casey lou

This is what you want to see, to feel, and most of all hear on a day to day basis! Especially if you work together.

Meet Casey Lou. She's been my right hand gal, at our video store for quite a while now and just recently added "personal assistant" to the job resume. Yep, she's my new assistant at Kristin Bednarz Photography. Today was her first day and I called her yesterday to let her know she would be featured on my blog. A face to connect with and approach. She's such a great "people person", I just know everyone will love her!

So, hopefully things will run smoother around here which only means better quality and work flow for you, the client.

Call her Casey Lou.

my godson, and the chocolate donut

I love him to pieces!

He's so much fun. He can do puzzles, and count, and knows his colors. Even white!

Every time I see him he teaches me something new.

And every time I hug him, I feel all good inside.

hannah brooke

Hannah belongs to Dustin and Amy. I photographed their wedding back in December 2003. Amy's yellow bouquet was one my website in the upper left corner for eons. It is by far one of my favorites. Just such a cool one.

Well, they have a baby and she's absolutely precious! She has her Daddy's eyes and her Mommy's cheeks and such a set of vocal lungs that she uses when she wants. But gosh, such a sweetie too. She love to gabber and crawl everywhere. We had to contain her to the bed in efforts to get a great family shot. I think we all worked together to achieve that. Even Eric Carlye's Hungry Catepiller. The grass outside was getting sparse the longer we sat there and let Hannah pick it. Picking it was fine. But eating it?

year 10 at joyland

My youngest turned 10. Yep, you read that right. 10.

I'm still in my stunned, "I can't believe I'm a mom of a 10 year older phase" (not to mention the "Oh my gosh! My oldest is 12 stage". And I'm not happy to even be blogging about this. But the purpose of this place is to share my life so you have a glimpse of what I am about and then think, "Gee...I'd hire her to photograph my family.

(insert also... my wedding, my baby's birth, my graduation, my amazing wedding that I'm having next month, that lasts an entire week in Paris!)

So, we've always had BIG blowouts at our house where we invite all of our friends, (none being our childn't best friends, of course) and party into the wee hours of the morning and she receives gifts she doesn'treally, nor knew she even wanted, and we are exhausted from it all and wonder the next day why we did it.

I thought for sure she'd want to celebrate her 10th birthday just like that again. I mean we always do that. But still, I aksed her what she wanted to do, just in case. Her reply was, "I just want my best friend from Slaton, Lindsay, to meet my new best friend from Cooper, Hannah."

That was it.

Easy peasy.

Until Lindsay canceled. It really wasn't her fault. Family vacation and the only time Mom could get off work.

So, instead of slumber party, it was JOYLAND!

Even better.


This is Hannah and she still made the slumber part of the party and Summer was so excited to see her! We had a Tri County BB Game to attend to first, but these two didn't care as long as they had each other! (and $2.50 from Kalyn's gym bag to spend at the concession stand.)

HA!


Check out the new Crocks from Big sister Kalyn! They happened to match Hannah's perfectly and that was such an added plus. Great gift and a great place to wear them. I snapped this little gym shortly after a wet ride on the log ride. Summer had to dump the water out of her new shoes.




On the Music Express.

Thinking Hannah would rather be anywhere else but here right. In a few minutes, Kalyn would rather the 2 of them not squish the 10 pieces of spinach pizza out of her, she ate at Cici's 30 mintues before getting on this ride. It was a doozy! Just ask Devin. He had to endure my wieght presses against him and not in a fun, sexy kind of way!

Chief and Grandma made it and even rode a few rides. A few. You know they came totoally out of love, cuz they ain't the Joyland kinda ridin' types.




Dalton and Kate came to the party. They are cousins and we wanted them to be a part of this day. Kate had a blast riding the rides with her mom and really enjoying the entire Joyland expeirence. They stamped our hands opon arriving with the word F U N. It was intended to allow admittance back into the park should you so choose to leave. Dalton, would have chose to leave and really didn't need the "let me back in part". The kid just wasn't going to ride a darn thing. Even the train.

At least not until Mom made him, kicking and screaming the entire time. I think even a few undercut, low back punches were given to the kidney area, but Elizabethe handled them like the true heavy-weight mother she is. I love that about her. She's not afraid to make her kid have FUN.

Kate's hands during the ride. A bit nervous in the dark tunnel that hit right after the graveyard.



Dalton's hands.

Gripping Devin's pinky with the death grip of fear as the train rounded the bend! Approaching speeds of I know, almost 10 MPH!

I love this look Kate gave. She totally gets her brother. It's like, I know I'm the baby, but geez...check the dude out compared to me. I'm just so much braver.

You go Kate!







Summer blowing out her candles. Wonder what she wished for?

laura + joe

I had the pleasure of photographing Laura and Joe's wedding yesterday. ALL day yesterday! I met Laura at the salon around 9 AM and I didn't make it home till almost 1 AM. And when I left, Laura and Joe were still there at the Koko Palace. WHEW! Talk about fun making a person tired.

The had a wonderful day filled with lots of laughter and tears. Joe Ryan summed it up perfect when he told me that Laura was now his number ONE girl. Before his wedding day, his Mom always held that place in his heart. He didn't realize the transition that was taking place until that moment before he walked his mom down the aisle. It was very emotional, for both of them.


the ring bearer, Christian. His mom told me he was the best looking fellow there and I think she was totally right!








This is Jarrod, Laura's brother, seconds before their walk down the aisle. He was having a very difficult time controlling the emotions he was feeling as the Man of their Family, giving the baby away. Pretty intense feelings.


And our comic relief! In the form of Joe's sister. She was so fun and such a great spirit! At one point during the ceremony, I looked over at her and received a classic fish face! Totally cracked me up!

















Ceremony: Westwood Evagelism Center
Officiator: Steve Shaw
Wedding Coordinator: Kim Shaw
Reception: Koko Palace
Music: DJ Lopez
Baker: Cake Palace, Tahoka
Food: Frank Perez
Flowers: Mini Garcia

the lake house

Okay, so I'm waxing poetic here, but I'm such a sucker for a good romance. My good friend and cousin Elizabeth called me last night (while shopping in Target, no doubt...for a wedding gift. Which I found, Uno Attack. shhhhh...don't tell Trina.) Anyway, once in a while we get a wild hair and go watch a movie together. (Julie, if you are reading this, don't get angry. Check your call log. I tried to include you too!)

She wanted to see the Lake House, and so did I. It's one of those movies you have to see with girls, because if you are sitting next to my husband, he will ruin it for you. He will make fun of the romance, and try to make it a un-realistic, like say things, "Like that would ever happen.", and basically, just take away the goose bumps from the kiss scene.

So, I jumped at the chance to see a movie, kidless and no hubby.

I loved it. And I truly didn't think I would. You see, Eli and I, (that's what I call Elizabeth) have never chosen a real winner. Remember, Elizabethtown? Or Intolerable Cruelty? Both not our favorites. Both watched together. (Julie can vouch for that.)

But Lake House, broke the losing streak and quickly won my heart. You can't go into it being realistic or trying to figure out the time thing. You just have to take it for the romantic ride it is, and enjoy the trip and where it ends. The last scene, when he grabs her head and brings her lips, crushing into his. I gasped. And the goose bumps arrived!

Thanks Elizabeth! For the inviting and we should do that more often.

Go see the Lake House.

hello

I'm on my computer for at least 4-6 hours per working day. Lately, it's been more than what I wanted, with the computer woes and all. So, as I'm working, loading files and editing, I chat online sometimes. You know...

messenger
aim
yahoo groups, etc.

Trillian is a great program for organzing all your contacts online instead of having a million windows open. I've used it for almost a year now and highly recommend it.

About a couple of months ago, a friends suggested Hello.

I love Hello! It's a great way to share files, links and blog! Yep. You can blog straight from Hello.

So, if you want to chat while I'm online, and share photos and links and just basically help me stay awake late at night burning the midnight oil.

screen name: kristinbednarz

Hope to see you online sometime.

my most amazing, Miss Marie!

While we were photographing Megan, I couldn't help but get my favorite long haired blonde preserved on the flash card. Gosh! I love her so much it hurts.

megan

I've photographed Megan for over 2 years now and she constantly amazes me at how she's evolved on the outside, yet somehow no matter where she's at, not matter what color her hair, she's exactly the same person, on the inside. I love it! And I love the way she makes me feel when I'm around her too. Almost more alive.... almost more REAL.

She needed some new head shots for promotional purposes, so I literally stuck her in a drain pipe. (Thanks, Lauren! OH, and how can I not forget Toni...who graciously tried to give me directions by phone. "It's right there! You walk behind the building and you can't miss it. Follow the concrete, follow the concrete.")

You can read more about Megan, HERE.

a busy day

My life...

• wake up around 8 am after staying up until 3 am reinstalling software on my computer after a factory reset.
• start again on computer, while pot of coffee is brewing. Still wearing pj's. Manange to get things up and running and finish editing Erica and Sean's session. A few files didn't back up to the hard drive and I had to get them done TODAY. She's waited long enough. (You can see them HERE.)
• start laundry...see below
  
• house keeper and assistant manger from Take One Video arrives. We chat a bit. (her name is Casey and my dog Canon loves her more than me. He should, I haven't paid any attention to him in days...computer woes, remember!)
• feed kids whatever I can scrounge out of the fridge. Haven't grocery shopped in days and most of the fruit and bread is way beyond bad. Manage to find some cantelope and crackers and 2 slices that will work for the good old, PB&J's.
• oh, forgot...helped Kalyn bake cinamon roles for breakfast and must clean sticky counters first, before house keeper arrives so she won't think I'm a horrible housekeeper. What the? Why are we like this? Cinamon rolls? Yummy!
• start organzing and doing things to help Casey clean my house. Silly really, she can clean it regardless of what I do before, but I feel I should fold some laundry and start stripping the sheets off the bed. It's the FEMALE Guilt thing that we female's have. Totally sucks.
• Phone starts ringing. Cell phone that is and I can't get it to stay connected nor answer. It is tethered to my computer trying to Active Synch so I can actually return phone calls I've been receiving.
  
• continue working while breaking up fights between two hungry and cranky kids
• realize I don't have my ftp software installed so I can't upload photos to website
• ugh
• upload software
  
• head to Kalyn's BB game
• sit through frustrating game due to bad officiating (what's new?) and return 3 phone callse in between time outs and crazed parents.
• spend 15 minutes nursing hurt feelings (and pissed off ones) of 12 year old who hates to lose. Bit my tounge at least 15 times during her rolling of the eyes. Good Golly! How did my Mom quit from smothering me in my sleep?
  
• go grocery shopping. Remember, there's no food in the house and I'm sick of feeding my kids junk. It's the guilt thing again. My kid lost the game and I feel somehow, it's my fault. I didn't really cook today. She couldn't play her best on what I fed her! Come on! I need to get with it. What the? Why do we do this to ourselves, women?
  
• cook full dinnner for family while watching recorded soccer game. OH, and while I cooked I managed to get erica and sean uploaded, and start on the Cohen Family shots. Not too mention bookmark a few of my favorite blogs.
  
• read outloud to each child, Kalyn is reading a Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Summer, is reading Black Beauty. While they are in the shower and getting ready for bed, talk to husband. About the game. The game we just watched. The game we've already discussed. Several times.
  
• look at dirty dishes on table and in sink. Decide they can wait, I need to check emails and finish my diet coke. The ice is just the right temp to soft crush between my teeth and not very watery. Love it when it's like that!
  
• finish blog

now what?

computer woes

Don't worry! All files were backed up, however, I did lose emails from the past week, so if you were trying to get in touch with me when my computer troubles started, and I haven't contacted you back, PLEASE, please, try emailing or calling me again.

I apologize for the inconvience and hassle and hopefully, Dell technical support will never have to speak to me again.

(insert big heavy sigh here)

kathleen and john (part 2)

The day! And oh, what a day!

I loved almost everything about this wedding! But I think the thing I loved the most, is as a mom, raising 2 daughter's myself, I got to see a small glimspe of what's in store for me and my family on a day of weddings in our family. The Davis sisters are all very close, very spiritual and most of all, HARRY POTTER FANS!!! They ROCK!



















Kathleen Davis and John Pelletier
St. Pius X Cathoic Church
Dallas, TX
officiator: Msgr. Larry Prichard
Florist: A Floras Expression
DJ: Charlie Behne with BLT Productions
Baker: Kathy Milano
Bride's Attire: Mockingbird Bridal

kathleen and john (jodel)

I have to brag.

Jodel Phillips has been my very good friend for several years now and she's shares the same obsession I do for weddings and photography. We enjoy each other's company and she's been tagging along for a few years now at some of the weddings I cover.

Wanted to share some of my favorites she took at this weekend's wedding. I love the first shot of Kathleen standing in her parent's home, the home she grew up in, having her portrait taken. It's quite lovely! Stunning is another word that comes to mind.

I hope you are patting yourself on the back, Jodel. Here's a few others I quickly picked out!

kathleen and john (part 1)

I'm in Dallas this weekend photographing Kathleen and John's wedding. I met John at Emily and Jonathan Alexander's wedding a few years ago. He was the BIG best man, and now 2 years and about 55 pounds lighter, he's professing his love to Kathleen and I'm invited to document. I couldn't be happier about that.

I made it the church last night for rehearsal and found out, that for the first time in 4 years of doing this, I GOT THE TIME WRONG! Talk about panic. Talk about curse words! Oh, my. I flew down Northwest Highway to Maggiano's Little Italy, which is where, after many phone calls to Kathleen, I discovered where the couple and their families where.

They graciously accepted my apology, and understood and still fed me wonderful food and amzing Italian coffee! You know me and coffee! What forgiveness and grace was bestowed upon said wedding photographer!








Kathleen, we've decided, has ballet arms. Amazingly graceful, she comes to the grace naturally. She holds herself in a manner you can't help but admire and love. I could watch her all night and am thrilled to spend the day with her tomorrow! (John, you are quite the guy, too! Don't want you to think the love is NOT there!)



This is Emily and Jonathan. They were married in 2004 in a lovely mass that had the hairs on my arms standing up and chill bumps from the glory of the choir in the balcony. They've been living abroad in Rome and only returned in the past few weeks. Emily has a passion for photography and I'm excited she's back stateside. Lots of good conversations about aperatures and shutter speeds will be in our future. And last night at the table, we had to reel it in a bit, or we would have been excluding the other guests. This is Jonathan's neice, Emma. Adorable, dimply legs that make you want to love all over her!









John, placing the pearls he gave his future wife, on her neck.

noah dean

This is my nephew Noah. He lives in CA and I visited him last month when I was photographing a wedding. He's at that "very hard to photograph" stage. And not that he's difficult or anything, but he's at the age where he's very aware of himself and how he looks and there fore it's not always easy to get the images that are R E A L. That are the "him" that we see instead of the "him" that he sess himself. I think that's why I was so thrilled to see these images come opne in Photoshop as I was editing my photographs.

I remember making these. It was one of the first nights I arrived and it was dark outside and I used my 50 wide open @ 1600 iso. I wanted to see how far I could push this lens with the 20d. Pushed very well.

mandy and josh (part 2)

It was a wonderful day! We started at Reflections Salon and Day Spa for the "up-do's" and finished with a wonderful, heartfelt reception at the church fellowship hall. There were plenty of tears and laughter to fill the day with memories for a long time to come!

Mandy and Josh are headed to San Antonio for their honeymoon. Congratulations you two! And thanks so much for letting me be a part of your day!

To view Mandy and Josh's photographs, click HERE.



















location: Southgate Church of Christ, San Angelo, Texas
officiator: Paul Shero, Shouthgate Church of Christ
baker: Ramirez Kake Shop, 325-655-4309
dress: Terry Costa, 972-385-6100

rachel elizabeth

I'm still downloading images from Mandy and Josh's BIG day, but almost completely forgot about Rachel. Michelle called me Friday morning as I was packing for my weekend wedding in San Angelo. Rachel had arrived into this world around 2 am in the morning. I couldn't leave for San Angelo without going to see this new little soul.

She's absolutely beautiful! And absolutely vocal/verbal. No problem in this area at all! When Michelle called I could hear her in the background saying "hello". HA!

Welcome to this world, Rachel! And I'll see you in a few weeks when you are more awake.

mandy and josh (part 1)

I'm in San Angelo this weekend for the wedding of Mandy and Josh. Mandy is Monica's sister, who got married with me photographing her, 2 years ago. Almost 2, right?

Anway, Jake and Monica have a baby, now. His name is Hunter. Such a cute little chubby thing! Even if he is having a bit of trouble with all the traveling and people. Love the "faux hawk" he's got going and I'm sure today, at the wedding, he'll look so good in that tux.









We had a very special time last night and one that normally doesn't include me, the photographer, but as with all special times, you feel just blessed to be a witness, let alone a participant. The girls, (and me) stayed together at the hotel last night and had such a wonderful time, lifting Mandy up in prayer and fellowship! This couple has the ammo they need, which is God in their lives, and in their families' lives. The love in the room last night was almost overwhelming! Such a great night. Thanks, McKee family for "filling me up" for my wedding season this year!