Archive for 2009

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Holiday Cheer

Posted in my life

Cristi Owen

I really truly love Christmas. For the right reasons and for the wrong reasons.  Yes, I love it for its true meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ and make sure to really focus on that, but I also love it for the gift buying, the Christmas trees and the idea of Santa Claus.

One of my “favoritest” things is to pull out my ornament box and decorate our tree. Growing up we usually had a matching tree. You know, with a theme and matching colors and ornaments. And I loved it! But now I truly enjoy my mismatched tree with ornaments that are really meaningful to me and I still think it looks gorgeous!

When I was decorating my tree last Saturday I snapped a few photos of some random ornaments to share with you all. So here we go…

While on our Honeymoon in Hawaii in 2003 we got to swim with sea turtles, so I got that little Santa sitting on a turtle in Maui almost 7 years ago!

My trip to Ireland is so special to me in so many ways. It marks my official quest to become a wedding photographer and that’s also when I made some really great friendships. And I wouldn’t have this ornament if it wasn’t for Melissa Jill. She literally drove me all over Ireland until I could find an ornament. Thanks, Melissa! I really appreciate your patience and friendship!

We go to Disney all the time, but this is from 2008. We drove from AZ to Cali with Curt’s brother and his wife. It was the best road trip and that’s also when Melissa found out she was pregnant with our first niece :)

Ahh, my little Leica camera. Just admit it, I know you are jealous! It’s just the cutest ornament ever! Amelia gave it to me when she was here last year for my “Girls Only Ornament Party/Brazilian Dinner”.

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I got the first two little S’mores guys at Christmas parties at work and LOVE them! I know you will be shocked to hear this, but I never went camping or had s’mores until I was 23 years old! And it became a big joke because I think I ate an entire box of graham crackers s’mores style all by myself while camping with one of the other dietitians I used to work with. I also got a s’mores kit as a Christmas gift at work. They were making fun of me, but I actually use it all the time!

Then in 2008 my BFF, Trisha got me the cute pink S’mores girl. Love her!

And just this year, while in St. Louis to photograph Aimee and Loreto’s wedding, we found this little gem! It was like winning the lottery for me! I was sooo excited. He’s totally perfect and to make it even better, Lisette (who flew in to help me out with the wedding), got a matching one. Now I want one from every state, but I can never find them.

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The cute snowman couple was a gift from my mother-in-law. It was the first Christmas Curt and I spent together.

The second one is from Aruba. It was one of the best trips we’ve ever been on. So many good memories from that one!

The egg is from our trip to Puerto Vallarta with Tom and Trisha for Brooke and Conor’s wedding. We got to see the artist making the ornaments, placing each bead by hand without a pattern to follow or anything. It was really impressive and cool to watch. Well, let’s be honest, I think Tom, Trisha and Curt were pretty bored but I was totally impressed!

And the last one is just from this past summer from our trip to Italy. I know it’s not meant to be an ornament but it was the closest thing they had to an ornament and Venice was my favorite place!

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And THIS cracks me up! At first, Nathan was helping me and putting the ornaments back on tree after I photographed them, but when I handed him the camera ornament to put back on the tree, he did this instead:

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I hope you are enjoying the Holiday season as well!

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    1. Bonnie Lingner (aunt bonn)

      Beautiful photos! Even though I was miles and miles away, I feel like I shared the day with Kristi and Eric. Thank you for sharing.

      Thursday, December 3, 2009 7:24 pm

    2. Nicole Newkirk

      I love the new blog! I’m so lucky to have such a fabulous photographer :) .

      Thursday, December 3, 2009 8:11 pm

    3. Irma

      Cristi, thanks for sharing! I love all your ornaments and the coolest thing, which I love even more, is that they bring back so many meaningful memories. I was excited to see the egg ornament, because is Huichol folk art!! Huichol is the indigenous tribe in my home state in Mexico, Nayarit.. Just so colorful!

      Friday, December 4, 2009 11:35 am

    4. Eunice Brownlee

      I love how you shared some of your favorites and why they are important to you. Like you, I grew up with a matching, perfect tree and love all my mismatched ornaments now.

      They all have special meaning and mark a time in our lives to remember. I’m such a sentiment geek, and love this post. Thanks for sharing. :)

      Saturday, December 5, 2009 7:06 am

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Monday, November 30, 2009

Amanda & Eric *Wedding in Scottsdale*

Posted in wedding

Cristi Owen

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Amanda and Eric were married on November 14th in Scottsdale. Amanda got ready in the hacienda at the  Scottsdale Cottonwoods and I really loved this room:

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I was so happy to see my favorite make-up artist, Celestial.

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The radiant bride:

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I thought her bouquet was so elegant and perfect for a fall wedding:

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Her awesome girls:

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Cute matching shoes:

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These guys were so much trouble! And with 10 of them I definitely had to work hard to keep them in line :)

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The ceremony was so beautiful and meaningful:

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Amanda and Eric snuck in a little kiss half-way through the ceremony.

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Who knew a backyard wedding could be so gorgeous?!

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It was a super fun party!

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Jennifer’s catering provided the super yummy food.

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Such a beautiful night!

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And you can see some of their first look photos here.

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    1. Kristy

      ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!! I’m re-living every moment – JUST BEAUTIFUL!!

      Monday, November 30, 2009 3:49 pm

    2. Dennis Bullock

      Fantastic work Cristi!

      Monday, November 30, 2009 3:59 pm

    3. Amy

      Cristi, The photographs are absolutely stunnnnning! Of course, my dear friend Amanda was such a beautiful bride, I’m sure she made your job easier! As one of the bridesmaids, I must say, you were great fun to work with – you have a true talent in photography! Hope your boots survived the run in with cactus… ;-)

      Monday, November 30, 2009 10:31 pm

    4. Amanda

      Cristi – I couldn’t be more fortunate to have such a wonderful photographer such as YOU to have helped us capture this beautiful day. I seriously check back here regularly just to see the pictures (and the day) all over again!
      Thank you for EVERYTHING (again and again)

      Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:57 pm

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Saturday, November 28, 2009

The Perfect Christmas Gift

Posted in photography

Cristi Owen

Here it is!  The second Fancy Camera Workshop. FANCYCAMERAblog

What is it?

A workshop to help you take full advantage of your fancy camera. You know, the camera you’ve been using on auto and not getting the results you want (or should be getting) by using your M (manual) setting.

Here’s an overview of our day together:

• Introductions
• The Technical Stuff (exposure)
• The Fun Stuff (compositional elements)
• Equipment: What’s What
• LUNCH (included)
• Assignment/Hands-on Practice Outside
• Post Processing
• Sharing of Images/Critique
• Q&A

Who is it for?

Anyone who has a fancy camera and wants to take better pictures.

When is it?

January 9th, 2010 (PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE)

9 am to 7 pm

Where is it?

Chandler, AZ.

How much?

$110

How many people?

I want everyone attending to get all their questions answered, so there is a maximum of 10 attendees at the workshop.

Want to sign up or want more details?

Email me at cristi@cristiowen.com

Want to read about the first Fancy Camera Workshop?

Click here.

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    1. Cristi

      There is still ONE spot left!!!

      Sunday, December 6, 2009 10:28 pm

    2. Brenda Abercrombie

      Hi Kristi
      Love the Fancy Camera class idea. Will you be having another after your January class? I have 2 additional girlfriends that also would like to take a class.

      PS
      I have a Nikon D5000 with a regular lens. Hoping for a zoom for christmas! Do you need fancy lens for the class

      Fun blog!
      Brenda

      Tuesday, December 8, 2009 9:18 am

    3. admin

      The workshop is sold out! Thanks, everyone :)

      Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:24 pm

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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Milne Family

Posted in family portraits | portraits

Cristi Owen

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What a gorgeous family! I had so much fun with these four! And I love their names too! Avery, Tanner, Bella and Benson.

Avery is Lauren’s sister-in-law whose family I photographed just last week and it is pretty apparent that they are all one big gorgeous family.

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Thanks guys! beijos, Cristi :)

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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I’ve missed my boss!

Posted in portraits

Cristi Owen

Pam_21I love Pam! Pam was my boss while I worked as a dietitian at Banner Baywood Heart Hospital. It is hard to believe we actually worked together for 5 years! Pam is such an incredible person. She has always been supportive of me not just in my growth in my career as a dietitian but even in my photography endeavors. Pam was one of the first people who let me photograph their family. Brave woman!

I still remember the knot in my stomach as I walked in her office to announce that I was leaving. It was awful! I didn’t want to let her down, she had been such a great mentor and I loved my job there but I just had to leave and try new things. As I should have expected, Pam was so gracious and while I know she was disappointed I was leaving she was once again incredibly supportive.

I was so happy to see her last week for some quick family portraits. Seeing how much her kids have grown makes me feel so old!

She has three gorgeous kids:

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And Kendall deserves his own awesome portrait for putting up with all the girls during the shoot:

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Pam, I am soo happy you are my friend! I miss seeing you on a daily basis but I don’t miss the early morning clinical meetings :) I hope you love your images!

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Cristi Owen Photography » 2009