2nd Anniversary--JULY 4th!!!!!

I am so excited that I have been in business for two years and stayed so busy with it.  I say it all the time I had no clue when starting my business where it was going to take me. I took a chance and went with it. 

Photography isn't a business you can just decide one day you want to start like some businesses.  I had worked hard on my photography skills way before I even thought of starting a business.  I bought my camera for personal use to learn how to get better shots of my daughter, my business just fell in my lap. 

I am so glad it did because I have met some of the most amazing families.  I love meeting new families and getting to know them.  I also have so many clients I see on a regular basis that I love catching up with at each session.  It is so amazing seeing so many children every 3 months and see how much they have grown and what they have learned to do.

To thank you all I am going to do a few different things.  

First giveaway:  Someone will get $50 off a regular session.  That will give you a session for $75.

Second giveaway: Someone will get $25 off a regular session.  That will give you a session for $100.

Third giveaway: When you purchase a regular session I will give you 8-5x7 prints.  

(These will be announced on July 4th--My anniversary date)

The winner will be chosen through Random.org.  To enter the contest you will comment on this Fourth of July collage picture on facebook. 

I am also GIVING AWAY a FREE session and an Organic Bloom Frame!! But to give it away I have to get 2,150 fans on my facebook page.  So you must share my page and refer your friends to go like my page.  All you have to do is CLICK ON THIS LINK to read the previous post and follow the rules.  Some people have already done it so don't think you have to do it again. 

(This will hopefully be announced on July 4th if we reach the fan total--If not I will announce it when I hit the right amount!!) 

Embrace your Belly!

We had plans to get some pictures of Bailey for her 4th birthday recently and get a few family pictures.  Well my child wasn't into the pictures so we mainly took some maternity and family pictures.  Of course I can't be behind the camera and in front at the same time so I always bring my sister along when we want family pictures. I think we fought, begged, and pleaded with Bailey longer than we took pictures.

I talk to so many people who are not interested in having maternity pictures done.  I never thought of doing them with Bailey, which would have been over 4 years ago, totally regret it.   I don't think they were as popular back then though.  I always tell friends that even if they don't have someone take them professionally  to make sure they at least take them along the way to show the progression.  There are so many times I pull out my CD with pictures I took along the way with Bailey just to compare my size this time.  Plus, Bailey thinks it's cool too look at them.  I find it amazing to watch your body change.

With that being said I thought I would share some of our pictures with you all.  I am not as far along in these as I normally suggest to people. I always suggest being further along so we can get a variety of shots.  If you were to see pictures of me sitting down I would look like I just ate to much.  You want to make sure your belly is nice and round.  You may not think you look your greatest, but when its all said and done you will miss that belly.  Just remember you are making a miracle and should be proud of it.  I love pregnant people and think they are adorable.

--My sister worked really hard on these haha.  To say she was overwhelmed when I handed her my camera is an understatement. They aren't too bad...just need to work on focus!  But I still like them!

Think Pink!

Breast Cancer. Not something that comes lighthearted in our family. My mom has been diagnosed twice with breast cancer in the past six years. She fought like a champ both times. The first time she had a partial mastectomy and went through chemo and radiation. I remember before she started losing her hair we went to the Huntington mall to the wig store. I remember we all cried the whole time, and then laughed when she put on hideous wigs. I remember the lady who worked there even cried with us, and when leaving she asked if she could pray with us. She held our hands and said a prayer for my mom. Prayers were answered. The surgery, chemo, and radiation helped. Fast forward a few years later. She found a lump in her other breast. It turned out to be breast cancer as well, luckily it wasn't spread from the previous time, it had nothing to do with having cancer before. She just was one of those people that got it again. She went through chemo again and lost her hair again and BEAT IT AGAIN!

I can't say I know how it feels, but I can say it isn't something you want to go through, yourself or seeing a family member go through it. But one thing is for sure. She was a fighter, she never once complained. I never got a phone call saying poor pitiful me. There was never a day she ever made you feel like you should feel sorry for her. Her and my dad were always positive, never made it seem like she had a bad day. There were days she couldn't get out of bed, days where everything made her sick, days she probably laid in bed and cried. I wouldn't know because she made it seem like beating cancer was just another thing on her to-do list.

My grandmother had breast cancer before I was even born. My moms sister, who lives close by, had breast cancer before my mom did. Her other sister from Charlotte was diagnosed this past year with breast cancer. My mom and aunt didn't think twice to pack up and go there to be with her and help take care of her. They were there during her surgery and to help her come home. They went back weeks later and helped her out again. Luckily, we do not have the gene that runs in our family. My mom and her sister were both tested for it and to confirm it wasn't in the family gene. It is just a rare occurrence that so many people in our family have been diagnosed.

Lets just say if I had to go through what they had to I would have been a hot mess. I don't want to go through it, I don't want my sister to go through it, I don't want my daughter to go through it, I don't want my best friends to go through it, I don't want anyone to go through it. So thats why we walk!! Have you ever done a Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure? Have you donated before? Here is your chance.

I am going to do one more mini session special this spring. All money for the sessions will be donated to our Susan G. Komen team.

DETAILS:

When: April 22, 2012

Location: TBA (Charleston area) if raining will be inside

Prices: $50 for 7 images on CD

            $80 for 14 images on CD

Time: 4:00-4:20

          4:25-4:45

          4:50-5:10

          5:15:5:35
          5:40-6:00
          6:05-6:25
          6:30-6:50
          6:55-7:15

The sessions are for up to three people. (To add an extra person it is $15 per person. No more than 6 people total)

How to sign up:

Go to Paypal.com. Click on the blue tab "Send Money." In the box there is an option for "purchase or personal" Click on Personal and then the option "gift." Click continue. Before you click send money please scroll down to the message part and please leave a message with your name and address and time slot. That way I know who donated and the amount of pictures that will go on your CD. If you are worried about a certain time slot please ask me beforehand if it has been booked! Thank you so much and I am so happy to work with you all!! If you are interested in just donating without a session click here. 

If you want to join our team and walk with us please email me and I will send you a link.

Happy Valentines

Happy Valentines Day!  I am going to do another post about me haha!!  I get to meet so many families and hear a little bit about each family, like what they do, where they work, and about their children.  If I am doing a session with a child that can talk, more than likely I probably talk A LOT to them!  haha They probably think I talk way too much.  If you have a little one that can't talk I probably talk to them too much to them and make too many noises to get their attention and think I am a crazy lady. I do it to make them smile and make them comfortable with me, maybe make another small friend so next time they remember me (even if they think I am crazy).

I thought I would tell you a little bit about me and my love story!  It all started back in 2005.  We both worked retail at the Huntington mall.  He was a manager at Rogers Jewelers and I was a manager at B.Moss, the stores were right across the hall from each other.  He was getting out of a serious relationship and so was I.  I had been engaged and was about to adventure in the life of being single and only doing things for me, something I hadn't done in awhile.  So I decided I was going to trade my engagement ring in at...you guessed it Rogers.  I walked in and he was the one to help me ( I had never seen him before that day because he had just transferred stores). I wanted diamonds, diamonds, and more diamonds. haha! I couldn't decide what I wanted and it took me a few weeks to pick out what I wanted.  Well a few weeks later he helped me decide what I was going to get to replace my ring.  Diamonds make everyone better right??

Well we started going out all the time together or meeting up after we had been out with our own friends. We really turned into great friends.   His nickname was "Mr. Rogers" and I was"B. Moss girl." We both said for the longest time "I am over relationships and refuse to be in one for a long time." We became best friends.  We would stay up really late talking about life and everything we could think of.  We complained of past experiences and how we would do things differently.  We would sit for hours and play cards, just the two of us.  He ended up moving about an hour and a half away to help manage another store.  There was never a second I thought about if we were going to be together forever.  But I refused to move anywhere for a guy without a ring on my finger.  He ended up proposing 8 months after we started hanging out, four months after moving away.

I always told him I wanted to be proposed to when I woke up because it would be like a dream come true haha!  I would not have been mad if he didn't do it that way, just always joked about it.  Well it was easter weekend and I had taken a shower that Saturday and was laying on the couch taking a nap.  He woke me up and proposed right then and there.  My dreams did come true!

We ended up moving to Virginia Beach for about a year and a half.  We planned our wedding from there and got married back here in West Virginia. A few months later we had a baby on the way.  We moved back here before Miss Bailey was born and have been here ever since.

We will be married for 5 years in May.  We have had a lot of good times and several hard times.  We brought the most precious girl into the world a year after being married on May 27th 2008.  She is our life thats for sure!  If anyone knows me close enough they know Jason travels a lot for work.  He is more than likely traveling at least 2-3 days a week every week.  I play single married mom a lot, that explains why my child randomly tags along to a few sessions.  Don't get me wrong it is very hard, but for the most part its just part of our life and absence makes the heart grow fonder right?  That also explains why Bailey and I shop a lot! haha

We started trying for baby number 2 after her being 7 months old to come to find out it just wasn't meant to be.  We have been trying for 3 years with no luck and lots of fertility drugs, doctors, hormones, tests and a miscarriage .  You know your marriage is going to last if your husband can deal with you through all the emotions you go through with hormone drugs. It has been a long road of disappointment.  But, through it all I have learned that everything happens for a reason, I mean if I hadn't walked in that store to buy jewelry we may not be were we are today.  Trust me there are days I get so angry and don't understand and complain way to much, but unless you have gone through infertility yourself you have no clue how frustrating it is.

So I get my baby fix from doing newborn sessions haha! They are so cute and cuddly and then you Momma's have to deal with the 3 o'clock feedings and all those diapers!

All marriages aren't perfect and finding that perfect someone isn't always easy.  You have to go through the bad to get to the good.  I wouldn't trade my life for anything even when my husband is at his worst.   Just remember everything happens for a reason.....what was your reason??

Love you Mr Rogers,

Your B. Moss girl!

Easter mini specials!!

Spring is right around the corner...hopefully! Not that we have had a bad winter, I still can't wait for Spring and Summer.  I have had so many questions and emails asking about Easter Mini Specials, so I thought I would go ahead and get the details out there and let you all start booking!  This is the time to get out your easter best or a cute new spring outfit!!

( I just realized it is a little hard to read the fine print.  "I am trying to get baby chicks or bunnies.  All time slots are first come first serve.  Payments are due at the time of booking to secure your slot.  Because it is so early and having a lot of request on the mini sessions the location is To Be Announced")

The mini sessions are only for children in an immediate family.  If you have more than 3 kids you may want to either book two sessions back to back or book a regular session.  

Also don't forget....if you are interested in a FREE SESSION and an Organic Bloom Frame check out the last post!!!  Click here to enter!!!!

FREE SESSION after 2,150 fans!!!!!

,Hello Everyone!! I was trying to figure out a way to do a contest, but didn't know exactly what to do.  I normally do a contest where you submit a picture and you have to get votes and whoever gets the most votes wins.  Well first off, its stressful for me, but more stressful for you!  Sometimes there are very unkind words exchanged and feelings hurt!  Its not like your winning the lottery (unless you just love Kristi B that much haha) and theres no need to fight over who's kid is cuter.  THEY ARE ALL CUTE!!

(had to add a picture because I love how this little girl loves her Daddy and because they are mine haha)

Anyways, we are going to do something a little different this time.  You still have to do a little work for the grand prize, but not much!  There is only one thing....no one wins until I get 150 more fans on my Kristi B Photography page.  Once I hit at least 2,150 fans I will do a random drawing for the winner!!!!

GRAND PRIZE!!!! A free one hour session with Kristi B Photography.  The only restriction is you have to book your session for June, July, or August of 2012 and within 15 miles of St. Albans.  Thats not it......you will also get an 8x10 Organic Bloom Frame for FREE!!!!
(this is not sponsored by Organic Bloom just by Kristi B)

(Photo courtesy of AOC Photography and The organic bloom facebook page.)


Interested in winning??? Wanna know how??

1. You must "Like" my facebook page.  If you don't, go "like" it now.  Then come back and comment you liked my page. If you already like it just comment you already like it and you compeleted number 1. Here is the link ----Kristi B Photography.  (I will check to make sure if you are the winner that you like the page)

2.  Write a Facebook status about the contest and you can use this link if you would like.  You MUST tag Kristi B Photography in the status to get credit.  Then come back and comment you completed number 2 and shared the link.

3.  Have you already had a session with Kristi B??  Comment on this blog about how you enjoyed your experience and get another chance to win.

You have the chance to enter your name 4 times to win the grand prize!!!!!  You can do one or you can do all 4.  OR you can just share this link with your friends if you think they may be interested in winning!!!!

Remember I will be using Random Number Generator to choose a winner once I hit 2,150 fans on my facebook page.  The more times you enter the more chances you have for you to be the winner.


( I would also like to say that the blog is "under construction."  I really don't use it that much, but am going to try.  I am not the best when it comes to putting pages like this together so bare with me)

Portrait Party Debut

Have you ever wanted a session with Kristi B.  and not want to pay the full amount for a session?


Have you wanted to do a mini session, but always busy that day?


Ever needed an excuse to throw a party with friends?


Do you have play groups/church groups with your kids?


Wanted an excuse to have a tea party for your daughter with her friends?


How about a dress-up party with your kiddos and get super cute portraits at the same time?


What about a picnic with friends at the park?


Do your friends have the cutest accessories and think it would be fun to share props?


Well here is your chance for a new experience.  I am not sure where I stumbled upon this idea.  I was working on Valentine Mini Special ideas and starting thinking of doing Portrait Parties.  I started "googling" the idea and found that other photographers have had a great times doing this.  So maybe you have heard of these or maybe you haven't.  Here is some details if you are interested.




The Host: You choose all details you want to include in the sessions.  You invite 4-8 guest/families.  You are in charge of scheduling people and collecting money for the session fees. Snacks and beverages are always welcome for your guest.  Best part you get your session for FREE!!!!


The guest:  There will be two different options and it really depends on how the host wants to set everything up.  Depending on the theme will depend on the actual set up of the day.  If the host just wants to do portraits they will schedule you in 15-20 minute increments and I will shoot each child/sibling for that time schedule.  If you choose to do a group party like tea party,picnic, etc I will shoot the group shots and then do a few individual shots.  All details really depends on the host and however they want to do it!!


The Price: $60 for up to 2 siblings.  $80 for up to a family sessions (up to 2 kids plus parents) $10 for each extra sibling.  The families are considered siblings and parents!!


What you get for the money: Each guest/family will receive a CD with 8-10 high resolution images with all printing rights.  If a guest decides to book a Portrait Party of their own while at the party the host will get a FREE 11x14 of their favorite image from their own party and $15 off a regular session.


Where: The location is up to you!  It can be at your house and I can set up my portable backdrop or we can do it in your backyard.  We can do it at a local park, farm, or anywhere secluded of your choice!! 


When: There will be a limited amount of parties I will do each year so if interested book your date soon!! 


If interested please email me at KristiBPhotography@gmail.com for more details. It is a lot of information and may be a little confusing, but if you have questions and would rather call me please feel free to.

Holiday and Winter update

Alright!!  I know I don't use this blog that much.  But sometimes its easier to type on here instead of making an extremely long face book status.  So here is what is going on!

-I am booked through March, unless you have bought the Birthday Package-if so please book soon to ensure a good date for you.

-I will open more dates for April, May, and June after the new year.

-Will more than likely do a Valentines Special. Will announce the date after the new year as well.

-I do have a date for Easter mini's in March on my calendar and will announce at a later date.

The mini sessions are on a first come first serve basis.  When I announce them you pick your time slot and  the session fee is due to ensure the spot!

I also want to let everyone know I will be on face book adding pictures and trying to answer emails as much as possible.  I may be super slow at times because I am trying to step away from the computer as much as possible to get things done for Christmas and spend time with my family.  Please don't hesitate to email me, but please expect a small delay! I may also throw some last minute Christmas specials in! So keep an eye on my page!

Black Friday SALE

Everyone loves Black Friday sales, including me! I was going to wait and post this on Friday, but thought you may want to see it now.

I have posted new prices on my website recently.  The sessions are going to $125.  You will still receive the CD, but with 18-24 images.

Here is the sale:
1.  You purchase ONE session at regular price ($125) and you receive a $50 credit or gift card.  You can keep the $50 for you or give as a gift to someone else.  You can use the gift card towards a future session or as a print credit.  The first five people who purchase a session I will give you a second $50 gift card to either give to a friend or use at a 3rd session.  (You may not combine gift cards in one session).

Explanation if it got confusing:  You pay $125 for your first session.  You get your second session for $75 if you don't use the gift card towards prints or you can give your friend the $50 gift card.  If you are the first five to sign up: You pay $125 for your next session.  You get your first session for $125 and next two sessions for $75 if you don't use the gift card towards prints or give two friends a $50 gift card.

2.  Birth-Birthday package which includes; newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9months, and first birthday session and 3 prints with each session and smash cake at 1st Birthday Session.  You can now purchase the TOTAL package for $500.  If you plan on doing each session with your little one that is a total savings of $125!!!!!!

The only way to do the special is to pay through paypal.  I will invoice you through my paypal and you pay online.  If you would like to make a purchase today please:

1. email me at Kristibphotography@gmail.com.
2.  make the subject of the email: BLACK FRIDAY SALE
3.  In the email put what you want to purchase and the email address you want your invoice to go to.
4.  Put your address you want the gift card mailed to.
5.  I will honor the sale for all emails received by Friday at midnight.

Update for 2012

Alright everyone I am finally starting to take appointments for 2012.  So if your little ones have birthdays, your due date, or just want a family session this is your time to schedule.  I am only doing weekends through the winter months.  I will pick up a few evening sessions in the spring once the time changes back and we have daylight later in the evening.

I am going to do a couple mini sessions in the spring.  Trying to get a few more themed sessions, but only if you all are interested. If you all are interested in anything else please let me know.

*Mini session date for Easter is set for March 24th, that way you will have your CD by Easter.

*Thought about doing a mini sessions for a "Mommy and Me" session and a "Daddy and me" session around mothers day and fathers day.  I will only do if I get enough people interested in.  Totally up to you all.

*My dad suggested this and thought it was a great idea.  He said I should do a "themed" session for kids and grandparents.  It is actually a great idea because most people don't think of always bringing grandparents or setting something up with them.  It would also be a mini session for kids and grandparents.

*Newborn sessions-  Please do not wait until your baby is here to try and set something up.  I can only take so many sessions a month and they must be booked in advance just like a regular session.  How it works: I schedule you on your due date, NO I do not expect to actually do it that date, but it gives me an idea within a week or two I will have a session.  So if you are interested in a session please message me with your due date and I will get you on my calendar.  I do all newborn session when the baby is normally 10 days or younger.  I do the whole session at YOUR house unless you choose to do it elsewhere, I can also do them at my house as well.

*Weddings-  I have decided to do a few weddings again this year.  I am only taking on a limited amount so please let me know if you are interested.

I will have another post tomorrow explaining price changes for 2012.  Feedback would be great if you all would be interested in any of the above!!

Session of your photographer!!

I wanted put some of these pictures up on my personal facebook page the other day and thought I would share with you all.  I am normally always behind the camera...obviously! Well I haven't had family pictures done in awhile and thought we needed some done.  My sister always says she wants to learn to use my camera and join the business one day.  Well I had my sister behind the camera and I got to be in front.  We went to do whole family pictures as in: us 3, my parents, sister and grandma.  Well Bailey had an extreme melt down and wasn't in to it.  When I say I bribed her with everything I did! I told her I was taking things away and everything!  So when you all get frustrated with your child during a shoot, I have never dealt with a child harder than mine.  But, I came to one conclusion, she only likes pictures of just her.  She doesn't like group pictures, it must always be about her haha!  The few we got with her were after we bribed her with my buying her a baby doll and my grandma buying one! These are just a few, I haven't had time to edit anymore.  I also wanted to share these with you so some of you know who you are looking for when we meet!  So here I give you pictures courtesy of my sister, Misty!! 

 My parents!!

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up." Mark Twain

OK two blog post in two days!  I know I am getting crazy! :)

I always say this when I have contest, but if I had all the free time in the world and didn't have one of the cutest little girls I love spending time with I would do photo sessions FREE for everyone! Since I can't do everything for free I do LOVE getting to have contest and giveaways where someone gets the opportunity for a discounted session or even a free one!

I had a contest earlier in the year where you nominated someone who was very deserving of a free session.  There were many different reasons people were nominated.  It could be a family going through a tough time or a single mom or dad working their hardest to provide for their kids and thought they deserved a session, to a family going through medical issues, a family dealing with a parent being deployed overseas, and the list could go on.

With that said, since it is coming up on the season of giving I am going to do another contest! You can nominate your neighbor, your brother, your friend from high school, your best friend, or anyone you think deserves a session with Kristi B!

The FREE session will be a session done in 2012! It will be an hour session and can include up to five family members.  It can be a session for the whole family, just children, a couple, etc.

Please email all entries to KristiBPhotography@gmail.com.  Please send a picture of who you are nominating and why you think they deserve to win.  All entries must be sent by October 31st.  You have almost a whole month to nominate and email me!  I will share all stories on the blog and the winner will be chosen in November. I will either have everyone vote for the deserving family or have several unbiased people go over entries and decide.

Booked Until December

Hello everyone hope you all are enjoying this cooler weather! Wish I could say I am, but I am a summer girl and like the warm weather.

I have been super super busy recently and slacking on posting on facebook and putting up sneak peaks. I just want everyone to know that I am completely booked until December. WOW!! You all amaze me! If you want to book a session for December please do it quick for the openings I do have! The Christmas mini sessions booked up within one day and I actually added a few time slots. You all are some picture lovin' fools and I love each and every one of you for it!!

I am going to leave you all with one picture of a session I did awhile back ago, but love this

little girl!

Christmas Mini Sessions!!!

I got so many responses for doing the Christmas Mini Specials that I decided to go ahead and do them!!  I am going to do two different dates, November 13th and November 20.

The sessions will be 20 minute sessions with up to five people (two parents and three children from the same immediate family).  You will receive a CD with 8-10 images. The sessions will be $50.00.

The November 13th date will be at a location in the Huntington area.
Time slots:
12:00- Taken
12:30-Taken
1:00
1:30-Taken


The November 20th date will be done inside a studio in my home in St. Albans. (If you prefer outside pictures I have several spots around the house to use)
12:00-Taken
12:30
1:00
1:30-Taken

To secure your spot the payment is due by October 16th!  If your payment is not in by then I will open it up to everyone else again!  Please email Kristibphotography@gmail.com to set up the date.  All sessions are first come first serve!!

Kitty turns ONE!!

This is my first time trying this out.  This is a birthday/ tea party session I did this weekend.  This little girl was so sweet and was only worried about the cake.  

About

To begin with  I am a wife and mother.  I have been married to my husband, Jason, since 2007.  We have a 3 year old daughter, Bailey, who our whole world is wrapped around.  I love my family and wouldn't be where I am today without them.  That sounds very cliche, but very true.  My husband is the one who encouraged me and supported me to actual turn my photography hobby into a business.

I have always loved taking pictures of little ones and get togethers.  Well that habit got even worse when I had a child.  I was taking hundreds of pictures and setting up photoshoots with my own child.  So I can not say that I have always studied photography, it was just something I stumbled upon and loved learning more and more about.