Lifestyle – Page 3 – KiKi Creates Blog

Tan Man | Happy Workaversary

February 17, 2015

I think that one of the most rewarding intangible things in our lives is the random amazing connections we make with complete strangers. And what is more amazing than that is when you become friends with these strangers. My stranger is Tanner Deprin. A man of little words, unless you get a few drinks in him. He was almost on his way to becoming a pro surfer, although he would never brag about it. He also would never admit how great of a photographer he is. He is very humble and very funny when you get to know him. He is always 5 minutes early and is always thinking of a new idea on where and how to shoot differently. He is not only my right hand man in business, but he has become a good friend. And today is our 2 year workaversary.

I felt like doing something special for this day. Especially because we have accomplished some amazing thing in the past two years. Things that I never would have thought could have happened that day I met him. He has put up with some craziness when working with me. Over 40 weddings, I don’t even know how many photo booths. Working 11 weekends in a row. Transporting myself and married couples in my little Jeep. Holding my light. Blinding him momentarily during a light test. Drunk people in photo booths. So many drunk people in photo booths. Camera malfunctions, printer malfunctions, car malfunctions. Countless phone calls, texts, emails, tweets (I don’t event have twitter!) about god knows what. And every time, every time. He’s there. With a smile. And some new, awesome idea that will further my company. And then he goes and gets these close up, intimate moments at weddings that I see when I am selecting photographs later. I tell him sometimes I have nightmares that he will leave. Because there is no one else like him. He is the first “employee” I ever had. He is an inspiration, and he anticipates everything right as I think of it, and he truly seems to care. He’s a great guy and I am happy he walked into my life and the lives of all my clients.

I am happy to call you my second, my assistant, my right hand man. But you are really a friend and a great photographer. I just can’t tell clients they are getting a wedding photographer and a friend for their wedding day. But we both know. Happy workaversary. Hope there are many more Tan Man.

Photographing at Monument Rock at Sunrise in Kansas

Testing Light at a Wedding.

Joe Cool.

IMG_9741 copy

Abandoned Ford Factory

Carrying 60 mason Jars, light, 50 lb camera bag and a bouquet of flowers for an engagement session.

Barn in Kansas. Road Trip January 2014

Road Trip Polaroids.

Photographing in -10 degree weather.

Our first site of snow in over 4 years.

Pretty excited that in less than 3 weeks we will be photographing weddings and landscapes in Ireland and Scotland. Another great moment to add to the collection. Yhew!

KiKi

The End of my 2014, 44 Days Later |…

February 14, 2015

Compilation of My favorite Images & Moments from 2014.

Although it may be the middle of February 2015, my 2014 just ended. In order to close out every year I compiled a list of how many shoots I have done and select some of my favorite images. After completing my final session and submitting my work to publications I decided to do something a little special. I put them together in a collage. I will say, it’s nice to see a years worth of work on a single 4×6 print.

With over 34 couples trusting me with some of their most important moments, 58 photo booth clients goofing around with fake mustaches, and 22 newborns that stayed cozy in a basket while I made photos of them outside, it’s time to say goodbye to 2014. So in order to bid you farewell, I have laid out some of my favorite moments and photographs from my 2014 season. Enjoy and Happy 2015!

I started the year with big smiles.

And lots of dogs (Some with tutus)

I became obsessed with veils.

And some brides even lost theirs…

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph in Colorado..

And in an abandoned Ford Factory..

And in a 200 year old church..

And on a secluded beach..

And with a horse & beautiful bride.

But I wasn’t the only one having fun…

Some people were a little bored though..

And some people were competing for wedding photographer.

But I still got to photograph one of my favorites. The rings.

We had One Photo Bomb.

And One Veil Malfunction.

And one Runaway Bride…almost

But most of all. Wonderful people.

With beautiful personalities.

And so much love.

Which in turn made for gorgeous photographs.

And a great time.

Thank you so much for a memorable and absolutely stunning 2014. To all my clients past and future, happy 2015!

KiKi

Robin & Sean Wedding | St.Augustine Florida | KiKi…

October 14, 2013

Probably one of the most lively wedding parties I have had the chance to photograph. I grew up with a good majority of them, so that made it easy to have fun. But I believe everyone knew that this was such a perfect match and that made you want to celebrate even more.

We started with a full photo tour of downtown St.Augustine before the wedding with a crew of 16, a champagne toast in a stretch limo, several giggles during the ceremony, a perfect twilight on a balcony overlooking the yacht club, hilarious speeches from 2 best men and 2 maid of honors and ending with an even more hilarious photo booth. I can say, Robin & Sean’s Wedding was nothing short of a good time.

But I will let the pictures tell the rest.

Enjoy,

KiKi

Jen & Steve Wedding | Jacksonville Beach Wedding Photographer…

September 5, 2013

Such a bright and colorful wedding! The playful table arrangements by Liz Stewart Floral matched this cute little couple, who flew in all the way from Texas to get married in this beautiful historic hotel. Casa Marina, located right next to Jacksonville Beach Pier, has been open since 1925. It provides a quaint little area to get married by the sea as well as beautiful backdrops for the detail oriented bride.

Enjoy this beautiful summer wedding!

KiKi

The Kane’s| Family Session | Jacksonville Beach, Florida |…

August 29, 2013

A Great Session for many reasons, besides beautiful beach weather and gorgeous Golden Light, this was my last shoot at my beach studio on 20th South that I have been in for three years. This area was right on the Ocean, provided calm and secluded areas to photograph in, and was always a fun location for kids. It was also The Kane Family’s last night living in Jacksonville Beach, as they moved to Texas the next day. Happy I was able to capture these last moments of sunlight for this fun family embarking on a big new adventure!

Enjoy!

KiKi

Kristen & Chris Engaged | Sailboat Engagement Session |…

August 5, 2013

Went Sailing yesterday. Something I try to and most times get the privilege of doing every Sunday. It almost seems as if the weekend is not complete without this ritual I have grown a loving and learning relationship with. It’s a chance to get away. Even if within swimming distance from the shore, it still feels as if there is a new and distant journey ahead each time we go out.

I haven’t always been so drawn to the water, or sailing for that matter, until about 5 years ago. Hate to say a typical “girl” comment, but I met a guy, he swept me off my feet, and took me sailing on our second date. I was, to say the least, in love. I would presume I get my romantic feelings and ideas towards sailing by my first experience on the water and the enjoyment I had with such a new and different adventure. And also by the thought of controlling a 30 ft boat that is being powered purely by mother nature. What happens with the boat is between the captain and her to decide, with little communication or warning. Things can happen fast and things can happen slow. It all depends on the day.

Naturally, being a photographer, and sharing the same amount of interest in sailing as photography. I wanted to merge the two. Over the past couple of years I have photographed the boat at sunset, on trips, on the water, at the dock, etc. But never with a couple.

This brings me to these photos. My sisters engagement. I knew that I didn’t want to take someone out that wouldn’t appreciate the boat (and the captain who was doing all the work) as well as its surroundings. When discussing locations with my sister, she mentioned the sailboat. I had no hesitation in thinking that they were the right couple to take out. For two reasons.

One, Kristen is my only sister, and I wanted to make her engagement photos a little more sentimental than others because we have a personal relationship and this would only happen once for her and I.

And secondly, my sister and her fiance Chris have only been out sailing once. It was on this boat. And it was one of the most intense sailing days I have ever had in Julington Creek. I’m talking 25 knot winds, buckets of water splashing directly on people (mostly Kristen), things flying around in the cabin, 10 people on the boat, and overall not one of the best trips to be taking a first timer on.

When we finally got back to the dock, Kristen said she would never go out again.

This Engagement Session was her second trip. It was a slow , slightly rainy day. But it was just the four of us this time. And after about two hours of sailing around with no wind. A nice gust came through and a double rainbow came out.

Goes to show that if you let your guard down, beautiful things can happen.

Enjoy!

KiKi

Kadence | Family Portrait in Treaty Oak Park |…

July 17, 2013

Kadence was a beautiful little girl that had a lot of energy. Her mother told me she loved the camera, but as all little children do, she shied away from me at first. It took a good few minutes of playing around and gifting her with some flowers for a photo until she started working with me. The fact that we picked Treaty Oak Park as our location helped tremendously. The light and levels of the trees, alongside the giant area for her to play and goof around in made for a perfect session on a spring day.

I will have an interview coming out soon on my techniques as a children’s photographer. I have found that most of the time the camera isn’t everything. You need a mix of creativity and patience, along with thinking on your feet.

Enjoy!

KiKi

Lisa & Bill Wedding | St.Augustine Destination Wedding Photographer…

July 9, 2013

I love photographing couples that I know personally. It makes me feel like I am already apart of the family before I even get there. More importantly, this was the first sunrise wedding I had photographed since Hawaii. I was excited to play with the morning light, and the rainy conditions. I believe each element shows through in this early morning love story of an adventurous couple from California.

Enjoy!

KiKi

Stephanie & Bill Wedding | St.Augustine Destination Wedding Photography…

June 25, 2013

When it rains on your wedding day, it is always good luck. Its a cliche saying, but, in my years of photographing weddings, it has proven to be true. And this is yet another wedding that can back that statement up.

St. Augustine Beach was windy, cold and wet as I approached a private beach house Stephanie & Bill rented out for the wedding. Luckily, within an hour of photographing details inside, the rain traveled inland and the clouds became a gorgeous powder blue. The after storm light and adorable beach inspired details, mixed with a very intimate and romantic setting made this wedding a beautifully simple family oriented day.

Enjoy!

Kiki

Nicole & Drew Wedding | Jacksonville Beach Destination Wedding…

June 19, 2013

An absolutely gorgeous and kind couple, Nicole & Drew were a dream to photograph. Beyond the fact that every little detail was perfectly placed, these two were so in love. Drew could not take his eyes off Nicole, and Nicole could not stop smiling at him. Every part of this wedding was a photographers dream.

The vintage inspired wedding took place at Casa Bella Village, a nursery that turns into a very romantic wedding venue at night. As the sunset, Nicole walked down the aisle scattered with feathers from her “flower” girl. Here stroll with her father towards an anxious Drew was adorned with natural plants and flowers arranged in a colorful pattern. Their ceremony began with the story of them and ended with many kisses as they walked away from there guests as man and wife.

At night, the ceremony was completely illuminated by vintage candles and candle holders Nicole found along her travels. Her details were so thought out. The cake was hand made by her aunt, her dress was a powder pink, instead of the traditional white. Drew’s Wedding ring was shaped like a horseshoe, even their first dance was to an upbeat fun song in which they made up there goofy moves along the way. Their wedding, was THEIR wedding. Everything was so true to who they were. And those weddings, are always the best weddings.

Enjoy!

KiKi

Category: Lifestyle