Kristine Paulsen Photography – Lifestyle Portraits, Editorial and Wedding Photography in Missoula Montana

This shoot was all about drama drama drama – in a good way. I knew going into this that I wanted it to feel dark, dramatic and raw, and that I’d be shooting for black and white. So we styled Joelle very casually, and got all dark and smudgy with her makeup to really add to the drama of the photos.

This is pretty different from what I usually shoot – which is very happy, bright, and full of color. I wanted to go in the total opposite direction with these photographs and capture the vulnerability of someone who’s feeling sadness, curled into themselves and just letting go. Because I couldn’t go all sad and dark with every shot (I’m a super happy person by nature), we mixed it up with some softer images and expressions – and of course, there were a lot of giggles in between serious shots. Don’t worry – no Joelles were harmed in the making of these photos. If only you could have seen the behind-the-scenes hilarity….. ;)

On the docket: portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

I don’t often post personal stuff, but today I’m just feeling like it. Perhaps it was because Missoula hit a sunny 70 degrees and upped my Vitamin D? Perhaps I can’t get over how stinking cute my little bird is? (Yes, yes, I know – I’m biased.) Perhaps I want to reveal “the man behind the curtain,” as it were, and give you an idea of who I am? Who knows. But here it is.

Some of you may know that I adore birds. Love them. Think they’re incredible. This stems from the fact that I grew up with canaries, and with grandparents who loved birding, and taught my brother and I a lot about this favorite pastime of theirs. I also know that some people think birds are scary and crazy and weird. And yes, there are some that are scary and crazy and weird, but it’s because they have not been treated properly by their owners. Birds need lots of attention and love, and when given this, they are just wonderful little creatures with huge hearts, even bigger personalities, and tiny companions that make life just a little more fun to live.

So, with no further ado, I introduce: Flash the Parrotlet. He is tiny, but he’s quite the little clown. Parrotlets can mimic, so he’s picked up a few of my phrases, including how I answer the phone: “Hello, this is Kristine.” Yep, he actually says that. But he sounds a bit Sean Connery-esque, so his phrasing is a bit more like this: “Hello, thish ish Krishtine.”

I’ve also got a delightful little canary named Mozart, but he’s not allowed outside since he can fly. Flash has his wings clipped, so he can only fly short distances. Also, for those of you out there who have birds and want to take them outside – PLEASE be extremely careful if you do this. Double check that your birds’ wings are clipped. Double check that where you take them outside is safe and free from danger…i.e. other animals, toxic things they could eat, overexposure to sun, etc., etc. Birds are fragile little things so only do this if you are an experienced bird owner, have taken the necessary precautions, and don’t take your eye off of them for one second. Ok, off my soapbox.

Photo time! I should also explain that Flash was being my model as I messed around with some lighting techniques. He’s a good little assistant.

I laughed so hard when I saw what had happened with the image on the right – Flash had moved a bit too close to the light source and ended up with a very alien-like look. Hilarious.

If you enjoyed Flash and would like to see more of his antics (and pics of Mozart, too), you can follow me on Instagram – my username is kristinep_photo. Flash and Mozart have got quite the fan club – all the way from Mexico to Finland!

On the docket: engagement and portrait sessions!

Cheers,

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

I hope you all got a chance to step outside last evening and witness the gigantic moon hanging low over the hilltops and reflecting into the Clark Fork – seriously beautiful. I was hoping to see some northern lights, which didn’t happen, but my…the moon sure was a good substitute. This photo isn’t from last night, but I was reminded that I still had it hanging out, waiting to be shared, and today seemed like a good day for that.

Enjoy! This was taken this past June after George and Emily’s super fun engagement session. This image is way more gigantic than I’d normally post, but I figured the moon kind of merits that treatment.

On the docket: portraits and engagement sessions galore – stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

This is a bit of a departure from what I normally post….not a portrait session (of people anyway), and much too long for a Wordless Wednesday post……but I really want to share these images with you because, quite simply:

Owls Are Cool.

Especially snowy owls. And especially since they’ve been hanging out with us here in Montana.

Snowy owls don’t usually spend all that much time in our area, so it’s pretty rare to see them. They’ll hop on down here every 5 or 6 years or so, and when they do…oh my gosh…go and see them!

Admittedly, I may be slightly biased because I kind of LOVE birds (ok, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY love birds), but these creatures are simply stunning. Their bright white feathers, their sleepy little yawning faces in the light of day, the slow turns of their heads, the way their feathers softly ruffle in the breeze, and their absolutely incredible beauty as they fly.

So, please. Indulge in these photos. And if you get a chance, go scouting for the snowy owls on your own – it’s so worth the time, and they won’t be sticking around Montana a whole lot longer. Also, bring a good pair of binoculars if you go. :)

On the docket: engagement sessions!

Cheers,

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

I love my family dearly. Which is a huge understatement. They mean so much to me, especially since we are kind of scattered all across the U.S. So when I get to spend time with them, I adore it.

I drove to Spokane to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with my grandparents and uncle, and it was absolutely delightful. I spoiled them with pumpkin pies I made, received wonderful warm hugs and got to cook with grandma (which involved a hilarious turn at trying to figure out how to flatten a duck – long story – it involved a couple YouTube videos and resulted in one funny-looking duck!). Cooking with Grandma is especially dear to me since the last time I’ve really cooked with her must have been when I was eight or nine. And of course, sitting around the table, we got to regale one another with some pretty amusing stories.

These are just a few portraits from my visit – they mean so much to me…and I really didn’t take nearly as many photos as I should have. Quite honestly, I don’t take nearly as many personal photos as I should and that’s something I’d like to fix in 2012. I hope you do too.    (P.S. My apologies for the less-than-flattering self portrait. My arms are only so long.) ;)

On the docket: engagement sessions! Let’s hope snow comes our way soon!

Cheers,

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

A belated Happy Halloween to you all! It was another great night full of little goblins and ghouls ready for tricks, treats and pics at my Halloween Photo Spook Booth.

Halloween has always been a favorite holiday of mine, and last year I thought – what the hey – it’ll be fun to do this for all the little kids that come by my house on Halloween night. It was a great success last year, and such a fun time this year as well. I noticed there were a few returning trick-or-treaters from last year (I heard one boy shout, “This is the photo house! She’s a photo god!” Thank you, mystery boy – that made my night!) as well as lots of new kids armed with bags full of candy and chocolate-covered smiles.

Thanks so much for stopping by, showing me your awesome costumes, and taking a second to make some fun photos at the Halloween Photo Spook Booth. And now, on to the pictures! (This, of course, was just a fun Halloween treat for the kids, but if you’re a parent and would like a print of your child’s photo, please be in touch by either calling me at 406-240-3469 or by e-mailing me. All orders will need to be placed by the end of the month of November. Thank you!)

On the docket – more portraits, and “The Best of 2011 Weddings!” P.S. The Photo Booth is available to rent for parties and events. If you’re interested, hop on over to my website and read more about the booth.

Cheers!

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

64 years ago today. Dresses handmade from parachute silk. Your marriage is amazing. And beautiful. And absolutely inspirational. Happy anniversary Grandma and Grandpop. I love you both so, so, so much!

{ August 17, 1947 – Wordless Wednesday }

Cheers,

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

I love color unabashedly. If you follow my work, it’s probably fairly obvious how much I love color. I love it even more so when it grows wild and oh-so-incredibly-beautifully. Seriously – it’s amazing what our world gives us to feast our eyes upon. So, today’s Wordless Wednesday comes from a recent mountaintop stroll of mine:

{Nature’s Paint Palette – A Study in Wildflowers}

On the docket: weddings and engagement sessions! Yippee!

Cheers!

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

The other day I was out on a session with a client and she spotted this little guy sunbathing. Who says humans are the only ones who sunbathe? :)

{Sunbathing Squirrel}

Cheers!

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }

My folks were in town a week or so ago, so we spent as much time as we could getting out and about. I think they’re beautiful people, inside and out, so I always try to make a few portraits of them when they’re around.

{Parents!}

On the docket: engagement sessions!

Cheers!

-Kristine

{ Book a Session with Kristine }….{ Join the Facebook page }….{ Follow on Twitter }….{ Visit the Website }