Kristen | 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. Die-hard beach goers? World travelers? Animal lovers? Trekkies? We wanna see it. 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.

Author Archives: Kristen

Kristen Kalp is the photographer behind Essential Imagery. She rocks baby, child and family portraits in Philadelphia, the Main Line, and the world.

07.15.10

FALLING INTO THE BIRTHING POOL, FACE FIRST.

A few months ago, I put a call out to find a birth photography test couple. They would agree to go on a photographic adventure with me, knowing full well that I could pass out in the delivery room or fail to take a single image in focus because I was crying so hard when they got to meet their baby for the first time. They trusted me, and that was that.

Lots of people asked questions about why I would do such a thing. Don’t babies look weird when they’re born? Is the Mom going to be wearing makeup? How much retouching are you going to do? Are you gonna get ‘the money shot?’ Don’t you think that’s gross?

Yep, nope, none, nah, and… nuh-uh.

The most frequently queried query: Why would ANYONE want birth photography?

Ah, this one’s easy. Because you want images that bear witness to the minute you meet your new favorite person: your child. Birth photography isn’t about blood or guts or fluids — in fact, pains have been taken to minimize ‘em in the final edit of the story.

Birth photography is about documenting those gorgeous, blurry, raw, ecstatic, exhausted moments when your life’s hope emerges in the form of another human being.

Mary-Tyler was in labor for about 72 hours before getting a C section. We started at The Birth Center, and their fantastic midwives led the charge after transferring to Bryn Mawr Hospital. More than twenty hours of waiting and photographing and waiting and photographing resulted in the seven minutes created below — enjoy the tale of Brooks Edward’s arrival!

(Interested in birth photography services? Spaces are crazy-limited, so send an e-mail using the handy-dandy contact form in the menu bar to secure your due date now.)

Posted in philadelphia birth photography

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07.15.10

POUTINE IS NOT THE ANSWER.

My friend Doey and I flew to Toronto to see our friend Dawn. She used to be a New Yorker, then she got a swanky bank job and started fiddling with databases, which required a move to Canada. It was so good to be able to spend time in Toronto during the city’s three minutes of summer. ;)

Yes, I have a tutu like the one shown. No, you can’t see photos of me bowling in it.

Doey on the left, Dawn on the right. Canadian specialty Poutine [french fries + beef gravy + cheese curd] out of focus in the bottom right. I give every food a fair shake, but the cheese curd…yar…gross.

You know there was shopping. Lots of shopping. And giggling and squealing and girl talk.

Isis, world’s fattest cat, and a totally-out-of-focus-but-not-my-fault-and-I-love-it-anyway photo of we girlies rockin’ throwback shades.

These were all shot on film (OY, the airport security hassle of 15 rolls of film in your carry-on!). I love the way these images narrate the experience: fun, friends, sunshine, love.

Posted in film, kristen tells all

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07.09.10

A CERTAIN SHADE OF GREEN

Toronto. Film. Love. Green.

Posted in film

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07.07.10

THERE IS MAGIC EVERYWHERE.

The reason I connect so well with kids? I see magic with them. Lots of people see magic in kiddos, but being willing to see it with them is the secret. We are instant explorers. Backyard sailors and fearless creek conquerers. Supermodels strutting the catwalk. When adults are too busy or too worried or too preoccupied, we find magic together. We eat wooden cupcakes with just as much gusto as the real deal. We laugh belly laughs at absolutely nothing. We lay in the dirt and revel in the glorious wonder of mud. There’s magic everywhere, and kids are in on the secret. Moms and Dads are only invited to join if they’re willing to come along with eyes open, prepared for attack from the band of pirates that’s been circling the backyard for days.