The Announcement

Remember that post a few months back about the website and how I had some good news? Well, the day has come - it's time to share:

I'm retiring.

(I call it "retiring" because it sounds nicer than "quitting".)

For quite a while now I've felt like I wanted to do more with my photography business, but I wasn't sure how to go about it what with three little ones and all. I was becoming really frustrated about it until I realized that I didn't want to be doing things halfway. I felt like I could do neither my photography nor my mothering the way I wanted because I was always thinking about the other, or busy with the other. I wanted to be giving it my all, but I couldn't with these two things. And since I want to be the best mom I can be more than I want to be a better photographer, I'm letting it go.

It took me a l-o-o-ng time to get there, but once I made the realization and the decision, I felt good about it. And I still do. I know I'm making the best choice for me.

So there you have it. I delayed this post for a long time because I wasn't sure how to tell you. My clients and friends and family - you've all been so supportive. I felt like I was letting you down by quitting, pardon me, "retiring". I know I surprised some of you. But I know this is a good thing and I hope you can see it as such.

I have truly appreciated all the kind words and referrals over the last 7 years. I've loved being able to meet some wonderful people and attend some fabulous weddings! I've loved being able to capture some beautiful memories. I've loved being a wedding photographer.

Now it's time for other things.

Thank you for spending time with me.

- Kristen

Kevin & Lisa

This was my last wedding for this season. What a way to end it!

Kevin and Lisa were married at Lower Fort Garry and had the clothing to go along with the setting. Their wedding party was all decked out in period attire and they all looked fabulous! We ended up with a gorgeous day too - blue skies and sunshine - with beautiful lighting that I just loved playing with! Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Kevin and Lisa - thank you so much for a great day! You were wonderful to work with: fun and easy, which made my job fun and easy.

Chris & Roxanne: wedding

Chris and Roxanne were married at Fort Gibraltar in Winnipeg and the setting was so lovely! The outdoor ceremony was rained out, but I thought the indoor one with the stone fireplace was beautiful. And of course, Chris and Roxanne were fabulous! I loved how it didn't phase them at all that their plans were washed out. They simply enjoyed their day and the people around them.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorites!

Chris and Roxanne - thank you for allowing me to be a part of this fabulous day of yours. I had so much fun, as I'm sure did all your guests!

Christie

Christie is a dear friend of mine, so of course these pictures were super fun! As a bonus though, she brought outfit changes and chose the most perfect time of day for light. I could not have been happier!

For fun, we wanted to incorporate her pregnancy cravings - Starbucks, snap peas and chicken. While we did have access to some live chickens, they appeared a lot less friendly and docile up close. We did give them a little cameo, but they didn't make it to this one.

Obviously these were taken on a summer morning - I've fallen behind in my blogging. However, her due date is closing in and I thought I'd get these posted before baby makes its debut.

Christie - you're beautiful. Thank you for these memories.

Favorite of the month: September

I love light! It must be obvious to you by now. I can't put it into words, so I take pictures instead.

This one was taken on an exploration excursion out at the cabin. A fun, twisted tree with some tricky noon time lighting = photo op!

Mark & Steph: Wedding

Mark and Steph's wedding was a lovely little affair in our home church. They had lovely weather, lovely people attending, and they were lovely in love!

Mark and Steph - thanks for a fun day! You and your wedding party were a pleasure to work with. Both Lisa and I had a great time. I hope you enjoy your pictures!

(I think this series gives a good look at who they are together)

(isn't she beautiful?)

(sorry, girls. i couldn't help myself!)

My apologies...

Perhaps you've noticed that my website is down. Sorry about that. I've got an announcement regarding that within the next few weeks. It's good stuff.

In the meantime, here's a picture for you!

Grad of 2010

I love taking pictures for people I love!

This shoot was particularly fun because it was for my littlest sister. She graduated this past June and not only did she clean up the awards, she also looked pretty good too! She and I and a friend of hers (who unfortunately shall remain nameless and invisible because I forgot to ask her permission for this) braved the heat and the mosquitoes (!!) for a quick photo shoot before their grad dinner. Such fun!

Favorite of the month: August

On time! Look at that! I can hardly believe it.

On with the picture:

This was taken on vacation out at "the lake". My husband was kind enough to indulge my desire for a photo of a water lily, so a-huntin' we did go. Thankfully, there were lots of lilies around or my kids may not have been so good about it.

Now, why is it my favorite? Um...because I like flowers. Because I like the reflection in the still water. I like how the water looks so dark. I also like the smell of the lily - not that you can see that in this photo. (Have you ever smelled a water lily? I just LOVE the smell of water lilies! I want to have that smell all over me all the time.) And did you notice how it looks a little bit like the flower on my logo? So it had to be a favorite!

Matt & Alicia: Part 2

So here's the rest of the fabulous Matt and Alicia's Georgia wedding! The first few pictures of Matt and Alicia were taken somewhere down the road (seriously, not a particular location, just a really fun "found" spot) and the ceremony pics were back at the picturesque Burnt Pine Plantation.

Matt and Alicia - Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your day. You are a beautiful couple and I wish you a beautiful, love-filled life.

Favorite of the month: July

Growing up, I can remember being rewarded at the end of the school year for a job well done. It was something Jonny and I wanted to do with our kids. This being our eldest son's first year of school, and seeing as he did well, we all headed off to Tinkertown to celebrate. We had FUN! Jonny and I discovered we aren't the fearless kids we used to be (the ferris wheel made me queasy). But we found that the boys, even the 2 year old (!), more than make up for our weakness. (I blame mine on the changes occured by giving birth 3 times. Though it could be age...)

This favorite was taken on the Spin the Apple ride. We were spinning crazily and I was plastered to the wall, so I didn't get to compose the shot or anything, I just snapped from shoulder height. And here it is, full of fun and life and happy memories.

Matt & Alicia: Part 1

I'm FINALLY getting around to this post!

I've been excited to share these with you. I'm excited about all my weddings, naturally, but this one has a little extra twist to it because it was my first travel wedding. These were taken in the bride's home state of Georgia. And it was beautiful! Beautiful location, beautiful people, beautiful couple... beautiful.
The couple chose Burnt Pine Plantation as the location for their wedding and so the families were all out there for the weekend. It made it a real fun and warm atmosphere and I am so thankful to them all for including me.
The girls spent a couple of hours getting ready - as all brides do - and it was a fun, but intense time. The guys on the other hand I think just had a fun time. I won't post any pictures from that.
Matt and Alicia wanted to have their pictures done before the ceremony (perfect!) and so we arranged what we in the wedding photography crowd refer to as a "first look". That's when the bride and groom get to see each other for the first time and they get to take a few special moments to take it all in in privacy. Except for me, of course. :)
Anyway, so today's pictures are of the "getting ready" and the "first look" which were taken at Burnt Pine, and some from our time with the wedding party taken just down the road.

Side note: The bride's dress and the brides maids dresses were all made by the groom's mother!!