Kaptured by Kristi | Shout Out!

Kristi Hammack
Owner/Photographer ~ Kaptured by Kristi
Photo by Haloes Nicely Photography

Three years ago (wow, has it REALLY been that long??) while stationed overseas at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, I was referred by a friend to have our family photos taken by Kaptured by Kristi. We went to this place called American Village and it was hot as heck, humid as heck ... but it was so much fun. Kristi was our first REAL photographer experience (versus going to a commercial studio), and Kristi was the first person outside of my family to tell me to go for a career in photography.



My family at American Village, Okinawa Japan, July 2008.
Photo by Kaptured by Kristi

Kristi is first and foremost a mom and wife; she's been married to her "best friend and biggest cheerleader" Monty for nearly 12 years, and has three of the coolest kids I've ever met: 10 year old Qyn, 8 year old Shelby and 6 year old Chesnee. They are a proud Air Force family and just good quality people, inside and out.

She's become a dear friend to me and my family, and we all love her to bits. Kristi was there for us for every occasion during our time stationed at Kadena Air Base - from Christmas cards, our son's T-ball photos, family portraits and she even came with me to the airport in July 2009 to help me "kapture" my husband Randy's homecoming from his tour in Afghanistan.


My husband Randy meeting his son Noah ( 2 days shy of being a month old) for the first time at the Naha International Airport after 194 days in Afghanistan.
Photo by Kaptured by Kristi



And that is why Kristi Hammack is my very first SHOUT OUT. It's something I plan to do here on the blog for my favorite photographers, vendors and companies because we all know that word of mouth is the best way to get the word out.

Ashley: Kristi, where are you located?

Kristi: I'm currently in Okinawa, Japan still but in just a couple of weeks will be in Valdosta, Georgia since my husband got stationed at Moody AFB.

 

"Now THIS is Okinawa."
Photo by Kaptured by Kristi


Ashley: How long have you been a photographer?

Kristi: 6 years.

Ashley: What got you started?

Kristi: My friends and I had been taking the kids to various places for a while and I was always the one taking photos. I had been told over and over again I had the eye for it. Finally with the push of friends, with the faith they had in me, I started Kaptured by Kristi.

Ashley: What kind of camera do you use?

Kristi: I have two. Nikon D80 and Nikon D300.

Ashley: What is your favorite kind of session?

Kristi: Family sessions.


One of Kristi's favorite shots of her daughter, Shelby.
Photo by Kaptured by Kristi

 Ashley: Any funny anecdotes?

Kristi: Men and boys are the hardest to get to smile and let loose in most sessions. I will say anything to get them to do so and usually saying the word "panties" gets them every time! Its fun to see them crack that real smile.

Ashley: What are your future plans?

Kristi: I plan to start Kaptured by Kristi from ground up in Georgia in the next few months, and I strive to continue to become better and offer the memories to my customers that can only be frozen with the click of that camera.


"This young man has autism and kept saying "lets get on with it". He was great for the session, I am told he is the best he has ever been. I learned more from that family in one hour than I can ever explain!" - Kristi
Photo by Kaptured by Kristi

Ashley: Favorite quote ever?

Kristi: Some things can not be created, they must be Kaptured.

Ashley: Tell me about your best photography experience?

Kristi: I had a particularly disgruntled dad at one session. It didnt bother me, because I know most dads aren't excited to get photos taken. So when we get together to see the photos, he was most impressed with how they turned out and was very complementary of my work and style. A few minutes later, after seeing his favorite pose he said, "It's like having Picasso paint your family."

If you're interested in learning more about Kristi or booking a session with her, I encourage you to check her out! She has a Facebook fan page (Kaptured by Kristi Photography), or you can check out her website  www.kapturedbykristi.com or just shoot her an email at kapturedbykristi@yahoo.com. 

Operation: Love ReUnited

For nearly six years, my husband has been an active duty Airman, and I've been incredibly proud of his service. We've gone through a nearly 7-month tour to Afghanistan, three PCS's ("moves") including overseas to Okinawa and back, and countless exercises, long hours, and piles of smelly uniforms. It's been an honor to be part of the military family, despite it all, and in that spirit ...

I am so excited and very proud to announce that I am the newest member of Operation: Love ReUnited.

What is Operation: Love ReUnited ("OpLove")? It's a non-profit organization that provides photography services for military personnel and their families for free!

I've been doing homecomings for free for a while now, because I've been there - I know the nervous/anxiety/excitement and really, the last thing you want to try to remember is a camera or taking a picture.

So, what does this mean?

Members of the Armed Forces and their immediate family members  may book a session with me AT NO COST prior to or at deployment, as well as homecomings from a deployment overseas that is at least four months long (unaccompanied tours do not count, i.e. Korea)! In addition to that, depending on the type of session, either a book of 4x6 images or a CD of images will be given to the family AT NO COST.

How awesome is that?

I am so pumped about this, especially with our upcoming move in August to Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is home to Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, Fort Carson as well as the US Air Force Academy.

Interested in booking a session or want to know more information? Please email me at AshleyDurhamPhotography@gmail.com.

The C Family | Family Session

Last October, the C family asked me to do their son Steven's senior photos - which was such a blast, Steven is an exceptional young man with a bright future.

And now Mom and Dad are off to Korea, Steven is off to the Air Force Academy and his older brother Allen is returning to college in Nebraska. Very exciting!

Before they left though, they asked me to spend the morning with their whole family - even both sets of grandparents!

A Special Gift for Deployed Moms & Dads

Hard to believe, but it's almost Mother's and Father's Day! Crazy, right? It's about to be Easter in a couple of weeks and then BAM! Before you know it, it's going to be "spring" here in Minot for about 17 minutes before it's July (ha ha ha...).

So why am I blogging about Mother's and Father's Day in the beginning of April? Because BAM! I got an idea ... It got me thinking how my husband missed Father's Day a couple of years ago while deployed to Afghanistan, and how nice it would have been for him to get a nice picture of his kids sent to him. So I thought to myself ... I should do that.

So I am! BAM! (Ok, starting to sound like Emeril - the chef who always says BAM!...).

I am going to offer "Super Quick Minis" for FREE {yes... you read that right!} for kids only for deployed moms and dads stationed here at Minot AFB. I am not scheduling a specific day for this, just basically email me and we'll set something up sometime between now and Father's Day in June.

The session will be quick - 10 minutes - and you'll get one digital file to send to your deployed spouse of your kids.

Feel free to bring "WE MISS YOU" / "I LOVE YOU" / "HAPPY MOTHERS/FATHERS DAY!!" signs, bring flags, have your kiddo wear Daddy's/Mommy's ABUs or boots, whatever you'd like! Be creative!!!



Questions? Want to book? Email me at AshleyDurhamPhotography@gmail.com.


God Bless Our Troops!

The Dickelman | Family

Welcome home, SSgt Dickelman!

Recently, SSgt Dickelman came home from a tour overseas ... and his wife, Kayla, asked me to do some fun family shots ... little did I know just how silly and fun Mikael, Maddy & Mae can be!

The Carpenter | Family

Before PCSing away from Minot to start their new adventure in Germany, Brian & Iris brought two month old Ethan over so we could have some family fun!

The Castro | Family

Back in February, I got to welcome home Maria's husband Jorge from his 6 month long deployment to Afghanistan ... and what a special time that was for everyone. I love doing homecomings for the military, it makes my heart swell with pride and patriotism.

I was super excited that Maria and Jorge asked me to do their family pictures here in studio after things had settled down from Jorge's return ... and here are a few sneak peeks!

You know what else makes me happy? The Castro's will be moving to Colorado Springs as well - YAY!

A deal close to my heart ... Here's to our Heroes!

I've been trying to think of a way that I could serve the military community and thank the men and women of local military bases for serving our great country. I looked into various programs that I could get involved with, and decided I would put the spirit of their patriotism into my own business! With that being said, I am proud to announce a couple of awesome session deals JUST for our military men, women and families!

Homecoming Special

I am proud to announce that I will accompany you to the airport or other meeting place for a complimentary 30-minute session when your spouse returns from deployment! In addition, a CD of photos will be 50% off the regular price (CD cost for you: $25). I will also put your session up in a shareable web album for 30 days!

Heroes Special - $75

Is a member of your family deploying or are you about to celebrate a military homecoming within 45 days of your session? Then this is the special for you!

Package Includes:

• 60 minute session
• CD
  
• Online gallery for 30 days

* Must provide proof of deployment (i.e. orders).

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!