2009 June | ESSENTIAL IMAGERY, Philadelphia photographer

You'd love to have a family portrait session that fully captures who you are, how you connect, and how much affection surfaces when all the members of your family are present within the camera frame.

We're happy to capture your family in our studio, complete with gorgeous light and minimal distractions, or in your comfy-cozy home full of familiar toys and routines. No matter where our session takes place, we'll delight in your delight. And we'll encourage you to pay attention to one another instead of the camera, because there's no 'add happy' button in Photoshop.

We don't care whether you're barefoot or wearing fuzzy slippers, and we won't be sending over a twenty-page list of suggestions about what to wear. (We can make you look beautiful in sweat pants if you love each other.) We just want to capture your family. Your habits, your quirks, and your love. And when you view the images we've created together for the first time, we want the depth of love you feel for your family to grab you by the collar and bring tears to your eyes.

The video below provides a peek at how portrait sessions unfold. If you have questions or would like to schedule a portrait session, click on the 'Contact' link above or call 215-206-3689. Oh -- and thanks for stopping by, lovely!

-- Kristen & Haunani, Essential Imagery owners

P.S. That's Kristen up in the header -- Haunani is camera-shy.

Monthly Archives: June 2009

BAHAMAS BABY SHOOT – destination child photography

There is nothing better than a chubby bubby. Those rolls upon rolls of delightful baby goodness are a particular love of mine, and Mr. Addison was the perfect squidgy baby model. Since it was approximately 6 ,347 degrees outside while we were in the Bahamas, we rocked the hotel room shoot.

Yah, it’s hard work to hit up a tropical island and hang with subjects like this. (No, really. WHEW, that was rough.)

Addison has a sister. And parents. More than cropped-off bits will be featured in a later post, I promise…

Posted in Philadelphia children's photography

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THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO KISS A DOLPHIN.

Meet Missy. She made me squeep and eep and make all sorts of noises typically reserved for three-year-olds hopped up on lollipops and cough meds.

And then there’s me. I look a few french fries short of a Happy Meal in that picture, but DUDE! Did I commit, or what!?

There is only one way to kiss a dolphin: Eyes closed, lips puckered, the entirety of your being focused on that squidgy marine goodness.

If you’re going to do anything worthwhile, you’re going to have to commit. So I urge you, lovely reader, to go ahead and pucker up. Shower that sea creature with love, launch that business, reach that goal, surpass that barrier, enjoy your life.

Posted in randomshoots

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BAHAMAS WEDDING, PART TWO.

I’ll take Crazy Awesome First Kisses for $200, Alex.

Next up, Adoring Glances for $400.

What? You don’t have a standard ‘Smile Swallowed Face’ category? Well, you should.

And a ‘Proud Papas Make Everybody Cry’ category, too:

Also, a ‘How to Tell if Kid Had Fun’ category would be great, too. Thanks.

Finally a ‘There’s Treasure Everywhere’ bit of magical goodness, to finish the post. You’re so helpful, Mr. Trebeck.

Posted in Philadelphia children's photography

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BAHAMAS WEDDING, PART ONE.

If you were a Vince and a Sarah, you would have been married on Saturday. And you would have practically exploded Paradise Island with your happiness. At the resort called Atlantis, based on the mythical city that plunged into the sea, the softly-focused, edge-of-perfect, did-that-really-happen images are the ones that caught my eye today.

I’m so glad these two came into my life, whisked me away to a tropical island, and allowed me to photograph their nuptuals. Their downright adoration of one another is lovely to behold, and the way their giggling can make everyone around them giggle means…well, wherever you go, there’s giggling. And come on, who isn’t a sucker for that?

Now, enter your sweet little e-mail address into that sweet little subscription box at the bottom of the page, and I’ll see you tomorrow for more portraits, some crazy dance moves, and (of course) the kids in attendance.

Posted in Philadelphia children's photography

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TRUE CONFESSIONS, PART 2.

As promised, the Craigslist tale…

Early in 2006, I answered an ad for a portrait photographer placed by one Haunani Kekuna. Um. I didn’t know if that was a man or a woman, to be perfectly honest. But I knew I WAS TOTALLY INTERESTED AND WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO BE HIRED.

To my surprise, Haunani called me back. (She called everyone back, because that’s how she rolls, but I didn’t know that at the time.) So, I gathered my ‘portfolio’ — 10 4×6′s printed at the Target 1-hour-photo — and headed to the interview.

During the hour I spent begging for a job in the wittiest and most charming way humanly possible, I discovered that Haunani is the kindest person you will ever meet. Ever.

I know this because she hired me. What’s that, Kristen? Weren’t you an English teacher before? Weren’t you completely untrained in the arts? Didn’t you avoid any job that involved the exchange of $$ like the plague?

Yes, yes, and yes. With only the ability to aim a point & shoot camera and a really, really, really big desire to learn, Haunani added me to the payroll. Craigslist provided the means for me to stumble upon my dream, and Haunani made it happen. If you see her, say Aloha, and thank her for freeing my creative soul.

Posted in kristen tells all

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