Off to Kentucky!

Well I am off again, this is the one time of year that I get a little bit of extra time for myself so when my friends asked if I could go climbing in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, I just couldn't say no :) So I am off and I thank you for your patience. I will be camping so I will not have access to my email and very limited phone use so please leave me a message and I will get back to you soon!

I will post pictures when I get back on Saturday so stay tuned...

Best,
Kristina

Nicole and Wes

Yesterday I spent some time with Nicole and Wes. We had a beautiful day, fitting for this beautiful couple! :) They are getting married at the Edgewood Valley Country Club in Willow Springs. Luckily, we had Carole on our side so we had fun riding around in the golf carts and checking out all the places to go. It was a gorgeous course and we got some great shots!

Can't wait for the wedding!

Best,
Kristina

Simple act of kindness

I just read this story on the LaCour photo blog and I was reminded of how simple it can be to change someone's life just by giving a little bit of yourself. Annette Biggers of Triplecord and Veronica King just started up a business to send used film cameras to Africa after Annette's amazingly coincidental meeting of a man she donated a camera too. She met him in Uganda while she was shooting a wedding for free and saw first hand how her simple gesture changed this man's life and brought much needed income to his family through the business he started up with that camera. This story is really inspiring and I am not going to retell it all, just check the link. :)

I just thought I would share it here because I have seen how the a community can pull together and help out people in need and I am sure many of us have old film cameras that we don't use and would be excited to participate in this new venture called Photographers for Africa. Here is the contact info if anyone is able to give :)

Photographers for Africa
(949) 481-1345
9 Pleasanton Lane
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Annette@PhotographersForAfrica.com

It is so inspiring everytime I see how a random or simple act of kindness can start a wave of positive energy that could change someone's life

Best,
Kristina

Lori and Jon

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be included in the wedding of Lori and Jon, the smallest and most intimate wedding I have photographed to date. It was emotional and personal and I did my best to show that in their photos. I couldn't help but get caught up in the laughs and the tears from behind the lens.

The first time Jon's mother saw Lori...

The beautiful bride!

This look says it all!

At this point only Lori and Merridith knew that there almost was no ring for the ceremony, at the last minute they remembered they forgot it! A fun moment between the best of friends.

hugs and more hugs...

Right after Merridith signed the marriage license, she couldn't wait to hug and congratulate her closest friend, these two are as close as sisters and they were so fun to watch!

And closing with a touching tribute to Lori's father who had past away.

A different look at the guests snapping away at their dinner party.

On a clear night, this city seems to stretch on forever. What a beautiful view for a beautiful night!


Congratulations Lori and Jon!!

Best,
Kristina

Little Pete

This week I got to take pictures of my nephew Pete for the first time since he left the hospital. He is getting so big and soo cute! I know there are a lot of people anxious to meet this little guy and I hope these pictures come close to showing how special he is to us.

Pete sleeps a lot! So I thought it was so cute when he gave me this giant yawn telling me he is just about done with me and my camera :)

We could not even wake him up for one more family picture!

Night Pete, must be so hard to be a baby...right sis ;)

And just for fun, a nice feline mugshot of the guy who has been feeling a little left out since Pete came home...good old Larry!

Best,

Kristina

Spring!

After this week's snow it was so nice to feel spring again! I actually had time this weekend to do one of my favorite things, lay in the sun in the grass! We went to the Morton Arboretum and just layed around looking at the sky and thinking about life...and I was fortunate enough this time to have my husband there to daydream with me. Rarely do we both have time to do nothing together so it was a fun day.

I just wanted to post this to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the fresh air, I guess this is even more on my mind as I think about earth day!


This is my husband Brian, isn't he too cute!!!

Hope you got to enjoy this weather!
Kristina

Earth Day is coming!

Earth Day is one week away and two things that are very near and dear to my heart, yoga and the environment, are teaming up to provide some great opportunities for the Geneva and St. Charles community and beyond. Prana Yoga Center is where I practice and they are having many scheduled events on earth day from 10 am-5:30 pm including many sponsors talking about how to make your life more green as well as your practice if you are interested in yoga. They are also offering a free yoga class so if you have ever been interested in yoga, this is a great opportunity to try it out and learn a little about how to improve your quality of life through green living and yoga.

I have also had the privilege of shooting many of the instructors who are all amazing people! Head over there to meet them, you won't be disappointed!



I wish I could do this!!!





Hope to see you there!
Kristina

Brides Against Breast Cancer Event

If you are looking for a dress or don't know what to do with your dress once the big day has come and gone consider this...

The "Brides Against Breast Cancer" organization is the number one fund-raising event across the nation. The event in Chicago will enable brides-to-be to find the gown of their dreams (at an incredible savings) while making wishes and dreams come true for women diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.

Donate your dress to the MAKING MEMORIES BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

They are having a huge sale sponsored by ChicagoStyle Weddings Magazine. The event will take place Friday and Saturday, April 27th and 28th at the Wyndham Chicago Hotel, 633 North St. Clair, Chicago, IL 60611. Doors will open Friday from 10am to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am to 6pm. I believe you can bring the dress to the event to donate or for additional info contact
fran@makingmemories.org or call 503 829 4486.

Additional donations can be made to: MAKING MEMORIES BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION 12708 SE Stephens St. Portland, OR 97233

Something to think about :)

Best,
Kristina

Emily and Mike

Emily and Mike got married just outside Indianapolis, IN and I was so privileged that they were excited enough about me to bring me with them! They selected a beautiful venue which provided me with very unusual but amazing access to the couple from a different viewpoint. I was able to stay behind the altar and get the faces and expressions of the bride and parents which I often do not get to see because of the limited access in most ceremony locations. This was very fun for me and I was able to capture some wonderful emotions that help tell the story of this amazing couple. This led right into the reception which was a really fun party with lots of crazy dancers! I love a good party! :)

Anyway, here are some of my favorite pictures so far...

The guys had a heck of a time with those little kerchiefs...it was fun to watch ;)

A real view of the dresses...

The beautiful Emily...

This is what happens when you make the bride wait for the groom....almost unbearable :)

When you only weigh 90 lbs, you get tossed around a bit.

The ceremony

Mike's brother was my main competition :)

Congratulations Emily and Mike!!

Best,
Kristina