Kris King Photography

This is a Yashica Mat EM. The Yashica Mat EM is a medium format (6x6), twin-reflex lens camera from around the mid-1960's.
Yes, that's right. This camera is around 60 years old and is fully analog. Not one computerized component. And nothing to help you with your exposure. It's raw and real and heavy. You *feel* every photograph you make. I can't begin to tell you how much I love it!
Some of you will recall that I took it to DC with me this last trip to see what he could do.
Well, I finally got my scans back, and I'm thrilled! I DO still know what I'm doing without the aid a mirrorless digital camera provides.
I only shot one roll because the shutter started sticking, and I got really frustrated. That has since been fixed, and I cannot WAIT to go through several more rolls of film!!!
I think I'll pick a different film though. I'm not in love with the Kodak Gold....

Have you ever seen that old movie Yes Man with Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel? The premise is Carrey's character is hypnotized into saying yes to every opportunity presented, and hilarity ensues.
Yesterday, that was me. Got the call and just said yes to a new experience.
I had the opportunity of a lifetime to go up in a small engine Cessna and photograph another pilot in flight. The goal was lofty for a newbie like me - capture portraits through the glass.
The atmosphere was choppy, the plane was bouncing, balance was out the window. Framing and composing? A pipe dream, I worried.
Turns out I've got this.
I am ever grateful to Stratton DV Imaging, Peter Stratton, Marinda Cassidy for taking me under their wing (HA! see what I did there?). They are always so patient and intentional about teaching me when I am with them. I love learning from them and growing as they help me gain new experiences!
Grab life by the horns guys! Say yes! Step out of your comfort zone and do the scary thing. You'll surprise yourself more often than not 😊

The best thing about photography is all the people it brings into your life. Whether it's someone interested in my gear, the composition I'm framing up, or the people I'm working with directly. People, and their stories, are fascinating.
These were two such people.
I was welcomed into this family with literal open arms and enjoyed an evening of family celebration, laughter, love, and togetherness.
Congrats to this beautiful "punk rock" couple who dived right into the funky and weird vibe and let me make fisheye portraits in their wedding gown and suit.
This is your reminder to be brave and step out of your box sometimes. Even if it seems weird. The result will be something wholly you.

I know the commitment can be hard. I know the price can be daunting.
But photographers aren't in the business of taking pictures. Anyone can do that with the cameras we all carry around each day. Photographers are in the business of safeguarding your memories.
Photographs capture a moment in time, who we are in that moment, what we want the world to know about us, and the love and laughter that exists in our lives. They are important investments, not just in our own memories, but for those who come after.
When was the last time you thought about your memories and what you're leaving behind? Your moments are too important to let them slip away.