I was at spin class today and our instructor was talking about doing the right thing in the month of December, so that we wouldn’t have to make a new year’s resolution involving losing weight.  We can make another resolution instead.  So, it’s got me thinking and I want to make a few resolutions for the month of December…why wait until January!?

First I want to be really good with working out and eating right this month, next I want to post every single day.  I’ve been swamped with work for most of October and November, so it was feast or famine here on my blog!  Just like taking your multi-vitamins, you can also come visit my blog every day in December to see something new.

I’m also wanting to decorate my house this year for Christmas in a new way.  I’m normally a little bah-humbug when it comes to decorations.  I don’t want it to look like Christmas exploded in my house, so I’m pretty minimalistic, but this year I want to do a little extra, but in a tasteful way.  I’ll probably share pictures once I get it figured out!

I’ve got my job cut out for me as December is a pretty hectic month…so I’ll cut to the chase.  The pictures.  These were taken down in San Pedro where all the cruise ships come in.  The city is trying to restore this area, so they put in a dancing water fountain…like at the Bellagio!  It’s a great excuse for kids to get wet.  Oh and they have some amazing palm trees lining the whole thing.

And just because most people already have their Christmas pictures/cards taken care of by now…doesn’t mean it’s too late to book a session.  I’m a last-minute gal myself, so I have a special spot in my heart for other last-minute folks.  Shoot me an email and I’ll get you in and taken care of with plenty of time to be sending out your cards!

-Kristin

I think we’re all feeling a little bit of the comfort zone in the days after Thanksgiving.  I know I ate way more than I should have…thank goodness for spin class.  We’ve been enjoying a few days of chill around here and some of the highlights include the boys getting up on Brent’s long board (sorry no pictures…bad mom) and a day trip to Kidspace Museum.  That place is so much fun!  If you live in southern CA, you have to make a trip out there.

A few months ago, I moved out of my comfort zone when I agreed to photograph FOOD for The Abbey Co.  They are opening a restaurant that’s all about fresh food done right, plain and simple.  The focus of the shoot was straight up fruits and vegetables and there was a whole team of people to make them look beautiful!

These are some of the shots they picked to go up in the restaurant.  I love the simple nature of the pictures…it makes me want to eat more fruits and veggies!  By the way, some of the items that didn’t get chosen to go up on the wall…brussel sprouts, eggplant and cauliflower.  They don’t taste good AND they aren’t photogenic.

I mentioned there was a whole crew of people make the food look good.  You’d be surprised how many random things were behind the scenes…karo syrup, WD-40, toothpicks…you name it.  Anything that didn’t get primped for a photo shoot got taste-tested by us.  No complaining here!

So, in the midst of sampling all the yummy holiday treats, don’t forget to send some love to your fruits and veggies. 🙂

-Kristin

Do you ever wish life had a pause button?  I wish I could just pause everything happening around me so that I could catch up on all the things I’m way behind on.  Right now I’m sorta living off a priority list.  Sticky-noted to my iMac.

I get that pause every few days when all the kids are at school.  That’s when I scurry around trying to do all the things I can do faster without them…then refer to my sticky notes…and scurry around some more.

Yesterday while all the kids were at school, I got to photograph Baby Ella and her mom.  Ella was quite the little cutie, with definite preferences for how she wanted to be photographed.  I think even at this age she knows her best angle!

Ella did this cute little thing with her feet where she put them together and made a sort of heart shape.

And here she is with her mom…

Is that a real word?

Tim and the crew had me laughing so hard that I was getting scared my photos would be blurry, from the shaking.  Whenever you get 12 family members together, you know it’s going to be a little crazy.  But, add to the mix a couple of guys with junior high humor and you’ve got mayhem.

I’m exaggerating, but it truly was the most fun I’ve had at a photo session in awhile!  Tim and Jenn were in our small group back at home, so I was so excited to see them and their family.  I had never met the rest of the family, but as it turns out the guys (not blood related) are more alike than the women.  Again…junior high humor!

Here’s the bunch…

Even Grandma Carla has a great sense of humor.  Tim told them to smile like they were excited about having minor surgery.  The kids said, like what?  His response…a spleenectomy.  Is that the correct spelling, Tim? 🙂

Jenn and her sister Angie are twins…they both have such gorgeous families.  They have to, they’re twins!

And more cute kids…

I’m sure you guys will grow up to be just as hilarious as your parents!

-Kristin

Do I really get paid to sit here at my desk and play around with colors and textures…starting with a gorgeous picture and enhancing it into perfection?  Really, that’s work??

I’m pinching myself because I ALWAYS end up with beautiful clients….

OK…enough gushing.  I’m super lucky…I’ll leave it at that. 🙂  One of the objectives from this shoot was to get a shot of the kids in their cool kicks.  Shelly works for DC shoes, so she wanted to have a picture of her kids in the gear for her office instead of the photos the company provides.  What a great idea!!

And the kids were so cooperative…making sure the brand was showing correctly!!

Here are a few more from the day…

I love Ian’s expression in the last one.  He looks scared, but trust me…he was a little dare devil.  I kept telling them how impressed I was the kids could ride a skateboard.  I would be flat on my face in 2 seconds flat.  I guess that’s why I’m here at my computer…doing what I do best.

-Kristin

…when you arrive to the location of the photo shoot (the corner of 1st and Grand to be exact) and a team of volunteers is cleaning that street.  You know, making my favorite grungey brick free of any trash and debri.  Love that.

You also know it’s a going to be a good day when clients bring a long board as a prop.  AND mom and dad are super models.

And you know it’s a good day when clients respond with- sure, I will contort myself to fit in this little red cut out because you think it looks cool.  One of my favorites from the day, by the way.

And when they love old movie theatres as much as I do… (hello, j crew ad)

And when ivy grows just perfectly over an old building, just so I can photograph it.

I could go on and on about the kids (sigh) and how gorgeous they are, so (twist my arm) I will have to continue this post tomorrow.

You know it’s a good day when your “share” merits a 2-day post.

-Kristin

Spending just a few hours with a family makes me feel attached to them.  I wonder how the stories end that we talk about, I remember their names and how excited they were to be saving these moments in time.

I felt especially attached to Karis’ family.  When she originally asked me to do her photos, the plan was to get a family picture, update her son’s head shots and welcome a new baby into the family.  Unexpectedly, Chris had to leave for a race in Mexico.  He’s a triathalete and was actually competing while we were doing the photos.  We took little breaks for them to be able to see Chris’ progress on the laptop.  I had to leave before the race was finished, but all the way home, I was cheering for him.  I was excited for him to return home to his family and enjoy their slide show of pictures.

Karis’ nanny has been with the family for 5 years, so it was really special to have her there.  She was so sweet with the kids!

This is one of my favorite newborn sibling shots.  Sometimes it’s hard for the older sibling to hold the baby…they scrunch up…and they’re heavy!  I had Kayah on her changing table because I loved the way the light was coming in and Kaiden came up to see how his little sis was doing.  So precious.

Thanks for letting me be part of your family, for letting me root for Chris and welcome baby Kayah!

-Kristin

I’ve known Carly and Brian for a little over a year now.  Life hasn’t always been easy for them (or any of us for that matter) but the one thing that remains constant is their love for each other.  The last time I took their photos some of my favorites were the two of them together.  And this year they didn’t disappoint!

Not only do they have this amazing connection…they also have 2 adorable kids!!

You guys are such a sweet family…

-Kristin

I’m starting to rely on my GPS less and less these days.  At the beginning of the summer, the nice lady in my car told me how to get to the grocery store, the post office, Target and most importantly…how to get home!  But, I’m venturing out.  I’m exploring my new neighborhood and of course scoping out places to shoot.

When Jamie and I talked about where to do her photo shoot, she gave me complete control.  We talked a bit about how much Kai loved cars, trucks and trains…typcial 2 year old boy stuff!  I was so excited when I stumbled on Electric Ave and this old railroad car.  We planned the shoot around it and mixed in a little Main Street and the pier before ending up at there.

Here are a few shots of the lovely Jamie…

And Kai…doing just like mommy!

Gotta love the socal sun in November!

Kai melted my heart.  Especially when he reached to hold my hand as we walked from location to location.  But, here he is as mister tough guy in front of a graffiti wall. 🙂

And here is the famed red railroad car.  Doesn’t it look amazing with Jamie’s blue top??

A little time travel…

This has been a looooong post, but I have to share one more…

It was so much fun to spend the morning at Seal Beach with you guys…and a huge thanks to Kristen too, who helped out a TON!

-Kristin

I love playing off the special connection that twins have!  Nicole and Lucas are six year old twins and amazed me with how loving they are toward each other.

I kept have them hug and I’d say ‘get closer!’  Not one complaint…they just played along and I was able to give mom and dad some amazing shots. 🙂

Here’s Lucas looking daper:

And the beautiful Nicole:

Such sweet kids!  It was a pleasure spending the afternoon with your family!

Kristin