episode is unique, and has its own meaning and value!!! You are the best... Love u
Dooglass de TilaranNovember 18th, 2008
Pura translates to pure.
Yeah. The place is littered with thieves.San Jose is like Guatemala or Mexico city. Fly to Liberia.(LIR)
Monteverde is a mongolian cluster..... breeding?
I'll show you the REAL DEAL in the real jungle.
oasisofthetoucans dot com
The best parts of this country are not advertizzzed or exploited. ( 22 years here)
Yuka photo artNovember 19th, 2008
O! Thank you! When we will plan our next trip I definitely will need your advice about "secret places".
HOLA!
We have returned back from Costa Rica last night!!!!! It was one of the best adventures in our life!!!! I have a lot of photos to share with you… Right now I will give you a peek of us. This picture was taken during our Sky Trek tour in cloud forest in Monteverde.
3 people comment this postElenaNovember 14th, 2008
Urrra! So tanned and happy you are looking! We missed you here!
AnitaNovember 17th, 2008
Adventure looks good on you two! haha when you get settled- check out the new Bond movie (got mixed reviews, but I enjoyed the action and cinematography).
http://www.russiablog.org/2008/11/olga-kurylenko-james-bond-bio-photos.php
She's so gorgeous! Like the rest of you Ukrainian beauties =)
Yuka photo artNovember 18th, 2008
Thank you so much! We planning to see this movie this Wednesday :-) So excited!
I do not worry about weather outside…all my thoughts right now – how to pack all my must -to-have-on vocation-wardrobe in one suitcase……YES! YES! YES! Today Lyosha and I have flight to Costa Rica!!! We have GREAT plan of our new adventure, maps, car and camera! I will try to upload couple posts from our hotel and when we’ll back home I share with you all details .
Sorry, I will not be able to response on your e-mails during this time, but I promise to do it as soon as I can.
Here is the link with an album design from Erin and Andrew wedding! One of my fav!!!!
If you are a photographer or planning to start your wedding photography business this book have to be on your bookshelf. I found this book in Barnes and Noble yesterday. Why I recommend it for you? Because I love it from the very first page!!!! You can find a lot of practical information from top wedding photographers- they share their secrets and experiment.
Do not miss the opportunity to buy this book!!!
Last Saturday we had another beautiful EARLY morning photo shoot in the local Climbing Center. For this event we have been challenged with the time constrain - 2 hours for all our preparations including makeup and hair and just 2 hours of actual work with camera on the set. Climbing center opens at 10 a.m., so we had to finish before the crowd walks in.
Realization of our idea which we were babysitting for about 3 month began when Anna (makeup artist) appeared at the door of our place at 4 a.m. And all the madness started…. Over all it was an awesome experience bringing climbing, beauty and glamour together. As a result you can see these pictures….I promise I will show you a lot more when I will finish the whole project.
Ingredients: Styling - Anna, I
Shoes- Anita Model- beautiful Marie
Make up- talented Anna Malskaya Video- Lyosha
Photo- Guess who?
Music- BPM TV
Energizer- cup of coffee
5 people comment this postElenaOctober 28th, 2008
Such beautiful work! I missed the fashion shoots from you! It reminds me of circus, the magic spirit of it. I love the light, the color scheme, the costume, the model does beautiful work, make up is very edgy!
AnnaOctober 28th, 2008
ah, those morning shoots are fun, aren't they?! hehe.. nice!!!
Lawrence @ Furious PhotographersOctober 28th, 2008
Thanks for the blog love! Eccentric images :) Reminds me of that hot air balloon session on America's Next Top Model!
ryan mantheyOctober 31st, 2008
looked like a fun shoot
Cathy CrawleyNovember 1st, 2008
These are just stunning! What a creative idea :)
I’ve got a great experience shooting movie set this summer. I’ve made a quick post about this photo shoot already and now I would like to show you couple of my favorite pictures:
1 people comment this postmartieOctober 26th, 2008
Just found your blog via "Photoblog Community". I really like your work - the photos from today (26 Oct) are fantastic!
It was one of that days, when you still feel warm wind on your skin but yellow leaves flying around try to take you back to reality - it is October already… We (I and Lyosha) spent whole day resting on the beach. Before we leave I asked him to take couple shots of me… hm…I NEVER knew it is so difficult to model if your husband behind the camera……Yes, we usually take picture of each other when we travel, but….at this time it was more complicated I planned to use these pictures on my profile on website…I t was not the best decision’s mean he is a great photographer, but I felt uncomfortable.. I was clumsy and constrained… Ok, I think we should practice more . As a result I picked these two to upload here:
6 people comment this postmichelle cunninghamOctober 24th, 2008
isn't it funny how that happens? i'm so comfy behind the camera and i know how to direct my subjects but i can't seem to do as i say.
Mary MarantzOctober 24th, 2008
that first one is awesome!! it is definitely hard to be on the other side of the lens! I think you rocked it!
ElenaOctober 25th, 2008
Ha-ha! I think it is just the "pickiness" we experience when the photo is actually of ourselves, not somebody else. I think the first shot is very beautiful.
ryan mantheyOctober 26th, 2008
i know exactly how you feel. my wife does not take good photos and i am not good on the other side of the camera.
KatrinOctober 26th, 2008
I especially love the first picture. The crop is great and I love how you hide your camera behind your back!
burningwindmillOctober 27th, 2008
Absolutely love your work, something very hhonest and pure about the way you frame your pictures, very inspiring!
Please enjoy my new design of one of my favorite wedding album. Chris and Suzanne’s wedding was absolutely fabulous. I love everything about that day!!!
2 people comment this postMikeOctober 20th, 2008
Very beautiful album design. It tells the story of the day!
ElenaOctober 21st, 2008
This is such a beautiful album! Really does show the whole story and I love brides and grooms portraits.
Here’s a one more picture from fashion bride photo shoot. I love “After wedding” and “Before wedding” bride portraits. I am so happy when my brides ask me to organize this type of photo shoot. We have more time, we are more creative and have much fun. As for me, every bride desire to get picture where she looks like a star from the fashion magazine cover !!!
This photo shoot we (I and my friend -makeup artist Anna) organized on extremely early morning in Niagara Falls (Canada). Thank you, Shannon, for being such a great model!
4 people comment this postannaOctober 17th, 2008
beautiful! and you got rid of me on the right! :))))))
AnitaOctober 21st, 2008
Now I'm wondering where you were standing Anna! Haha! I love this look. You should see if you can find a model to stand the weather for you Yuka! This would look lovely for your "winter wonderland series" ; )
ohana photographers -david & kimiOctober 23rd, 2008
ummm...wow!!!
michelle cunninghamOctober 24th, 2008
such a great shot! really... every bride should consider these sessions.
6 people comment this postElenaOctober 17th, 2008
I think that it is a little bit too much like a "painting", but this is only a matter of taste, of course.
It will depend also on the message for this marketing piece.
AnitaOctober 17th, 2008
I think this would definitely work as a marketing tool, but
I think for some people - they might want to see something a little bit more obvious alongside the image maybe?
Like Elena said, it's just a matter of taste.
It is a beautiful image that can stand alone too I think.
YuliyaOctober 17th, 2008
Thank you girls! Some time I have very spontaneous ideas and at this time your advice is very helpful!
Suzanne BocekOctober 18th, 2008
I love it... it is mysterious and true to your style of art. There are plenty of customers out there that want that something different... I did... that is why I chose yuka...
KyleeOctober 23rd, 2008
:) Never ceases to make me take a second look! I say go for it... I LIKE that it looks like a painting. Very unique, very awesome!
michelle cunninghamOctober 24th, 2008
i absolutely agree! holy cow that's an amazing shot!
Welcome to my blog
