Personal projects...a different way to see.

I recently bought a holga camera, which is a very cheap film camera that has a different kind of look and has a square negative. I decided I will start a new personal project to document the places I have been and the things I see on the road. I admit it has been years since I shot film so I was excited to see what came out when I only had 24 exposures and no chance to redo what I didn't like. With this camera there is an additional challenge in that the viewfinder only shows approximately what the picture will look like because it doesn't match up perfectly to the film plane. So here are a few that I liked and now that I know how to use this little camera, I will be having fun with it in Vegas during my climbing trip...stay tuned for more :)








Best,
Kristina

Mia is 6 months!

Yesterday I got to see Mia again and she is getting soo big and soo cute! She is a very happy and mobile baby. I think that is the fastest I have had to move around to photograph a 6 mo old! Here are some of my favs...

This is one of the funniest things I have seen a baby due unprompted, she just sat back, crossed her leg and posed and just looked at me with the straightest face, I was cracking up!


Then back to the race...

She did great at standing and that dress was too cute!



And she's off...

Best,
Kristina

My sister is having a baby...soon!

My sister is pregnant and she is due just two days before my 29th birthday next month so today I got to do her maternity pictures. I had fun trying to get as many clothes off of her as possible to really focus on the bond between the mother and the unborn child by not covering it up! It is such a beautiful way to recognize the coming birth of her first child. I hope it does not offend anyone, so cover your eyes if you don't want to see :)

My little sis...

I just loved this little doggie on her underwear...it's like he is looking right at the baby.

Congratulations Kelly and Chris!

Your big sis!

Shica and Brian

I had a blast today trying to shoot while on ice, that was a first! Shica and Brian had the great idea of going ice skating to take advantage of the winter cityscape and that was a first for me. Their excitement for each other and for life itself brought a great energy to the shoot and it was a pleasure to work with them. I can't wait for the wedding...Congrats you two!

Best,
Kristina

New Mexico

I am finally recovering from my time out of town and had a few minutes to post a few highlights of our trip to New Mexico. My husband and I love to go camping and at least once a year we plan a big trip usually in May but this year we could only go the last week in February (his spring break) so we decided to head south. Little did we know that much of New Mexico was in the mountains and at a high elevation so even though it is south, it is still cold! But we had a blast anyway and the sun shone everyday which warmed us up a bit :)

We decided to take the train since we had never done that before and it seemed like a relaxing way to travel across country.

So the story starts at Union Station in Chicago.

We arrive in Albuquerque, NM a day later...

and make our way to Bandelier National Monument which is north of Sante Fe. This park was founded because of the Pueblo Ruins that were discovered there. It was very exciting to walk around and feel the energy of that place knowing it has been thousands of years since anyone lived here, yet their ceremonial sites were well preserved.

Brian concentrating on the road while I enjoy the mountain views :)

We stumbled upon a ranch whose name speaks for itself! ;)

We stopped at some more ruins at the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument which are some of the oldest church sites in the country.

Then off to the White Sands National Monument. I was most excited to come here having heard some friends talk about it a couple of years ago...it was a beautiful and simple place. Mountains on the outsides, white sand everywhere, and a few plants able to withstand the harsh conditions. The Soaptree yucca is mostly bent over from the strong winds that shape and constantly change this environment.

Our last night camping in the Valley of Fire State Park, we had a little shelter and I noticed it broke the sky between last bit of dusk to the night sky above with the first star of the night shining bright.

Our last night before getting back on the train, we decided to spend the day in Sante Fe and then stay at the Ten Thousand Waves Spa which I wish I had pictures of but just before I went to shoot we realized that our train was leaving in 1.5 hours and we were an hour away from the station so needless to say, I didn't have time :( We BARELY made it to the train on time, 5 minutes before departure...and we were running! Train travel is not like a plane, our next train didn't leave until Tuesday! Anyway, that spa was incredible, very open and natural environment and I will definitly be going back. www.tenthousandwaves.com

Back on the train and waking up in Kansas City where my new friends and excellent photographers Tyler Wirken and Becca Spears live...

The train did prove to be a fun and laid back way to travel. You can sit and enjoy the country while you read a book or talk to new people. We met many interesting and fun people on the train and we will definitly do it again.

It was fun to get lost in the outdoors for a bit but it is good to be home again too...

Best,
Kristina

Wedding Photojournalist Contest Winners!

The WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) hosts a photo competition every quarter and it is a great privaledge to compete with the many exceptional photographers from around the world that are part of the WPJA and even more exciting to be recognized for two of my entries!

The first image placed in the top 10 making it an award winner and features Amanda and Brandon whose wedding I am so excited to shoot this September!

SIXTH PLACE: Kristina Carter / Illinois

JUDGES COMMENTS: Again another unusual portrait AND I love it. Really shows the personality of the couple without showing their faces. Love the kicked up foot.

The second one placed in the top 20 and was one of my favorite storytelling images from Dawn and Steve's wedding last September!

NINETEENTH PLACE: Kristina Carter / Illinois

Thank you to my couples for making this job so fun and full of great moments by just being yourselves and allowing me to document that for you!!!

Best,
Kristina