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Fun in the Field with the Collins Family: San Juan Capistrano Family Photographer

Sometimes you have to plan while the flowers are a blooming!  And since I have no idea how long they are going to stay around, you may see lots of flowers in my sessions in the near future.  These gorgeous yellow blooms are the perfect backdrop to a fun, earthy, family photography session.  The Collins family dressed just right to blend in with the beautiful wild flowers, trees and other earthy elements.  Not to mention the fact that their kids are gorgeous…. even if Ryan thinks he can’t smile….. and I have pictures that prove he does have a great grin!  This family is near and dear to my heart, as I can totally relate with Sue and having a husband obsessed with the Eagles.  If you, like me, love the wild mustard, now is the perfect time to book a session.    Be sure to check out the slideshow at the end of the images for a little behind the scenes action!

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What have you been reading lately?

For the first time in my entire life, I went almost three months without reading a book from late September to late December.  I can’t believe that the time just flew by and I was so busy with work, kids, friends, family, etc. that I just never picked anything up.  Over the years, I have been in a few book clubs and always was the go to gal with my friends for book recommendations.  In fact, my biggest problem in book clubs, was almost every book they recommended, I had already read.  People are always amazing that I read so many books with my busy schedule.  Honestly, if you followed me through my typical day, you would be amazed at how many moments there are to just grab a few minutes to read.  For example, you would never find me waiting in line at the post office without my book in hand.  The best part, is my Kindle is now on my phone, so I am never without something to read.

So you might be asking yourself, how come I went for so many months without reading???  I asked myself the same question, and it is honestly because there were too many other distractions.  I watched more Netflix while I was touching up images, so that felt like my break… even though I was working.  But the reality is, watching something doesn’t have the same effect on me.  Reading allows me to relax and unwind and it quiets my mind.  I missed it!  I was feeling anxious all the time and I didn’t know why.  On December 21 after an incredibly busy family photography season, I escaped for a few days to my folks place, in Arrowhead.  There my Mom and I lite the fire, settled in under some warm blankets, and read some amazing books.  Finally, I felt totally relaxed.

If you are like me, and love to escape into a great novel, you should follow my Goodreads.com page.  I try to updated it frequently with what I am reading.  I would also love to get input from you on great recommendations.  Here the link to my page:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2843345

Last year I did and art piece called “Love Story” based on my book obsession.  Here is the final piece:

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Shipwrecked: Styled Session for Autumn Rain

2014 has been a year of creative growth for me up to this point.  While I adore working with families, kiddos, wedding parties, event and corporations, sometimes a gal just needs to do a personal project.  In June of this year, I made the commitment to myself that I would do one project every 6-8 weeks just for me.  To have fun, explore a subject, work with a beautiful model, expand my portfolio and so on.

As is usually the case when I get an idea, a name immediately popped into my head, Denyse!  My friend Denyse Angus is an amazing stylist and has some seriously stunning kids.  While she has primarily done styling for friends and family (including me for a family session several years ago), she is as gifted and talented as any professional I have ever worked with.  I shared with her my vision for my first several styled ideas and she set right to work.  Initially we were just going to do it with one model and focus solely on being creative and then, boom, another friend popped into my mind….Deseree Burjakowsky and amazing jewelry designer.  I called her up and asked if we could borrow some of her jewelry for the session.   Please go to her Facebook site and like Autumn Rain Designs!  It is truly stunning. Also, Denyse suggested we use her son Dustin in the background and my story came to life.

Here are my favorite images from the session.  I am also doing a couple of art pieces, that will take some time to create, but I will share with you in the future.  I want to give a big shout out Thank you to not only Denyse & Deseree… but to my beautiful model Ava, the handsome Dustin and to Jeff, Eden and Madison for helping me put this all together and dragging props down to the beach at 5:30 am!  Enjoy!

 

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Boho Family Photography session: The Barclay Family

The light has been absolutely gorgeous for the last few weeks throughout Orange County. If I am not shooting, I am thinking about how I need to be shooting to take advantage of the beautiful light.  My season has been filled with lots of commercial sessions, weddings and corporate photography.  I have been missing all of my fabulous family clients.

So when Melody called me to say she was ready for her 2014 family photography session, I was over the moon.  Especially when she said, let’s do something different!   I spent a lot of time with the Barclay family last year talking about my love for Texas… or more specifically Austin.  I also spent quite a bit of time talking with Scott’s Mom, who happens to live in Austin.  So, I thought, how about a Western inspired session.   I ran the idea by Melody and we started to brainstorm.  Meanwhile, I spent a week in Austin and got reinspired!

After checking out Pinterest and searching for western inspired sessions, Melody suggested we go with a Boho Western theme.   Totally my style, so I let her know I was totally in!

Fortunately Melody has incredible taste and completely styled our session!  I am so in love with all of their images, I don’t know how they will choose.  Here is their preview!  Enjoy!

Check out the whole slideshow!

 

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Laguna Beach Senior Photography: Fine Art Show

It started over lunch with one of my clients.  He asked, “hey Kristin, you know a lot of people…. what is the best way to start developing relationships in Laguna Beach?”. My answer, “get involved in the community”.   Laguna Beach loves to support people who support the schools, support the arts and get involved in local charities.  I suggested that he host an art show in his new music studio in downtown Laguna.  He said, “great, we will make you our first artist”.

Fast forward six months and I am putting the finishing touches on twelve original art pieces.  I used local students as my models and in celebration on Earth Day, named my exhibit “Elements of Love”.  Over the next few months, I will share each individual art piece and what my inspiration was behind creating them.  Let me tell you, this wasn’t easy.  It was scary and I felt vulnerable diving in to a new area of photography, but I am so glad I had the experience and so thankful to Nicholas Yrizarry’s Wealth Management Group for hosting the art show at Laguna Beach Art Museum.   I also want to give a big shout out to Sriti Fusillo for helping all along the way and Laura Foster and Brittany Norton for hair and makeup.  And a very special thanks to all of my handsome and beautiful models.  I absolutely loved working with every one of you.  Enjoy!

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