k. holly | bay area wedding photographers | husband and wife team » Engagements

Kristin and Travis :: Engaged!

Kristen — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:51:19 +0000

There is so much about this session that I love. First of all, the couple: Kristin and Travis are local sweethearts from my tiny little hometown in Northern Minnesota. When we first were making plans, we weren’t sure how we were going to make an engagement session work since we were all living in different states. But the magic of the Eveleth 4th of July called us all home. The evening before their session (originally scheduled for the country club where they’ll get married next summer), I was driving up to my family’s cabin on Lake Vermilion. The scenery up there is stunning, with lakes and rugged landscape carved by glaciers. On this particular weekend, the wildflowers were ablaze, and the dam was flooding with an overabundance of rainwater. I stopped to look around, sent Kristin a message, and we changed the engagement session location on the spot. It was totally meant to be – Kristin has fond childhood memories of Lake Vermilion as well, and we both share stories of exploring the dam with our parents, even both referring to it as Root Beer Falls. My goodness, I hadn’t heard those words in years. Probably not since they were on my Dad’s lips over 15 years ago. Root Beer Falls. This small little spot on the planet is incredibly special to me, and photographing love and happiness there felt so very right.

Kristin and Travis, this was such a pleasure. Thank you for playing with me, and for being so open and wonderful. I can’t wait to see you again :)

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Ah, that last image. My favorite. So much joy. Love you guys!!

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k.holly | san francisco bay area engagement and wedding photographer | los gatos, california

Morgan and Nate :: Engaged!

Kristen — Thu, 22 May 2014 19:22:06 +0000

san francisco bay area engagement photography

Ahhhh, Morgan and Nate! We talked about so many different ideas for locations, but when it came down to it, we ended up in the most perfect place. Danville is a sweet little town in the East Bay that holds special memories for these two. On this particular evening, it felt absolutely magical. We walked around downtown while the sun softly set behind the hills. Spring flowers were in full bloom, the light was beautiful, and we fully enjoyed taking our time. We chatted and laughed between sets, shared stories, and got to know each other better. This is what the engagement session is all about. Enjoying your time, getting more comfortable in front of the camera, and letting your love shine.

We absolutely fell in love with Morgan and Nate, and cannot wait until their wedding! We might have to get together for ice cream or a wine tasting between now and then though. April is just WAY too far off! :)

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So freaking cute, you guys. I mean really.

See you guys soon!! xoxo, Kristen + Jamie

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k.holly | san francisco bay area engagement photography | husband and wife wedding photographers

Beloved :: Courtney and Zac

Kristen — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 01:01:25 +0000

Beloved Photography

I am SO excited about this. I’ve always approached my sessions and weddings as a story, and I put the most value on the FEELING of an image. I can pose my couples all day long, but what I’m always looking for is that spark, that moment, that laughter, that… you know, THAT. Recently, I’ve been incorporating a new idea into some of my sessions and even in some weddings if time allowed. I’ve been involved in a training course for what is called Beloved photography. It’s a whole different type of session, and it’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.

I create a space for you to open your heart and allow your true self to shine. I invite you to participate in a unique experience between the two of you, and allows me as a photographer and artist to truly SEE you. To see who you are, and who you are together. It encourages you to open communication lines, bring out the best in each other, and it just might strengthen your relationship in the process. Be ready to laugh, love, maybe even cry. It will be touching, surprising, and completely amazing. In the end, you will have beautiful images to look back on, reminding you of these incredibly warm, bonding and renewing moments together.

Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?

It is. Although I’ve been adding bits of Beloved into my sessions for the past year, I’ve now completed my training. This is my first full Beloved Session, and I’m crazy proud of it.

I asked my friends Courtney and Zac to come play with me. Not to be models, but to be themselves. They’ve been married for a year and a half, and were excited to get back in front of the camera as a married couple. They did amazing. They ARE amazing. Funny thing happens with Beloved sessions… you get to know your subjects really well, and see each of them through the other’s eyes.

Seeing someone through the eyes of the person who loves them the most. I can’t even describe how beautiful that is.

Ready? Let’s go…!

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Happy Anniversary, guys. Thanks for playing with me. My heart, so full. xoxo, Kristen

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Courtney is a real estate agent with Keller Williams in San Jose, CA. She helped us find our happy little home. :) Since then, our friendship with her and Zac has helped us feel even more at home here in California. If you’re looking to buy a home in the Bay Area, you can find her here: The Rick Geha Real Estate Team

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k.holly | bay area wedding, lifestyle, and beloved photography

Katie and Matt :: Engaged!

Kristen — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:46:28 +0000

I love these two! Their happiness and love for each other is bright and beautiful. Their excitement is contagious, and those smiles could warm up even the chilliest of fall evenings in Michigan! The rain kept threatening to come down, but it held out the entire time we were together, gracing us with a fiery orange sky as we were saying our goodbyes. We are finally getting a little rain here in California, and it reminded me of this great night.

Katie and Matt, I can’t wait to see you again! June is just around the corner!

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k.holly | san francisco bay area engagement photographer

Joanna and Liam :: a san francisco beach engagement

Kristen — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:21:08 +0000

A newly-engaged couple, a warm evening at Baker Beach, those incredible Coastal Live Oaks, and a peek at the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. It’s enough to leave you breathless. Add in a little hiking, rock climbing, chilly water, and a lot of laughter… and suddenly breathless takes on a whole new meaning! :) I had an amazing time with Joanna and Liam, getting to know them before the wedding, listening to stories of how they met and fell in love, how they enjoy life now, and what their plans are for the years ahead. I love how proud and loving she is with him, and how much he can bring out the most radiant smile in her. They are beautiful together. I can’t wait to see them hold one another’s hands, and say their vows later this year. Love is a beautiful thing!

(By the way, I am LOVING my new coast.)

That radiant smile I was talking about? There it is. Right there.

Love. This!

Joanna and Liam, I adore you two! See you again soon! xoxo, Kristen

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k.holly | san francisco bay area engagement photography | sf bay ‘beloved’ photographer

*** The last image in this series of the Golden Gate Bridge is available for purchase in my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/listing/176880083/golden-gate-bridge-at-night-canvas?

Seeking a couple in love | Beloved

Kristen — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 20:08:16 +0000

Over the past few years shooting weddings, I’ve grown to love and appreciate what I do more and more. I find that it’s not the grand venues and glittering details that I love so much (though I do love a beautifully planned wedding, don’t get me wrong!), but it’s the closeness and magic between the couple. It’s the connection and spark that I crave. The sweet moments, looks, and gestures that I notice. The way a couple can fall in love all over again right in front of me.

I was recently introduced to Beloved, an emerging photographic genre. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think of it at first, but I’ve done some exploring and I have to say, I’m in. It’s a method of connection between artist and muse, photographer and couple, and the couple within themselves.

I’m proud to announce, I’m currently training to become a certified Beloved Photographer. I’ll be offering deeper, more meaningful connective experiences for my couples and families. I’m really excited about it, it’s going to be amazing. What I love most about it is what it will do for you. You will leave your session feeling more in love than ever. And you’ll have beautiful images bound in a book and hanging on your mantle to remind you of these moving, connective, restorative moments together.

Right now, I’m looking for a couple in love, in the Bay Area, to enjoy a complimentary session as I complete my training. If you know of anyone (dating, engaged, married), please pass along my information. Thank you!

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k.holly | bay area beloved photographer | weddings | engagements | couples in love

Haili and Jared :: Engaged!

Kristen — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 00:01:20 +0000

I love these two! Haili and Jared are planning a wedding next spring that is going to be simply gorgeous, set outdoors on her father’s farm with glam details. Think chandeliers and diamonds. To set the tone, we started their engagement session in the country, and then moved downtown for a few sleek city shots. I loved how they could be super sexy and romantic, and then fall all over each other laughing. So beautiful, and a sign of a very happy marriage ahead!

Their adorable pup Tipsy couldn’t miss the action! Eeek, I love her!

Damn! Love!

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k.holly | san francisco bay area engagement photographer

Megan and Sean :: First Anniversary

Kristen — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 11:45:51 +0000

Sean and Megan got in touch with me a few months ago about planning a fun and sweet lifestyle session for their one year anniversary. We talked about locations and ideas, and then there was a replica of their wedding cake being made, and a sparkly dress to be worn,… and oh my goodness, I couldn’t wait for it! Luckily, I was in Michigan near their anniversary date, so we met out on a quiet little lakefront on the most amazing summer evening. I loved seeing them just as happy and smitten with each other as they were on the day they said their wedding vows. We put our toes in the water, ran through apple orchards, basked in the warm evening light, and ended with a celebratory cake cutting. I even got to share their anniversary cake :) We sat out on the dock talking and laughing with mouthfuls of that sugary sweet frosted cake until the sun went down. I love sessions like this, and I love nights like these.

Megan and Sean, here’s to many more happy anniversaries!!

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k.holly | bay area wedding and lifestyle photographer | anniversary sessions

Amanda and Trevor :: a beach engagement

Kristen — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 22:02:01 +0000

I love shooting on the water. I love being on the water. I think that’s one of the best things about our recent move from Michigan to California – no matter where I am, there’s a great big shoreline waiting for me. Amanda and Trevor’s engagement session took place on Lake Michigan, along a private stretch of sandy beach. The evening was perfect. Barely any wind, warm late-summer air, and a gracefully setting sun. I adore Amanda and Trevor, (who I met last year while photographing Katee and Casey’s wedding – Trevor was Casey’s best man) and I loved everything about their session. This really shows how I approach a session, and if you’ve been photographed by me, you know what I mean. We start with a few posed shots, sweet smiles and good portraits for your parents’ mantles. Then, after some good conversation and a few different poses, the good stuff starts coming out. The realness. I always want my clients to look and feel this way – playful and carefree and in love. Just being. Together.

Here it comes… the playfulness! I love this turning point, where you stop thinking about being photographed, and just start enjoying the moment :)

Before we wrapped it up, they mentioned that they had matching Michigan mitten t-shirts. Um, yeah! So they changed, and totally let loose. I love these last pictures. SO fun!

Love, love!

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k.holly | san francisco bay area engagement photographer