Best of 2011 - {Kids & Babies}

I've decided to break up my Best of 2011 blog into a few different ones - otherwise we'd be here all day! Plus this way I can showcase favorites from each of my categories. :)

I want to first say how blessed and thankful I am for such a wonderful year. Being able to capture all of these special moments is amazing! I truly don't take it for granted that all of these wonderful people have trusted me to be their photographer. Being a small part of your lives means SO much to me and I love getting to know you!

2011 has been a crazy year - both for my business and for my personal life. There have been extreme highs and extreme lows and I am thankful for both. I've not only grown as a photographer, but in all other areas of my life as well. The new website & blog are in the works and I can't wait to share it with you! KM Photo Studio has expanded by huge leaps and bounds and I know 2012 is going to be even more amazing.

Today is featuring the Best of Kids & Babies from 2011 (of course in no particular order because I could never narrow it down to my favorite because ALL of them are my favorite!)! Stay tuned next week where I'll be sharing Best of Couples, Families, Models, High School Seniors & Pets!

Be sure to come check back next week for more of the Best of 2011!
Stay safe this weekend and enjoy your New Year's celebrations! I will be enjoying a quiet night at home with my lil' family. :) Much love to you all!

............

Krystal

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you & yours very Happy Holidays! Enjoy your weekend. :)

I hope your days are filled with family, friends & loved ones!

...........

Krystal

Heartache - {Personal}

When I started this blog a year ago, I was torn if I wanted to include a few stories from my own life. As time has gone on, I've discovered that many of my clients become fast friends and I want to share my life with you guys. We all know that life has good times and bad. Life can't truly be appreciated unless there is a little heartache. But when you're in the midst of a tragedy, all you can ask is "Why?". I've been planning to share fun holiday posts with you all week, but I received a phone call on Monday late afternoon that has morphed my family's holiday into something you never think could happen.

My dad called me around 5:00pm on Monday. While this isn't totally weird, it was definitely not the norm since my mom is the one I talk to about 55 times a day. I figured he had a last minute gift question or something of the like. As I picked up the phone, he said "Krystal..."  His tone was enough for me to know something was not right. He went on "I'm so sorry. I hate that I am having to call to tell you this.... but Robert Lynn (my cousin) was in a rollover accident and he is no longer with us."

My heart stopped beating. Robert Lynn? ..... Gone? .... But, he was only 27 years old. 

How? Why? When? All of the questions were a jumbled mess in my head. How had this happened? 

My next thoughts were of my aunt and uncle. They only have two children - and those two boys are my *only* cousins. We are a small, tight knit family. I knew my aunt and uncle's hearts would be ripped apart. No one ever plans for the death of their own child. It's just not right.

I've slowly been processing and still find myself in a state of disbelief. We were all supposed to be together this year. We hadn't had Christmas with my aunt & uncle in years and we were so looking forward to time with them. I was going to take photos of all of the family since we didn't have many recent ones since all four of the kids (me, my brother, & my two cousins) are all grown.

I know my family will pull through. We have seen our fair share of tragedy & lives taken too soon. But from this, I hope that others can learn just a few small things.

1. Always, always wear your seatbelt.

2. Take photos of family & friends - and take them often. Even if they aren't by a professional, those snapshots will be something that you will one day look back upon and smile.

3. Appreciate the time you have together. We are never promised tomorrow.

4. Take time to remember that even though the holidays can be stressful - it is meant to be a time where love is freely given.

Hug your loved ones tight and send some extra thoughts & prayers for my family.

I was so blessed to have Robert Lynn as my cousin & I will never ever forget the fun memories we made together.