The Last of the Baker's Dozen.

A Baker's Dozen is 13, not 12.  I'm throwing one last favorite photo in for good measure.  And I saved it for the last, because it tells an amazing story- captures an amazing moment... I'll just let it speak for itself.

Love.  This, my dear friends, sums up why you need to have a photographer in your life.  To capture moments like these- the ones that you'll someday grow out of.
Thank you for taking this journey with me, Minty-fresh fans.  I love that you came to see my favorite photos- all 13 of them in my Baker's Dozen series.  Thank you for letting me share!
xo,
Kristen

A Baker's Dozen: #12

Have you ever had a friend who wrote you amazing letters over summer vacation, even though you'd see her next week?  I mean like 13 pages worth of stories- filled with tidbits of information, and ridiculousness that only best friends could understand? I had one.  Her name is Michele, and we were such good friends that we'd spend ages together.  We called the other's parents "mom" and "dad", and really felt like family. We had every single class together in seventh grade. I just adored her.
Michele and I lost touch when she moved during our senior year in high school, and re-connected last year through Facebook (I love Facebook!).  It was so great seeing her again, this time with an adoring husband and a gorgeous little boy.  I talked her into a family session, and I'm so glad I did.  It was great to visit her gorgeous home, and really see what an amazing person she's turned out to be.  See for yourself.

Friends are forever.
xo,
Kristen

A Baker's Dozen: #11

Here's what I love about this:  Mom and dad came totally prepared for this session.  They brought bubbles, snacks, drinks, and tons of things for their little girl to play with.  And then- guess what they did?  They PLAYED with her!!!  They completely forgot about me and just played together like a family.  We got some great shots that day, and even though this one isn't completely perfect, I love the story it tells.  Liittle Miss D was so happy to explore and play.  She would often stop and show off her toys to me, as if I were just an observer.  I just loved it!
At your next photo shoot, just be YOU. 
xo,
Kristen

A Baker's Dozen: #10

What do I love about this? What's not to love? Babies have the most amazing skin, don't they? And that baby smell- I mean, you just can't get enough of it! This photo was taken in a room with very little natural light, but we made it work.  His mommy was so well prepared for the session- she had the heat cranked, his belly was full, and she had some white noise in the room.  He slept through the whole session!  Awesome.

xo,
Kristen

A Baker's Dozen: #9

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty."
-Author Unknown

xo,
Kristen

A Baker's Dozen: Sisterly Love

Wow, it's been a while since my last blog post.  We've been having a few issues with the internet (boo, Verizon.)
Anyway.... I'm sorry.  I really want to keep myself posting at least three times per week, so I'm going to cram my three posts in starting today. :)

Sisters have that certain something. A bond that no one can come between.
This photo makes my Baker's Dozen list because you can see the bond that these girls have.  They were both cracking me up during this session.  They actually came about this pose because I was on the ground to get a better angle of the family.  The girls were watching me shoot and decided that it was a perfect pose for them.  I love the way they are sharing a laugh with each other!
love your family. show it.
xo,
Kristen

Baker's Dozen: #6 and #7

I feel a bit like I've fallen behind on my series of the Baker's Dozen, so here are two. Well, because any good baker adds an extra little treat every now and then.
This first one is from a wedding I did for one of my best friends.  He found the greatest girl in the world to marry, and I was honored to be a part of their day.  This is their first dance together as husband and wife.  I just adore the way he is holding her.  LOVE!

 Wow, talk about holding and love, check out this gorgeous couple. I love everything about this.  Her smile.  The dip.  The angle in the background.  It just rocks.  I feel lucky when I get shots like this.  

Happy Weekend! xo,
Kristen

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

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