From the first meeting with Chris and Kayla I immediately knew a few things for sure: Kayla is beautiful, kind, and sweet and Chris has personality for days... and, boy, does he love her. After seeing them together through my lens at their engagement session I was so excited to shoot their wedding. This day was emotional (I cried when they said their own vows to each other), fun, and relaxed. Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Red Barn in Moundsville, WV. Kayla and Chris sure are surrounded by some really great people. I had a lot of fun with their family and friends. I know they will have the happiest life together, and I hope I have captured all the love in these photos. Here are a few of my favorites... Photo by second photographer, Jamie Vigil Thank you Chris & Kayla for just being you and for hiring me and giving me the honor of photographing your big day. There are SO MANY photos - I honestly could have picked hundreds to share. I hope you love them & I hope each time you look at them you are reminded of your beautiful day.
Lots of Love, Kristin
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Katie and Matt have tied the knot! Their wedding was my first wedding of the season and we were all praying (and making back-up plans) about the forecasted rain. It was drizzly for the most part, but the skies cleared a bit for the outdoor photos. I had entirely too much fun with Katie, Matt, and their bridal party. The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Peace Church, the bridal party portraits were taken at Stifel Fine Arts Center (and a few where they first met-the 19th Hole), and the reception was at the White Palace. Watching the way Katie and Matt interacted with their friends, family, and baby, Benji, was my favorite part about shooting their big day. You can just feel all of the love and emotion when you are around these two. What a great day! Here are a few of my favorites... it was a little windy, but this photo shows how fun Katie is --I just love her personality That time Katie drank the Groom and Groomsmen under the table! I love that they had fun with this. A family tradition... The winners of the Anniversary dance... they have been married the longest! There are seriously so many photos of the fun, hugs, kisses, dancing, and laughter that took place on this day.... I'll save some for Mr. + Mrs. Ford to share. Thank you Katie, Matt, and their family and friends for such a fun day. Congratulations! Lots of Love,
Kristin To say that I enjoyed my trip to D.C. would definitely be an understatement. The day after my birthday I hit the road to visit with my soul sister (and photo assistant extraordinaire), Tiffany, and shoot engagement photos for these two beautiful people. Zach + Lani met in Washington, D.C. and are moving to another city, so this shoot was bitter sweet. It was so beautiful watching them dance, laugh, chat, and hold hands all through the beautiful place where they fell in love. It is always inspiring to take photos in a new place with fresh eyes and I am just loving these photos. I hope I was able to capture Zach + Lani the way they see each other and themselves. Here are a few of my favorites... Thank you to Zach and Lani for just being your fun-loving selves and for hiring me- I can't wait to shoot your wedding. Thank you to Alexis for taking time out to catch up with me, have wine on the rooftop, and frolic amongst the monuments at 1:00am, and to Tiffany for being the best hostess, photo assistant, and friend. My cup runneth over.
Xoxo, Kristin I have been looking forward to this engagement shoot for quite some time. It seems like so long ago that Kelsey contacted me to book me for their wedding. The first time we met face to face was this shoot. This spring engagement session turned into more of an "earthy" engagement session because everything is just starting to bloom and turn green. Kelsey & Joey are truly the sweetest people. We took a long walk around Oglebay Park (it was pretty chilly) and stopped when we noticed places that we wanted to shoot. Kelsey was such a trooper in her little white dress in the cold. I really enjoyed chatting with them and learning more about them in between shots. They are just genuine, sweet, good people. Joey spent a lot of his time snuggling up to Kelsey and trying to make sure she wasn't cold. All the smiles and snuggles are genuine. They just really love each other and I am so happy I am the one that got to capture that in their photos. I am even more excited for their wedding! Here are a few of my favorites.., Thank you Joey + Kelsey for being your amazing, natural, selves during this shoot and for giving me the honor of shooting your wedding this year!
Lots of Love, Kristin Mother's Day is right around the corner, so it's time for MOM + ME MINI SESSIONS. These sessions can be purchased by fathers for their wives/significant others, grown children for their mothers, etc. These sessions can also be used for generation photos: grandmothers, mothers, children, etc. During your 30 minute session we will take traditional and candid photos while making a meaningful memory that you can view for years to come. If this shoot is a gift, I will make a gift card for your special lady. These shoots can be scheduled before or after Mother's Day. These sessions can take place outdoor (locations will be discussed at time of booking) or in your home. The cost of a Mom + Me Mini session is $106.00. I look forward to capturing your family's beauty. Lots of Love,
Kristin I wanted to shoot a couple "just because." I don't think it's really necessary to have a special event or reason to have a photo session. Of course we take photos our senior year, for our engagement, on our wedding day, and when we have children. What about after or in between these times? One day, stories and photos will be your legacy. Why not have some taken just for fun? Photos to show the real you and the relationship you have right now. People who have been dating for a short or long while, couples who are married, grandparents, etc; let's capture some memories together...just because! This was a lil mini session taken in the Valentine's Day sunshine. Here are a few of my favorites... Lots of Love,
Kristin This little boy is perfect. A friend of mine, Alexa, bought her sister-in-law Colbie a photo session for her baby shower. Colbie and I are also friends, so that made this shoot even more sweet. Bryan and I traveled to Uniontown for the Lifestyle Session. It was such a great day. Little Nolan is such a great baby and he is just the most adorable little guy. We played, visited, and snapped photos in their environment. It was relaxed and wonderful. Watching Nolan interact with his mom and grandma and new friends (us) was just so natural and beautiful. Nolan has a very furry big brother, Carlos, who is also in love with this little boy...it's pretty adorable. Nolan likes a lot of things, but crying and fussing definitely aren't among those things. He is just the most content little boy. Shoots like this tug at my heart strings - the ones where you can just feel love take up the space in an entire house... I hope these photos reflect that feeling. Here are a few of my favorites... Lots of Love,
Kristin Ahhhh... Hit Play... My favorite band in the Ohio Valley. In an effort to shoot more fun and creative photos during my "off season" for a personal project about things I enjoy, I thought I would ask Hit Play if they minded if I shot one of their shows. I contacted Ezra, lead vocals/guitar/and band leader, and he welcomed my idea with open arms. The first time I heard Hit Play was a few years ago at the Wing Festival in Center Market in Wheeling, WV. I have seen them quite a few times since then and they have even played at some weddings I have photographed. This band is a melt-your-face-off top 40 cover band with some old school music (Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Sublime, and much more) mixed in. If you can sit in your chair while they're playing then we probably can't be friends because I don't understand you. If you have seen them play- you definitely understand. If you haven't seen them, you should really get on that. So much talent and energy radiates off of these guys. It is so awesome photographing people doing what they love and I had a blast shooting these photos. Thank you Hit Play for allowing me to capture some creative little glimpses of your recent show. Here are a few of my favorites.... ...and while you're looking, do yourself a favor and HIT PLAY below Ezra- Lead Vocals/Guitar Banco- Sax/Vocals There's no way I could leave this photo out because it makes me giggle. The party light hit him at the right place right time Eli- Keys/Vocals Rico- Lead Guitar/Vocals John Lec- Drums David- Bass Thanks so much for letting me hang with you guys! Lots of Love,
Kristin For almost 3 years Jocelin has been running her accessories business, Frou Frou and Frill (www.froufrouandfrill.com). For just under two years, I have been shooting product photos for her Instagram, website, and Etsy pages. We used to meet at Wilson Lodge in Oglebay Park to shoot photos and have since found that Jocelin's home is the best place to shoot. The Solarium room in her home is a photographer's dream; lots of windows and white accents. Frou Frou and Frill offers trendy, fun accessories at affordable prices. There are also quite a few handmade items like personalized jewelry trays and travel mug sleeves. Jocelin has a day job at Sokolin (a fine wine merchant), is a mother to sweet Declan, a wife, and a boss lady at Frou Frou Frill. I'm still wondering when she sleeps! I just love our shoots together. Jocelin has a great eye for setting up a shot, and we both love playing with the products and taking fun and unique photos. I decided I want to shoot and blog about people, places, and things that I enjoy and Frou Frou Frill is the first of that series. So, meet Jocelin and her business, Frou Frou and Frill... Enjoy! Our little helper, Declan! Random shot because I thought the stuff jumbled on the table looked pretty A classic Jocelin shot. She loves showcasing bracelets while holding something in her hands: The Solarium. We have a special gift of being able to mess up a room in 1 minute while shooting. Styling the jewelry trays Taking a photo for Instagram "Here's to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them."
-Stacey Bendet- Alice+Olivia Lots of Love, Kristin A few days ago I had the pleasure of meeting the newest member of the Hladek family, Hazel. I went to Bethany College with both of her parents, Liz and Luke. As it happens, we all grew up, moved on with our adult lives, and (other than social media) lost touch. I knew Liz was expecting (thanks Instagram and Facebook!), and when she contacted me to shoot a Lifestyle Newborn session, I was super excited. Liz is a preschool teacher and an early childhood art teacher with impeccable taste. Naturally, I felt so privileged she wanted ME to photograph their brand new bundle of joy. I emailed Liz that I would love nothing more, and ONE DAY later, sweet Hazel was born. It was so great catching up with Luke and Liz and meeting Hazel and Faye (their fur baby). Faye is the best big sister, by the way. When I walked into the nursery, I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was. I mean just beautiful. I hope I have captured the absolute joy I felt radiating from every corner of their home. Here are a few of my favorites.... This is one of the most beautiful newborn outfits I have ever seen. We were going to shoot this photo without a diaper and, unfortunately, the little princess tinkled in her britches. At least we have the beautiful onesie documented! Lots of Love,
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Kristin LaingWest Virginia Wedding, Family, & Lifestyle photographer Archives
June 2023
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