Summer just won't let go.

I was really hoping that last week's cooler weather was the signal that Fall would arrive on time.  I was wrong.  this upcoming week is supposed to be hotter than Hades, and I am not extremely happy about this.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I adore summer.  I'm just REALLY ready for fall.
So, having said all that, here are my favorite moments from this summer:

Smirk. top ten!!!

This post got 5th place!!!  yipeeeee!

Angelic?  I think not.  Perhaps devious would be a better word.  This is my entry for the weekly challenge at http://www.iheartfaces.com. This face, by the way, knows how to get her grandparents to do just about anything. Wonder where she learned that? *smirk.

ps- I'm hosting a week long photo scavenger hunt on facebook.  (just look for my fanpage link to the left and click).  Join in the fun!  :)
Kristen

Modern Family Photos

There's this gorgeous family I know.  They asked if I would take photos for them while I was out in New Jersey, and how could I resist?  After all, I love their two boys.  They are two of the best nephews a girl could ask for. 

After all, they allow my dear daughter to torture them as much as she wants to:

When my sister in law suggested that we go to the gazebo where she and my brother were married, we got a few more family shots.

And I couldn't resist getting my brother and Suzie to pose for me.

Much love, you four.  xoxoxoxo
Kristen

Sunday; lovin around the web.

I had a really nice birthday yesterday.  :)
I bought myself a canon 100mm 2.8 and a new website from Portfoliositez! I am so grateful to my mom for these gifts!  I literally can not wait to get my new lens and add more photos to my fanpage.
Since watching the inspiring and beautiful Jasmine Star workshop on creative live, I have been thinking of my 3 words.  I think they will be Natural, Intimate and Brilliant.  Like?
So, here are some wonderful things I have found around the web this week: Photo Freebies, adorable flowers to make for packages, hair ribbons, etc..., and finally a tutorial on how I got the above image.
Have a fantastic week, blog land!
love, Kristen

It's my birthday today! 9-11-10

Today is my birthday!  And my twin sister's, and my favorite cousin's!  I'm tuning 370 years old today.  ok, so I only feel like it's 370.  It's really just 37, but when you go to bed at 6 pm the night before your birthday, you tend to feel a little older than 37.  My birthday has been and always will be special to me, no matter what.  I LOVE that I have always gotten to share it with my fantastic sister.  I love the cake, the excuse to eat ice cream and chips and hotdogs all at once, and (I hate to admit it) the presents!!!!! I remember having a sleepover party while listening to Michael Jackson's newest album, "Thriller" and the year all we wanted was Cabbage Patch dolls.  Be quiet.  I already told you I feel old.
This year (as well as last year), my hubby is in Vegas with his buddies- doing a fantasy football thing.  So that leaves me here, by myself with my two adorable children.  Both of them are feeling a little under the weather, so my plans to drag them to the beach went flying out the window.  That's ok.  Matt is going to win me a million dollars this weekend, and the kiddos are going to let me be lazy.  But I still need a little somethin'-somethin' from you guys.  How about a birthday contest? Yeah?

Beginning today, September 11th, submit a photo of you on your birthday and tell me what you LOVE about your birthday. To submit a photo, either email it to kdmintz@hotmail.com or post it on my facebook fanpage under fan photos- the album labeled "Brithday 37 contest." The winner will receive a $75 credit toward their session. (pricing is to the left.)
Here are the details:

* One entry per person.
* You must be 18 or older.
* Picture can not be from another professional photographer.
* Photos will be accepted until next Saturday, September 18th 9pm Pacific time..
* Contest is open to everyone!!

HOW PHOTOS WILL BE JUDGED

* All entries will be uploaded into an album on my fanpage.
* To vote for a photo you MUST "like" Kristen Mintz Photography on facebook.
*Get your friends to vote for you!  (they must "like" Kristen Mintz Photography as well.)
* Click "like" for the photo you are voting for in the album labeled birthday 37 contest.
* Photo with the most "likes" will be the winner. Comments permitted, but WILL NOT count
towards the total number of votes.
* I will verify that all "likes" of the winning photo come from my facebook fans. "Likes" from non-fans will not be counted.
*Voting will close on Saturday, September 25th at 9 pm Pacific.
* Offical winner will be notified and announced no later than Sunday, September 26th!

Please post any questions you have in the comments section of the blog and I will be happy to answer them. I look forward to seeing all the entries!!

happy birthday toooo meeeeee (and my sister and my cousin)!
love, Kristen

Fabulous family photography

How lucky can a girl be? Kristine is a fabulous girl who I've known since my freshman year of college. I was lucky enough to live with her for two years in college. After we graduated, Kristine tipped me off to an interview for a California school district that was happening in Princeton, New Jersey. She went to the interview as well, and we were both hired as teachers. We made the move together; three thousand miles away from our families. We lived together for a while, moved next door to each other, and then we were lucky enough to start teaching at the same school together. She has been in my life for a REALLY long time now (I'd rather not give age away here, but trust me when I use the word 'eternal'.)
She decided to move back to her family in New Jersey a few years ago, and met the man of her dreams. He is a great husband who has the sweetest daughter in the universe.

I adore the three of them! I feel really lucky that I was able to spend a little extra time with these three- and I can't wait to see them again.

love you, D family.
Kristen

Amazing family photography

Meet Michele.

She and I were best friends since the moment I met her in 5th grade.  In 7th grade, we had every single class together.  It got to a point where I would say to my mom and dad, "hey parents!  Guess who's coming over?"  and my dad would reply, "oh no."  That became her nickname after a while. :)  Isn't she just the most gorgeous girl?

She had to move when we were seniors in high school, and as life sometimes happens, we lost touch.  Luckily, we both discovered Facebook.  I feel so lucky that we have gotten back in touch with her.  
It was amazing to be with her and her family, even if our time was super short.  Her husband is the BEST guy, and her son is sweet, funny, smart....  I just adore her family.  Here are some of my favorite shots from the day.

Love,
Kristen

Favorite blogs of the week.

First, I need to thank the beautiful and talented Stacey for this idea.  There are so many places I've been discovering lately and I need to share! 
It's so great to laugh at the end of a long day. Make sure you visit here.  Or here.

I've recently discovered Adele, and I totally wish I had her idea.  It would have made my son's 365 much more interesting!

If you're a mom who loves photography, visit the maternal lens for inspiration...

and finally, this one is for the crafter in me.... This site has amazing projects- I made something like this last week. No sewing required!  I could seriously spend an entire Sunday there.  In fact.... What am I doing here?  See ya! 
Have an amazing week.

love, K

Gorgeous family photography.

Sandy and I went to Kindergarten together.  She is so fun and has the most gorgeous family. 

She is quite the budding photographer and loves to scrapbook (cough, cough- when do I get to see your stuff, Sandy?) so we wanted to get a lot of different shots.  They were so willing to run around in the heat with me!

Sandy willingly rounded up her family and drove an hour to meet me.  Did I mention that it was one of the hottest days of the year?  I can not believe how gorgeous they still looked by the end of the session.  My twin sister and mom came along so they could see Sandy, and my dear daughter decided that she needed to get into some of the photos, too!  :)  This is one of my favorites.

It was pretty surreal meeting with her, and seeing her kids- it seems like just a few weeks ago that we were in Kindergarten together! 
Thanks for coming out, fab 5.  
Kristen
ps- Happy 10th Anniversary, Sandy and Bill!!!

fun family photography

Meet the Donovans.  Fun beyond belief.  Jen went to high school with me, and was probably the first one of my old friends to jump on the bandwagon when she heard that I was going to be in New Jersey for a week.  She's strong in so many ways, brilliant, and just gorgeous.  

 I swear, her boys were SO MUCH FUN!  They played outside for a bit even though it was unbelievably hot just so I could get some photos. 

When we snuck inside, they showed off their dance moves for me!  Oh, my dog- HI-LA-RI-OUS. Seriously.  I have made her promise to have a play date with us the next time we are in the same state because I know my three year old would just adore them. 
Thanks Jen and Brian for sharing these little guys with me for a while! 

love, Kristen