411 Wednesday | Breast Cancer Awareness | Raleigh Family Photographer

This is probably the most important 411 Wednesday post I'll write.  I'm hoping it will encourage women to get in to have a breast exam.

This time last week I was watching Creative Live, thinking that I was learning some amazing new videography tips from Hailey (photographer/videographer) owner of You Can't Be Serious, and some amazing marketing information from Australia's top glamour photographer Sue Bryce.  When,  they presented their collaboration of images, video, and experience of telling Jill Brzezinski-Conley's message.

Here is where you need to grab yourself some tissues.  And give yourself a few minutes to watch this amazing message of a strong and courageous woman named Jill.

Flip through the pages of the magazine and watch the video: The Light That Shines

After looking through the images in "print" and the video, I was in tears.  This hits close to home for me personally.

You see, my Aunt Ranaye Suttles (whom I was VERY close with) was diagnosed with stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer in September 2008.  She fought that battle, had the chemo, and had the double mastectomy.  It wasn't enough, the cancer had come back and spread.  She lost her fight with cancer almost 3 years to the date after being diagnosed on September 5th, 2011.

This photo was the last time I saw her, taken in July 2011.  She LOVED being "Up North" at the cabin.  Wrote a newspaper article for the Glencoe Enterprise called, "Try It You Might Like It", which consisted of her favorite recipes.  Which is now written by my mom, Sue Kaneski.  She also loved gardening, and of course photography!  She was very spirited, and full of laughs.  She ALWAYS had a positive attitude.

My Grandpa has also had 9 'bouts of cancer in the last 6 years.  So far, we have good reports on his last testing.  Two of my Grandpa's sisters passed away from cancer, and each of his six siblings have had cancer.  So, this is a scary thing to have in our family.  

With all of this cancer in the family, my mom decided to have genetic testing to see if she was a carrier.  Fortunately she is not.  Which means she has not passed the gene on to me or my girls.  By no means does this make us exempt from anything.

After seeing the amazing story of Jill, I decided not to wait any longer and made myself an appointment to have an exam.

Cancer does not care how old you are, how healthy you are, what color you are...So please take the time for yourself to be checked out.

May God bless Jill, her family and SO many others out there that are fighting and have fought.  We love you!

~Kim

411 Wednesday | Raleigh Children's Photographer

I thought that it would be fun to do something "informative" every Wednesday.  Now, it could be something photography related, it could be something business related, it could be something personal, or anything that comes to mind!  I'd even love to hear suggestions on what you'd love to know more about!

So, for the first ever 411 Wednesday I thought I'd go with something pretty simple.  A sort of "how to" shoot children more interestingly.  Not just professionally, but for your own personal photos.

There are so many times that you can take an ordinary day at the beach, park, or even at home and turn it into a story.  You, just have to think outside the box just a little.  Change your position throughout the whole scene.  You will capture your subject doing the same thing but in array of different perspectives.  Which, to the viewer will keep them engaged and tell them a story.

I'd have to say my favorite personal style of photography is more of a "story telling" style.  The less posed looking the better.  I like to see children in their element, not a way they were forced to sit, or "look at me and smile".  My favorite photos really are the moments that just "happened".

With that being said, I encourage everyone to try something different.  The next time you want to remember the way your child's feet dangle over the kitchen chair when eating their breakfast, or the way they look when they sleep, to take a photo of it, but do it from a different perspective.

So, with that I'll share a few of my favorite unscripted moments.

Happy shooting!

MN Family Summer Session | Stillwater MN Family Photographer

I'm updating my blog with past sessions!!  SO excited to be able to be updating everything!

I love when I travel to MN that my sister in law has her WHOLE session planned!  She scouts out possible locations (sometimes we look together), and she has her family's wardrobe coordinated perfectly!

So, for this session we hopped in the car and stopped at a few locations around Stillwater, MN.  As well as taking quite the steep vertical climb up some stairs to get the wonderful city view in!

Enjoy!

My Hat Model | Seymour Johnson Photographer

I have built an amazing friendship with an amazing lady who has the gift of crocheting.  It all started with me purchasing a "kitty" hat for my oldest daughter.  Then a "puppy" hat for my youngest, followed by a couple of "skunk" hats.

I was just starting to learn how to use my camera when Salena asked me to take some photos of these items for her.  Ever since then we have been working together!

I was sad to have only met her in person and hung out a couple of times before we moved from the UK to NC.  She is definitely considered a great friend. She is a very talented crochet artist, designer, and teacher.  

So, cheers to some more cute photos of my eldest daughter wearing one of Salena's fabulous designs which you can find at her SHOP/WEBSITE.

If you are interested in using any of her designs as props in an upcoming session please let me know!  They really add interest to the photo, are fun to wear and can make almost anyone look stylish! ;)

AMAZING 2013 Special | Clayton NC Family Photographer

Hi everyone!  I'm glad ya'll have stuck around to see what the AMAZING special is for 2013!  I have decided that the first 3 people to book sessions for 2013 will receive a STUNNING 16x20 canvas for FREE!!!!  That is a HUGE value!  You surely don't want to miss out as I am only doing THREE of these!

So, what do you need to do to secure your session and free canvas??  You need to email me HERE or at kimberlydierkhising@yahoo.com.  In the subject line please put "2013 Session Special".  Then continue into the message with which session package you have chosen.  The down deposit is required to book the session, secure your date of session, and to secure the FREE canvas!  Dates can be flexible and discussed even after booking.  The down deposit toward your session is due within ONE week, or I have to move onto the next interested client.

These canvases are to die for and would make the perfect addition over a mantel, sofa, crib, or bed.  VERY high quality finishing and backing.  They are also ready to hang.  I'm VERY excited to be able to offer these for FREE!  You surely will not be disappointed!

I can't wait to start shooting for 2013!!  And what a great way to start!

My Girls | Raleigh NC Child Photographer

I have been neglecting my blog for quite some time.  I am slowly adding photos and sessions to it that have already past.  So, I'm backlogging on my blog, so that I have the content here to view!

With that being said.  I have had the opportunity to work with Salena Baca from Baca Creations on quite a few of her amazing crochet designs.  My girls and I LOVE her goodies, and if I could only crochet I would own every single one of her patterns!  But, I've been grateful that Salena asks me to shoot some of her items from time to time.  So, in this session both my girls rocked a couple of her amazing hats.

The lighting was perfect, and I love the outdoors so of course the woodsy location was an added bonus!

Please contact me on how you can book your own session by emailing me HERE!!