It finally snowed this winter! When I woke up in the morning and the ground was covered with snow, I was drinking coffee casually scrolling through Facebook, when I saw that my fellow photographer friend, Megan, asked if anyone wanted to shoot in the snow. I thought " hell yess!" and messaged her. She wanted to shoot maternity photos so I called my GORGEOUS friend Alli because she is always in for some fun. It was SO COLD AND WINDY and it snowed the entire time we shot- but it was definitely worth it. 

​Here are a few of my favorites...

Thank you, Alli, for all the laughs, braving the weather, and being such a great model!

Ava and I shot her Senior Portrait Session on a 90+ degree evening at Grand Vue Park. I delivered 184 edited images from our almost 2 hour shoot because my camera  just loved her.  I really enjoyed getting to know her and her mom (and her dog) as we walked around and shot these images. I am really excited to see this bright young lady achieve all of her goals. Ava has her life all planned-the end result being a very specific type of doctor. She is kind, fun, smart, and beautiful and I hope she has the very best senior year. Ava, Class of 2020. 

Ava & Mary,
Thank you so much for hiring me and giving me the honor of shooting your senior year portraits. 

-Kristin

Corey and Cassandra are one of those couples that give off so much positive energy. When photographing others, or getting your photograph taken, there is an absolute "Vibe" that happens. It is always, always, different. What amazing energy these two have.
Photographing a couple like them in a place like this (Williams Golf and Country Club, Weirton WV) is what makes my heart happy and breathes a new breath of fresh air into me. 
We truly had SO MUCH FUN. Thanks to the extraordinary Megan who plans and executes weddings at Williams, it was seamless and full of laughter.

 I drove a golf cart, y'all.  A golf cart full of Margarita-drinking newlyweds, and it was the best time.
 
Cassandra and Corey got married on a hill at Williams overlooking the Ohio river. 
We stopped off and took photos along the golf course, at the gorgeous overlook, and at the ceremony site.
The band Hit Play played at their beautiful reception.
They gave their guests maracas.
I made new friends. 
Everyone smiled. And danced.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from their day.  

I'll save the fun dancing photos for the newlyweds to share!

Thank you Cory + Cassandra for being you. I hope every time you look at your photos you are reminded of your beautiful, emotional, & fun-filledwedding day.

Xoxo, 
​Kristin

Location: Williams Golf and Country Club | Weirton, WV
Hair & Makeup: Salon 2212 | Wheeling WV
Flowers: Aunties Wedding Whimsies 
Dresses: JJones Evening Wear | Wheeling +Weirton, WV

Two of my favorite people are expecting a little girl. All of our friends are so excited to meet little miss Layla. Lacy and Robert are extremely fun people, so when we were chatting about their maternity session, I knew they would come up with some awesome ideas. We shot these photos on their lane, no fuss, just them being themselves. I think we can all agree that Lacy looks so beautiful pregnant and Robert's beard is on point. We photographed some formal portraits, candids, fun photos, and  lifestyle images. It was easy-going & comfortable and lasted about an hour.
These two are going to be the best parents and little Layla is already so loved. 
​Here are a few of my favorites...

Xoxo, 

Kristin

 I love creative people. Well, I love all people. BUT I consider creative people to be my people. I had the supreme pleasure of meeting and photographing one of my people at the Penitentiary in Moundsville, WV. I know what you're thinking: Senior photos in a Penitentiary?! I thought it was definitely out of the box as well.
 What's wrong with being out of the box? 
Most of the time, that's where the magic happens

I think senior photos should absolutely reflect the person and their personality // through attire, location, and shooting style. 

The viewer should take one look at your photos and think... "that's them, that is a visual of exactly who they are."

I think we nailed that with Josie's images. She is artsy. She likes darkness and creepy things. She is an artist.  Her passion is special effects makeup. She showed me images of her work- 
It's stunning.
We kept this shoot organic and only used natural light...in a very dark place // it challenged me in the best way.
Josie, you are beautiful // and funny // and artistic // and talented // and you are going to do crazy amazing things with your life. 

Thank you for driving 3 hours and hiring me to shoot your unique idea. It was so nice meeting you.
Here are a few of my favorites... 

Thank you to Josie's father, her grandmother, & Tom and the Moundsville Penitentiary staff  for helping this special young lady's idea come to life.

xoxo, 
Kristin

So I visited the Rayls. If you follow my work, you probably see them once every few months- that is because they love photos and I love to take photos and they are up for anything and I like to take different types of photos -- and we are just a match made in heaven. Also, they're amazing human beings. It's icing on the cake that they are beautiful on the outside... because, if you know them, you are lucky. Straight up-great people. I over-did these photos. I'll be the first to admit, and the first to brag that these photos seemed effortless and we shot them in one hour// During a West Virginia basketball game. Sorry for the poor planning, Guy Rayl,.. we watched in between activities. I can't thank Natalie, Guy, and Linden enough for inviting me into their home and letting me photograph their lives. It was truly a blessing. I over-shot, over-edited, and now, I over-blogged. So sue me, I love a lot of the photos. Like, a lot. Here are a few of my favorites...

Thanks you Natalie, Guy, and Linden!

Love, 

Kristin

A few days ago I took my camera with me to explore a whimsical shop in Center Market in Wheeling, WV called Under the Elder Tree. This Apothecary and Healing Arts Centre is so important to have in our community and I wanted to capture the essence and spread the word.

​Under the Elder tree is a curious, earthy, and aesthetically pleasing shop full of everything to make you and your body better // And to make your mind and heart happy!

The shop owner, Carrie Eller, is extremely knowledgeable and very personable. I had the best time chatting it up with her and learning.

The huge healing menu is almost overwhelming - this place has SO MUCH to offer;a gift and retail shop,  a professional herbalist, certified aromatherapist, nationally board certified massage therapist, TONS of yoga classes, Reiki, a crazy awesome amount of different types of massages, Reflexology, sound therapy, chakra balancing, and so much more.

There is a huge selection of tea and cooking spices // and you can make your own fairy garden... I mean, take all my money!

I spent my time in the retail shop but I fully intend on taking advantage of their extensive class schedule and healing menu. I can't wait to try the yoga classes, Reiki, and chakra balancing. If you haven't been to Under the Elder Tree (or even if you have), stop in -chat- and invest in something awesome. 

Thanks for letting me play in your shop Carrie! 

I spent some time casually obsessing over this little fairy garden...

I hope you visit this special little place. It's one of my favorites!

Love, 
Kristin

The process of brides getting ready on a wedding day is pretty exciting.

With all of her best girls by her side, she gets ready for one of the most exciting days of her life.

It's just beautiful to witness. It is  also really fun, as a photographer, to see these moments happen and to capture them forever.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Love, 

​Kristin

I'd just like to take a moment on this cold and snowy day, to appreciate some pretty flowers.  Below are just a few of the bouquets I photographed in 2017.

It's super interesting to me to see the floral creations on a wedding day. 

Just like each couple, they are all unique.. 

This bouquet from the Pattison wedding had so many little interesting flowers, greenery,seeds, pods, etc. If I had to choose a favorite bouquet from all the weddings I photographed this year, i think this would be it.

With Love, 

​Kristin