Simplicity & An Update

I can’t believe it’s been over three months since I updated the blog!

Alright, alright… Yes I can. I have been BUSY…

But I’ve missed you (those faithful few that have stuck around) and I’m excited about a few new things in my life so I’d like to share …

First, I’m back to work! In the day-to-day-grind-government-fed-worker sense of the phrase . I took a position mid-January and have been busy getting into the swing of being a full-time working mom again.

I don’t know that I’ve ever posted about my alter-ego — government-worker-drone — and I’m doing so now because it really is important to who I am and how I operate as a photographer. I’ve worked for the government for several years now. I enjoy the work I do. It brings me satisfaction, keeps me busy on an intellectual level, and provides us a level of stability we wouldn’t otherwise have.

And then there’s photography. It’s my passion. It balances my alter ego. It is, without trying to sound too cliche, a part of who I am.

And because of our military lifestyle, our world is thrown into upheaval every few years. Mostly it’s a welcome kind of upheaval… I don’t think I would have survived this long as a mil spouse without some love of adventure and chaos… but it does present some challenges for a working mom and a small business owner. On the positive side, it also allows me to change, grow and develop a more clear sense of how I want to run this business.

I can’t give it up. I’ve thought about it. I’ve said the words. I’ve debated. I’ve talked it through with friends and my husband. But I love the creativity. I love the fulfillment. I love my clients. I know there is a way… a way for me.

So after 2 years of juggling photography and a full-time gov-worker-drone job…I’ve come to understand my limits and priorities.

Family first. Always.

Simplicity next. It’s the new motto for my business. Simple and honest. Beautiful and true.

This brings me to my second point. If you go out to my website, you’ll see that I’ve updated my pricing structure. One flat rate. Simple. Easy for you and easy for me.

As always, I’m happy to create a payment plan that works for both of us. High quality custom photography is an investment. One that should be taken seriously. Don’t skimp. Remember — you get what you pay for. But I also know that these are tough times and I’m happy to work with you.

Lastly, I promise to update the blog more regularly. It might be a just a little something here or there, but I will make an effort to be present. To be with you.

And so I have something to share with… this is what I do when I’m not photographing clients.

I bother the tar out of my kids and then photograph nature…

 

Until next time,

~ K

THE Field | Fort Meade Photography

I have been eyeing this one field for about 2 months now. I pass it almost everyday. And every single time I pass it … I think… That is the most BEAUTIFUL place for a photo session.

And I finally was able to use it!

Check out this gorgeous couple… I have lots to show because I had a really hard time narrowing it down!

Thank-you for being so willing and cooperative and for driving so far to play in big open field!

They have the sweetest dog ever! She was so good off the leash… my dog would have been 1/2 way to Kansas City by now…

Isn’t that sunset light amazing?! I kept freaking out…

 

Love love love!

Thanks guys!

Until next time,

~ K

Boys and the Beach | Yorktown Beach, VA Photography

Have you ever tried to take two full-of-life little boys to the beach?

And then… have you ever tried to get them to sit still for family portraits?

Doesn’t work.

But guess what… that is what makes these portraits SO beautiful. Life. Smiles. Motion. This is what we are supposed to be capturing and I love each of these images with every ounce of my being.

This beautiful family means a lot… when these were taken, dad had recently returned from a deployment & I think you can see it on the kids’ faces…

Until next time,

~ K

Two Quick Sessions, One Radiant Family

And rewind …

Back to catch-up-posts!

Clients turned friends. You can’t beat that…

 

Both mom and dad are amazing athletes. Mom is a fast runner and a force to be reckoned with in the gym. And dad once ran a race carrying one kid on his back, pushing two in the stroller, while also lifting weights, solving the world hunger crisis, and … baking a cake. He’s just. that. good.

And they produce children that are gorgeous, whip-smart, caring, gentle and compassionate. Unfair right?! If I didn’t love them so much…

 

 

Because of time and bored kiddos, we weren’t able to get any shots of just the two of them… so we scheduled a second shoot! I am so glad we did it this way… look at these two!

 

 

Miss you guys!

{ and this is for you ‘A’…. “There are 40 rules all Schrute boys must learn by age 5. Rule #17- There are 3 things you never turn your back on- bears, men you have wronged, and a dominant male turkey during mating season…” ~ Dwight Shrute  - I think you should teach this to ‘L’, you know ’cause it’s handy and all… }

Until next time,

~ K

Wild Times | Washington, DC Family Photographer

I am so grateful for this family. Mom contacted me several months ago when we were right in the throws of our move… and when I couldn’t fit her in right then… she said she’d wait.

And she did.

And waited…

And waited…

And when we were finally able to work out dates, they drove four hours for the shoot!

I am humbled beyond belief.

We met at the National Zoo early on a Sunday morning before most of the exhibits opened.  For those of you in the DC area, the grounds usually open around 8:30 am and you can jog, take a leisurely stroll… without the insanity of the regular zoo crowds. It was really quite pleasant and relaxing!

If you’ve been following this blog for a while… you know that I have a special place in my heart for families with boys. I have two very high energy boys… this family has THREE! We jumped off of tables, pretended we were beating each other up, checked out the gorillas and examined fake elephant poop. It was a good morning:)

 

Thank-you so much for coming venturing up here to play around at the zoo!  I had a great time! Gallery soon:)

Until next time,

~ K

F A C E B O O K