Hey friend, I'm so glad you're here! On this space you will find little pieces of my life, my favorite imagess and some of my photography tutorials! Take a cup or coffee or glass of wine and enjoy exploring around! Love, Kristin

welcome to my journal

Hey there, welcome

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Back in January, I decided to enroll in Sandra Coan Certification. It’s a course that focuses on consistency in all areas of my photography business from lighting to posing to editing, website, social media, etc… I’ve known Sandra for a really long time first being introduced to her teaching on CreativeLive and then when I […]

Why I’m a Photographer | Champaign – Urbana, IL

Babies, Best Friends, Business - null, Childbirth, Children, Connection, Education, Family, Film Photography, Love, Newborns, Photography, Portraits, Pregnancy

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One of my fondest childhood memories is picking up or developed photos/prints from our local dime store. There was just something so magical about all that anticipation to hold those prints and see your memories come back to life. Some people say – don’t you worry that you can’t “see” what you’ve captured? Quite the […]

Why I Choose Film | Central IL Photographer

Babies, Champaign, Children, Family, Film Photography, High School, Illinois, Light, Newborns, Photography, Portraits, Seniors, Toddlers, Tweens

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As your senior embarks on the exciting journey towards graduation, there’s one timeless tradition that should not be overlooked – scheduling cap and gown pictures. Capturing this significant milestone is not just a photo opportunity; it’s a cherished memory that will last a lifetime. Cap & Gown Sessions will be offered on various dates between […]

Cap & Gown Graduation Pictures | Champaign, IL

Photography

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Imagine bottling up your family’s fleeting moments — not only what they look like, but what they feel like. Imagine your family in true-to-life, joyful, connected imagery — and being able to hold those timeless moments in your hands 20 years from now. The Newborn Experience is a wonderful and miraculous time that presents itself […]

What to expect at your Newborn Session | Champaign Urbana Photographer

Babies, Champaign, Childbirth, Children, Family, Film Photography, Illinois, Maternity, Newborns, Photography, Portraits, Pregnancy, Uncategorized

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In the enchanting world of newborn photography, the art of capturing timeless and joyful moments has evolved, and a trend that has gained immense popularity is “Baby-Led Posing.” This approach focuses on allowing infants to move and express themselves naturally, resulting in authentic and heartwarming images that stand the test of time. Authenticity Over Perfection: […]

What is Baby Led Posing? | Central IL Newborn Photographer

Uncategorized

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So, you know how people usually say “cheese” to make kids smile in photos? Some folks, like me, prefer not to use that line. Why?

How I get natural smiles in photos | Central IL Family Photographer

Babies, Best Friends, Champaign, Children, Connection, Family, Illinois, Light, Love, Natural Light, Newborns, Photography, Portraits, Toddlers, Tweens

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The bond between a mother and daughter is a relationship like no other. It is a connection that transcends time, intertwining generations with a tapestry of love, tenderness, and understanding. The bond between mothers and daughters can be described as romantic, timeless, and joyful, as it is a profound connection that evolves and flourishes throughout a lifetime.

Mothers & Daughters | Champaign, IL

Babies, Champaign, Children, Connection, Family, Film Photography, Illinois, Love, Marriage, Photography, Portraits

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The first year of baby’s life is a whirlwind of precious moments, countless milestones, and boundless love. As the months fly by, parents eagerly await their little one’s first birthday, envisioning a celebration that perfectly encapsulates the joy, love, and timelessness of this momentous occasion. Today, we delve into the enchanting world of a baby’s first birthday, exploring ideas that evoke timelessness and bring forth sheer joy.

Baby’s First Birthday | How to Make it Memorable

Babies, Champaign, Children, Family, Film Photography, Natural Light, Toddlers

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Hey there, let me tell you about the beautiful fall wedding of Niki and Evan that I had the honor of capturing. The venue was The Cannery in Eureka, IL and it couldn’t have been a more perfect spot for this gorgeous family-centered wedding. The couple had so many personal touches throughout the day, including handmade wooden signs and rustic details that added to the overall charm of the wedding.

Romantic Black Tie Wedding | The Cannery | Eureka, IL

Film Photography, Love, Marriage, Natural Light, Photography, Wedding Planners, Wedding Venues, Weddings

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The Fisher Fair is finally here! Each year the entire Fisher community looks forward to the fair! This little community fair in Champaign county packs a big punch! the festivities kick off tonight with the Miss Fisher Fair Pageant.

Fisher Community Fair | Champaign County, IL

Best Friends, Champaign, Children, Film Photography, High School, Illinois, Natural Light, Photography, Portraits, Seniors, Tweens

Fair Queens at the Fisher Fair

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Photographing fireworks on film – I want to pass on what I have learned over the years to you! No crazy technical terms, no formulas or calculations to make. Just plain Jane easy to understand terms.

How to Photograph Fireworks

Education, Film Photography, Photography

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My job often leads to interesting and unique opportunities and today was no exception. Opening up my email this morning I saw an invitation to take part on a media flight on the “Berlin Express,” a fully restored B-25 Bomber which will be available this weekend at Flightstar in Savoy (behind Willard Airport) for ground tours and flights.

B-25 Bomber Flight | Champaign, IL

Champaign, Family, Photography, University of Illinois

B-25 bomber restored from wwii

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Welcome Home, Beckett! Miss Beckett was so sweet for her in-studio newborn session. I can’t get over her hair! Just absolutely adorable.  Beckett’s older brother Calvin was thrilled to be a part of this session, too. He was once one of my newborns! It was crazy to see just how big he had gotten. Calvin […]

In-Studio Newborn Session | Baby Beckett

Newborns

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This beautiful, loving couple had their stunning golden hour engagement session in Champaign County. These two are getting married at Miller Farms Barn on May 28, 2022, and I can’t wait for their big day!   They met while working together at a mortgage lending company and dated for two years before he proposed. The proposal […]

Golden Hour Engagement Session | Champaign County

Engagement

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Welcome Home, Joel! This was such a beautiful in-studio newborn session with baby Joel and his adoring parents, Jessi and Walter. I met Joel’s mama and daddy when they modeled for a styled wedding shoot back in 2020. Such a stunning couple! Jessi and Walter are the sweetest new parents. Baby Joel was so calm […]

In-Studio Newborn Session | Baby Joel

Newborns

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This gorgeous outdoor engagement session with Brooke and Nick was taken on a chilly fall day in Leroy, IL. These fiancees are a beautiful couple getting married on May 7 at the Venue Chisca in Peoria, IL.  Brooke and Nick met at work in 2014 where he was a fermentation operator who would bring samples […]

Brooke + Nick | Fall Outdoor Engagement Session

Engagement

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Welcome home, Ruth! Baby Ruth was such a little angel for her in-studio newborn session! She was so calm throughout the whole process and loved being snuggled by her adoring parents. Ruth’s daddy was actually one of my high school seniors several years ago! It was amazing to see how he interacted with his new […]

In-Studio Newborn Session | Baby Ruth

Newborns

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Elizabeth and Tate had a beautiful time at their iHotel wedding reception. In true COVID fashion, the couple eloped in August of 2020. I was so happy to capture their wedding reception celebration at the iHotel in Champaign last September! Having gotten married at the height of the pandemic, Elizabeth and Tate were thrilled to […]

Elizabeth + Tate | iHotel Wedding Reception

Weddings

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Welcome to your family, Noah! Noah’s in-studio newborn photography session was so beautiful. He is blessed to have such a warm, loving family and I was so happy to capture these moments for them.  I’m not sure I’ve ever had a baby as smiley as Noah! I’m also so glad that his mom, Emily, chose […]

In-Studio Newborn Photography Session | Baby Noah

Babies

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Kayla and Jason had their courthouse wedding ceremony on Feb. 1, 2021 at the Champaign County Courthouse followed by photos taken at the Lake of the Woods Botanical Garden. Although it might not have been the wedding they had pictured for themselves, it was beautiful nonetheless.     Kayla and Jason met in Nashville in 2016 through […]

Kayla + Jason | Champaign County Courthouse & Lake of the Woods Botanical Garden

Weddings

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Welcome to your family, Thomas! This was an incredibly special in-studio newborn photography session. Thomas is my great nephew, his daddy Tyler is my nephew! Tyler and his wife Abby welcomed Thomas into their family, and I was so happy to capture these moments for them. An important part of this session was making sure […]

In-Studio Newborn Session | Baby Thomas

Babies

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Kelsey and Seth’s wedding at the Bloomington Country Club last November was so beautiful. It was an absolutely gorgeous fall day, and the wedding really was perfect from start to finish. Kelsey and Seth met while working at the same bar; she was a bartender and he was the manager. Kelsey said that since they […]

Kelsey + Seth | Bloomington Country Club

Weddings

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Welcome to the world, Abigail! Here’s another beautiful in-studio newborn photography session! Abigail was such a sweet little baby and had the most inquisitive expressions. Abigail’s parents were doting on her in the most precious way, I loved being able to do more posed shots and mix in some natural moments as well. For newborn […]

In-Studio Newborn Photography Session | Baby Abigail

Newborns

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Maddie and Bryan’s beautiful Christmas themed wedding last December at Willow Creek Farm was so special. They grew up knowing each other but didn’t really connect until after they graduated from the University of Illinois. Since then, it’s been three years and they have been inseparable. In addition to the Christmas theme, Maddie used inspiration […]

Maddie + Bryan | Willow Creek Farm

Weddings

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Welcome to the world, Austin! I adored this in-studio newborn session. Sweet baby Austin is the third newborn I photographed from this beautiful family. I photographed his older sisters Quinn and Carley way back when, and it was crazy to see them so grown up! It was so special to photograph all these kiddos together. […]

In-Studio Newborn Session | Baby Austin

Newborns

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Natalie and Luke’s wedding was unique because COVID threw all their plans totally out of whack, with their official ceremony at the courthouse and the reception months later at The Lodge at River Valley Farm. When Natalie and Luke were finally married at the Champaign County Courthouse on Jan. 8 2021, that was their fifth […]

Natalie + Luke | Champaign County Courthouse & The Lodge at River Valley Farm

Weddings

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Welcome Home Lexie Jo I adore newborn photography almost as much as newborns themselves! This in-studio session was really special since I have known this family for a while; I photographed big sister Blakeley’s newborn photos, too. Watching this beautiful family grow was incredible. Blakeley was obviously so much bigger than the last time I […]

In-Studio Newborn Session I Lexie Jo

Newborns

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