2017

2019

2020

2021

2023

Before I became a wife, a mom, or even a photographer, I was just Kristin.


I loved spending time with friends, journaling about boy drama (or lack thereof), binge watching shows, and spending quality evening time with my best friends, Ben & Jerry, while snuggling on the couch with my oversized cat named Gus. 

And then I met Jon.

He walked through the doors of my church that Sunday morning wearing a motorcycle jacket with helmet in hand. His presence was commanding, if only because of his height and not for any other reason.

Long story short...

Our friends ditched us one evening (because young single adults are flaky, not because they were setting us up). I showed up to that accidental date in workout clothes. I was smelly, sweaty, and slimy... and I walked away from that evening thinking that I should have maybe put in a little more effort. 

That first accidental date was on June 13, 2017. 

We tied the knot on November 25th of that SAME YEAR. 

If you're doing some quick mental math, that's about 6 months before we decided on forever. It's the decision I probably thought the least about, but arguably the most important (and best) decision I've made in my entire life.

marrying Jon has changed everything in all of the best ways.

He has grounded me. 

And I do mean that in the best way. 

I used to struggle with anxiety so much more (and differently) than I do now. And even now, when I do struggle, it's met with confidence and a heaping dose of reality. Jon has such unwavering faith in the Lord that I can't help but feel anything but calm when I'm with him. 

He is my best friend, the love of my life, my biggest supporter, and the best dad to our kids. Goodness I love this man.

Then I entered my mom era.

Kid Kristin used to spend so much time dreaming about being a mom someday. Every stuffed animal and every baby doll I had was a boy. At about 12 years old, I told my mom that I would name all of my boys Aiden, Jaden, Caden, Hayden, etc. And while I didn't do that, I do have a house full of boys and even though their names don't rhyme, they do all start with an A.

fast forward to now.

I am living the life that I've always dreamed about... a loving husband, a house full of boys... but I am struggling. 

I spend a lot of time trying to be a great mom - the best mom. 

I have spent countless hours in prayer for myself and my kids, that I would be more patient, more loving, more gentle, more present, more fun...

I struggle with balance so much. It's impossible to keep up with the house AND spend enough time with each of my boys AND run a successful business. 

I recently listened to a podcast (and then read the book from that author!) that shifted my perspective on photography AND motherhood. 

I used to try to put so much pressure on getting the perfect picture - the kind that you would post on instagram to show off your beautiful family - but now I have found so much joy and healing in looking for the joy in those little, ordinary moments. And while those moments are still instagram-worthy, I've found it's more about creating a memory of how life is right now versus getting a perfect picture that is no necessarily reflective of how life is at this point in time.

Instead of thinking this is going too fast I can stop, slow down, and take a moment to breathe.  

My camera has helped me to find the joy in the ordinary, to build memories that would otherwise be lost, and to remember what a high calling and true joy it is to be a mother.

& that's why I love being a photographer.

I want you, the mom, to get in the photos with your kids. 

I want you to set your insecurities aside and to learn to see yourself as your children see you. 

You are their safe place. You are the one that they've known the longest. You are the one who kisses them goodnight and holds them when they're sad. 

Your kids don't see your imperfections. 

They see their whole world. They see you, their mom. 

Let's freeze time together so that we can slow down and remember.

I'm a wife to my most beloved husband, Jon. 

I'm a mom to three precious boys.

I'm a photographer who believes in the power of storytelling and finding joy in the ordinary.

I recently asked Jon what someone reading my website would need to know about me and he said, "you're an easygoing, sexy beast" with a wink. After we laughed, he paused and said, "they should know that you take motherhood seriously and that you spend a lot of time trying to be a good mom. But they should also know that you get overwhelmed even though you don't want to and that you aren't perfect."

Phew. I think he hit the nail on the head. I'll dive into that later, but first, let's back up a bit.