Show Mom a Little LOVE

I made it home (alive) Sunday night after running the OKC Memorial Half Marathon. Thank you so much for all of your support - it means so much! The run went great! I was so thankful for a beautiful day, minimal wind, a great crowd and... just the gift of being able to go out and run. There were so many amazing and inspirational people completing the race and I was reminded to not take the simple things, such as having two functioning legs, for granted.

I was in such a good mood after the race that I started brainstorming doing a little something special this week. Mother's Day is coming up fast, so why not do something fun and a bit different for Mom this year. So... here is what I came up with:

Kristin J. Portraiture is offering a special on portraits just in time for Mother's Day! I will be offering mini-sessions on Sunday May 2nd from 4p-7p at the Fayetteville Square, and Saturday May 8th from 8a-10a at Gulley Park in Fayetteville. Sessions last 30 minutes and include a dvd of 5 images (5x7 resolution with copyright release) from your session for $89+tax ($200 value). The 30 minutes can be used however you would like: pictures of kids, families, individuals, or couples. The flowers are beautiful right now making this a PERFECT gift idea for mothers, grandmothers, and mommies-to-be who would like a few tummy pics!

If you would like more details or want to schedule a mini-session, feel free to contact me by phone 479-586-1980 or e-mail krhartness@gmail.com. If you would like to see more of my work, please visit my website at www.kristin-j.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Kristin

1/2 Marathon Weekend is here!!!

The big weekend is finally here! Sunday, my bro, sis and I will all be running in the OKC Marathon/Half Marathon (respectively). We're headed over this afternoon and looking forward to spending tomorrow at the expo and the OKC Arts Fest. I'm excited and super-nervous about the race. Time to see how all of our training has paid off. It's crazy, running has so many applications to life in regard to hard work, perseverance, not going it alone, discipline, and so much more. Rather than delving into deeper topics about life, I'll give a little nod to the ups and downs of marathon week.

This weeks shout-outs go to:

1. Goo - chocolate flavor. I was recently introduced by a friend and it's gonna be around for awhile

2. New running shoes

3. Wacom tablets - brilliant

4. Caramel frapuccinos

5. Baby showers

6. Old friends

7. Laughing - a lot

Boos:

1. Bum knees

2. Bills :(

3. Wind

4. Looong hours on the road

Have a fantastic weekend! Can't wait to share pics from a very unusual photo session I had this week!

Words of Praise

I love getting e-mails like this one. I'm so thankful and humbled to have a small part in making someone's wedding day as perfect as they've always dreamed.

Kristin, (and Katie),

Joey and I wanted to thank you both for absolutely everything you did to make our wedding weekend just perfect. The weekend would not have been the same without the two of you there to capture all of our special moments. You two are true gifts from the sweet Lord and I thank him everyday for allowing you to be a part of our lives. We can't wait to see all of the pictures - already loving the teaser pictures.

All our love, Mal and Joey Cueto

Osceola Wedding: Mallory + Jose

Jose and Mallory met back when they were in college, at Virginia Tech. Jose played baseball and Mallory was working to become a personal trainer and worked at the gym where Jose worked out. It didn't take long for Jose to notice the pretty blonde. As he remembers it, " I didn't know her name, but I found reasons to stop by the office and 'need' Ibuprofen every day!". And... Mallory always gave it to him, with a cheerful "sure sweetheart" in her southern accent. Toward the end of the semester, Jose saw Mallory studying at the library. He decided it was time to finally learn her name. He walked over and introduced himself and the rest is history... Jose describes Mallory as "my heart, my life, my everything". They were married last weekend in Mallory's hometown of Osceola. Jose and Mallory, congratulations! It was such an honor to be able to spend your wedding day with you! Have a blast this week in St Lucia!

Memphis Fun at the Peabody

This past weekend, while we were in Osceola, we decided to slip away to Memphis for a few hours to see what there was to see. It's been awhile since I've been to Memphis and I had totally forgotten how much I love it! We didn't have much time and so my sister Katie suggested that we make a stop by the Peabody Hotel. On our way down, she had remembered that our great-grandfather used to be the manager of the Peabody and we thought it might be cool to check it out and maybe find his picture somewhere. So... we went in and, while we couldn't find a picture, we had so much fun!

Once we got there we discovered that we were just in time to see the famous Peabody Ducks! Here is the Legend of the ducks:

Legend of The Peabody Ducks

How did the tradition of the ducks in The Peabody fountain begin?

Back in 1933 Frank Schutt, General Manager of The Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men had a little too much Jack Daniel's Tennessee sippin' whiskey, and thought it would be funny to place some of their live duck decoys (it was legal then for hunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful Peabody fountain.

Three small English call ducks were selected as "guinea pigs," and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Soon, five North American Mallard ducks would replace the original ducks.

In 1940, Bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal trainer, offered to help with delivering the ducks to the fountain each day and taught them the now-famous Peabody Duck March. Mr. Pembroke became the Peabody Duckmaster, serving in that capacity for 50 years until his retirement in 1991. Today, The Peabody Ducks are led by Duckmaster Jason Sensat.

The original ducks have long since gone, but after 75 years, the marble fountain in the hotel lobby is still graced with ducks. The Peabody ducks march at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

So... on out way out, we stopped by a shop and I fell in love with this adorable duck. I decided that I needed it as a memento of out trip. It maaaayyy (or may not) be given to my friend as a gift at her baby shower this

weekend :)

Arkansas Photographer: Mallory: Bridals

This past weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Oceola, Arkansas to photograph Mallory and Jose's wedding. I'm excited to post a few more pictures from the wedding later this week, but for today, I thought I would share a quick bridal portrait. As you can see, the church was beautiful and Mallory was an absolutely stunning bride!

Fayetteville Engagement: Keegan and Justin

Growing up in a small-ish town, Keegan and Justin's paths crossed quite often. They attended the same high school and Keegan, with her beautiful smile and sweet personality, stood out. Keegan and Justin went on their first date in high school and have been together ever since. They are now planning a wedding back in their hometown of Mountain View. Keegan and Justin, it was such a pleasure to spend the afternoon with you and get to know you a little better. You are so fun and can't wait for your wedding next month!

Springdale Photographer: Dave and Kim

I first met Kim while shooting her sister Karen's wedding last fall. Kim and Dave had met at church and, at Karen's wedding, had been dating several months. I was excited to get the inside scoop from her family that he was planning to propose soon. Karen was looking forward to being a part of the surprise. Dave had enlisted her to help get things ready and make sure that everything was perfect. A few weeks later, over candlelight and rose petals, Dave professed his love and asked Kim for forever.

Thankfully, the crazy snow we had a few weeks ago melted off quickly and we were able to go to Shiloh Museum in Springdale for engagement pictures. Kim and Dave, I'm so excited for you two! It's been fun to get to see a small part of your growing relationship over the past year. Thank you so much for giving me the honor of shooting your wedding this summer at Magnolia Gardens. I can't wait!

Fayetteville Wedding: Jason & Amy

In honor of wedding season, I thought I would post a few pictures from a wedding I shot last fall. I was able to get to know Amy last year and was absolutely thrilled to shoot her and Jason's wedding at St. Joseph's in Fayetteville. These two are such a sweet couple and positively sooo in love! I love that excitement is all over Amy's face in each and every picture. Amy & Jason, I'm so happy for you! I hope you guys have had a great first few months of marriage and I wish you many more years of happiness!

The girls at Enve did a fantastic job with the girls' hair!

AMAZING florals from Pam at Flora.

It was H-O-T outside so Amy and Jason opted for indoor formal shots. These girls were so fun!!!





The reception took place at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Springdale. I obviously can't get enough of these flowers!
Sweet first dance as husband and wife.





Tons of dancing and fun to celebrate the happy couple!