Posted on by Krista Guenin

Joe & Amanada’s Anniversary Portraits

Joe called me a couple of months ago with the idea to surprise his lovely wife, Amanda, with a photo shoot for their 5th anniversary. I thought that was flippin’ brilliant! You know what that tells me about Joe? It tells me he thinks his wife is just as beautiful as the day they got married, if not more. It tells me he really wants to make her feel special. And it tells me that he cherishes her as his wife as much as the mother of his children. I mean, how often do people get married, have kids, and never have another photo taken of just the two of them? Kids come along and suddenly, a lot of people forget that they’re still a couple. You know? So, anyway, I thought this was a great idea and I was really excited to help him surprise Amanda with a photo shoot downtown!

We met up at Christopher Columbus Park…



I love this one! It’s so sweet :)


We walked by the harbor…





Then we took a little stroll in the North End. They have the best alleys in the North End!!



random ivy


The cobblestones of North Square


Totally cute!



And finally we finished off the shoot over at Faneuil Hall. I’m thinking one of these days, I’ll have to do a photo shoot where we just walk to the whole Freedom Trail. I mean, we hit a lot of it this day, but that’d be kinda cool… Any takers?


Joe & Amanda, it was so great to meet you both! I’m glad I could help you with the surprise – and Amanda, I hope you had a great time and felt really special! Congratulations on five wonderful years together!!!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 4 Comments

Rhetta, Bill & Hannah – a blast from the past!

When I first moved out to Boston a couple of years ago, I worked for the wonderful and talented Matt & Enna Grazier. I remember clearly my first day, sitting down at the computer and browsing their website. I clicked on Portraits and stumbled across some beautiful photos of a beautiful pregnant women. But, not just any pregnant woman, this was Rhetta! Rhetta was one of my brides back in 2004 when I was an Associate for Real Life Weddings in Chicago. What a small world, huh?!
Two years later, come to find out, Rhetta is pregnant again, and looking to have some more photos taken, by me! I was totally thrilled to see her and Bill again, and to meet their darling daughter Hannah! We met up at the Arnold Arboretum and took a stroll among the changing leaves…

Hannah




What kid doesn’t love this?!


There are those leaves I was talking about…


I just love the look on Hannah’s face! And apparently rubbing her earlobe is Hannah’s thing. I love it when I can catch a kid being completely themselves – doing that thing that makes them, them.


Rhetta & Bill are so cute – just as in love as the last time I saw them!


The happy family :)


A few photos of Rhetta and her belly… Isn’t she gorgeous!


I love this one of Rhetta & Bill because as I was taking their picture Hannah said or did something cute and they both turned to look. I love their smiles as they watch their little girl.


Are you kidding me with that adorable grin?!


Hannah wanted me to smell the pretty flower :)


And Daddy too, of course!


There she goes with that ear again :)


A few fun shots of Hannah and her Dad


And Hannah with her Mom


She really is too cute!


And now, just for fun, a few photos from Bill & Rhetta’s wedding! It’s still one of my favorites from the Real Life Weddings days. And yes, this wedding was shot almost entirely in black & white film!!

Photos © 2004 Krista Guenin/Real Life Weddings

Rhetta & Bill, it was SO great to see you again! Hannah is a doll and I can’t wait to meet little Sophie Grace!!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Portraits for Mimi


That’s my Mom – or Mimi as her grandkids call her. She’s pretty great. She owns her own business and has worked her butt off for as long as I can remember (except those 2 years when I was a kid and we lived in the Bahamas – when she played Bridge and sat by the pool with me all day, but whatever ;). The older I get, the more I realize that I am so much like her – or is it that I’m just becoming more like her? Either way, it’s both a little scary and comforting at the same time :)

My Mom needed some new photos of herself and her employees for work – and hopefully for a website someday… Mom works in the glamorous world of nursing home consulting, and that market hasn’t really gotten too techy just yet ;) Since she’s the most wonderful Mom, she hired her daughter to take the photos. And since she’s the most wonderful boss, she offered all of her employees the opportunity to get some family portraits done as well! So, when I was in Indianapolis earlier this summer, we headed down to Greenwood (the town I was born in) to spend some time with the women of Herrin Associates, and their families…

First up, my Mom, Shelia. She doesn’t really like having her picture taken (kinda like me), but has started getting used to it over the past 6 or 7 years. Do you think I look like her?



Next up was Beth :)


and Beth’s husband and 4 grandchildren


The kids weren’t too excited about the whole thing, but they put up with me, and we managed to get some great shots of them!



I love these…





And then there’s Kathy! Kathy’s family wasn’t able to come for photos, so we just stuck to business…

…at least mostly. I got her laughing quite a bit when I was asking her about whether or not my Mom’s a good boss :)

And last but not least was Nancy. Nancy has worked for my Mom for like 20 years, and is such a great lady!


She brought a bunch of her family with her and we got a ton of portraits of them – starting with her son and his adorable daughter…




Then we shot Nancy and her husband with their grandson, Garrett.


Then it was just Nancy & Ernie. They’re pretty cute!


While we waited for Nancy’s daughter to get off work, my Mom & I took Garrett across the street for some ice cream from this little walk-up place, called Mrs. Curl. It’s so small-town Indiana, I love it! (I loved the ice cream too!)



Last up was Brittany and Garrett.


He’s a cutie!


I swear I’m good with kids! Really! I think Garrett was just squinting, not snarling!


Brittany arrived just as the sun dropped down to the perfect spot, so we got some beautiful, warm light to play with…


And I’m fairly certain that this was Garrett’s favorite part (next to the ice cream, of course).


It was such a fun afternoon! Thanks Mom for letting me take your picture :) And for being such a great role model for this business-owning daughter of yours. I’m amazed by all that you’ve done, and all that you’re doing – and I’m super proud of you! I love you so much!!! S.W.A.K. ;)

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 5 Comments

Spread The Love

So, while I was in Chicago, I attended the Spread The Love workshop put on by Justin & Mary Marantz, and Sarah Barlow. It was a great time of meeting new friends, talking through every aspect of our businesses, and of course, shooting some photos!

Our first shoot was an engagement session with the amazing Beth & Nick. They’re getting married in just a matter of days! They were totally great to work with, and it helped that they’re just gorgeous :) It was so fun shooting a couple again (it’s been a long winter!) and I took like a million photos. I edited it down a bit for you though :) Check them out…
















It was interesting shooting with 15 other photographers, but Justin & Mary and Sarah did a great job of balancing demonstrating their own techniques and giving each of us an opportunity to take control of the shoot. This was definitely one of the highlights of the workshop! (more to come…)

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 1 Comment

Abigail’s Dedication

This weekend, I photographed the dedication of my friends, Jonathan & Diana’s baby Abigail. In our church, we don’t have christenings for babies, but we have a ceremony where they are dedicated to God. It’s not a big fancy thing, but it is definitely special. It was even more special because it was Diana’s first Mother’s Day!

Abigail was a bit freaked out by all of the lights and the strangers looking at her, at first…


But soon she was able to relax and just rest in her mother’s arms


The gown Abigail is wearing was once Diana’s Grandmother’s wedding dress. It was later turned into a christening gown for Diana’s mother, and then Diana wore it for her christening. Abigail is the fourth generation to wear it!


That’s my brother-in-law (our pastor) praying for Abigail and her parents


Congratulations little Abigail! What a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Abigail Marie

A couple weeks ago, my dear friend Diana gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL baby girl, Abigail Marie! Abigail is SO adorable – she came out perfect :) Diana and her husband Jonathan are first time parents and it’s so fun to see them on this exciting new adventure. I had the chance to visit them this week and take some portraits of the new baby and the new mommy. Check them out…

Diana is going to be such an awesome Mom!


Abigail was one tired little girl!

Sweet Princess :)


Look at that precious little profile!!

She’s just sooo cute!


Congratulations once again Diana & Jonathan! And welcome to the world little Abigail – you are in very good hands :)

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 4 Comments

Lindsey’s Headshots

First of all, can I just tell you that I heard birds chirping outside my window this morning?!?! I mean, if that’s not a sign that Spring is coming, I don’t know what is!!

In other news, I had an awesome shoot on Tuesday with my dear friend, Lindsey. Lindsey leads worship at Genesis and has the most amazing voice! She’s getting her Masters at the New England Conservatory and has her big recital coming up soon (but not too soon, right Linz?). Besides all of that talent, she’s an all around wonderful person and a joy to be near. It was so fun to hang out with her down at school and take some photos. Check her out…

I mean, could she be any prettier??


Workin’ it


and then hysterically laughing



Gorgeous!


Then we camped out on this doorstep for a while and she let her inner-supermodel come out for a bit.






Linz, it was awesome hanging out with you! You’re gorgeous darling! I can’t wait for your recital :)

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 3 Comments

Sarah & Allie

Right after Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to photograph Sarah & Allie. Sarah & Allie are sisters, and their Dad leads worship and is an elder at my church. His wife thought it would be a great surprise to have photos of the girls taken for him for Christmas. So, they came over to my place on “Black Friday” and we had some fun! Since it was a surprise, I couldn’t share them with you until after Christmas, but now that the cat’s out of the bag – check ’em out!!

Sarah & Allie laughing it up in the warm glow of the sunset. The sunlight was warm, but the air outside was COLD – they were such good sports!!

A slighty more vintage version of the same scene

and cross-processed…

Allie in the sun

And Sarah

Eventually, we had to put jackets back on to keep them from freezing. Here’s a couple shots against the back of my house.



Sarah joked about climbing the tree in my back yard, and I wasn’t about to let her get away without actually doing it! Allie got up there too, and the shots ended up being some of my favorites from the day! (don’t you just love that barn next door in the background?!)



Finally, their noses were getting all red and my fingers were getting numb, so we headed inside. I don’t have a studio in my apartment, but I do have some awesome wallpaper in the hallway – so that’s where we shot :)



And for the last shots of the day, we headed to the kitchen. See, Allie & Sarah are AMAZING cooks – or bakers, rather. So, my original idea was to get them cooking in their kitchen. Since it was a surprise for Dad, and he was at the house, we made do with looking at cookbooks in my kitchen instead. My kitchen is small, but right at sunset, it has the most beautiful light!


All in all, it was a really fun shoot! Thanks Sarah & Allie for being such good sports and for making my job so easy :) I hope your Dad loved his Christmas present!!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

A Day at the Fells

A few weeks ago, I photographed a family from my church. This family is awesome and so unique! Doug & Neilani have an amazing capacity to love. They recently had a baby, Ezekiel who they call Zeke (isn’t that a great name?). But, they also have 3 teenage boys who they adopted from Haiti! This is one of the most diverse families I’ve ever photographed, or known for that matter. It’s just so awesome to see how they have opened their homes and hearts in obedience to God and have built a wonderful family in the process.

So, Neilani & Doug had me come along as they took the boys for a walk in the Fells near their home. It was a great Fall day – sunny & warm – and the woods were a great backdrop for our shoot. Check it out…

Here’s baby Zeke laughing as we tromp through the woods.

Here are the older boys, heading through the trees…

…and coming out at the pond where we planned to shoot.

And posing for the camera
It was really cool to see these 3 big teenage boys hanging out and playing with their little brother. They’re totally sweet with him – and don’t they make a handsome bunch?

Neilani & Zeke hanging out by the pond

Doug & Zeke back at the house

This is Sheku. He was totally camera shy and did not want his picture taken! But he loosened up after a while :)


This is Paul. Totally cute and very comfortable smiling for the camera!

And then there’s Ephesien. This guy was like a professional model – he just kept posing for me. It was great!

He even took me over to the soccer field by their house for some shots of him in his element…


It was a great afternoon hanging out with you guys! Thanks so much for trusting me with your memories!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Demian, Elizabeth & Esalina

While I was in Chicago a few weeks ago, I was able to spend some time with my friends Elizabeth & Demian, and their adorable little girl, Esalina. Elizabeth was a bride at the studio I used to work for in Chicago, Real Life Weddings, and then she joined us as an employee for about a year. After working with her as a bride and then as a co-worker in the studio, we also worked together on my website. (don’t blame her for the Coming Soon pages though – those are waiting on me to choose my favorites :) Elizabeth is an all-around great person, and her family is just adorable.

Check out these shots from our portrait session last year…



So, anyway, we figured that while I was in town we should get together for photo shoot!

We started the morning at their apartment on the North side of Chicago. I hadn’t seen Esalina in about a year, so we spent a bit of time at the beginning helping her warm up to me. Mom & Dad did a great job keeping her entertained and happy.



After we played at the house, we went for a walk down to the beach. It was a beautiful day at the Lakeshore and Esalina loves the beach!



Lina loves throwing sand into the water!




Despite our best efforts, Lina still fell into the water :) Luckily, Elizabeth was prepared with another cute outfit.


Isn’t she a doll?!


Thanks for a fun shoot you guys! It was great to see you all again – let’s do it again next year!