ESSENTIAL IMAGERY, Philadelphia photographer

DEVON VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Kristen — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:32:56 +0000

Devon Veterinary Hospital has just created a stunning remodel and asked me to show it off a bit. Check out the custom tilework, that gorgeous entryway fountain, and all the little touches that only pet lovers would think of including. (Essential Imagery’s pet photography also graces the walls of their new facility.)

Stop by their Open House on August 1st from Noon to 4 to see everything for yourself!

THE PERFECT SUMMER RECIPE.

Kristen — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:25:40 +0000

This makes a tasty little side dish for two, and is Weight Watchers friendly (not that I’ve been rocking the WW, or anything.) Grab a freshly-picked tomato from the garden, chop a handful of basil, and mix with 1/4 cup of fresh mozzarella. Drizzle with a touch of olive oil, and voila. Bon appetit!

DOUBLE EEP!

Kristen — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:06:13 +0000

If I could put into words how much I love these two studio images, I would be a novelist and not a photographer.

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Kristen — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:40:06 +0000

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SUMMER IS FOR LOUNGING.

Kristen — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:31:21 +0000

Summer is for taking it easy and having a bit of downtime, which is precisely why I’m off to Europe for the next few weeks, and why Haunani is off to Hawaii.

The studio is closed through August 10th, when Essential Imagery will resume late summer and autumn portrait shoots for your lovely families and pets!

If you’d like to experience my European adventures with me, head on over to the Facebook page. There will be plenty of pain au chocolat and other delights there soon. Regular blog posts will continue through the magic of the interwebs, so you can keep hanging out on the blog, too. ;)

FALLING INTO THE BIRTHING POOL, FACE FIRST.

Kristen — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:51:33 +0000

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.)

POUTINE IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Kristen — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:16:04 +0000

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.

A CERTAIN SHADE OF GREEN

Kristen — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:56:53 +0000

Toronto. Film. Love. Green.

THERE IS MAGIC EVERYWHERE.

Kristen — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:40:45 +0000

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.

[shown: a few film captures from a studio portrait session.]

I WOULD NEVER GET ANYTHING DONE IF I HAD KIDS.

Kristen — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:14:21 +0000

Having a dog is bad enough.

Hermione is my first dog. She fascinates me. Love that big block of nose in this shot, and that little touch of fur in focus.