Leave it on the bike!

October 24, 2022

Peddling the stress away with Jamila

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on this blog. I took a few steps back in life and slowed down for a couple of years due to a virus you might have heard of. That b*tch, however, shall remain unnamed in this space. Moving on! My little hiatus made my writing game a bit rusty, but I will do my best. This space was never meant to be perfect. To me this blog is about learning, creating, and growing. Even though lately my life got busier than ever, the amazing women of New York inspire me to keep going with this project. I couldn’t ask for a better woman to rekindle my passion for this blog then Jamila. She is the light and the glue to the community. I am extremely proud to share my photoshoot and conversation with her in the first post in a while.

I met Jamila over a year ago at Spiked Spin & Wellness where she works as an amazing instructor. It was one of my first spin classes ever when she spotted me in the back row. I was vibing to her playlist and having the time of my life while sweating the stress away. It was still a time of uncertainty and restrictions, but we were all happy to participate in a small group activity. I quickly learned that Jamila was a nurse which made her one of the frontline heroes in the disaster that started in 2020. Even though she had witnessed the worst, she never lost her light and positive energy for the people. To me, coming to her spin classes was one of the first steps towards normalcy and a way to put myself in a good mood for the rest of the week. I became stronger, happier, and got my groove back too! Every class with Jamila is a dance party. She makes intense workouts fun, which is not an easy thing to do. That’s why she’s always booked.

I met with Jamila in Prospect Park in July of this year to talk and take photos reflecting her beauty. The creative atmosphere in the park matched her own unique energy. Moreover, her mom happened to walk her dog near the location of our photo shoot. Coincidence? Who’s to say.. :) It was actually a pleasure to see Jamila interact with her mom. I quickly understood that helping people was not the only passion the women shared, it was was also the love of dance and performance. Jamila’s mom made sure her daughter remembered how fierce and excellent she was while modeling for the photos. That set us off to a great start. I love when women inspire and support one another! After a very fruitful photo shoot, I sat down with Jamila for a short conversation about womanhood. Please enjoy what we created.

AsW: What is your proudest moment?

Jamila: Right now, I work as a full-time nurse practitioner. My proudest moment by far was when I found out I became an RN. This was a life-long dream for me. I really wanted to be a registered nurse because growing up I saw my mom being one. One time, she took me to the hospital and I saw her on a case. I was standing out of the operating room and I thought: “I want to make a difference in peoples’ lives.” I would have to say my proudest moment was when I became a registered nurse because I had the task to save lives and help others.

AsW: What was the most important lesson you had to learn or unlearn in your process of adulting as a woman?

Jamila: I had to learn how to trust myself, which is very hard. As a child, you rely on others around you, your parents, grandparents, any elders. So, I had to learn, as an adult, that I was in control of my life. Whatever decisions made I had to live in them and I had to be bold and confident. It was very, very hard transitioning from the little girl to the adult woman and to trust in myself. However, it’s been a beautiful process because even though mistakes are scary, they make you better and they make you who you are in the end of the day.

AsW: How do you think women can support one another better?

Jamila: I think that women can support one another better by listening to each other. That’s how you build sisterhood, that’s how you build community. Really trying to understand that you are not the only one in a certain situation. Other people have experienced their own things just like you. Being able to open up to one another and to listen to you fellow sisters is definitively important. We can build sisterhood and trust amongst one another and we can build love. I think it’s so important to have sisterhood. Man control the world.. and I think, together, we are so incredibly strong. But first, we need to listen to each other.

Dear Jamila,

It was so much fun to photograph and talk to you! That day was one of the highlights of the summer. I am writing this post on your birthday and I want to wish you all the best! You are beautiful inside and out and you deserve great things in life. You keep inspiring and motivating the community that I am happy to be a part of. Have fun on your glamorous vacation! I will be there on bike #2 when you’re back! ;)

With love,

Anja

Happy New York!

January 04, 2021

Shooting 3 Pointers with Zuza

Happy New Year, you guys! It's finally 2021 and I'm starting fresh with publishing a post about an amazing woman, Zuza. Our photo shoot was the only one I did for the blog in the previous year which should remain unnamed. Last year was crazy for all of us, it was also one of the toughest in my personal life. However, I am grateful for staying healthy and safe. Over the course of last year, I had been observing crazy events rolling out not only in The U.S., but also Poland, my home country. I tend to avoid politics on my blog, but let me just say that I'm publishing this post in tribute to Polish women who again (!) have to fight for their basic rights. You strong, resilient queens are awesome!

I'd like to stay hopeful and positive in 2021. Therefore, let me focus on Zuza as she represents all that I love most about Polish women. She is smart, kind, and brave. In addition to the package, she is also insanely gorgeous. Zuza is likable right off the bat. She emits strong, feminine energy without losing warmth in it. I really like talking to her cuz it's always interesting. Even though she is a sweetheart, she has standards. Even when we disagree about some topics we disagree beautifully, which is a rare these days. Zuza is open to consider new points of view, but also remembers where she comes from. If she doesn't want to buy your shit, she simply won't :) and I really respect that about her.

I always try to a avoid talking about a woman's physical beauty before focusing on her personality and accomplishments. However, sometimes all of those elements are strongly connected. When I see Zuza and her beautiful body, I also see a determined athlete. I always admire women who put a lot of hard work and sacrifices to be the best versions of themselves. I'm not sure if Zuza is aware of it, but she emits a lot of self-confidence that is earned, not given. With all of that she remains fun and chilled. Years spent on a basketball team made her a great team player for other women. She's a kind of girlfriend, every woman would love to have!

When Zuza told me she would be leaving NYC for good, I was devastated. I felt like we didn't have enough time together. I couldn't let her leave before capturing her great energy with my camera. That's why the photo shoot with her was the only one I did for the blog last year, social distancing style. Zuza loves to play with fashion. When we brainstormed about the shoot, I couldn't be more excited. We decided to mix some tomboy styles with very sexy and feminine elements. That's, literally, my favorite thing to do with clothes. The final touch of the look was the NYC background. The city that is famous for unobvious mixtures that just work so well!

AsW: When did you make yourself most proud?

ZUZA: It's seemingly a simple question, but I have to skim through my life. I'm generally an ambitious person, but I tend to procrastinate. I think I'm the most proud when I actually get motivated to start something whether I feel ready or not. There was this one particularly important project. It would be crucial for me and husband and would shape our future. We wanted to start a business and I needed to complete a business plan. I had all the tools I needed, the know-how, the skills, my degree in economy. However, it took me some time to start. When I actually did, I put myself on a tight schedule. You name a New York coffee shop, I most probably have been there with my laptop, working on my dream. It was the first time I actually used all the knowledge got in college, not to get a grade, but in real life. I was very proud when I finished, because I didn't have to meet any deadlines or other peoples' expectations. It was a challenge against myself and I did it!

AsW: What do you most appreciate other women for? Can you give an example of a person embodying those traits?

ZUZA: I think, for me, a person who represents the quintessence of femininity, caring, sexiness, and independence is my grandma. I have a really strong, emotional connection with her. She's spent her live by my grandpa's side. One could think that, since he used to hold directorial positions at work, he is in charge. One could not be more wrong. She is the one who glues the family together and makes it all work. Generally speaking, women can seem to be more delicate and sensitive, easy to break. However, if we set our eyes on a goal and we know there is something worth fighting for, we can move mountains. Self-confidence is something I really appreciate in women. Being aware of who you are, your accomplishments, your attractiveness is so powerful. Self-confidence should not be mistaken with arrogance, it's simply awareness of your worth. I really admire women who are like that.

AsW: How, as women, can we support each other better?

ZUZA: In my opinion, team work is the way to go! That is what I've learned playing on a basketball team. You may not personally like all the girls on your team, but you learn to put your differences aside and focus on your common goal. That being said, I think in life situations it can take time for women to get real with one another. I feel like when I meet new women, there's always something in common. We tend to tell each other fairytales about our lives. We talk about our great-paying jobs, perfect partners or cats, babies who sleep through the night. I think, the real female friendship starts when we stop telling one another perfect stories about our lives. Where you cut the bs and become real is the place to start the team work.

Dear Zuza,

Thank you so much for a great photo shoot that started three hours late cuz we couldn't stop talking ;) I had so much fun and professional satisfaction while working with you. It was such an exciting and productive day! You are gorgeous in and out. I hope the shots we created will become a memory of the best in NYC for you. Also, thank you for tons of support you gave for my blog. It means a world. I wish you all best in your endeavors, wherever you go from now.

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Trust Me, I'm an Architect.

May 19, 2020

Exploring Angles with Klaudia

News flash, you guys! I'm Polish! in case you didn't know by now LOL. If you think of "pierogi" or "kielbasa" when I mention Poland, you got it right, buttercups! Keep munching on those, you're doing a great job! When I think of Poland, tho, I also think of talented and hard working people who thrive when given a space for growth. My motherland is also full of fierce, smart, and inspiring women whom I keep in my heart every day. One of those women is Klaudia. She is my friend and a family member. We also hold the same profession which creates a connection as well. Klaudia is an intelligent and talented young woman who is kicking ass and taking names. You can trust her, she's an Architect ;P

I don't go to Poland too often, but when I do, I make it count. Whenever I visit, my schedule is crazy. That's why I'm so glad I was able to squeeze in one photo shoot when I was there last time. I shot a few Polish women for the blog, but it was the first time I shot in Poland. I'm very happy to have met with Klaudia. She's not only beautiful and photogenic, but also very smart and fun to talk to. She's very passionate about her job and being creative. She's wit and competent, but also maintains her feminine energy even though she works in a profession that used to be held predominantly by men. She takes pride in her projects and is actually happy on Monday mornings! :) She's lived and worked in two major Polish cities helping to make the country more modern and beautiful with her designs. Even though Klaudia is very serious about her job, personally, she's very and dorky too. That's why we had a really good time during the photo shoot.

If we ever shot together, you know I'm very passionate about my photography. If I want to find that perfect angle for the shot, I will do all the necessary yoga tricks with my camera. No position's off limits ;P I lied on New York sidewalk before, I also climbed all sorts of stuff just to get the shot I was looking for. This time, I didn't have to do it, cuz I was shooting with and Architect! Even though Klaudia had a gorgeous outfit in the profession's favorite color, she didn't hesitate to explore all different surfaces to get the shot we wanted. The photo shoot we did is very minimalist and almost monochromatic. That's why every detail counted. Not only did we explore different angles, but also studied the building materials and textures.

We met for the photo shoot I the middle of winter, Klaudia and I. The number of options for an outdoor photo shoot was limited. It wasn't a problem though. Setting beautiful Architecture as a scenery, seemed to be a perfect choice. We shot in a gorgeous, landmark building that could be also be a representation of Klaudia. Beautiful on the outside, but with an interesting story.. Along with the photo shoot, we also had a brief conversation, Klaudia and I. Make sure not to miss what we talked about.

AsW: When did you make yourself the proudest?

KLAUDIA: I think, in general, I’m always proud when I put a lot of effort into something and I see the effects of my work. I don’t think I have just one proudest moment. It’s more like a creative process that brings me a lot of pride and satisfaction along the way. It applyes not only to my professional work, but also my personal life and things like traveling for example. I find the biggest pleasure when I engage myself in things that I’m passionate about or that teach me something new. I’m always proud when I spend my time in a valuable, meaningful way instead of dumb stuff. Although, I do spend some time on dumb stuff too! (laughts)

AsW: What do you most appreciate other women for? Can you give an example of a person embodying those traits?

KLAUDIA: Let me think.. One time in my career so far have I had a female boss. She was amazing! Whenever she walked into the office, you couldn’t not pay attention to her. There was something in the way she dressed, the way she talked, the way she behaved. It was so full of class! She was a very consistent person. I’m not only talking about her physical appearance, because there was a lot of intelligence and competence behind it. She knew what she wanted and how to fight for it. That’s why she was winning in life so much. Those are the things I really appreciate in other women. I’m not saying I want to be exactly like her, but I’m trying to achieve similar goals in my own way. I’m not looking for making my life easier and doing less. I’m ready to work hard to get where I want to be.

AsW: Do you think there's something we have in common as women across cultures and different backgrounds?

KLAUDIA: I think what we have in common is warmth and understanding. Also, the feminine energy that we all have no matter the personality. It just comes out at different times for each of us. I would say, when we really care about something, we are ready to fight for it and make sacrifices. I feel like men usually have that natural self-confidence from the get go. They believe they would be great at anything before they even start. In my opinion, women work much harder and have to prove more to themselves to get to that mindset. I believe that most modern women choose a path to independence. They are not afraid to get out of their comfort zones and go the extra mile just to be able to own their accomplishments to themselves.

Dear Klaudia,

Thank you for your time and energy to create this photo shoot. It's always a pleasure to see you and talk about girl stuff. You know, foundations, structure, elevations.. those sorts of things.. It's always great to have a good laugh with you and to praise our mutual, female mentor, Agnieszka. A great, great woman who taught us how to draw and get into the university that started our careers. I'm looking forward to see what you design next and how you're gonna make Poland more beautiful. As always, wishing you all the best, gurl! Take care! Till the next time I see you.

With love,

Anja

Earned, Not Given

April 23, 2020

Karen, the Fitnomada

It’s just one of those classic stories when a girl meets a girl and they show appreciation to each other. It’s exactly what the fairytales have thought us since we were little girls, right? Right? Anyway, that’s exactly what happened when I met Karen. It was a sunny June afternoon, about three months before I started this blog, and we were just two strangers vibing at Nowadays. There was a colorful celebration going on at the time and everyone was in great moods, sippin’ on that Pinot Grigio ;) I noticed Karen because she was emitting true, natural beauty and positive vibes. What also caught my attention, was her awesome Cocker Spaniel dog. We had a quick chat with Karen and I took some photos of the both of them. We also exchanged our IG handles and casually stayed in touch.

When I started this blog a few months later, my mind kept going back to Karen. She didn't know it at the time, but I was going to reach out to her to meet and talk, and of course, have a gorgeous photo shoot. In the meantime, not knowing about my upcoming offer, Karen gave me a lot of emotional support about the blog on social media. Her beautiful, selfless words of appreciation and sisterhood gave me more energy to keep going with my project. It's a beautiful thing to get a positive feedback from your close ones, but when it comes from a stranger, it's even more rewarding.

Karen is a gorgeous woman, which is obvious when you look at her photos. Her beauty is deeply grounded inside her as well. She is a warm and kind woman, but also a very professional and focused person. She is an independent personal trainer and collaborates with one of the most prominent fitness club chains. She helps other people to achieve their goals. Some of her skills are easily noticeable on the photos.

Karen and I met in the end of last summer in one of my absolute favorite neighborhoods of Manhattan, in Lower East Side. I have some great friends working in the area who gave me the opportunity to shoot at a little secret rooftop. I really wanted to show Karen’s beautiful body in a special scenery. We took the photos right before and during sunset and had a brief conversation about appreciation of women. Please enjoy the fruits of our conversation!

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

KAREN: I made myself the most proud when I went back to school. I learned how to be a fitness instructor and got my license. It was a hard moment because I didn't want to go back to school, I just wanted to keep working and making money. However, I decided the school was important to me. I wanted to make it right, I wanted to help people.

AsW: What do you most appreciate other women for? Can you give an example of a person embodying those traits?

KAREN: What I appreciate is a complement, words of support from other women, even from strangers. That's what we normally get from guys. It's granted no matter what we do, but when you get it from another woman, it's very special. Giving the words of support to one another like "you're amazing", "you're beautiful", "you're doing an amazing job" is a great thing. Even if we are strangers.

AsW: Hey! that's what you do!

KAREN: Yes! and you too! You are actually my example. You didn't even know me when we met at Nowadays. You just came over and gave me words of appreciation and you photographed me. I think, that's what you do with other women for this blog. You interview them, listen to them and find something special about them. We don't have to be artistic or create stuff, but we all have something special about us.

AsW: Do you think there's something we have in common as women across cultures and different backgrounds?

KAREN: As women, we have the ability to bring life, when we have a kid. In my opinion, wherever we go, we bring that light, that femininity, that energy. Beauty, life, light, that's how I see women.

If you want to know more about Karen and get ideas about your daily workouts, check out her IG account @fitnomada ! She is also working on her new website so go, give it a goog! Stay in touch! You're welcome!

Dear Karen,

I really enjoyed the time spent with you. You were one of the most focused and prepared women I shot with. Working with you was a true pleasure. I'm very proud of what we created together. The beauty of your body says a lot about your character and self-discipline. I admire your hard work and I wish you the best of luck with all your endeavors. You deserve it girl!

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite!

Little Miss Sunshine

April 01, 2020

My Lifetime Journey With Kasia

Ooh! Wow! Where do I start? Kids, gather around! It all began in the fall of 2002.. That's when I met Kasia, my partner in crime for life. We met at the university auditorium in our home city, Wroclaw, Poland, where we spend the next five years studying Architecture, getting street smarter, and doing the most stupid shit you will never prove us! ;P over the course of last two decades, we've shared our ups and downs, met all of each other's boyfriends/girlfriends (?), and learned how to support each other on different life stages. I wish everyone could find Kasia to their Anja. The world would be a better place.

It's not an easy task for me to select my best memories about Kasia and I because there's tons of them. It's been such an amazing journey for us to witness the other one growing up, maturing, healing from wounds, and just simply having fun! What I love the most about our relationship, is that we were able build a beautiful female friendship, against what society used to teach women. We never competed for attention of men or other friends. We did compete tho. In the most healthy and inspiring ways. We would push each other to aim for more by doing more and leading by example. "Ok! So she can stay up one more hour to make her design better? Why can't I?" It was that kind of thing.. We were never negative or against each other. When it was time to sleep tho, we would lead by example too lol! Now, we both are kick-ass professionals always rooting for each other.

Kasia is an amazing person and a loyal friend. She will show up when you need her and say all the stupid stuff to make you laugh through your tears and she’ll keep that wine coming. If it’s one of those nights, you will dance your ass off and go back home next day. She is very cute and positive, but don’t get it twisted, her quick wit is a deadly weapon if necessary! :) especially when someone tells her what she cannot do or is not capable of.

I’ve seen Kasia going through the best and worst life situations. I was also able to witness her growth. One of the times she surprised me the most was a few years ago when she decided to move from Poland to Mexico. She had just started her own business. She was making her due designing buildings in our house city, but when the opportunity of moving to a different continent presented itself, she seized the moment. Kasia didn’t want to give up on her business tho, so she worked overseas, adjusting her schedule to Central European Time zone. In practice it meant working at night and making business calls and virtual meetings @ 2am. In this whole craziness, she managed to learn pole dancing in a local fitness studio. Not only that, she became an instructor herself! She transitioned from a skinny, asthmatic girl to a fitness goddess with a 16-pack and body moves that even JLo wouldn’t be ashamed of.

As I mentioned before, Kasia had lived in Mexico for several years. I happened to visit her there in the last phase of her stay (now she lives in The UK). I was experiencing a very difficult time in my life at the time. Kasia gave me tons of support. And tacos. And gallons of tequila :) She was also a perfect travel guide showing me the must-see attractions, but also taking me to places far away from the tourist trails. One of those places was a gorgeous winery in the middle of nowhere where we did a half of our photo shoot. The winery was full of good wine and food. Also, full of very hospitable locals. Kasia spoke to them in fluent Spanish that she had learned in Mexico over the course of only three months, cuz why not? She kept getting complements on her language skills wherever we went.

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

K: Oh! The most, huh? You know, I do’t think there’s just one event like that. There was a few situations in my life that I could say “I did it!”, “ I made it!”. It was definitely when I started my own business, when I managed to keep it running, when not only did I take up pole dancing, but also became an instructor. I was very proud when I moved so far away from home and I found myself in that new place. I’m very proud I learned Spanish so quickly. I think all of the above is when I made myself the most proud.

AsW: Especially since you have lived in more than one country, do you think there is something that women have in common across cultures and different backgrounds?

K: I think what’s very common for most women is their strength. I’ve observed it in women that I had a chance to meet and befriend somewhere out there in the world. They were all doers and go getters. I think, other thing that we have in common, is the level of sensitivity. I feel like the bond between women is stronger than between guys, at least when it comes to sensitivity. That’s how I feel, I might be wrong. That’s my personal observation. To sum up, I thing those two things are characteristic to women. Being strong and balancing it with sensitivity.

AsW: What do you most appreciate other women for? Is there a person who embodies those traits?

K: What I really appreciate in women is their multitasking skills. Hence, motherhood is something I most admire women for. I haven’t experienced motherhood myself yet, if you don’t count being a dog mom. I have two dogs. I assume it’s not the same as being a mother to a child. That’s why I really admire women who sacrificed a lot to become a mom. What else? I really appreciate women who can arm themselves against the world in difficult situations. They can put on an invisible armor when something really bad is about to happen to them. I think it all comes back to that strength I was talking about before. I think it’s not easy to survive and establish ourselves in the men’s world, so I really admire women who fight the status quo.

PS.

Dear Kasia,

What can I say about my appreciation for you that hasn’t been said before? Thank you for your energy at the shoot and all the laughs we had during the interview. Thank for all of the support you gave me in Mexico. That period of my life would have been much more difficult if it wasn’t for you. I am devastated you won’t be able to meet me here in New York this month as we planned. I hope, when the madness out there in the world ends, I’m gonna pick you up from JFK and we’ll spend some amazing time together. We both need it so much! Can’t wait to see you, boo!

With love,

Anja

Empowered Women Empower Women

February 10, 2020

Conozcan a la señorita Victoria

Last year, I had a pleasure of going to Mexico for the first time. I basked in the sun, had a lot of great food and margaritas, and met some lovely people. While on vacation, I was still on duty with my camera. Being in Mexico was such a great opportunity to meet awesome women and shoot with them for the blog. I just couldn't miss it. I'm so happy to have met Victoria, a kind, smart, and gorgeous woman who empowers women around her.

I met Victoria thanks to my best friend Kasia who happened to live in Mexico at the time of my visit there. She was the one who figured Victoria and I should connect. A few years ago Victoria started Studio 101, a pole dancing studio in Queretaro where she works as an instructor. Not only does she help other women to improve on their fitness, but also teaches them how to appreciate their bodies and take their power back. It's such a beautiful thing that in today's society which makes money on women's insecurities, Victoria makes money on the opposite.

I visited Studio 101 and I loved what I saw. A caption on the wall read: "I DO POLE FITNESS FOR ME". I loved it so much cuz even though there's nothing wrong with pole dancing for someone else, it's so much more powerful when you do it for yourself. The great energy and self-acceptance was to be felt all around the studio.. and let me tell ya.. those girls had moves.. One of the stars shinning the brightest in he studio was Kasia who just a couple years before was a skinny, asthmatic girl.. and then there she was, proudly presenting her 16-pack swirling down the pole. The place Victoria created is awesome! I love when empowered women empower women.

I spent a great half of the day with Victoria. We roamed the lovely streets of Queretaro’s old town in search for unique spots to shoot. I spent such a creative and rewarding time with her. She is a kind and social person. Also, my camera loved what she could do with her body. After a few hours of shooting and vibing together, Victoria and I had an honest conversation about femininity.

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

I think when I opened my own business, it was very fulfilling. It made me feel happy and complete. Before that I was just wandering through life and I didn't really know what to do. I had lots of problems with drugs, alcohol, and that kind of world. When I started to pole dance, I really felt like I was good at something. I started giving classes to really close friends, at my house. Then I started looking for a place, cuz the group was getting bigger. When I first opened the studio, I couldn't believe it.. I couldn't believe it was my own place. It was my reason to keep going, my motivation. My business was the most important thing for me at the time and it kept growing and growing and I still can't believe I created that place. This year we expanded the space, we added a new room to grow more. It makes me feel good to see so many girls to go through the process from being shy to getting more confident and in the end to thriving. It's really cool to watch that process. You can see it even with their outfits. In the beginning, they ask me "can we wear leggings?" and right now some of those girls, who have been with us for three years, are up for wearing whatever and they change in front of everyone. It's very cool that they start excepting their bodies.

AsW: What do you think women have in common across cultures or different backgrounds?

I think, the growth.. Sometimes when we feel like our lives aren’t worth it or we feel really down, we know how to overcome that. We are fighters. We fight to achieve what we think we deserve and what we want in life. Also, I think, for the most part, we are a very bonding group. We accept And support one another. When I read something about a woman across the world and I don't even know her personally, I'm empathetic to her cuz I feel what she might be going through.

I have a really close family, my mom and my sisters whom I see daily and we talk to each other almost every day. We really fight to maintain that part of our lives, to be together, to grow together, to fight together. It's really nice, I like that about women, that mutual support.

AsW: You partially just responded to this question, but can you give me any examples of women who embodies the traits you mentioned? Like empathy, bonding..

I would say my mom and my sisters. They've always been there for me, even when I was in a really really bad situation with all the things that I was talking about. When they saw I needed help, they were there for me with no judgement, but just willing to help. They love me and they know that maybe sometimes we get lost in our way. They were always there, always.. and that’s what I most appropriate about my family. It's the same the other way around. If I see my mom or my sisters are going through something harsh, I will be there for them. I will help them. That part of helping one another and supporting one another is very feminine. I don't think men are like that.

If you wanna know more about Studio 101, visit their Facebook page. If you wanna know more about Victoria and see some samples of her awesome performances, find her o IG at @victoriaserratos .

PS.

Dear Victoria,

Thank you so much for your time and great energy! You are a kind and positive soul. Keep doing what you're doing cuz you're awesome! Wish for your business to grow and give you as much personal satisfaction as possible. I wish for you all love and support in the dark times cuz you deserve it! Girl! Ima try pole dancing this month! Wish me luck lol!

With love,

Anja

New Beginnings

December 31, 2019

Getting Cozy with Kendra

I met Kendra almost a year ago and that's when we had our photo shoot. I know, I know , I need to work on my blog discipline lol, but I, kind of, like the imperfections of the process, they cause interesting outcomes sometimes. Anyway, when I photographed Kendra, it was maybe our third get together. We were basically strangers getting a little been more cozy with each other, one meeting at at time. Since then, we've been on a hell of journey, Kendra and I. From strangers, we became acquaintances, and then friends.

Over the course of last year, we numerously sat at the same table, sharing food, Kendra and I. We met each other's families. Kendra had a chance to have a taste of my mom's famous pierogi and I had a pleasure to try her father's awesome bbq ribs. I still ate meat then. Gosh I used to L.O.V.E. meat.. Well.. a year is a long time. We shared a lot of moments with Kendra. We wined and dined, we danced till the dawn, we went on trips and paddled a river together. We spent a lot of holidays together and had numerous sleep overs. I also had a chance to hang with her smart and gorgeous daughter, who is charming and gentle, but would tell us what's what if necessary ;) Being able to present Kendra on this blog a year after the shoot is actually a more interesting experience now than it would be then as we know each other much better.

Before I met Kendra by our mutual friend, I was told she had and interesting job, but when I asked follow up questions, the only thing that I got was Kendra worked in a building.. My incredible detective mind, told me there was more to Kendra's job than just a building, so I asked her directly :) The following is what I found out. Kendra works for a non-profit organization and it deals with social services, helping out the low income community. They're based in Flatbush, Brooklyn. They have programs geared towards development for youth, homeless services, and immigration services. Kendra works as an executive assistant helping to oversee those programs and taking care of day-to-day functions and smooth operations of everything. How cool is that tho!?

What I like to do is to photograph ppl in a safe space where they feel comfortable. I also like that place to represent the person I shoot. It tells a little back story about them. It was the case this time as well. When I met Kendra, she had gone through a lot and was just starting a new life. For the first time, she moved into a place where she could live completely independently. I couldn't imagine a better place for the photo shoot than the apartment where she made her own rules. She was kind enough to let me in. We had some good food and some mimosas. We also and listened to some Cuban salsa songs while shooting cuz that's what the Polish and the Caribbean do when they meet ;P I'm happy to share the fruits of our photo shoot and a conversation about femininity that we had as well.

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

K: I think, with the experiences that I’ve had and I'm experiencing currently.. I don’t think there’s a specific time for me, I think it’s an ongoing process. More and more I discover about myself as I’m becoming more in this independent role, transitioning from being a wife to a wife and a mother and then just a mother.. There’s different roles you kind of fit into, but it’s not who YOU are. Now, it’s like I’m coming to myself and discovering myself more as an independent person. As I learn and grow, and I do thing for ME, and start achieving things that I want for myself, I think it’s an everyday process. Maybe now, as I’m getting older and maturing more, I’m becoming more and more proud of myself. Doing things for me and not what my parents want for me, what is expected of me as a wife, and a mother. I’m in a learn-as-you-grow situation.

AsW: What do you most appreciate other women for? Is there a person who embodies those traits?

K: What I appreciate most about women, I think, is resiliency. I grew up in a family of mostly women and we all had different life experiences. Even friends close to me, they all have different walks of life. There’s a lot of things that I never had to deal with, but have learned about through them. I admire their attitude of "what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger". I witnessed them going though things in life that they were able to overcome, each in their own way, doing it for their kids. There’s this ability to always find the strength because you have someone looking up to you or you’re a bread winner, supporting your family, always having to find that inner strength to get up each morning and do what you have to do. To do it just out of love and care for the people that are around you. I think that’s what’s unique and special to women because we are very loving people. Each does it in their own way, but I feel it’s a trait that we all have possess, the resiliency, strength, and the lovingness.. Those traits are very unique to us.

AsW: What do you think women have in common across cultures or different backgrounds?

K: I think it's, kind of, a similar situation to what you asked before. We’re each unique in our own way, as women, despite where we come from or our walks through life. We all experience different things, but there are ways about us that are unique. There’s this loving, mothering, nurturing way we have that a man doesn’t possess, even a sensitive man. As women, we all wanna care about people and are not afraid to show it. We can be sweet, but still have a strength not to let people walk over us. I feel now, especially, with all this empowerment, women having more and not afraid to use their voices, it’s really important. As a mother with a young child girl, I want her to maintain this sweet, kind, and gentle way about her, but still know that she has a voice and is not afraid to use it because it may upset someone else. It’s not about pleasing people, it’s about staying true to who we are. People should know to respect that. There are women in other countries and cultures who can’t do that, but we all should be able to do that. What we have in common is that we have the residence, we have the strength, we have the power and ability to do it. Once it’s awaken, no one can shut it out.

PS.

Dear Kendra,

Thank you for your time and effort. Thank you for letting me into your home and vibing with me. We did a great job. All the best to your family. Since the decade is coming to end today, I wish you all success with your endeavors for 2020.

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Sweata Weatha!

December 03, 2019

Ooh la la! here comes Ula!

I met Ula several years ago in one of Manhattan’s colleges that we both attended. We connected very quickly. Partially because we met in a very creative class and partially because we are both Polish. It started from grabbing a couple of drinks after exams and developed into spending major holidays at the family table.

The same nationality was not the only reason we connected, Ula and I. We had some similar experiences in life that only another woman can understand. Also, we shared a lot of ups and downs about being women in their thirties. We also had a lot of fun, like twerking on the floor in the middle of a Polish gathering or having a trip to Salem to celebrate our witchyness..

Ula has a great taste and an artistic soul. If you wanna know what imagination is, you better leaver her in a room with a bunch of flowers and shrubs and see what happens. She worked in hospitality for many years and she knows how to organize a classy, fancy-schmancy event without spending an arm and a leg. She represents what’s the best about Polish crafts and pretty DIY shit.

Ula is one of those gorgeous women who usually don’t feel comfortable around a cameras. She’s not the first woman like that on my blog and probably won’t be the last one. This tendency among beautiful, accomplished women is a mystery to me, but also a very pleasant challenge :) I’m sorry to disappoint you Ula, but you look stunning on photos.

I had a conversation with Ula and asked her a few questions that I like to ask women after a gorgeous photo shoot. Keep reading to find out what’s her take on the femininity issue.

AsW: When was your proudest moment in life so far?

ULA: The first thing that comes to my mind is when I worked in a hotel as an event manager. It was something that gave me the most joy, it gave me a real development in a major graduated in. I just like working with people and organizing various types of events. After more than nine years of doing that, the next stage for me was the US chapter, completely different, but also very productive and full of challenges. I have spent the few last years on learning the language, traveling and working with children. I hope all those things will have a meaning in my future life ;)

AsW: What do you think women across cultures, religions, different backgrounds and life choices have in common?

ULA: Multitasking! We are successful at work, we run the house, we care about finances,and we are constantly learning. At the same time, we develop our passions. We embrace many things at once and I think we are really great at it. Women are strong and very determined - that connects us! We are awesome!

AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most? Can you give an example of a woman that embodies some of those traits?

ULA: What I appreciate in other women is that in difficult moments they can always unite, help one another and don't give up easily. There are things we can share and they can be understood only by another woman. I am lucky that in difficult times there was always one, two, sometimes a group of girls who supported me. A person who embodies that would be my mom. She has always been there for me. I don't know a person more helpful, strong and hardworking than her. Despite very difficult events in her life, she remained warm and empathetic. She is my superhero, an unsurpassed example, and my best friend!

PS.

Dear Ula,

Thank you so much for your time and effort during the photo shoot. I know on my own example how much anxiety a camera cause, especially if you’re not used to being around one. You did a great job! I hope this post will bring a little smile on your face. Please remember, it’s always darkest before the dawn. Your future is bright, I wish you all the best, wherever life brings you.

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Happy Sweet Sixty!

November 24, 2019

Her Excellence, My Mom.

I started this blog to celebrate women and their kindness to one another. What better person to photograph and talk to than my Mom? She's always been in my corner no matter how different my life choices were from her own. She's always loved and respected me for who I was and supported my decisions. She would also call me on my bs if necessary, but in a kind, motherly way. If you have a giving, selfless Mother like that, you grow a soft spot for people no matter how thick your armor is. I am a fighter, it's not easy to break me, but I do care a lot about the people that I value. I think this is the best gift I received from my Mom.

My parents split up when I was a child. Even though my Dad was always around, it became my Mom's responsibility to deal with day-to-day issues. She always made sure my brother and I didn't miss on anything and created a loving home for us. She's always put our happiness and comfort first, even when we were actively trying to push her onto a dating market again. 'Twas a hopeless case.. Lol. As of recent, my Mom turned sixty and finally retired after over four decades of working hard and diligently. She finally has time and space to relax, be with her loved ones, and travel. We try to spoil her as much as we can nowadays, my brother and I. She deserves it! Also, her single days are long gone.

This year, I had a great pleasure of spending the Mother's Day with my Mom. It's a rare opportunity these days cuz we live on different continents. In May, we went on a weekend girls trip to Philly where we had lots of good food and wine, climbed the Rocky stairs, and took shots for this blog. Also, we had a woman to woman conversation over wine and I asked my Mom a few questions about femininity.

AsW: When was your proudest moment?

ELA: Oh! What a tough question.. I think, my whole life I've been saying, my kids are what I've succeeded at the most. The time when I really felt proud of myself was when my kids started achieving in life.

AsW: What do you think women have in common across cultures, religions, different life choices?

ELA: I think what becomes more and more common these days is that women start holding professions that were assigned to men in the past. They have careers, but at the same time, they have kids, they travel, they grow. What I like is that women are more opinionated and independent nowadays.

AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most? Can you give an example of a woman who embodies some of those traits?

ELA: What I appreciate other women for these days is that they kick ass. They fought their way to occupations that used to be reserved for men only. It's amazing to me how they can build their position in the man's world. Not only that, many times they even do a better job. One of the women who represent that is my former colleague and one of my best friends, Ania. Years ago, she felt insecure, wasn't aware of her own potential. I kept telling her she should never believe anyone who says she cannot do something or she cannot achieve more. Then she proved herself what she was capable of. Currently, she holds a manager position and is doing great!

PS.

Dear Mom,

Thank you so much for your involvement in this blog and all the support you give me every day. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to shoot with you. I am also very grateful to you for making your world-famous pierogi for my friends in New York. It's always a treat! I will see you soon, hopefully, not only on my phone screen.

With love,

Anja

Pride Month Every Month

August 05, 2019

Akili Womensplains Things to Me

This year, I did two special photo shoots celebrating Pride Month. Both took place at Industry City in Brooklyn, a vibrant place providing a lot of photo opps and spots to hang out. Not only did I need an interesting scenery with some colors to incorporate on my shots, but also I was looking for a diverse, comfortable environment. I met with Torres and Akili, two very different and very interesting women who happen to represent the LGBT community. You can check out my previous post to see what we created with Torres, but this time I'll be focusing on Akili and let me tell you, she's a great point of focus.

I met with Akili in June and my shoot with her was a part one of Pride Month celebration. However, by the end of our shoot and conversation, I already knew the title of this post. I also realized I should publish it outside of Pride Month. That is because, even though Akili represents the LGBT community, her sexual orientation shouldn't be a special issue, but just one fact about her. So how about we celebrate Pride Month every month?

Meeting Akili in Brooklyn turned out to be very accurate, cuz not long ago, she moved there to start a new chapter of her life. I spent a wonderful afternoon with her as she is a very positive and creative person. She's also a very stylish woman who takes a good care of her self. I really love when women do that, cuz it shows the amount of respect they give themselves. Akili's beauty is not only external. She is very kind and fun to be around. She emits a lot of positive vibes and talking to her is a treat. She's also a badass as a professional. She works at Kate Spade as an Operation Manager and is interested in stock investments (if I didn't mess up all the smart words she said to me LOL). That girl is going places!

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

AKILI: I think I was the most proud, to be honest, was when I cut my hair, because I was so attached to it and the beauty that I thought stemmed from it. The societal views of what a woman of color should look like. I just felt liberated after that because it was me and I was accepting of me. I think it's the most important thing, to be accepting of yourself before the society accepts you.

AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most?

AKILI: I appreciate other women for their confidence. I think it's spectacular when a female can have a confidence beyond measure, beyond criticism, societal views. I think, confidence is shown in all different ways in all different women. I appreciate when I meet someone with the energy that I try to posses every day.

AsW: In your opinion, what do we have in common as women, despite our different cultures, background, lifestyles or sexual orientation?

AKILI: I think we have the nature of intimacy in common. I feel like no matter what, we all have guilty pleasures and we all have things that we enjoy, but it's the intimate aspect that makes us women. There's a ton of appreciation when there's more of the intimate connection. Whether it's sexual or just emotional, the intimacy, kind of, ties us together. We all have a story behind that.

AsW: Is there anything you wish people knew about LGBT community?

AKILI: I think that the community is totally separated. It's almost like it's its own entity, but I feel like we're all the same. We're just people who thrive of different pleasures and that embody a lot of confidence that other people wish they possessed. Being yourself and being self-expressive is very hard, but at one point I would just want to see the unity and not feeling just as if being gay, lesbian, straight, trans, whatever it is, needs to be put in a particular category. I mean, all special things and events are great, but it doesn't need to be so separate, where we cannot co-mingle or co-habitat and feel like we're just people who have different interests. I'm still a woman and you're still a woman. You know what I mean? I think that's what I'd like to see.

Dear Akili,

You are such a beautiful person! It was so easy to work and vibe with you. As we spoke before, taking photos of someone, portraits in particular, is taking a piece of their intimacy. I appreciate your intimate energy a lot. You're natural in front of a camera and photographing you is really rewarding. Not only are you a gorgeous woman, but also, talking to you is a treat. You bring so much positive energy to the table. You also bring coffee and wine to the table which are beverages of our preference LOL! You have a beautiful period of your life ahead of you and I wish you make the best of it! Thrive grl!

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Pride and Prejudice

July 09, 2019

Building Bridges with Torres

There was a weekend in June that I spent in Industry City, a cool, cool place in Brooklyn which provided a lot of photo opps for my Pride shoots. I had so much fun and loved all Pride decorations they’d prepared. Since I’m interested in all aspects of femininity on my blog, how could I not celebrate the LGBT community? Any form of love between women make my heart grow. One June Sunday, I had a pleasure to meet and shoot with Torres, a kick-ass woman who works in the construction industry.

Torres came to New York from Hong Kong in 2017. She gave herself one year to find out if she could make it here. She had no family and only a few friends in the city. She made it to a PM position in a construction company with a forty-year tradition. As a female architect, I know exactly how much harder you have to work and how much more you have to prove to be recognized as a woman in that industry. Torres not only is reliable and well-organized, but also has a lot of humility and stamina at work. Privately, she's very fun and open.

We shared a lot of thoughts about femininity, feminism, sexuality, and social inclusion over a good, strong coffee. You know, the kind that the real women in construction business like. LOL! I asked Torres tree questions that I traditionally serve on my menu, but also threw in a bonus one, so that I could learn more about the LGBT community and share it with you guys.

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

TORRES: I made myself the most proud in 2017 when I became an Assistant Project Manager in a construction company. Everything was so new, I didn't even know too much about the construction materials, cuz I was fresh out of school. I spent about eighteen months finishing the first apartment. The proudest moment that I had was when I walked through it with the buyer and told them that I built their home so that they could live there. They were so happy about it. I'm the most proud when I have a contribution to this society. Everyone does a different thing, a cleaner, a housekeeper, a driver and they have their own contributions, but mine is to build somebody a home to live in.

AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most and is there anyone who embodies those traits?

TORRES: I appreciate that women have multiple positions in their families and jobs. Sometimes they work, sometimes they are mothers or sisters or daughters and they need to balance everything, not to mess up all different positions. At work they need to be very professional, but then at home they have to be a good cook and a caretaker. I think my mom was very good at it. I appreciate that.

AsW: In your opinion, what do we have in common as women, despite our different cultures, background, lifestyles or sexual orientations?

TORRES: I think women are born with more ability to care about others. They keep their emotional worries stable. Sometimes, they can be leaders, but also team players. It depends on what kind of situation they are dealing with. Women are like water, they are very flexible. They have an ability to adapt in many different situations.

AsW: Is there anything you wish people knew about LGBT community?

TORRES: Something that I would want to say about the community is that we are all humans. There's no need to put labels like someone's a gay guy or a lesbian or transgender. Just treat others like you would like to be treated. I don't think we need any other special adjective, or description, or label. No matter if you like or not, just be respectful.

Dear Torres,

Thank you so much for meeting with me and sharing your energy. It was fun to have had a workaholic-to-workaholic talk :) and compare experiences as immigrant women. Thanks for bringing more knowledge and awareness about LGBT community and your personal struggles to the table. Knowledge is priceless and hopefully, I'm more woke. It was fun and pleasure to collaborate with you. You brought a lot of swag to our shoot! I wish you all the best! Keep kicking ass and taking names on those construction sites! and take PRIDE in whatever you do.

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Simply Organic

June 12, 2019

Jordan. Here comes the queen.

I met Jordan networking at one of the events in Brooklyn, hosted by The Artist Kickback. Later on, we connected and collaborated on my special photo shoot celebrating women and diversity on Women's History Month (see one of my previous posts: Woman Up!). Jordan is an incredibly talented singer. Her voice is pure and organic and her divine, artistic aura makes you immediately recognize she was born to be on stage.

I loved working with Jordan, she made my work so easy. As a performer, she is very aware of her face and body. She is very professional and patient, but also very passionate and enthusiastic when presented with some dope outcomes of mutual efforts. Jordan is not only naturally beautiful, she also has the feminine energy of a queen. Most women don't have that natural ability to show their fierce and confident side in front of the camera right off the bat. Jordan, though, is a master of it, she comes in and owns the room.

As much as l love Jordan's fierce, statue-like side on the shots, I was really interested in discovering more vulnerable aspects of her personality. Her sincere smile, when she puts her guard down for a minute, lights up the room. Don't take it from me, just look at the photos. But what's a girl to do? You don't just ask women to smile! If they want to, they will! We needed to create a different kind of energy. It had to be sincere and organic. To do so, I had to presents the sincere idiot-like side of my personality and crack her up from time to time. In the end of the day we had a really good time and I took some of the best shots ever.

We took the shots where Ridgewood meets Bushwick (courtesy of Houdini Kitchen Labolatory @houdinikitchenlab ) surrounded by natural wood, glass and steel. That way, we created a bit vintage look with some natural, organic touches. Jordan looks so stunning, you don't need much to make the photos pop. I also had a pleasure to have a lil chat with her. She is a really kind person with a lot of life wisdom and a cool vibe. Talking to her was a treat. Please, find out what she had to say about femininity.

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

JORDAN: When I got asked to go to France to perform for a huge festival. It was my first time performing in front of six or seven thousand people. I literally booked the gig of just going to the session and.. being dope! There was no politics involved, it was just pure talent that took me to France. I could not believe that my first time going outside of the country was just for the performance purposes. I was super proud of that. I actually did it twice. I went in 2018 and I'm going this year too.

AsW: In your opinion, what do we have in common as women, despite our different cultures, background or lifestyles?

JORDAN: I think, as women, there's just a certain way that we think. I don't know what it is, maybe it's the intuition thing, it's like a sixth sense almost. A situation can't be perfect without a woman involved, in my opinion. Just because the simple fact that there's a certain touch that we add to everything, no matter what it is. It can be a smallest of tasks, but we take a certain attention to detail. The way that we communicate is more thoughtful in that we want to approach things in a way that would not only benefit us, but every party involved. We also multitask in a way that, I think, man just aren't able to. We can think about one thing, talk about somethings else, and be doing something totally different at the same time and do it effortlessly.

AwS: You partially answered this question already, but maybe you're gonna want to add something. What do you appreciate other women for the most and is there anyone who embodies that?

JORDAN: I appreciate other women for their natural beauty. I think it's something that is infectious about a woman who loves herself and shows no shame about herself. That is so beautiful and it's contagious. It makes you want to be like that. I think a person who embodies that could be Erica Badu. I think she's one of those people that walks in the room and you can't help, but just feel her energy. Feminine energy is so powerful, but only when you recognize it, value it, and develop it in you. There's a lot of women that don't even know their power and that's unfortunate, but we have so much power it's crazy. Definitely, Erica Badu is one of those who embody that.

Attention please! As I mentioned b4, Jordan is an incredibly talented singer. Her voice is sultry and amazing! She can stand in front of you and just sing your name and your jaw will drop, that's how awesome she is! To find out more about Jordan's creative endeavors and pick from her artistic apple tree, be sure to check out her IG: @jordankingmusic and her website www.iamjordanking.com

PS.

Dear Jordan,

Thank you for your time and great energy you brought to our photo shoot. I appreciate you reminding me how professional and confident females can be.

We had a chat in the beginning of the photo shoot and I mentioned that, even though you are extremely unique and your music is hard to box or categorize, I feel Erica-Badu-like divine energy about you. To which you responded she had been one of your heroes and inspirations. It's funny cuz whenever you speak about her, it's exactly what I sense about your feminine, artistic aura. When you walk into a room, you change the energy. Can't wait to listen to your upcoming new music that you will treat us with next.

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Pippi Longstocking is real!

May 16, 2019

Shay, a cool kid from New York

I met Shay almost five years ago. She was one of the first New-York-born people I met after switching continents and coming to the city. From the get-go, she was an impersonation of cool to me. She was exactly what I imagined a Brooklyn girl would be, smart, independent, artsy, with tattoos ;P During our first couple of meetings I felt a bit intimidated by her easiness to start a conversation and her New York swag. (To all the people who know me well and are spitting out beverages on their screens right now, yes, I can feel intimidated at times, but only by people I respect). Anyway, very soon after I met Shay, I realized she reminded me of a book character, Pippi Longstocking. It was was because of both, her style and personality. Many of you might not know who Pippi is, unless you're into Swedish kids books from the 40s. Of course, Shay knew who I was referring to. Why?? Cuz she cool and she knows what's up! Also, Pippi is her inspiration.

Pippi Longstalking is a girl whose best friends are her full-size horse that she can lift with her one hand (cuz why not?), a monkey, and a couple kids from the neighborhood. You hipsters got interested? You better check out Astrid Lindgren. Anyway, Pippi is very independent, strong and doesn't conform to cultural norms of her village. Instead, she's creative, makes her own rules, and cares for her friends very much. Sometimes, she makes fun of unreasonable and pompous adults. Wait! Am I still describing Pippi or was it Shay all along? Never seen Shay hanging out with a horse and a monkey in public, tho.. Well it's New York, such view in the subway wouldn't surprise me at all! lol

Picking the right location for a photo shoot is crucial to me. I always want it to tell one's story or represent them the best. It was the case this time as well. Shay picked Saint John the Divine cathedral to my delight. I'm not necessarily a religious person, but I love Harlem and as an Architect, I appreciate the beauty of the building's design. Shay picked that location because it intertwined with her path on different life stages. Her summer camps used to take off from there when she was kid. Her family would sometimes meet there as it was a half way from where they lived. Finally, she had an internship at the cathedral and on weekends, she assisted with tours and children's workshops. She knows so much about the building and the cultural events taking place there, I think, she would still make a great tour guide :) She was mine, at least, that one afternoon.

Having a conversation with Shay is always a treat! It wasn't any different this time. Usually, among other topics, we talk about cool places to travel to, new cultural and art events around the city, skateboarding, longboarding, snowboarding, and food. Since she was born and raised in NYC, she's a walking and talking yelp/zagat/tripadvisor. You can't be bored around her. This time tho, we met to talk femininity and feminism.

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

Shay: Wow.. that’s deeply personal, but I’ll share it. So, my childhood was really messed up and coming from a family of origin that wasn’t a great, positive place, I, as a young person (a teenager till early twenties), struggled with an eating disorder. Like, really badly.. I think I made myself the most proud in choosing to walk away from that because it is the most difficult thing for people to do. There was a time in my twenties when I had done a lot of work on myself, and a lot of therapy, and a lot of that stuff.. It was a time when I started living a lifestyle free of my eating disorder. The fact that I decided to step into living more healthily and caring enough not to do that anymore is the thing that I’m the most proud of. That I chose life instead..

Shay: There was another time when I really made myself proud. So.. everyone in my family is academic and well educated, having all kinds of professions with advanced degrees. When you are a young person, you aren’t quite self-possessed enough to back that expectation, or at least I wasn’t. When I was seventeen I said I was not going to college, I was going to take a year and just have fun. I went and got a job in a ski resort in a middle of nowhere, 8 miles from the Canadian border. I just found it on the internet. Back then you had to print out your application and mail it in. There was no online submission. I just went out there, I didn’t know anybody, and I just showed up with my two little bags and a snowboard and said: “Hi! I’m here and I’m gonna learn how to snowboard..” and everyone was like “Ok, weirdo”. Yeah, I remember feeling very proud of myself at that point, when I decided to leave New York.

AsW: Especially since you are from New York, which is a melting pot, what do think women have in common across different cultures and walks of life?

Shay: I think, in order to navigate the city, in any capacity, women have to be able to be somewhat assertive. Even the most shy women, no matter of their background or belief or whatever, in some way have to be able to, maybe not stake a claim, but assert themselves and navigate that. They, kind of, have to grow a thick skin, especially in New York. It’s such a hard question because New York is so many different things for so many different people and there are so many experiences going on simultaneously, I don’t think it can be quantified.

AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most?

Shay: God! So much! The beautiful sisterhood that seems to happen when females collaborate. Whether it’s a mother-to-daugther role or sister-to-sister role, women who live in a community and help one another are the ones I appreciate the most. I like when women gear each other up!

PS.

Dear Shay,

I had such a great time with you once again. Thank you for walking me through your beloved places in Harlem, as much as for walking me through you thoughts about femininity and sisterhood. Also, thank you for your mental support with the blog and reading the stories I post. It means a lot! I wish you all the best in your endeavors. Hopefully, I'll see you soon in New York!

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Between two ferns

May 07, 2019

Virgos, in the bushes, talking femininity

When I met Naina, my dear friend, we were on completely different life stages. She was preparing to get married and in the process of becoming a licensed Architect and I was questioning the life I’d already built. We come from different cultures and parts of world. There’s also an age gap between us. That being said, we connected immediately. The first time we hit the bar, there was hours of unstopped conversation.

We realized how much we had in common despite our different walks of life. We also discovered we were both mid-September Virgos, which explained a lot.. Despite being tangled in different cultural and family relations, we found a common ground, a safe non-judgment zone to talk about love, sex, religion, race. We created a safe space to have a conversation and ask questions, cuz that’s how you get to the bottom of different mindsets and philosophies of the world.

Let me introduce you to that beautiful person and give away a little bit of her family story that could not only make a book, but probably a movie. Naina was born in India to a loving, Sikh family. Before that, her family had a big, beautiful house and a prosperous business. They had a happy life, unfortunately, good fortune could not last forever. Due to Sikh genocide in 1984, Naina’s uncle and grandfather were gunned down in their own house. The former was only eighteen years old at the time and the latter was an American citizen, just visiting his family. The tragedy was witnessed by Naina’s father and grandmother, who also suffered bullet wounds. Naina’s grandmother lost her father and one of sons in a matter of seconds.

After Naina was born and almost two decades after the tragic events, her family still felt the ripples of 1984 and uncertainty for the future which led them to decide to give their children a better and safer future. In June 2001, they arrived in New York. Only a couple months before 9/11. Sikh religion is very peaceful, but it requires men to wear turbans. Due to that fact, Naina’s family, mostly her father and brother, experienced racism, harassment, and even physical threats.

Despite many hardships, Naina’s parents worked hard to give their children the best education possible and a better life. She speaks of her family very highly and remembers her childhood and growing up very positively. She graduated from Architecture school a few years ago. Now, she works in the City designing buildings of all sorts, including affordable housing for the less fortunate. She’s one of the smartest, most talented, and most diligent people I’ve come across. She’s also very humble about it.

Not only Naina’s career is going well, but her personal life is thriving too! She met the love of her life in college, her beautiful Russian boy, as she calls him ;) Even though she fell in love with a man outside of her culture, her family stayed very supportive. I was incredibly honored to witness their wedding in a Sikh temple last year. It was a beautiful, colorful ceremony among very welcoming family and friends of the young couple. In Sikh tradition, they won’t let you leave with an empty stomach, so we were treated with a lot of delicious, vegetarian food. I must admit, it was a very familiar view when I saw all of those hospital aunts giving away seconds, making sure our bellies were full. Not that different from Polish culture. The traditional, Sikh ceremony was followed by a classic, American reception where we had a chance to shake those pretty bottoms together to our jams. Beyoncé.

I met Naina in Brooklyn Botanic Garden to take the photos. Partially because, as she claims, she looks good in front of plants.. lol (agreed), but also because it’s a special place for her. That’s where she went on a first date with her future husband. I hope you’ll enjoy the fruits of our efforts. We also had a chance to talk and I asked her a few questions.

AsW: When did you make yourself the most proud?

Naina: I think it has to be when I graduated, you know. Architecture school was no joke and there were a lot of tough times, but after five years, I was very proud cuz I made it. When we started out there was only 50% of the kids that made it. It was a struggle, but it was just something I really had to do. I think I’m mostly proud when my parents are proud. They struggled a lot in this country just to give us the best life that they possibly could. So that’s the biggest thing for me.

AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most?

Naina: I think we were talking about it before and I think perseverance, really, doing our best despite the physical pain and whatever life or society throws at us. I think it’s a cross-cultural thing that women get stuck with the most shit. I think that’s something that really connects women. I think it’s that common struggle to prove yourself. I think it goes to my mother and my grandmother. I also really see that in Ilya’s family. He comes from a strong line of women, his great grandmother for example, whose husband died in a Siberian camp and she made due her grandmother. Also, when Ilya’s dad remarried, his mom sort of raised him on her own. I mean, his father is great, but it was really his mom. I think, it’s the same thing with my mom. She was a sweet little girl, one of seven kids, the youngest daughter and circumstances brought her to America, far, far away from her parents and siblings. She was the baby of the house and she made her due just washing dishes to feed us. Back in India, we had maids, and there she was, washing dishes to provide for her kids and family. I think, people tend to underestimate women because women just love so freely and so selflessly. I don’t think men have that capability. I think that’s something that unites all women.

AsW: What do we have in common the most as women across different cultures and backgrounds?

Naina: I think it’s the sisterhood. It’s getting on a train at night and making eye contact with other women sitting there and being like “I got you”. I think it kind of suppresses race, language, and religion, just anything. Especially in NYC, it’s that sisterhood of being like “in my presence you’re ok! I won’t let anything happen to you.” It’s like being twenty one, when you finally got into a bar legally and you don’t know what to do with it, so you had too much and you’re throwing up and a random girl decides to hold your hair back! (laughing) I really think it’s that sisterhood. In terms of women that inspire me, it has to be my grandmother and my mother. As for my mom, we talked about it, there is a lot of love in my family and my father’s great, but her marriage was arranged. I always thought that because of her family in India, she was more conservative than my dad. But when I brought Ilya to her (you know to a conservative Sikh woman who was born in India I brought this beautiful Russian boy) and, of course, she was protective of me, her only daughter, but instead of right away saying “NO”, she gave it time. She saw how he treated me and she was so happy for me. I think that it was incredible because I honestly did not expect that. She put her culture or what others would say aside and she put my happiness above those things. She saw how this man treated me and put it above everything else. That’s incredible, it took a lot of courage from her, also from my family in general, but that support I got from her really surprised me. It really showed how much she loves me and how much capability she has. And above all, she did it with a smile on her face.

PS.

Dear Naina,

I had a great time with you, as always. You’re such a natural when it comes to looking good in front of plants lol. I loved our collaboration. Thank you for your time, energy, and a beautiful story. I wish you all the best on your first wedding anniversary. You deserve all the love and happiness that you receive. See you soon!

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Woman up!

March 31, 2019

More kindness, less judgment. The power of sisterhood.

left to right: Yuki, Jordan, Zuza, Nikki

How long is six months? It can fly by before you know it, or it can stem with valuable life lessons and meaningful relationships. Six months is how old my blog is and I've already experienced the latter. I’ve met women from different walks of life and across cultures. I’ve noticed that sometimes we have misconceptions and assumptions about one another because we don't talk enough. I decided to use the Women’s History Month as a perfect occasion to gather a group of inspiring, diverse women in a cozy Bushwick studio to share some love and good vibes.

Let me introduce you to our dope squad! We had eight amazing queens in front of the camera and one behind it! (See what I did there? LOL) We were happy to vibe with Yuki and Zuza, who work their fine asses off in gastronomy, serving us food, making sure we feel comfortable, and numbing our pains with booze. It was also a pleasure to vibe with Vanessa and Kasia, who work in health care helping patients to walk through various procedures and occasionally hold their hands for emotional support. We got inspired by Nikki and Jordan, who have amazing vocals, artistic souls, and queens' energy. Last, but not least we had Lily, who teaches the young generation how to be kind and, Kendra, who works for a non-profit organization helping low income people with their everyday struggles. Oh! and there was me, Anja, squatting, planking, and jumpin’ jacking with the camera, not to miss out on anything that was going on.

We had so much fun together! Except from taking shots, we broke some organic bread made by Kasia and dipped it in Yuki's fancy-ass burrata cheese. We also shared some delicious Prosecco, brought by Lily and twerked to queen Bey, cuz that's what divas do! I love female gatherings, you'll never leave hungry, sober or sad! LOL!

Shooting women gives me a medium to express how I see them, which is as fierce, inspiring, and beautiful in their own unique way. One of the most silly things I keep getting from women I shoot is that they were ordinary and I made them look like queens. Guess what! You are queens! You just need to start looking at yourself differently.. and don't get me wrong, I'm saying this as much to myself as to any other woman. We forget our value too often, being too much concerned with opinions and needs of everyone around. Let's celebrate our awesomeness on Women's History Month and whole year long. We may not share the same reality or struggles, we may not have the same (if any) choices, but we can start conversations from a place of love and appreciation. Let's treat ourselves and one another better by replacing judgement with kindness.

I use my blog to skip the small talk and have an excuse for a deeper conversation. It didn't take long for me to discover that most of us want to talk and be listened to, we just need a little pretext to do so. I have a tradition of asking the women I shoot a few questions. Since this time there was more of us, I asked all gathered just one. Please see what were their responses.

AsW: How can we support each other better as women?

NIKKI: Women can support each other better by first listening to each other, then responding from a place of compassion. We can remove our personal thoughts from the situation and try to live in their shoes for the moment to get a better understanding of their position.

KENDRA: the best way to support each other is to learn to accept one another for who we are, and not look at our differences as roadblocks, but contributions to our uniqueness.

ZUZA: We should do more activities together, celebrate small things and show each other how strong we are, literally and metaphorically. We should share our passions with each other.

LILY: Kindness goes a long way. Sometimes we’re so invested in our problems, stress, and daily life, we forget to simply be kind to one another. It doesn’t take much to be kind; a smile, words of empowerment or any act of kindness is enough to make someone feel better. That’s my #1 rule in the class room. If 3-year olds can do it, we should too!

VANESSA: Be open minded, understanding, and most importantly do not judge because not everyone will experience life the same. Especially us, women, in a male-dominated environment. We have to listen to each other.

YUKI: We should give each other a hug or at least a smile, even if we’re strangers!

KASIA: Women in a group are stronger. We shouldn’t be quick to judge, but should help each other be stronger and independent. If we see another woman failing, we should give her a helping hand and lift her up. We should hold our heads up, cuz we’re queens!

JORDAN: We can support each other by being involved in one another’s businesses ventures. Women support Women!

PS.

Dear Women,

Thank you so much for being there and participating in this special project! I appreciate you all. When I decided to do it, I knew it wouldn't be an easy task to bring so many unique personalities and energies into one place and to try doing something creative. It was so dope to see the sisterhood kicking in so quickly! You were fixing each other's crowns before I knew it. Yuki! Thank you for being.. Yuki. It was the best decision to put you in the center for the first shots. You broke all the ice there was to break, hugging and petting everyone around you. It wouldn't be the same experience without you! Kendra, thank you for your calm and friendly face whenever I felt like I was a mess. Also, thank you for the great energy you shared with Yuki. Lily, thank you for the constant smile on your face and tones of kindness for the ones around you. It couldn't go unnoticed. Nikki, thank you for making the time and driving so far to meet us. You gave so much positive energy and modeled like a pro. Thanks for being so diligent with the reflector too! Jordan, thank you for jumping in and killing it right off the bat. You're a natural, it's a pleasure to shoot you! Vanessa, your calm, positive energy and lots of deserved self-cofidence made my work so much easier! I had such a great time with you in front of my camera. Last, but not least, Kasia and Zuza, my Polish queens, I can't thank you enough for all your technical and emotional support and unwinding with me after the shoot. It was a pressure to vibe with all of you!! See ya!

With love,

Anja

Oh! I almost forgot! Can you imagine we had four March birthday girls in da house?! Whaa?! Kasia, Lily, Nikki, Kendra, I wish you all the best! Lots of love, laughter, and great people around you!

left to right: ok! you know their names already!! ;)

Unexpected, my favorite!

Let's make some dough, literally

March 04, 2019

Kasia, the Polish DIY queen

I met Kasia at a business class some time ago. Since we are both Polish, we didn't need any icebreakers. There was so much to talk about. As I immediately found out, she comes from one of my favorite places in Poland, a land where the plain meets the mountains. It's called Malone and it's a place that combines the Southern tradition of mountain people with a modern open-mindedness. A quarter of my blood and my love of 15 years comes from that place, so Kasia and I had lots of topics to talk about.

She grew up on a farm in a beautiful land where an idea of “organic farming" is not just a new fad, it's a regular way of growing your food for generations, the only right way of getting your produce. If you want honey, you have bees, if you want a salad you grow your lettuce, if you want a steak, you kill your cow. That philosophy didn’t derive from a need of being fancy. It’s like that because when jacking up veggies was trending in the world, Polish farmers couldn't afford it and later on it just didn’t kick in. Thank God! or whomever was responsible for that ;) Growing up in such environment, Kasia learned so much about food and crafts. That, combined with her degree in Agriculture and Environmental Protection gotten in a big city of Cracow, made her know her shit thoughtfully. She can talk abot it for hours, which keeps you interested, but also hungry.

Kasia moved to New York a few years ago and I was lucky enough to meet her and try her food. Yum! She's naturally humble, because she assumes everyone can do what she does, but it's not the case, believe me! Kasia started making her own bread, cuz she couldn't find a good one in New York. Bread tutorials is her porn. Bread recipes is her poetry. Never seen her as excited as when she shows me photos of bread (weirdo!). It's hard to find someone knowing more about white powders than she knows about flour types, lol! I'm even considering switching to her as my exclusive bread dealer. You wanna know what's in your bread, you want some organic shit from a trusted source!

I digress..

I met Kasia in Brooklyn, in her current neighborhood, on the last hot summer day. I always want to show a piece of someone's story with my photos, so we decided to go with some traditional Polish looks with subtle ethnic accents, in juxtaposition to the new environment, where she lives now. To give you a little taste of Kasia’s DIY skills, I asked her if she could make a little flower wreath to for the photos shoot and she said she would fix something real quick. The wreath on the photos is what she brought.. Whaaa?? We started off with a few innocent shots and ended up with some witch craft at night lol! Then I asked Kasia a few questions.

AsW: When did you make yourself most proud?

KH: I think, it was the time when Peter (husband) and I moved into our apartment in Brooklyn. It was right after we both found good jobs and a place to stay in a whole new country for us. At that moment I felt like I had proven myself and my little world that I can do it, I can make it in the States and I ‘m gonna stand on my own feet. I cannot say I did it without any help, but 90% of the work was on my part. I barely spoke English at that time and I had to deal with the red tape all the way, I got all necessary documents, my ID, my driving license, and found a school. You know.. it’s those small steps that overwhelm you when they’re still ahead, but then you take them and you do it and you’re proud of yourself. It’s a part of growing up as an independent being, where your parents, your family is not there to help you anymore, you have to do it yourself. At that time, I realized I’m gonna be like my mom, I’m gonna make wine out of raspberry juice! (laughs) At each stage of life there is this terrifying step that you have to take to move forward and then you do it and you surprise yourself that you made something out of nothing.

AsW: What do we have in common as women across cultures and different backgrounds?

KH: I think every woman has a strength. It’s this ability to, like my mom, make wine out of nothing or out of what you have. If you’re a woman, there’s many people around to tell you you’re not strong enough, you don’t have the stamina, you don’t have what it takes, and you think “watch me!”. There are women who change the world and I’m not even talking about doing huge things, but influencing their direct surrounding. They start with what’s important to them and they influence their community, their family, their work place. That’s how the change starts, it’s from yourself and your closest community. For example, you just started your blog, but all it takes is a person who sees it and gets inspired by women collaborating and empowering each other. That’s how the word spreads and how the change starts. Inspiring and motivating other women is how we multiply that power.

AsW: I know you partially just answered this question, but what do you most appreciate other women for?

KH: Let me, then, focus on why I appreciate American women, New Yorkers especially. I love how women of New York accept themselves for who they are. They simply own their shit. In Poland, we still brainwash women with all the requirements on how they should look. We’re all supposed to be skinny and follow a specific pattern. We spoke about it more than once already. Women in New York accept themselves and own their imperfections. They go out, wear what the hell they want and have a good time, while you’re wondering if your tights aren’t too thick, ass too big or belly too soft. However, the self-confidence New York women emit is contagious. Nowadays, whenever I go out I feel beautiful and sexy. I learned to appreciate other women for enjoying themselves here and now, not worrying about others’ opinions, and not hiding themselves from the world which none of us should do in the first place.

PS.

Kasia,

Thank you so much for your time and hard work! Not only did you buy me margaritas, but also, almost burnt your hair in the name of the greater good, meaning me taking some dope night shots that I will brag about all over the internet. That was a sacrifice, I was ready to make lol! But seriously, I had a great time and we created something cool and I’m very grateful for that (also, very grateful for those margaritas, have I mentioned the margaritas?) I digress.. Honey, I wish you all the best and I hope some day you’ll open that B&B serving home grown organic food somewhere in upstate NY. I’ll be the first one to book a room and bring some hot ass! Until then, maybe we should set up a GoFundMe page! Haha! We’ll talk about it later.. over margaritas! XOXO

with love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite!

Girl, you stepped into the wrong bar!

January 21, 2019

When Anja met Aly

I was going to a music event that night to feel the good vibes and talk to a very interesting artist who would possibly feature on my blog. I entered the wrong venue though and, what’s even more funny, they let me in based on the tickets to another event. But there I was, sipping my drink and waiting for the show to begin. When Alyson Cadena came up on stage, I knew something was off. Did they change the lineup? Did they add a support artist?

When she started singing, tough, I immediately got goosebumps and completely forgot the confusion I had. As I soon realized, I was finding myself at an event with all-female lineup, which celebrated women empowerment and touched on the topics like Me Too movement. Was there any better place for me to be in in my search for inspiring women to photograph?

I contacted Aly the next day and we made a plan to meet in a few weeks. As I already knew from my New York experience, it did not mean we would actually meet. However, with Alyson, it was different, she turned out to be a woman of her word and a very positive person. She chose Lower East Side as our location to shoot and talk. She used to take art and writing classes there and really appreciated the artistic vibes of the neighborhood. I couldn’t agree more.

The weather was not cooperative that day, but most importantly, our energy was there. We found a kind of nostalgia in the rainy LES scenery and decided to take it into our advantage. We started off from a hot tea and a chat. Alyson and I very quickly discovered that we had similar views of female image in media, gender roles in society, and great outcomes of women’s collaboration. We also discussed dyeing hair, Americans pronouncing French words, and cute arm pits. It was so much fun. I had a strange feeling like I knew her b4, but I guess that happens whenever you have a good reason to talk and connect.

I learned that Alyson took part in the TV reality competition Ecuador’s Got Talent where she earned a gold buzzer from judges which sent her straight to the semifinals. It was not a surprise for me as I had the pleasure to see her perform. We discussed some less glorious aspects of being on TV like people making you say things you don’t want to say or questioning your body shape. Luckily, Aly is a strong woman who owns her shit and takes pride in her thoughts and looks. I actually saw that when she was on stage and, along with her great talent, that was the reason I wanted to take photos and talk. Please enjoy the fruits of our conversation.

AsW: When did you make yourself most proud?

AC:It was last year, I did the reality competition. It's like America's Got Talent, but Ecuadorian version. So.. I was a nervous wrack and I made it to the semifinals. You would think someone was torturing me, the way I was freaking out about the whole experience. There was a week preparing with the actual TV team to the big show. I wasn't sleeping well and I was so tired because of so many rehearsals. They also changed my song the last minute. So, I was waiting to get on stage for the live show and I was about to cry from all of the nerves. The TV crew was like “good! we need you to cry afterwards when you get off the stage and the interviewer asks you questions.” So I sing my song and my voice cracks awful.. just awful..

No one has seen that video unless they saw it live on TV.. It was so bad. And then the interviewer comes out and I get off that little pedestal they had me on and I was supposed to be crying, but instead I stared smiling. I was so filled with gratitude and it hit me in that moment like.. holly crap, I was on TV! This is so cool! A few years ago I didn't even think I was going to be a singer and now, here I am on TV at the semifinals, I'm bedazzled. This is crazy! I feel like for me it was a very proud moment cuz there's a lot of times in my life that I get held back by the fear and doubt.. And everything leading to that point was all fear and doubt and even though in that moment I didn't feel I did my best, I got to the other side and it wasn’t so bad. In the end of the day, it was just a great experience. I didn't make it to the next round cuz it was bad. (laughs) To me it was the proudest moment, I was like you did it! You didn't let all that crap get to you plowed through!

AsW: What do you most appreciate other women for?

AC:I appreciate confident women. I feel like, unfortunately, we are not set up to be the most confident people. I think it's very easy for men to be confident and to feel entitled to the world, but when you meet a woman who is assertive, who's uniquely her and she's not trying to conform to anyone's expectations of her, she's just free to be a bitch or free to be an angel.. or whatever she wants to be, it’s so refreshing. I think when a woman succeeds in a men's world, she need to have balls to believe she can reach the top. It's like she didn't let anyone stop her along the way. Not only is she good enough, but also she won't listen to any kind of restraints. It’s this kind of freedom like: this is what I want and I'm going to get it and I'm not gonna listen to those stories people have about why I can't. That's something I've been working on, to be more confident to be more free. Whenever I meet a woman like that, I'm like: Queen! Goals!

AsW: What do we have in common as women across different backgrounds and cultures?

AC:We can see beyond ourselves and we have a certain level of empathy and altruism. I think it’s something that we all uniquely have and it makes us more powerful because we can do so much more. We can really make a difference for other people. That doesn't mean we have to act like mother Teresa, but we can contribute in some way. Like, you're empowering people with your blog, you make the world, literally, more beautiful with your architecture. Versus me, I'm singing and maybe it's gonna reach somebody and help them with their emotions or with something they are going through. I think it's just one of the strongest things we have, the sixth sense for other people. We know it's not just about ourselves, it's about the world or even just the community around us, family, things like that. I would say, that is what we have in common.

Since her performance on Ecuador’s Got talent, Alyson have been performing around NYC and made her Broadway debut as a choir member on Rocktopia. Moreover, on January 28, she’s releasing her new single Stand (Who I am). If you want to hear it performed live, you can’t miss her first headlining show and single release party at The Delancey on February 1. For more info visit her IG account @alychainz

PS.

Aly,

I’m so glad I stepped into that bar the other night. So many coincidences had to happen for us to meet, but I’m happy we did. It was a pleasure to get together and do something cool. I love your approach to body image, fighting for yourself in the media and your confidence which is contagious. I wish you all the best in your music endeavors and personal life. I will be proudly witnessing your live performance of your new single on February 1. You go, girl!

With love,

Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..

Superhero in a Tiny Body

November 06, 2018

Yuki, a cool person to be around!

I met Yuki four years ago when she fed me with my fav spicy-ass Habanera pizza. She’s one of the most positive and kind people I’ve met in New York. Whenever I see her, I cannot resist to hug her tiny body while terrified not to break any of her bones. Our relationship was rather casual, based on small talk which is not my favorite form of communication. This blog was a trigger for us to cut the bs and move on to the big talk. Throughout one evening I got to know that beautiful person better than over the course of the last four years. I cannot share the whole story, but let me give you an idea of who she is.

Yuki has been working hard since she was seventeen. When she turned eighteen, she was completely on her own in the huge city of Hong Kong where she comes from. She paid for her college on her own. She was supporting herself while living in a tiny apartment that cost her an arm and leg. She graduated though and when given a chance to move to New York, she did not hesitate. The decision to leave China was bitter-sweet though because her beloved lil brother had to stay.

Despite growing up very early and feeling responsible for her brother, Yuki kept her child-like energy and curiosity. That’s why we met in a cool, colorful place where we could simply let it go and have fun. I hope you’ll enjoy looking at the shots as much as we enjoyed taking them!

I had a woman-to-woman talk with Yuki. I enjoyed it so much! Many of the things she said resonated with me so much as I am an immigrant too. Being in New York is tough at times, but as long as I get to meet and connect with people like her I’m down for it. Yuki is such a positive person despite all difficulties she’s been through. I wish I had her interpersonal skills and the easiness to approach people. Also, the ability to yell at people in Italian if necessary (LOL)! I asked Yuki my three questions. Please enjoy the fruits of our conversation.

AsW: When did you make yourself proud the most?

Y: Uhmm.. wow.. There was a lot of moments when I made myself proud.. I think the most proud I was when I brought my brother to New York. We don’t come from a wealthy family, we’d been on welfare since I was a child. Leaving our country was a very hard thing to do. I was really proud that I had the ability to get him out of that.. you know.. not a good place. He was very lost, I think he still is. I asked him the other day what would he do with his life if I died and he got the insurance money. He didn’t know. This is something I am sad about and I would really want him to figure out his life. I cannot guide him and move him forward forever. Nonetheless, I was very proud of myself that I had the ability to bring him here and take care of him for a couple of years, put him on the right track, put him back to school.

AsW: What do you appreciate the most in other women? Can you give an example of a person who embodies that?

Y: Probably.. unconditional love that women can give to their kids. There’s a lot of selfish mothers, but there’s also a lot of the loving ones. Women who love unconditionally are very kind, sometimes they even put others first. Unconditional love makes them go further. You know, when you love like that you forget how tired you are and keep moving forward despite the pain. I’ve seen a lot of women like that here. My friends, for instance, are like that and I really appreciate it. I wish my mom were like that too, but luckily my grandma definitely is. She is great! the best!

AsW: In your opinion, what do we have in common the most as women, despite of our different background or culture?

Y: I just had a conversation about it with my friends the other day. I think all women despite of cultural background or age have a pure heart of a princess. We need someone to love us, spoil us. Even if we are tough, face issues, and tolerate pain, in the end of the day we need someone to treat us like a little princess. We always have this piece of our heart, very small, hidden in the back. We need this important person in our lives to treat us well and appreciate what we do for them.

PS.

Yuki,

Thank you so much for getting on board three years ago when I mentioned you about the blog. Your enthusiasm and support are priceless. Thank you for your patience and for the fact that your word really means something. I had a lot of fun with you and there’s so much more to have, cuz you’re my friend now. Huge congrats on your driving license and a new, big car that could fit fifteen of you! Also, good luck with your motorbike driving license! Can’t waits for that ride you’ll give me ;P All the best bae!

with love,

Anja

Unexpected.. My favorite!

Life is a Beach

October 15, 2018

Agnes, the Phoenix reborn

Please, meet Agnes, a person very dear to my heart. She comes from Lublin, Poland. Agnes is the best ambassador of her hometown. She claims you can find everything there, just in a miniature size. You name it, she’s seen it! ;)

The part of Poland Agnes was born and raised in is really beautiful, especially the natural landscapes. Therefore, she loves the outdoor activities like hiking, sailing or snowboarding. And it’s not like some bs Tinder profile description, she really does it all. No frontin! Her love for nature brought us to the ocean and that’s where I captured the Phoenix reborn.

As mentioned b4, Agnes is a really special person to me. I don’t make (real) friends easily and I take this form of relationship very seriously. She melted my heart instantly, though. Agnes had experienced atrocities that no one ever should. It’s especially upsetting given how kind and lovable person she is. She could easily have become bitter or mean, yet she is a volcano of positive energy and optimistic thinking.

Don’t get fooled, though. As much as her heart is soft, the mind is sharp. I had an honest and touching talk with Agnes. Her story could make a book, yet my respect for her privacy only lets me to share a small piece of our conversation. Please let me present Agnes’s take on some aspects of being a woman.

AsW: When did you make yourself proud the most?

AH: I made myself proud the most when I moved to New York, a place so far away from home that I can’t just simply get in my car and drive there. I’m so deeply attached to my family that even a thought of people I left in Poland brings tears in my eyes. Therefore, the fact that I decided to move and start a new life in such a remote place makes me very proud. Sometimes my bravery surprises even myself.

AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most?

AH: I appreciate other women the most for their stamina and strength of character. What women can stand and survive is unimaginable. I know it from my example of how much I was able to bare and handle, but also how much I still can achieve. I think women are the strongest living organisms on this planet. We are forced to meet unrealistic standards and are subjects of constant judgement, yet we go out there with our heads held high.

AsW: In your opinion, what do we have in common the most as women, despite of our different backgrounds or culture?

AH: In my opinion, there is one thing that all women have in common. They are all beautiful when they genuinely smile. When you’re looking at a picture of a woman, it doesn’t matter what beauty or body type she represents, it doesn’t matter what age or ethnicity she is, if she smiles because she means it, its the most beautiful thing.

If you want to find out more about Agnes and her passion for traveling and nature, please find her on Instagram @_agnis_

PS.

Agnes, I had a really great time with you. In order to complete this photo shoot we destroyed our clothes, got sun burn in unexpected places, and got torn by the waves repeatedly. It was worth it, though. I want to thank you for your hard work and patience. It’s such a pleasure to see you happy and thriving like that! I wish you all the best because you deserve it. You are beautiful inside and out. Whenever you doubt that, just give me a call ;)

You are family now.

with love, Anja

Unexpected.. My favorite!

From Bushwick to Downtown LA

October 02, 2018

The Spectacular Demi Grace

Demi Grace is an accomplished Nigerian singer and model born in North London. She had spent a major part of her life in California, mostly the SF Bay Area. Luckily for me and my camera, she lives in New York now.

I accidentally met her at a bar in Bushwick. She was so spectacular in her laid-back, yet very stylish outfit and a glass of sparkling wine in her hand. Luckily, since I was going to a music event, I happened to have a camera on me. With her consent (very important!), I captured her on a few shots. They sucked. We stayed in touch though and when I found out she was performing in LA the same time when I was in the area, I couldn’t miss the opportunity. We meet at a bar, again. This time in Downtown LA. Please enjoy the fruits of my encounter with DEMI GRACE that night.

I had a great talk with Demi. We finished our sentences a couple of times, which was a nice surprise given that we were born and raised in such distant parts of the world. We had a woman-to-woman talk and I asked her three questions.

AsW: When did you make yourself proud the most?

DG: I made myself proud the most when I made the decision to stay in New York after my sisters left. I’m the youngest of three sisters and a lot of what I do is kind of a mirror of what they do. When I made the decision to stay, I felt like I was standing on my own two feet and really committing to finding out who I am. It’s probably the proudest moment I’ve had so far.

AsW: What do you appreciate other women for the most? Can you give an example of a person who embodies that?

DG: I appreciate other women for their confidence. That trait empowers them, make them shine. A woman whom I admire for her confidence the most is my mom. She maintains it no matter the situation. I hope I will have her level of confidence one day!

AsW: You have travelled a lot, you’ve visited various places and met a lot of women. In your opinion, what do we have in common the most as women, despite our different backgrounds or culture?

DG: What we have in common is that we all have a caring trait in us. I’ve noticed that no matter of the background, culture, religion… race or tribe, you know, all women have this trait in them that they need to care for someone else. I think that is why it is kind on an unspoken reason why women run the world, because we care for everybody. You think about a child that is lonely, they talk about their mother. You know, as women, we have this instinct in us no matter where we are from. Wherever I’ve travelled to, I’ve seen a woman caring for somebody else. That’s the most common thing that I’ve observed.

In September, Demi released her new single Hands Up, which is available on iTunes, Soundcloud, Spotify, Tidal, and wherever the hell you listen to your music, people! So tune in! You can also find her on Instagram @iamdemigrace.

PS.

Demi, I’ve never met your mom, but I’m pretty sure you’ve inherited a lot of her confidence. You are a great example of a powerful, inspiring woman who’s also a fun person to be around. I appreciate your time and belief in me. All the best!

with love, Anja

Unexpected, my favorite..