I used to suck at this...

The longer I do this, the more I realize how easy it can be to get sucked into the frame of mind that we, as photographers,  must compete. Like we have to constantly "one up" each other. Instead of it being about our art, it is about whether or not other photographers validate our work. 

I feel like an anomaly to have friends and acquaintances in the business that are super helpful and inspiring. But, I am not the norm.

It seems like everyone is so damn worried about how much "So and So" is charging, if "So and So's Photography" is original in their work or copied from someone else, even down to "stealing likes" (SO ridiculous, if you are a photographer, please feel free to comment on my work from your business page. I have enough faith in the originality of my work that I am pleased to share my "likes"- wow, I can barely write that without an eye roll at how ridiculous it sounds to even address.) 

I'll admit, there have been times when I have to stop and think about what the big deal is. Should I care? Am I missing something here? Can't we all just get along? (I imagine the big banner in my middle school lunch room when ever I say that out loud... totally off topic but amusing to me. Bare with me, I have a point here...)

Then I take inventory. Not of what everyone else is doing, but what I have done and how far I have come. I feel like I learn more and more with each session. It has taken two years to find what I enjoy photographing the most, to find "my style," which I would say is still evolving, to learn what I like and what my clients like. Every fan I have has either loved the work I have done for them or loved the work I have done for someone else. I earned them. And I appreciate every single post and comment- I read every single one!

I do this because it makes me feel good. It is a release. The hours in photoshop seem like minutes when I look at the clock at midnight and realize I haven't budged since I put my babies down. I do this because I want my clients to feel the same excitement when they see their photos in print. I want them to be in yearbook timelines, frames in nurseries, and old dusty albums 60 years from now. THAT is what my goals are. I want my work to mean something to the people who invest in it.

I began looking back at my work. Wow, I have come a long way! From old,over processed images to what is now emerging into something meaningful. I feel like it takes guts to display the timeline below of how far your work has come, but I am PROUD of it. I am proud of the progress I have made. Classes, workshops, and the kindness of my dear photog friends' critiques have made my work grow exponentially. From a cheap version of a photoshop program and a little "starter" Nikon, to learning my way through CS5 and the fifth member of the family,my Canon 5D, I get excited about the images that lie ahead of me :)

So, I just wanted to get this out. Your work stands on it's merit, and if you love what you do,  it shows. It never stops evolving. You never stop learning. And thank God you don't, because how boring would that be?

Engagements.... I just love LOVE!

Something about these shoots make them my favorite. Don't get me wrong, there is something special about each shoot that I do, but the excitement of this special time is contagious. I love to capture the way that two people feel about each other. Love is such a funny thing, and a playful, adoring couple is my favorite. I love dancing on the beach, bright colors, rivaling football jerseys, and oh, the RING! What kind of couple are you? Sprawling farms with luscious green grass, a beautiful sunset in a bright pink sky, downtown with street lights and traffic? This shoot is what you make it!

Ryan and Ashley are a great couple. I had the honor of photographing them this week. The beach provides a breath taking backdrop at sunset. I wish them a beautiful and happy wedding day (and many babies to follow!)

Love to all. KG.

Reminder...

Pictures last a lifetime, they catch a moment that can be forever remembered, yes. But, to put them to music and melody can bring them to life. Think of your most precious song- one to remember good times, celebrate a milestone or occasion, even a song that provokes memories of a lost loved one. Think "The Blowers Daughter" by Damien Rice, if you haven't heard it, it's worth the download. Putting photos to song can evoke emotion that nothing else can. It is truly something. I enjoy my photos, but this kind of project takes it to another level. I love doing this with my work- for weddings, parties, memorials. They are so moving.

I did this video for my Grandfather. He passed away in August of this year from Pancreatic Cancer. He was 78 years old and his passing brought a lot of suffering, to us mostly. It was one of the most painful and precious memories I have. I will never forget him lying there, speechless from many strokes, staring at my brother and I and trying tirelessly to put his arms around us. I wanted his friends and family to see that side of him, to see his heart. The silver lining in his passing was sitting with my brother and going through old photographs, learning about his life and laughing through tears. We made this video to remember him at his memorial. I miss him so much, here is a glimpse of one of the greatest men I have ever known.

Please feel free to become a fan of my facebook page where the video is located.

http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=152392371451182

Hello!

I was that girl in class that was always sneaking fashion magazines into fourth period, daydreaming through lectures, figuring out how to make mix tapes long before Napster, and crafting homemade greeting cards for any and all occasions. Creative outlets have always been my distraction. There are two gifts that I distinctly remember getting as a girl, my first horse and my first hot pink camera (with a flash!). I ran right into my room, dressed up Barbie and Derek (Ken never did grow on me, I wasn't big on Blondes.) and marrying them in the quickest ceremony imaginable. I then took them outside, posed them beautifully, and went to town! This was when I first fell in love with the camera.

I spent most of my college days being the "paparazzi" of my friends. Always snapping away so that I would never forget what it felt like, to be living in the big city, dancing and feeling good, with three of my best friends. I wanted to capture it and keep it forever.

My mother is my muse. She started photographing before the digital camera came out and would occasionally let me dabble with her beloved tool. I was instantly in love! The way I can discover different angles, capture a candid moment, the way it felt. Needless to say, it wasn't long before I adopted my mother's camera and bought one of my own. I was hooked.

Pretty soon people are asking me to do maternity shoots, weddings, babies, engagements, and even boudoir. I was busy, busy with my new hobby. Then I met my next love, my MAC. Photoshop, iphoto, aperture, Oh, MY!

I have decided to turn my hobby into my work. I love it. I truly do. I hope that you will enjoy my latest endeavors as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. Feel free to comment... or even book a shoot! Love to all. -Kristen