I love light. And I love that Joelle and I got to really play around with it during our latest Missoula fashion session. The weather couldn’t have been better – a balmy 87 degrees (in April of all things!), a slight breeze, topped off with a drop-dead-gorgeous sunset. That’s definitely the recipe for a sweet session. And, of course, Joelle was brilliant, too. :)

P.S. If you’ve got a dress you want to rock like Joelle did, let me know! These types of sessions are a blast and a great way to show off that prom dress or wedding dress! And I’m sure Joelle can attest to that, too.

A huge big shout out to the people who helped make this shoot happen:

Hair: by Boom Swagger Salon.

Makeup: by Alchemy Mineral Blends.

Clothing: blue top, white shorts, white bag, gray tree-print dress, black and white top, and jean shorts from One Eleven.

On the docket: portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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So I love color. Especially bright colors. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. And I admittedly get beyond excited when I have the opportunity to have fun playing around with it. For Joelle’s model shoot we styled her wardrobe to contain little pops of color and interest – from fire engine red skinny jeans, to bright bags, to a super fun animal print coat and a red and purple clutch.

The light also happened to be deliciously awesome during our shoot (after a few weeks of reschedules due to rain, rain, rain), and I had fun working with it – both on its softer side, and more on its harsh, shadowy side. I love getting to exercise my creative photo muscles, so this was a really fun shoot for me. And Joelle, too. :)

We had a blast playing up the fun pieces of clothing, not to mention Joelle’s own natural beauty. And I’m happy to say we’ve got plans for more shoots in the future, so stay posted – we’ll be sharing many more fun photos to come!

Thanks again to Joelle for “working it,” to Alchemy Mineral Blends for doing Joelle’s makeup, and for One Eleven and the Mood Boutique for providing us with some of these great items for Joelle to model. To learn more about which store carries which fashion piece, please check out the images, and scroll down below the photos for info.

You can find these items at the following locations – some items may no longer be available, or inventory may have changed, so act fast if you want to get your hands on any of these fun pieces! I know I’ve got my eye on a few….

Lacy tank, red skinny jeans, cream off-shoulder sweater, dark wash jeans, orange bag, turquoise bag, Frye heels: the Mood Boutique downtown Missoula, Montana.

Brown and black flower patterned lacy dress, animal print coat, red and lavender clutch: One Eleven, downtown Missoula, Montana.

On the docket: portrait sessions! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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Ali K. made her annual trek to Montana with her family to meet up with friends and hang out in the wonder that is Montana summer – and she got together with me for her annual “just because” portrait session, which is always such a blast! This year, we went for two distinct styles: sexy librarian, and rocker chic. Ali totally embodied both these looks and I can’t even begin to describe to you just how much laughter was involved. Suffice it to say, our cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

Also, on a more technical nerdy photographer note, I experimented with a slightly different processing style on these pics to really emulate the look of film. (Remember film? Those lovely long strips, developed and printed by hand in a dark room? *wistful sigh*) And we had a little fun painting with light towards the end of our shoot. So, with no further ado, I hope you enjoy these images as much as we had fun making them. :) And here’s to dreams of warm Montana summers….

Cheers!

-Kristine

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I had a great time the other day meeting up with Cody, a 2012 senior year at Loyola Sacred Heart High School, and his mom for his awesome senior photo session! We visited some of Cody’s favorite childhood stomping grounds at a creek and fields near his house (where he showed me some super cool soccer moves), and then hopped on over to Missoula’s downtown area.

Cody is such nice young man, and is involved in soccer, cross country and really enjoys programming – he’s even made some robots! He’s planning on taking a year off in between high school and college to jet on over to Germany and study abroad for a year.

Cody, thank you for being such a great guy and rocking your shoot! I had a blast, and a big congrats to you on your senior year!

On the docket: portraits, weddings and more!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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When Hannah, a class of 2012 senior at Big Sky High School in Missoula, first e-mailed me about having her senior pictures done, she told me that she loves to have fun to the point where she radiates sunshine – and, I swear, she wasn’t kidding! She glowed in her portraits, lighting up the frame with her smile, or taking your breath away with her big, blue eyes.

We had such a great time, Hannah was gung ho to try out all my ideas, and she definitely rocked the several outfits she brought along! It’s safe to say that the camera loved her. :)

When Hannah isn’t busy working her inner-model, she loves to spend time playing basketball and volleyball for Big Sky, being goofy, folfing (frisbee golfing for all you non-folfers), and having a good time being with her friends.

Thanks again Hannah for such a fun session!

On the docket: weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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I had the pleasure of meeting up with Shelby High School class of 2012 senior Jordan and her mom this past week to make some fun senior photos – all whilst watching a storm approaching us, lightning included! While dashing between raindrops we had a great time walking and talking and even dodging a garter snake! (Thank you Jordan for braving the tall grass after that little surprise!)

Jordan is a tall, beautiful girl, which suits her interest in both basketball and volleyball in Shelby. She’s also a big fan of camping, which she was taking a break from up in Seeley Lake, to come hang with me in Missoula for a bit. :)

Thanks so much Jordan for a fun session! Can’t wait to see you again sometime! :)

On the docket: senior photos and weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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Tessa, a class of 2012 senior at Sentinel High School, is certainly on her way to exciting things – with her exuberant, bubbly personality and easy ability to laugh, the world really is her oyster. We had an absolute blast dashing around downtown Missoula to make some super cool images of Tessa being her brilliant, bright self – neon green tutu and colorful shoes not to be left out. :) Tessa’s friend Courtney also joined us and was a most-excellent provider-of-jokes, feather-fixer, and wardrobe consultant.

Tessa is a busy lady when she’s not out and about making beautiful images – she’s a part of  DECA, community plays, her church youth group, enjoys photography and making short films, and is a part of her high school yearbook staff.

I have no doubt she’s about to take the world by storm! Good luck to you Tessa in the pursuit of your business degree! And thanks again for such a rockin’ session!

P.S. If you missed my Facebook announcement today, I’m feeling especially happy because it’s my birthday, and I’m offering two portrait sessions available to two folks at half off the regular session fee. (Print collections are regularly priced; portrait sessions are available to a maximum of two people in each session; sessions must take place before 12/31/11 and must be within the Missoula area.) If you’re interested in winning one of these sessions, please e-mail me with the following: 1. The reason you deserve to win and 2. Why we’ll have a blast at your shoot! Winners will be announced this Sunday, August 7th, on Facebook. So be sure to be a “liker” if you’re not already. :)

On the docket: senior sessions and more weddings!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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It’s not every day that you meet someone so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about raising pigs, since so many of us haven’t set foot on a farm in who-knows-how-long. But that I did when I joined Collin and his mom at the pig barn to greet his four favorite piglets that he’s raising as a part of FFA (Future Farmers of America).

Collin and his mom, Anna Marie, have a special bond with these piglets, as they both helped birth them and ensure safe passage into their new world. And they also have a fondness for the farm, too – as Collin told me, it’s one of his favorite places. Which is truly evident – he’s at home, relaxed and confident next to the hay bales and the little two-month-old piglets that root around in the straw at his feet, grunting softly and occasionally nibbling his pants legs.

So it was the perfect location to make some photos for his senior year at Big Sky High School that truly capture what Collin loves – from the wee little piggies cuddling under a heat lamp in the barn, to the two-month-old piglets he helped bring into the world. And we got a few fun shots of Collin and his mom, too, for good keepsake material. :)  Thanks so much Collin and Anna Marie – I had a such a great time, and really learned a lot, too!

On to the photos! Enjoy!

On the docket: engagement sessions and portraits!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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I’m super excited to launch a new division of my website, specifically for seniors in high school in Missoula and neighboring towns! I’ve attached a screen grab below so you can take a peek, but it’s way more fun to visit the real deal in person. :) Check it out! And, if you’re feeling so inclined, please share with any seniors or parents-of-seniors that you know who would be interested in either a session with me OR in being a senior rep (there’s all sorts of great info on the site about this). Thanks so much! Happy weekend!

Cheers!

-Kristine

P.S. This should go without saying, but please don’t copy my designs, my photography, or even my wording. It’s just not nice. :) Thanks!

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Your senior year is such a great time of your life! Not only are you getting ready to graduate, you’re about to set off on the exciting  path to the rest of your life!

Senior portraits give you the opportunity to celebrate this time by featuring your personality, your wonderful individuality and your unique style.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE A SENIOR MODEL REPRESENTATIVE?

The first 10 Class of 2012 guys and gals to contact me and tell me why you think you’d be the best representative for Kristine Paulsen Photography’s 2011-2012 senior representative program will be eligible to become senior portrait models for Kristine Paulsen Photography! Your parents or legal guardian must also be on board with this and will need to sign a few basic release forms so you can have access to this great deal! All you have to do is refer your friends to me, and agree to only represent Kristine Paulsen Photography – easy as pie!

Why should you consider being a senior portrait model? Here’s a sampling of what you’ll receive if you become a senior model representative for Kristine Paulsen Photography:

• • - TWO awesome on-location photo sessions with Kristine at a discounted rate! (One in the spring before school’s out, and one in the late summer so you can get distinctly different looks for each session.)
    
  • - Print collections at a discounted rate! (All sorts of goodness here!)
    
  • - Print credits for every paid session you refer to me! (Apply the credits towards prints, albums, canvases, and more!) The senior you refer will receive print credits too!
    
  • - Digital photos to share on Facebook!
  • - Your photo session featured on my blog and website!
  • - A sweet slideshow of selected images from your session featured on my blog and available for you to share with friends and family!
    
  • - Complimentary Model Representative cards to pass out to friends, family and other seniors!
  • - Opportunities to win great, free products on top of your discounted print collection!

AND THE BEST PART?

- In addition to coming away with exceptional photos that represent the true you, if you’re awesome at sending paid referrals my way you’ll also be eligible to:

win an iPad2 and other cool custom prizes!

Will you be a 2012 Kristine Paulsen Photography Senior Model? I hope so! If you’re a class of 2012 senior, please give me a call at 406.240.3469 for more information, visit my NEW MISSOULA SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE to read more info and send in your senior rep application or send me an e-mail. Remember, your parents or legal guardians will need to be on board with this and sign a few basic release forms, so be sure to forward this info their way. I’m also happy to meet with you in person to talk about becoming a senior model. I can’t wait to talk to you!

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