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.

Six weeks and counting!

Ahhhhhhhhhh!

That about sums up what's going on here ... busy, busy, busy. I am only taking bookings for the next six weeks before wrapping up business here in North Dakota, since we are moving to Colorado Springs in early August.

I am SO excited for this next adventure, there are so many beautiful spots to shoot at in Colorado Springs - mountains, streams, rocks, trees, snow, farms/ranches ... the possibilities are endless. My husband just spent this last weekend visiting and took all kinds of pictures for me (isn't he sweet?), just so I can get pumped up about all the possibilities.

With that being said, I am going to start booking as early as late August for Colorado Springs and will be hosting a giveaway in September specifically for my new Colorado Springs fans.

I am also on the lookout for a new make-up artist to work with once we get there - if anyone has any recommendations, I'd love for you to leave link love on here so I can check out their work!

Cody + Trisha | Wedding

I've known Cody and Trisha for a few months now ... It all started back in December, when Trisha contacted me to do their engagement photos in the snow. It was my first time officially doing engagement photos, and it was so awesome. We instantly clicked and I was lucky enough to get Cody to smile (not the fake smile, but a REAL smile).

Not too long after their engagement session, Trisha called me again - and asked me to be their official wedding photographer in April. What an honor!! I totally jumped at the chance to do it!

So in April, I flew to this beautiful, little country town in Iowa and spent the weekend with both of their families and friends. The food was amazing, the scenery was gorgeous ... I loved every minute of it. For the rehearsal dinner, we ate at Dolce Vita - some of the most delicious wood-fired pizza I've eaten in a while. I stayed at the Hotel Winneshiek in the historic downtown area, and it was amazing. I wish I'd taken some shots of the hotel while I was there, the spa jacuzzi was to die for and my bed was ... well ... heaven wrapped in sheets. Seriously amazing.

Since Trisha is a dear friend of mine, I spent the whole day with her - from the salon to the reception, capturing as much as I possibly could. Here are a few sneak peek shots!

Congratulations to Cody and Trisha, may God bless you a lifetime of happiness and joy.
With love,
Ashley