Road Trip, 2014 has officially commenced today as I crossed the Mississippi River. Heading west, I looked down at the swirling water when I caught a glimpse of an historic riverboat. They always make me think of Mark Twain and his curt, yet romantic way with words and phrases.
“The Mississippi River will always have its own way; no engineering skill can persuade it to do otherwise.”
– Mark Twain
Cheers,
Kristyn
“There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children’s children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred.”
– Teddy Roosevelt
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso
On April 25th, everyone came together at the Columbia Tower Club to do just that. As one of the members of the Columbia Tower Club Art Committee, I had the honor of partnering with members of Cornish College of the Arts for the annual 2014 CTC Art Committee Gala. It was an exciting night celebrating Cornish and their students. There were performances by students of Cornish, raffle prizes, and even a salsa demonstration. We raised thousands of dollars for future Cornish scholarships and I couldn’t be more proud.
I also had the opportunity to photograph the event including Sherry Raisbeck, our Honorary Chair for the evening. She is an incredible woman and an absolute pillar in the art community here in Seattle. Aristotle said, “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” I wholeheartedly agree. Sherry Raisbeck is the kindest, funniest, most intelligent woman and she has a passion for art and sharing that passion with the students of Cornish.
It was a wonderful evening filled with art, music, laughter, and goodness.
Cheers,
Kristyn
“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave. A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master…” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Emelia and Wilfried.
We met at the marina for a mini session and ended up on a catamaran out on the water.
There were many quiet moments between Emelia and Wilfried.
Between laughing, smiling, and silent glances…it was easy to see how much they are in love with each other.
True Love.
Cheers,
Kristyn
It’s May 1st. It’s 5:30am on the West Coast and the birds are chirping. Springtime has arrived.
This time last spring, I was fostering 2 brand new foals. I’d spent the winter bottle feeding 4 teeny kittens and went right into the spring of mixing milk buckets for these new foals. I’ll never forget hitching up the trailer and driving to the barn that rescued foals from the tri-state area. I wanted to take them all, but the woman assured me that they were all spoken for and would have homes within the week.
I collected my precious two little foals, loaded them up and carefully drove back home. They were so tiny I could almost lift them. My Great Dane, Scarlett was only a little smaller than those two, sad little foals. But I gave them lots of love, treats, and care. I sang to them, brushed them, hugged + kissed them.
The kittens I’d bottle fed that past winter grew big and strong. The foals are happy, fat, and naughty…and continuing to grow. Happily munching on the new grass nibbles that I’d planted for them in the rain.
I took these photos last summer when they were a bit bigger and had the strength to frolic.
Look at those whiskers!
I recently saw this quote online and I’ve never hear words more true. “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy horses…and that’s pretty much the same thing.”
“There is something about jumping a horse over a fence. Something that makes you feel good. Perhaps it’s the risk, the gamble. In any event, it’s a thing I need.” – William Faulkner
My life wouldn’t be complete without horses. I never lost my childhood love for them. Wherever I’ve been in the world, I’ve missed my four-legged furry friends. A pain, deep down that nothing will fix, but a kiss on the soft spot of my horse’s nose. Somehow, I knew everything would be ok as soon as I was home again and could dash to the barn, hear the horse sounds and pat one of their furry necks.
Springtime will always remind me of those teeny foals and how much I love them, but everything reminds me of horses.
Cheers,
Kristyn
“In wilderness is the preservation of the world.”
– Henry David Thoreau
Cheers,
Kristyn
“Feminism is not dead, by no means. It has evolved. If you don’t like the term, change it, for Goddess’ sake. Call it Aphrodite, or Venus, or whatever you want; the name doesn’t matter, as long as we understand what it is about, and we support it.” – Isabel Allende
Meet Dyan. The goddess of the floral crown on the beach.
Dyan has a serene look about her. She radiates an ethereal presence and it is absolutely magnetic.
Dyan and I had so much fun during our mini session on the beach. As she giggled and we laughed together, she absolutely glowed. Dyan’s fun loving attitude and warmth make her an absolute joy!
Dyan! You are the epitome of a vintage pin up model!
Dyan, thank you so much for our joy filled boudoir mini session! You are simply gorgeous! 🙂
xoxo,
Kristyn
I recently read a Financial Times story about Gianni Berengo Gardin. Apparently he (millions of other people) and I share a hero of photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson. Henri’s advice was to “photograph a moment so decisive that is catches the breath.” However much Gardin respected Cartier-Bresson, he did not heed his hero’s advice. Gardin shied away from the obvious. He doesn’t, “take photographs that are eclatante”.
He first picked up a camera in the mid-1940s. By then, the family had moved to Rome. When the German occupiers ordered the citizens to hand in their cameras, recalls Berengo Gardin, “I went out to take photographs just because I liked to disobey!” When the war ended, the family moved to Venice. “At first I was a dilettante photographer, taking shots of sunsets and old ladies.” Revelation occurred with a parcel of books from an uncle in America that included work by the great documentary photographers Walker Evans and Dorthea Lange. As he gazed at farmers reduced to gaunt despair by the Great Depression, Berengo Gardin found his calling. “It was the first time I realised that photography could tell stories that mattered.”
Later, Gardin spent time in Venice with Peggy Guggenheim, but today sadly calls Venice a, “violated woman” due to the tourism and massive cruise ships powering through the fragile and historical city. A sentiment I share having lived and worked in Venice at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection myself.
Gardin captures “the way in which his subjects see themselves” which might be a little unconventional in today’s photography market. Most subjects only think they want the truth in photographs, when in reality, they want your lens to make up a completely different story for them. Perhaps that is why he is a world renowned photo journalist and I’m shooting fashion and cultural events. Gardin has spent half a century telling the whole, true story. The gritty story, no matter how simple it may be. I’ll get there, someday. However, he claims and I agree that, “even the poorest people have dignity.” That “social justice” comes from his Italian father and Swiss mother who he says, “She was a feminist before anyone knew what feminism was.”
Gianni Berengo Gardin’s advice for photographers today? Stay away from academic photography institutions. Instead, study the greats who came before. “You need to understand why Cartier-Bresson took photographs in a different way to Klein or Lang.” Advice I have done and intend to follow.
Revelation occurred with a parcel of books from an uncle in America that included work by the great documentary photographers Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange. As he gazed at farmers reduced to gaunt despair by the Great Depression, Berengo Gardin found his calling. ‘It was the first time I realised that photography could tell stories that mattered.
That line is word for word why I am a photographer today. To tell stories that matter. An intense promise, but one I intend to keep.
You can read the entire Financial Times article by Rachel Spence, here.
Happy Sunday!
Cheers, Kristyn
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
-Native American Proverb
“She must find a boat and sail in it. No guarantee of shore. Only a conviction that what she wanted could exist, if she dared to find it.” – Jeanette Winterson
I travelled to California for a few shoots last month. I shot a mini session with Emily at an adorable marina in southern California. Emil was a dream to work with! She has such a sweet smile and brought such fun sailing accessories.
Emily definitely knows how to rock the model look!
Thank you, Emily for being such a fun girl! You’re such a gorgeous, sweet model and it was a pleasure to work with you!
Cheers,
Kristyn
