Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

I’ve been tagged!

There’s a little game going around the world of photography blogs, and I’ve been tagged by the wonderful Matt & Enna Grazier! (Sorry for taking so long, Matt :) From what I understand, I have to share 8 little known facts about myself, so here goes…

1) I am like the world’s pickiest eater! I have crazy issues :) I don’t like anything spicy – and I mean that MILD salsa is too spicy for me. I am really particular about texture. There are very few vegetables that I’ll eat and almost none of them are green. It’s almost easier to tell you what I DO like – I LOVE pizza (and I mean that I can eat it EVERYDAY), fried chicken, mcdonald’s cheeseburgers, FRENCH FRIES, quesadillas, reduced-fat wheat thins, and COCA COLA pretty much sums up an average week for me. Ordering a meal at a restaurant is a bit like a scene from When Harry Met Sally (but not the part where she fake’s it at the table ;)

2) When I was a kid (age 4-6), my family lived in Nassau, in the Bahamas. So, I grew up on the beach, a tan little blond girl. My favorite memory of our days in the Bahamas – Sunday mornings, picking up a bucket of KFC and taking a boat with all of our friends to a practically private island to spend the day digging in the sand and splashing in the water. Good times, good times.

3) I was a synchronized swimmer for 15 years. I swam for Indy Synchro (formerly known as the Indianapolis Synchronettes) from 1984-1997 (my final year we won 8th place at US Jantzen Nationals), then swam for them as a Master in 1999 (winning a gold medal at the US Masters Championships for duet that year), and I coached for them from 1998 – 2000. Some of the best friends I’ve ever known are my synchro girls and those years hold some of my favorites memories!

4) 3 of the 4 cars I have owned over the course of my life have been minivans. This can be explained by the fact that I’ve never actually paid for a car, but have received the wonderful hand-me-downs of my mother and sister. My first car was a 1986 maroon Plymouth Voyager which I drove until it had 220,000 miles on it. My next car was a 1992 white Plymouth Voyager (this one had power windows and locks, ooooooh) and I drove that until it literally died in my sister’s driveway and a dump paid us $200 for it (also over 200K). The next car was a 1994 silver Ford Explorer that my sister gave me after she received it from a family in their church and drove it for a few years (another 200K + beauty – which died on my way from Indy to Chicago last year :( And now, I drive a 1999 Pontiac Montana that is a lovely shade of brown. Who knows how long this one will last – but hopefully I won’t have to buy my first car for a long long time!

5) When I graduated from Butler University in 1999, I had a degree in French & Psychology. My first job in the real world was working as a Research Technician for the OCD & Autism Clinics at the Psychiatry Clinic at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indy. Talk about a crazy year. After that, I got a job in HR/Recruiting for a hedge fund in Chicago. It was only after getting fired from that job that I decided to pursue photography (let’s just say I wasn’t a good fit for Corporate America)…

6) I have a few mild addictions… Pizza, Coca-Cola Classic, time spent w/ my niece & nephews, music (listen to it, sing it, whatever), LOST, email, and bejeweled (my newest addiction)

7) My family is big into traveling. We have a huge map in my parent’s house and we each have different color pins. It’s a big competition to see who has the most pins in the map! My pins are yellow, and I’ve got them in about 24 countries so far – and I’ll be adding 2 more when I go to Zimbabwe & South Africa in October!! I’m pretty sure I’m winning the competition, though my sister is a close second. Some of the more exotic/interesting countries on the list: Sri Lanka, India, Albania, Curacao, Belgium, Greece, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Bermuda, etc… :)

8) I love my family and I love my friends – they are just about the most important thing in this world to me!! But, as much as I love my family, the most important relationship I have is the one i have with God. I love Him and am loved by Him in ways that I never could imagine. And He loves EVERYONE this way! It’s the most amazing and crazy thing I’ve ever heard, but I am so incredibly grateful for it.

So, that’s me in a nutshell! I think I have to tag 8 people now – but most of the people I would tag, have been tagged already. So, I’m going to tag YOU! If you’re reading this and you haven’t posted 8 things about you on your blog – leave me a comment below and post your 8 things on your own blog! I can’t wait to read all about you :)

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 4 Comments

Going Solo!

Back in February of 2002, I lost my HR job in Chicago, and I was wondering what to do with my life. Someone asked me one of the most important questions of my life… What would you do if money didn’t matter? For me, the answer was easy – travel and take pictures. So, I decided to find a job in photography and see what would happen. And the rest, as they say, is history…

Flash forward 5 1/2 years. I now live in Boston (well, Woburn actually) and I’m preparing to leave my part-time studio job and take on my own photography business full-time!!!!!!! I can’t believe it! It’s been such a blessing to see how the Lord has provided for me over the years, especially since I moved out here last year.

I still can’t believe how much I’ve learned and grown in 5 years. This, of course, is all thanks to the many amazing photographers who have graciously taught me along the way… Steven E. Gross gave me a chance and the opportunity to learn the hard way – by actually doing it. My 5+ years working with Steven at Real Life Weddings has truly made me the photographer I am today. And the wonderful Matt & Enna Grazier who I’ve worked with for the last year have been such an encouragement and inspiration! Since working with them I can see such a change in myself – my work has improved, my passion has increased, and my confidence is up! Without them, I don’t know if I’d even feel ready for all of this. Every photographer I’ve worked with has taught me something and I’m so thankful to each one – Robert Mirani, Stephen Serio (aka Serpico), Mark Tomaras, Alternate Angles, Tsar Fedorsky, and many more. Thank you for all of your encouragement and help over the years!

I’m so excited for this new chapter in my life and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

It’s all worth it!

Do you ever get so stressed over the mounds of work piling up on your desk? Do you ever feel like you’ll never get it all done? I do, all the time – especially this summer! My photography business is finally taking off here in Boston, and I’ve got lots of work (this is a GOOD thing). Plus, I’m still working part-time for Matt & Enna Grazier – so I’m pretty much up to my eyes in work these days.

With all of that going on, it’s been easy to get frustrated and feel like I’m not making my clients happy. I want to turn things around so much faster than I can right now! But, yesterday was a great day! Not because I got so much done (though I was fairly productive), but because I heard from 2 of my favorite couples!

Maria & Paul’s images were released on Pictage this week, and I got their slideshow finished and up online on Friday. Maria emailed me back with this…

Hi Krista, I have no words to describe how much I love the photos. You captured so many wonderful moments. I can not stop looking at them. Thank you so much for all your beautiful work! It will be so difficult choosing the photos for the book… :)

THEN, I was hanging out with my sister and the kids, and I got a text message from Mark & Courtney who’s wedding album was just completed and delivered this week…

Hey K. Got the wedding book, its frekkin amazing! U’r an artist of note! Tks so much Love M & C

Yay!! That’s what I live to hear! I LOVE being able to take photos that bring people that much joy! What could be better?? I love my job (busy and all :)!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 1 Comment

Life

Wow! I have been so delinquent! Life has just been CRAZY and I just haven’t been able to keep up! But no worries, I’m back :)

The good thing is that I got to spend a little time on vacation with my parents, sister & her family. I flew home to Indianapolis and spent about a little over a week hanging out with the fam. We were supposed to go with whole Guenin family up to Wisconsin for a big family weekend, but we didn’t get to go. My poor brother-in-law, Michael (pastor of an amazing ministry I’m involved in, Genesis) was incredibly sick even before he flew to Indy. And when he got to Indy, it just got worse. He ended up in the hospital with viral pneumonia and all sorts of pain radiating from his lung. So, we all decided to stay behind and take care of the kids while my sister stayed with Michael at the hospital. The poor guy spent his entire vacation in bed, in pain. Please pray for him and Kyla as he’s still experiencing a LOT of pain and now all 3 of the kids are sick too!

In spite of all the drama, we still managed to have LOTS of FUN! My oldest nephew, Tristan, turned 4 years old while we were home, so there was plenty of celebrating!

Here’s Tristan blowing out the breakfast candles (not in cake so much as in a donut, but he loved it :)

One of Tristan’s favorite parts of the trip was his first (of many) ride on the Sea-Doo with Papa Pat!

We also spent a lot of time taking the boat to “the swimmin’ hole”

This is Mimi (my mom) with baby Caeden, looking oh so comfy in his life vest…


Here’s my niece, Reilly Nichole, playing on the beach. She’s so fun!

And here are a couple pics courtesy of my sister, Kyla. The first is baby Caeden looking as cute as possible. And the 2nd is me and Caeden playing peek-a-boo on the boat :)

Mom & Dad also took us to this great new water park by their house. I’m so bummed it wasn’t around when I was a kid! It was a blast! Tristan LOVED it!!!!


Just a couple more cute pics of my sweet little babies…




And here’s my sister w/ Caeden :)


So, it wasn’t the best vacation we’ve ever had – that would require my brother-in-law being able to stay out of bed for more than an hour :) And, it wasn’t the most restful or relaxing, but it definitely was FUN!!!! Thanks Mom & Dad for a great trip!! I Love You!!!!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 1 Comment

Celeste & Troy’s Wedding!

So, Cabo was great – but the real reason I was there, was to photograph (and attend) my cousin, Celeste’s wedding. She and Troy are a fun couple, and have a gorgeous little boy named Aiden. It was so awesome getting to be there – the whole weekend was just amazing! I’m so thankful that they made me part of it all!!!

This is Celeste, Troy & Aiden walking around Cabo on our way to our sunset cruise the night before the wedding. Aren’t they cute?? :)


Celeste helping Aiden get ready…


Our Aunt Bethie gave Celeste our Great-Grandmother Celesta’s ring as her something-old and something-borrowed. This ring was given to Grandma Guenin by Grandpa Guenin like 100 years ago, before they were married. Celeste and I never got to meet Grandma Guenin, but since she’s Celeste’s namesake and all – it was pretty special.


Celestey looking beautiful…


This was the setting of the ceremony and reception – it was gorgeous!



Little Aiden again – he’s just so cute!!


Here’s the whole fam!! Well, at least everyone who could come :) We missed the rest of you guys!!


Celeste & Troy enjoying being newlyweds…





It was so fun! And the best part was that after dinner, the hotel was having karaoke night right next to us – so we got to keep having fun, with microphones in our hands :) I’m an admitted karaoke-junkie so I thought it was pretty sweet! No one needs to see those photos though… ;)

Thanks again Celeste & Troy!!! I love you guys!!

<3 kiki

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Mexico pics – yeah!

So, I know it took forever, but here are some pics from Mexico!

Here’s the view from my VIP suite at the resort. When I checked in, my parents were complaining about getting a room with 2 double beds instead of a king, as were my Aunt & Uncle. So, when I checked in, I was expecting the double beds. BUT, the lady said “Oh, I see here that you are a VIP!” (huh?!) I had a room on the top floor, in the center of the resort, with the best view, and a King-sized bed! All for little ole me! I felt pretty special :) I almost gave up the room for my parents, but then I remembered, that I’ll be sleeping on the couch when we have our family vacation in Wisconsin next month, and I figured, it was OK for me to be pampered a little bit…
These pics are from a sunset cruise we took in Cabo – so much fun!! Thanks Dad!!


This seal is sitting on the southern-most point of the Baha Penninsula – how cool is that? He was pretty amazing.

And, this would be me, chillin’ on the boat… :)

More pics from the wedding coming soon….

Posted on by Krista Guenin

On my way to Cabo!

Woo hoo! I could not be more excited! I’m sitting in the airport right now, waiting for my flight. I’m heading to Cabo San Lucas for my cousin Celeste’s wedding. I was so bummed a few months ago when I heard she was getting married in Mexico because I didn’t think I’d be able to go. Money was tight and it just didn’t look like it would happen. Then, we were chatting online one day and I was asking her what she was going to do about photography… Long story short, she decided to fly me to the wedding so I could take the photos, and get to be there! I’m so excited! I love my Celestey and I’m so happy I get to be there to celebrate with her and Troy, and the rest of the family!!

Posted on by Krista Guenin · 2 Comments

Town Day was wicked awesome!

Ok, even though I’m not actually from Boston, the word “wicked” has worked it’s way into my vocabulary – much to the chagrin of my Chicago friends. Sorry guys! :) But, that’s exactly what Town Day was last weekend – awesome!

here’s my lovely booth (I tried to make it feel as much like home as possible):

And, this is my view of Town Day. I wish I could have walked around and checked out more of the vendors, but duty called…


I was up late every night the week prior, trying to get ready, and my roommates were right there with me being so incredibly helpful. Here they are – aren’t they cute (and working hard)? ;)


In the end, I had worried way too much because things went really well. My booth was right next to my church, Hope Christian Church, so I had friendly faces around all day – which is always good. And, I met a ton of people, which is really good! I raffled off a free portrait sitting, which got a lot of people interested, and I’ve even had a couple people contact me already to book a shoot.

The lucky winner of my raffle is…. Kathy Robinson of Winchester – who, as it turns out, was my sister’s neighbor a couple years ago! Crazy small world! I’m totally looking forward to Kathy’s shoot, so I hope she calls soon to book the date!

Thanks to everyone who helped me get ready for and pull off Town Day – it was a great day and I’m already looking forward to next year!

Posted on by Krista Guenin

That’s why I do this!

Back in January, my friends Sarah, Tom & Brian hired me to shoot some portraits of them for their parents as a Christmas gift. We had a great time taking pictures around Winchester, and at their home in Woburn. I was really excited with how the photos turned out, and so were they (which is the whole idea, right?)

So, the other night I saw their Mom, Lisa. She’s just as nice as can be! She wanted to thank me for the “beautiful photos” and just went on and on about how much she loves them! She even started crying a little bit when she was talking about her favorites. Now, it’s not my goal in life to make people cry, but seriously – that’s why I do what I do! I LOVE that she connected with the photos. That she could look at these photos and see her children – not just what their faces look like, but who they are and what their relationships are like. THAT is what this is all about! Capturing people – the essence of who they are and how they feel about one another.

I love my job!