Valentine Cards

We love valentine day here at Kim Crenshaw Photography, so we decided to open our studio on Tuesday to all our clients to come and make valentines. My daughter Ashley and I have always loved crafting and doing art projects so when we started pulling out all of our craft supplies we were amazed at all the stuff we had. We had so much fun that we are planning on making it an annual event. Here are a few of the valentine cards from our very creative day.

Old Man River

Larry and I recently spent a few days back in Memphis Tn. We had the pleasure of staying at The River Inn in Harbor Town on Mud Island by the old muddy Mississippi river.To wake to a very foggy morning and walk along the rivers edge was something I never did when I lived there many years ago.It’s always fun to return to a place that you have a history with and do new things, especially as when I lived there I was a single mom and a struggling student putting myself through college, and never could have afforded the luxury of staying in such a nice place.  Twenty three years ago I graduated from Memphis College Of Art and within 2 years of that time began my photography business, met and married the love of my life, and moved away. I always find it bitter sweet whenever we return to Memphis. I loved every minute of the time I spent in school there but for the friends,family,food and music I found myself itching to be somewhere else. After leaving Memphis we lived for a couple of years in Kansas City and after 2 really cold winters there ended up moving to South Florida. I had the idea that living in a place where the sun always shines and it never gets cold would be my idea of heaven. Boy was I wrong. I can’t tell you how much I missed the seasons. It’s very hard to mark time when every day is the same. I missed the winters when you can put a fire in the fireplace any cozy up next to your loved ones and listen to Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole. I missed when all the flowers would bloom in the spring and everything would turn green again as if by magic. Summer I never missed as it was summer every day. Never seeing a tree turn all the bright shades of autumn I missed as well. Coming home to North Carolina 15 years ago was the best decision Larry and I ever made. We have truly found our heaven on earth here. Yes, we go away every winter to another little spot of heaven (St. Martin) but we always return home with joy and gratitude. So, while I really love to travel,to new places as well as old, I will always return to the place my heart calls home.

Perfect Nights

Okay so here is part two of a perfect day… a perfect night. The snow continued coming down in big fat flakes into the evening and we had our first fire in the fireplace. We have just finished decorating inside our home for the holidays and the lights were all twinkling and the candles were lit. Our favorite christmas music was playing and Larry and I were sitting on the couch enjoying the beautiful ambiance. Some of my favorite memories are the times we have just sat and watched the fire and listened to music on a cold winter night. It has always been the most enjoyable when our daughter joins us. She is now 15 and those times get fewer every year, but she came downstairs and snuggled with us on the couch just as she did when she was little. Now, that, that was perfection.

Perfect Days

There is a saying that goes “some days are diamonds,some days are dust”. Yesterday was a diamond. Jeff and Crecia came over to order some photos for x-mas gifts from their engagement session and recent wedding. I have known Jeff for many years and had been keeping a keen eye out for the perfect girl for him because with Jeff she had to be amazing or she just wouldn’t do. You see Jeff is an amazing guy and I love him like the brother I never had so just any girl would not do for him. Well I am so happy to say that after a few trails and tribulations Jeff did indeed find the perfect girl. Now I have another “sister” to add to the family. We are all sooo happy for Jeff and Crecia. They are a perfect match, both so full of love and laughter. Anyway, when they got here yesterday it started snowing and Crecia was so excited to see the snow, as was I that I insisted we go out and play for a bit. Of course for me that meant I had to have a camera in my hands, so… here are a few of the photos from the engagement session and the magic of a snowy day.

I think Crecia and I were most excited about the snow but once we got Jeff outside he had fun too.

Ladies In White

One of the things I love about my friend Gena is how well she manifests things in her life.When we were in Saint Martin last week we wanted to photograph a woman in white up on the bluffs. We did a number of shoots but no lady in white. So, on our 4th day on the island Gena wakes up early and is sitting on the balcony watching 5 ladies walking around on the beach, each doing their own thing,some sitting looking out to sea,some reading and some just walking in circles. Well,Gena is a very open and curious person so when she saw them walk over to the pool and form a group she went to investigate. Turns out there were over 35 women from all over the globe gathered to from a prayer group to pray for all the children of the world. These ladies meet every year in Hawaii but this year decided to meet in St. Martin. When Gena introduced herself and started talking with them they told her this and said they were on the beach that morning praying for a photographer to photograph the group as they had been looking for a photographer on the island but had not been able to get in touch with one. They were all meeting at 4pm that day to go to church and get this they were all going to be wearing white. Amazing manifestation. We were praying for a woman in white and we got 35 of them. These ladies were so strong and beautiful and fun to work with. It was a complete joy to be able to spend a couple of hours in their company.

Cool Blue In Saint Martin

Got Up early the other morning to take a few shots of the new tile on one of the pools at Divi Little Bay for the marketing team. I took a lot of images that should work fine for a marketing piece or website by my favorite image gives a whole other sense to the cool blues of a Caribbean swimming pool.

Sunny Saint Martin

I am always saying I love what I do but doing what I love in sunny Saint Martin ratchets that up to a whole other level. I am at the Divi Little Bay Resort where I am getting new shots for my new website and for Divi as well. Kim Crenshaw Photography has been invited by Divi Little Bay to open a studio in their resort, so I am down here working hard to get things in place. This morning my good friend Genna Ram (who is my new Partner in crime) photographed Obama on the beach.Just joking,but our friend Haresh, who works for Divi looks a lot like him. He is such a sweetheart and a good sport to have two women bossing him around and still maintain him calm and sense of humour. Thanks Haresh,I would gladly get up early any morning to take your photo.

A snapshot of a few of my favorite wedding photos – raleigh nc wedding photographer

I have been having such a good time these past couple of years with the weddings I have shot. I feel it is such a sacred day and I am always humbled to be invited to record and capture this very special day. I have complete albums on the website of a few of the weddings I’ve done the past year so please go and take a look. Here is a few of my favorites.

Sweet Baby Natalie – cary nc baby photographer

I have experienced such joy and blessings this past year but without a doubt little Natalie has been one of the very, very best. My dearest friend Bev became a grandmother this past year and I became “auntie Kim”. I have had the pleasure to be a part of Natalie’s moms life since she was a baby herself and have photographed many important stages in her life as well. It is  such an honor that Leigh and Chase are now intrusting me with these  precious times in their daughter’s life to record.Natalie is a perfect baby in every way and a true gift to all lucky enough to be a part of her life. Thank you Leigh and Chase and Bev for sharing such a perfect gift with me.

You just have to love a girl who loves shoes!

And pretty dresses.

And bubbles!

Note Cards – Summer Images from Raleigh Fine Art Photographer

I have been enjoying the spoils of summer so much this year. When ever we get a spare hour or two on the weekend we head for the state farmers market. I  have been rather amazed at how much pleasure can come from something as simple as a basket of fresh peaches or a handful of heirloom tomatoes. I have been  inspired to make amazing new recipes,as well as  try my hand at canning. Of course,anyone who knows me at all will not be surprised that I have also been inspired to take photos of my finds. I am thinking about turning them into note cards and selling them on Etsy. I would love any feed back. Here are two from this weekend.