A Baker's Dozen: Am I only on #5?

So, this photo.  It is definitely not in the category of what I would call "technically perfect." As a matter of fact, I can see about a billion mistakes that I made.  However, this photo still makes my tummy do a little skip every time I see it.  When families really get involved with their children, it makes shooting families so much more fun.  Can't you just hear this little girl squeeling with delight? I just adore this.  It isn't perfect, but it tells such an awesome story. This is a family that loves each other.  They are silly, they play, they make messes.  And they enjoy every moment together. 
xo,
Kristen

A Manifesto.

It's the little moments that count. 
You know them: you see the mess your 3-year-old just made and know that you're living completely. You share a private joke with your sister and just know that she's your soul mate.
Your heart is full and you remember that love does conquer all.
I live to capture those natural, imperfect moments. 
I create art for fabulous families, images to last a lifetime.
I believe in capturing the unique, natural beauty of people and letting it shine.
I come to you, where you feel most comfortable.
We will make messes, hug, play, and laugh. A lot.

Thanks to the fabulous Kristen Kalp and the wonderful Matt Mintz for their help in writing this!
xo,
Kristen

mmmm. the smell of baking. #4

Welcome, friends!
Oh, you're back to see more of my favorites? Well, that's fabulous! Grab a coffee and come on in. Grab a cookie, too. 
While we're talking about sweet... just look at this!

Nothing could be sweeter than sibling love.  These two boys were so much fun- I got this photo while they were wrestling around, and I just adore it. 
enjoy the week!
xo,
Kristen

Baker's Dozen: #3

Hello, gorgeous people!  I'm so glad that you are taking the time to come visit me each day.  I really appreciate it!
I hope that all of my Minty-Fresh posts are providing you with fun tips, and that you are using them.  Please let me know if you have anything in particular that you'd like me to address!
I'm continuing on with my series of favorites, the Baker's Dozen for today's post.  I believe I forgot to mention that Saturday's Minty-Fresh post was also part of the series... I apologise!
Ok, so here is the third in the group of favorites:

This is from my first wedding, where I was the second photographer.  It was so much fun to be able to capture the bride and groom when they weren't watching me.  I was lucky to get a lot of candid moments, and this laugh from the bride is one of my favorites. It really tells the story about how she was feeling that day- she was so happy and gracious, and just gorgeous. Love.
xo,
Kristen

Minty Fresh: Come closer.

Mint. (adj.) meaning new, fresh, sweet, brilliant, awesome.

Welcome to Saturday, dear blog-stalkers. First of all, a quick little side note for those of you who read my Valentine's Day post, I'd like to thank you for all the prayers and good wishes.  I found out that the mass on my jaw is a benign tumor! I can't express how grateful I am.

Now, let's get back to business.  This week, for your photos, I want you to try to get close.  This is a tip that I use CONSTANTLY.  If you are lucky enough to have a macro lens, get it out.  If you aren't, you're going to have to do a little more work.  Take your time. Hang out and chat a little before shoving your camera in your subject's face. (Not that you would do that, of course.) I like to talk to my subject and distract him, taking photos here and there, all the while, inching a little closer. Try to fill up the frame with your subject. It's especially awesome to try with babies and children.
Here is one of my favorites:

I mean, really.  Can't you just smell that baby smell just by looking at this?
Enjoy your weekend, and don't forget to link up your photos!
xo,
Kristen

Top 10. Scratch That. A Baker's Dozen.

Someone really brilliant helped me decide to do something fun on my blog over the next few weeks.  I want to feature my favorite photographs!  Of course, the ever popular "Top Ten" list comes to mind.  Man, I love that David Letterman.  But, of course, I really, honestly couldn't decide on only ten.  So I've decided instead to feature a very lucky thirteen of my favorite photographs, in no particular order. I'll be calling it the Baker's Dozen, and I'd like to spread the photos out over the next few weeks, so you (my dear Minty- Fresh fans), will have a chance to take them in. Devour them.  Digest them slowly.  Either or. :)
So, without further ado, here is the first:

 

What I love about it: Oh my goodness, look at this awesome color!  And, seriously? That gorgeous belly filled with life... to die for!  The juxtaposition of new and old, the textures that play off of each other.  It's just one of those images that pops.  I love that this couple was willing to walk around town with me, exploring alleys to find the perfect spots.  I was lucky enough to get to meet their little man, and an image from his newborn shoot also made my top 13.  Stay tuned for the rest! 

XO,

Kristen

What to wear - pink and green.

I finally made my own little what-to-wear guide.  This is actually what I'm thinking of having my own family wear to our upcoming photo session.  My daughter's two favorite colors at the moment are pink and green, so I thought I'd play off of that.  We are a definite flip-flop and jeans kind of family, so this "look" really fits our style. I actually love that the greens and pinks are slightly different from each other, and they aren't matchy-matchy.  It's a good thing.
If you are looking for something to wear to your next session, work from a color palette, and wear something that suits your family.  Make your kids stand out by bringing along some accessories or toys they love.  Most of all, be you.
xo,
Kristen

Happy Valentine's Day & a biopsy.

To be honest, Valentine's Day has never been a big deal to me.  I'm not a fan of getting flowers because they last all of an hour at my house.  (I have a huge lack of a green thumb.  I could kill dirt. Really.) Of course, I adore chocolate, and I would never turn that down, but all-in-all, it's just another day.  I believe we should tell each other how we feel all the time.  Saying "I love you" shouldn't be a once-per-year occurrence.  It should happen as often as possible.
Off to the next subject.  A biopsy.  I discovered a lump on my jaw a few months ago, and I finally got to see the doctor about it.  I had to wait a month for an appointment, and when she saw me, she sent me to another doctor, who sent me for an ultrasound, who sent me around town getting referrals and order forms to take to the hospital, who finally called me on Friday asking when I wanted to schedule my biopsy.  What better day than Valentine's day, right? So I'm headed in this morning. And I thought, before I go, I want to send out love to you, Internet User, and to you, Universe.  I love you. I hope that this day brings you much joy- and you feel as loved as I do.  I'm so lucky to have these three people in my life (along with so many others!!!)
Happy Valentine's Day, World.
xo,

Kristen

Minty Fresh: Toys.

Mint. (adj.) meaning new, fresh, sweet, brilliant, awesome.

 This week, I'm taking a little breather.  It's been a rough week, so I'm posting my usual Thursday blog on Saturday.  Please feel free to join in the fun at any time and show me your shots.  Just post a link in the comments!  I'd love to see what you're doing!

My children are precious and dear to me.  They do, however, have a very hard time putting their toys away. (Remember this post about the Toy Fairy?)  At times it makes me a little crazy, and other times, I realize that it is part of who they are.  That their toys have a little life of their own. 

Can you hear that? "Hey, mama-type. Why don't you aim your camera over here? Just look at me! I'm really cute! even if Lilly just drew all over me and Jack just drooled on my head.  Take my picture!"
Ok, toys.  This post is dedicated to you.

have a fantastic weekend!
xo,
Kristen

wedding details.

Weddings are beautiful events; carefully planned months and sometimes years in advance.  My favorite part of weddings are the details.  Things that some people don't even notice, but that really make all the difference in a fantastic event.  Check out some of these inspirational details...

Have a fantastic week!
xo,
Kristen

Minty Fresh + Snow.

Mint. (adj.) meaning new, fresh, sweet, brilliant, awesome.

I have to tell you this secretly.  Lean in. Don't let your family hear me say this.  I live in Southern California.  The weather here has been chilly and windy, but I haven't seen an inch of snow. Sssshhhhh!!!!
I'm telling you this because I know what it feels like.  I want you to know that the sun is shining somewhere, and that there is hope.  Spring is coming.  And Phil said it is coming soon!  This weekend, I'm going to announce a "dreaming of spring" giveaway, but in the meantime, I want you to embrace the snow.  Yes.  You read that correctly.  I said, "embrace it."
Do you have a delayed opening? Go outside and play! Don't forget your camera! Get down on their level. Capture the "couch", snowman, cave, snowballs...the  trail of snow pants, coats, hats, mittens, boots and scarves that litter the floor.  Maybe you'd rather stay inside?  Give me a photo of your child looking out the window, or sipping some hot cocoa. Here are some of my favorites: Check out this snow suit- remind you of A Christmas Story? Utterly ridiculous, right?

Here's one that shows how much my daughter loved "swimming" in the snow.

Ahhh, and one of the good old fashioned "couch".  Love.

Enjoy your time with the snow.  And if you want to come to my house for a little break, please feel free!  :)
xo,
Kristen

Ps- please leave a link in the comments to your photos- I'd love to see them!!!

All Natural

The three words I use or branding my photography are sweet, natural and brilliant. I'd like to take a moment to talk about that middle word; natural. I really like this word. I feel like it really suits me. I am the kind of girl who doesn't usually wear make up. If I throw on eyeliner, my husband gets really impressed. I don't fuss around with my hair very much, although I did get it colored recently, I often just run a brush through it and run out of the house. Of course there are those special occasions that require a bit of primping, but when it comes to my day-to-day, I'm all natural.
My approach to photography is very much the same way. I try as hard as I can to get my photos right IN CAMERA, because I don't enjoy doing a lot of post processing. When I capture people, I find beauty that is already there. I don't try to make people look like someone they're not. I don't use fake floors, fake backgrounds, or anything like that. My aim is to make people see how beautiful they are already. I am not into making people look plastic. It may be what the world of photography is leaning toward, but it's just not my style. Call it a personal preference. Here are three examples of what I mean by making the images right in camera- these three are straight out of the camera.

Beauty is within. It's in everyone. It's in you. Find it. Capture it. Be you. Be beautiful.
xo,
Kristen