Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Goodbye 2008.... Hello 2009!!!!!!!!

I really can't believe that it's already another year! I can't believe the holidays have come and gone, let alone the start of a new year is about to begin! So many awesome things happened in 2008, but I have to say I'm truly not sad to see it end, and I only hope that 2009 is a great year, for everyone, in every way. I hope the economy gets better and everyone can live their "normal" lives again.
So here's my recap of 2008... aside from all the awesome weddings, bar/batmitzvahs, portraits etc that I have done, here are some highlights of my personal life in 2008.

In March my parents sold the house we grew up in and moved to a new house which is perfect for them, and we all love it... and honestly leaving that house wasn't nearly as sad as I had anticipated!
In May I was the maid of honor at my girlfriend Lisa's wedding... which was a great honor.
In June my in laws took us on an awesome cruise with my husbands sister, husband and kids, it was awesome!!!
Here's a photo of my handsome hubby and my oldest niece!





And a cute one of Mike and I













Once we got home from there we were back at the Goodwin to celebrate our first anniversary with a great dinner at Max downtown followed by a relaxing night at the Goodwin, and to think that they have shut their doors... so sad, the place was beautiful, everything about it was awesome...in my opinion and it really is a shame they had to shut down. :(

A couple weeks later, Mike and I flew down to Aruba to shoot a wedding and then to meet the rest of my family on yet another amazing vacation with the whole fam...














all 8 of us and 2 of my parents best friends, it was like no other!






I also was able to photograph Steve and Tara on the beautiful beaches after their wedding for some awesome photos on the stunning beaches. This was one of my favorite shots!
The first weekend in September we took a trip out to Martha's vineyard for my oldest (meaning I've known the longest, not old in age!!!) friend, Kylle's wedding. It was a great experience. She used to take me there when we were kids, but I haven't been back in years nor had I ever shot a wedding there so it was awesome! The following weekend we were in Cape Cod for one of Mike's good friends weddings, which was also great!
In October, our addition was FINALLY finished, and it truly was worth it! We love every square inch of the house now and really utilize all of it! I don't know how we did with out it... the next task is finishing the studio so I can actually have meetings and more shoots in here! A good winter plan!
In October I also spent way to many days at Yale New Haven Hospital as my father underwent a stem cell transplant, however everything went perfectly and he recovered like the hero we always knew him to be and is back to work and doing fine. I can't say it wasn't stressful, scary, nerve racking etc, but he made it through with flying colors and that's all that matters!!!!!!!!!!
In November, we hosted or 2nd annual Thanksgiving here with 10 adults and 2 kids, it was great, I didn't have to get up at 4:30 am as I did last year and everything turned out great, if I can say so myself :)
I also had my 10 year high school reunion!!! Gosh that makes me feel old! I can't believe it was that long ago! It was much better than everyone anticipated and I can even say I had a good time!!!
As December strolled in so did TONS of holiday cards, I did more this year than ever in the past and it was great!!! Aren't photo cards the greatest?! We got so many this year and it's so great seeing how families grow from year to year.



Sadly as we approached the week of Christmas, my sisters puppy, yes puppy, Maddie got very sick, we don't really know what happened, what caused it or what it was, but on December 22nd after nothing more the vets could do, we lost our little Maddie to some unknown cause. She was such a fun, and beautiful dog and we all miss her so much!
On Christmas eve we spent the majority of the day with my in-laws then went to church with my family, then back to my parents house to open our tradition of pajamas on Christmas eve, however this year was different. The past 28 years of my life, I have always slept at my parents house with my family, but this year it was different. After we opened pj's Mike and I went home, and again it wasn't as weird as I expected. A little sad but things change and there's nothing you can do about it!
We had the best Christmas day, it was so wonderful to spend it with both families and see the excitement in the kids yet come back to my family and enjoy the company of adults while we acted like children :) I have to say the true spirit of Christmas came out on Christmas morning. After all our presents were opened we found a mysterious envelope in the tree, labeled "K&J" and Kristen opened the card, her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at the photo of a cute little puppy on the front of the card, on the inside the card read something along the lines of hoping this Christmas you get everything you wished for, LOVE SANTA PAWS... and with that hundreds of dollars fell out of the card, my sister Karen, myself and Kristen all sat there crying and we knew what that meant. My sister Karen demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas, she gave even when she didn't have it to give, and when she was thanked for it, she said, "it wasn't from me it was from Santa" It was just a wonderful twist to a sad story.
On Saturday we celebrated my god daughters first birthday! This was a great way to show how quickly a year flew by! I can't believe she is already a year, and walking and all! Time certainly flies!
And tomorrow being the last day of 08, not a whole lot planned, hopefully a relaxing dinner with my wonderful hubby and friends, and ring in the new year that way.
So as we wrap up 2008, I'd like to thank all of you again for your business in 2008 and I am already excited to shoot in 2009! Without all of you there would be no KLP so thank you!
Wishing you ALL a happy and healthy 2009!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Santa Clause Came to Town


Yesterday Santa Clause came to Main Street Cafe in Cheshire. The owner of Main Street Cafe, Linda had arranged for Santa to come during the lunch rush on Saturday and let the kids have their photo taken with him. It was so fun to watch how the children interacted with Santa, and how so many of them were frightened by him!
To view your photos from the event, click here
Time to get some wrapping done!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Kristine & Chris Slide Shows

So I'm a little behind on posting and getting things out the door but I have had an amazing season with portraits and holiday cards, so thanks to all of you who have used me this season, I LOVE every one's cards this year and am so thrilled so many of you are getting them out! Maybe I will post some at some point.
Anyway, Kristine & Chris got married October 25th in Middletown. The church was beautiful and all Kristine wanted was to be able to take photos on the front step of the church, she loved it, and despite the iffy weather, we got those photos. We then headed to the new Gershon Fox room, in Hartford, it's the old GFox building and it's awesome.








There were some great spots to take photos too!
Down on the ground level there was this huge open space with a beautiful marble floor, walls etc, it was great... and of course there was an elevator that we tried to get everyone onto all at once... it was comical!







The ballroom itself was beautiful and the crystal chandelier matched Kris's dress just as she said it would!
Their entire day was perfect, they seem so happy and seemed to have a wonderful time!
If you'd like to see more of their day, click here!


Thursday, November 20, 2008

Sara & Lawrence - October 11, 2008

Sandra had the pleasure of photographing Sara & Lawrence's wedding back in October. It was her last wedding of the season and she just ranted and raved about how wonderful the couple was and how much fun their wedding was, so I'm sorry I missed it but it sounds like you guys had a great time and your photos look like it too. It was so wonderful to see Julie and her daughter "M" in the bridal party! "M" is soooooooooo cute!!!!
The reception took place at 707 on Main which I have never been to but it looks great!






Hope you guys had as much fun as it looks like and hope you enjoy the pics!
Don't forget your slide show!

Megan & Travis' Wedding

On October 17th, Megan and Travis tied the knot. The day started at the Waters Edge in Westbrook where I captured Travis and the guys before they headed off to the ceremony and then headed up to Megan's room to get her ready and do the girls photos. Everything was perfect. The ceremony then took place at St. John's Church in Old Saybrook, which is a beautiful church that I've shot at several times.
After the ceremony we headed back to Waters Edge and down to the beach to capture some great moments with the bridal party and T&M alone.
The reception was a blast, everyone had a great time and the decor was perfect. The band was amazing, they had everyone going all night, and had me singing along to every song... apparently it was quite obvious as the band member came up to me and said how great it was that I was singing a long... oops, hey they were good!



Megan and her dad had a great first dance, I guess the reason I thought it was great was it was to a t what my dad and I did for ours, same song, same dance, and it was just really sweet.
Anyway, enough blabbing, time to check out the photos!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

SOOOOOOO busy!

Well I haven't blogged in a while, but I have been super busy getting things out the door!
I don't want to leave anyone out, but due to the business of this time of year this blog will be a blurb of what I've been up to!
First off I had the pleasure of photographing the L family. They are new to KLP and we had a blast. You can check out their slide show here.






Last Tuesday I had a portrait party with NINETEEN CHILDREN... YES 19!!!! It was honestly a blast and great to meet so many new families. The kids were all adorable, and it seems like we got some great shots! Here are some of the cuties:
















































After that I went to Stratford to photograph another one of my "regulars" the "N" family. They are so cute and great to see them every year developing more of a personality. Take a look at them.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

The B Family







This past Sunday I drove to the B's house to photograph the kids again this year.
It really is fun watching to see the changes that they go through and how much or little they change.
'J' took a little time warming up to me at first but once we got him in the room he was great... so adorable... and then once 'M' came they were wonderful together.





She is only 5 but cracks me up with her posing and ideas... she's too much!

I love this of 'J' reading his Christmas book... so cute!
















And my favorite of the 2 of them together...




And this is when 'M''s mom was cracking them up! Click to watch their slide show!

Dawn & Michelle tie the knot

On October 4th Sandra photographed Dawn and Michelle as they tied the knot!









The ceremony and the reception took place at the Pavilion on Lake in Middletown.












The event was witnessed by their closest friends and family, followed by photos on the beach and a night full of dancing.







Although I wasn't there it looks like they had an awesome time and Sandra really captured their personalities and the love the share for each other. Don't forget to watch their slide show!
Congrats Dawn & Michelle!