Kelsey's First Communion

Kelsey celebrated her first communion this weekend. She was surrounded by loving family and friends and it was a privilege to witness this first step in her faith. She is an adorable girl that shines true happiness and it is no surprise with the support group that comes with her :)

Congratulations Kelsey!

Best,
Kristina

Back from Kentucky

Thank you everyone for your patience while I was off camping in the Red River Gorge, Kentucky and climbing with my friends. It was a great trip and I got to see my old college roomate and great friend Clare and her son Oliver, this was the first time I got to meet Oliver. The last time I saw Clare, I was shooting her maternity pictures so that was very special to me that they drove up from Knoxville, TN.


Clare and Oliver hanging out in his backpack that Clare made along with his shoes! She is so talented and is available for commission if you know someone who would be interested in one of these handmade baby carriers.



A stolen moment :)


One of the reasons I love to climb is to push myself mentally to overcome my fears, this translates into all aspects of my life. If I can overcome fears of falling to my death, I can get over any other mental block that will keep me from acheiving my goals and dreams. So although I didn't redpoint the 5.10d I wanted to get, (technical jargon ;)) I did get up and lead climb some routes that were really hard for me and push past the fear, so mission accomplished!!


This is the only picture of me from the trip on Creep Show 5.10d at Phantasia

Roger on the same route


Roger on To Defy the Laws of Tradition 5.10a, an 80 foot route at Left Flank



Chris on the same climb

Roger smoochin' on Erin :)

A bouldery start for Chad on Pouge Ethics 5.9+ a 90 foot route at Phantasia

August with the cold hard truth :)

This was August's first outdoor climbing trip and here he is on Hello there Fancy Pants 5.10c in Muir Valley...nice job pulling through the first crux!!

Chad on little Viper 5.10b at the same place

Erin's first time climbing, getting on CH4 5.7+, nice job!



Best,
Kristina

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