Summer Special - Michigan Child Photographer

I try to run a special at least once a year and this time I am running a summer special for the month of June!



contact me today for more details and to schedule your June session!

Blessings ♥
Kristen Marie

Family Ties - Michigan Child Photographer

As a general rule, I do not photograph families....rules are meant to be broken now and then right?

This started out as a session for little M, but he really didn't want mommy and daddy leaving his side. So, I broke my rule and 100% improvised and was blessed to have had the chance for a lifestyle family session. I loved the interactions of this family. You really could feel the love that ties them together, it ozzed from them and into my heart. I fell in love with this family and am so excited to be able to photograph them again.

Of course I was able to get many great images of Mr M. as well...he is just the cutest!

Thank you Barnett family for enriching my life a little more ♥









Blessings ♥
Kristen Marie

New Season of Life - Michigan Senior Photographer

Being a high school senior is filled with so many emotions! You are leaving childhood behind and entering into the new season of becoming an adult, with all those adult responsibilities! I love photographing high school seniors and this amazing rite of passage time of their lives. This is often times the easiest and most carefree times in our lives and there is nothing like looking at images of yourself and being transformed to that time, even if only for a few moments.

Miss Morgan was a joy to photograph and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her. She is sweet, open and so respectful. (high 5 to her parents)She played with me and my camera and was so relaxed. Yes, the camera loved her!

I look forward to seeing all that life brings to you Morgan!






Blessings ♥
Kristen Marie

My Rebel - Michigan Child Photographer

I can barely contain my excitement!!! My son NEVER lets me shoot him..not without a whole lot of begging.pleading.bribing.. tonight..or this evening rather...I only had to beg a little. He actually let me shoot him! Really muggy out and my lens kept fogging up, the bugs were horrible and I had sweat dripping in my eyes. But I can tell you it was ALL worth it.

I love making images of this kid. He doesn't smile, but you get totally lost in his deep eyes, so I love it. He has this mysterious look about him. A touch of a bad boy appeal...yet the sweetest kid (most of the time) you'd ever meet. I think I do want to hide him away though, because all the little girlies go crazy for him. He's growing up so fast on me. I was looking at some of his images just from last year and can't get over the maturity that has taken over his features...(sometimes his attitude as well). He's almost as tall as me now, his feet are the same size as mine...I know the tween years are supposed to be the awkward years...but this kid seems to be passing over awkward into a young man. BOO HOO...can't we just keep them little for longer?

Anyway...meet my son...a little bit of rebel...but he is not without a cause.

I just love you to pieces Hunter!

At the Fair - Child Photographer

This is more of personal post. Something I told myself I would do more of. As much as I love my work, I love my family even more and they are very "personal" to me.

Last night we went to the fair. We were there for 6 hours or more. I was one tired worn out mommy at the end of the night. My 12 year old only hung around long enough to go on the swings with his little sissy and into one of the fun houses. Then he was gone, off doing what 12 year old boys do I guess, hangin' with his buds. I would see him now and then in passing and we would chat for a moment. His friends pulling him one way his sister pulling me the other. I'm so glad he's growing up and has such a sense of independence...but some days...oh some days..I miss him being my little boy and always wanting to be with his mommy. My husband was around for a little while as well, then he was off to watch the tractor pull. So alas...it was my daughter and I alone for much of the night. We did have a great time her and I...just us girls. I will savor it, as in a blink of an eye she too will be 12 and vanishing from mommy's side just as her brother is now.

So here are the images from our time at the fair. From the beginning, fun ride time, the animals (I am a huge fan of goats..they're so funny and I love to hear their chatter) to some detail shots of the lights, I love carnival lights...to the end which was closed out with a fireworks display.


A beautiful evening! Good times! I am so blessed!

- Kristen Marie

My thoughts for the day - Michigan Child Photographer

a worth while read here

the link is from a fellow photog...

Even though I shouldn't be, I am still amazed at the way people balk at professional photography prices, about the cost of prints, the session fee...all of it. I try not to get upset when people give me a hard time about prices, or compare my prices to others. But darn it, it does upset me. Not only do I feel like they are saying I am not worth it (though I know I am and then some) but that my work is not worth it (though I know it is and yes again..then some). It really is insulting. I know money is tight for everyone right now. But I have found that people don't hesitate to spend a fortune on getting their hair done, their nails done, going out to eat, buying clothes, tanning..all things that fade or go out of style. Why would you balk at something that will last a lifetime? Professional photography, professional prints stand the test of time. They capture a moment in time, hold on to those memories. It's something future generations can enjoy and appreciate. They aren't going to care if your hair was colored, if your nails were perfectly manicured, what clothes you wore or where you went out to eat. They are going love and cherish those portraits! Now this is leaving OUT the cost of owning your own business, the cost of equipment, the cost of marketing, the cost of props, the cost of studio space if one has one. Not to mention the time. We don't just meet, snap the shots and call it a day. There is time away from our family, our friends, or even just some time alone to relax. Professional photographers don't just stop at snapping that shutter! It doesn't even start there. There is consultation, thought and planning your session so that it is as perfect as can be for you. Then after your session comes even more work. There is editing, more communication with the client, designing cards or albums. We love it or we wouldn't do it, but that is beside the point. Our time is just a precious as it is to the client. That's why we work so hard, because time is so important and we want to make the clients times is well spent with us. I really have only touched on all the work that goes into professional photography.


Points to be taken from this? If you find a photographer whose work you LOVE and they are out of your price range. SAVE for it! Start a little photography fund. Ask yourself...if money was a non issue, would you want this photographer to be the one to capture your memories? If you can answer "yes"...then save for it! Don't tell a photographer that they are to expensive, don't compare them to others, don't say..."well, I can get my prints done here for this $, why can't you do that?" Don't tell a photographer "wow, your camera takes really great pictures" trust me...it is NOT the camera! I have seen people with $5000 cameras and their pictures are far from professional. I have seen pictures from a $300 camera with a pro behind and the images ROCKED!! It is the artist, the photographer, the SOUL behind that camera. You wouldn't tell a chef, "that food is SO good..you must have really nice pans" or tell a hair stylist " your haircuts are the bomb..your shears must be awesome" Right?

I know I may sound like I am ranting a little...well, because I am ranting! I am not just ranting for for myself and other photographers out there feeling this frustration, but for the client as well. If a client is going to just "price shop" then they are not going to get what they want. They aren't going to have that perfect treasured moment that will be around for years to come and for future generations to love! I love what I do...I can not imagine doing anything else than capturing beautiful images! I want all my clients to have the best. We charge what we charge because we ARE worth it!!!

I don't mean to sound harsh, I am just being honest and speaking the truth. Plain and simple...and sometimes the truth can be harsh.

I will end my rant now and close with this. If you are a client looking for beautiful images, look at a photographers work, not just their prices. In the end...you get what you pay for.

Blessings...
Kristen Marie

taking a cue from Andre and her example, I thought I'd show my own. Take a simple grassy little knoll, (my 6 yr old actually snapped the grass shot with my really nice camera) add an adorable subject, set your camera to the right settings, get the angle, crop and lighting just right and viola...you have a beautiful professional portrait.

Glowing Light - Michigan Child Photographer

There is this sweet little grove pretty much across the street from me that I have been drooling over for a few years (I am slow)...in the morning and evening the light that dances through there is to die for. It GLOWS! I have been wanting to shoot there, why it took me so long to do it, I'll nver know...but last night I did. Grabbed my girl after her bath and out we went. The light was even BETTER than I imagined. We spent about 1/2 to 45 min there just drinking in the breeze, the light, the tall grass...it was for me, just a little piece of heaven.

Here are a few shots and moments captured.

God Bless

-Kristen Marie

Just a Country Girl - Michigan Child Photographer

I am not feeling all that hot, that darn hubby of mine thought he should share his "crud" with me...so this will be short.

We have had a few GORGEOUS days in a row and I took advantage of it, oh yes I did...sick and all. My sweet girl was loving the sunshine and warmth as well. Here are a few images of my little country girl.

Blessings,
Kristen