k. holly photography :: the blog » Seniors & Portraits

{ Mentor Session :: Katelynn & Nichole }

Kristen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:04:20 +0000

If you follow me on facebook, you’ve probably seen that I’ve been working as a mentor with a few fellow professional photographers and hobbyists. It’s been such a joy to spend time with them, help them where they struggle, and share some secrets. Most of all, I love to watch as the Aha! moment comes over them. For some, it’s nailing the exposure in manual by balancing shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. For some, it’s seeing how different lenses give different perspectives. And for others, like Nichole who I taught recently, it was seeing the light. Not being afraid of shooting in open sun. And most importantly, capturing that light beautifully. Nichole shoots mostly seniors and kids, so we set up an urban senior shoot with Katelynn as a model. Nichole tended to gravitate towards even shaded light (safe), and I encouraged her to try to let that warm evening sunshine in, and try some new compositions. Watching her get it, and nail it was such an amazing feeling. I’m finding that I love teaching even more than I thought I would! Here are a few of my shots from our session ~ I’m jumping right in with my favorite portrait of Katelynn!

I LOVE when people crack up when they’re trying to be all serious!! These aren’t outtakes, they’re gorgeous, and real!

Rock that shot, Nichole!

As we were wrapping up our session and walking back, we talked about backdrops and light, and how different photographers see so differently. I rarely think about actual backdrop – I like light and space. We stopped right there in the parking lot so I could show her – it doesn’t have to be a gorgeous spot, you just need gorgeous light, and you need to feel it. It’s definitely harder shooting like this, but sooo worth it!

These might actually be my two favorite shots of the day!

Katelynn, thank you again, you are absolutely stunning, and were fabulous to work with! Nichole, wishing you all the best!! It was a pleasure to spend the evening with you!

{ Pixel and Hank }

Kristen — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:54:28 +0000

I’ll be the first to confess that I have a major weakness for Etsy, as well as anything lovely & handmade. Especially if has a unique style, and especially if it’s local! Pixel and Hank is one of my favorite accessory shops, created by Daisy, a talented designer here in West Michigan. She specializes in these adorable handmade hair pretties, but also makes headbands, little pins, and even shoe clips that can instantly sass up your favorite pumps or flats. Recently, she also launched a bridal collection that includes beautiful jeweled hair pieces and perfect little boutonnieres!

She recently sent me two lovely hair clips and asked me to photograph them for her. Of course, I was happy to do so, I just needed the perfect model. At a recent engagement session (which will be up on the blog next, yay!) I asked my lovely bride Beth to model them for me. She was perfect for it – I already adore her style!

For more info on Pixel and Hank, head on over to Daisy’s Blog and Etsy Store!

Beth, you are absolutely gorgeous – more from your session soon!

{ Lisa :: Senior }

Kristen — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:33:20 +0000

When Lisa and I chatted about locations around her home for her session, I was instantly excited, planning out what her images would look like. We had beautiful light that evening, and coupled with the quiet and lovely locations, it was just perfect. Lisa looked both adorable and beautiful, embodying the essence of a young woman ready to strike out on her own…

Hello crazy-gorgeous light!

See? A-freaking-dorable! I love when she laughs :)

Girl is fierce!

Really fierce!

And back to adorable with that smile!

I love these ~

Thank you, Lisa, for a beautiful afternoon! Best wishes to you in your future!

{ Chase :: Senior }

Kristen — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:15:48 +0000

In the middle of this wonderful whirlwind of a wedding season, I took some time to shake things up a bit. I wasn’t able to book as many senior sessions this year as I’d have liked to due to my wedding schedule, so I was happy to take a weekday morning to meet up with Chase, my first senior of the season. I’ve gotten so comfortable working with couples, I’ll admit it was a bit of a challenge to switch gears to shooting a single person again. A GUY no less! :) It was a fantastic session, and a good chance to switch over to a little happy place in my mind – fashion photography! Holla!! Chase is such an easy-going, good-lookin’ guy, he made it super fun and easy for me to stay inspired. He’s a smart guy with a great future ahead of him. So without further adieu, Chase, class of 2010!

We even snuck in his adorable little bro for a couple pictures, which he was oh-so excited for. Okay, maybe with a little bribing :)

Wardrobe change! Gotta love a guy in a suit!

Thanks again for a great session! Best of luck to you this year, and in your very bright future! :)Kristen

Abbey + Mac { headshots }

Kristen — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:55:50 +0000

I loved this session – it was meant to be a professional headshot portrait session, but I eeked out a little bit of a couples session while we were there :) These are just a handful of my favorites.

Abbey is the face behind Syd Design, her stationery company that specializes in wedding invitations. She is creative and incredibly talented, definitely take a moment to check out her work. Mac is her handsome husband, who helps local businesses with their web presence. They make a great team, supporting each other and growing together.

Thanks again, Abbey and Mac! :)

{ Amy Boeve :: Photographer }

Kristen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:32:45 +0000

Amy contacted me about getting together to talk photography, and asked if I would take her headshots. Of course I was happy to do so, and suggested a trade – I needed them done too! :) So after a latte and a great conversation, we headed out to one of Amy’s favorite locations for a little photoshoot swap! It was a little different to photograph another photographer, and very different to be on both sides of the camera. Even though we were shooting in the same location, and even in some of the same poses, you can really see the difference in our styles. I’m posting the images I took, and Amy will be posting her images of me on her blog. Go check ‘em out! :) Everyone, meet the lovely Amy Boeve:

This is how I picture her – sweet, smiley and happy :)

Is she gorgeous, or what?

Me-ow! ;)

She laughs a lot, I love it :)

Wrapping up our session, we had to celebrate our matching Shootsac camera bags. I propped my camera on top of my car, focused on Amy, hit the timer, dashed in my heels across the parking lot into position next to her, and stuck a pose. It wasn’t nearly graceful – there were a couple people nearby, I’m sure they got a giggle out of my awkwardness. We look pretty fierce though, so whatever ;)

Amy, you’re awesome. I’m so glad you contacted me, and I’m SO glad we were able to get together and do this! I had a blast, can’t wait to hang out again!! :)

Miriam :: Senior

Kristen — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:49:48 +0000

Lovely, graceful and elegant… she is a ballet dancer. And she’s absolutely amazing! You’ll see in a minute… I shot Miriam’s senior session at Grand Rapids Ballet Company, where she practices and performs. We met on a quiet morning when the building was nearly empty. I love sessions like this! We chatted a bit about ideas, then moved some furniture around in the lobby and made use of the brick wall and incredible natural light. Then we moved into one of the studios where she showed off her mad skills! The girl’s got moves!

See? Told you she was amazing! She’s using these images for auditions and applications, and I’m wishing her the best of luck! I think she has a VERY bright future ahead of her! :) Thanks for a wonderful session, Miriam and Beth! Enjoy the rest of your senior year! :)

Michael :: Senior

Kristen — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:02:42 +0000

Michael and his dad met us out at the Rockford dam on the Rogue River for his senior portraits. It was a gorgeous fall day, perfect for the Harvest Festival that was going on. Also perfect location for Michael, who (in addition to having a great smile!) has plans to study forestry and natural resources in college.
- Have a great senior year, Michael! It was great to meet you!

Kyle :: Senior

Kristen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:46:43 +0000

Kyle and his family met me downtown on a gorgeous weekend morning. I’ll be introducing them in a bit, but first – Kyle’s individual senior session! His mom and I had a few location ideas picked out beforehand, and we went to all of them! One of the best things about Grand Rapids is how many different areas of town there are, and in this case, how many photographic opportunities you can find in one small area! Kyle was fantastic, easy to work with, funny, sweet and just all around a great guy. I hear he’s also a talented artist – I look forward to seeing his name and work around town in the next few years! :)

This crazy bug decided to crash our session! A Praying Mantis!

Thanks again, Kyle – it was a joy to meet and work with you!

Brandon :: Man in the Hat

Kristen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:33:05 +0000

After seeing a client’s canvas gallery wrap, Brandon’s grandpa decided he had to have one. So he asked me to do a portrait session with his grandson. We met downtown on a perfectly moody overcast day – excellent for the subject at hand. Gloomy skies, clear water, an old bridge, a dirty alley, and a great kid in a suit and a fedora. I couldn’t have asked for more. Brandon was a joy to work with and photograph, with his classic suit, vintage stylin’ hat and clear blue eyes.

Thanks again, Don & Brandon!

Emily :: Senior

Kristen — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:10:00 +0000

I had another superfabulous senior session this week, this time with the lovely Emily. She’s a dancer, and wanted to incorporate that into her portraits. I loved the ballet slippers and tulle skirt, and we found this amazing graffiti wall downtown Grand Rapids, right down the street from her church (pictured below). I love the contrast of the two locations, and how well they both work in completely different ways.

She also brought along this amazing red dress – it was perfect.
I love it against these dingy alley scenes – gorgeous!!

She had couple friends along, so of course I had to get them in on the action too… they were happy to oblige ;)

Lol – fun girls! :) It was a blast spending the morning with you guys – enjoy the rest of your summer!

Michelle : Senior : Urban

Kristen — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:38:00 +0000

For the third and final posting of the Michelle senior series, we have the Urban session. She was awesome, up for any and all of my visions and whims :) She wasn’t sure about climbing up into the alley doorways, and she wasn’t a fan of getting dirty, but she trusted me, and we got some fabulous shots! I even got her sister Jenni in front of the camera!

How gorgeous are these two? Beautiful!

Michelle : Senior : Beach

Kristen — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:55:00 +0000

I swear, we ended up with one of the brightest and windiest days of the summer out on Lake Michigan. But despite her hair flying around in her face and the sun & sand in her eyes, Michelle still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

Michelle : Senior : Studio

Kristen — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:45:00 +0000

Last week, I got together with this awesome high school senior, Michelle. We did two separate sessions, one in studio, one outdoors with multiple locations. We had an absolute blast; she was so much fun to work with. She was totally easy-going, and up for trying anything. We ended up with a ton of images, and I have way too many favorites… So I’m breaking them up into sections. Here are my favorites from her in-studio session.

The Guitarist

Kristen — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:27:00 +0000

I wish everyone could have the opportunity to hear Dan play. He is by far the best guitarist I have ever heard, in person or otherwise. He’s the kind of musician where you can’t help but stop what you’re doing to just listen.

It’s extraordinary to me how the art of one can inspire the art of another…

The guitar he’s holding has an amazing story – if you know him, ask him about it sometime. I’m sure he’d love to tell you about it, and he’ll probably even play you a little something.

Holiday Portraits

Kristen — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:24:00 +0000

Christmas is…

Families…

Crazy Girls in the Snow…

and Mistletoe!

Jamie

Kristen — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 19:52:00 +0000