If you know me and follow my work, you have most likely heard me mention my photo mentor who just so happens to be my great uncle, Richard Ferris. He is the first person I contacted about opinions on my first professional camera in 2012, the person who taught me photo basics for a week when I first started, my encourager, my source of endless photo knowledge, my email buddy, my 365 day photo challenge partner (currently on hold) and just one heck of a human being. He is currently kicking cancer's butt, so my parents and I decided to drive to Atlanta for a visit. When we finally arrived in Atlanta on Friday night, we stopped at the hotel and then went to their house for pizza. It was so great to finally lay eyes on them in person! The next morning Aunt Vicki made us breakfast bright and early since it would be our only full day there - we thought we better start early. As I sat around the table where I first learned the basics of photography just four years ago, I felt all those memories come back. I would wake up in the morning (always later than Uncle D) and we would chat and I would take notes. Then we would get ready for the day and go shoot somewhere amazing, and come back to that table after a long day of learning and load and edit photos at the table while drinking whiskey. Since it was too early for whiskey, we settled for orange marmalade. After breakfast I took a little walk around their yard to snap photos just like I did four years ago. Their back yard is full of unique decorations and bird houses. It is so peaceful back there. After my little mosey session out back, we talked some more. Because dang chemotherapy really takes it out of a person, it was time for Uncle D to rest so we all took a drive to Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain was one of the first places Uncle D took me to take photos on my first trip and it is breathtaking. We even convinced my mom to ride all the way to the top! At the hotel, I showed my dad aperture priority mode and we talked about F/stops. He has always loved taking photos. I got my weird left eye dominance from him.Here are some of my dad's photos from that day... He's got a great photographic eye! The next day we had a picnic with Uncle D and Aunt V and their daughters and grandchildren. It was supposed to be a really crappy rainy day and it turned out bright and warm, just the way my heart felt getting to spend time with them. Goodbyes are always tough for me, but as we hugged all of them I planned my next trip down to Atlanta as soon as Uncle D's treatments are over as a way to celebrate!
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Hey everyone! I just wanted to share some humble joy... I was featured by Artsy Couture in their first photo submission contest with the theme "Here Comes the Sun." I submitted a photo taken at the waterfront in Wheeling during an Engagement Session for Emily and Brian (Wedding May 14, 2016). This shot was a happy "accident." We went to the waterfront to shoot some photos and we all forgot that the Sternwheel Festival was that weekend. We went with it because they are such a fun couple and the image turned out to be one of my favorites from the entire shoot. It was an honor to get the email that I was chosen as a featured runner-up. It was extra special because I received the email in the car on my way to Atlanta to visit my photo mentor. I'm humble and thankful I get to do what I love every day. Thanks Artsy Couture for the hard work it takes to put a submission contest together from start to finish. I really enjoyed participating! Lots of Love, Kristin Here is the link to their submission contest blog post:
http://www.artsycouture.com/artsy-story/here-comes-the-sun-featured I received my Border Collie puppy, Piper, as a Christmas gift from my boyfriend this year and we have already decided that this Christmas will never be topped. No "thing" could ever be as precious, important, or special. These first few months have definitely been interesting. I'm a super visual person and I find myself just watching her and thinking to myself. One day I thought... she is teaching ME things at the same time as I'm teaching her. I feel like this is most likely what every parent or teacher thinks. I decided to write the things down as I learned them and here they are: Before Piper, I would go about my day, usually at 100 miles per minute with a specific "to-do" list that I would sometimes add things to just to cross them off. I would be editing photos, answering inquiries, packaging photos, going to work out class, trying to give my boyfriend and friends adequate attention, all while looking at Facebook and Instagram to read the latest goings on. My life was hectic, chaotic, and non-stop... that hasn't changed. BUT what I learned from observing my dog is.... just because we have a "to-do" list, doesn't mean we shouldn't be curious about what is around us and take the time to take it all in. Put down the phone, clear your mind, look at things, and appreciate this life and what you have. **This thought came to me as she was piddling around the yard (supposed to be doing her business) and, all of the sudden, she sat down, LOOKED UP, opened her mouth, and ate a snowflake. I am not a shy person by any stretch of the imagination. Neither is Piper. She may bark at you and run in the other direction at first if you meet her on the street. Almost immediately after that she will put her ears back and wiggle her butt until you pet her. She will almost definitely pee on your shoes directly following. (Unless you are Lisa, then you are extra special and she will pee in your purse). The point is, Piper greets you in the same way with the same excitement no matter what. Cute little kid, friends of the family, her grandparents, people covered in tattoos, neighbors, people going to church, bums on the street, etc. And they all love her. It has opened my heart and mind to let people in. To talk to people I would normally greet and pass by because I'm in a hurry. Don't judge a book by its cover and be nice to everyone. Everyone wants to be noticed, heard, and loved. **This thought came to me a few days ago when we were outside walking in the early hours of the morning. A twenty-something man with his hood up was walking toward us. He definitely looked like he has had a hard life and I wasn't sure what to do. Piper did the same thing she always does- the man and I chatted for about 15 minutes and he went on his way! Fill the bowl. Not hungry? Walks away. This lesson is a simple one, but sometimes in the photography business or just in life, I feel like this gets more difficult to remember. Just because someone is doing something, going somewhere, buying something, whatever, doesn't mean you have to. I remember trying to set my prices the first year, third year, etc. and ending up each year deciding on prices I would look for as a client. PHOTOGRAPHY IS MY LOVE. If I can make a living doing what I love as a profession- I'm rich enough. I thought of Kacey Musgrave's lyrics in her song Dimestore Cowgirl.... "Just cause it don't cost a lot don't mean it's cheap." **I randomly thought of this while Piper was in our yard and there were two large dogs in the yard next door. I took her over to play and the other dogs were playing super rough... she realized she didn't have to keep up and that she could do her own thing that makes her happy. She sat on the ground and started chewing a stick. ...and sometimes you do whatever you want. Doing what you want is fun; woohoo paaaartaay! Generally, though, your parents are right Usually the reasons why they are voicing their opinions are for protection and well-being. And because they love you and know you better than anyone else.
**I learn this every day. Lots of Love, Kristin |
Kristin LaingWest Virginia Wedding, Family, & Lifestyle photographer Archives
June 2023
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