it’s been spring break in our home and we’ve been sticking around gainesville for most of it.  but last minute, we decided to take a roadtrip to savannah, ga for the weekend.  i’ve never been to this southern city and as soon as we entered the historic district, i fell in love.  i was enamored with the historic architecture, the secret gardens, the bubbling fountains, the haunting cemeteries, the grass filled courtyards…the food too was lip smacking delicious.  and the people hospitable and constantly smiling.  it was the perfect weekend getaway for my little family.  our favorite part was just sitting back in the old fashioned trolley tours and listening to the history and the stories (so many ghosts here!) of this charming city.  take a look at some of the images i captured…

thanks for reading,

mikifoto by mallika malhotra

what a wonderful holiday my family had in england!  we fed our urban fix with all the sights and sounds and tastes of london.  our young boys were excellent travelers…walking 3-5 miles a day as we toured the historic city, taking the underground metro and shopping till we dropped on oxford and bond streets.  all in the damp, chill of foggy london.  we drank loads of tea.  ate delicious pastries and cakes.  admired art and architecture.  frolicked in royal gardens.  and just soaked in the cosmopolitan, diverse and superstylish culture of london.  we also visited with some of my hubby’s family which was an added bonus.  by far, one of the best trips our little family has taken together.  here are some images of lovely london…

thanks for reading,

mikifoto by mallika malhotra

when my photography class announced that we were going to cedar key on a field trip, my initial reaction was a huge sigh and a deflated, “great”.  i was not looking forward to driving an hour to an unknown destination.  i assumed it would be in the middle of nowhere with typical florida sites of alligators, swamps and birds.  what i didn’t expect was the charm, beauty and quaintness of a small fishing town.  there was so much to see from the sandy pebble beach to the eclectic art galleries to the quirky fisherman on the pier.  not to mention the peaceful blue waters and pastel colored inns.  our assignment was to capture the essence of the town as if we were a travel magazine.  hope i succeeded, you be the judge….

thanks for reading,

mikifoto by mallika malhotra

my parents came to visit us from new york.  our very first visitors to our new home in florida.  we decided to take a road trip and explore the nation’s oldest city, st. augustine.  what a charming and quaint little town!  so full of color and character.  right on the water.  we toured the windy narrow streets, cute shops and historic forts along with all the other tourists.  and i found inspiration everywhere, take a look….

(but first here are my wonderful parents )

thanks for reading,

mikifoto by mallika malhotra

our first stop in florida was orlando’s universal studios.  we thought it would help ease the transition for our boys.  and it surely did…they were giddy with excitement to try the roller coasters and water rides.  they even flew like pterodactyls in jurassic park. and when the super heroes came out - little kishan was speechless (that in itself is amazing).  he was just in awe of his hero, spiderman.  here are a few highlights from our trip…

what happens when you put four urbanites in the woods?  a hiking adventure.  i’m the first to admit that i’m not super outdoorsy.  i don’t like to camp.  i prefer sticking to areas where a starbucks is around the corner.  i like places where my cell phone can get a signal.  but i do like nature and muir woods is full of it.  so we trekked up north for a family day in the green forest.  and it was beautiful.  redwoods as tall as skyscrapers.  babbling brooks.  colorful wild flowers.  post card worthy views.  and we LOVED it….even with the fleeting fear that we’d stumble into a bear or two.  here’s some images from our muir woods hike….

vista view on the drive up to muir woods

a rare shot of me in front of the camera

with mother’s day around the corner, i thought i would celebrate my own mom.  we live on different coasts these days but despite the distance, she always has been there for me and my family.  she has the MOST generous spirit.  after 35 years, she is still taking care of me.  it could be a package for me from her favorite QVC, a last minute trip to help me watch my boys or just a phone call to make sure i’m safe and happy.  her love has shaped me into the mother i am today.  happy mother’s day mom!

taken in new orleans where mom helped us watch our boys during sunil’s interviews

my sons are the real inspiration behind the launch of my photography career. documenting their childhood and sharing it with family and friends around the globe has truly ignited my love for the craft.  i am so excited to launch www.mikifoto.com and miki.fotoblog! hope you’ll join me on my many new photo adventures