the one where I discuss a new photo project
I read somewhere that 95% of what photographers do in their job is admin stuff. Yep. That’s right. Not shooting or honing our photo skills, but book keeping, editing, emails, etc. needless to say, I have to actively think about ways to keep my photo skills growing and progressing. To keep my compositional eye in working mode. This, a photo project.
I set an alarm on my clock and take a photo of what is in front of me each hour. Now sometimes it’s boring. Sometimes it’s the same thing but what this does is force me to compose an interesting shot out of a boring view. It keeps me working towards getting better.
The shot above is my view most days. On my computer, at my desk, slaving away over gorgeous photos of beautiful people.
Next hour, same view but I needed to recompose the image for a different composition. Always more than one side to a story, right?
Next hour, I turned around to see what was behind me. Hubby’s desk is quite the view, no?
Those of you that have been in my home know this view. I won’t go into too many details, but it was indeed a break from my desk.
You get the idea though. It’s a process.I’ll share a gallery of my day every now and then to keep my creative juices flowing.
Have you started a new project? I’d love tO hear about it.
Love does,
Kristin
the one where Mayci + Corbin rehearse at Tin Top Gin in Slaton, USA
Mayci Bednarz is getting married! HELLO! Did you hear me? She’s getting married! I remember meeting this sweet baby girl in December on a very cold night. She was all cheeks and very tiny. Always sweet and super quiet and just the most loving kid I think I have ever been around. I’m so happy that she’s in love and getting married! Here’s a sneak peek from tonight’s rehearsal. ENJOY!
the one with Arlene's 80th Birthday Party @ the Kessel Building in Slaton Texas
Arlene Steffens celebrated her 80th Birthday at The Kessle building in Slaton, Texas. What a life!!!
I first moved to Slaton and got a job at a little store. It was the summertime and I needed a job. I was newly engaged to Devin, AKA BULL, and I had a job in the fall teaching, but I needed a job now to pay the rent and bills. Arlene was my workmate and we became fast friends.
I still live in Slaton and still attend church with Arlene at St. Joseph. She is golden! She recently turned 80 and her family hosted a party in Slaton at the Kessel Building. I’ve photographed here before. When Chad and Jessica got married, they hosted their reception here.
Slaton is the little town that just doesn’t quit! And it’s people don’t either. I’m proud to live there, work there and know the souls there.
Happy Birthday, Arlene!
Love Does,
Kristin
the one with 8 years
Eight years ago, our family went to Ruidosa for Sprint Break. Devin’s grandmother was with us and it would be the last time we were all together on a trip like that. We just didn’t know that at the time.
Brooke, Idalee, and Kalyn.
Eight years ago, Kalyn was at the University of Texas, in her first year of college. Brooke, a senior at Prosper High school (and my favorite homecoming queen!!!) Idalee? She was enjoying life as much as possible.
Me? I wasn’t feeling too great. I had missed a dear friend’s birthday party a few weeks before due to a stomach ache and it was still lingering. I was weak, fatigued, and “not myself”. Did you read that? I missed a party! That never happens, I love a good party.
Kanga was expecting her second litter of Pups. Summer Zoe has just finished playing her junior year of basketball. They went pretty far in the playoffs and we even took a trip down to Austin to watch the state playoffs.
I decorated the car of course. My new car because I sold “bling bling” my Denalie. 😩 The Honda Pilot is nice but it was no bling-bling. I still have this Pilot. She now has almost 300K miles.
Taylor, Haley, Jordan and Summer.
We had closed Take One Video and turned it into The Bull Stop. Life was good. Busy but good.
After that trip (and pain in my abdomen) I went to see my doctor and after a few questions, he ordered a colonoscopy. I laughed it off and he didn’t. Said I was close to 50 and I should just get it over with. See what was going on down there. So I did and a few days later, while driving to a bridal session in Midland I got the call that I had cancer.
Eight years ago I was diagnosed with cancer.
It’s a weird thing being told you have cancer. You immediately feel like the wind has been knocked out of you. It’s like a vacuum or a hole has sucked you in and all you can hear is your heart beating and your brain racing.
This is me after surgery.
Everything in my life quickly became a whirlwind. Surgery, chemo for 6 months, followed by radiation. I continued to work and take pictures. Many times I hid my chemo bag under a big baggy sweater. I didn’t like for my clients to know. I wanted to remain strong and still work! That was important to me.
And of course, it was hard. Hard on me and my family. Especially hard on my family. I can still see it on their faces. That’s the part about getting sick that you really don’t like. How it affects everyone around you.
I look back at photos and just wonder who that person was? Sometimes I miss it. Not the treatment but the feeling in my spirit that I had. Somehow I felt immediately closer to God and realized that most of this crap down here doesn’t matter. We are here to love him and our neighbor. Love is truly the greatest gift of all. I try and get that feeling back. That feeling of less flesh and more spirit. I really try.
I look back at this picture and I don’t recognize myself. This was 2 weeks after my tumor was removed. My mom and sister came several times during the next year. I have memories of that and how much I thought we needed to do that more often. My mom had lost her mother during this time, my Granny Helton and it must have been so painful for her to be mourning that loss while taking care of me. I can’t imagine.
I look like Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. LOL
I let my hair go. I had to. I wasn’t sure if I would lose it or not during treatment so why get it colored? That’s my mom in the background. (photo above) We lived at Saddleclub during this time.
I photographed 3 proms during this time all in the month of May.
I photographed a wedding or two. With the help of a very dear friend, Kim Anderson and my BFF Toni.
Summer Zoe was still at home, Kalyn Marie a million miles away feeling lonely and worried.
It was scary.
But it was good, too.
I can say that now, looking back.
IT WAS GOOD. God was always there.
Devin even let me take photos of him. WOW! That never happens. HELLO! And my sister (below) was here for a lot of it as well. She would come and stay with me during my treatment weeks. You would get hooked up to the bag of drugs on Monday and take it off on Wednesday. You were pretty much toast on Thursday and maybe by Friday feeling better. She arranged her visits for the “tired” parts.
When your mom has cancer and you are this young, it changes you. You realize just how precious life is and that the stuff that used to matter? It doesn’t anymore. But it also changes you into worrying. That’s the thing that most parents who get cancer hate the most. Your kids worry. Everything you do, sneeze, cough, wince, they worry. Even 8 years later, they still worry.
Kalyn worried as well. She came home that Easter and as much as she could.
You know how busy life is when your kids are in high school. Activities and such. I made sure to be a part of that all I could. I wanted that. I LOVE that!
Eight years ago, I spent a lot of time outside in our pool. (Gosh! I miss that pool!) On the weeks when the “fanny pack” of drugs was off, I would spend as much time outside enjoying my pool. When you have a port “installed” under your skin, they can access it through needles and you don’t have to have an IV or entry way hanging outside your body. So, on the weeks in between treatment, I would swim. A L O T. I highly recommend getting a port. I had mine for years after treatment. I kind of felt it was my good luck charm. Cheesy, I know.
and our family spent a lot of time together.
Eight years ago, despite cancer…WAS FUN. That’s how God works. At the time you are going through the crap, and I was going through literal crap, you can’t see it. You feel the pain and suffering and how it effects your family, but then later, as time gets in between, you forget. And then you realize that life was good. Despite the cancer and the crap, life was good.
It’s still good.
Love Does,
Kristin
PS. To learn more about colon cancer, CLICK HERE.
the one with 10 of my favorite podcasts
In no particular order…here are my favorite podcasts. I listen to one almost each and every day and definitely every road trip. If you click the image, it will take you to their webpage and you can listen along with me, on your device.
Father Josh is the author of Broken and Blessed. A great book that talks about sinners following Jesus and becoming saints. All of us have crap that we struggle with. We all do. We have crosses we are born to carry and listening to Father Josh helps me with that burden. He has a great podcast that features questions and answers. He prays over the question before answering and through this podcast he has taught me how to really pray and discern things. I love how much he’s helped me in my walk to Heaven. Highly recommend this for anyone that loves Jesus! You don’t have to be Catholic! Oh, quick note…he’s not the best singer, but golly he’s got the BEST soul!
I know what you’re thinking…really? A New York Times Podcast? ewww….I mean, I consider myself a conservative and you know all the hype about “fake news” and all. But I’ve been listening to this podcast for several years now, folks, and it’s good. It gets you up to date on what’s going on in the world and brings you stories and interviews from the people involved. They are very good at telling both sides of view, I feel and for that, I like them. I know this world has enough division and yelling and anger, I don’t need that in a podcast, so listening to this really helps me stay informed. I enjoy it. And I love the host, Michael Barbaro. His voice is really quirky and unusual, wonderful really. Today’s episode was on Joe Biden and his previous runs at the White House. I didn’t realize what all the man has gotten in trouble for before? Hello! The man has lived. I mean, he is 77. Give it a go and let me know what you think.
My geeky photographer side is coming through with this suggestion. Neale James is a photographer I love and admire and he puts on a daily podcast that is wonderful for my daily walks. Not too long and not too short but always a wonderful voice and very entertaining.
Ready for a belly laugh? Or a good cry? This podcast is a goldmine of emotional, many times embarrassing, tales of childhood memories and thoughts. I ADORE this podcast! It’s kept me company on so many road-trips and excursions over the years. I love it so!
Warning…do not listen to this one with children. I think they warn you actually, before each episode, maybe? But it does feature language and adult situations. It’s another laughing podcast for sure! It will make you blush with embarrassment because they get up on stage and tell their stories when they were mortified. Like completely and utterly mortified. Not something simple like “I fell in front of a cute boy at school”, but intense. HELLO! Who would do that? I’m not sure, but I’m so glad they did! All compiled into one place for a guaranteed laugh. LOVE IT!
I follow quite a few “influencers” on instagram. Who am I kidding? I follow dozens and dozens! Most typically have podcasts, but I don’t enjoy them so much. I’m more of a visual person with a short attention span and I perfer to visually see my influencers. However, Landyn is the exception. I LOVE her podcast! I always learn something new and it’s perfect for me and this time in my life. She’s married to a retired NFL footballer and they live in Tenessee. My friend, Julie turned me onto her and I’m so glad she did! Like Julie said, every episode makes me happy and I learn something new.
Consider me a Murderino. HELLO! I get freaked out by True Crime, but I love listening to it as well. This is funny as heck people. Sure, it gets to the facts and tells the story, but it also is a friendship between Karen and Georgia and us, the audience. I love listening to their banter and joking and their kick ass attitude about “stay sexy and don’t get murdered”. It basically means, you don’t have to be polite to Ted Bundy if you feel like you shouldn’t. Hello! Pay attention to the hair arms, ladies. Hair arms.
I’m big on documentary photography and learning everything I can about it. This is Reportage is a photography group that I belong to that showcases the very best in documentary wedding photography. And I mean the BEST! I love going through their images and getting inspired to do better and be better at my job. You should have a look as well. And then, if your eyes are busy and you enjoy interviews, listen to their podcasts. They are wonderful, really.
John and Sherry have been in my phone and computer for YEARS. I think back in 2008 I stumbled across their blog and fell in love! They are funny, smart and young. Their podcast is not for everyone. Most podcasts aren’t. I’ve tried listening to Joe Rogan for years. Can’t do it! But this is a fun mix of house stuff and nerds along with “what they’ve been digging”. I love them and their podcast!
One final one for your consideration is Death Sex and Money. I’m behind on listening. The last time I did I missed my exit on the way home from Dallas. All episodes are thought provoking and give a glimpse of someone else’s way in the world. It’s real and it’s told with honestly and respect always. And again, I always learn something.
the one where I talk about the corona virus
a false positive on testing for the Corona Virus.
UNITED STATE CORONA STATISTICS
CONFIRMED 5.1 M
DEATHS 163K
WORLDWIDE
CONFIRMED 20.1 M
DEATHS 737K
August 10, 2020
The New York Times
You run into someone you know at the grocery store, or on a walk in your neighborhood, or pumping gas, WHATEVER; and the number one subject is COVID. You discuss what you’ve heard, inquire about each other’s families, as if you know of anyone that has been diagnosed. COVID-19 seems to be the most popular thing to discuss these days, in social circles, zoom chat rooms, family dinners around the table, on phone calls, etc. This blog post will be my attempt to share my thoughts on the subject
First of all, I believe the virus is real. I BELIEVE THE VIRUS IS REAL and people die. I truly do. We have two family members that are “at risk” due to health concerns and since the beginning, we have not hugged these people. They stay home and inside and are social distancing to the EXTREME. One had a birthday recently and no one was able to give them a hug or even cook them a meal or a birthday cake. We take it very seriously.
Second, I believe everything about this virus has been used for political gain. It’s an election year and every 4 years our country goes a bit psycho in how divided and ugly things get. Instead of discussing like adults and really trying to understand someone’s concerns and feelings, people get angry and hurt and downright mean when we don’t see eye to eye. Both parties are using this virus as a way to divide and conquer and all of us have to deal with the mess and fear they create.
Have you all known someone personally with COVID? We have. Our niece tested positive and quarantined alone in her apartment and completely lost her sense of smell. She felt pretty awful and had to provide a negative test result before returning to work at Baylor. Before she new she was positive, she exposed her family. They had to be tested and their results came back negative. One of my godchildren also tested positive. She complained of a headache that wouldn’t go away. She had recently attended a basketball day camp and her mom thinks maybe that’s how she was exposed. Sweat and close proximity in an indoor location? No one ever truly knows. We also have a co-worker who’s husband tested positive and she tested negative. She still quarantined for the 14 days and since some test results aren’t back for days, missed 21 days of work.
On Sunday, my oldest daughter, Kalyn Marie, called us and she was upset by some news she had received. She lives in Alabama and works for a private university there. All employees had to take mandatory COVID tests to be on campus. Hers came back positive. Yep. Positive for COVID. She’s only lived there a year and is alone and has tested positive for COVID. We are 14 hours away by car. Daddy calmed her down and we both gave her the information that we know based on hours of research by podcast, reading blogs, talking to doctors, etc. (I kind of go down rabbit holes now and then) and told her to follow protocol. Call your boss, let them know and take it a day at a time. She wasn’t having any symptoms, but you start to think maybe you do because of the positive results. She thought maybe she was extra tired. She was telling herself, I do feel a bit stuffy. Am I running a fever? Not a fun time for sure.
She calls her boss and her boss sent her to be tested again. Kalyn has been working from her apartment where she lives by herself, going in to the office and athletic department part time. She hasn’t been in public much and the people she’s been around? The same ones she’s been around for the last month. This raised questions about how was she exposed? If everyone else tested negative, how did she test positive? The second test was one that would determine if she has an active infection. A nose probe (up both nostrils) and a blood test for the antibody. ALL CAME BACK NEGATIVE. Whew! She’s relieved and I’m relieved. I asked her if I could share her story and she said yes.
So, here I am sharing her story and basically after months of hearing horror stories, reading horror stories, working during these pandemic times…(we also own a liquor store and I’ve worked there as well as photographing weddings), I’ve come to the conclusion that you can not trusts the tests and you must trust your own knowledge of your body and how you feel. That’s it.
Testing is BS. And I think we both know what that means.
Now, I understand that many who might read this have family members, loved ones, colleagues, friends, that have suffered with the virus, perhaps even died. I started this conversation with “ I believe this virus is real”. I truly do. And it’s scary. It can be intensely scary, especially with what the media has shared with us about people suffering and dying.
But I’m tired of being scared. Aren’t you? Let’s use our brains and learn what we can from each other and quit being afraid. We have lives to live. People to love and try to hug again.
What about you? Care to share your viewpoint on Rona and the testing?
the one where I made the cut on Fearless Photographers
Hello! It’s bragging time.
I belong to a group of photographers that are FEARLESS. How badass does that sound?
AMAZING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR COUPLES WHO TRULY LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY
They have photography contests among members, because you know…it’s a sport. The competition is ruthless. AND superb. Go have a look at the recent contest winners.
They work is so so good!
I haven’t placed in a few years, I always seem to miss the deadlines or when I do, I don’t make the cut.
The photo above? Didn’t win a fearless award, but it did place in their newest gallery, WEDDING GUESTS. Go have a look for yourself.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE WEDDING GUEST PHOTOS
Here’s a few more I submitted.
Enjoy!
Love Does,
Kristin
the one with the Christmas Cards
Here they are to save your world! Okay, so that’s baby Jesus that did that, but here’s some help this busy Christmas season for sure! HELLO! I have Christmas Card designs ready to go and ready for your fabulous KICK-BUTT photos! Simply click that link below to preview all the designs and read on.
Here’s how you order.
choose your design. You can favorite the design you love by clicking the heart icon. This way, when I log in, I can see your name and email and know the design you love. Kind of why we annoyingly ask for your email. It helps me with so much on the back end.
choose your images. Some card designs only feature one photo, others a few. Choose your images in your gallery and again, that little heart helps. If you’ve lost your gallery link, I can send it again. No problem.
count up your family and friends! How many cards do you need? Also, the info you want printed on your card, like correct spelling of names, etc. AND your shipping address. I’ll need that info as well. Email works great for this.
approve your card design. I will send you a preview by email with your card design with your fabulous photos. Once you “sing off” on the design, you’ll receive an invoice for payment and get your cards ordered and shipped out ASAP! My lab prints and ships to your door in 48 hours.
How cool is that?!? Now for some quick details.
minimum card order is 25
you can order any amount over 25. Say you need 48 cards, no problem.
you can have your return address printed on the envelopes for just $10 extra.
Cards are $2.50 each with bulk pricing discount for any amount over 75.
Of course I’m always here to help. Any more questions? Just pick up the phone and give me a call. 806-789-2673
the one with a HUGE picture dump all over it
I'm preparing my gear for Courtney + Koal's wedding today and wanted to share some photos of what I've been up to. It's been a crazy 3 months. TONS of weddings, magazine shoots, and life. Just plain life. I haven't blogged much, I haven't "Hey snapchatters" much, heck, I've barely shared any images on Instagram. I want to. I truly do, but life has been hard.
I lost a friend earlier this summer. Actually, before the summer even began. He took his own life and it's shaken me up in a way I did not expect. A part of me hesitates to even share this here because I feel tremendous guilt. TREMENDOUS for feeling this way, when imagine how his family feels? His wife? His kids? His mom? UGH...it just breaks my heart.
Each month I feel a wave of sadness grip me and grabs me and I suck in my breath and realize I've lived while he hasn't. I cope OK. But I just can't shake the sadness for a few days. I pray about it. I pray for him. I pray for his family. I try and remember, we live in the "here and now" and that eventually, NONE OF THIS WILL MATTER. Only God and HIS kingdom do, but I'm of the flesh and it does matter now. It's affecting me now. I have trouble getting past the HUMP. So, I choose physically and consciously to embrace the opportunities that come my way. To try and take it a day at a time, the people I meet, the love I get to photograph, ALL of it. And each time I see a smile, feel some love, hug someone, even pet a furry friend, I think about my friend. And I say his name and a prayer for him.
Hug someone today.
Love Does,
Kristin
the one where the Houchin Boys + Bednarz Girls are ROYAL
Kalyn Marie and Ky Houchin at the Tiger Stadium.
My heart is so full and warm and happy right now! I told you I'd find these bad boy ROYALTY images, didn't I? How cute are these little babies?!?! I'm swooning!!! The Houchin Boys and The Bednarz Girls were super famous in Slaton USA. And all of them served in the Homecoming Courts in Slaton. I love looking at old photos. LOVE. This is why it's so dang important to print your photos, folks. Yes, in this day and time, you get the digital files when you hire me as your photographer, but please, pretty plese, PRINT THEM. I just had a 15 minute stroll down memory lane and I'm so very content in my momma moment right now.
Love does,
Kristin
the one with a coffee break
I love a little coffee break now and then. When you work from home, on a computer all day, you find a lot of things on the internet. Here are a few of my most recent finds.
A little ballet to start your morning.
I'm big into podcasts and I really enjoyed THIS episode. I can so relate. I'm a constant work in progress.
Do you wanna have a good day? It all starts with THIS.
A "wedding in a box", the bride's dad said. I say "great lace" and why documentary photography is so important. Kick ass photography ahead.
I've been taking better photos with my iPhone.
With all this rain, I should definitely invest in these. Are you listening Santa?
Does anyone else stress about what to wear to work each day? Hello! Raising my hand. And I work from home.
This looks like fun. Anyone up for an adventure? Bring your hiking boots.
Life is busy, quit apologizing.
Does anyone ever wonder about the life of a funeral director?
Happy Friday!
the one with the Parade of Homes 2017
Guess what? I finally made it to the Parade of Homes!!! I've always wanted to go. And I sort of have, almost. last year I helped Keri Bednarz and Tesori Homes with some pictures. So I got to see that paticulat home. But I've never toured ALL the Homes featured on a parade. What a treat! For anyone who loves "housey shows", that's what me and my girls call HGTV, the Parade is a MUST. It's a great way to see a lot of spaces up close and personal. They are all typically decked out and decorators with all the latests trends in home design and decor. Very cool! But it can also be completely overwhelming if you don't prepare.
There's dozens of homes in each featured neighborhood and it's hard to see everything in one visit. No way, Jose! No way. So here's my tips for going to the Parade of Homes. At least from a seasoned one year veteran.
- take a friend who's been before The picture above? That's Susan. She graduated from Cooper and is an up and coming designer in Lubbock. We are redoing a farm house out in the country and this chick is doing the tile in the bathrooms and kitchen. More on that for another post. If you bring a friend that has been befoe, they can give you a heads up about what to expect. Plus, everything is more fun with a friend!
- wear flip flops. They don't allow shoes. Or drinks and food. Which I think is such a tragedy. I mean we are melting in the West Texas heat and how awesome would it be to pretend we are at a Vanity Fair party inside some of these homes! I mean, we need to invinsion ourselves living here, and this self loves a good cocktail now and again, so please pour me a drink. And each place usually has some amazing outdoor kitchen or modern cool bar that's just dying for a wicked cool drink. But no. No food or drinks or shoes. So you leave them at the door and keep them simple. Easy on, easy off.
- be prepared to walk. There's quite a few homes in each neighborhood. 10 at least or so. And each one is at least a couple of thousand square feet. Shoot, One is over 8000 square feet! And many are multiple stories. So, be prepared to walk. ALOT.
- go potty before you get there. Each home has bows attached to their toilets. They wrap them up and offer port a pots instead. Yep. I made a sonic run before I left the house. Big mistake. I got to use a portable. Fun for me. Lol
- make tons of pictures. Looking back through these images, I realize I didn't nake near enough phots! Hello! I know I was looking and exploring and loving so many of the details in this house. And that's great! Being in the moment is indeed an awesome thing but it when you are trying to remember what you saw tile wise, lighting wise, etchello! Make lots and lots of pictures! You'll appreciate them later.
Thank you, Susan for taking me on this tour. I loved it! And I hope to be a regular attendee each year. It's fun! I would like to see them add a beverage place at some point during the tours. I wouldn't mind partying on someones patio next year!
Love Does,
Kristin
the one where I photograph Kayli in less then 10 minutes
I was meeting with Kayli and her mom today and she had mentioned needing a shot or two of Kayli in her college t-shirt. Well, I left my camera at home. Completely forgot, so I had Kayli follow me back to our rental home (yep...we moved!) and I would photograph her there.
I wanted to share the results with you because so many times, photographers as well as clients, stress about "the where" when it's really, ALL ABOUT THE LIGHT. I had been driving past this alley for 3 weeks now, to and from my home and I just knew I wanted to photograph someone there. But talking them into standing in a muddy alley for a pretty picture, well, it's not always easy.
Here's the results from 10 minutes worth of shooting. Of course, Kayli being totally gorgeous and knowing how "to work it" helped. Not always the case. But still! It's my job to get good photos in any situation.
We did JUST THAT.
Thank you, Kayli! and shout out to her friend and future roomie, Kat. Great job with the reflector!
Love does,
Kristin
the one with some party booth photos
The lady up there on the left? That's Mary. She's super cool and she invited me back to the Lubbock Meals on Wheels Mardi Gras Celebration. Last year was my first time attending, and I didn't hesitate ONE BIT in saying YES again. I had so much fun last year! For one, it's a chance to meet new people and I get to man the PARTH BOOTH. I LOVE THE PARTY BOOTH! And I think many folks don't realize it's a great thing to add to your next party, event, special occasion. Yes. It's great to have at your wedding, but it's also super fun for other times as well.
Case in point...the sequences below? I grabbed them and in the course of 10 seconds or less, they have a great memory of how fun their friendship is, in 4 great images. I mean, that's a laugh folks! She's feeling it! I love people laughing. Uncontrollable, full throttle LAUGHING! That's what the Party Booth is all about.
Thank you Mary, for asking me. And if you want to see more from this night, CLICK HERE.
Love Does,
Kristin
the one with the "Smokey and the Bandit" card
Everyone loves getting snail mail, right? You know, the kind of stuff in our mailbox that we maybe check every other day or so? Most of the time it's junk mail, catalogs or bills. UGH. But hello! Not today! How cute is this card? It's from a company in NM called Power and Light Press. A client sent it this to me in the mail with these words.
Hi, Kristin.
Thank you for truly going above and beyond coming out to Marfa and shooting our wedding weekend! We couldn't have dreamed of a better photographer - hope to work with you again!
Sara and John
I normally don't toot my horn, but I couldn't resist with this cute card. Hands down, one of my favorite weddings weekends EVER!
If you are planning a wedding weekend, contact me. I love WEDDING WEEKENDS!
the one with a portrait session "just because"
I photographed Haleigh's brother early in his senior year. CLICK HERE to view Jacob's session. And mom called me to book Haleigh's, "just because".
just because she needed something current for her walls at work in her office.
just because she's a sophomore at LCHS and such a pretty girl.
just because it's fun to get all dressed up, glammed out and have your photo taken.
I love sessions, just because.
Love Does,
Kristin
the one of Krysa + Justin's day before the wedding
Back in March I headed to Arizona with my good friend Teresa. We hopped in the Pilot and went West. She was an awesome travel buddy! Her niece, Krysa was getting married and I was the lucky girl that was hired to document the occasion. Hello! LUCKY INDEED! I honestly think, other then the actual taking of images, the traveling part? It's the favorite part of my job. In fact, I revamping my wedding pricing this next season. I want to see more of the US and I'm working on getting to more places. Do you have anyone getting married in your life? Please have them contact me. I firmly believe documentary coverage is a MUST with wedding photography. Sure, pretty portraits are important and I make those photographs as well. But good documentary coverage, those images? Those are the ones that you love and those are the images that last.
So, we are in Arizona for the next several days. And Teresa is my traveling buddy. The place where Krysa + Justin are getting married in absolutely GORGEOUS venue. I was instantly buzzing with new angles, new horizons, new colors.
Enjoy!
Kristin
the one with location problems
A photographer I follow has her clients choose the location for photographing their engagement sessions. This always amazes me because in my 15 years of shooting, I've never had a client suggest that. They may have an idea or two, but they have enough to think about without also having to come up with locations. And let's face it, most of the locations I choose involve the light more then anything. It trumps it all.
Ben and Carli before prom, April 2016.
I choose the Garden and Arts Center a lot. It's a good meeting place. Easy to get to, nice parking lot, pretty green pretty stuff, and with girls in heels? A great walking path. I choose this as our meeting place when I photographed some Wildcats before prom. It did not disappoint!
Pretty Wildcats before Prom, April 2016.
I'm not the only photographer that uses it. It's become like the Windmill place I used forever ago. Everyone starts using the same pretty places and soon you have a line of people waiting with their photographer for the pretty flower garden area. I don't like waiting when there's light to be chased, so typically I keep moving and we find our own little corner of the garden.
De Los Santos sisters, Christmas 2015.
The last few times I've used the garden, a prop photographer has been camped out by the flower garden with her multitude of props and her clients waiting patiently, the adults anyway, for their time with her. The first few times I saw her, I was ok with it. I get that's it's public and everyone has a right to be there. But lately? I've gotten a bit cranky when I see her there because I just don't get it. Why all the props? If you are going to shoot props then what does it matter where? Go to your garage, set up a backdrop and fire away? Your not photographing moments, you are creating staged photography with props that you are using on everyone. So, any space will practically do and besides, you are hogging the space so much and for so long, that it's almost impossible to stroll through the garden for our 5 minutes that we need for our shots.
The Agnew Family, Fall 2015.
But I don't say anything. It would be rude. Rude for me and especially rude in front of her clients. So, cranky aside, tonight when I went there with my fabulous clients, I beat her to the punch. She wasn't there! We had a leisurely stroll and then walked up the path to make our way back to our cars. It was then that I saw her arriving, props in hand. I immediately felt the anger leave when I realized I was free to explore and chase more fabulous light, while she was stuck in a corner of the garden, props and kids, regurgitating the same thing out of her camera.
Now please don't misunderstand me. I get this. I get that some people love props and cute kids with bunnies and fake flowers and such. I get that! That's fine. It's just not what I love. I love light and moments and happy people.
So, to each his own. To each his own path and own way of light. Just be mindful of others when you are camped out every weekend in the same place. HELLO! We might want to stroll. You know?
Hannah, August 2015.
Kudos to all photographers, props or not, that are working hard preserving families and moments. And thank you, pretty garden for providing a place we can all use and love.
Love Does,
Kristin
Danae and son, Knox, Christmas 2014.
the one where I give up sleep
Sweet baby Kanga working with me in the office.
We are in the season of Lent. Lent is a season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting. For years, our family has given up sweets together. Not hard for Devin, he's not a girl. But Hello! Women reading this know that a girl needs her sweets. Especially the one time during that 40 days. 😳 This year we all went our separate ways and decided to do our own thing of sacrifice. I choose, as did Devin, to attend daily mass. Some of you would say, "that's not a sacrifice. It's a choice and one all good Catholics should make. It's a price ledge to partake of the Body of Christ. It's a gift."
Oh, but you see it is a sacrifice. A huge one for me who is typically in her jammies pants until 10 am.
Sleep.
I'm giving up sleep.
what did you choose to sacrifice this season?
the one where I offer a camera class
Do you need help with your camera?
Did you invest in shiny new camera and now you have no idea how to use it? Is your iPhone not cutting it at the kid's basketball games? I can help. I get asked all the time if I would help people with their cameras. They simply want to take better photographs of their family. Preserve the memories. Capture the moments.
Because I'm self taught, I couldn't understand why folks don't just dive in and learn. HELLO! It's not that hard, people! Grab your camera, start shooting and then read a few online sources. I mean, that's basically how I did it. But then I had a cup of tea and realized that I learned on film. That the lab corrected most of my exposure mistakes and that yes, it would have been awesome to have someone come to my home and help. So, I'm doing it. I'm doing just that. Here's some info.
HELP ME WITH MY CAMERA CLASS! ($425)
- how to shoot in manual mode
- how to chase the light (I'm a professional)
- how to edit the photographs you make
The class takes place in your home. This is where you photograph your family, your friends, you life. There is no time limit as people learn at different levels and some, let's face it, need more time then others. You will need a camera, duh? And your computer. Don't worry, what you have is enough. We will find a way. And an internet connection would be helpful as I have lots of cool stuff to share!
If you'd like to schedule a class for yourself or someone you love, email me at kristinbednarz@me.com. Classes are scheduled Tuesday - Thursday. And just because I'm REAL and not perfect, check out me trying to take this opening shot.
If you don't succeed at first, keep trying. God loves the effort!
