Christmasy Secrets

My fantastic friend {K} brought her stepkids in for photos as a surprise for their Dad. They were so awesome and fun to photograph! She said they haven't had photos recently, well, I think there was a little bit of America's Top Model waiting to shine on out of them.  Don't they look great? Thanks for coming and hanging with me guys, it was fun!

Photography Awesomeness

Okay, I know awesomeness isn't really a word, but that's really what Nichole Van is, a bundle of awesomeness. Many people have asked me about my photography, where I've studied, what workshops I've taken etc. Like many I have not had formal photography training, just practiced and practiced, but I also have been super lucky to take participate in some great workshops. This past spring I took the NicholeV professional workshop and I have to tell you, it was the best thing I ever did as far as improving and developing my skill set. In three days I learned so much, and I still find myself reading and re-reading the workshop manual to glean more or figure out how to shoot a particular subject or scene better. I also use some of her photoshop actions and love them. Lots of range in there, from subtle to dramatic. Definitely go check out her shop: Flourish Emporium.

The {A}s

On what turned out to be one of the last decent days before winter truly descended on us, I went out with the {A}s to take some portraits in celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary. They actually were married on New Years Eve, but I'm very glad they decided to bump up the photo date...northern Alberta and outdoor portraits in December could be a little nippy. They were lots of fun, and it was definitely cool to see them still in love.  Congratulations you guys, enjoy this sneak peak of your photos!

The {M} & {M} & {R} Families

I have been super busy lately, hence my lack of posts here, but I vow to get caught up. Yesterday I got to hang out with this awesome crew for a couple of hours. Daughters {A} and {M} live in my little town, in fact {A} lives down the street, and I confess I've had some yard and outdoor decorating envy over the past four years. Due to suburban planning we have the exact same house - it's pretty cool to be able to get a glimpse of what your house *could* look like, without having to lift a finger. Thanks for inspiring me {A}! And thanks to all of you for the fun and laughs, you were great. Enjoy your sneak peak!

The Real Story

Okay, so now that I can talk about it I can give the real story behind my last post. It was the funnest session ever because Dylan asked Blair to marry him, right as I was taking photos! Egads indeed! I discovered that photographing people during such an important moment is amazing! The emotion is amazing. (Hmmm, does this reveal a little bit of a voyeur in me -I think yes.) Some day I would love to be a wedding photographer, it just doesn't happen to fit in with my young family right now, but this confirmed to me that indeed I do love photographing people in love and special moments like this. Sigh, so thank you Blair and Dylan for having me photograph this for you! Loved it!

Egads!

What an awesome photo shoot! Look at these two hotties, don't they make a great couple? Blair was the lucky winner of my Win Win Win It Wednesday promotion, and while I was rooting for all of you, (wink wink), I was super happy for her when she won. University students don't have big budgets, but she deserves awesome photos. Enjoy your sneak peak Blair and Dylan.

And the Winner Is....

Thanks for all who helped spread the word about Kirsten Anderson Photography! I used Random.Org to generate a random number that corresponded to the list of individuals who commented to the post and the winner is...

Blair-Marie Olson!

Blair, I'm so excited to take your photos! Give me a call and we'll set up a time soon! To everyone else, keep watching my blog and facebook -I've got some ideas for some awesome, (and awesomely priced!), holiday family sessions coming up soon.

{A} Family

How things can change in a few days. I used this location on Saturday for the {D} family and everything was fine. Three days later and a morning of rain turned the approach to this grove of trees into a mud pit. {J} and {K} were very nice about having to drag five kids through the mud, thanks for your patience guys! But I think it was worth it, love these shots. What a cute family you guys are, hope you enjoy them!

{D} Family

What a fun family session! Bless their hearts, these guys were game for anything and with a little bit of candy for encouragement these kids just kept going and going. I am in love with their images, it was very difficult to pick a few to showcase here, but here goes:

Check out the ginger hair, and those awesome blue/green eyes, wow! He is going to be a heartbreaker.

Mom had an idea to photograph the little lady in her grad dress as she loves to play dress up in it. Isn't it adorable?! Seriously, so darn cute!

The other brothers were looking pretty handsome too.

Enjoy your sneak peak guys, and thanks for having me photograph you!

{J} Family

Isn't it lovely when you reconnect with someone from high school and they are super nice and just an awesome person? Linnea and I both have moved far away from our home town in British Columbia but live fairly close to eachother now (in Alberta terms). What's even more funny is that our husbands grew up in towns about an hour apart in southwestern Saskatchewan. Small world eh? Anyway, she has just the darling-ist little family. Little man was so curious, fun and busy, busy, busy.  I hope you guys enjoy your sneak peak!

Kirsten

Win Win Win It Wednesday! Take Two

Okay, so apparently there is a difference between a facebook like button and a facebook like box. And I had the wrong one. Many apologies to confused people who tried to become a fan on facebook. It works now, so go ahead, click away, and I will make sure you are entered in my Win Win Win It Wednesday promotion. Again, what's up for grabs is a free family or portrait session. The winner will receive a free one hour session, including a CD with the digital negatives of fifteen - twenty edited photos and one 11x14 print.

Win Win Win It Wednesday!

It's the middle of a long week, and I'm a smidge bored, so let's spice things up a bit with a give away! One free family or child session will be given to a lucky individual. The winner will receive a free one hour session, including a CD with the digital negatives and one 11x14 print. How do you enter you ask? It's easy!

Step one: Just become a fan on facebook of Kirsten Anderson Photography (you can click the like button in the sidebar), put a comment in your facebook status, mention me on your blog, twitter about me, or shout my name from a rooftop. Well, that last suggestion may be a little over the top! hehehe But you get the drift, be creative!

Step two: Once you've become a fan, blogged or twittered about me just put a comment on this post with your name. Multiple entries are allowed so go crazy! A winner will be drawn on October 1st, just in time for beautiful fall family portraits or a special pumpkin/Halloween shoot with your little person. If you are not an immediate acquaintance of mine then please drop me an email so that I can contact you if win. Or keep your eyes glued to the blog come October 1 when I announce the winner.

On another note, I have recently purchased studio lights, and I'm having so much fun testing them out and mastering them. Winter is coming here and I'm looking forward to photographing families and children in my snug, warm studio!

Here's a shot of the little lady, I know she's mine so I'm biased but I have to say she's pretty adorable. On this particular day she wasn't having anything to do with me taking her picture, (could have something to do with four teeth coming in! Heaven help us!), but I do love this picture as it is one of her regular expressions. Gayle Boyd of Lilypad Lane made the tutu, and it is sooo cute! You can get more info on her store here.

Kirsten

Little Gentlemen

My two little men were willing models for me to test out my new studio lights, as soon as I promised them jelly bellies. Amazing what a little bribery will do! I'm seriously excited about these lights. Here in northern Alberta, where it can be winter-ish a good seven months of the year, having an indoor studio is going to be awesome! I can't wait to do more with these babies!

A few more of the {S} Family

Such a cute family! I know that they are patiently waiting for their photos, and I can't wait until they come back from the lab and I can deliver them.