Kristen Lequire Photography-My Mom

Last year I asked my friend Kristen Lequire to take pictures of my Mother with my kids. Thinking about that decision now I wish I had done this yearly. I have to admit that I am frustrated reading posts about Mother's Day and what to buy them when in reality do they want anything but love from their children? I don't blame the people writing these posts but I think I have entered the angry phase of grief. You get to buy your Mom perfume but my Mom wouldn't know what to do with it.

 I think the place I am in with my Mom's Alzheimer's has put me in a position to look at my memories of and with her and realize that at this point a "thing" isn't what she wants at all. Maybe some flowers, framed photos and time. Time is the gift I wish I could give her. I will pat myself on the back and admit that I have done a generous amount of quick trips up to Asheville for her birthday or Mother's day or just to spend time with my parents over the years. Right now of course, as a mother myself, I would love a new dress or some new shoes but I think when I'm in my 60's I want time. Time with my kids. Memories. Moments. Love. Hugs and Kisses and hand-holding. Group shots on the ever present Pawleys Island hammock and bloodys with Dad's Shrimp and Grits. 

It was a rainy and dark day that Kristen came to the house for photos and she still captured the bright beautiful smile of my Mother. Thank you for these Kristen, I will cherish them forever.

BB turns 68 next week and along with Mother's Day I hope we get to have a beautiful celebration for her. 

#ENDALZ

My Dream Job-Photography

Megg Braff Palm Beach Living Room photographed by Thibault Jeanson

I love taking pictures. I know most professional photographers get annoyed with people like me at Weddings but I do it for my friends. I typically do not get in their way and make sure my flash is not ruining their photo so I don't really tick them off! I am clueless in photoshop so when I take pictures they are just the images from my camera with minor enhancements like cropping or light fixes. I just know from personal experience (Thanks Beau!!) that there is nothing better than a friend sending you an album of pictures (for FREE) that capture you and your family. And nothing makes me happier than sending my friends an entire album from their showers or parties.

Phoebe Howard was my first big job here in the Charlotte area and can you believe it....I got published! She called me up while working on her book "The Joy of Decorating" and needed one more shot of her Charlotte Dining area. I rented the fanciest lens I could and snapped away! I had previously taken pictures for Mrs. Howard for House Beautiful (they picked our least favorite!) and for her store opening and I loved being able to be there for her in a pinch.

My picture!!!!!

I am obviously NOT a professional, but I love playing with light and figuring out the best angle. I have also taken pictures for my two favorite Charlotte Interior Decorators Traci Zeller and Sarah Fisher but both those projects are still under wraps for now but here are a few teasers!

Traci Zeller Easter Vignette

Traci Zeller Living Room (LOVE this whole photoshoot!)

Sarah Fisher of Matters of Style Master Vignette

Love this shot, Sarah Fisher of Matters of Style Master. (Just WAIT until you see her Playroom)

The coolest part of this is maybe this is in my blood. My father was a commercial photographer for years in New Orleans before trading in his lens for Real Estate when we moved to Asheville. I have to go find it but he has this awesome picture of him standing on top of the Superdome. He specialized in Commercial shoots like foot photography, industrial shots like oil rigs...etc. Now he still takes pictures but typically for work out of a helicopter!

So if you are in the Charlotte area and want semi-professional pictures of your house or client's homes please let me know! I also love to photograph parties...here are a few favorites (not high-res) from friends' events! I would add tons more but Shutterfly gets an EPIC FAIL for importing my Kodak Gallery albums out of order.

Gorgeous Baby Girl shower

Love this Groom's cake at the Rehearsal Dinner!

Same beautiful baby girl shower

Rehearsal Dinner for Mrs. Sweetser

Same

Thursday night Frankie & Johnny's

1st Birthday party for one of F's BFF's!

Christmas in the Mountains AKA Popular Lodge

All Images by Katharine Fuchs

xoxo 

Shutterbug

Photography: Kristin Sobieski

I will be posting the final nursery pics soon but in my design process I met a new friend! And....she just so happens to take pictures of Newborns!

I scoured the Charlotte Craigslist for a Jenny Lind crib beginning in November. They were either all too beat up, missing parts, or too expensive. I would have purchased a new one but I think the blogger explosion of Jenny Lind cribs in baby rooms created a shortage!

And then I emailed Kristin Sobieski! Kristin was selling her daughter's crib and it was in immaculate condition. We drove down to her home near Lake Wylie on a Sunday afternoon and when I walked in the door I was blown away by her family pictures.

I am obsessed with taking pictures. I started out with a Canon Powershot and now have the Rebel Xsi. I am in dire need of better lenses but even though I am without stellar equipment I absolutely love taking pictures. I harass my family for group shots, annoy my girlfriends for their copies of photos if I miss some, and agonize over whether I should read a magazine on the beach or run around and snap photos of my family.

So when I met Kristin I was insanely jealous of what she was starting. She also loves taking pictures and is turning her hobby into a business. My dream job would be to be a photographer. I have met so many wonderful people that have made this their life and I couldn't imagine anything more rewarding.

Here are some of Kristin's beautiful images! She is having an Easter special so hurry and book while you can!

Book her here or kristin@kristinsobieskiphotography.com

All images from Kristin Sobieski Photography