Smiley, bubbly, sweet Arlow's little back yard photo session was a cute little Valentine's Day treat to shoot. Her talented dad made her a Valentine's Day kissing booth (He makes all kinds of home decor items that are for sale-Robert McKown-Check out his work). Since his design is rustic, we knew the photos would work better outside. Since it is still winter and Arlow is a wee little babe, we decided to shoot in their back yard in case it got too cold. I had so much fun with this bouncy little girl! Her smile and facial expressions just melt my heart. We ended up with a TON of photos - here are a few of my favorites... Love,
Kristin
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If you have worked with me, you probably recall me taking random shots of things during our shoot. As we are chatting and moving locations, my eyes search around and I snap photos because I can't turn the shutter part of my brain off. I like to see what a certain spot looks like on camera before I add in my subjects. Taking a test shot also helps me adjust my camera settings and decide the general area where I might place you. I also do test shots once clients are added, whether you are looking or not, so I can adjust settings, etc (I end up deleting those). While going through photos to update my website, I came across some test shots and just enjoyed looking at them...so I thought I would share! Although I do love landscape shots, I find myself always looking for where a person would fit in to complete the photo. I guess I just love looking at people. Here are a few of my favorite shots before THE shot... Love,
Kristin In May of 2016 I shot my first destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Planning to go out of the country for the first time in my life, with pretty much all of the photography equipment I own, was tough to say the least. I packed all my favorite clothes, and a Pelican case with both of my camera bodies and all of my lenses. The flight was fairly short, getting into the country was easy (although I was asked, basically everywhere, if my very durable, serious-looking Pelican case contained a weapon), and soon enough we had arrived at our hotel. The surroundings at the Zoetry Agua resort are straight out of a painting- I mean GORGEOUS. Bria and Chad and all of the guests are friends of mine so this was the perfect setting for my first ever out of the country destination wedding. This place was a photographer's dream. It seemed like I was always taking photos with either my camera or my phone. Since we arrived days before the wedding, we were able to relax and have fun; we were also able to shoot some engagement-style photos on the beach, followed by family photos. On the day of the wedding, I boarded a bus with Bria, the bridesmaids, moms, and aunts to travel to the venue. Once we arrived, the girls started to get ready and I went to check out the surroundings and figure out where the best spots to shoot might be. The Palms Villa is an absolutely beautiful venue - and Val, the wedding coordinator, transformed it into an even more beautiful space. The wedding day went smoothly and the dancing and partying continued until the wee hours of the morning. The next day, as a "thank you," we were all taken on a party boat complete with a DJ, drinks, a dance floor, food, and swimming. These 7 days were so amazing I can barely think of the words. So, since I'm obviously a visual person, I will SHOW you. The photos and memories made this week in May of 2016 will always hold a special place in my heart. I can't thank Bria & Chad enough for choosing me to go along and capture their memories. Here are a few of my favorites: A few from our mini shoot on the beach Wedding Day... I love black and white beach photos!! The guys had a little jam session- complete with "Country Roads" A candid photo of Chad reading his card from Bria- her wedding gift to him was a trip to Ireland! Bria opening her gift from Chad... A puppy! One of the hardest working wedding coordinators I've ever worked with- Val! And now for some unprofessional photos that also capture the vibe of the week... There was a momma dog and a bunch of her little puppies who lived on the beach near our resort. I always ordered more food than I could eat so I could save it and go feed them. It took me a few months shy of a year to write this blog because this trip meant a lot to me and my friends, and I wanted to write it when I had some down time. Man, we sure made some great memories celebrating Chad and Bria. Cheers to the Mr.& Mrs. and thanks everyone for the memories!
Love, Kristin What started as an engagement shoot in Louisville, KY turned into one of the most seat-of-your-pants girls trips through our beautiful state of West Virginia. I had blocked out a weekend during busy season to travel to Louisville with a friend to shoot a great couple's engagement photos. There were massive rain storms predicted to hit Louisville, so we had to reschedule. Since I already planned on having a few days off, 3 great friends and I decided to hop in the truck and take off. No plan. No hotel reservations. Just hitting the 'ol dusty trail to find some adventures (and a crapload of giggles). It is amazing how freeing and fun this trip was. We just wandered. Also, Ashleigh thought we'd kick it old school and use an actual map. I was all for it! But no. Just no. I took my old camera (because everyone knows how overprotective I am about my newer baby), and tried to capture some of the beauty. I know my soul needs a trip like this one way more often than once per year and I am beyond thankful I got to experience it with my beautiful friends. Ashleigh with the map that lasted 1 minute. Nope. My beautiful and thoughtful mother made us all treat bags for our road trip with our names stamped on them. She has done this kind of thing for almost every trip I've ever taken. "Our Lady of the Pines" tiny church. It is REALLY tiny. Seats 12. Some people with Ashleigh's last name visited this same little church close to the time we were there. So cool! Tiny post office!! ....Find Bria! Here is the cutest, quaintest, place we ended up staying the first night. Not pictured: Our Fun European man friend randomly visiting West Virginia, AWESOME band that was scheduled to play the next night at the Purple Fiddle, next door, that played on our porch for HOURS into the night -jam style. Ask Danielle if you want to hear them. She bought every album they ever made, and maybe even a t-shirt. Dark Snap chat photo. I'm sure in its prime or during a certain time of year, the Cranberry Glades are beautiful. The time of year we were here, we felt like it was somewhere bad people hide bodies. Desolate, grown over, and creepily quiet. The path to the New River Gorge Bridge overlook was having maintenance done. We were pretty bummed. Ashleigh and Bria went over and asked the maintenance man where we should go to get good views and he sent us down a steep, narrow, winding road to the most beautiful spot. We stopped along the road and got some great views too. Sent this quick photo home to let Bryan know his truck was still in one piece. Now I'm not sure if this is a regular thing at the little beach we ended up exploring, but it felt special. There were thousands of butterflies hanging out on a very small amount of shoreline. It brought us so much joy. Bria was the butterfly tamer. This photo is the result of Ashleigh trying to either pick one up or get a perfect photo of the butterflies. I asked the girls to send me some of their favorite photos that they took during our trip.... A few of Danielle's favorite photos from her phone: Here are a few of Bria's favorites from her phone: A few of Ashleigh's favorites from her phone: After playing with the butterflies at the foot of the New River Gorge bridge, we packed in the truck and headed home. I love you girls. I can't wait until the next adventure! No matter where I roam, there's no greater feeling than being home sweet home. Lots of love,
Kristin Although I shoot a lot of weddings, I will never commit to being a wedding-only photographer because I love photographing families and children way too much. I love capturing love and interactions between families. There is nothing quite like watching families grow year after year. I imagine a reason some photographers who shoot weddings choose not to shoot family/child portraits is that they are so unpredictable. That is actually what I love about these sessions. It is definitely tricky at times, and sometimes we have to get really creative to get a shot, but I like the challenge. Thank you so much to all my clients from 2016- I love each and every one of you and I am so thankful you are in my life! There are so many favorite photos missing from this blog post, if your photo is not on here it is because I could look through my photos forever and I compiled this rather quickly. Cheers to 2016 and to the excitement of 2017! Lots of Love,
Kristin This time of year I always find myself in relection-mode. I always feel sentimental and then refreshed. It is time to be thankful and to say goodbye to 2016. It is also time to look to 2017 with faith and hope, and even bigger dreams. Often times throughout my every day the thought hits me that I am a full time photographer. Even after almost 2 years of photography being my only profession it still blows my mind. I have earned something. I had a dream, I relentlessly worked my ass off, and I made it come true. It is not easy but I am completely in love with it. I am so thankkful that I am trusted to capture images for couples on their wedding day and family memories through child and family portrait sessions. And God willing I will do this forever, In 2016 I shot more weddings than I ever have- and in 2017 I have booked 5 more than that! I am over the moon excited. With a full heart and a positive spirit I say farewell to 2016 and may 2017 bring us all joy and love, lots of hugs, good music, support, lessons learned, some wild adventures, and peace. I have been browsing photos and reflecting on the weddings I shot in 2016, here are a few of my favorites... Lots of Love,
Kristin It has been entirely too long since I have posted a blog post. I LOVE blogging, but I have been shooting and editing and spending Christmastime with my family. I did Christmas mini sessions a bit different this year; instead of one or two days with a set up and appointments every half hour, I decided to do by appointment to make it easier to work with clients' schedules. They jury is still out if that was easier or not. I also shot lifestyle sessions in clients' homes this year which was super special with such an intimate location. One of my favorite spots to shoot Christmas 2016 photos was Oglebay Park. Generally, it's my style to avoid the actual Oglebay Mansion in photo sessions, but there was something about the real pine garland, trees, and lighting this year that made me fall in love with this location for minis. It also gave me versatlity to shoot photos during the session that can be hung all year round, not just Christmas specific. I found myself shooting at a few new Christmas locations as well: a Grand Vue Park set-up, the Christmas Tree Gala in Moundsville and a beautiful bed and breakfast in Glen Dale. I have added in a few shots from some Christmas Lifestyle sessions in this post, but I hope to write a Christmas Lifestyle session blog soon. Here are a few of my favorites... Merry Christmas!
Lots of Love, Kristin On a sunny day, I met Gina, Mike, Mya and Miles at Grand Vue Park. We went to a few of my favorite spots and chatted along the way. Mya and Miles are definitely full of personality and imagination. Miles sings "Cheeeeeeeeese" and he sang it basically the whole time I was shooting and he was smiling- we all joined in on the singing throughout the shoot. Mya Jean was coming up with some of her own ideas for photos and then she would say "ok let me see" and come over to check out the back of my camera. ...and then she'd giggle. They all brought me smiles on a day of the year that is tough, and I hope I did the same for them. Here are a few of my favorites... Thank you, Mike and Gina, for choosing me to take your fall family photos. Love you all!
Lots of Love, Kristin Oh, the Polings. I can't express enough how much I love shooting with this family. And this year they have a new addition, Ms. Dahlia. It all started when I shot their wedding, which seems like it was a lot longer ago than it actually was, and I have been photographing them ever since. Now they have two beautiful girls, Azalea and Dahlia, and a new house! Andie had posted a photo of her new backyard and mentioned shooting there- and I said HECK YES! It is just beautiful! Watching Andie and Aaron with their sweet babies just melts my heart. Here are a few of my favorites... I am very thankful and blessed to have you as clients and friends. Happy fall!
Lots of Love, Kristin We finally had a nice day! I think Ashley and I rescheduled their family mini twice due to weather. When I got out of my car to greet them at Grand Vue I said "No Rain, can you believe it?!" It felt like we would maybe never get to shoot these. Third time is a charm! Dalton seems to be a little boy who loves the outdoors just like his dad. He has the sweetest little smile. I loved getting to catch up with Chad and Ashley and hang out with their little man. I remember driving off of the hill from Grand Vue smiling and thinking "that was almost too easy." Here are a few of my favorites.... Thank you Chad, Ashley, and Dalton for choosing me for your family photos. I am so happy to have you as clients and friends.
Lots of Love, Kristin |
Kristin LaingWest Virginia Wedding, Family, & Lifestyle photographer Archives
June 2023
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