{ "And that supports you?" // Personal }

Hi friends. Here we are on the eve of a brand new week. It's 11:14pm, and I'm wide awake with a hot cup of tea and Norah Jones playing softly in the background.

I feel just as mellow and content as this tree.



I sincerely hope your weekend has been every kind of fabulous. The last 48 hours have been full and I am exhausted but, I want to write about something that I find, well, kind of funny. And kind of embarrassing. And well, I don't really know what to make of it. Kind of like vegetarian chili.

* * * *

So picture this, because you need to mentally watch the awkward interaction as I experience it...

New Person: Hi! I'm New Person! What's your name?
Me: Hi! I'm Kristen. It's nice to meet you.
New Person: You too. So, what do you do?
Me: Oh me? I'm a photographer.
New Person: Wow, really?! And that supports you?
Me: Yes. Yes it does...

* * * *

So you got that? Good. Now put it on repeat cause that's my life lately, baby!! ;)

The question if my photography adequately supports me doesn't particularly bother me. Though the more it's asked, the more I realize it strikes an odd-sounding chord on the strings of my heart.

Maybe because when I think about continuing the conversation with something like, "You're an IT guy? Great! And that supports you? You get three meals a day and all? You can buy clothes and stuff?" I just have this feeling they wouldn't be smiling so big after we're done talking.

So yes, I'm a photographer. And yes, I'm extremely thankful that I'm able to make art for a living. And yes, I love my job. You heard me, I.love.my.job.

And while I've by no means "MADE IT!" or have intentions to build a huge name for myself, I have more than what I need right now. And honestly living in missions for a few years has taught me to creatively make the most of what I have and really dig simplicity.

See I pursue photography for two reasons. ONE, because I really enjoy it. And TWO, because I have a desire that my photographs would draw people's attention to the creator of this beautiful world.

Romans 1:20 is hard core and it rocks my soul every time I read it.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."



So I'm pretty motivated to keep doing what I do. And yes, Mr. & Mrs. New Person, I'm a photographer, I love what I do, and I actually have a roof over my head! Fancy that! :)

{ Cousin Love // Philadelphia, PA Family Photographer }

Driving alongside rolling green hills on a beautiful late-Autumn day makes me count my blessings twice. Then spending an afternoon at Longwood Gardens with these smiling goof-heads makes me wonder if life is sometimes too good to be true.

I love this crew extra much because they're my own family. Technically they're my 'first cousins once removed' but I think whoever first coined that term needed a hug.

So for the record, they're my cousins...And I love them oh-so-much. :)















This turned out to be a mini-session because we hadn't realized there was a special event that night. So we made lemonade and went over to Chick-fil-A for dinner. Win. :)

{ The "Quiet" Months }

January is an odd time of year in Pennsylvania. It's the stark contrast of the month prior where days are brimming with celebrations, parties, gifts, and expectations. Then we all gather round the TV (or Times Square if you're brave) and watch an over-sized radiating sphere fall as we simultaneously practice counting backwards. Preschool teachers across America must beam with pride.

We're launched with high hopes to 2012. This will be the year that ____________ happens. I finally will stop __________. Maybe I will be given a backstage pass to any and all concerts I want to go to, like I dreamt about last night. Oh wait, I was supposed to leave that blank for YOU...

Anyway, so about two weeks pass (give or take), and we face the fact that not much has actually changed in this grand new year. The realization hits that much of our lives are lived in the moments that can feel insignificant and quiet. And then we think too much, probably.



But oh, that all kind feels sullen, doesn't it? I don't mean to paint things gray.

See because January, all 17 days this year, has also dealt me some incredibly exciting days as well. Ok, maybe that's a lie. Exciting moments is more accurate.

I've been "cleaning shop" or whatever the cool kids call it - when you're giving everything a clean sweep. Getting ready for the rush that is coming in a very short time.

Things like registering pictures with Getty Images, working out a contract with Living.Social for the Spring, booking families months down the road, reworking some fun new locations, and even actually registering my business (which I meant to do months ago...) keep me busy. It's kind of all pretty exciting.

I never expected this photography thing to take off. If I had a clue so many people would have believed in me to pursue this, I would have probably indulged myself and gone to art school. But this whole self-taught road, seems to work for me. I dig it. And God's blessing it.

So....quiet days. Take that. You very likely will be seeing a bit less of me round here for a short while. But trust me, I'm still around. Probably on instragram, but I'm around. ;)



(Are YOU on instragram? Let's be friends. phillykc)

{ A Word to the Chivalrous. // Personal }

Happy New Year, friends! Welcome to a brand new start!

I'm looking ahead at 2012 with much anticipation. I have photo sessions already in the works for even months down the road. There are many exciting things in the air around here!! :)

But one thing I have missed and want to integrate more on this blog are my own personal posts, tucked right along side my client work. So on that note here's a journal entry of something that's been on my mind lately...

* * * *

I would have been staring at the ceiling, but my bedroom was pitch black.

I knew what time it was, and that depressed me. My aspirations of falling asleep at a decent hour were failing by the minute. And after some long silence I audibly came to terms with the fact that "I'm not tired..."

On went my bedside lamp light and I found my way to the kitchen, where I guiltily fixed up the very last of the homemade hot chocolate that was tucked away in the cupboard. If I was going to stay up a bit more, I needed something to make it worth while.

Here on the east coast at 1:37 am my mind was circling around topic that has recently frequented my thoughts and conversations with close friends. It's something I shared with Jesus in prayer tonight, and I wanted to share it with you all too. Well, mostly just the guys...



So dear men of the world,

I'm a fan of encouragement, so instead of attacking this from a negative perspective I'd like to thank you for the quiet, often unseen ways that some of you take to honor us girls.

For all the times you walk us to our cars when it's late and dark out, refrain from using course language when we're in your company, offer to help us carry things, open doors for us, look us in the eyes when we're talking, and any other gesture of kindness...hear me when I say each and every time it means so much to us.

In such a harsh world, your gentle ways of caring for us are deeply refreshing. Women can feel most vulnerable when we aren't valued or loved. So guys, even if you're helping a stranger and you have no other motive but to be a gentleman, your actions reassure us that we are cherished and valuable.

So many men tear us down, every day. With their looks, their words, and even just by ignoring us when we need a hand.
Every time you go out of your way to shelter us, you build us back up again. And every you time you do, our respect for you instantly quadruples! It's true!! :)

So thank you, so very much.

Sincerely,
A girl.