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Chicago Family & Lifestyle Session: Christy & Dennis Kim

May 24, 2010

Even though my main focus is in wedding photography and will probably continue to do so in the future, once in a while, I like to venture into other types of photography such as family & married couple lifestyle sessions. Last winter I was introduced to the Kim family by a good friend of mine to do their family photoshoot in December. Because it was so cold outside, we both agreed that doing any shoot outside would be a bad idea. So we agreed to split the photo session into two and we just finished the second one last week. Noah is even cuter than before. I love all the fun faces he made and even at this early age, he is practicing his tough mean look. I also suggested to Dennis & Christy, since they never had engagement sessions done before, that they do a short lifestyle session. We spent couple of hours at the Botanical Garden in Glencoe, IL and had a great time strolling through the park and snapping some fun photos. Here are some of the results from their session. They are such good looking couple/family I had hard time narrowing the photos for the blog:

Here’s Noah clapping for their parents as they share their moment.

Then shortly after Noah fell asleep then mom & dad decided to take some fun casual lifestyle sessions of their own:

They are such great looking couple and relaxed in front of the camera that I had to keep snapping away!

I love these moments in between poses where their true personalities come alive:

Noah then woke up happy from his nap sleeping…

We are all one big happy family! Thank you so much Kim family for your kindness, generosity and your giving spirit! I cannot wait to spend more time with you guys and see Noah grow up.

For more, visit: My Portfolio | Facebook Page | contact@kennykim.com | 800-539-1294

NOW AVAILABLE: The Digital Wedding Photographer’s Planner by Kenny Kim

Tags: Chicago Botanical Garden, Family, Glencoe, Lifestyle Session
Posted in Portraits, Sessions | 1 Comment »

Now Available: Digital Wedding Photographer’s Planner

April 19, 2010

Digital Wedding Photographers Planner by Kenny Kim

Digital Wedding Photographer's Planner - Book by Kenny Kim

I am filled with emotion as I write this blog post. I am proud, humbled, amazed, thankful + probably about 10 other adjectives that I cannot think of right now when I think about the fact that I am now an author. Thank you Wiley Press for giving me the opportunity to write a book that I am passionate about. I am really thankful for many people out there that have given me so many opportunities to be where I am today and this is yet another major milestone in my career.

If you had asked me five years ago what I would be doing now, I doubt being a wedding photographer or writing a book would have been my answer. The truth is, I really had no clue what I was going to do. I probably would have guessed working in sports management or managing a coffee shop or possibly working for a top design agency, or even better: a sports photographer. But my life took a different path to wedding photography, and for the first time in my life, I have found something I am really passionate about.

By picking up this book, you are either considering becoming a full-time photographer or perhaps you already started and need a little direction. While there are many planning guides available for couples, this is one for designed you, the wedding photographer. The more prepared you are the more you can concentrate on taking the photographs and getting the images that will delight your clients. In this planner you will find numerous tips and checklists from the more than 100 weddings I have photographed in the past four years, as well as some lessons I learned from other photographers. It covers everything you need to think about and plan for when it comes to photographing a wedding—from the initial meeting with the prospective clients and how to make a good first impression, through the various stages of the wedding how you can deliver the final product to the newlyweds. Just remember that nothing here is really set in stone. The beauty of this industry is that you can study books like this and make it your own.

Welcome to wedding photography. You are in a community of people who will help and encourage to you become a better photographer. Think of this book as just a starting point—the tip of the iceberg. Use it to develop your own style and explore new ways to doing things. I hope you find this profession as rewarding and fulfilling as I have.

For more information, visit: Wiley Press

You can purchase a copy at:
Amazon
Books-A-Million
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Wiley

Tags: Beginner, Book, Digital, Engagement, Guide, How To, Kenny Kim, Photographer, Planner, Technique, Wedding, Wiley
Posted in Events, Personal, Portraits, Sessions, Travel, Wedding, Workshop | 13 Comments »

Chicagoland Family / Lifestyle Session: Kim Family

January 14, 2010

I was introduced to Dennis & Christy through a mutual friend. They recently had a beautiful baby boy and wanted to celebrate their occasion by capturing them together. This session is part 1 of 2 series. Just like the photoshoot I did for the Mayo Family, we are doing a family session first then once the weather gets warmer, we will do a couple’s lifestyle shoot w/ just Christy & Dennis and few more shots of the baby. I do not photograph many family sessions as weddings and other events are my priority but as schedule allows, I try to take a a few requests throughout the year. Dennis & Christy are such great people and I enjoyed spending time with them. I did not know this but they scheduled their photoshoot on the same day as Dennis’ birthday. So afterwards we went out to eat w/ their family to celebrate his birthday. Talk about good times! Here are some photos from their session:

Thanks Dennis & Christy! I am looking forward to our next session!

For more, visit: My Portfolio | Resources For Photographers | Twitter: KennyKim | Facebook Page
contact@kennykim.com | 800-539-1294

Tags: Baby Photography, Family, Photo session, Photoshoot
Posted in Portraits, Sessions | 10 Comments »

Chicago Model Fashion Beauty Photo Shoot

December 17, 2009

This week I had a chance to do something outside my wedding photography element. I got to work with a San Francisco-based model (you might recognize her from a previous lifestyle shoot I did back in September) named Crystelle. She is a friend of mine and does professional modeling. Working with models is a great way to practice your craft as a photographer. You can also learn their posing techniques and implement them on the wedding day with your bride or on your next lifestyle engagement session. It was a freezing day in Chicago so we went to various indoor & outdoor locations in Evanston downtown area for the shoot. Crystelle is a trooper and did a great job despite the Chicago weather.

Big thanks goes out to Lillian from Starlight Makeup Chicago for providing hair & makeup for the shoot. She did an amazing work on Crystelle! She even came out to the shoot w/ us and helped me w/ lighting and even some posing tips. If you need referrals for a professional stylist, look up her company!

Here are some photos from the shoot. I would love to hear comments & suggestions from fashion shoot photographers (if you are out there reading my blog). Be kind, I don’t do this too often! And if you are a model wanting to do lifestyle/fashion shoots like this, drop me a note. I don’t have time to do much of these but would love to do it once in awhile to sharpen my skills & improve my portfolio.

Fashion & Lifestyle Photoshoot

Fashion Beauty & Lifstyle Photoshoot

Fashion Beauty & Lifestyle Photoshoot

Fashion Beauty & Lifstyle Photoshoot

Fashion Beauty & Lifestyle Photoshoot

For more, visit: My Portfolio | Resources For Photographers | Twitter: KennyKim | Facebook Page
contact@kennykim.com | 800-539-1294

Tags: Beauty, Chicago, Fashion, Lifestyle, Model, modeling, Photo, Photographer, Photoshoot
Posted in Portraits, Sessions | 22 Comments »

Denver Colorado Family & Lifestyle Portrait Photos: Mayo Family

November 12, 2009

Thank you everyone for all the support & the comments that you have been leaving on the previous blog post about my recent trip to Tanzania Africa for Thirst Relief International. There will be more things covered in the future about that project but for now we will take a break from there and talk about a recent photoshoot I did before my trip to Africa. I was commissioned to photograph the Mayo family out in Denver Colorado.

I knew Jim & Julie back in college but it has been over 12 years since I last saw them. Recently we reconnected through facebook and from that relationship this opportunity came. I have no idea what their secrets are, but they have not changed physically – they looked the same as they did in college. I don’t know what fountain of youth they are drinking from but I want some of it. We decided to kill two birds with one stone and did a family photo session in the morning then spent the afternoon doing a lifestyle session as a couple. I have never done a photoshoot like this before so I thought this would be a fun idea!

We ended up having so much fun that day shooting and just catching up on what we missed out in the past 12 years that day. The Mayo family were amazing and such a great host as well. They treated like I was their family member coming over to stay at their house and I felt so welcomed and I am not going to lie – it was almost like being on vacation! Denver also welcomed me the next day with over 20 inches of snow so I even got to do a quick session with the family in snow! Talk about having cool images for your portfolio.

Any ways, here are some images that we were able to capture during this visit. I primarily focus on weddings but it was good to take a break from it and do something outside the box for a change. Julie & James thank you for being such wonderful friends & ideal clients. I can’t wait to visit you guys again in the near future!

We started out in the morning by shooting the family in the local park
Mayo Family Denver Shoot

Mayo Family Denver Shoot

They were so cute! I think can pose as models for the GAP kids!
Mayo Family Denver Shoot

Mayo Family Denver Shoot

We even took advantage of all the snow the next day and did another family photoshoot in the snow. That was a lot of fun!
Mayo Family Denver Shoot

Mayo Family Denver Shoot

Then it was time to have some fun with the parents! Looking at this couple, you’d never guess that they have been married for over 12 years with 2 beautiful kids! I could probably post this as a Denver engagement session and no one would second guess it!
Mayo Family Denver Shoot

Mayo Family Denver Shoot

We walked around and found various bridges and architecture around Denver downtown area.
Mayo Family Denver Shoot

Mayo Family Denver Shoot

Did you know Denver has a Union Train Station too? We spent some time doing photos there as well.
Mayo Family Denver Shoot

I think i am going to start doing this more often in my future engagement / lifestyle shoots. I like to call this shot a “Double Take”.
Mayo Family Denver Shoot

For more, visit: My Portfolio | Resources For Photographers | Twitter: KennyKim | Facebook Page
contact@kennykim.com | 800-539-1294

Tags: Denver, Family, Lifestyle Photoshoot, Photo, Photographer, Photography, Portrait, Snow
Posted in Portraits, Sessions | 8 Comments »