a little re-arranging

Hi all...please bear with me as I am doing some house cleaning and re-arranging here on my blog...hopefully this should not take to long!

Smash-tacular Seniors!!!

Hey there all you rockin' 2011 seniors!!!

Do I ever have a deal for you! Are you ready?

All 2011 seniors who book their session through the month of April will get 50% off their session fee...that's a $50 savings! I know Mom's and Dad's will love that, since we are all trying to save a buck or two here and there!! Not only will you get 50% off your session fee, you also will be able to earn some FREE prints!!! Wait  there is MORE!!! You'll also get a 25% discount on regular priced prints!!! Plus your bonus of 8 wallet size photos FREE!

The only catch is you need to secure you date during the month of April. You don't have to have your session in April, you just need to book your date. You do need to choose a date prior to or on July 17th 2010. That's it! That's all their is to it to get your session fee at a 50% discount, book it during the month of April 2010!!! Doesn't get much easier than that does it?

So how do you earn the free prints you ask? Well, each of you will receive 20 rep cards to pass out with your image on them. For every rep card that is returned to me with a full session booked and paid for you will get to choose a print sheet FREE!!! There will be a special little bonus for those that return your rep cards as well. They will get a 20% discount on their session fee!

As an added incentive...the first senior who has at least 17 rep cards returned to me, with full sessions booked and paid for you will get a FABULOUS gift of thanks from me and get a second senior session...FREE!!! oh yeah, that's right...you work hard and get your friends to come see me , have fun, get their senior portraits taken by me...well, you will be very richly rewarded!!! A second session FREE...

So, not only will you get your original session at 50% off, earn some free prints, plus get an additional 25% off regular priced prints, 8 free wallet sizes...YOU could earn yourself a SECOND session...with NO session fee!!!

Have I gone crazy? Possibly...but go right ahead and take advantage of my craziness!!!! I love it!!!

So spread the word, get your session booked TODAY!!!

Any questions...just shoot me an email or a message on facebook and I will answer you as soon as I possibly can!!!

Looking so forward to meeting some awesome seniors!!! 

 *session fee is due at time of booking in order to secure your date.

Miss Erica - West Michigan Senior Photographer

Erica is my official 2011 senior rep...does she not have the most amazing eyes???? Oh, to die for!!!

We did a real quick mini session and here is what we came up with. I had fun with her, but I have had some back troubles so I was  no where near as fun as I could have been, nor as energetic and creative. This is also why is was just a mini session...we will be seeing more of this beautiful girl.

Thanks a bunch Erica!!!

One size? No! - West Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

Well, Hi there! I am excited because I really think spring is here to stay!!! For that I am dancing around like a silly little girl…oh geesh, hope no one is peaking in my windows seeing that.

I have been wanting to write this post for a bit and deciding I had better do it now while I had the time. I have had questions relating to this subject and thought it was important to answer them.

So off we go… my hope is that this will be informative for you.

Is there just one style of photographer? A one size fits all? Without doubt, I can proclaim the answer to that is a resounding NO!!! Thankfully this is the truth, since we are all beautifully individual and have different tastes and different loves, it is wonderful that there are many different types of photographers! To capture you and your loved ones in a way that does fit you, do some searching and checking. There is a photographer out there that is just right for you!

When you are looking for a photographer, it is imperative to you the client to thoroughly look into them. You need to look at their previous work, see their style, get a feel for what they do, where their passion lies. If you are looking for more traditional portraits then you really need to look for a photographer that excels and loves that area. If you hire a contemporary or lifestyle photographer and you are looking for the more traditional posed, studio portraits, you will not get it. You will be left feeling disappointed and most likely you will have a frustrated photographer as well. The same can be said if looking for contemporary or lifestyle and hiring a traditional photographer. As a photographer myself, I will not speak for others, but I'm sure some would agree with me, there is a reason people/potential clients are drawn to our work. It's the passion behind it, it's the love of what we do, that's what makes our work alive. When asked to do something that is just not our style, we may try, or we may just say "no", but I will tell you, if they do try give it a go it will most likely lack the magic and feel of what drew you to us in the first place. Can you suggest something? Why sure...but always remember what it was that drew you to that particular photographer in the first place and let go and trust a little.

Always find out where, when they shoot. Check the prices, session fees, what the session fee entails, print prices, do or don't they offer image CD's, do they have packages..get it all. Don't understand the fees or why they are set the way they are, ask. Trust me there is a reason and it is not to get rich. Get details on how you can expect your session to go. How long can you expect your session to last, whether or not clothing changes are permitted, how many, find out all you can. Most photographers are more than willing to share all these details with you, many will have this information posted for you either on their blog or on their website.

Capturing and preserving your memories is important to you, as it should be. As a photographer, it is important to me as well. I personally love what I do because I love to capture all that for you, there is no greater feeling than knowing you love your portraits.

For most of us this is our bread and butter, this is how we take care of our family. We love what we do or trust me, I don't think any of us would do it. That being said, there is reasons we love it, reasons that drive us and the last thing I think any of us wants is to be in conflict with what you want and what we offer. We want you to love your portraits. I personally do not know of any photographers that would ask you to compromise what and who you are, so make sure you find a photographer who's work you are drawn to and love, one that you will not ask to change who they are and what they do. No one will be happy if they are asked to change or do something they are not comfortable with.

Your hard earned money, your time is precious to you...and when it comes to portraits of you and/or your loved ones it is equally as precious and it is an investment for the future. To carry on the legacy, the emotions, the time, your life. So, please make sure you do your homework in finding the photographer that is the perfect fit for you. Trust me they are out there and it will be well worth it in the end and one of the best investments you can make.

God Bless

~ Kristen

I love feedback...so please go right ahead and leave me some comments on this or any of my posts : )

In honor of spring I am posting one of most fave images from last year...this is my my beautiful daughter and my beautiful niece.... I love this one : )

Precious One - West Michigan Newborn Photographer

YAY!!! This little one was long anticipated and well worth every second of waiting for his family and for this sometimes overly eager photographer!

His momma and I planned our session time around his usual nap time, however Baby B had other things in mind. He didn't want to miss a thing that was going on, no not at all. Sleepy time was the last thing on his sweet little mind. When he would doze off this big ole' meanie, that would be ME , tried to move him and position him, tried to take his paci away...ugh what's up with that? right? *snicker*. Needless to say he was not happy with me for that. Poor little guy! If I tried to roll him over onto his belly, he got quite frustrated with me and would stiffen up and fight to get back to the way he was. I certainly don't blame him. Would you like someone moving you around while you're napping? I know I wouldn't. So, I gave in and let him lead how this would proceed. I certainly didn't want to get him all riled up and then just up and leave him for his momma to tend to...that would not have been nice of me at all.

Lucky for me, I got to snuggle with this sweet baby. Smell that new baby smell, you know what I'm talking about right? Letting him grip my finger with his teeny tiny hands.Cover his precious little face with my most likely unwanted kisses. Hey, I couldn't help it! It's an uncontrollable urge to kiss babies. Oh, I just turn into a puddle of mush when around newborns. I had to keep my composure though and get to getting on with snapping some shots of him. 

So here is the long awaited, making a grand entrance new precious one...Baby B

I hope you were able to get that nap after I left little one. I look forward to getting more images of you and your family.

look at this sweet slumber smile...make me melt

sweet baby lips...

Your Story - West Michigan Contemporary Photographer

It's that time of year again!!! Ya know, the time when we all start to get antsy and excited and ready to get outside and enjoy all the beauty and wonder of Mother nature!I know I'm ready, how about you?

I have several openings beginning May 15th. There are spots available before then, however please contact me before hand for availability.

I am so excited to get outside and see the flowers blooming, grass growing and listening to those sweet little song birds. I also am looking forward to meeting and making new friends like you!

Are you looking for something unique, something "out of the box", looking to have your story told in images? Then I'm your girl! I think outside of the box, I am not your traditional sit, pose and smile photographer. I tell your story through images, I will capture and preserve those special moments, that beautiful bond, the great love and your personality. When you look at your photos I want you to feel it, I want raw emotions saved, never to be forgotten. Time is precious and goes by much to fast. You owe it to yourself, to your children, to your family to give yourself a wonderful gift like this...your story, told in images and emotion.

Contact me today and lets talk! Lets get YOUR story written, not with words, but with images, images of you and those that you love. Your story should never be forgotten.

I will be having some great promotions coming up soon.

Here are somethings I am cooking up for you...

Some sweet deals for the class of 2011

Captivating moments for you lovebbirds

Togetherness for all you rockin' families

Mommy and me two-fers maternity/newborn

just a little nibble of all the good things coming your way!!!

as always, if you have any questions ...please don't hesitate to contact me!

Be sure to read through everything on my blog here, from the "who I am" through the "details" link!!! 

Have a blessed day!

~ Kristen

Ashlyn - 2010 Kristen Marie Photography Spring Cutie

A big HOORAY goes out to our official Spring Cutie of 2010 Miss Ashlyn!!

All those voters on my facebook page have earned Ashlyn and her family a complimentary photo session with yours truly!!! I am so excited to meet this beautiful little girl, of course and her family too... get to know her and play...her momma tells me shes a bit on the shy side. That's ok, I will be able to capture her deep brown eyes and get that beautiful soulful look that I love so much. I will get her to warm up, let her have some fun and capture that sparkly girlie personality I am told she has. I have great ideas running through my always busy, never stopping mind of mine for our session. Since she is a girly girl, I'm thinking all things girlie, let the imagination go... ...even some quiet reflection. Oh yes, girlie girls need that too.

We are just waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more, for some leaves to burst out, for some flowers to bloom, for those soft breezes that wisp through your hair....*sigh* sounds heavenly doesn't it?

Anyway enough of my never ending rambling.....here's Miss Ashlyn...photo courtesy  of her momma

Blessings ~
Kristen

Sneaky Peak at Spring the Cuties - West Michigan Child Photographer

Here is a quick little peak at the Spring Cutie Promotion entries!!! 

All photos will be uploaded tomorrow and the voting can begin.

Be sure to come on over to Kristen Marie Photography facebook page to vote for your favorite image!

correction: Ashlyn's age is 5...this has been corrected for the FB upload...I do apologize.

children are in no particular order.......