My grandfather was one of these people who would almost never appear in videos or photos, because he was always the one taking them. Looking at a long history of family captured, one could think he'd not been part of it - he's just never visible.

These days I feel like my grandfather. While I've been documenting life through my eyes for quite a while, there's very rarely a picture of me in the scene. Part of the reason is, obviously, I hate being photographed and I am unnatural in front of cameras. The other reason might be that, when on the run, everyone just counts on me to capture it all. Plus, I take documentary photos but almost never photograph the process of travelling itself, it's just not as striking for me.

In India, our friend and neighbour Rosie travelled along with us, and hey, besides lovely company and a helping hand with mini-me (and intense English lessons for him all day/every day), she also did this: she captured us as a family with her camera. And because that's so rare, it's so special. Thank you, Rosie!







All Photos: Rosie Unteregelsbacher

Mini-me will be 6 months old next week and since we were so lazy looking for options on child care while I was pregnant since he's been born, we decided to give it a shot and try to find a kind human who'd be willing to spend some time with him a few hours a week, to push the stroller through Kreuzberg, to carry him in the Ergo by the canal, to have lunch with him, to watch movies while he's sleeping or to calm baby-fever.

A. is a fun, friendly, stress-free baby that only crys when there's a good reason, loves lots of attention and is really, really curious for new places, things and people.



If you know someone, male or female, old or young, international or German, who can spare a few hours (4 - 10?) during the week, loves babies and wants to lend us a helping hand when I have photo shoots or need to run errands and who might give us the option to have occasional date nights, please >>shout<<.

Salary is a question of negotiation and we also have a spare room if necessary. I might also need someone to travel with me for short trips occasionally, if that's a plus (not a must). Interviews start now!

We're back from India and recovering from the long journey back. We had a wonderful but not all so relaxing trip (we just attract chaos, and we like it). It's the first time in months that I have taken a trillion photos, so I'll need some time for review and editing before posting and telling stories.

Just this: We've raised a pro traveller here in only 5 1/2 months. I'm so proud of my little (big) chubby baby.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

Today's a big day. Not only is my mom turning 50 today, but also, it's mini-me's 5 months birthday. Both pretty exciting, so please raise your glasses for these two beautiful and wonderful people. You're both some of my all time favourites, ever <3.

(Mom, so sad I can't be there for tonight's celebration and especially the FOOD. But I'll come by really, really soon.)



Photos: Carolin Weinkopf

So, Oxford was a blast. Before I'll tell you of our lovely stay, I'll tell you how it ended.

Mini-me and I had to get up super freaking early (4:45am-ish) on friday, took a shower, had a coffee and were walked to the bus station in the dark cold by our wonderful host, Lily. We took the coach to Heathrow, nibbling away a few times and getting excited to get back home. We were early at the airport because there had been less traffic than expected, so I took our bag to the check-in and placed our passports on the counter.


Only one of us was awake at 4:45 that morning.


Freezing at the bus station.


On the coach to Heathrow.

The lady scanned them, typed a bit, looked at us, typed again, looked at us again, asked me where we were flying, typed again, looked at us again and finally said she couldn't find us in the system. I said "Huh!" - and told her I had been trying to check-in online all night but hadn't been able to, but that I was 100% sure we were on the 9:05 flight, with Lufthansa, and from Heathrow, and to Berlin. She said "right...", and sent me to talk to her colleagues at the ticket counter. What felt like hours later, I heard a guy say to us "Sorry honey, but it looks as if you've booked for the 22nd of March, not February".

Uhm. I did... what?!


So exhausted, but we didn't know just yet what was going to happen to us.

I was about to burst out in tears, swallowed and asked what I should do now. I had two options:

1) Stay in Heathrow forever and marry the guy behind the counter.
2) Pay £305 to change the booking.

I thought for a second, sobbed, and decided to do none of the two. I booked a new flight (no, that's a lie, my boyfriend did from Berlin, thank you, N.), which still cost a ridiculous fortune, but at least I had hope to get home eventually.

That day truly sucked. I, super-tired and actually zombie-like, mini-me in the carrier, super-tired and contiously getting more and more winy, feeling my stress and my frustration and getting even more winy because of that...


EXHAUSTION.

In the early hours, when I was still optimistic, I bought myself some food, checked in my bags, took walks around ugly terminal 1, snapped some photos, diapered, fed, bought something to drink, bought some candy, let mini-me play on a blanket in a corner of the food court... when I was done with all this, about 36 minutes had gone by. Too bad my flight went five hours later. At least I thought so. Because there was quite a delay as well.

I didn't know this when I realized I had checked in the remaining diapers, and mini-me decided to pee a LOT that day. So YES, let's buy Pampers for £10 in the airport pharmacy. Yay! At some point, the aiport decided to turn off all heating in Heathrow's bathrooms, so yes, we froze during all those diaper changes, we did.


He learned to grab his feet that day... (and I had to sensor him down there).

Somehow - I don't remember how - we made it back to Berlin by early evening. Not sure who was more exhausted after mini-me also decided to try out his screaming voice on the flight... for 45 minutes. Before he - thank GOD! - fell asleep. Poor little him. I thought we were doing just a tiny hop over the Ärmelkanal, it ended up as a whole day of stress and frustration.


Finally on the plane.


Departure, 45 minutes (plus five hours) late.


Bye bye, Heathrow!


Up in the air.


Landing.

Good thing I'm such a good surpresser. I've already gotten over it all. Let's go to India on wednesday!


Well, hi Berlin.


Argh.

PS: If anyone needs a flight from Heathrow to Berlin on March 22, believe me, I've got one. Just let me know.

No words, just pictures!

(Just this: We've got visa for India! Yay!)













All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

Mini-me and I are flying to the UK tomorrow and I'll be the judge for a little photography competition at Oxford's St. Peter's College. I'm really excited and curious for the entries, capturing "Dignity".


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

My diary is still delayed, I've been crazily busy with some new jobs, preparations for Oxford and India, a teething and still quite cranky mini-me and all. Finally I'm getting sick of winter and am unpatiently waiting for spring to arrive.

















All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

A bit late but better than never, here's week #4 of 2013 in pictures. What you can't see on these, are the sleepless nights, some tears, the stress and all. But I am very optimistic that things are on their way to get better. Seriously.


























All photos: Carolin Weinkopf via iPhone

2013 has been quite a weird year so far, I am trying to sort all sorts of new circumstances into my mind. Please bare with me. I'll be back shortly.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf