[life] is our backyard
![[life] is our backyard](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090730family_001mandmbackyard.jpg)
After a busy day in the ocean the kids still had enough energy to goof off in the buckets of water in the backyard. It is an unusual backyard for a kid to grow up in but we are starting to get it worked out. Ever since we put the “sidewalk” in, we now have [...]
[life] is the taste of salt water
I had a revelation today. I experienced the ocean with my son for the first time. I mean really experienced it like I like to experience it. Not from the water’s edge with my feet planted on the sand and the waves lapping at my ankles. But like I remember discovering the ocean-over the tops [...]
[photography] is life
I was recently featured in an article by the amazing Rebecca Jane Lacko, LA Parenting Examiner. She also writes a Green Living column so check that out too. Her articles are smart, informative and clever. Plus, I am looking forward to doing some more collaborative projects with her!
[life] is a new friend
![[life] is a new friend](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/1000oaksswim_collage01-150x150.jpg)
While Jim was swimming his events in the SPMA Long Course Championships, M&M and I stayed back at our hotel to keep cool in the pool. Merrik immediately made a new friend and ended up swimming non-stop with Harrison for 5 hours. They jumped and jumped into the deep end and swam and swam. He [...]
[life] mini minnows seashore day
![[life] mini minnows seashore day](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/minnowsday3_collage02-150x150.jpg)
On one of the Mini Minnows camp days they did a seashore theme and the kids hunted for crabs. They had string with a little wire box at the end where they put small pieces of hot dog to lure the crabs. A flood of memories poured into my mind as I watched Merrik climbing [...]
[photography] bye high surf
![[photography] bye high surf](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/dsc_2914ts.jpg)
We had a huge swell hit our beaches this weekend and of course we were on our way to Thousand Oaks. It never fails. Whenever there is an amazing swell, Jim either has a swim meet or a pending project that forces him to work long hours or on the weekend. This time I had [...]
[photography] somebody please hire me
I am actually tired of processing photos of just my own kids. I love them and they are very cute but I want to see some fresh faces. I am dying to do photo sessions of your family. The first three people to book a session with me once this post is published gets $60 [...]
[life] dinner with dad
![[life] dinner with dad](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090722family_036dinnerpapa.jpg)
Merrik, Maliea and I went out to dinner with my dad the other night. He stopped by to see Merrik at the harbor after his Mini Minnows camp and we made plans to get together. My mom was out of town visiting my little sister, Katie and her daughter Rose in Barstow. We headed to [...]
[photography] a hard time letting go
![[photography] a hard time letting go](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090722family_040minnowsday3_tscropped.jpg)
I really tried to let go of all the beautiful, joyous details in the latest images I took at ‘Baby Beach’ in Dana Point Harbor. I was so inspired by Maria Luisa Morando’s White series that I tried to do what she was doing in her work but just wasn’t brave enough. She is a [...]
[photography] less is more
![[photography] less is more](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/picture-1-150x150.png)
Thanks to my friend Cindy, I was introduced to the work of Maria Luisa Morando. She says that my latest ‘tiny people‘ images remind her of Maria’ White Series. I am in awe of this work. It reminds me of what I am doing with my current work but completely stripped down and pure and [...]
[life] mini minnows day camp
![[life] mini minnows day camp](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/miniminnows_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik is in Mini Minnows Day Camp all week out at the Boat House in Dana Point Harbor. He is loving it. They do crafts, games, explorations and each day is a new theme. When I picked him up they were all in line at the beach. After I signed him out he asked if [...]
[photography] highkey strap give-away
![[photography] highkey strap give-away](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/bdi228-3-150x150.jpg)
I am going to have my first photo blog give-away. Keep checking my blog for the details so you can enter to try and win one of these hip and stylish camera straps by Highkey. image ©2009 High Key Camera Straps
[life] ER
![[life] ER](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090718family_008mandmathome.jpg)
Over the weekend we made a trip to the ER as a family. It wasn’t one of those “Hey let’s swing by the ER today, just for fun!” kind of visits though. It was only because there was blood running out of Maliea’s nose and mouth after she did a flying face-plant with a tweaked-neck [...]
[life + photography] sc ocean festival
![[life + photography] sc ocean festival](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/ofest_collage03-150x150.jpg)
On Sunday we ventured on down to the San Clemente Ocean Festival. Jim was signed up to compete in the open water swims so we wanted to see him and get in a little beach time. The beach was packed with people from Linda Lane to T-Street. Lots of bikinis and wet surf trunks graced [...]
[life] work day
![[life] work day](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/dadswork_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik has been asking to go to work with Jim for months now and yesterday he finally gave in. Merrik was bouncing off the walls all morning. About 8:30am they were off. I checked in later and all was going well even though Jim wasn’t getting any work done. Now he knows how I feel! [...]
[photography] new personal work
![[photography] new personal work](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/icecreamwalk.jpg)
I have three consecutive ongoing projects that are based around my current photographic and personal explorations. One of the projects is my series Pierside which is inspired by my constantly changing view of our local pier. The San Clemente pier was a place we just did not go when I was growing up. There was [...]
[photography] highkey style
![[photography] highkey style](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sjz205-1-150x150.jpg)
I was recently contacted by Tom at HighKey Camera Straps to become one of their affiliates. I love what they are doing with camera straps. Their many designs are fabulous with functional and recycled construction. And if you do buy one, “you are not just buying a fun camera strap, you are putting dollars towards [...]
[photography + life] whale watching + collages
![[photography + life] whale watching + collages](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/whalewatch_collage03-150x150.jpg)
A few weeks ago we went whale watching out of Dana Point Harbor on the Dana Pride with Nana Papa and cousin Rose (my sister Katie’s daughter). This is the time of year you can see Blue Whales if you are lucky to have the right conditions and be in the right place. We, unfortunately, [...]
[life] cameron’s world
![[life] cameron's world](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090709family_272cameronsvisit.jpg)
One more thing we did with Cameron was go to Sea World. Sea World is Cameron’s World. He lives for Sea World and wants to work there someday. He knew every nook and cranny of the place and had our day all scheduled out. It was the third time he’d been in the last two [...]
[life] a cousin’s visit
![[life] a cousin's visit](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090708family_164cameronsvisit.jpg)
After all the family gatherings in Coronado, we brought Cameron home with us for a couple of days to share our ocean, sand and sun outings with him. Of course our first trip was to the beach where he was thrilled to have sea creatures to capture. He and Merrik spent hours catching sand crabs [...]
[life] family tradition
![[life] family tradition](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090703family_019fourthweekend_bw_collage.jpg)
Fourth of July weekend in Coronado is a family tradition for the Riddles. Ever since I have known Jim we have been going to Coronado for the long weekend and now we actually enjoy the famous parade down Orange Avenue because of the kids. And even though we have the most amazing backyard for viewing [...]
[photography + life] OC wedding photographer
![[photography + life] OC wedding photographer](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090702client_144newman_bw_collage.jpg)
I had the honor to photograph the wedding of Jeremy and Whitney—-two vibrant young spirits ready to face the world together—-a couple of weeks ago. It was a simple and loving ceremony right on the beach at the waters edge.
[life] family fun in coronado
![[life] family fun in coronado](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090627family_289campgmagpa_collage.jpg)
After Camp Gramma Grampa, we all hung out at their house in Coronado for some additional family fun. Jim’s brother, Steve, who left us unexpectedly two years ago has two amazing kids, Holley and Cameron. They were the stars of the show because we were all so excited to have them come from Portland for [...]
[life] camp gramma grampa—-closing day
![[life] camp gramma grampa----closing day](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/20090627family_209campgmagpa_collage.jpg)
The experience was a memorable one for all and everyone—-especially the parents—-are looking forward to next year. How Gramma Grampa feel about doing it again is unknown. I personally don’t know how they managed to persevere through directing, correcting, tracking and teaching 6 kids under 13 for almost a week. It all started when they [...]