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Where did the time go? One day I was a working myself up the corporate ladder and then before you know it I was 29, having a baby and making a decision to be a stay at home mom. Then I blinked, my son is 10 and suddenly (shudder) I am 39! Well this 10 year old birthday hit me harder than most birthdays. I realize my baby is more out the door than in, College is closing in on us, 8 more years until he becomes a man. I love every day at every age, so I can imagine things will only get better, but I will miss the days when his world isn’t so centered around me. How did this boy become my friend? Will he always drop his backpack to tell me about his day? I hope so.

I didn’t just want 10 year old pictures of him. I wanted to be a part of them, because he is such a big part of my life. So as much as I loathe being in front of the camera, I wanted to create something special for both of us. I hope someday he will appreciate these efforts.  This guitar was my guitar when I was 8 years old and taking lessons. It’s a cheap ol’ thing, but he loves it and is now using it for his guitar lessons. We usually start off stiff and posed (cheesy smiles) but usually pick up a rhythm thanks to a prop. In this case it was the guitar, Kung-Fu fighting and singing some strange Spongebob Squarepants song.

My sweet 10 year old.

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It’s that time of year again….for unpredicatable rain showers and beautiful, colorful flowers.  I can’t help myself, but to take some time every week to photograph the beauty around us.  Happy Spring!

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This little guy takes the cake on mischevious, sneaky and resourceful.  He can’t be fooled by child-proof locks and gates.  If there is a door to open, he’ll open it.  If there is a counter to climb, he’ll climb it.  If there is a food (or non food) to eat, he’ll eat it.  Do you get the picture?  So although you see smiles and sweetness in the photos I am sharing, behind the scenes his brain is cranking and trying to come up with the next piece of mischief he can throw at his mom and dad.  He definitely keeps his mom scrambling throughout the day.  But despite his antics, he is a super cuddler and a great hugger.  Who cannot love a little boy whose favoritie movie is “Beverly Hills Chihauhau”?  This is a large share, I couldn’t resist.  Especially after finding out he’ll soon be a big brother.  Congratulations to his family!

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Miss “S” is the sweetest and most polite little girl and was such a JOY to photograph! She and her sister had fun playing dress-up in the clothing and props that I offer for my sessions. I was impressed by the way they took turns wearing the dresses. Big sister was so sweet to keep little sister content. I was lucky to get this beautiful vintage dress from my Uncle who finds the best thrift store treasures! This dress is from the 40’s and pairs so sweet with wings. Don’t you think?

Thank you Miss “S” for lighting up my studio with your sunshine.

Shh.....

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And she was only serious for a split second…..but I caught it.  The look of innocence.  Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

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Christmas Card selections are now uploaded to the website!  You can select from a wonderful mix of classic cards, retro cards, vintage cards, and contemporary cards.  Please keep in mind that colors can be changed.  If you see pink, and want Christmas red, that change can be made!  View the cards here:  http://www.imagesbykristin.com/Products/ChristmasCards

What is a blog post without a new picture?  Boring!  We are celebrating the return of good health to all in the family, and we are so relieved that our youngest son is recovered from a case of pneumonia following the swine flu.  He was a real trooper, and I am so grateful that we caught the pneumonia early.  So here is my sweet boy, this one actually taken the day his fever spiked to 104.5 (scary).

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A quick trip to Boxx Berry farm for a few Halloween pumpkins, and a moment of beautiful light.

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I had the pleasure of taking pictures of Miss “S” at Hovander Park.  She was a delight to photograph and has such a sweet personality.  I love this park for its rustic appeal and natural beauty.  As a bonus, the kids never feel like it’s a job to be photographed, while they are having so much fun.  Is it ever a job when bunnies are involved?  We were fortunate to have such a beautiful Fall day.  I hope her parents enjoy the pictures.

I also am happy to be offering a beautiful mix of Christmas Cards by many fabulous designers.  I have a selection of over 30 cards for all tastes and styles (from traditional, to modern,  and even retro).  For Miss “S”’s sneak peek, I have shown a sample using a card by Luxcetera, from their Retro collection.  I added this collection this year and love them for their simplistic beauty with a touch of whimsy.   Check out the slideshow, and see for yourself.

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I cannot believe it is October 1st already!  I’ve had a few macro flower shots homeless on my computer since August.  Now that it is raining, and it feels like Summer has officially ended, I thought I would dig these up to play.  They were taken at Hovander Park in Ferndale.  Hovander Park is the location for my upcoming mini sessions.  Beauty abounds at Hovander, even in the smallest details.

There has been interest to purchase these as prints.  Prints and canvases of these prints are available, prices indicated on my website (see Pricing Page, a la carte), plus a nominal shipping charge (to the continental U.S.).   Please contact me for details.

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“These are the moments for which we live.”

~ Joyce Carol Oates

What exactly is Lifestyle Photography?  I have been meaning to blog about this for awhile, because I think the definition comes from within the artist, vs. Webster’s Dictionary.  So one might find every photographer to have their own meaning.  That is what sets us apart from each other.

To me, lifestyle photography is about capturing the everyday moments.  The imperfect moments when our hair is a bit messy, our kids have dirt under their fingernails or they’re not looking at the camera and saying ‘cheese’.  They are also perfect moments.  Moments when we are living in our element, doing what we love.  They are playtime moments (picking flowers, enjoying a tea party, an excursion to the playground, or jumping on the bed).  They are moments in time, when in 10 years, we’ll look at a photo and be able to put ourselves back into the moment, the time and the place.  And sometimes they are a mix of the two: our cleaned-up self, in our cleaned-up clothes, but in our everyday place.  But the common ground is that they are the moments that we truly cherish.  Moments that we want to wrap into a book to put within easy reach.  So when we need to find that place in our heart, to live it one more time, we can find it on our shelf.

Trust me, I have my share of mall studio portraits of my kids when they were very little, before the time I let photography transform my life.  We would walk into the studio, tired mom and grumpy baby, plop the baby on a beanbag and quickly fire off a few shots.  Those pictures were passed around to the grandparents, who of course doted, but they are also the photos that are now in boxes, and not on my walls.  The photos on my walls are of my boys being boys.  Living life.  Loving the day.  Loving the moment.  I want their personalities to shine through the photos.  That, to me, is art.  It is lifestyle photography.  The photographer captures a personality, to keep it close to your heart forever.

So here is a day in our life.  A typical day, cousins were visiting, and we went to the berry farm to enjoy the sweet berries.  I hope this helps give you an idea of what Lifestyle Photography is all about, to me, as your photographer.  It makes me want to jump back in time, and be there again.  If I could put this day to music, it would be Jack Johnson’s “Upside Down”.  A perfect song for these perfect little moments in time.

Kristin

(You’ll definitely want to check my website and more blog posts, because my style is not always about the messy everyday moments, it is also about capturing that vibrant personality and beauty unique to each child, at every stage of their life.  I think you’ll find I do that very well).

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