Monthly Archives: July 2009

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sarah + joel slideshow

July 18, 2009 – 12:50 am

From the getting ready to the pranks the groomsmen pulled, from their romantic first dance to their limo getaway, here are more highlights from Sarah + Joel’s wedding. Click image to play.


best viewed with high speed internet connection

By kristajean | Posted in slideshows, weddings | Tagged , | Comments (1)

5 years ago

July 16, 2009 – 11:45 pm


I was so busy last month that I didn’t get a chance to celebrate. June 19, 2009 marked the five year anniversary of the very first wedding I ever photographed. It was for my dear friend Heidi and I wasn’t the primary photographer. I just followed her around for the day and took lots of candids, which is what I loved. I will always say that it’s all Heidi’s fault that I got into wedding photography. I helped design her wedding invitations and programs and we had so much fun dress shopping and taking engagement pictures of her and Kyle. I got so excited for her wedding, to see if this was actually something I would like doing. And it was a wonderful day. She was a beautiful bride, just as I knew she would be. I learned a lot that day. The photographer had more of a traditional style and she did lots and lots of poses and brought along lists and clippings from magazines that she used for inspiration. I knew right from the start that I didn’t want to be that kind of photographer. The images that always caught my eye in all those bridal magazines were the candids, those real moments that the photographer captured when the couple didn’t even know it and that’s what I was looking for all day. And that’s what I continue to look for in my work now. Those sweet moments that I try to be all sneaky and stealthy and capture without anyone noticing I’m there.

When I showed Heidi the pictures I took, she really liked them and she (along with a few others) encouraged me to start my business. So I took a leap of faith and went for it. Putting myself out there was so scary, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

It’s all your fault, Heidi!

Here are some of my favorites from their wedding. (and honestly, I was still learning so much about my camera and I had no clue what I was doing, but I loved the moments that I captured. even if they were a little out of focus and not properly exposed.) ;)



By kristajean | Posted in business, weddings | Tagged | Comments (4)

sarah + joel 6.27.09 | indiana wedding photographer

July 5, 2009 – 2:37 am


This past weekend, I was blessed to photograph the wedding of my cousin Joel and Sarah, who we are so extremely happy to welcome into our family. Jake and I traveled to Indiana for the occasion along with our kids. Our sweet girl, Chloe, was one of the flower girls. :) The wedding was simple and beautiful with lots of meaningful moments, plenty of smiles and laughter, a few tears (my own included) and a whole lot of fun! Family weddings always mean so much to me. I know there are some photographers out there that avoid shooting family weddings and events, but I’m the complete opposite. To be able to use my talents for my family and friends makes it so much more special for me. I was so happy that Sarah and Joel wanted me to shoot their wedding and engagement session. We had a blast! Without further ado, here are some pictures from their big day:

Sarah’s dress was absolutely perfect for her. She looked stunning! (She’s such a beauty, she probably would have looked just as pretty wearing a burlap bag.) ;)


Joel didn’t look too bad either.


I love it when the groom sees his bride for the first time. Sarah and Joel decided to wait to see each other until she walked the aisle. Love their smiles.




Instead of having birdseed lightly tossed at them as they exited the church, they pretty much got pounded with it. I had a ton in my hair and I am still finding it in my lens bag.



Joel’s and my grandfather (and my dad, too) are big fans of Allis Chalmers tractors. I just happened to notice this one sitting behind the church so I had to take advantage of it for a couple ring shots. (Edited to add: my mom reminded me that grandpa actually likes Massey Harris tractors. oops! But I still like the tractor shot anyway!)

Check out that groom’s cake! hahaha!


Their first dance … it can only be described as romantic. I’m sure they spent a lot of time learning it because they looked incredible out there. I only hope someone caught it on video because it was a beautiful sight. Made me want to go out and take some dance lessons.

After all the dancing, bouquet and garter, Joel surprised Sarah with a limo for their getaway vehicle.


There are a ton more pictures I wanted to share here, but they will have to wait for the slideshow.

Congratulations, Joel and Sarah! Lots of love! Hope you had a fabulous honeymoon. :)

By kristajean | Posted in weddings | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (4)

50th anniversary slideshow

July 2, 2009 – 4:12 pm

Here are some highlights from Lynn and Emmalene’s wonderful 50th wedding anniversary party. Click the image below to begin the slideshow.

best viewed with high speed internet. Enjoy!

By kristajean | Posted in other events | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)
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