Just wanted to write a quick note to check in, and explain about the slower blog lately!  It’s summertime, days are long, the sun is hot, and life is good!!  I’m right in the middle of my busy season, and have been working with the most amazing couples.  They’ll be featured here soon!  I feel so blessed to have been part of their stories, and to document their love and the most incredible days of their lives. Such a responsibility can’t be rushed!

On a personal note, I’ve been traveling!  I got to spend over a week in Minnesota by myself with my closest family and best friends. With no laptop, no camera.  (Yup, you read that right!)  To be with those who know me the most, deep down, and love me for me.  Those who I love with every corner of my heart.  In the towns, cities, and lakes that built me. It was a spirit-lifting, soul-healing experience, and just what I needed.  I came back to Michigan with memories, a full heart, and happiness in my eyes.  I have to admit I shed a little tear watching Minneapolis disappear below me from my airplane window.  Although I’m already missing conversations and dance parties with friends, and morning coffee on mom’s porch, I’m happy to be home.  My home will always belong with my very best friend and truest love, Jamie, wherever that may be.  Maybe we’ll make Minnesota our home again someday, but for now it will have to live in my heart until my next visit…

…which will be soon, actually!  (Woot!)  I’ll be in Minnesota at the end of September for a short time, and will be booking lifestyle sessions in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area.  Family, couples, boudoir…. let me know if you would like to snap up your spot!  And if you don’t need a session, no worries, that’s not all I’ll be there for – I would just really love to see you!!

Alright, friends, that’s all for today. I’m back on the road, headed to Chicago for what is sure to be a fabulous engagement session!  Have love, will travel!

xoxo, Kristen

It’s our Anniversary!!  Four years of happy wedded bliss!  I can’t believe we’ve only been married four years, I can’t imagine life without him. Happy Anniversary babe! Very much looking forward to celebrating it on a deck overlooking a lake tonight :)

I have another reason why we’re on the blog today!  I wanted to formally introduce Jamie – I’ve officially added him to my 2011 wedding photography collections! He’s been shooting with me casually for the past few years, and over that time he has become an amazing photographer.  He shot a few weddings with me last year, and at first most of his images hit the trash bin (sorry babe, it’s true!).  But at the last few weddings… I don’t know what clicked, but MAN!  I can’t even tell which images are his and which are mine anymore!  He thinks like me, he sees like me and he captures like me. I feel so incredibly lucky that he is an amazing photographer AND that he actually wants to do this with me!  Some photographers search and search for a quality second shooter and may never find it. I feel crazy-lucky  :)

Kristen + Jamie.  It’s the new K.Holly  ;)

For us, this started by him coming with me to weddings that were a little further away to keep me company on the drive and carry my equipment around.  But really, truth is, we just missed each other!  He works full time during the week, and I was out shooting or meeting nearly every evening, and then shooting weddings on weekends. I did a lot of doubles (weddings on both Saturday and Sunday) last year, so that left us with about zero time together.  So he came along with me, and I put my backup camera in his hands.  He’s a smart guy, so it didn’t take him long to figure out the manual controls.  From there, he would ask me what my settings were and he’d watch how I shot and what I looked for. Now, he just does his own thing, and I’m always ecstatic going through the images of the day.  I LOVE having another perspective!

So that’s it!  We talked about it, and he wants in! :)  Jamie will officially be your second shooter for 2011!  We are a husband and wife team!! For all you 2010 couples, Jamie IS available to shoot your wedding with me – let me know if you would like him!

He’s super fun, and super cute too ;)

And of course, we couldn’t take pictures without our babygirl, Lexi!

This one is just for those of you who follow me on Facebook – I got him to wear the Liberty of London tie!!!!  Win!

Have a beautiful day, everyone!!

And my other new thing…

I have a home meeting space!  As much as I enjoyed my meetings at Biggby and Starbucks, this was a long time coming, although I’ll admit I’ll miss those lattes!  ;)  I have a few too many album samples to be dragging with me, and canvases, well… yeah.  So I got them all gathered in one space!  This is where I’ll be meeting clients from now on, and I’ve already been loving this adorable couch by the window for editing!  I’m so happy, it feels good to have a home base :)

Prints on METAL!  Mmm mmm fabulous :)

And big canvas gallery wraps! Love!

If you know me personally, then you already know about my obsession with Liberty of London.  Really, it’s becoming a problem.  I can’t even walk out of Target without a fabulous little Liberty something in my arms. Don’t be surprised if you come to meet with me and I’m wearing my Liberty dress that matches my Liberty pillows  :D  It might happen.

And of course…. little Lexi loves the new room too!  The window is already full of puppy nose prints.  Hope you won’t mind :)

Hm. I wonder if they make Liberty of London outfits for doggies…

This is her new favorite place.

Have a beautiful day, everyone!

{ Love you Jamie }

It was so fun to have no itinerary.  We were free to wander and take our time doing anything and nothing, which meant I was free to see and play and create.  I need to shoot for me more often ;)

I do not know who this dude is, but I adore this image of him

It’s us!  At the Bean!

Holy monkeys, the sensor on my backup/travel camera is filthy.  Don’t hate.  I’ll clean it before weddings start, I promise  ;)

Wheee!  :)

Then we hopped on a bus and learned some new ways of seeing and shooting.  Models Candice and Mark Brooke were looking mighty gorgeous!

Thank you Shutter Sam for this pic of me and the Lyons!  I’m so glad we were able to go together!  You rock! :)

Amelia and Justin, thank you again for a really great day!  You’re awesome – it was a blast!

For more info about the next workshop, and Amelia’s post about the day with pictures, click here!