Kristie Serra Photography Blog »

In the midst of getting the new blog up and running, I spent a morning with the amazing M. family.  Their sneak peek didn’t make it to the blog and since then, their beautiful itty bitty new addition as arrived.  I met her this past weekend–she’s a total doll! And, her big sister and big brother couldn’t be more proud!  

I thought I’d share a little from their maternity mini session and then from A.’s newborn session. And, if you’re interested in the details for the bun {in} and {out} of the oven sessions, please email me at kristie@kristieserraphoto.com. 

the bun {in} the oven…

I just loved this family shot from their session and I love that it’s now a part of their family hanging on a wall in their home.  

the sweet little bun {out} of the oven…

It’s a perfect title for my session with the oh-so-handsome and super adorable, N., who truly has a thing for leaves (and sticks).  Really though, can you blame him???  They are lots of fun!  And, when you are one, it doesn’t get much better than that!  My very first shot of the morning is the image below where he’s holding the stick.  I just love it–he’s all boy and he’s proud of it!!  It was just a year ago when we met for the first time when he was itty bitty.  It’s amazing to watch him grow…

And, the big brothers…  They were so patient and helpful and a ton of FUN!!

Happy Friday!!  I’ve been blown away by the comments and emails about the new blog.  Thank you all so much for the amazingly sweet comments and emails–I am truly touched by the sweetness!!  Well, I have Erika Jessop to thank for the “new look” that I LOVE so much, so I thought today would be a perfect day to feature Erika and her amazing work on the blog.  She’s been on once before, so this time we thought we’d have a little fun and do a Q & A segment.  It’s my pleasure to have you get to know Erika…

[1] What led you to a career in art? Tell us about your journey…
I really wanted a change in career and scenery. I saw an opportunity to move in both directions in 2006 and I moved to Cincinnati. My sweet fiance (now my husband : ) helped me get started. He kept my spirits up and got me out of the house when I needed it most : ) When I started my business, I knew I would need a portfolio. So I would look around flickr and get inspired by the beautiful photographs. So many photos became my muse and I contacted a few photographers to ask if I could paint my version of what they had captured. The abundance of visual talent on flickr is still an inspiration to me. My flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikajones/
I remember the first time someone contacted me to buy one of those early pieces. I was literally beaming. I couldn’t sleep all night, just thinking about packaging it up and sending it to someone who loved it. I still get that excited feeling when I book custom paintings.

[2] In five words or less, how would you describe your artist style?
whimsical and charming
(or at least that’s how I like to think about it)

[3] What inspires you?
I get really inspired my reading blogs I love and perusing flickr. Things that make me smile and ooze joy in everyday life also motivate me to paint, like a kiss on the forehead or a little girl walking her dog.

[4] What’s your workspace like?
I would delight in saying it’s tidy, but it’s not. The only constant in my workspace is tv streaming on my desktop and a cold glass of milk or juice next to my mouse pad : ) The rest is constant chaos. I included a photo of it one of the rare times it was tidy though!

[5] What’s your favorite medium?
That’s impossible to answer. Ok, here’s my best try…I love watercolor because I feel free when I paint with it. I love canvas because it has an understated, earthy, tactile feel. So both! But oh how I love to design too. It’s impossible to choose. I think I need all of these things to stay balanced.

[6] What do you love most about what you do?
The best part is hearing how my clients react when they see their painting for the first time. I love those emails and envision their smiles. Some people even send me photos of their painting hanging in their home. That warms my heart.

[7] What are you doing today that wouldn’t have imagined doing five years ago?
Pretty much everything I do today. I have my dream job…the one I used to muse about! Now if only I didn’t need to sleep.

[8] What do you hope to be doing five years from now?
I have a big secret project in the works. I hope to reveal it at the end of this year. I just pray that I can remain in the art field. I would like to do some more gallery shows too. Again, if I didn’t need sleep…well, I can only imagine what I could get done!

[9] What are you grateful for today?
A loving and supportive family. Them, and caffeine.

And, for fun… the speed-round:

If you had three wishes what would they be?
1. that people wouldn’t litter (sorry if that sounds a bit silly, but it’s SO annoying)
2. a big family party with my family and my husband’s at the lovely place we were married last year, like a reunion
3. more wishes!

I know you love Etsy, what are some of your favorite shops?
I love this question! Here are three of my favorites:
a new favorite of mine, The Nebulous Kingdom: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6733579
Rosie Music: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5322690
Annie & Olive: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5182697

Read any good books lately?
Like so many, I have fallen victim to the Twilight saga. I’m completely addicted.

If you had to pick one song to be your theme song, what would it be?
It changes a lot, but lately it would be Still Fighting It by Ben Folds

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Anything with ample amounts of chocolate, preferable the kind that they mix on a chilled rock ; ) Was that a shout out to Cold Stone? I’m not sure.

What’s your favorite thing to do on a Friday night?
I love dates with my husband. We usually make supper and play cards or watch a movie. I look forward to it all day!

I am thrilled to share some of Erika’s BEAUTIFUL work.  I recently commissioned her to do a custom painting of my niece and nephews.  When it arrived, I think I stared at it for three days and nearly ruined the surprise for my sis-in-law because I was so excited and oh–how I HEART it!!  Erika captured the kiddos so perfectly–this painting is so perfect and so special to me.  I got a little choked up just giving it to the family (sniff sniff).  Thank you, Erika!!  Take a peek below, it’s the first one at the top…

Want more?  You can visit Erika at the following places:

Website: http://erikajessop.com/
Blog: http://erikajessop.wordpress.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikajones/

These three beauties were a total joy to work with and they couldn’t have made my job any easier! I just LOVE that they scheduled a session for themselves. Three generations–what could be more special? The youngest of the three was just an itty bitty newborn when we last met. Now six months later, she’s ready to GO! Standing, taking steps with assistance and attempting to crawl in any direction are at the top of her list!! She’s a girl on a mission, and there is no stopping those beautiful blue eyes either!!  

A true little pirate at heart (it’s a Tampa thing). . .

If not, you should–it’s Earth day!!  Since it’s the greenest day of the year, I thought we could all do a little something good for our planet.

Here are some GREAT Earth day activities you can do with the kiddos (or without):

• Pick up trash on the playground, park, at work or near your home.
• Wear GREEN!
• Collect recyclable items to recycle. http://earth911.com/  and  http://www.eartheasy.com/live_recycling.htm
• Plant a tree for the world to share.  If you are not quite the green-thumb, you can visit the Arbor Day Foundation’s ‘Take Action’ section of their website and click “Make a Donation.”  Every dollar donated plants a tree.  http://www.arborday.org/takeaction/donate.cfm
• Reuse materials to make new crafts.  Ladybug rocks anyone?  http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/earth-day/reusing-materials-make-new-crafts.html
• Start with Five Super Easy Steps to Go Green: http://www.ehow.com/how_4552010_green-five-super-easy-steps.html

Also, there is a Disney documentary opening today–it’s called “Earth.”  And, Disney will be planting a tree for every ticket purchased in the film’s first week!  The movie follows the stories of three animal families, a whale, polar bear and elephant, as they migrate and travel around the world and raise their offspring during their first year of life.  It’s narrated by James Earl Jones.  It looks amazing!  http://disney.go.com/disneynature/

My recycling buddies. . .

This series makes me smile and I hope it puts a smile on your face too.  I asked the boys to sit just so I could snap a quick picture of their shirts and within two seconds of sitting in the driveway a laugh-fest began and there was no stopping it!!  I LOVE that the world stops for them. . .

Being a mommy of twins, I have a special fondness for them, especially these two adorable dolls, G. and A.!  We met last year for the first time, just before they were walking and now watch out, there is no stopping them!  It was amazing to watch them run and walk and laugh.  They are the sweetest girls and they truly adore one another–it just melts your heart!!  

I just love that their dog, Gunner, joined us for the session.  They girls just adore him!  Five minutes was about all he could take of the session and then he was in the water.  He reminded me of my black lab growing up, who would have lived in the lake if we would have let her!

The teepee tent was a huge hit with the girls and quite comical for the grown-ups!  The girls got under there and just stood as still as statues.  They must have been thinking since they couldn’t see us, we couldn’t see them.  Hee Hee Hee!!

Oh, the gorgeous light just at the end of the session!  YUM!  And, in the family image, I just love that A. is cracking up over her mama’s shoulder and G. is just peeking over her daddy’s.  They couldn’t be more adorable!

Sometimes a hug is all you need…

Thank you, C. family!  I truly enjoyed our evening–you are such a wonderful family!! xo

Welcome!  I’m so glad that you’ve stopped by and I’m thrilled to share my new branding with you.  Not only does the blog have a new look, but the website does too!  And, I owe Erika Jessop and Joyce Smith an enormous THANK YOU for helping me bring it all together.  They have been so beyond incredible to work with–I don’t know what I would do without them!!  Erika’s designs are scattered throughout the blog (including the background).  She started by creating a new fabulous logo for me, which I am in LOVE with and then we went from there.  Her talent amazes me!!  I don’t know how she does it, but I’m so very grateful that she does!!  You’ll be seeing more from Erika in the weeks to come…     

Well, since you are here, why not sit back, relax and take a peek around.  Oh, and if you want to stay current on the latest updates and news from the blog, you can subscribe by email.  Just type in your email address in the “subscribe by email” section on the upper right side of the menu bar at the top of the blog.  You’ll receive an email only when new items are published.  Be in the know!  

Because a post isn’t as much fun without images, I thought I’d include a little peek of these amazing baby blues.  Baby A., you melt my heart! 

HOPPING, uh, I mean, HOPING you had a wonderful Easter weekend.  We’ve had a fun-filled Spring Break and fabulous Easter.  And, three egg hunts later, I’m pretty sure that we’ll all be dreaming of jelly beans tonight!   Wishing you sweet dreams as well, but before you head to bed, I thought I’d share some of our fun photos from the weekend.  Yes, it was mandatory that everyone in the family (Quigley Adams as well) wear bunny ears.  Ha-Ha!!

Oh, and on a side note, the new blog will be up this upcoming week!  Be on the look out–I can’t wait to share it with you all… and some fun recent sessions as well!!

It’s Thursday and I couldn’t be any more EXCITED about today’s post!!  If I could do a back-flip without breaking my neck, I would… I would do 100 of them, maybe 1,000, yes definitely 1,000!!  If you are in the world of photography, then you probably HEART Tara Whitney like I do!  Her work is so beyond inspirational, her style is so real and she’s a total rock star, but yet she is the nicest, most humble person you could ever meet (or in my case, could ever email with).  I could go on and on, but that wouldn’t be nearly as fun as reading her responses to the questions below and checking out her work for yourself.

So, sit back and enjoy…

[1] What led you to a career in photography?  Tell us about your journey…

I started back in 2000 when my husband gave me the gift of my first SLR. It was when we had no money and weren’t supposed to spend any on each other for Christmas. My favorite gift from him, because it started everything. It was a film Canon Rebel. I took two classes at a local night school to learn the ins and outs of the camera and then just went on my merry way. I photographed my family and friends for several years and then started my blog. At that point, people that read my blog (that I didn’t know) started asking me if I would shoot their children, their families. My business has slowly snowballed since then into what it is now.

[2] In five words or less, how would you describe your photography style?

Happy, funny, quirky, real, emotional

[3] What inspires you?

My clients. The people I photograph. I try to keep it about me and them.
Of course my family, music, movies, magazines inspire me too!

[4] What’s your workspace like?

My husband would say “A VORTEX OF UNIMAGINABLE CLUTTER”. I would say “Organized chaos.”

[5] So, how do you make it all work… business… family life… happy marriage?

By trying very very hard every day and talking a lot about how things are going and what we can do to make them better. By being gentle with each other as a family and trying to assume the best in all of us. The vision is never complete. The goal of balance is always just out of our grasp. So its a constant shift back and forth to keep things as even as possible.

Also, therapy.

[6] What do you love most about what you do?

TAKING PRETTY PICTURES!

[7] What are you doing today that you wouldn’t have imagined doing five years ago?

Oh man, great question. Made me sit and think for a second. A couple of things came to mind immediately. Like, dieting. Was pretty sure that would be done by now! But on a positive note, I would never have imagined that people would know who I was out of my own city, and want to hire me to fly to their homes and photograph them. It is unreal. Exciting, humbling, and unreal.

[8] What are you grateful for today?

All of the big things of course, my health, my family, my husband, my friends, my warm bed, running water.
But also the little things. The way my house smells like jasmine when I open the windows this time of year, the clip clop of my six year old daughter walking in heels on the hardwood, an email from a friend.

And, for fun… the speed-round:

If you had three wishes what would they be?

1. That my children would be healthy and live happy lives.
2. The ability to eat whatever I want and be trim and fit.
3. One simple, yet large enough for six, beach house close to a downtown area that we could ride our bikes to.

I know you love Etsy, what are some of your favorite shops?

Don’t make me go there. I will never return from the land of beautiful and treasured hand made things.

Read any good books lately?

The new Sue Miller book. “The Senator’s Wife”. Sue Miller is a favorite. She understands and writes about women in a way I can relate to so well.

If you had to pick one song to be your theme song, what would it be?

I had to go look on my iTunes playlist to think of what it might be. I decided on maybe “The Golden Age” by Beck. For today. No, maybe “Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite. “Big Girls You are Beautiful” by Mika? Definitely “Golden” by My Morning Jacket. Oh, Oh I got it! This is it for sure. “Closer to Fine” by the Indigo Girls. I think.

Fries or onion rings?

Better yet, fried mushrooms!

My hubby, the car guy, wants to know: speed limit, 10 mph over or 10 mph under?

Totally 10 mph OVER.

I asked Tara to share some of her favorites with us.  I absolutely love the images she picked!!  For more of her amazing and inspirational work, a glimpse at the pieces of her life and some pure fun, stop by her blog!  Every time I’m there, I’m laughing, sometimes crying and always feeling inspired!!  Warning though, her blog is like yummy chips… you can’t just stop by once!!

Thank you, Tara, from the bottom of my heart!!  xoxo