Little Miss Gia, her beautiful mommy and daddy, dear friends, Montage Resort, perfect light = happy happy girl.  You would never know it, but about five minutes after we started shooting the above images, the fire alarm went off at the Montage..and it was LOUD!  Poor baby Gianna started crying and I can’t say I blame her.  The crying wore her out and she ended up falling asleep in her mama’s arms.  I thought we’d lose the light, but she woke up bright eyed and ready to go and let us capture a few more of her down at the beach before the sun went down.   We visited her at home a few days later and she was a dreeaam baby.  I loved watching how in love her parents are with her.  Her daddy is so protective of her and her mama lights up every time she looks at her.  Sheye and I couldn’t get enough of this sweet baby girl… 

See? She is all kinds of scrumptious. Those little baby thighs get me every time!

AJ, Nina, and Beautiful Gia – thank you so much for letting us spend the evening with you and inviting us into your home to capture your family.  You are such warm, giving people and Sheye and I both felt so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet you.   I am counting down the days until my lens dances with your baby girl again. 

Andy and Rachel -  Thank you so much for being so wonderful, for introducing us to AJ, Nina, and Gianna, and for the beautiful conversation over a glass of wine.  We shall do it again very soon!

Much Love to all of you!

Krysta

One boy. One girl. Los Olivios. Enjoy Cupcakes. A vintage trailer…and a whole lotta love.

But you know what else?  The girl above? She is one of my very best friends in the whole wide world.  In college Erin, Leah, and I were inseparable.  We came a long way seeing as Erin and I did not like each other at first.  No…there was no love at first sight.  The reason we became friends?  Leah convinced her to stop by my place to “see if she liked me” and Erin saw that I had a white TV, a huge box full of make-up, and a shabby’d out room.  The rest is history.  We laugh about it to this day.  …but almost two years ago when my father left this earth, Erin was the first person I called.  She hopped on the next flight out and was in my hometown by the following morning.  I have tried putting into words what it means to me, but I don’t think I can.  Sometimes the greatest love is shown through actions and not by words…

My girl is getting married in November in Mexico.  I am both excited and thankful that she chose paradise for her location.  But more than that, I am so happy she found this man who makes her so happy.  Sheye and I spent an amazing two days with the two of them and walked away with a missing (and a full belly of potato tacos and wine.  See? I was not lying.)  Part of my missing of California is not just California itself, but all of the people I love so much who live there.

Erin – you know  how much I love you and miss you on a daily basis.  You still make me laugh like no one else can and you still have an outlook on life that I envy.  I can’t believe in a few short months you will be walking down the aisle to marry the man of your dreams.  My heart is happy that both Leah and I will be standing beside you.  I would have it no other way.  All my love to you and Brad…

Much Love,

Krysta

P.S.  This is only the first outfit!! There are more images to come from her session. :)

I’m still trying to figure out how the universe works.  Perhaps it’s just fate that you meet people and instantly feel connected to them or maybe this is simply the way the world works.  Whatever it is, I’m so thankful for it.  Mady and Tristan’s mom had e-mailed me awhile back to schedule a session. We had corresponded several times and finally set up a time and a location to meet for Mady and Tristan’s shoot.   Fast forward to that day and not much fell into place.   Sheye and I drove around for hours location scouting, but it was an overcast day and nothing was grabbing our eyes.   I wanted pretty light, but the clouds were not leaving.  Lorena and I decided to re-schedule and I’m so happy we did.  Our night at Newport Beach could not have been anymore perfect.  The sun was out in full force, the waves were ruffling in, and Mady and Tristan were thrilled to be able to run freely at the beach.  Add in lemonade, giant gumdrops, bubbles, sand toys, and an old beach cruiser and you’ve got yourself a dream session.  Not to mention that I fell head over heels in love with Mady and Tristan.  Mady plopped down next to me right away and we began talking as if we were old friends.  She is vivacious and gentle and incredibly beautiful.  Tristan is an explorer.  He gave both Sheye and I a good workout and ended up running full-bore into the ocean waves…a true boy!   

I left this session with so much love for a family only hours earlier I had not known.  These images make me happy, but they also make me long, so much, to be back at Newport Beach.

A special note for Miss Mady – You are a true princess darling girl…beautiful both inside and out.  Thank you so much for letting us play with you and capture these beautiful images for Mommy.  I can’t wait to see you again!

Until next time…

Much Love,

Krysta

It seems my feet have landed back on Wisconsin soil.  I’m not sure my mind has caught up with my body yet per usual routine, but we’re getting there.  After one busy, beautiful, exhausting, jam packed trip, we’re off for another four days to Minnesota.  It’s the time of year the boys look forward to with both excitement and sadness – the Steve Manthe Memorial Tournament or what we have deemed the “Big Dog Open”.   We’re all excited to be celebrating in his honor, but the truth is that he should be here with us and nothing will ever be able to fill the void we all feel.  Blessed, but always a struggle to imagine what our life would be like if he were still here… No words today.

California was beautiful.  Busy, but beautiful.  We met so so many wonderful people and had the opportunity to get to do so many amazing things.  I spent the entire day uploading and organizing images and I can’t wait to share.   I’m not sure how 10 days still isn’t enough.  Sheye and I both left with a list of things that we’ll have to save for next time.

…and the little one above. Well, he’s not a fan of the camera at all as of late so this is what I get.   Bribery won’t even do the trick anymore.  He’s getting too smart for his own good.   How I missed him and his Daddy while I was away.  They will be joining me next time.   As Mikey and I were getting ready to go outside last night he said, “Would it hurt your feelings if I told you nobody loved you, but me?”  Sweet Boy.  He meant, “like me” not “but me”.  Brady said he’ll have to work on his lines for the girls  to avoid confusion in the furture. :)   

Even if only for a few days…it’s good to be home.

Well 1.  More images of Ayla because she’s undeniably cute and I can’t resist flare.

2. A reminder that I will be out of the office until June 21st.  I worked ferociously today to reply to each and every e-mail in my inbox.  I will be checking e-mail while I’m away as well. If you are looking to book a session, please contact me here and I will respond to you as soon as I return.

3. Ms. Rosemeyer is making her way across the world riiigghhht now.  We are so smart and didn’t even know it…we scheduled our flights to land and depart at the exact same time.  Not planned, but also not weird in the oddity of strange happenings that is our friendship. 

4. We have many exciting things planned and beautiful people to photograph. I can’t wait to share them with all of you!

5. I am opening up my schedule for senior sessions so please e-mail me or contact me here if you are interested in a session.  I will be adding more dates for Minnesota for late September/early October as well!

6.  I am going to miss my boys immensely so Aunt Kathy…if you could send Brady some caramel brownies and Mikey some Jedi brownies, I know they would love you more than they already do! :)

7.  Words that make my heart flutter. Rachel Ashwell. Shabby Chic. Santa Monica.  Need I say more?

8.  Dear blog reader, yes, yes, yes….the “Favorite Things” giveaway is still happening, BUT there’s one thing I’m on the hunt for.  Sooner or later it WILL happen! This I promise you.

9.  I will be living on a diet of mochas, wine, potato tacos, cupcakes, and “fro yo” as Ryan calls it, for the next 10 days and I’m fine with it.

10.  Something in the  images below is part of the Cali trip that I’m going to love sharing with you all.  What could it be?

Enjoy the next week everyone and stay tuned…

Much Love,
Krysta