Bella Vie Studio

Evan

2010-05-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

I just love, love, love little ones! They are so sweet and fun and full of wonder! And then they grow up..... But I must say - although mine aren't so "little" anymore, they are still sweet. Most of the time. I think. :o)

Meet Evan - a nine month old mover and shaker! Blond hair and beautiful blue eyes with a fun personality to go along with it all! He was a real trooper for putting up with outfit changes, nose wipings, hair brushings and even being trapped in a papasan chair!

Now if only my kids put up with the same......

:o)

Did we really just......... ?

2010-03-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

So every once in awhile I think we all have a moment where we think, "I know I shouldn't do this but I just HAVE to....." Well, two nights ago, I'm quite positive I had that moment. And it was a big one.

Meet Scooter.

Scooter is a rescue pup from Southern Illinois. I learned this week that no-kill shelters are essentially non-existent in the southern part of our state. Apparently dogs roam quite freely down there and the stray population is overwhelming. Shelters have no choice but to euthanize pets at an astounding rate of 98%. So sad. But the Wright Way Shelter is trying to help by driving dogs and puppies up to this area by the busload so that they can be adopted out. Their efforts are paying off - in their only shelter down south, the euthanasia rate has dropped to almost 60%. Not perfect but certainly a great effort.

My boys found Scooter online through the shelter's site. My oldest, Zack, fell in love with him instantly. Not only was he cute, but his shelter name was, well, Zac. Hello! I don't think it mattered if this little guy had three ears and a tail coming out of his head! In my kids' mind, he was ours.

So the story goes that my Zack rifled through his drawers to find his wallet and count the money he's been saving for what seems like forever. He went to the website and found that the adoption fee was $250 (it pretty much covers the vet visits, shots, food and shelter costs). The amount of money in his wallet - $246.

Needless to say we knew that we were going to be driving home that night with a new addition. With only $4 to kick in, how could we say no. Our boys learn another lesson about saving for something really cool, we help save a rescue dog, and our home is filled with the fun and laughter that a new puppy brings. All, to quote Visa, adding up to one thing - PRICELESS.

Kristin :o)

PS - Here's the shelter link if anyone is interested.....

http://wrightwayrescue.net/

Attention High School Juniors!!!!!

2010-03-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

Are you, or do you know someone, who is a Junior right now? This summer is the PERFECT time to have your Senior portraits taken! Take advantage of the beautiful weather and do something FUN! Here is Emily's session from last summer - we did so many fun and creative shots! Thanks Emily!

Kristin :o)

Winter Engagement

2010-03-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

When you plan a wedding for April, that doesn't leave much time for lush, green outdoor engagement photos. So what do you do if it's February and you want to take photos? You head to the beach! Yup - the beach!

That's just what Christina and Nick did and I just LOVE their photos! It was actually on the warm side that day (phew!) and we had a ball! Plus the combination of white snow and brown sand is really cool!

Thanks Christina and Nick for being so adventurous! See you in 39 days!

Kristin :o)

It only takes one.....

2010-03-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

I did a session today and wasn't really sure what I got. My one year old subject was perfect - smiling, laughing, and BEAUTIFUL! But as we all know, one year olds can have a mind of their own and try and try as we did to set the stage, my little friend reminded us that SHE was in charge! And so as the photographer, I shot lots and lots - with the hope that there would be something good.....

As I edited the photos today, I was happy that there were quite a few good ones of her smiling, laughing and playing! Just what Mom and Dad will want!

And then I found this one........ And sometimes it only takes one.....

Kristin :o)

Congrats to Gina and Ben!

2010-03-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

Gotta love an engagement session in February! Thanks Gina and Ben for braving the elements! You guys were awesome and I can't wait to photograph your wedding this September!

Kristin
:o)

Who says you can't take cool photos in the snow?

2010-02-10T19:47:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Lauren, a brave high school senior, who recently met me at a park for her Senior portraits! She said she was looking for something different - and she got it! It actually was a beautiful day and the white snow and brown grasses made the perfect setting! And of course going back to Cheer Fusion was fun, too!

Thanks Lauren!

:o)

It's Wedding Booking Season!

2010-02-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all those who got engaged over the holidays! Even though it's cold and snowy out, it's time to start making plans!

Bella Vie attended the Midlane Bridal Show last month and met many brides and grooms who came out - some even with bridal party or family members in tow! It was fun to talk about all of the wedding details they are considering and I appreciate the opportunity to meet so many wonderful couples!

If you know of anyone planning a wedding, please have them give me a call! I would love to talk to them about their ideas for their special day!

To close, I'd love to share some of my favorite images from last summer's weddings. I have so many - I might need to create a few more posts down the road to share more!

Happy Wedding Season and here's to a quick spring!

Kristin :o)

2009-11-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

This day was so, so, so cold and these two amazing kids were real troopers for hanging in there! The fall color is so beautiful and so were they. It's rare to meet siblings who really get along well and these two were awesome! They are truly wonderful kids both inside and out. Thanks Cole and Mallory! :o)

Fall cuties!

2009-11-02T20:41:00.001-08:00

I just had to share a couple of quick images from a session last weekend. The weather was perfect, the leaves were amazing and the kids were so much fun! Look how sweet these cutie patooties are! Do you think they'll get along this well as teenagers?!?! :o)

2009-10-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

Another day designing! I seriously could spend every day playing with the images I take! :o)

I completed another Storybook today! I was fortunate to spend an afternoon with Annie and Pride, her horse back when the weather was actually nice! Her parents have asked me to design this book as a present for her birthday that's coming up! How cool will that be to get a book of you and your horse?!?! I hope she likes it....

Here are a few of my favorite pages!

Enjoy!
Kristin :o)

2009-10-22T21:01:00.003-07:00

So I had to share a couple of my favorite images from this session! These siblings were very fun and so, so cute! We kept having to reschedule our session because of the weather and finally on the fourth try we got a beautiful day!

Kristin :o)

Haley's session

2009-10-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed photographing Haley this past weekend in downtown Barrington! She is an aspiring clothing designer and actually made some of her own outfits! Even though it was a little chilly and it actually started to rain at the end, we had a great time finding all kinds of neat spots to take her photographs! And we left the ladies at the coffee shop wondering what we were up to with all of our trips in for wardrobe changes!

Thanks Haley!
Kristin :o)

New Holiday Card Designs

2009-10-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

It's not too late to have a portrait done for Holiday cards this year! I had a little fun this week creating some new card designs..... Any design can be customized with images of your children or family! And there are lots of options for verses and text! When's the last time you sent out a photo card? And don't you just love it when your friends send one?

Check out all the designs on the website - www.bellaviestudio.com
Click on 'Portfolio' and then go into the 'Press Printed Cards' gallery.

Happy Friday!
Kristin :o)

Renee and Jimmy

2009-10-13T19:23:00.001-07:00

Thanks Renee and Jimmy for a super fun engagement session! And you can't even tell by the photos how cold it really was! Thanks for being such troopers! Here's to hoping next October is just a wee bit warmer.....

Kristin :o)

2009-10-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

Today was a busy day at the computer! I had lots of fun creating a few greeting cards, artworking images for a wedding album and putting the finishing touches on a Storybook design! I have to share a few pages of the book that I just love - check them out! Enjoy the rest of your Monday and keep smiling even though the weather is gloomy! Fall is such a beautiful time of year!
Kristin :o)

2009-10-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog! I hope to keep in touch with everyone through this site! I love photography and I love sharing it even more. Check in often to keep in touch and to see some of the beautiful children and families I have the privilege of photographing!

Thanks for visiting!
Kristin :o)