A few years ago when I made from Baltimore to Silver Spring, I quickly realized how much more expensive rents in the DC area were, and I came to the realization that I was going to have to find a roommate. Ick. I hadn’t had a roommate since I lived with my sister Jamie right after I graduated from college.
I found Craigslist to be a good tool for this task, and I replied to an ad with a few vague photos, some of which showed what looked like a large paper lantern lamp hanging from the middle of the ceiling, and dark maroon painted walls. I was a little surprised that I was allowed to continue to live in the house after I caught a kitchen towel on fire on the stove my first weekend of living there.
Mitja’s situation was a little different from mine, he was (and still is) married to an active duty Navy officer who was, at the time 7 months pregnant. She had been re-assigned from a post in the DC area to two years active duty in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk, VA area, and in order to keep their financial situation and careers in order, Mitja listed an ad on Craigslist for a roommate while Elysia was stationed in Virginia Beach. It was a pretty sweet deal for both of us, I got a nice big house to myself 3-4 days a week while Mitja went to visit Elysia and their newborn daughter Clementine in Virginia Beach. Mitja and Elysia got to put my rent towards their mortgage and they bought a Condo in Virginia Beach. Mitja basically got to “go to their beach house” every Thursday night.
Mitja and I went through quite a lot while I lived in that house over that 18 month period I lived there: total remodel of the basement (I learned A LOT from that experience), care and eventual death of their beloved cat, this gal named Liz that I became quite smitten with. And if I had any idea how many gallons of ice cream we went through while I lived there…
So, since this is a photography related blog, I will get to the point. A few weeks ago, Mitja asked me if I could take some family portraits, and perhaps a headshot or two for him and Elysia. There wasn’t any question in my mind about it, other than..when? I’m quite happy with the way these turned out for the most part. Every photograph I take is a learning experience, and these are no exception, there are a few things I will do differently next time, but I’m quite happy with these.
 
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Mitja writes his own blog (which is updated much more frequently than mine) about his family and experiences, and about being a civilian husband with a wife who serves active duty in the Navy Jag Corps. Visit his blog and you’ll find out about cake decorating, child decorating, and a little politics (without being overly political). Mostly you’ll get a real look into Mitja’s sense of humor and what a great family they are. I’m not quite sure they realize that they’re gonna have their hands full with their daughter…she’s a real HOOT! She does a mean version of Anchors Away, and has somewhat an obsession with the Lifetime TV show, Army Wives.
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I had such a fun time shooting these, I hope I get to do some more like these again very soon. Thanks to Mitja and Elysia for giving me the opportunity.