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

This Bliss :: Rain

Kristen — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 18:33:52 +0000

These past two weeks, I’ve been so thankful for the rain. Most of California has been in a drought this winter, and everything around here has been brown and brittle. But two weeks ago, the rain returned. It’s awakened everything, and brought it all back to life. We had a couple of good downpours, and I caught the runoff from the roof in rain barrels to use in my garden. We’ve been using that rainwater to water our plants and trees. My simple effort is a double-win: the plants get the benefit of clean rain water, and since we’re not using sprinklers, we’re not adding to the bigger drought problem. When I say “rain barrels” I don’t mean anything fancy (although this one would be absolutely lovely in the corner of my garden). I just grabbed a couple of empty storage totes from the garage and put them under the downspouts. It’s as easy as that! Anyone can do it :)

I have a delicate little climbing plant that I’ve been diligently watering in the hopes of keeping it alive through these dry days. It recently released a single flower, on my neighbor’s side of the fence. Haha :) First thought is ironic, right? But I actually really love that it bloomed on that side. It’s a reminder that any and all good that we put out into the world benefits all of us as a whole. While I’ve been purposefully cultivating something good, it’s affected my neighbor in a positive way. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, how our own cultivation of happiness can positively affect someone else, which passes onto the next, and so on. That’s pretty powerful.

I pruned my young roses a few weeks ago, and am patiently awaiting those little buds to open up. My neighbor’s older rosebush, however, is in full bloom! At any given time throughout the day, you can find me with my nose stuffed in one of these fragrant beauties :) (Ah, you see? Now his hard work is bringing me joy!)

Ah, and now THIS is just amazing to me. This is not really rain, these droplets on the leaves are from the mist of the early morning fog. I’ve never seen water droplets so delicate.

Have a beautiful weekend! Relish in simple happiness and spread joy! xoxo, Kristen

_______________

k.holly | san francisco bay area lifestyle blogger

Sometimes it all feels like a dream

Kristen — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 05:49:58 +0000

I photographed my first California engagement session last week. It was beautiful and magical running through the cypress trees, and walking along the rugged shoreline, talking and laughing and getting to know each other. It felt good. After we wrapped it up and hugged each other goodbye, I stood at the water’s edge until the sun went all the way down. Listening to waves crash. Watching the Golden Gate Bridge light up. Feeling grateful for work that I love, and feeling peaceful in my heart. Feeling at home.

Sometimes, it all feels like a dream.

Pacific Sunset

Kristen — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 06:42:22 +0000

We watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean tonight.

We’re so doing this again. And again, and again.

California life.

Pacific Ocean | Half Moon Bay

*** This image is available for purchase in my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/listing/176537641/california-beach-canvas-photography

______________

k.holly | a california destination wedding photographer

Peonies

Kristen — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:40:11 +0000

I thought I’d start this week with some prettiness :) This perfect bouquet of Chilean Peonies was made by Jenn Ederer and the fabulous designers over at Modern Day Floral. After Jill’s wedding this fall, I was gushing to Jamie over her amazing bouquet and mentioned that if he needed an idea for my birthday, this would pretty much make me pass out with joy and happiness. Lo and behold, the morning of my birthday there was a knock at my door, and this gorgeous, lush, fragrant ball of amazingness ended up on my table. Throughout the day, I’d take it and move it around the house with me so wherever I was, it was too. In.LOVE.

On a related note, I’m promising myself to plant peonies in my yard this year. I would love some planting and growing tips if you have some. Please share in the comments! Thank you! :)

Alright lovelies, enjoy the prettiness and have a great week!

Michigan Snow

Kristen — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:23:06 +0000

Yesterday morning, Michigan woke up to a snow-covered wonderland. We’ve had a lot of snowstorms lately, and last nights was perfect – a little rain first, and then snow, making it all stick to the branches and trees. Not great for driving, and definitely heavy to shovel, but it was goooorgeous! My morning meeting cancelled because of the slippery road conditions, so I took advantage of the free hour. I pulled on my snowpants and boots, grabbed one camera and only one lens (the Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105 f/4L if you’re curious) and headed out into the deep snow.

It felt amazing – the air was a warm 35 degrees, snow was still gently falling, and it was oh-so quiet back in the woods. I walked (trudged) about 3 miles and came home feeling energized and alive. Fresh air, a good cardio workout, and stunning visual beauty will do that to ya ;)

Enjoy the pictures!

Spring!

Kristen — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:58:01 +0000

Happy, happy heart. Spring is here! Weddings start this Saturday with the lovely Lexi and Scottie, and we could not be happier! I’m already visualizing locations, light, composition, romance,… :: le swoon! :: I positively adore being a wedding photographer.

In the meantime, a little loveliness for the blog :)

{ Spring Snow }

Kristen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:45:58 +0000

Yes, snow… on April 18th. To me, this is no big deal. Being a northern Minnesota girl, we typically expect one more good snowstorm in April before spring really comes later in May. Easter to me has never meant frolicking in a pink dress through tall green grass looking for eggs in the bright sunshine. It usually meant bundling up in our winter coats and muddy boots to fly kites in Grandma’s backyard. That is, as long as it wasn’t pouring rain or snowing ;)

West Michigan, however, must not be used to this… my facebook feed was a flood of lamenting over the unexpected snow. No complaints from me, it gave me a chance to try out my new macro lens. And to breathe that fresh crisp air that only a snowfall can bring. :)

Try to enjoy these last little goodbye kisses from winter :) Full spring will be here soon enough!

{ winter }

Kristen — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:10:20 +0000

Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do -

or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so. ~Stanley Crawford

Have a lovely week ~ :)k

{ bambi }

Kristen — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:53:50 +0000

I interrupt this wedding photography blog for some sweet adorableness! We’ll be back to regular scheduled programming tomorrow. As I was backing up yesterday’s wedding, I saw this little fawn outside my window. He arrived trotting behind a fork horn buck. The buck kept going, but he stopped to feast on the monster-sized acorns that have been falling from our oak trees. I watched him for a long time, and finally convinced my day-after sore hands and wrists to pick up that heavy beast of a camera. I never want to even look at my camera the day after a wedding, but I couldn’t help but take a few portraits of this handsome guy. Just a few though, I didn’t want to scare him, and he could hear the click of my shutter through the window…

Happy weekend! :)Kristen