:: K. Holly Photography ::

This Blog Has Moved!

2008-10-05T14:18:00.007-04:00

The K. Holly Blog has Moved!
You will be automatically redirected :)

~*~*~*~*~* -------- new blog here! -------- *~*~*~*~*~

Please update your favorites, bookmarks, and google reader. Sorry for the inconvenience, but you only have to do it once! This entire blog has been uploaded into the new blog, so don't worry, you're not missing anything! :) So head on over to the NEW blog, take a look around and get comfy!

See you there!

Good Morning

2008-10-04T09:32:00.004-04:00

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Wow, not only is it the big blogiversary tomorrow.... I just realized that this is post #100!

On Sunday morning, I have a senior session downtown then I'll be back. See ya in the afternoon!! ;)

Obama and Nigel

2008-10-03T00:24:00.004-04:00

In the Presence of Greatness... that was the topic on one of my morning radio shows (I'm a channel surfer). Today I felt like I was in the presence of greatness twice. First and foremost, Barack Obama was in Grand Rapids today. Regardless of your political views, seeing either one of the presidential candidates in person is an amazing experience. I felt very fortunate that I was able to sneak out of the office today to catch a sneak peek, and listen to his message of hope and change.

We were really far away. The plaza was packed!
I can't believe I forgot my zoom lens at home! Ugh, stupid. ::smacks forehead::

Here are a couple very bad crops - but still fun to see :)

Yikes!

Danielle, holding her front-row spot to watch him get in his bus :) We did see him!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THEN, as if that wasn't enough to make my day, I had the unique opportunity to meet an amazing fashion photographer, Nigel Barker. He was speaking at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, a lecture about Richard Avedon, a very influential fashion photographer and one of my personal favorite artists. It was fun to hear him speak, he was very passionate about it, honored to be speaking about him. Looking through Nigel's work, it is obvious that Avedon was influential to him personally. The lecture was part of the Member's Preview Party for the extraordinary exhibition, Richard Avedon: Larger than Life. If you're in the area, I highly recommend heading over to the GRAM to see the gallery. It truly is amazing to see.

Be Here Sunday! :)

2008-10-01T12:40:00.003-04:00

October 5th is my very first Blogiversary!

I've been working like a madwoman on recent sessions and weddings, all while preparing some new stuff and a few surprises for Sunday! I'm super excited... there will be *PRIZES* involved! So come back on Sunday, October 5th or check in early in the week to see what's new!

:: kisses! ::

Baby ShaeLynn (and Taetem!)

2008-09-28T11:39:00.006-04:00

Our new niece ShaeLynn was born on 8-8-08 in Minnesota. We were finally able to go see her last week and attend her baby shower. The hardest thing about living away from family is missing these little miracles. Every time we go home, I'm amazed at how quickly time passes. Babies are born, friends are married, and kids grow. We are fortunate to be able to go home as often as we do, but it never seems like enough.

Here is baby ShaeLynn, already at 6 weeks! She is full of expression. She has long limbs and the daintiest features. At first look, she looks just like her daddy. Then she starts smiling and looking around, and her beautiful mom's features start coming out. She's already an adorable baby, and I just know she's going to be a beautiful girl.

Proud Grandma

...and Great-Grandma

...and Mom of course! Four generations :)

New Auntie

And Uncle

When mom (Lisa - Jamie's sister) smiles and coo's at her, she repeats it. SO cute!!

Taetem is another new baby in the family, just a few days old here. What a cutie!

Taetem with her lovely mom, Casidy

Cousins!!

Two very proud happy Grandmas :)

Flying!

2008-09-23T21:00:00.004-04:00

I'm back in Michigan! I was supposed to take the train back home from Minneapolis again, but a couple days before I was supposed to leave, Jamie's co-worker called and asked if I wanted to hop on the company plane from Duluth instead.... um... YES! :D Woohoo!!

We got up early, watched the sun come up from the condo on Lake Superior.
(LOVE! Can I stay here, please?)

* * * * * * * * *

Then off to the hangar... time to fly!!!
Look at the control panel.... holy schnikies!

Todd (Pilot Extraordinaire) was a little sleepy after his first flight.... (Lol!)

It's okay, I'll drive.
Oops, I mean pilot. Fly. Whatever... you trust me, right?

It's cool, Todd. Enjoy your coffee. I've got this ;)

Flying over Lake Michigan!

Approaching the runway at GRR

Back on land!

Thanks again, Todd! I had an absolute blast! Can't wait for the next trip!!

* * * * * * * * *

Jamie, love and miss you baby :)
~ xoxoxoxoxox ~

On the Tracks

2008-09-18T02:39:00.004-04:00

I'm blogging tonight from a hotel room in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I'm here to see our new niece, shoot a wedding, shoot a couple's anniversary session, and visit with family. Rather than flying or driving, I rode the train for my very first time. I spent the entire day in rail cars - no seriously, the entire day: from 7:30am Eastern time to 10:30pm Central time. It was such an experience! I'm so used to going-going-going, it was actually a unique sensation to be forced to simply sit and gaze out a window.

For the first few hours, I did just that. I watched the world float by from a completely different vantage point. To see everything from the back: the rail yards, junk yards and the backs of buildings was just so different from the blacktop and billboards that we're so used to seeing, I couldn't stop staring. The ever-changing landscape of exposed and peeling brick walls, boarded up windows, piles of scrap metal, rusting pieces of junked automobiles and rail cars...to the fields of wildflowers, wide open plains, and swollen rivers was enough to make me actually physically ache inside. I wanted to yell to the conductor to Stop the Train! I wanted to photograph everything, all of it, every bit, every rock, every flower, every rusted nail. I wanted to capture it, collect it in my small hands, in this little black storage container, to be exposed, relished, savored later. My head is abuzz with inspiration tonight (and admittedly a bit dizzy from 16 hours on swaying railcars...)

I can't wait for the rest of this trip.
In fact, I better get to sleep....
It's well into tomorrow already, and I don't want to miss anything ;)

*** I will have limited access to email and phone calls for the rest of the trip. ***
I'll be back in Michigan on Tuesday, September 23rd, but will be checking emails and voicemails when I can. Thank you for your patience and understanding if I don't answer your call or email right away :)

Baby Reese ~ Newborn

2008-09-16T08:45:00.003-04:00

I had the pleasure of visiting baby Reese and his wonderful parents on Saturday. He's just a few weeks old, and so precious! He didn't want to miss a minute of the action; he was wide awake throughout his session. We did get a few of those wonderful sleepy newborn shots though :) Here are a few of my personal favorites.

Sara is such a great mom, her presence is so calming to little Reese.

Reese's dad, Terry, races cars here in West Michigan. In fact, he won this cup the day after Reese was born! Talk about a couple of great days! :) (Congrats again, Terry!!)

Just Us - Traverse City

2008-09-14T22:19:00.011-04:00

Last weekend, Jamie and I headed up to Traverse City for some much-needed R&R. We had wonderful weather and gorgeous skies as we made our way through the local wineries on Old Mission. We took Lexi with us, and she had fun too - who knew she was such a swimmer? Here are just a few pics - check out the slideshow for more :)

(Uff-da, I needed a haircut! Thank goodness for my fabulous friend/stylist, Erin... I should have called her BEFORE the Traverse City trip! Lol!)

TraverseCity

We also met this great couple on scooters at one of the scenic overlooks! They had gotten engaged the night before! They were SO cute, all smiles, full of that newly-engaged buzzy glow.

( Lookin' tough on their bikes ;)

Hope you two enjoyed the rest of your weekend - it was great to run into you!

Baby Brody ~ 3 Months

2008-09-12T09:40:00.005-04:00

Baby Brody is 3 months old! Erin and Ron brought him over for his 3 month session, and even brought their adorable doggie for a family portrait! Brody is such a cutie, I love his features - he's such a little man! And what an adorable smile :)

It was great to see you guys again! Enjoy your weekend!

Gallery Wrap!

2008-09-10T21:39:00.003-04:00

I just love when lovely things arrive on my doorstep. Look what just came in - Mia's Canvas Gallery Wrap! It's gorgeous!

Maya ~ 6 Months

2008-09-08T23:50:00.003-04:00

Little Maya is growing so fast! I can't believe she's 6 months already. I feel like I was just shooting her 3 week, and 3 month sessions! In celebration of her half-year, we did two sessions - one at the beach, and one at her home. She has some of the best expressions - I was smiling and giggling the entire time I was going through her pictures! :) What a cutie - can't wait for our next session!

-----------------------

Part II - The Beach Session - these were taken a weekend before, along with lovely Lindsay, a couple posts below. It was such a nice evening in Grand Haven! And as luck would have it - we captured Maya's first time sitting-up!

Aren't her piggy-tails to-die-for? Eeee! I love 'em! :)

Heather + Aaron { married! }

2008-09-05T10:01:00.005-04:00

8.16.08
Ada, Michigan

Heather and Aaron were married in a beautiful ceremony in Ada, Michigan. A fun, warm, welcoming reception followed at their home. Everything about their wedding was homegrown, organic, and meaningful. They had friends and family helping out with everything, and it was just perfect! My friend and wonderful photographer, Christina, shot this beautiful wedding with me. Head on over to her blog for even more pics, from a different point of view :)

Their guest book... with engagement pics taken by us! :)

The girls put together their own bouquets with flowers grown in the garden!

She was so cute, in her amazing vintage dress, pearls, and round-toe mary janes!

After the girls were ready and bouquets were made, we headed off to Reeds Lake for pictures with the guys and families. It was fun to be there again, this is a special place for them, and also where we had done their engagement pictures. Aaron was there waiting for his first meeting with Heather. She was SO excited...

The flower girls were absolutely adorable. Twins with blonde curls, little dresses with ribbon sashes... they couldn't have been cuter!

The bridal party was awesome - we had fun with these shots! :)

After all the formals, they headed into Rose's - the couple's favorite restaurant - for a breather and a quick glass of wine!

Heather lost the flower from her hair, but it was nothing her girls couldn't fix using flowers from the table!

Then off to the church!

Ready to walk down the aisle...

The flower girls decided they didn't want to walk down the aisle after all, but with a little encouragement from the groom, they happily went down, tossing green leaves on their way.

Through the tunnel of guests, to the getaway vehicle - their moped!

Reception in their own Back Yard :: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

Amazing food - made by friends, mostly with vegan and homegrown ingredients!

Congratulations again, Heather & Aaron! I wish you the very best!

Lindsay and the Lake

2008-08-29T20:33:00.005-04:00

Sheesh - can you believe it's Labor Day Weekend already? If you're like me, you're asking, where did the summer go? Hopefully you had a chance this summer to go splashing in the waves of your favorite beach. If not, take a minute to live vicariously through this adorable sunny-haired, smiling girl. Little Lindsay truly is a ball of sunshine. She's full of energy, and obviously has a love for the lakeshore! She was having a blast flirting with the icy waves, racing across the warm sand, and showing off her practiced smile and new outfits. Jackie, I'm so glad you brought her out - this was a wonderful evening along Lake Michigan, and a great reminder of what summer is all about.

To all you readers,
take the opportunity this holiday weekend to let your hair down,
run through waves,
and don't be afraid to get your skirt wet!

Doesn't she look like a little Marilyn Monroe?

Happy Labor Day Weekend, everybody! Enjoy your day off!

Colette + Matthew { married! }

2008-08-25T19:00:00.002-04:00

8-9-08
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Colette and Matthew were married on 8-9-08 on a gorgeous August morning in Kalamazoo. I remember the first time I met this great couple at Biggby, Colette had most of their plans set, but she was so worried that the weather would be bad! I assured her it wouldn't even matter if it was, and they ended up with the perfect day after all. Their wedding was held at their beautiful church, where guests gathered in the courtyard for cookies, and then made their way down to the hall for a reception.

Before the ceremony, the bride and groom met in the courtyard, and we snuck away for a few portraits by the beautiful church doors.

Their ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was lively, fun, and full of conversation. But their siblings with their speeches definitely had the crowd's attention. They were some of the best wedding speeches I've ever heard. Colette's brother had an email that Colette had written him when she met Matt. It was so sweet, and amazing how she unknowingly spoke of what was yet to be. They had everyone in tears, and then in laughter, then tears again...

After the reception, Jamie (my handsome assistant... okay, he's my hubby ;) and I got a chance to run around with the bride and groom downtown K-zoo. We all just let loose and had some fun before they headed to their after-party. We had an absolute blast! They were so funny, the four of us were cracking up the whole time :)

This is one of my favorites: "Great Catch"

Colette & Matt, I wish you two lived in Michigan! We would love to get together again! It was a pleasure to shoot your wedding, and we had a great time getting to know you! We wish you the best of luck with your new marriage - you two are perfect together!

Alissa + Jackson { married! }

2008-08-18T23:15:00.006-04:00

8-8-08
Sutton's Bay, Michigan

Alissa and Jackson were married last weekend, on one of the most popular wedding dates of the year: 8-8-8. Eight is considered a lucky number for many reasons, but I found this one particularly fitting:

The number 8 is considered lucky because it is a perfect symmetrical shape. You can cut the number 8 in half vertically or horizontally, and both halves mirror themselves perfectly. Perfect symmetry lends itself to perfect balance.

Alissa and Jackson seem to have found perfect balance in each other. They are such a fun, laid-back, friendly, and just all-around good couple. It was a pleasure to be part of their wedding along the shoreline of Grand Traverse Bay. I drove up from Grand Rapids, but they came all the way across the country - they are currently living out on the East Coast. They couldn't have asked for nicer Michigan weather - it was a beautiful sunny, breezy, perfect day, just like this couple.

I love cute kids with cameras!!!

Congratulations, again - you're a wonderful couple, and I wish you all the best!

Just a little preview

2008-08-14T21:48:00.002-04:00

...of what I've been working on tonight...

~ Alissa + Jackson ~
Suttons Bay, Michigan

Jess's Wedding Invitations

2008-08-12T22:20:00.003-04:00

Tonight's project was finishing assembling Jess's invites. They're 5x5 layered square on a beautiful ivory linen stock, with separate rsvp and reception inserts. Her wedding is going to be all soft Victorian pinks, ivories, and other soft colors, and it will be held at a mansion out on the East Coast this fall. I'm fortunate enough to be part of this wedding twice - in designing her invitations, as well as photographing the wedding itself. East Coast in the fall... a mansion... a beautiful bride and handsome groom - it's going to be absolutely amazing!

Emily :: Senior

2008-08-07T20:10:00.007-04:00

I had another superfabulous senior session this week, this time with the lovely Emily. She's a dancer, and wanted to incorporate that into her portraits. I loved the ballet slippers and tulle skirt, and we found this amazing graffiti wall downtown Grand Rapids, right down the street from her church (pictured below). I love the contrast of the two locations, and how well they both work in completely different ways.

She also brought along this amazing red dress - it was perfect.
I love it against these dingy alley scenes - gorgeous!!

She had couple friends along, so of course I had to get them in on the action too... they were happy to oblige ;)

Lol - fun girls! :) It was a blast spending the morning with you guys - enjoy the rest of your summer!

Becca + Ian :: Engaged!

2008-08-05T21:43:00.006-04:00

I met Becca and Ian in South Haven for their engagement session. I'll be shooting their wedding this February, and I couldn't be more excited! They're such a great couple - so much fun to hang out with! Engagement sessions are always fun - I get to meet a great new couple, and there's all that buzzy, jazzy energy between them as they plan their wedding and future together. Becca and Ian are no exception - they're absolutely adorable together!

Of course, after the beach, we had to head downtown to see what we could find ;)

What a fun evening with a fun couple - see you again soon!

It's LIVE!!

2008-08-04T19:59:00.002-04:00

-----Go see!-----

.... and look forward to more updates! Wooohoooo!!

Coming Soon...

2008-08-03T16:09:00.004-04:00

... website redesign at www.khollystudios.com! My new website design will be launched sometime this week! It will be easier to navigate and have more information, and well, it's cuter! Most importantly though, it will have a much-improved client area. As a client you will have your own sub-site with access to your proofing galleries and online ordering with a shopping cart. I've been testing it out, and it seems to work fabulously!

Current clients: if you haven't placed orders from your proofing galleries yet, don't worry - they won't be lost! I'm uploading your galleries to the new website. You will have the same password, but it'll look a little different once you're in. Definitely a change for the better! What else is really great about it is that if you have family members or friends who want to order prints, you can all order separately on your own. Definitely makes your life easier not having to coordinate!

Past clients: If you have already placed your orders, I will not be uploading your gallery to the new site.... unless you want me to :) Just let me know, and I'll re-upload your gallery temporarily.

Woohoo! :) - Kristen

Elegant Little Mia

2008-07-31T20:45:00.006-04:00

I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something incredibly elegant and even glamourous about little Mia. It might be in her smooth new skin, the way she stretches her long limbs, or the way she looks so natural in every pose.

Maybe it's the way she holds her hands gracefully to her face, or her thoughtful gaze...

...or the way she quietly steals the light from grand piano she's laid upon.

Even in the way she stretches those pretty little toes, just like mom.

You two have a beautiful baby girl. Congratulations again, it was wonderful spending the morning with you!

Beach Boys

2008-07-29T22:24:00.009-04:00

Beach, Babies, and little dimply Bottoms... is there anything cuter?

I had a great time photographing this family at the Holland State Park. These three little cuties were so much fun! Just another beautiful summer evening along Lake Michigan! :) I just love a beautiful sunset, wispy clouds, gentle waves, sand, toes, smiles, laughter...

(Click on the photos to make them bigger -
It makes it easier to see the individual pics ;)

Michelle : Senior : Urban

2008-07-25T23:38:00.005-04:00

For the third and final posting of the Michelle senior series, we have the Urban session. She was awesome, up for any and all of my visions and whims :) She wasn't sure about climbing up into the alley doorways, and she wasn't a fan of getting dirty, but she trusted me, and we got some fabulous shots! I even got her sister Jenni in front of the camera!

How gorgeous are these two? Beautiful!

Michelle : Senior : Beach

2008-07-24T22:55:00.006-04:00

I swear, we ended up with one of the brightest and windiest days of the summer out on Lake Michigan. But despite her hair flying around in her face and the sun & sand in her eyes, Michelle still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

Michelle : Senior : Studio

2008-07-23T22:45:00.008-04:00

Last week, I got together with this awesome high school senior, Michelle. We did two separate sessions, one in studio, one outdoors with multiple locations. We had an absolute blast; she was so much fun to work with. She was totally easy-going, and up for trying anything. We ended up with a ton of images, and I have way too many favorites... So I'm breaking them up into sections. Here are my favorites from her in-studio session.

we become

2008-07-22T10:58:00.004-04:00

"We become what we think about all day long."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

(photo of me by my mom, Denise :)

Pandora Love

2008-07-18T13:24:00.006-04:00

Obsession du jour: Pandora!

www.pandora.com

It's an online radio, but better than anything I've ever used before. You enter in a song or artist you like, and it creates a playlist based on that. As each song plays, you can click whether or not you like it, and it continues to personalize the playlist. I end up loving about 90% of the songs they choose for me. What a great way to explore new artists, and it's totally free! :)

For what I've been listening to lately, enter artist "Duffy". You'll end up with a sweet playlist of bluesy, mellow, melodic tunes :)

Have a great playlist to share? Put it in the comments!

A Family in Blue

2008-07-16T20:21:00.007-04:00

This weekend, I had the pleasure of shooting a session of a friend of mine & his family. We thought for sure it was going to rain, but we ended up with a gorgeous day! The setting was perfect and memorable too - this is their amazing backyard, quiet and tucked away right in town. It's always fun to do sessions with friends, especially when they have such a wonderful, welcoming family and their kids are as cute and fun as this!

Thanks again, guys! :)

Fawn

2008-07-15T22:42:00.005-04:00

So... I'm sitting out on my deck with my laptop working on editing a recent session, and Lexi gets the grumblies. If you've met her, you probably know what I'm talking about. It's not a bark, and not even quite a growl, just grumbles. So we call it the grumblies because she sounds so cute trying not to bark :) Anyway, she got the grumblies. She was trying hard to be quiet but just couldn't contain herself. So I walked over to the edge of the deck to see what she was watching... it was this:

We saw her a few weeks ago when we were out walking on the trail - she was tiny then, not much bigger than the dogs. She was all alone curled up under a tree. I didn't have my camera that time though. Luckily, she decided to take a walk through the empty lot next door long enough for me to grab it this time!

Look at those ears!

Duluth - North Shore

2008-07-10T23:09:00.008-04:00

More from Duluth! Hope you're enjoying the pics as much as I enjoyed my time there :) This first pic is the view from our hotel room - right through the glass! Not a bad sight to wake up to, eh?

Nicole looking all modelesque in the Rose Garden

I love Lake Superior's North Shore!

The rest of these were taken from the Vista Star - dinner cruise - one of those things you don't really do when you live there... so we were tourists that day ;)

It's Anna!!

G'nite, beautiful Duluth!

Duluth - Summertime

2008-07-01T12:36:00.005-04:00

I love it here... My hubby & friends are working today, so I'm bumming around the city watching the bridge, listening to waves, smiling at the sun... It's wonderful!

I'm at a coffee shop downtown right now, refueling, taking a break and emptying my camera so I'm ready for more ;)

- Kristen in Duluth ;)

(more to come!!)

Going North

2008-06-28T17:51:00.004-04:00

I'm heading home for the 4th of July! I'm planning on taking lots of pictures, but I'm not sure what kind of internet connection I'll have, if any ;) I'll be everywhere between Duluth with friends, Gilbert with my family, in Eveleth celebrating with the entire town, and Lake Vermilion with my extended family. In spirit, I'm already there! I pretty much grew up on Lake Vermilion at the cabin, it's where we spent our summers my entire life, and where I have countless good memories! My heart has been absolutely aching to be there - it's been two years! (I was there over Christmas, but it's just not the same ;) I can't wait to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with the lake, the trees, the sky, my family, and my soul :)

...So goodbye for a while I'm out to learn more
About who I really was before
Yeah I'm Going North

Up where the hunted hide with ease
Under the arms of eye-less trees
Up where the answers fall like leaves
Oh and your love is all I need
Yeah I'm Going North

(from "Going North" by Missy Higgins)

I apologize in advance for not answering emails in a timely fashion! I'll be back on July 7th :)

Summer Lovelies

2008-06-25T21:17:00.007-04:00

These last two pics: do you know what this plant is? Well, you probably should ;) It's poison ivy! Poison ivy can take on many different shapes, so watch out for it. It has three leaves in a cluster, and does not have serrated edges like a strawberry plant does. It can, however, have irregular edges, like the ones in my photos. It's all over my walking trail, but luckily, I'm not allergic to it. I run around out there in my sandals with the dogs with no problems. I do rinse my feet & ankles off when I get back inside, just in case ;) If you come into contact with poison ivy, I advise you do the same! Some research says you can use a mild soap, but not warm or hot water. Warmer water spreads the irritant's oil, whereas the cold will wash it away. There. Your biology lesson and friendly Public Service Announcement for the day! For more info, visit www.poison-ivy.org

Family in the Park

2008-06-25T06:52:00.000-04:00

I met with this great family last week at Ah-Nab-Awen Park downtown Grand Rapids. They are so full of love and energy, and have baby #4 on the way! Congratulations you guys, I can't wait to meet the new little one!

In the Darkroom

2008-06-18T12:54:00.005-04:00

"Window Lily"

I've been taking a Black & White Darkroom class at Kendall College of Art & Design for the past few weeks. While I do very much enjoy the art of black & white photography, the darkroom and I have a love/hate relationship. Being a digital photographer and graphic designer, this has been a huge lesson in patience! (What? You mean I can't plug in my USB and instantly have hundreds of images before me?!) Film and darkroom processing is definitely its own art form, and I have a ton of respect for those who choose to stick with it. While I love learning about the process and trying new techniques, I don't think I'll be hanging up my Digital SLR any time soon ;)

I do, however, truly enjoy shooting with my Canon AE-1 Program. It is the camera that my parents bought shortly after I was born. I lost my dad a few years ago, so using his camera has really meant a lot to me. Not only is it the camera I learned with, but the manual has my mom's handwritten notes in it, and the lenses and cumbersome carrying case are the original ones that my dad picked out and was so proud of. That case also holds the bittersweet memory of childhood... it is stained with smoke from the house fire that took our home and most of our belongings when I was 4 years old. The camera survived, and has taken many photos of us kids growing up, and has been with me since I left home for college. I love shooting with it... regardless of the darkroom being a tedious process. It's true what they say though, there is something special about film photography. There's nothing quite like seeing your image slowly and magically appear in that tray of developer ;)

"Jamie" - alternative process - high contrast filter, laid objects on photographic paper while exposing negative in enlarger

"Vintage Daisies" - alternative process - high contrast filter used with thick fibrous light diffuser, dirty glass over photographic paper while exposing

Alishan & Mike :: Rehearsal Dinner

2008-06-15T13:27:00.009-04:00

On Friday evening, Alishan & Mike held their rehearsal dinner at a friend's house along the river. It was a warm summer evening; the perfect setting for a lovely, casual cookout with friends & family on the night before their wedding. I had a great time, and all of the guests did too. Congratulations, Alishan & Mike. I have no doubt that your wedding was absolutely amazing, and I wish you the very best!

The lovely hostesses - amazing job you two - everything went beautifully!

Such a gorgeous evening - thanks again for having me!

Kathy :: Mama-to-Be

2008-06-11T20:14:00.006-04:00

This beautiful new mama-to-be came in for maternity portraits - a surprise Father's Day gift for her husband. The couple is expecting their first child, a baby boy. :) Kathy, you look so lovely, and you are such a beautiful, happy, glowing young mom-to-be. Congratulations again, and Happy Fathers Day to your hubby!

Gorgeous girl!

Striking a modelesque pose with the umbrella... hey, we can pretend it was raining ;)

Wearing her husband's shirt - I love it ;)

Baby Brody

2008-06-09T22:31:00.006-04:00

Okay, I'm kind of in love with little Brody. He's brand new, so tiny, and he has amazing smiles!! His mama is a friend of mine, and her home served as the backdrop for his session. I was inspired by her cool, vintage breezy cottage-like walls and colors. I think it really came out in his photos. Welcome to the world, little Brody!

Love the green, but black & white is so nice too! Can't decide - posting 'em both ;)

Look at that smile!!

And that sweet face! Eeee! :)

Red Bull Air Race :: Detroit River

2008-06-04T23:20:00.006-04:00

On Sunday, a group of us drove out to Windsor, Ontario to watch the Red Bull Air Race over the Detroit River. The Detroit side was sold out, so we had to venture over to Canada, but I think we ended up with a better view :) I'm in love with the Detroit skyline, and we had a great time in Windsor! If you don't know what the races are all about, basically, it's these super fast planes that have to run this course set up. They try to beat each others times while correctly performing their maneuvers. It was impressive. I couldn't believe how fast they were going, and SO close to the water & buildings!

The spectators on the Detroit side

This helicopter was filming us (the crowd)... so I captured him too ;)

The guys, enjoying the show

Us!

After a long day of walking around, watching planes, and taking pictures, it was time for some lattes, cigars (not me, ick!), and good music. This was actually my favorite part of the day - we just chilled and listed to the band play in the street. It was awesome.

Shannon & Tim :: Married!

2008-06-01T01:49:00.004-04:00

Shannon & Tim got married last weekend in Grand Haven at Camp Blodgett. It was warm, breezy, and bright - a beautiful day for a wedding near the beach. There were tears, smiles, laughter, fun and love - it was a perfect day!

Congratulations, newlyweds!

Heather & Aaron :: Engagement

2008-05-26T18:14:00.008-04:00

We met Heather and Aaron out at Reeds Lake for their engagement session last week. One of the park benches is a special spot for them, so it was the perfect place. We had a beautiful sunny evening, and a blissfully in-love couple! How cute are these two with their bare feet? It was perfect for them - their wedding is going to have the same organic feel, and I just know it's going to be gorgeous.

I had the pleasure of collaborating with my friend and fellow photographer, Christina. We had a blast working together! She has her pictures of this session on her blog too. We took a lot of similar photos, but show differences in style. I think we make a great team!! ;)

Heather & Aaron, We'll see you in August!

Another Anniversary!

2008-05-23T09:15:00.004-04:00

Speaking of Anniversaries… The Bremers are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary! Congratulations on your milestone – I hope when we reach 50 years together, we are every bit as happy and in love as you two still are. :)

Aren't their little scotty dogs adorable? :)

Jamie + Kristen... 2 Years!

2008-05-20T10:52:00.006-04:00

Today is our 2nd Wedding Anniversary! It’s amazing how different life is even a mere two years later. We had just moved to Michigan and were in a tiny apartment and looking for a place to live, wondering what our life would be like. Soon it was May, and we were going back home for the wedding. I’ll never forget flying to Minnesota with my wedding dress in my carry-on bag, and watching the snow fall as we landed in Duluth.

The wedding day was wonderful – the weather warmed up and we had a (very rare) warm sunny spring day along Lake Superior. Everything went so smoothly, and it was great to have all of our friends & family there. Our pastor gave a sweet, touching ceremony, and the reception was an evening filled with smiles, toasts, hugs, and dancing. It truly was a wonderful day, and I am so blessed to be Mrs. Jamie Carlson. He is the most amazing man I’ve ever met; I still can’t believe how lucky I am that I get to share my life with him.

After the wedding & honeymoon, we flew back to Michigan. Within a week, the perfect opportunity presented itself: while we were gone, one of the pieces of land we had been considering had a frame of a house built on it, and a for sale sign out front. We called the builder, looked over the plans, and signed. The next few months were spent designing and planning, and before we knew it, we were Home.

All photos © 2006 Alan Johnson Photography, used with permission. www.alanjohnsonphotography.com

*** Update! ***

While I was typing and posting this, a gorgeous bouquet of flowers were delivered to my office! Awwww…. See? What did I tell you? He’s such a honey :)

I love you, Jamie!

Maya ~ 3 Months

2008-05-18T21:06:00.009-04:00

Remember little Maya? Last time we saw her, she was just 3 weeks, and now she's 3 months already! She's changed a lot, but she's still so tiny and precious! I don't usually post so many photos from each session, but I had a really hard time narrowing down my favorites! We had a lot of ideas, had a lot of fun, and took a ton of pictures! What a cutie!

She's even adorable when she's pouty!

Thanks again, Purvi & Brian!

Shannon & Tim :: Engagement

2008-05-17T00:30:00.008-04:00

Shannon and Tim are getting married next weekend!
We've been waiting for a warm day for their engagement session on the beach in Grand Haven. After many cold and rainy weekends, we finally got a nice evening when we could all get together, just in time! It was still a little chilly, but we had fun anyway :)

You two are so sweet together, I'm really looking forward to your wedding.
See you in a week!

Lance Borrowed My Roadbike

2008-05-16T20:48:00.005-04:00

On June 7 and 8, 2008, my friend Anna & her team will be biking 150 miles to raise money for the MS Society. Her goal is to raise $500, and her team goal is $5,000. As of the moment I'm posting, they have already achieved $3,457! That's pretty impressive! If you would like to help her reach her goal, or learn more about MS, visit her donation page:

Lance Borrowed My Roadbike

From their site: "Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and stops people from moving. We believe moving is not just something you can or can’t do, but that moving forward is who we are. Just by being here, you are connected to the potential, the hope, the momentum of it all.
We've formed a team for the Bike MS: Larkin Hoffman MS 150 Ride 2008 because the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more professional education programs and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. The Minnesota Chapter represents an estimated 9,000 people with MS in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
We ride together during Bike MS to make a powerful statement and to keep us moving toward a cure. Join our team as a biker or a volunteer! Make a donation online! With the help of people like you, the National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS and helps them stay connected to the great big moving world."

I had the honor of designing their team t-shirts, which is the image you see above. Go team!! :)

Take me out to the Ballgame!

2008-05-12T14:04:00.007-04:00

Yesterday, my husband's company treated all employees to a day at the ball park - West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts. It was so much fun! We had a perfect sunny day, great food and a great game. Thanks, L3!

What a great play!

PS: If you're a frequent visitor, you may have noticed I redesigned my blog... again. It's just so much fun to change, I can't leave it alone ;)

Capturing The Cardinal

2008-05-10T18:43:00.005-04:00

So, I picked up a new lens yesterday :) Super excited to use it, I walked out on my back deck this morning to see what I could find. I was expecting to take a few pictures of leaves or something, just to test out my new zoom. (300mm!) But this lovely little red gem up in the trees immediately caught my eye. A Northern Cardinal, out for breakfast.

Looks like he found a tasty little grub!

Around Town

2008-05-03T21:10:00.006-04:00

Hooray for all the blossoming trees! I love spring. :)

My friend Danielle and I have been walking everyday at lunchtime around town. We do a loop around the river that's almost two miles. It's been really fun, it's good to get out of the office and move around - we're graphic designers during the week, so we spend a lot of time in front of our computer screens! On Thursday, I took my camera with me. We could have stayed out there for hours! :)

Look at this crazy guy! Yeeps! He was cool, it's hard to tell in the faraway picture, but he's smiling, and his co-worker is giving us the peace sign. Awesome :)

Yesterday, I met with Anthony & Gina to finalize plans for their wedding in October. Their reception is going to be at Meijer Gardens, and it's going to be beautiful! On my way out, I couldn't resist the tulips. Have I mentioned how much I love spring? ;)

Luke & Anna

2008-04-26T16:11:00.006-04:00

Last weekend, Luke & Anna came over to play & have their portraits taken. Anna & her Mom are so beautiful, and Luke was so much fun! He was a little shy with my camera, but he loved his own. He was taking pictures the whole time, and then showing them off. Kary, you just might have an aspiring photographer on your hands!

He even shoots with a Canon! Love it! :)

What a Cheez!

2008-04-24T08:09:00.007-04:00

If you know me, this is no surprise... I'm kind of a cheeseball. Okay, a big one. Well, this week's assignment is a narrative series. Basically, a bunch of pictures that tell a story. Well, what had I been working on for the past week or two? The website! So, what else would I do my narrative on? ;)

(you can click to make it bigger, if you feel so inclined ;)

Also - I'm working on some adorable photos of Luke & Anna - they'll be up soon! :)

Earth Day - Plant a Billion

2008-04-21T20:50:00.005-04:00

In honor of Earth Day 2008 - tomorrow, April 22nd - I'm starting up a campaign with "Plant a Billion Trees" and The Nature Conservancy. See the image to the left - that's the status counter - keep an eye on it, hopefully we'll start to see numbers rising :) Starting now, I will donate to plant one tree for every new session booked or order placed. In fact, on Earth Day, I'll double that - so book your session on Tuesday, and know that you've helped plant TWO trees!

Want to help more? Click on the image to the left and make a donation! Better yet, start up your own campaign to raise awareness!

Want to help even more? Start with earthday.net's Top Ten List of what you can do to save the earth. There are tons of resources out there - google "earth day" for a list of websites with more info!

Website Launch!

2008-04-20T16:13:00.006-04:00

After many hours of work, my new website is launched! Woohoo!!

www.khollystudios.com

Go check it out, and let me know what you think!
You just might see a few familiar faces! :)
Big THANKS to everyone featured!

(ps - I'm open to suggestions, so if you have ideas for improvement, don't be shy!)

Aviator Lexi

2008-04-16T23:17:00.005-04:00

Okay, this might seem totally random... Lol! One of our assignments this week is to do a photograph that contains another photograph, and messes with your perception a bit. I found inspiration in my dachshund, a metal airplane, and a large print of a photo I took of Lake Michigan a couple summers ago... Enjoy! :)

PS - I'm working on building my website - I'm hoping to have it up this weekend! Yay! Check back here or there soon: www.khollystudios.com

Elizabeth - 2 weeks

2008-04-14T19:52:00.006-04:00

Lovely Little Elizabeth... just 2 weeks old. Last time we saw baby Elizabeth, she was here. Melissa & Bill, congratulations on your beautiful baby girl, and thank you for letting me photograph her!

Proud Mama

...and Daddy

...and Grama!

Anybody else think she looks like Grandma Karen in this one? :)

Tiny little fingers

She's got her Mama's toes!

The Guitarist

2008-04-09T22:27:00.006-04:00

I wish everyone could have the opportunity to hear Dan play. He is by far the best guitarist I have ever heard, in person or otherwise. He's the kind of musician where you can't help but stop what you're doing to just listen.

It's extraordinary to me how the art of one can inspire the art of another...

The guitar he's holding has an amazing story - if you know him, ask him about it sometime. I'm sure he'd love to tell you about it, and he'll probably even play you a little something.

Me

2008-04-03T00:06:00.008-04:00

This week's assignment is the self-portrait...

Me in my favorite chair, in my favorite little corner of the house
(and my new favorite shoes, of course)

Just me being a goofball... not out of the ordinary ;)

Where I spend my days, so grateful for the window

Jamie, Lexi, and Me

"I'm going 100 in a 55, and I don't know why I'm still alive
I do what I can, and I know I can't take anymore"

Have you heard this song? It's by Pop Evil, a Grand Rapids band. I love it, it's been bouncing around between my ears for weeks :) You can listen to it on their myspace page, here.

Environmental Portraits

2008-03-28T23:49:00.004-04:00

Our assignment for this week was to take Environmental Portraits, which is photographing a person in their natural surroundings to portray the essence of their personality, rather than merely a likeness of their physical features. I had four fabulous volunteers, and we had a ton of fun on these photoshoots! I took lots of pics, but I'll just post two of each person. (Thanks again everybody!)

Now, normally I'd tell you who these people are, but if I was successful in this project, you shouldn't need an explanation ;)

These last couple are just us having fun at the hangar :)

Welcome, Elizabeth!

2008-03-24T13:07:00.003-04:00

My beautiful niece, Elizabeth was born on Saturday! Please join me in welcoming the 8lb, 7oz bundle of joy into the world. Congratulations, Melissa & Bill, we can't wait to make the trip home to meet her!

In honor of her arrival... baby shower invitations! They chose the pink & aqua one in front. Let me create some for you too! :)

(click image to enlarge)

Ordinary?

2008-03-21T18:47:00.006-04:00

I love taking something completely ordinary, and looking at it in a new way, paying attention to how the light hits it and brings out its shape, and capturing its significance & beauty. One of our assignments for this week was to use directional & diffused light to show pattern & texture. I was in my office thinking of what to take pictures of for class, when the sun peeked through the clouds, came through my window, and hit a paper clip on my desk just right... and out came the camera.

Orchids

2008-03-19T20:06:00.004-04:00

As promised, the lovely orchids from the butterfly exhibit. Makes me really want spring/summer to arrive! Wait - isn't tomorrow the first day of spring? Yay!

Lady's Slippers are orchids too. And, they're the Minnesota state flower. And my grandma's favorite. :)

Changes...

2008-03-18T21:33:00.004-04:00

If you happen to be browsing at the same time as me tonight, this page might look pretty goofy... I'm experimenting with different templates :) Hang tight! And thanks for being here! -Kristen

UPDATE: Aaaaaaannnd.....done. For tonight. Crap - it's 11:30! Bedtime, y'all!

** ps - what do you think of the layout? Love it? Hate it? Easy to see/read? Impossible? Let me know! **

Tropical Flowers

2008-03-17T21:43:00.004-04:00

Let's all dream about the tropics for a few minutes, and try to forget that there is still snow outside :) These gorgeous flowers are from the butterfly exhibit - there's more where this came from - orchids are up next!

Butterflies

2008-03-16T22:24:00.004-04:00

My friend Nikki invited me along with her daughter to Meijer Gardens last weekend, where we got to see (and photograph!) the butterfly exhibit. It was amazing! If you haven't gone, and you're here in Grand Rapids, go! There are butterflies everywhere, along with birds and some of the most gorgeous flowers, all in a warm, sunny tropical setting. The butterflies are beautiful, and happily, not afraid of my camera :)

These last two pics turned out so cool - the butterflies move so fast, faster than the shutter speed I had set. It resulted in this cool motion effect where the butterfly is kinda there, but kinda not. I love it!

Over grapefruit and long strides

2008-03-14T20:46:00.003-04:00

I often find myself immersed in deep conversations with myself over grapefruit. No, not conversations about grapefruit, but rather conversations about things that have been on my mind, or things I have shoved to the back of my mind... all while I'm peeling my daily grapefruit. Steadily peeling back the thick skin, then rhythmically peeling the white from each individual wedge, one at a time, skin in the trash, fruit in the bowl, skin in the trash, fruit in the bowl... My mind wanders. Lately it's been venturing over into my thoughts on sense of purpose. What we're here for, what I'm here for, what I'm meant to do, what's my calling. I haven't come to a conclusion yet, but this song keeps popping in and continues on repeat since I only know a few words... "Something's callin' me..." And before long, my grapefruit is peeled, and it's time to head back to my cubicle and get back to work, back to reality. Ah, but blissful moments they were.

This afternoon while out walking with my dog, I again let my mind wander. We were actually headed down the road to drop off Colin's announcement cards (yay!) Rhythmically walking, arms swinging, shoes hitting sidewalk, breath in, breath out, little Lexi trotting along in front of me... And what should pop into my head? "Something's callin' me..." Callin'. Sounds like Colin. Then baby Maya pops in... Maya, Colin... My Calling? This epiphany strikes me. A smile spreads across my face, and my step quickens. Maya, Colin. My calling. As I let this thought roll around and savor the idea, I notice a bright green bush near the sidewalk up ahead, revealing itself as the snow melts and the frozen earth thaws, bright green against the dirty & dull spring grass. It's holly.

Imagine. As I was walking, smiling to myself at the thought of my calling, I came across Holly. How wonderfully deliciously intriguing...

:)

Sorry, that got a little long... Back to those announcements. Here they are! You know you want some of your own... ;) Call me - let's take some pictures!

Colin

2008-03-10T23:41:00.003-04:00

Colin, this adorable 4-week old baby boy, came over last Saturday afternoon with his Mom & Grandma. He's going to have a big personality, he has some great facial expressions already! Thank you so much, I had a lot of fun taking his pictures. Congratulations again on your adorable baby boy - here is your sneak peek from your session!

Maya ~ 3 Weeks

2008-03-05T19:50:00.004-05:00

On Saturday morning, I got to hang out with the adorable baby Maya and her beautiful mom. Maya is so tiny and sweet, she was wonderful to photograph! We had a great time, and I think she did too... well, as long as she didn't have to be in a basket ;) Thank you again, and congratulations on your first baby! Here's your sneak peek!

Chicago by Night

2008-02-11T22:48:00.002-05:00

These photos are pretty dark, I hope they look alright on your screen! These were taken with my little Sony point and shoot camera. Someone (my husband) thought it would be a bad idea to haul my Canon around the city. He was probably right, but I really wanted to have it with me! Thankfully my little Sony did a good job too. These are taken from the Hancock building, from the Signature Room on the 95th & 96th floor. The pics face East and South. You'll see Navy Pier in one of them - that big orange circle is the ferris wheel. We only had one night in Chicago, and we were lucky to have a relatively clear sky. It started to rain shortly after this! We had a great time though - thanks again to Matt for inviting us!

I'm actually headed back to Chicago with some friends on Wednesday - look forward to more Chicago pics!

Out for Breakfast

2008-02-05T21:30:00.001-05:00

What's better than going out for breakfast with your best friend on a cold day? Hmmmm... okay, maybe going out for breakfast with your best friend on a warm day ;)

No cream & sugar could have sweetened this coffee, it was SO strong!

Mmmmmm.... lemon ricotta hotcakes! They were amazing!

A Cold Duluth Morning

2008-01-20T12:44:00.001-05:00

Nicole braved the icy Lake Superior wind and snowdrifts with me on the morning of December 31st. I would have loved to have spent more time on the bridges, harbor and shoreline, but we only had a few minutes to spare before I had to get ready to get on my plane back home. And it was pretty hazy (and freezing!) anyway. I can't wait to go back this spring!

Beautiful: encore.

2008-01-14T22:18:00.000-05:00

Because she just looks so amazing...

Beautiful

2008-01-14T18:31:00.001-05:00

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone." - Author Unknown

Thanks again, to two (three!) of my very favorite girls. Love you!

Water Droplets

2008-01-11T13:06:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Jamie!

2008-01-08T19:37:00.000-05:00

I had lots of cool ideas for Jamie's birthday gift, but as we walked through Home Depot, his eyes lit up like the glittering lights on a Christmas tree... I threw all other ideas out and got him what he REALLY wanted. A miter saw. It's only been a few weeks, and he's already gotten good use of it... he's been working hard on finishing our lower level, which will include a family room, kitchen area, bathroom, storage, my office and a studio space. We're both really excited, we've been flipping through various cabinet and trim samples, and countless paint color fans. Hmm, I guess the miter saw wasn't just a gift for him ;)

Night Lightning

2008-01-07T20:07:00.000-05:00

Crazy weather we're having...

Above, this is me trying to capture lightning before reading about how to do it. Still kinda cool, but not really a "good" photo, it's pretty blurry. Below, after reading, and after the lightning stopped (how convenient!), this is me using a muuuuuch slower shutter speed and my new tripod (Thanks again, Liz & Paul!!) It's no lightning, but still pretty cool, I think. The color is from the orangey city lights off in the distance, filtering through the clouds.

Back to the weather: Yes, we're having a thunderstorm, and even a tornado warning. On January 7th. In Michigan, where the average temperature for Jan 7th is 29. We had weather in the 60's today! It was wonderful, we were out walking around the neighborhood at 5:30pm and again at 7:30pm, and it was still 62 degrees! I love it :) I did some research online, and if the data is correct, we beat our previous record high of 52 F in 1989! Pretty awesome. I could go for an early spring!

North Country

2008-01-06T20:46:00.000-05:00

If you're in West Michigan, this is a sight you may not have seen in awhile... snow! (Can you believe we're going to have a few more days of this 50+ degree weather and rain?!) Anyway, it's been a very long time since my last post - just trying to adjust back to real life after having such a wonderful time in Minnesota with my family and closest friends.

Enjoy these wintery images - this is a lovely and common scene in Northern Minnesota, the land of sky-blue waters, pine trees, frigid temperatures, and ever-changing landscapes due to the mining industry.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

2007-12-25T21:43:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Portraits

2007-12-22T14:24:00.000-05:00

Christmas is...

Families...

Crazy Girls in the Snow...

and Mistletoe!

New Logo!

2007-12-11T21:46:00.000-05:00

I think it's the curse of the graphic designer to never be satisfied with one's own logo. I have about twenty options I've designed, each with about 10 font and color alternates! I love them all, but I finally narrowed it down to 9 of my favorites today, and then the final one... and this is it!

New logo means the last logo and blog header will be retired, but it'll remain here. :)

New logo also means a page layout change, since the black background wasn't working anymore! Helllooo, white!

Let me know what you think!

Meet Noah

2007-12-10T22:53:00.001-05:00

I had the pleasure of shooting Noah's 6-month session yesterday. He was so much fun to work with, we had a blast! Mom Lindsay & Dad Andy were a big help in getting those smiles too! These are some of my favorites from the basket session - we had fun with a few different themes. In fact, if you visited yesterday, you already got a sneak preview of Noah in his "Baby's First Christmas" session - he's the adorable star of the Christmas cards below!

Isn't he the cutest? :)

Christmas Card Samples!

2007-12-09T16:55:00.000-05:00

Here are three Christmas card samples. If you would like me to make cards for you, you can use one of these templates, or I can design something new for you to coordinate with your photo! You can use a photo you have taken, a photo from another photographer with permission, or I can take your photo! But call me (616.719.6220) right away, I fly home to MN on Friday!

They are a little bigger than 5 x 7, and come with A8 envelopes.

New Studio Setup!

2007-12-08T19:50:00.000-05:00

Guess what I got today! Studio lighting! And a backdrop! And a new lens! Too excited to wait for people to shoot... Hmmm... need a guinea pig... of course! Lexilicious! And Jamie!

Want family portraits for the holidays? Have some free time this week? Give me a call - I'll give you a heck of a deal ;)
PS - Christmas card layouts are still on the way!

Christmas Cards

2007-12-05T16:05:00.000-05:00

Have you started your Christmas cards? I have... and I have a few ideas if you would like me to do yours too! You can personalize them with family photo(s) and a message, or I can design something brand spankin' new just for you. Send an email to khollydesign@gmail.com for more info! :) Check back here too, I'll post samples soon...

Icy Morning

2007-12-02T12:18:00.000-05:00

We got a little more snow last evening, mixed with ice and rain. I awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of ice pelting the windows and covering the layer of ice and snow already on the ground. This morning when I got outside, the ice had already started to melt and drip from the trees, falling rhythmically to the leaves below.

First Snow

2007-12-02T11:53:00.000-05:00

First weekend of December, and we've finally gotten our first snow. It started on Thursday, it was absolutely beautiful. I'm lucky to have a big window in my office, so I watched it fall and swirl on the ground all afternoon. It ended up being just a light dusting, barely covering the grass.

End of Season

2007-12-01T14:02:00.001-05:00

These photos were taken in South Central Minnesota, while home for Thanksgiving. Jamie grew up here, among the low rolling hills where corn and alfalfa grow. It was a very cold, cloudy, windy day. I only got a couple shots in before my hands froze and I lost feeling to my fingers...

Rachel grew up here too; the tree above is where she played as a child, before the field was flooded.

Holiday Wallpaper 2

2007-11-28T20:36:00.000-05:00

Okay, two more... One is regular sized, one is wide-screen :)