Friday Fun

When you're the photographer in the family, there aren't too many pictures of you and your little one.... utlizing the laptop camera for these... :)

Sports Pictures

It's spring. Well, you sure wouldn't know that looking out your window. But it is the season of getting outside and enjoying that Minnesota (frigid) air. For me, it also happens to be the season of sports photography. I do take sports pictures nearly year-round but April seems to be a month full of them. I'm enjoying them more each time. I love that I get to see the same student-athletes as they grow, season-to-season, year-to-year. Photographing 45 middle school boys always leaves me laughing but exhausted. High school girls tend to need a good 2-3 minutes to fix their hair. Never a dull moment. I love it!
Here are a couple examples from a few of the many teams I have had the privilege of photographing. These are memories you don't want to forget!

The First Look: Part 2

As a continuation of my series about the “First Look”, I asked one of my 2010 brides, Kelly, to share a few thoughts on the her experience.

“I highly recommend having a "first look" session to all wedding couples! I know that many people may hesitate because they want to abide by the tradition that the groom not see the bride until she walks down the aisle. Looking back, I wouldn't change the way we did things! There is something so special about this intimate session. Your wedding day will go by so fast and it is important to remember what the day is all about - your love and commitment to your future spouse. Having this session gives the two of you a break from all of the other distractions that go along with a wedding to focus on each other. I loved having this session before the wedding to spend alone time with my now husband. The images that Kate captures during this session are absolutely amazing. It is such a personal and intimate time, I will always remember the exact look on my husband’s face when he first saw me on my wedding day because there was no other distractions AND because Kate and her husband captured it from every angle! My favorite pictures from my wedding day all come from this session and truly show our special love and affection for each other. I cannot emphasize enough how much I recommend this session on your special day!!”

I think the experience Kelly shares says it all, the first look and session that follows is all about your love and commitment as husband and wife and being able to capture it in an intimate and beautiful way!

The First Look: Part 1

I have been meeting with several brides and grooms as of late. I love getting to know the couple and hearing how they first met, fell in love and the details of their engagement. Inevitably, at some point in our conversation about love, the question arises if they want to see one another before the ceremony. At least half of my clients are initially set on doing things the traditional way and not seeing one another until the brides entrance. I always listen because i understand completely. I was a bride before I became a photographer and I fully grasp their reasoning and desires. Then, I share a little about why I LOVE the "First Look". I talk of how I chose to do the First Look with my beloved, Jeremy. It was one of the best decisions I made regarding our wedding day. I will never forget the look on his face and emotion in my soul when he first saw me that day. It was in the quiet of the church sanctuary. It was just him, me and the photographer. It was intimate and beautiful. We were allowed to hug, kiss, cry, and savor the moment fully without hundreds looking on.


Another benefit is the ability to relax for the ceremony. As a bride, I was able to soak in the moments of the ceremony so much more because I felt calm and collected, having spent time with my love. I was fully aware of the day being about us after having those quiet moments together in the beginning of the day.

(Kelly & Dan, just moments after their "first look"- you can feel the joy and excitement!)

The last huge upside to the "First Look" that I want to mention is the flow of the day. There is nothing better than capturing the initial excitement of the bride and groom towards the beginning to the day. The joy in so genuine and beautiful and the images are that much more captivating because of it. When you wait until after the ceremony to do most of the pictures, there is a whole new dynamic. The bride and groom know that their guests are awaiting their arrival to begin the reception and the time factor weighs on them. At this point, it has already been a long day and they are ready to kick back and enjoy the fun that comes with the dinner & dancing at the reception. I love giving my bride and groom the opportunity to head right to the big party following their vows.


Having shared all that, I always respect the wishes of the Bride and Groom. If they are set on not seeing one another until walking down the aisle, then we plan their wedding day timeline accordingly.


So, this post is already way to long but I think it is a hot topic in wedding planning. In fact, The Knot recently listed NOT doing the "First Look" as one of the biggest photography mistakes one could make on their wedding day. I couldn't agree more.


Part 2 of this series will continue with posts from the perspective of a few of my 2010 brides.

Marketing on a Budget

LOVE this site that my friend, Karen, brought to my attention today! It is a great resource when in need of a service and a wonderful way to get your name out there more as a business-owner. I love that it is user friendly and really enables you to get to know the business in a timely and efficient manner! Thumbs up!

Here is my listing:

Premier Wedding, Grad and Family Photographer!

FAQ's: Enhancing A Photograph....

Welcome to the first installment of FAQ's. I was incredibly excited to get my first question last week regarding the editing of photos. Via e-mail, Jenna wrote, "Hi Kate! I am interested in photography and just starting to understand all that goes into it. Would you mind sharing more information about editing and examples of different ways you edit images?"

Well, Jenna. I would love to. :)

Some call it actions. Others call it editing. I like to call it enhancing. Whatever the term, it is the process of altering a photo after it is taken. Most of the time, it entails tweeking of the brightness, levels, contrast or coloring. It may include subtle whitening of teeth or lessening of under-eye circles. I've found that the better you are with the actual photography part, the less you time you have to dedicate to the editing post-session. Typically, photographers use a program called Photoshop to assist with this process. In our digital era, this aspect of photography has become more important and can really help further define your style as a photographer.

Overall, I really enjoy this aspect of my job. I have alot of freedom and creative license to really develop the emotion or look I had in mind as I took the image. Below, I've taken the time to show you several different "enhancements" to the same image. (ps: as you can see, I REALLY loved Tonya's wedding day images as I have been using them often for examples!)

Here is the shot SOOC (Straight out of Camera):

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Which one do you like best?

Milestones

I love that I get to be there for the moments that make life incredible. Weddings, graduations, birthdays and other milestones are the times in life we want to live fully and never forget. We want to soak in the strong emotions of joy, accomplishment, and knowing that we are loved by the many who have joined us on these occasions and all the days in between.

Over the past few weeks, I have been designing and printing many Graduation Announcements (AKA Grad Cards) for the Class of 2011. I photographed most of them in 2010, when graduation seemed so far away. And now, just weeks away from embarking on a new adventure, I feel such a sense of excitement for who they are becoming. Some of them want to be Doctors, Mechanics, Teachers and even a Photographer. It is so fun for me to watch them grow and then say goodbye as they move forward.

Bride & Groom Art Albums: Part 2

One of my favorite aspects of my job is being able to design wedding albums that are custom and really tell the story of the day. I love building a relationship with my clients and it really lends my designing process a hand when I can create based on what I know of their love for one another and their unique style and preferences. For example, one couple might have a cleaner, modern feel-while another will prefer a more elegant and flowing flair.
Here are a few of the designs from 2010 Weddings….

Two Years Ago...

Two years ago I took a leap of faith and quit my job. I went from doing photography part time to full time and hoped that with a lot of hard work and passion, the business would build. The odds were against me; we had just moved to the area and knew virtually no one, the economy was sinking deeper into a recession and I was lacking confidence in my work as an artist. Still, here I am, two years later and thanking God that I took that risk and became an entrepreneur.
I read recently that the photography industry is the most saturated profession in the US right now. Everyone knows a photographer. This makes the fact that my business is growing even more astounding to me. I know that it is a gift and it is one I don’t take for granted. I am privileged to have incredible clients that very often become wonderful friends. I am honored that I am asked to capture some of their most important moments and blown away by the relationships that develop as a result.
So, thank you friends, for allowing me to contribute to the community through the art of photography. And for allowing my son to grow up with a mom who truly loves what she does. If I have to be away from him for a few hours, there are few things I would rather be doing.
Here is where two of my passions meet: My son, Isaiah and photography:

Full of gratitude,
Kate

All There

Wherever you are, be all there!

What a simplistic yet, profound truth. What an incredible challenge. I am constantly finding myself “elsewhere.” When I am working on business, I am thinking of my family- when I am caring for my family, I am planning for my business. It is so difficult to be 100% in the moment- neither in the past, nor the future, but in the present. However you look at it, life is enjoyed more thoroughly when we truly soak up the gift of today.

My morning consists of a lot of laundry, and other work that could be considered tedious or dull. Still, I am trying to find the mundane a reward in and of itself. To understand further that EVERYTHING I do is to be an offering to God. To have a sense of deep gratitude when I think of the tasks I can accomplish- the ability to use my body and mind to this capacity. I take so much for granted. But even the commonplace tasks of my “to-do” list are beautiful opportunities to worship and to practice the art of being all there.

Enjoy your day! Live the Moment.