After a few weeks that have sort of had me in a tailspin (of which I will bore you with details in another post), I woke up thinking “I need to do what I love and remember why I love it.” I’d spent a few too many days focusing on challenges and not what makes me happy. And although that’s necessary sometimes, (as Terri Lee says “they are called growing pains for a reason”) too much obsessing can be a bad thing. So after “releasing some negativity” to two of my three favorite sounding boards, I went to my session feeling really positive, thinking “I am going to shoot this the way I love to shoot.” And based on my client’s session objectives, I knew we were on the same page with that.
Katy contacted me over the summer to let me know that she was also a photographer and moving to Cambridge for a year so her husband could finish his degree. They have twins who would be turning two in the fall. Would I photograph a day in the life? Yes. Yes. Yes.
Not to take away from my usual sessions, because I love them, but I am truly my happiest when I am shooting “lifestyle” — families just doing their thing. Capturing the day-to-day interactions of your life while you live it, with your family, as they are today (shy happy, missing teeth, funny faces, real smiles), reading books, playing games, catching a moment away with your spouse, maybe even stealing a kiss in a stranger’s doorway. The greatest benefit is that because everyone is together and comfortable, real expression comes out, not the forced “cheese” smiles or looks of angst and discomfort. I love the freedom of capturing you as I see you, and looking at a collection of images to tell a story rather than hinging a session on getting that one image (and for the record, I think we got more than just one of THAT image).
When I arrived, I was immediately inspired by Katy’s wall art. Not only is Katy extremely talented, but she has an eye for talent and her previous photographers (wedding and family) are among the country’s best — ones that I have idolized and admired for years (like every day blog stalk kind of photogs, you know they ones). Lucky for me that they happen to be in Boston for a year… and intimating that I had to live up to these greats.
Katy, Ben, Amelia and Paul are just awesome at living. Watching them interact, love, and play — gentle, kind, peaceful and fun. They are so totally in sync with such an amazing sense of shared parenting while still remaining playful and just a bit dreamy with each other. Seeing their life, and the home they have built (the home away from home) and just spending time walking and talking with them was for me, quite possibly the best gift I could have given myself in a while. And I hope what I captured was also a gift to them.
Katy & Ben, Thank you so much for an amazing day. I am honored you chose me to photograph your life here in my favorite city. And though I fall in the footsteps of some great photographers, I hope I was able to produce images that are a reflection of your happiness and your life as it is today.
Let’s pause for a moment. Take it in. See that giraffe dress? Katy MADE it. I think she made her skirt too, but I was still trying to close my jaw about the dress so I didn’t correctly process the comment about what else she made. Then I went into the bedroom and saw THIS. I AM NOT KIDDING YOU. How insane is that? Katy’s beautiful image, printed by Ben on a plotter printer, and carefully, meticulously tacked up in neat little rows. OK, digest, continue.
Gorgeous images Kristina! Katy your family is adorable!!
Love everything about this session, awesome job!
EEEK! That is the sound of me squealing with joy! I love them all! Thank you so much Kristina for the lovely images and the kind words. I am absolutely thrilled with these and cannot wait to see the rest. You made my day!!
wow, so in love with this!! SO lifestyle and SO perfect:)
Wow! Love this session! I had NO idea Katy moved to Boston…I just randomly happened upon your blog and I knew the people on your latest post! WOW! They look wonderful and I am so happy to see them captured so beautifully by you! (I followed a link through that Groupon story that you are involved in)
As Katy’s Mom (and the twins very proud Grandma!), I have to say that you nailed it, both with your pictures and your comments. Katy and Ben are true partners and it shows in their precious family. Thanks for shooting them!
Beautiful pictures and that wall IS TO DIE FOR! Gorgeous.
[...] I am so excited at how the outfit turned out and even MORE excited about how the pictures turned out!! I haven’t seen all of them yet but we just got a sneak peek this morning from the photographer. The super talented Kristina Young followed us around for an entire afternoon “doing what we do” – playing, reading, laughing and having fun. And the photos are fabulous! Doesn’t the outfit look perfect?! I love it!! More photos on her blog [...]
I just love this family and I don’t even know them. It looks like not only they had fun, but you did too, which always makes for a fun (and well deserved for you) session. I think you and this family are a perfect fit.