the becker kids

Can you call a senior a kid? Not so sure with this one. Meet Jared and Audra. They go to school at Cooper and Jared is in his LAST YEAR. Did you hear that world? LAST YEAR EVER OF HIGH SCHOOL! He has to be feeling so ultra cool.

We spent a good part of Monday night getting to know each other and enjoying the great sunshine and bugs, and biting flies that mother nature let loose all over West Texas. :)

ENJOY!

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for you photographer freaks/geeks, I shot these in RAW on the 5d only because I wanted to try out Lightroom 2. There are so many pros to shooting RAW, which I used to do for years with the 20d's, and Lightroom is wonderful. HOWEVER, and this is a huge however for me. With the 5d the files are ginormous and it's just not a fast enough processor to keep up with my mode of shooting, which is very fast. So, the buffer fills up and you are waiting. Which isn't a problem with portraits of older kids and families, brides, couples, etc. But for photojournalistic wedding coverage? Forget about it! NO WAY can this mode of shooting keep up with me during a wedding.

So, do I spend $8000 for a faster, better camera? Or just stick to my guns (5d's) and shoot jpg.

Hmm....

on the patio

CYBER sistas! Eat your heart out!

My good friend Julie and I, wandered on over to Abuello's on a Friday afternoon and didn't leave until almost midnight! OMG! Our hubby's joined us after they got off work, and I texted Jennifer and Eric to meet us too. I'm so glad they did!

We had a great time! Probably a bit too great and I paid heavily in the hot sun on Saturday at the Send Off, but it was so much fun to listen to good music, good conversation and good laughs.

Oh, and Stacy and Champ showed up too! Fun night!

Julie and I enjoying the sunshine and watching the band set up.


Jennifer arriving. Watch out! A few more drinks and our tongues start sticking out. :)


Julie and Heath. Don't worry, Heath, I'm not blogging ALL the photos I took of you. :)


Drink of choice for a while. I've been loving these since Jamaica.


Jennifer and Eric. Too cute!




What Heath does between drinks.




I love it when Eric laughs. It's infectious!!!

drinking Lonestar again

When Devin is at the Roadhouse, he drink's Lonestar beer and they have these cool puzzles on the bottle caps. You can search for the answers HERE.

send off

I spent the day at the Lubbock Civic Center with lots of other people, volunteering our time to a great cook out/picnic for the area troops. Good food, good people and even some good music. You can't beat that! Above is Andy and Abby and they sent me the email that started this ball rolling.

Here's a few from the day. :)

friday night lights

"simply one of the best-acted, best-written, best-produced shows on television."
~ Robert Blanco, USA Today

I totally agree.

All this late night editing is hard. So, I usually have a DVD running such as Friends, Gey's or Gilmore Girls. I've seen every episode of all of them and it's just the writing of these shows that I love. So, when Grey's went on Hiatus last year, on of my friends suggested this show.

I got hooked. It's an awesome show! Go watch an episode HERE. Let me know what you think. My favorite character is Landry. Witty, sweet, total heart stealer in my book.

sunflowers

Inspired by Linda, I went out Sunday evening and photographed our field of sunflowers growing here on Bednarz land. I wanted to photograph them as the subject instead of as a backdrop for a session, so I used various lenses and experimented with different distances and composition. Even when I felt I was finished with each lens, I pushed a bit further to see if I saw something different. You'll have to let me know what you think.

:)

a sick day

I've been feeling "puny" all day since church so this evening I went out and shot a bit just to take my mind off the headache I'd had for 48 hours. I'll share more tomorrow.

Grandma's raising card sharks

We ate at Texas Road House last night and look what the girl's do.   LOL  Playing cards!

Jaw dropping

You know when we are little?  And we dream of the man we will marry someday?  Well, my dream of my handsome young fellow always involved us sitting in fluffy white bathrobes in the morning, sipping coffee on our patio, reading together.  If you know my husband, Devin, he does NOT like to read.  

Yesterday, killing time between basketball games in Plainview, Macy (Keri's little girl) gave Devin a book and he actually read a chapter!  LOL  Had to grab a shot, cuz this is few and far between folks.  LOL

Found some grub

Yum!  Have you tried this place, yet?

A Saturday with the family

I tore myself away from the computer today.  Summer is playing in a BB tournament in Plainview and I get to go!  YIPEE!  

a nice one

This session is from a bit ago and I'm finishing up all my sessions, weddings, albums, dishes, laundry, HA! etc. and wanted to share. Total yumminess. In my personal opinion, besides the obvious moment between these two, the heels make the shot. :)

wink wink

total YUMMINESS

All mail travels to

kristinbednarz@me.com

So use this email addy, use my various others. Doesn't matter. All comes to one place.

I'm doing the happy dance. :)

YUM

Heavy into editing mode these next two weeks to get out all the weddings and session that are "in the can" sort of speak. I can't share the bridals, but surely the veil is OK, right?

LOVE THIS!

traci + john (the wedding)

I've made a dent in the laundry and even managed to return a few emails and phone calls.  It's been raining the past fews days in Lubbock so the weather is bearable, but the house building business has slowed, so I managed to crunch out a few edits today to share with you from my Jamaica wedding!

Here's Jodel.  The light at the lobby bar was simply amazing!  We were waiting for our couple.  :)  Thanks, Jodel for being my traveling buddy!   I had a great time! 

And thanks Traci and John for a fabulous summer vacation!  I so needed a break in the middle of my wedding maddness!  As much as I absolutely LOVE my job, sometimes, you just need to sit on the beach with a friend and some rum.  :)

View more of their photographs HERE.

traci + john (the engagement)

Jamaica was beautiful. It always is. Rain or shine, it's a paradise. A hot, humid paradise, but a paradise all the same.

My good friend Jodel went with me and we had so much fun catching up and playing lazy for a day or so before the wedding. I read two books while I was traveling and there and really enjoyed the beach. ALOT.

The wedding was quite lovely, but the day before we met Traci and John before dinner that night and just spent a quick 20 minutes grabbing some PDA's in Jamaica mon! LOL

So much fun.




I love this shot below! Traci has beautiful natural wavy hair that was loving the humidity and this is John helping her straighten her hair for the photo. LOL We also had our "all inclusive" bracelets on, that the resort gave us that we were constantly trying to shoot around. Didn't matter. These two were just so easy with the PDA's you don't notice them.







I'll get the wedding sneak peek to you soon.

eric + jennifer (the wedding)

First, we have to have a vote. For the prettiest toes! These two have been debating forever about who has the prettiest toes. So leave a comment and let us know. OK?

So, I'm back from my wedding in Jamaica, which I will blog this week, but first, I have to blog Eric and Jennifer's wedding in Austin. So much fun! And even though I've had the sneak peek up on their gallery, there's something about having your wedding BLOGGED that makes you feel ultra special. (and it satisfies my need for chronological blogging)



Kim is such a gifted woman to have around. Especially when it comes to opening champagne bottles. :)

This is Jennifer's Mom. She has a "beauty morning" as well.





I LOVE this macro shot of Jenn's eye. Too cool!

Great hair! BIG sexy bride hair! LOVE IT!


But does she?

YEP! She does!

Now on to the guys. Eric was full of smiles, vim and vigar. Umm...yeah.



So were his groomsmen. :)



Windy day in Austin, fitting for a West Texas couple. And it was awesome because it blew the heat away for just a bit and since the wedding was outdoors, we were very thankful.







I LOVE this shot of Jennifer and all her girl's prodding, poking and rubbing. So funny!

Absolute stunning bride!



And sure, Eric thought so too. I won't tell you what this picture is about, but something about a 50's housewife. LMBO




Beautiful couple! Inside and out!!!





This is Gavin and he's an absolute doll!




If you are a blog reader, you noticed the lyrics to Leather and Lace earlier this week. It was recited at the wedding and everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE was in tears. Such great lyrics and so fitting of these two.

They wrote their own vows and they were perfect. When Jennifer mentioned the "light" part, I lost it. (Eric did too.) Such a great moment!

Happy couple!





Drink of choice for most of the night. How cool is this! He dropped them at the head table.


Beautiful cake!


Mosser clan. Need I say more?







LOVE you two!
Oh, and when you think about it, I so need your tracks from the reception. You two jammed it well done. :)

Animal life in Jamaica

We're here!

Phone service in Jamaica?

Little treasure I found on my phone

Jamaica bound!

Waiting for my flight

I can't believe I have to leave in just a few hours for the airport.  I shall sleep on the plane, right?  

our future home site

Nothing but dirt right now, but soon.

have you read my blog?

me and amy on the ride home

The ride home from Austin was fairly bumpy but I was so happy that I got to reconnect with this girl.  Amy!  I had so much fun with you (and Keri, you too) this weekend.  I LOVE the idea of a book club and I'm almost finished with the one I bought with you right before this shot was taken.

We definitely need to get together more often!  

UPDATE

If you are a bride or groom and you are wondering where your photographs are?  BEAR WITH ME.   I've been traveling TONS and have time set aside this month for nothing but the editing.  I'm so looking forward to trying out a few new actions and I watch Photoshop TV and have some inspirational ideas brewing.  Life in front of the computer will be great next week!   Your photographs will be ready soon!

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a wedding in Jamaica and will be back early next week.  I'm sure my cell phone will be useless, but maybe I'll have internet at the hotel.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  :)

Take care and see you soon!

leather and lace

Is love so fragile...
And the heart so hollow
Shatter with words...
Impossible to follow
Youre saying Im fragile...i try not to be
I search only...for something I cant see

I have my own life...and I am stronger
Than you know
But I carry this feeling
When you walked into my house
That you wont be walking out the door
Still I carry this feeling
When you walked into my house
That you wont be walking out the door

Lovers forever...face to face
My city, your mountains
Stay with me stay
I need you to love me
I need you today
Give to me your leather...
Take from me...my lace

You in the moonlight
With your sleepy eyes
Could you ever love a man like me
And you were right
When I walked into your house
I knew Id never want to leave
Sometimes Im a strong man
Sometimes cold and scared
And sometimes I cry
But that time I saw you
I knew with you to light my nights
Somehow Id get by
First time I saw you
I knew with you to light my nights
Somehow I would get by

Lovers forever...face to face
My city, your mountains
Stay with me stay
I need you to love me
I need you today
Give to me your leather
Take from me...my lace

Lovers forever...face to face
My city ,you mountains...stay with me stay
I need you to love me...i need you to stay
Give to me your leather
Take from me...my lace
Take from me...my lace
Take from me...my lace

jennifer + eric (random pics from saturday morning)

Austin was beautiful this weekend! Yes, it was HOT. It was hot everywhere in Texas this weekend, but there was a breeze and hey, the skies not brown. So, beautiful in my book.


This little guy was frisky with all his firends while we were rehearsing the wedding. :)

The Four Seasons had some interesting wall art.

Jennifer was sleepy as were most of the wedding party. Eric was so sweet saying good morning.

So was his Mom. :)


Pat and Averi, looking all FAMOUS!

This little munchkin came to every event and did wonderful! :)



Kim Gerlich and her famous lip action.


Stacy looking all glam for the morning. ;)


Averi has the best laugh. Crinkled nose laughs make other's smile. :)






Yummy drinks and food at the Luncheon for the Bride's. Total yum and they spoiled the photographer, too. I'm all about the YUM!


Lots of laughs.





Jennifer gave them all these book she made with photos of her with each girl. Very touching. :) AND Coach bags. Yep. My kinda bride! :)



Britta always smiles for the camera. And her laugh! OMG! It will get you kicked out of church! :)



This is Jennifer's Mom. She took me to buy beer. No joke.


Family with the hostess.


Cousins.



I'm pouring through the wedding edits, selecting my favorites for the sneak peek later today. Stay tuned!

jennifer + eric (the rehearsal)

I'm back from Austin and zonked! What a weekend! I had so much fun at Jennifer and Eric's wedding and seeing old friend's from different places just made my year. It seriously did. I work so many weekends I don't have the chance to do normal things with friends. I don't go to many movies, or dinners, and celebrations. I work.

So, this weekend, since Eric and Jennifer are a Lubbock/Slaton couple, there were many people I knew and loved there. It felt so good to visit and catch up and just be a part of their celebration.

It was a GREAT wedding weekend with so many laughs and plenty of "new memories" for that journal, Avery. :)

Here's a quick sneak peek from the rehearsal night. We had dinner at this great restaurant and then went back to the 4 Seasons for fireworks and fun. On a side note, I took a dive on the sidewalk and skinned up both my knees pretty badly. I'm such a klutz! But I sacrificed the knees for the my gear. Didn't want to wreck any of my stuff. :)

Enjoy!

Happy 4th July

When I was in CA in May, I took an extra day or two to visit my Granny Helton.  I don't get to see her but maybe once a year or so if I'm close, it's important.  When my parents divorced, my mom took us to Oklahoma to live with them until she could get back on her feet.  I LOVED their little home in Tamaha and just enjoying the life with them.  It was simple.  

Granny is legally blind and can see shadows and some colors, but not your face.  Which is great!  You don't have to wear makeup!  LOL  But her other senses are "heightened" and she knew my voice the 2nd I arrived.  That was great.  :)

We did nothing much except hang out at her place.  We visited Papaw (her hubby's) grave and then my mom and I went on a little photo excursion.  That was fun.  

I'm in Austin this weekend and had some time to kill at the airport waiting, so I was glad to have these images on my laptop.  :)  My family is back home enjoying the Slaton park.  I LOVE YOU GUYS!  See you Sunday!

Enjoy!

She lives in an assisted living place, and her daughter lives right there too, so there's comfort in knowing Aunt Marion is nearby.  I stayed on her couch and just had to take a picture of this.  It is a Valentine, my daughter Kalyn made for her when she was in 4th grade.  (I think.)  She could see better then and it touched her heart so she had it framed and keeps it in her bedroom.  

I think I look like my mom.  This is a horrible shot.  My 24 1.4 would visit canon after this trip.  It started overexposing by 2 stops but only outdoors.   Go figure?

hi.

cooper cheer

How cool is this? WOW! I LOVED last night. Cooper Cheerleaders needed some promotional photographs taken to use for all their calendars, locker tags, lunch room danglers, etc. And when their ultra cool, drill-talking sponsor Kecia, called to ask me if I would help, I immediately said YES! Many of these girls I've watched grow up and become amazingly beautiful girls! You will recognize a few here, as their faces have graced my blog before. I really wanted to portray them as what I feel cheerleaders really are. (I can just hear my friend Toni hysterically laughing in the background as I type this.)

strong
beautiful
aggressive
cute
powerful

I definitely did NOT want cheesy. And despite the helmets, we really did not use props. I wanted the girls to shine. And I totally think they did. :)

These next few shots are what we kept calling FIERCE. LOL Very hard to do when all your friends/peers and even a few parents are watching. And I'm sure my obsessive nature of shooting did not help with the giggles at all. But hey! Check these girls out! They so nailed it!

BRAVO COOPER CHEER TEAMS! You did AWESOME!

CLICK HERE for your sneak peek.










And a special shout of thanks to Miss Sagon! (I sure hope I'm spelling it close.) She was a big help with stickers and being my lighting dummy for my first few shots. OH, and an official member of THE LITTLES. :) Thanks!

I'm sorry, I'm booked

I hate saying those words. Especially if we are into a conversation, me and the bride, and we are "clicking". We talk about the date and suddenly I realize I'm booked. UGH! I hate that! I want to do all the weddings of the world! But since that is so not possible, I have friends that I recommend locally,

Toni Daniel
Lauren Clark
Shan Renee

as well as "communities" of photographers that I belong to.

International Society of Wedding Photographers
Wedding Photographer's Directory
Wed Comp

All are good starts to finding a photographer that is a match for you. Your day is very important. YES. You want beautiful photographs, but NO, you don't want to hang all day with a person that gets on your nerves. So spend some time talking to them, discussing things with them, really getting to know them as much as possible before deciding, yep, you'll do.

On a side note, the photograph above is on the ISWP banner for Texas. It's Heather from a wedding I photographed last summer and she's such a beautiful spirit. She's now a mom and I think it's so fitting that a happy image of her is what was chosen to represent Texas for this quarter. Heather lost her mom recently and I'm sure it's been difficult to smile some days lately.

Heather, if you are still a blog reader, I want you to know I've been thinking about you.