Kim Larsen Photography

New website & blog for Kim Larsen Photography

2011-06-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

Kim Larsen Photography's new website and integrated blog finally went live on June 1! This blog will no longer be updated, but will be available for viewing archived posts. To view all new blog posts, please visit www.klarsenphotography.com.

Curious what the new site will look like?

2011-05-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick peek at the main page...

The new site is almost done, and you will be seeing the rest of the changes very soon!

Don't forget that if you want to lock in my current rates, you need to book your session by May 31!

News & Update

2011-05-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

First of all, I just have to say that I have been a very bad blogger. I have several sessions that I have been meaning to post, but between the multiple illnesses that have cycled through our house during the last 2 months and all of the other craziness going on, I have let the blog slide.

The good news is that I have been working like crazy on a *BRAND NEW* blogsite to replace my old website and this blog. It is nearly done, and soon, you will see an entirely new look.

More good news... each year since I started Kim Larsen Photography, I have worked fewer hours at my "day job" than the year before. This year, I have been working 20 hours a week at my other job and I am still barely able to keep up with everything I need to do for this business and to keep my house running & the family happy & healthy. So, starting on June 13, Kim Larsen Photography will be my full-time (and only!) job! I am very excited for this change, but it does mean that I had to take a very long look at my current business practices, which were really more like those of a paid hobbyist than a true business.

As you know, I now have a 15 month old daughter, so I have to factor in the cost of daycare or babysitters when I have a session or need to have some focused time to get a project done and my husband is not available (which is often, considering he is a full-time teacher and has side businesses as a professional musician and videographer). I also have to consider that I am no longer getting a regular paycheck, and therefore no longer having taxes taken out of that paycheck. While I have always paid taxes on my photography income, it was lower because I was already paying taxes from my other job. Now, all of my taxes have to come from the business. These things, in addition to many, many other factors have led me to a new pricing structure that will actually allow me to cover these costs and finally begin to see a bit of profit from the countless hours that I put into my business.

My new rates will be going into effect for all sessions booked starting June 1, 2011. So, if you would like to lock in my current prices, please contact me before the end of May to book your session! The session does not have to occur before June 1, but it must be booked and the session fee must be paid in order to hold your date and maintain the current pricing.

Introducing: Beautiful You Portrait Sessions (& another Giveaway!)

2011-01-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

**CONTEST CLOSED**

This post is for all of the adult women out there. How often have you had your portrait taken? I’m not talking about family portraits, wedding portraits, or even maternity portraits. I’m talking about portraits of you...just YOU. Think about it. I’m willing to bet that unless you are a professional that has a headshot portrait for your business, or you are a model/actress, you are probably thinking about your Senior Portraits (if you even had them).

As we get older, we focus less and less on ourselves. When we get married and have children, our lives shift and stop being about us as a person and become “us” as a family. When was the last time your kids saw a picture of you? They may not care now (especially if they are teenagers!), but one day, they will be looking through photo albums and they will wonder, "Where are all the pictures of mom?".

So, as the kick-off to launch my new Beautiful You Portrait Sessions, and in honor of my 30th birthday, I am giving away a Portrait Session for one woman who wants to have portraits of herself. You must live in (or be willing to travel to) the Cottage Grove/Eugene, Oregon area. Although, if you live outside the area and are willing to pay my travel expenses, I’m sure we could work something out! :)

Your portrait session must be completed by March 31, 2011. No, I am not waiting for you to lose weight, get in shape, or get a face-lift! ;) These portrait sessions are about celebrating your beauty right now, not about trying to achieve that "perfect" body you think you need.

To enter, post a comment below and tell me why you should win a Beautiful You Portrait Session. Your entry (comment) must be submitted by 12:00 midnight PST on Thursday, January 27, 2011. The winner will be chosen on Friday, January 28, 2011.

Children's Portrait Giveaway!

2011-01-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

**CONTEST CLOSED**

In celebration of my daughter, Paige, turning one on Wednesday, I am giving away a Children’s Portrait Session to one lucky winner! You will get a complimentary Children’s Portrait Session with one 8x10 print and a Custom Accordion Wallet Album ($110 value). (Newborn Portraits and Senior Portraits are not included in this giveaway)

The portrait session must be completed by March 31, 2011. The child being photographed must live in the Cottage Grove/Eugene, Oregon area, or be able to come here for their portraits. Although, if you live outside the area and are willing to pay my travel expenses, I’m sure we could work something out! :)

To enter, post a comment below with the age and relation of the child who will get their portrait taken if you win. (Required for entry)

For additional entries:

“like” Kim Larsen Photography on Facebook and post a comment here on the blog (if you already “like” the page, just post a comment saying so). Comments on the Facebook page are welcome, but do not count as an entry to this contest.
sign up for Kim Larsen Photography’s monthly e-newsletter and post a comment here.

All comment entries must be posted by 12:00 midnight on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, January 26, 2011.

Good luck, and check back for another special giveaway to be announced on Monday!

What to Wear - Early Spring Portraits

2011-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

I was checking out the Old Navy website, and I ran across some bright yellow rain boots and a great yellow and gray umbrella. This inspired me to search out the perfect outfit for an early spring portrait session.

All of the clothing is from Old Navy, and the necklace is from Etsy seller, buttonsoupjewelry.

The bright, sunny yellow in this outfit would really pop against our pale, gray late winter/early spring surroundings here in the Pacific Northwest.

It isn't hard to put together a great outfit for portraits, and it doesn't have to be expensive, either. Most of the time, you can find everything you need in your closet already.

Baby {M} - Baby & Child Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-11-21T18:08:00.000-08:00

I had a great session yesterday afternoon with (almost-) one-year-old M. She was a little hesitant to smile at first, but we still managed to get some great shots! And after a quick trip outside to play with the few fall leaves that are left, she really perked up.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

The whole family

I found this little wagon the day before M's session and I knew it would make the perfect prop for her to play with!

How old are you?

Happy to be outside!

Aiden - Newborn Portraits * Brookings, OR

2010-10-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

I spent this past weekend making a quick trip down to Brookings to take Newborn Portraits of my adorable new Great Nephew, Aiden. I didn't get enough time to take all of the portraits that I wanted, but here are a few of my favorites from our short Saturday afternoon session.

Kristen - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-10-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

I had a great session on Saturday with CGHS Senior, Kristen. The fall color really came out this past week, so we had some really nice backgrounds to work with. She came with several outfits that were just perfect for the locations we were using, and I just LOVE her blue shoes! Here are just a couple of my favorite shots from her Senior Portrait Session.

Kristen, I hope you enjoy the preview and I can't wait to show you the rest of the images from your session!

Tiffani - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-10-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

I recently had a fun Senior Portrait Session with Cottage Grove High School Senior, Tiffani. We did a short indoor session, and then headed outside to a few locations around town. We even managed to find a little bit of fall color.

Here are some of my favorites from Tiffani's Senior Portrait Session.

Ashley & Robin - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-09-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of my favorites from a "friends" session yesterday with CGHS Seniors, Ashley & Robin.

Kayley - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-09-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

I had a great Senior Portrait session yesterday afternoon with Kayley. I had photographed her before for the CGHS Water Polo team portraits, but it was fun to a whole session just for her. Here are just a couple of my favorite images from her session.

Seattle Workshop

2010-08-25T22:51:00.000-07:00

I spent last weekend in Seattle at a Photography Marketing Workshop hosted by Leah Remillet of Leah Remillet Photography and Go{4}Pro Photos. Not only was it a great workshop, but we got to wander around Pike's Place Market for lunch and we got free chocolate!

I already had several changes to my business in the works (including a major overhaul to my website & blog that I really hope to have up and running in the next few days), but now I have so many more ideas to grow and expand my business into what I know it can become. Many of these changes will be behind-the-scenes, so you may not even notice them, but you will soon see some great new products, and also some new pricing. I have been avoiding raising my prices for far too long, and I have come to realize that in order to be profitable I have to reconsider my current pricing structure. So, stay tuned for more updates and watch for my redesigned website & blog soon!

Michaella - Maternity Portraits * Brookings, OR

2010-08-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

While I was visiting my family in Brookings last week, I did Maternity Portraits for my nephew and his girlfriend who are expecting baby Aiden in October. It was a dreary and cold day at the beach, but we worked with what we had and got a few nice portraits out of it.

Lindy - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-08-20T00:58:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know Lindy know that she graduated in June, and you may be wondering why she had her Senior Portraits done in August. Well, between me having a baby and her rodeo schedule, we just couldn't manage to get a session done before graduation. So, we finally found some time to do her full Senior Portrait Session last week. Lindy has been a great sport about allowing me to use her to try out new locations and ideas, so we had an extra long session just to fit in everything I wanted to try.

Here are some of my favorite images from her most recent session.

I am so glad I convinced her to bring along her prom dress. Not only is it absolutely stunning, but it worked perfectly for several of the new locations I wanted to test out.

I *LOVE* sun flare! It is a technique that should be used sparingly (and correctly!!!) to avoid looking overdone, but when it is done right, it can help create some amazing images.

Sunset - Lincoln City, OR

2010-08-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

We spent a few days in Lincoln City this week, and even though it was cloudy the whole time we were there, we had a few minutes at sunset one night where there was a small break in the clouds.

Baby E - Baby & Child Portraits

2010-08-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of taking newborn portraits of a beautiful 3-week old baby girl last week while we were at her great-grandmother's 90th birthday party. Even though she didn't want to sleep during our short session, she was the most cooperative baby I've ever worked with!

Here are two of my favorites from her session.

Silhouette Prints - Child Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-08-01T22:52:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a timeless and beautifully simple way to display your child's likeness, a Silhouette Print is just the answer. We can create a Silhouette Print of your child with the option to add his or her name in script, along with the date of the portrait. Silhouette Prints make the perfect gift for grandparents, as well as an excellent addition to your own "hallway gallery" at home. They are also great for scrapbooking or creating custom cards. The clean lines and stark contrast of black on white make Silhouette Prints perfect for any decor, as well as any craft project you can imagine. Ask us for a Silhouette Print at your next Family or Child Portrait Session!

Lindy - Rodeo Princess Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-07-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Lindy was a Senior Rodeo Princess this year and needed a portrait in her princess outfit, so we headed out to her house to take a few portraits of her and one of her horses. Here are a couple of images from the session.

Lindy - Beach Portraits * Florence, OR

2010-07-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago, I took Beach Portraits of Lindy near Florence, OR. Lindy didn't have a chance to take her Senior Portraits before graduation, and I needed a model to get some updated Beach Portraits for my galleries, so we headed to the coast for the afternoon. We had a great time, and she even braved the cold water for a few portraits. Here are a few of my favorite images from Lindy's session.

And for anyone who might be interested in having Beach Portraits this summer, there's still time! Contact me right away to find out my availability and book your session!

Hope Family - Family Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-07-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

After talking about doing Family Portraits for at least a year or two, I was finally able to get a session with the Hope Family while they were in town for a visit. We went to the Village Green Resort and Gardens and got a few portraits of the whole family together, and then let the kids run and play while I took some more informal portraits of them. I had a great time photographing the family, and I can't wait to meet baby #3 this fall!

Enjoy the preview!

Catching up...

2010-07-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

I've fallen way behind on blogging lately, for several reasons. The first reason is that I have been spending much of the summer traveling and just hanging out with David and Paige. Paige is already 6 months old, and I'm trying to figure out just where the time has gone. The day Paige was born, I started a personal "365" project to capture her "on film" (saying "on the CF card" just doesn't sound the same, does it?) so that we will have a permanent, visual record of her growth. This, of course, takes up quite a bit of my "free time".

The other major reason that I have fallen behind on the blog lately is that I have spent the summer working on a major re-branding of Kim Larsen Photography. I have redesigned my logo, which also means redesigning my watermark, business cards, brochures, and pretty much everything marketing related in the business. I have also been working on a complete overhaul of the website, which will be unveiled very soon (next week, I hope!).

I am also going to be posting about a few recent sessions on the blog, starting with the most recent, so check back for more new posts, and stay tuned for some major updates and a whole new look on the website.

K & N - Baby & Child Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-05-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favorite shots from yesterday's session with baby K and 1-year-old N.

N was fascinated by my flash. Every time he noticed it go off, he made this face... very cute!

Alyssa - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-05-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

Yet another CGHS band member graduating and moving on. Alyssa was so easy to work with. She is a natural in front of the camera and I think she is destined to be a model, as you will see in the previews below!

Tanner & Trevor - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-05-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Tanner & Trevor are graduating this year. I can honestly say that the CGHS band will not be the same without them! Personally, I will miss discovering the random "sculptures" they create out of the things they find in our carport in the middle of the night. :)

Here are a few previews from their session last week.

This was my favorite shot from the whole day!

Apparently, this shot breaks a long-standing family tradition of having Trevor on the left side of all pictures, but I didn't know about this tradition until after the shoot was over. We have to blame this one on a low spot in the rock causing a height difference... Sorry Doug & Cindy! :)

Grant - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-04-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here are just a couple of my favorite shots from this weekend's Senior Portrait Session with Grant, one of our CGHS Lion King contestants. It's just too bad he didn't bring his Superman costume... we could have gotten some great shots with that! :)

This one looks much more impressive when viewed full size on the big computer screen. I think this one would look great as a 20"x30" print!

Anna - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-04-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

I'm a little slow in getting these previews posted, but life got away from me last week. These are from a senior & family portrait session the weekend before last.

CGHS Lion King 2010

2010-04-23T22:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick sneak peek of the CGHS Lion King 2010 Pageant. These guys raised over $12,000 for the Childrens' Miracle Network. I will be donating the profits from the sale of the pictures I took at the event to their fundraiser, so check out the gallery and order a few pictures to help support the cause (I will be uploading pictures to the gallery in the next day or so)

Earth Day 2010

2010-04-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

I celebrated Earth Day today by photographing spring emerging in my backyard.

Cherry Blossoms * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-04-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

There's nothing better than cherry blossoms against a clear, bright blue sky.

Leah - Senior Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

2010-04-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

This was my first Senior Portrait Session after getting back to work since having Paige in January. We've been having less than cooperative spring weather lately, so we did an all studio session. We ended up with so many great shots because Leah is such a natural in front of the camera. Here are just a couple of my favorites from the session.

If you are a current Senior, and you haven't had your Senior Portraits done yet, now is the time! I am currently booking sessions for April and May, so be sure to get on my schedule before all of my available times fill up! I will not be accepting any Class of 2010 Senior Portrait Sessions after Sunday, May 23 in order to have enough time to get your print orders back to you before graduation.

Getting back to work

2010-02-22T08:37:00.000-08:00

After not doing any photography jobs for the last month of my pregnancy, or since Paige was born (with the exception of a couple of drama performances for a friend last week), I think it's time to get back to work. Paige will be 4 weeks old tomorrow, and though I'm not ready to work all the time, I do need to work a little to keep from going stir crazy. I have been taking pictures of Paige every day to post on her personal blog (apaigeaday.blogspot.com), but I'm ready for more.

So, I will be slowly easing my way back into my photography work and posting more pictures here for all to see. Keep an eye on the blog for more updates soon.

Introducing Paige Michelle

2010-02-04T09:29:00.000-08:00

Things have been a bit busy, so I'm a little slow in getting this posted.

Paige Michelle Larsen was born on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 8:10am. She was 7lbs 12.8oz and 20 3/4" long.

Waiting...

2010-01-23T22:22:00.001-08:00

Morning at Cottage Grove Lake

2009-09-26T11:49:00.001-07:00

I was underexposing and using my graduated neutral density filter to keep things a bit on the dark side and so I could keep some of the richness and saturation of color. You can also see that I was having fun playing with my star filter.

Sasha & Benton's Wedding

2009-09-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick look at a few pictures from Sasha and Benton's wedding yesterday.

Sasha's dress was amazing!

Benton's cast... fortunately his pants fit over it!

Sasha and Benton chose to do their formal pictures before the ceremony, so we did a "first look" for them before we did the formal shots.

Notice the cake topper.... very cute!

Having a little fun with the Marines!

Shelby - Class of 2010 Senior Portraits

2009-09-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few images from a senior portrait session I did yesterday morning. Shelby is so photogenic & very easy to work with. You'd never know that she doesn't like to have her picture taken!

A few pictures from a gorgeous afternoon in my backyard

2009-08-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

New Customer? Check out this deal!

2009-08-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

Become a fan of Kim Larsen Photography on Facebook, and you'll get a free 5x7 print with your first print order!

It's never been so easy to get free stuff!

Senior Portrait Special!

2009-08-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Book your Senior Portrait Session by September 15, 2009 and receive 12 free wallets with your print order! (Session must occur before October 31, 2009)

Bone Wedding Preview!

2009-08-14T17:13:00.001-07:00

I've been busy sorting and editing all of the shots from last weekend's wedding. Here are just a few of my favorite images from the day.

Bride getting ready

I now pronounce you...

The cake

First Dance

Bride's bouquet

Bride's bouquet lit by candlelight

And a creative shot with my LensBaby3.0 and the heart aperture ring

Website Updates!

2009-08-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

It's been in the works for a long time, and we're finally ready! The Kim Larsen Photography website has been majorly updated! We redid the homepage a while ago, but it took a while to get the other pages done. We now have an "about me" page, a new "galleries" page (which is still being updated, so keep checking back to see more new pictures), a new "prices and services" page, and my blog is now integrated into my website! You may still see a few changes over the next couple of days as I get all of the pictures uploaded and sorted out.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

www.klarsenphotography.com

Devin & his baby

2009-08-01T13:07:00.001-07:00

Devin needed a picture to put on a poster for an upcoming concert performance, so we headed over to a nearby elementary school to grab a few shots. Here are a few that I liked.

Lindsay & Scott - Engagement Session

2009-08-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

I've gotten a little behind on blogging lately... too much vacation and house remodeling...

Anyway, here are a couple of shots from a recent engagement session. Their wedding is coming up next Saturday, so I will soon have lots more pictures to post of this adorable couple.

I found out during this session that their wedding flowers are going to be Sunflowers, so as we were wandering the gardens at The Village Green, Scott came across a small patch of sunflowers that made for a perfect backdrop.

Cheyenne's Senior Portraits

2009-05-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

I had such a hard time narrowing down my favorites from this session! There were so many great shots to choose from!

This picture shows a fun Photoshop technique that I've been wanting to try for a while. I don't do a lot of photo manipulation, but sometimes it's fun to try something a little different!

Class of 2010 -- I'm looking for Senior Portrait Reps!

2009-05-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in getting a complimentary (read: FREE!) Senior Portrait sitting and discounts on prints for referring other Seniors to my studio?

If that sounds like something you would be interested in, please send me an email (kim@klarsenphotography.com) with the following information:
* your name
* contact information
* a list of any clubs, sports, activities, groups, etc. that you participate in
* and any other information you want to provide about yourself and your interests

I am only providing this opportunity for 3 students from the CGHS Class of 2010, so don't delay!

The Rules:
* You must be outgoing & willing to pass out promotional materials (with your picture on them) to all of your friends.
* You must be willing to take your Senior Portraits during the months of June, July or August.
* That's it! (You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?)

These spots will fill up fast, so send in your information today!

~ Kim

Kim Larsen Photography
www.klarsenphotography.com

Eric - Senior Portraits

2009-05-11T20:11:00.001-07:00

These are my favorite shots from Eric's Senior Portrait Session last Sunday afternoon. The guitar shots are my favorites from the entire session!

Dylan - Senior Portriats

2009-05-11T20:06:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of my favorite shots from last Saturday's Senior Portrait Session with Dylan.

Crown Point - Columbia River Gorge

2009-03-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

I hadn't been to Crown Point in several years... not since it was renovated. It was far too windy to take pictures outside, but I did take a few shots of some of the interior details.

Spring Flowers!

2009-03-26T18:06:00.001-07:00

The spring flowers have finally started to appear in the last week or two, and I actually had a clear day today that gave me a chance to get outside and take some pictures before the blooms start to fade. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the morning.

Check out my business page on Facebook!

2009-03-09T18:25:00.001-07:00

Become a fan of my Kim Larsen Photography page on Facebook to get notifications of special deals and discounts, and so I can tag you on any pictures I might post of you.

Rust Family Portraits

2008-12-21T22:14:00.001-08:00

Just a quick preview of one of the shots of the kids from this afternoon's family portrait shoot. I was having fun playing with replacing the background... it went from light gray muslin to my out-of-focus Christmas tree in my living room. :)

Snow Day take 2

2008-12-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

Early morning shots from another snow day.

Snow Day

2008-12-15T16:45:00.001-08:00

Just a few shots from our first snow day of the season.

Sean - Class of 09

2008-11-23T17:45:00.000-08:00

Sean was so cooperative and easy to work with. He even showed me a new location on the river that I just love! Here are a couple of my favorite shots:

Fall color

2008-11-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

I was in Hood River a few weeks ago and I had an opportunity to get some great fall color shots from around town. These are some of my favorites.

Kelsey & Kyle

2008-07-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

I took engagement photos of Kelsey and Kyle a few months ago, and I had the pleasure of attending their wedding this past weekend. They are an adorable couple, and so much fun to photograph. Here are a few of my favorite shots from their engagement session and the wedding.

Molinari Family

2008-06-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

This session was so much fun! The kids were so cooperative, and absolutely adorable!

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day.