Hi! Thank you for taking a moment out of your life to catch a glimpse into mine! I am shawna K, the owner of shawna K studio (weddings) and Pattycake Photography (contemporary children’s photography). I am also wife to my dear husband Michael and mom to three beautiful girls: Devyn, Tyler, and Jordyn. Since I always get asked . . . yes, Tyler & Jordyn are twins. They are fraternal and were born about 2 minutes apart. No, we weren’t “planning” on having twins (though I love it when I get asked that question!). Yes, I DO have my hands full (I sure wish I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me! haha!).

After taking about a year-long maternity leave with the twins, I am back to work doing what I am most passionate about: photographing people. My wedding imagery can be seen at www.shawnakstudio.com. I am currently accepting only a limited number of wedding commissions per year and have a few dates remaining for 2008. If you are interested in booking a wedding with me, please drop me a note so I can check my availability.

In addition to weddings, I love to photograph children and families. To see some of my spontaneous and fun children’s imagery, please visit www.PattycakePhoto.com. I also do commercial headshots and portfolio development for children and teens who are pursuing commercial careers.

The purpose of this blog is varied. It gives me a place to share personal stories and photographs from *my* life so that you can get to know me a little bit better. It is also a place where I give you, my clients, sneak peeks of your photos as I go through them and find my favorites. I’ll also share random thoughts and musings from my day-to-day life, just little things I think are interesting. If you like what you see or wish to comment in any way on the photos or something I’ve written, please feel free to click on the “comments” tab beneath each entry and send me a note.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Photos by Michael, Ken Phares, and John Riedy.

I had the pleasure of photographing Carly and Jack and their Mommy and Daddy in Coronado recently. They are such a beautiful family! The funny part is, Sarah (their mom) looked REALLY familiar to me. Then it dawned on me . . . Sarah and I used to attend the same high school youth group at church together, and we even went on a retreat to Cincinatti together, way back in 1990. It’s such a small world.

I posted earlier from my Missouri trip that I had a new favorite picture of myself (even though Devyn wasn’t looking to swinging in it). Well, I changed my mind. THIS is my new favorite picture of myself:

I normally HATE pictures of myself, but I really like this one. I took it myself, which isn’t easy to do, and it got me thinking about a “preserving your memories” segment. Now, this image of me in particular is a self-portrait . . . which I guess isn’t exactly the point. My point is, in order to adequately preserve your memories, you need to actually get YOURSELF in some of the pictures you take. If you’re the one in the family who is taking all of the pictures, then you know how it is: you spend 12 hours at Disneyland and you look at the pictures and it doesn’t even look as if you were there. Your spouse and your kids are in all of the pictures, but where are YOU?

So, I always try, no matter what the event, to either take a picture of myself or have someone take a picture of us as a family or me with the kids. I don’t want my kids to grow up thinking that I didn’t do things with them because I’m not in the pictures, when really I was the one taking the pictures all along. So, at your next family gathering or on your next outing, hand the camera to someone else for a change.

Also, I try to document how I’ve looked at different stages of my life. Throughout both of my pregnancies, I have hired professional photographers to take beautiful pictures of me and my belly at different trimesters. My thought was that my belly was never, ever going to look like that again, and I wanted to remember it. Some people commented to me that they didn’t let anyone near them with a camera when they were pregnant . . . but really, it’s such a joyous time. No, I wasn’t going to go around parading in a bikini (scary), but having my photographs done was important and memorable. I cherish all of those pictures — even if I do look rather . . . ahem . . . large in them. haha!

I also try to have some photographs done of me at certain ages or with certain hairstyles or when I’m feeling good about myself or just whenever. With this one, I was just really loving my new hairstyle (thank you, Natasha!). It’s kind of funny, too, because I didn’t realize how many freckles I had. They always pop out in the summertime with the sun, but wow. That’s freckle overload.

I think you get the idea. Self portraits are particularly difficult to pull off, but if your arms are long enough or your lens is short enough or if you have a tripod lying around, try it some time.

Why do I sense a self-portrait photo contest coming on? Hmmmm . . . I may have to put something together!

-shawna K

I overheard Faith’s mom talking one day about how Faith’s little sister, Hope, got her name. Someone told her that you can’t have Faith without Hope, and so she named her second daughter Hope. Isn’t that beautiful and so, so true? Beautiful names for beautiful children. Faith is one of those princesses that puts on a big huge smile and jumps in front of the camera any second she can get. Hope, on the other hand, would rather be chasing cats and running amok. These two were certainly a joy and a pleasure to photograph! Aren’t they gorgeous?!?

Of course, it was an early call . . . so the dog was ready to be photographed before the rest of the family. I can’t resist a good puppy portrait:

Beautiful Faith:

Faith and Hope:

Beautiful (and silly) Hope:

A family portrait “Shawna” style:

And tradition:

Hope, her gorgeous mommy, and a VERY patient kitty:

Enjoy!

I wanted to share some images from our trip, but I thought I’d start with the point and shoot images first. Olympus was able to save my little underwater camera, the 770SW, www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1287. But prior to that, I discovered that my new whizbang totally fast and stellar computer has all sorts of card slots, so I was able to get the images downloaded and on the computer before Olympus had even received my broken camera in the mail! Cool!

I have a love-hate relationship with point and shoot cameras. They are lightweight, easy to travel with, difficult to fill up completely because the file sizes are so small, and usually take excellent macro (close-up) shots because the lenses are so small (my 770SW takes killer macro shots). I love my P&S camera, too, because it is waterproof.

That being said . . . most of the pictures these cameras churn out are simply NOT that great quality. So . . . please excuse these snapshots in advance!

Here is Tyler’s first time ever on an airplane:

Here is Devyn on the airplane . . . her third major trip in the skies:

Jordyn diligently devises an exit strategy during her first plane trip:

Devyn chilling out in Nana and Papa’s basement decked out for our entire family:

A little macro shot of Jordyn “Moosey” Liane and her binky:

My favorite recent picture of me. New hair and 1/3rd of the way back to being *me.* Too bad it was a self-portrait and it looks like I gave Devyn hallucinogenic mushrooms (trust me, I did not), but I LOVE this picture of me (and I never say that).

Mike, Papa, and the girls leaving church.

My beautiful Devyn:

My handsome hubby:

Jordyn playing videogames already! Isn’t she cute in her pink bubble bikini??!!

Ty and Dada:

Be-yoo-tiful Jords:

Daddy and Lexi in the jacuzzi:

Jordyn LOVES to go in the pool. And she really loved floating around in her raft from Nana and Papa in the jacuzzi (we turned the heat down so the babies could go in):

Tyler HATED the pool, but as you can tell from these next two images, she had a ball in the jacuzzi. Miss Tish apparently is too precious and fragile of a princess for the chilly pool . . . haha!

Is there any doubt that Jordyn is a Krystek? She looks like her Papa!

While we were in Missouri, we celebrated my 29th birthday again. Boy, I sure have had quite a few 29th birthday parties. Anyways . . . we drove down to Branson for the day and went to this place called the Butterfly Palace: www.thebutterflypalace.com. I’ll have more images from that later. Then, we went to a 1950s style diner for lunch and took the kids to an indoor/outdoor waterpark. My little fish Devyn could spend ALL day at waterparks or in the pool:

They even have a toddler pool for the little ones, but Tyler wasn’t too sure about that (I’ll have more pictures of the water park, too):

My niece underwater:

I think the chlorine was bothering Devyn because she normally opens her eyes. We’ve taken her to swim lessons for THREE years with a fantastic swim instructor out in Rancho San Diego, so I know for a fact she opens her eyes underwater usually . . . so, I don’t know what’s going on here:

Out for a drive in Springfield . . . views like this are not uncommon:

In Missouri, unlike San Diego, you can pretty much buy fireworks on any street corner. So, for the Fourth, my brother-in-law had some fun making his own little backyard fireworks display. Fortunately, we’re all alive to tell about it. haha! The twins HATED the fireworks. It really freaked them out this year.

A cute one of Ty getting caught drinking the creamer at the Waffle House. Ew.

This is the view of my in-laws’ backyard. They own 30 acres. Rough life, huh? I sat through a 20-minute discussion my father-in-law had with a friend of his about how much the two of them love to mow. You’d kind of HAVE to think that mowing is enjoyable if your lawn is this big. Me? I don’t think I could stand doing all that mowing. The conversation about it was tedious enough! (I’m just kidding, Mike). Their house and their yard are simply gorgeous.

One of their lilies in their pond. I told you this camera does some great macro work!

My blondie in front of the miniature set of Noah (that was one incredible set):

Nana enjoying having her babies in her home for the first time since they moved to Springfield:

Jordyn having a blast in the pool with Daddy:

Well, we were on vacation for the Fourth of July and I am now back in town. I didn’t blog that I was leaving because . . .well . . .I try to remain as safe as possible on the internet! I like to blog about where I’ve been, for example, instead of blogging about where I’m going!

We were in Springfield, Missouri, for the Fourth for about 10 days, visiting my mother- and father-in-law, as well as my sister-in-law and her family. I was dreading the flight and drive with all 3 kids (the twins’ first time on an airplane), as well as the heat and humidity in the Midwest in summer. But, surprisingly, it went VERY well. The kids were almost angels on the airplane and the weather was fabulous. Weird, I know! I was expecting the worst. In fact, we had an awesome thunderstorm our first night there and the humidity was only sweltering on our last 2 days there. I have a ton of pictures to share, but my underwater camera broke on our last day and I haven’t figured out how to get the images off the camera while it’s broken. It doesn’t take CompactFlash cards, so I don’t have a card reader (I need the camera on to download the pics). So . . . hopefully soon.

Since I’ve been back, I’ve been researching computers and looking for new studio space. Yes, it is that time. I am finally looking for a new location for shawna K studio (my home is no longer cutting it, given my current influx of business). I purchased the new computer yesterday and I am working diligently on getting it set up today so I will be able to process your images faster. Yay!

Bear with me while I go through this upgrade. Check back later for new images!

-shawna K

The studio will be closed from June 4 - June 11. If you have an urgent matter, please call (619) 861-3630 and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience.

In other news, I just have to say that I had no idea that having twins was going to be so ridiculously difficult. My husband and I actually thought they were so easy in the beginning. They always slept when we wanted them to. They weren’t fussy that often and didn’t throw temper tantrums. It was like having 2 really well behaved children that just did what little babies were supposed to do. HA! The gig is up! The game is over! Now, it’s for real and we are slowly losing our minds. I never imagined that all 3 of my children would be super active and not at all interested in sleeping. I did not imagine what life would be like when the twins were walking at the same time. I had no clue that they were going to start throwing tantrums, fussing, getting jealous of each other, not sleeping, and just being plain old irritable AT THE SAME TIME. Yeah . . . it sucks!

It also sucks that my SISTER has two sleepy children . . . children that sleep completely through the night and for long lengths of time. It’s so irritating. haha! Seriously, though, my oldest nephew will come to you at about 7:30 in the evening and tell you he’s tired and ASK if he can go to bed. COME ON!!!!!!!!! Then . . . I’m on the phone with her the other evening and she’s putting my youngest nephew down for the night. It’s about 7:00. She changes his diaper, gives him some kisses, turns on a turtle light and bear something or other and says, “Good night. Sweet dreams. I love you. See you in the morning.” I ask her, “What are you doing?” She answers, “Oh, I just put Timothy down for bed.” I ask, “THAT’S IT??!!!??” “Uh huh.” Seriously . . . .that’s it. That’s all she does. And he doesn’t wake up until the morning. I can’t believe it!!! I rock, I sing, I walk, I feed, I change, I rock, I snuggle, I cuddle, I drive and drive and drive. I’ve tried music, lights, no lights, nightlights. TV, no TV. Noise, no noise. Crying it out? The twins egg each other on. Going to bed early? They wake up in the middle of the night. Going to bed late? They also wake up in the middle of the night. Long nap? No good. Short nap? Also no good. Oatmeal? No difference. I swear, our lives are all about getting 3 temperamental little girls to GO TO SLEEP. And what’s the score? Girls 3, Mom and Dad ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As in, ZERO sleep.

On that note, I’m going to TRY to go to bed. I have a huge day tomorrow.

-shawna K

I am so lucky that I get to photograph the most adorable children!!! These two sisters were no exception . . . and on a funny note, I actually used to be really good friends with their uncle (their mom’s brother). He and I would talk on the phone all the time and Sydney and Kelsie’s mom (when she was in about 4th grade), would listen in to our conversation and tease us relentlessly! Too funny! Well, now she’s a beautiful mom with a handsome husband and a gorgeous family! I’m so honored to have had the opportunity to photograph them! Enjoy!

-shawna K

Oh wow . . . it has been entirely too long since I’ve updated my blog and I send out my sincere apologies to all of my faithful blogstalkers . . . both of you. So, Zarah and Caryn . . . my only loyal readership . . . these next few posts are for you! haha! Okay, so I think that a *few* more people read my blog than that . . . . so, again, my apologies.

In my defense, we were attacked with the flu virus from H-E- . . . .well, you know where. One night, Jordyn started puking her guts out at 2am. Then Devyn started exactly one hour later. Then one hour after that, Tyler got it. They spent the night throwing up, were lethargic the next day, and then were seemingly fine. But they gave it to me and the whole lot of us gave it to my sister, my aunt, my uncle, and my cousins. I think if you LOOKED at a person carrying this virus, you contracted it. It was the Medusa of stomach flus. ugh. For me, I was sick for 12 hours and it didn’t stop until I took Emetrol. Then of course there was the backlog of work to get caught up on, the 85 loads of laundry to finish, and all the sheets that had to be put back on the beds. What. A. Nightmare.

But, it hasn’t been ALL bad . . . prior to that we had an awesome night at Duran Duran thanks to our good friend, Annie, who got us front row seats!!! Woo hoo! Yes, we are die hard 80s music fans . . . always have been, always will be. And we especially love Duran Duran. My husband’s best friend, Wade, took this picture of us, which is now one of my favorite pictures of me:

This was actually taken with my Blackberry and I thought it was quite an impressive picture for such a little camera inside of a phone. I have a few other pictures from the concert I’ll be sharing soon.

Which reminds me . . . I don’t think I’ve blogged about this Blackberry yet, but I have to say, this phone ROCKS! No, I don’t have an iPhone. I really don’t need a phone that does that much stuff. I told the guy that what I really want to be able to do with my phone is schedule appointments, contain my address book, send emails, and talk. That’s it. No GPS, no web surfing, no music or video playing. I want a PDA that’s also a phone. So he sold me on the Blackberry Curve and this thing has truly changed my life. It makes me feel sooooo organized. It tells me where I need to go, what to do, how to contact people. It allows me to return emails quickly. It’s just an all around great device. I highly recommend it!

In other news, my little baby has turned 5. We haven’t had her big birthday party yet because we’re still waiting for more family to get into town, but we did take her to Disneyland for the day. I cannot believe that 5 years have gone by. The night before her birthday, Devyn and I were talking and she asked me why I was crying (I had some tears in my eyes) and I said that I was sad because she was growing up so fast and that she wasn’t a baby anymore. So she said to me, “Mommy, just because I’m turning 5 doesn’t mean I won’t be your baby. I’m going to be your baby forever!” Oh my gosh! Talk about tears!!!! Then I really started crying! Devyn is just a beautiful little girl inside and out . . . she has a heart of gold and is so sweet and so loving. I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter.

In even more news . . . I just thought I’d give you a brief Tyler update. Many of you know that Tyler has Grade III Renal Reflux and that we’re waiting for insurance approval to have her Deflux procedure performed to hopefully correct the problem. Well, we haven’t had the procedure done yet because our insurance company has decided to be the only insurance company in the country to not approve this type of surgery, despite the fact that they’re losing court battles over it in numerous states. So, we are still in limbo over her surgery and it’s ridiculous. I am so sick of insurance problems, I can’t even begin to tell you. For those of you parents of multiples out there, you probably know what I mean. It took us a year for the insurance company to figure out that we had TWO babies at the same time, not one. They couldn’t add Tyler to the policy for FOREVER and then when they finally did, they dropped Jordyn! They just could NOT get it. It’s like, come on, having twins is NOT that uncommon. At least my patient darling husband fought that battle, because I would have lost my mind. But the funny thing is, when I tried adding the girls into Turbotax this year, a similar thing occurred. It imported all of 2006’s information and then asked me about any changes for 2007, like “Did you have a baby?” Well . . . try telling a piece of software that you had 2 babies, not one! Does not compute! But, I found a way around it. It just wasn’t easy. Taxes and insurance . . . geeze, I really need to change the subjects!

Well . . . I’m prepping some images to add to the blog tonight and throughout the week. So, bear with me! And thanks for your patience! Stay tuned!

-shawna K

Last month I heard about Katie Roth and her family from one of my clients. In early March, Katie was experiencing severe stomach pains and bleeding and masses of cancer were found in her intestines. Katie had major surgeries to remove this cancer — all without medical insurance. On April 29, 2008, Katie passed away, leaving behind a beautiful young family. Katie had just recently had a baby boy. From everyone who has spoken about Katie to me, I can tell that Katie was a kind and caring person . . . an angel on earth. She is adored and cherished by so many people.

To find out more about her story and to contribute to the Katie Roth Foundation, please visit: www.caringbridge.org/visit/katieroth

I know her family appreciates your prayers and support.