olaosmit

2012-01-02T14:13:00.013Z

On the last day of 2011 A and I went for a walk along the river.
It wasn't very cold but very windy and dark day.
We decided to make a short movie to remember the passing year, reflect on its diversity and on all the changes that happened in our lives.
All the good things and the challenging moments that made us stronger.
The laughs and tears that make us be us.

2011-12-30T21:48:00.006Z

The past few weeks were all about
taking easy,
finding the place of calmness,
enjoying the silence,
stopping.

2011-12-24T18:28:00.001Z

Very Merry Christmas to all of us!
Lots of laughter and love
......

2011-12-10T16:03:00.009Z

I have been knitting and crocheting a lot lately.
My eyes started to hurt a bit but if you like something ALOT you dont mind a little bit of pain.
Just joking, pain is never fun so I'm taking brakes every now and then.
I'm preparing for the Night Market at which I will be selling my scarfs, its quite exiting for me as this will be my first time selling hand made goods.
...so if anyone reads this blog and lives in London
please come to the Night Market next Saturday at Hackney Downs.
Its going to be fun night.

2011-11-30T14:58:00.006Z

I have a vague memory of being a little girl, sitting next to my mom on the sofa in our kitchen in the first apartment my parents ever rented and my mom teaching me how to knit.
She was making glass holders and I was trying to keep the stitching looking decent, which I thought was impossible.
I was 5 and she was my knitting hero.
She doesn't knit anymore but I do.
Every year when the evenings start to get darker and longer I take out my knitting kit and start my winter addiction.

2011-11-22T23:08:00.006Z

I woke up this morning and realized that I dont have to go anywhere.
Suddenly my bed became the most comfortable place in the whole world.
I looked through the window
and saw the foggy gloomy morning,
and I didn't mind it,
in fact it made me happy.
Staying in doors when cold outside is one of my favorite things lately.
Specially in the mornings.
Its like the world slows down and gives me time to wake up.
I started thinking about the small things that make me feel the same way as the slow mornings and realized that I dont need much to be happy even if the happiness lasts a minute - its still happiness.
.............
.........
.......

2011-11-03T14:46:00.006Z

Having picking with friends in ancient ruins is a treat.
How often do you get to do it?
Not very often
...Im speaking for myself.
It was warm and kinda moody.
Slow.
Just perfect.

2011-11-02T17:32:00.007Z

Few more pictures from Olympos.
Still so fresh in my memory.

2011-10-26T16:29:00.012+01:00

I'm at home at my computer wearing layers of clothing,
being cold is typical me.
Beautiful autumn day behind the window with sun and rain all at once.
I'm going through my recent holiday photos.
Just few weeks ago I was in Olympos - ancient city in Turkey watching sunrise with my best friend.
The morning was coldish and I didn't have any warm clothes, Marta gave me Kemal's hoodie and I wrapped my Turkish towel around my legs to keep them warm.
It was quiet and no one was around.
Our minds empty of unnecessary thoughts, just appreciation for the beauty of the world and for great friendship.

2011-09-28T15:40:00.006+01:00

My two good friends visited me last weekend
I took them to my favorite places in London
we walked and
talked
had lots of laughs
and
too many coffees
it was so great to have them here.

2011-09-12T18:41:00.007+01:00

I have done photo shoot for Camino restaurant recently.
The food is really amazing, specially the meat dishes.
I'm not a big meat eater but if I get a chance to eat a good steak I never say no to it.

2011-08-29T13:59:00.006+01:00

Autumn is here.
bit to early for me.
I constantly have a feeling that something is ending, something that hadn't even started yet.
Summer, holiday... I dont know, maybe both.

2011-08-29T00:58:00.003+01:00

Some more pictures from recently developed film.
Our trip to the lavender fields.
It was a great day.
Just hanging out,
enjoying the company,
the food
the sun
and the wonderful smell of fresh lavender.
Great memories.

2011-08-26T14:59:00.004+01:00

8th years ago we said 'I will always love you' to each other in small register office in Richmond.
I cannot believe its been 8 years.
Happy 8th anniversary my love for ever to the moon!

2011-08-24T00:51:00.004+01:00

Today I picked up my lomo prints.
Its nice to surprise myself with pictures I forgot I took.
That's one of the reasons I like using film cameras.
The excitement of the unknown.

Tomorrow Im going to Southend-on-Sea to take a part in a group photo exhibition
Homeless Gallery organised by my friends. Its going to be fun.
Im also exited to get away from London for a day - my one day holiday.

2011-08-22T22:35:00.004+01:00

"What was the point of rushing around as if everything had to be done today when there was plenty of time ahead of you, years and years ..."

Mma Ramotswe
(The No1 Ladies' Detective Agency)

I read it today and just love it.
This book helps me to slow down.
Take a day off and don't feel guilty about it.
Have a cup of coffee with loved one,
read a magazine,
call a friend and meet up for another cup of coffee,
have a walk,
receive a call from a friend and go for a tea (cause 3rd cup of coffee would be a bit too much - I think)
Just take it easy.
cause I have plenty of time ahead of me, years and years...

2011-08-21T20:22:00.006+01:00

weekend in pictures

2011-08-18T22:59:00.007+01:00

some Polaroids
from amazing holiday in Portugal few year ago
.......
....
if I had a magic red shoes
I would tap my heals 3 times ...

2011-08-15T18:00:00.006+01:00

my ongoing 1/2hour project
empty wall
one chair
1 person
and half and hour
of silence

1/2hour Grazynka

My last day in Canrobert street... after a couple of years. My room is empty and my mind - full of thoughts. Changes, endings, beginnings etc. I am getting inpatient. Being glued to the chair does not feel easy... Unwillingly, I start to pose. I am waiting for another clicks to happen. I imagine that I interact with the camera... If only I could stand up and begin to move freely through my room... Being glued to the chair feels like a limitation... Time passes so slowly... After a while my tension gradually goes away and tireness takes its place... I am giving up on figuring out what is the right thing to do in this situation... I am waiting for my time on the chair to finish.

by Grazynka

2011-08-13T21:22:00.002+01:00

my weekend starts now
with the vanilla sky, glass of cold white wine and sofa cuddles
...maybe some movie
feet up and relax
happy weekend to all

2011-08-11T19:40:00.004+01:00

sometimes when life gets to busy and too tiring its good to concentrate on the small things,
moments of joy
like
an amazing view
or the reflection of yourself in the bathroom

whatever makes you smile for a second - enjoy it to the fullest fullness

2011-08-07T00:32:00.004+01:00

Few days ago Anton asked me what makes me happy right now, he added "I know it's me but what else"
I said "Pim"
He said "its obvious"
I said "ok, just let me think for a moment"
It didn't last long when the answer came to me.
"My friends" I said.

2011-08-01T00:08:00.002+01:00

dreaming of a holiday for 2

2011-07-29T21:42:00.008+01:00

My portfolio is finally ready.
Just few small details left do but the most important part is done.
The pictures look so different when they are printed.
Much better.
Maybe because they are bigger than on my computer screen or maybe because there is something magical about printed images.

2011-07-22T18:55:00.007+01:00

I went to the Railroad cafe this afternoon for a coffee.
The need for a good coffee was there and that Cafe makes really tasty coffee.
Good coffee for me makes everything better,
it takes me places
it brightens up the rainy day
helps me to stop for a moment and enjoy the NOW.

I read somewhere, in a super healthy book that coffee is super not good for you.
For me.
I tried to be good to myself and didn't drink coffee for a week.
I was so proud of myself.
It was a week where coffee smell was following me everywhere.
Craving for coffee became a person within me.
It was loud and demanding.
Not the easiest partner.
I would like to think that I didn't give up my coffee abstinence because of the noise in my head but because of a choice.
Personal decision made with love for coffee.
Good coffee.
Coffee with heart.

I will probably have another week or 2 of not drinking coffee but at that moment I am enjoying every single sip.

2011-07-19T21:49:00.012+01:00

Hannah and I got together on a very lovely day and instead of going to the park we went to the studio.
With no specific idea,
with few props from a prop house,
with a big and heavy suitcase full of pretty things (which we didn't use)

we decided to play

It was fun, I must admit, to allow ourselves just to create something right there in the moment.

I realised I dont do it very often,
I tend to over think and
plan.
I always liked having a plan.
I thought that without a plan I would be lost.
But the ironic thing is that sometimes without a plan
we find the lost part of ourselves that we wouldn't have found if we followed the plan.

styling: Hannah Butler
photography: Ola O Smit

2011-06-26T22:59:00.006+01:00

I have been very busy lately with work and haven't had any time for myself.
It doesn't do me good I must admit.
It puts me in a gray zone where joy is non existent, passion forgotten and inspiration killed.
Dreadful times for my soul.
Thanks God for weekends!

This weekend was special, it was our 6th wedding anniversary!
The weather was amazing!
Wonderful summertime
with warm long evening, with cold cocktails, with lots of laughter
and great company of my bestos husband Mr. Smit
just the perfect date every girl wants!

Other than that
Sunday was a dream
Traditional Sunday Big Breakfast
Bicycle ride
Big bunch of white Peonies
Watermelon on the balcony
Happy Pim in between my herbs
Friend who loves being at our place so much that always falls asleep on the sofa
Cool breeze
The smell of holidays

I'm slowly getting out of the gray zone.

2011-06-12T14:03:00.006+01:00

Fishing is a big part of my Father's life.
Since I remember he was always going fishing.
Morning, midday, evening , night.
I love this about him - his passion.
He can sit on the river bank for hours, in silence listing to birds singing.
I guess its his way of meditating.
Nature loves him and he loves nature.

2011-05-31T22:10:00.010+01:00

Day before I went to Poland I did a photo shoot for a great bar and restaurant Camino at Canary Wharf in London.
I used to work for the company as a manager of a very busy night club in Shoreditch.
Actually it wasn't that long ago, but it feels like ages.
It was nice seeing all the familiar faces and having chats with my old work colleagues but at the same time I was grateful I dont work in hospitality anymore.
Not that I didn't enjoy it - it was fun, great experience for sure - but I always wanted to take pictures for a living.
Its amazing how much life can change if only we allow the changes to happen.
I am grateful for my new career.
I'm at the very beginning of it but how exiting it is to know that that beginning leads somewhere great.

poland

2011-05-22T18:21:00.010+01:00

Last week I was in Poland.
Visiting my family
and starting to take pictures for my new project.
Polish cookbook with my mum.
I'm very excited and scared at the same time,
all this is new for me
and as we all know 'new' can be scary sometimes.
However without 'new' we cannot progress,
without experimenting we cannot find out
what we love
who we are
what we are capable of.
............
.....
...

2011-05-04T21:24:00.006+01:00

Printing of my portfolio has started.
Its amazing to see the pictures on the paper, not on the screen of my computer.
They look great! - its maybe strange to say that about my own pictures but I really like them.
I'm very exited - changes are happening.

big thank you to Damian Russell

2011-05-02T22:46:00.010+01:00

My website is up and running with many more pictures to come.
I still have lots of scanning to do.
All my Polaroids!
I'm very exited.
It feels like I'm starting new chapter in my life.

2011-05-02T16:21:00.004+01:00

...so I baked
I really enjoy baking
I get it from my mom.
When I was a little girl my mom and I would always bake together and my mom would let me do the stirring.
Oh I loved it.
She would give me a long wooden spoon and would tell me to stir slowly and only in one direction specially when combining flour with beaten eggs.
She would slowly sift the flour and I would concentrate on stirring.

...so now every time I bake
the memory from my childhood reawakens
and puts a smile on my face.

potato pancakes

2011-04-23T21:49:00.006+01:00

testing with Pim

2011-04-23T18:07:00.005+01:00

Pimpush is a very curious kitty.
Whenever there is an unknown action in the flat he is there.
Sniffing everything and sticking his ginger head into boxes or bags, jumping on chairs, climbing the ladder ( yes he does that! )
Few days ago I did a test shoot in my corridor.
I brought the table and a chair,
went back to the kitchen to get some plates and when I came back he was there,
seating at the table,
almost saying:
"so where is my food? I saw you going to the kitchen..."

I swear, sometimes his face looks so human to me.
He is my very dear friend this cat of mine.

p.s. test shoot pictures coming soon.

2011-04-10T21:46:00.006+01:00

I have been working with lovely Annie Nichols on her new cookbook "Hot Meals Now" which is coming out this Autumn!

moments of nothingness

2011-04-05T14:54:00.012+01:00

...great things can come from moments of nothingness...
said Mma Makutsi

from 'the no.1 ladies detective agency'

days ' off ' should be about
coffee
good book
walk
....
and
doing nothing

Im trying to do that today but my hyper busy brain doesn't allow me to relax.
or is it me who doesn't allow my brain to relax? hmm

flying burrito

2011-03-29T14:18:00.009+01:00

Last Saturday I did a food shoot for Flying Burrito .
We had so much fun and lots of delicious burritos to eat!!!

busy times

2011-03-29T13:59:00.005+01:00

past week was busy.
good busy.
amazing sunny days - there is nothing better than sun after long gray winter.
summer is just around the corner
and that feels great.

pic 2 Damian Russell
great photographer, my friend and teacher

location 78

2011-03-20T13:06:00.004Z

Last week we were working on a shoot at one of my favorite location houses.
Location 78.
I just love that house - the walls are painted dark gray and the rich in colors furniture stands out beautifully.
I don't think I would be able to live in such a dark house but from a photographic point of view it's heaven - the images taken there are always amazing - dark and moody - I love it.

for japan with love

2011-03-18T17:15:00.003Z

I came across this amazing post by Ever-Ours.
What an honor to be a part of Bloggers Day of Silence , organized by Ever-Ours and Utterly Engaged

Please dont hesitate and donate here
Every little helps.

2011-03-14T16:06:00.009Z

I'm working on my website and hopefully it will be done soon. I know that right now this blog mainly features my portfolio photography but soon I will be also posting about my daily life, work behind the scenes and inspirational bits.
...so just to give a taste of how I imagine this blog to be in the future I'm posting some pictures form this weekend.
Spring is here and that feels great - something new and exiting is coming.

presents wrapping fun

2011-03-07T17:16:00.008Z

Some time ago I did this test shoot with a friend of mine Hannah Butler, who is a very talented young stylist.
The idea was inspired by 1940's paintings by Ilya Bolotowsky, Josef Albers and Mark Rothko.

cakes and old stories

2011-03-02T14:08:00.006Z

Last Sunday Kitty Clark (an amazing artist and food stylist) and I had fun in the kitchen. We did our second food test shoot together.
I had so much fun taking pictures and creating stories with all the props I had collected and with some of my old family photographs.
It was a great productive day.

photography and table styling Ola O Smit
food styling Kitty Clark

cakes in making

2011-03-02T13:54:00.001Z

just an Apple

2011-02-18T17:12:00.003Z

It was one of those days when I just wanted to take some pictures and then I saw an apple.

book in making

2011-01-31T19:52:00.003Z

I have an idea for a cookbook with my Mum, with family stories and favorite recipes.
I have been thinking about that project for some time now.
These pictures were taken last year, when we were visiting my parents.
Every time I'm there memories from childhood start flooding back.
Funny how some smells and dishes can take us back in time.

1/2hour Kitty

2010-12-06T23:14:00.000Z

When we begin I think I won't be able to stop laughing. I'm aware of the busy assemblage behind me; ropes dangling, pages falling open, and I sit, awkward red balloon in hand, waiting patiently. I feel like a little kid, playing with the balloon to pass the time. As my curiosity demands I take a better look at my surroundings and peer over my shoulder, as quickly as possible, there the shutter clicks.

Kitty Clark

2010-12-02T13:23:00.000Z

art work by Kitty Clark
styling and photography by Ola O Smit

2010-11-21T19:25:00.000Z

food styling by Kitty Clark
photography by Ola O Smit

2010-11-15T22:35:00.000Z

2010-11-13T00:28:00.001Z

the food lab

2010-11-03T21:15:00.000Z

styling by Astrid Limal
photography by Ola O Smit

Sylwia

2010-09-21T15:05:00.000+01:00

2010-09-20T18:22:00.000+01:00

styling and photography Ola O Smit

2010-09-15T23:44:00.000+01:00

Gosha

2010-09-15T23:10:00.000+01:00

2010-09-15T23:06:00.000+01:00

2010-09-15T22:39:00.000+01:00

Anton and Pim

2010-08-15T21:38:00.000+01:00

1/2 hour Aliki

2010-08-03T16:56:00.001+01:00

Sitting on this chair is not that uncomfortable.. I wonder if Ola will be taking pictures every 3 minutes or just randomly.. I stare out the window and I see a black bird, I don’t really mind the camera, the bird reminds me of the lyrics of a Bright eyes song. I count the windows at the council building across the street, 9 x 16 and that’s just one side. Depressing.. The camera clicks and scares the hell out of me! Oh yes, there’s a camera there!! Ok.. Should I switch position? To make the pictures more interesting? Is that considered natural? I look around the room again. My thoughts wonder off, on the DVDs, the books, the hanger across the room, I think of the shoes I’m gonna buy. The camera clicks again! Its funny, I try to be aware of it but it’s hard to remember its presence. Maybe this should be shot in an empty studio? There are destructions around the room that you can escape to. Or is this about blending with the space? I hear the noises outside; my back aches so I stretch!

Time passes buy, I slowly get used to the clicks. I wonder if I should be thinking deeper things rather than shoes, the contact lenses on the floor or the neighbour smoking outside her window. I don’t feel like thinking deep thoughts right now, just being here is good enough. I’m getting slightly bored, I will start counting form one click to the other.. I can’t stay focused looking at the camera waiting for more than 10-15seconds! Ok will try again. Playing games with the camera. Should I pull a face? Just stare at it. Still no more than 15sec… slowly it moves on to 20… now I’m just randomly counting.. I’m at number 76.. How many minutes is 76 seconds? I think about my grumpy day yesterday, about ex-boyfriends and friends that reject you; I shouldn’t let this bring me down anymore, I have to move on. I realise that its time to move on and the path is made out for me already. Will I remember all this and write about it?? It’s ok to shoot this in a room after all you just become one with the space.

The camera clicking doesn’t startle me anymore, its just another sound, like someone breathing next to you. I play around with my chair. It’s not comfortable but not uncomfortable either. I enjoy the silence. I close my eyes and think about the rest of my day. I realise that it’s the only way I can actually focus. I plan my day and I keep my eyes closed. I stretch again and I fall into the feeling of silence comfortably. I smile to myself and shortly after I hear a buzzing. My 30 minutes are over.

by Aliki
17.06.2010

Aliki

2010-08-03T16:43:00.000+01:00

1/2hour Ania

2010-07-27T16:19:00.000+01:00

I tried to pose at first and I was waiting and waiting and realized that I'm not in control of picture taking, that I don't know when the shutter will open or close, that it is all unexpected. So posing was difficult as I didn't want to think of the camera only.
I'd day dream.And once in a while pose & wait & look & give up.
Silence.Click.Silence.Park.
Someone playing with the dog. Clouds passing. Birds singing. Phone ringing.
All waiting suspended.Plain passed. I wonder who is going where. Where will they land?
So much is moving around while we sit.

by ania
14.05.2010

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wall story

2010-07-27T03:01:00.000+01:00

1/2hour Lulu

2010-07-27T01:46:00.001+01:00

I quickly begin to wonder when it will be and search her face for any clue. She smiles knowingly and I laugh immediately. Of course, then is when it happens first. I try to look away but come back to the camera's gaze unwittingly. Time soon passes and I am able to slip into a meditative state. I begin reflecting upon the day so far: the smell of the first coffee, a smile from a stranger on the tube, the quality of the early summer light. I feel nourished by this silence and eventually become oblivious to the shutter's fire as I get lost in my thoughts.

by Lulu

2010-07-27T01:24:00.000+01:00

Lulu

2010-07-27T01:19:00.000+01:00

2010-07-27T00:53:00.000+01:00

Gonia

2010-07-27T00:43:00.000+01:00

2010-07-27T00:41:00.000+01:00

2010-07-27T00:35:00.000+01:00

2010-07-27T00:33:00.000+01:00

Ania

2010-07-26T21:09:00.000+01:00