Keep On Keeping On

I'm back! True confession time: I have not been a good blogger. I know it and I'm sorry. I don't know what it is, maybe the summer heat, that has made it unusually hard for me to settle back into my daily/weekly routine after being out of town a few weeks ago. I've been feeling just a little blah and had creativity blockage (yes, it's a term) when I think about sitting down to type. Even today.

I have been shooting, but am having to keep a couple of my sessions top-secret for a few weeks before posting them. With no pictures to blog, I've been left to my thoughts and wondering if anyone really cares to hear about what book I'm reading, my trip to the lake last weekend, the new dress I bought, or what I've been eating for lunch.

So, to combat my recent lack of inspiration and creativity, I'm going to keep plowing on. I'm going to answer my e-mails, make the decisions that need to be made and learn how-the-heck to set up my new blog site (that will hopefully be coming soon). I may make chocolate chip cookies for brain food and for the man next door who kindly brings my trash can up from the road every week. After all this, I'll leave tonight to go hang out with high school students from church who will make me smile. Ultimately, I'll settle into the pages of my new J. Crew magazine that arrived in the mail today (my favorite go-to for shooting inspiration) and I'll be excited to get out and have some fun with my camera!

Until then, just in case anyone does want to know: I've been reading The Gospel in Life by Tim Kellar - completely challenging my thoughts on how I "do church". My trip to the lake last Saturday was amazing! I haven't tried to ski since high school and didn't plan to get up, but I did! I'm planning on a turkey sandwich for lunch, and... I got a new dress that I'm hoping will keep me cool at this weekend's wedding!

Lessons from Last Week

Hello! I know I'm a little behind on blogging. Last week I was in Estes Park, CO with Fellowship Student Ministries. Every year, the high school students at Fellowship take to the mountains for a week of refreshing time with the Lord and good summer fun at Ravencrest. It was great to be able to spend some time with cell group girls and get to know them a little better! As always, Colorado was beautiful. I absolutely fell in love with gorgeous Estes Park and was reminded, once again, of the majesty of the Creator.

Monday (our first full day at camp) we had a little adventure that I was not prepared for. My 16 year old brother, Luke, went out caving with his group. He was the caboose of the group and, partway through the cave, got stuck in a place that required some tricky maneuvering. At first, it didn't seem like a big deal. People have gotten stuck there and are usually out within 30 minutes or so. This time, we weren't so lucky. They tried for several hours to get him free and eventually had to call emergency services and search and rescue to assist. After a looong afternoon and evening, Luke was out of the cave and down off the mountain at 8:30p after being stuck for 8 1/2 hours! You can't imagine my relief once he got down to the bottom. He was doing well, a little shaken up and strapped down with harnesses, IV's, oxygen and the works. We went to the ER that night and spent the next 24 hours in the hospital so that the doctors and nurses could keep a close eye on him.

Through all of this craziness, not surprisingly, the Lord showed Himself incredibly faithful and sovereign. There were many people praying and MANY prayers were answered very specifically. Just a few of our answered prayers:

1. A friend prayed that Luke would be out and down from the mountain by 8:30p (before it started to get dark and cold - low's in the 30's). We looked at the clock the moment his stretcher touched the pavement and it was 8:30 on the dot!

2. This may be kind of silly, but was a direct answer for me and showed me that God was there caring for the little details. I was having a moment of worry and was trying to form a prayer in my head. I said, "Lord, I just don't know what to do... I need a hug." At that exact moment, someone put their arms around me a gave me a huge hug without me saying a word to them. It's the little things...

3. Finances are taken care of. No worries on hospital bills, search and rescue etc. So thankful.

4. Luke's ok!!! The obvious answer to prayer. We were so blessed with incredibly skilled and KIND search and rescue workers, police officers, and hospital doctors and staff. They are awesome!

I won't go into all of the specific provisions and ways we saw the Lord at work, there are too many to count. I'll just say that it was incredible to experience Him in this real and personal way through answered prayers and His Word. It was good for me to be reminded that He is my strength, provider, and the ONLY thing that I need.

Thank you so much for your prayers for us last week and standing up on Luke's behalf. If you think about it, we would appreciate your continued prayers. Luke has some nerve damage in his right arm which is preventing him from being able to use his hand. The doctor said that it should return to normal, but may take a month or two. It's a little frustrating to him as he's right handed and not able to use it much at all for even the most basic tasks.

I'm excited to be back at the office this week working on some fun pictures and projects. Give me a call if I can do anything for you!

** On a side note, if you're interested in going to Bible school, you might look into Ravencrest. Ravencrest is one of 26 international Bible schools founded by Torchbearers International. They are the real deal for good solid teaching and instruction in the Word.

Happy First Day of Summer...

Hi everyone! Happy first (official) day of summer! I hope you had a great weekend. After lots of traveling the last few weeks, I was back in Fayetteville this weekend and soaked up every possible minute of time at the pool. The tennis club behind my house just opened up a new pool area which, literally, is just out my backdoor. I went with my friend Ruffin, who knows how to lay out with style. She came prepared with lots of magazine and a radio so that we could have a little music. Ahhh, love. We're already planning for next Sunday and thinking poolside margaritas or milkshakes may be on the agenda! Can't wait! I'm going to have to resist the temptation to sneak out there again today so that I can get some work done.

Have a great day and take a little time to enjoy some summer fun!

A little sneak peek from a wedding I will be blogging later this week...

The Perfect Combo

It's no secret that I have been a major fan/supporter of Starbucks over the years. My obsession began when I moved from my small college town to Dallas post-graduation. In Dallas, where there's a store on every corner, it was hard not to give in. So, I did. Lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, frappuccinos, you name it. I was hooked. I don't know what they put in that stuff to make a sane person willing to spend $4 on a cup of coffee...

Anyway, I have tried many times over the last few years to give it up, without success. I could never do it. I could make it for a few days, maybe even a week or two, and then it was over. It was a losing battle. I craved the stuff, especially those stinkin' frapuccinos in the summer time. It's tragic, I know...

Well, I've been doing better. Last January, I decided to be hard core and stop. And I did. I'm super proud of myself!!! I got a french press and have loved the morning ritual of boiling water and making my coffee. It even tastes good. All of that would be well and good if it wasn't for this:

Last fall, wandering up and down the aisles of Wal-Mart (which is ALWAYS trouble) I came across the Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ice cream. DARN! I convinced myself that I just wanted to try it. I just needed a tiny taste of something sweet. Besides, it was much cheaper than going out and getting a drink. Huge mistake. I know better than to listen to inner dialogue. Once I gave in, I found out that this stuff is truly the perfect combination of vanilla, coffee, and caramel and better than ANY ice cream I have ever tasted. I didn't really need to know that.

On the upside, at least I'm (technically) saving a few bucks :) The battle continues...

Happy Thursday!

Intimidation, Fear, and Friends

Last night, I had the opportunity to chat with a few friends I made at the Escalate conference over Skype. After 20 minutes of trying to figure the Skype thing out, adding people, calling, hanging up, and wondering if our long-awaited conference call would actually happen, 10 or so of us quickly dove into conversation about photography, life, our joys, and our struggles.

In an industry that is so highly competitive, I am so thankful for this group of people who have made a commitment to challenge, encourage, and help one another out in any way possible. It has been a breath of fresh air for me to visit with other photographers in every stage who are going through the same experiences I am facing. As we talk through our challenges and our dreams, it is so incredible to brainstorm creative solutions with one another and gain the courage to continue walking forward through the intimidation.

Without people like this in my life, I would not be here today and my business would not be what it is. When I first picked up a digital camera for the first time in 2005, I had NO IDEA what I was doing. It was a miracle that anything turned out (maybe I shouldn't be admitting this here...). I am so grateful to photographers such as Brooke Robinson, who took a chance on me and invited me to tag along to weddings as her second shooter, who have given me the benefit of their hard work and knowledge, turning me to resources I never knew existed. They have had more influence on me than they even know.

Though I have hopefully grown a little since those first days, camera in hand, I am far from where I want to be; both professionally and as a person. I continue to face obstacles and challenges, get intimidated by the incredible work of other photographers, and some days don't want to get out of bed for fear of failing. Thanks friends, for being willing to stand beside me. It is my hope that, in the future, I can give back to you some of the encouragement and help that you have graciously given to me.

Memorial Day Thank-You

I know I am late in posting this as the day is almost over, but I just wanted to say a big thank-you to all of the Veterans who have served our country so faithfully. I am so quick to take for granted the freedom that we have in this country and forget that our freedom has not come without high cost. There are many men who have given their lives over the years to ensure the safety and prosperity that we enjoy today.

Both of my grandfathers, Donald Rex Hartness and Donald Sinclair Aigner, served in

World War 2. It is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine what our nation would be today were it not for their sacrifice and the sacrifice of thousands and thousands of brave men and women like them; men and women willing to give up their lives on behalf of our great country to defend us from our enemies.

So, THANK YOU to all of those who have given their lives to the point of death to provide for generations they did not yet know. And THANK YOU to those of you who are sacrificing time with your families and the comforts of home to protect our freedom today. Blessings to you. You have our support and our prayers.

Photogs and Friends

Hello from Newport Beach!

I wish I could say, Hello from warm, sunny Newport Beach, but the unfortunate truth is that it has been chilly, cloudy, and raining. You may remember me blogging awhile back about the Escalate Live conference. This conference is a first-time, one-of-a-kind conference for photographers featuring some of the greatest wedding and portrait photographers in the industry. 

Sooo... the time is here. We had a great day in sessions today, getting to hear from amazing photographers like Becker, Dane Sanders, Jasmine Star, and Julieanne Kost. All of these photogs and business people have very different personalities, styles, and gifts and have each found unique ways to add to the industry. The talks so far have been incredibly motivational and inspiring. More on that later.

For me, the best part so far has just been getting to meet and spend time with other photographers. I've met some really great, talented photographers and it's been really encouraging to talk through ideas, dreams, frustrations and struggles with one another. I've been really surprised to find out that so many of us face the same challenges. It's exciting to see, not only the knowledge that my colleagues bring to the table, but also the incredible heart and passion that each person has for the industry and their clients. These photographers love wedding photography, but more importantly, LOVE and care for their clients and are incredibly honored to be able to participate in such a special day. 

I can't wait to share more with you next week as I have time to process my thoughts! Have a great week!

Kristin J.

Because I'm cool like that...

Have you ever had one of those kinds of weeks? You know. The kind of week where you're running around like crazy trying for dear life to keep your head on straight? Last week was that kind of week for me. I was running around all over town with meetings, shoots, and lots of projects to edit. All of the sudden, the scatter-brainedness (?) hit. I was scrambling for my keys, to find that missing shirt, making wrong turns while driving... You get the picture.

All of this came to culmination Friday morning. I had an early meeting with some local business professionals. Since I had not attended a meeting like this before, I was a little nervous and definitely wanted to make a good first impression. I thought long and hard on what to wear and pieced together my most professional business-casual outfit: skinny jeans, pink tunic top, boyfriend blazer. I tried on 3 pairs of heels and settled on some spring-appropriate strappy silver ones, and... good. to. go. I grabbed my earrings as I ran out the door as the final touch.

Well, the meeting was great. I chatted with quite a few people and learned a lot about some new local businesses. I went home after that and got to work on a project. Later that afternoon, a friend stopped by. After we talked for a few minutes, she discreetly asked me if I was meaning to be wearing two different earrings. WHAT??? I took out the earrings and, sure enough, I was wearing two, very different earrings! I had quickly grabbed what I thought were matching earrings and, in my hurry to get out the door, hadn't checked to be sure. It would happen to me. We had a good laugh about it and I'm comforting myself by choosing to believe that no one noticed it :)

Hopefully this week goes a little bit more smoothly. Happy Monday!

The culprits. At least they were both gold... right?

Canceled flights, Mad Dashes, and Jet-Lag

Today has been one of those strange kind of days. I'm home, and glad to be. I also miss Spain. A lot. Today has seemed exceptionally long to me, probably from jet-lag. I know my sense of time is a little crazy right now. Yesterday was a full day of traveling. I've traveled quite a bit in the past and have decided that I'm pretty lucky, overall, to have avoided most of the problems that you hear of when being abroad. You can imagine my surprise when we arrived at the airport yesterday (3 hours early), to hear that my flight had been canceled. Not delayed, CANCELED. After a quick moment of panic, I was told that I would be switched to a flight on a different airline that left in just under an hour. Then the rush began. After a very quick good-bye to Jess, the mad dash was on to check my bags, get through security. I ran though the airport, got through immigration, caught a train to another terminal and then really RAN through another security checkpoint (with a pat-down, awesome.) and finally arrived at the end of the line of people boarding the plane. The switch turned out to be a great thing. The trip was wonderful and I actually arrived 2 hours ahead of schedule with my luggage! Just in time for bed :)

So, for any future traveling that I do, I decided to write down some tips that I hope to remember:
1. When in Europe (or anywhere else I suppose), look for the escalators and be glad for them. Lugging a suitcase up and down stairs is not fun.
2. Fill up your water bottle in the airport. I forgot since I was so rushed and I regretted it for hours.
3. Don't pack one single thing you won't use.
4. Leave extra room in your suitcase for any shopping or souvies you might bring home. I needed all of mine :)
5. Prep for jet-lag. Tylenol PM is a good friend.
6. Pack a sandwich for the airplane. Just in case the food on the plane lives up to its reputation.

I'm planning to post pictures from my trip later this week. There are so many that it's going to take awhile to sort through! For now, I'll leave you with one of my fave view of the Alhambra and city of Granada. You can't beat this view!

Spanish Adventures

I'm sitting at the computer tonight, so thrilled to be saying hello to you on my fourth day in Europe. I can't wait to share some pictures from Spain with you next week. Granada is a beautiful city surrounded by snow-capped mountains, filled with beautiful people and customs. Jess and my day's have been spent walking the city streets, shopping, sipping cafe con leche in small cafe's, shopping, sightseeing, me trying out my Spanish, and... shopping. We have managed to do some serious purchasing and I have discovered a new-found love for Zara. European fashion is the best.

So, funny story. Tuesday night, we went to a Flaminco dance at a local pub. The owner there took a liking to us and really tried to help us out for the evening. We arrived very early, so he recommended a wonderful place for us to go have a drink and tapas. When we came back, the room was packed with tourists. Most of the tourists were on a group tour and were exhausted. Throughout the show, they were falling asleep, which was a huge insult to the dancers. One of the dancers, an older woman, had a smile on her face the whole time, but was picking on the sleepers. When she sat down, she said in Spanish to the other dancers, "Everyone here is really ugly and I cannot get that one girl to stop taking pictures of me (not me, but another tourist who was pestering her)". Since Jess speaks Spanish, I got the inside scoop and we both had a good laugh as this woman was no spring-chicken.

We have been dealing with jet-lag and are short on sleep, but the company is sweet. We are staying with an American family that has been living here in Granada for 4 years. We have been well taken care of and I have truly been enjoying the new friendships of Garrick and Ziu and their children Evelyn and Mathis.

Tomorrow, we head to Madrid to finish up our time. Jess has been an awesome tour-guide this week. She has not spent much time in Madrid, so tomorrow will be a bit of a new adventure for us. I can't wait to post some photos of this amazing place next week!

Have a great day!

I'm Thankful For... YOU!

So, as you may know, for several years I’ve been easing into starting a full-time business doing photography. I originally graduated with a nursing degree and have been working part-time as a nurse for 6 years, but I have known for most of that time that I’ve wanted to pursue a career in photography. As it is with starting any business, there have been a few difficult times. As fun as it is, it’s not always glamorous and there have been many times that I’ve  asked myself “Now why are you doing this again?”.

Last night, I was called unexpectedly into a meeting dealing with all things medical and legal (yawn), and I began to remember why it is that I LOVE being a photographer and what I do. I truly have the best job and, though there are many reasons that I feel this way perhaps the greatest reason is YOU.  Thank YOU for allowing me to capture a few of the most special moments of your life. You have invited me to be a part of your engagement and wedding day, your new baby, your senior year, your growing family. Thank you for trusting me and giving me a chance. Thank you for welcoming me and allowing me to grow with you. I am so grateful for the time I’ve spent with each of you and the friendships that have grown out of the last few years. I look forward to so many more! So, THANKS!

And, because every post is better with a picture, here are a couple of faves from an afternoon with Dustin and Katie…