Prepping for Your Portrait Session

July 24, 2019 By // by kate

Prepping Your Family

Because they won’t be little forever.

Coordinating the Crew

As you’re coordinating your outfit with your family, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don’t actually “match.”

In fact, we recommend that you avoid thinking about “matching,” and instead think about what “fits” together. This will create more visual interest, and allow each personality to shine through.

How to Mix Colors

k.H.a.-LIFESTYLE-PHOTOGRAPHY-THE-SULLIVANS-HEADSHOTS

The goal for coordinating a family is to visually break up the colors and shades so that you’re not all wearing the same color on top and bottom. The more we can mix that up, the better. We encourage you to think about planning each outfit with “dominant colors” and “accent colors” in mind. A dominant color is the color that you see the most in an outfit, while an accent has a smaller piece of visual real estate.

When you’re planning each family member’s outfit, if you can aim for each person to have a different dominant color, and then tie in and vary the accent colors, it’s going to look great all together.

For example, if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with a white button-down and gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square (making navy his dominant color). Your daughter could wear a soft blue top with a white tulle skirt (making a soft blue her dominant color) while your son wears light beige pants with navy suspenders and a white button down (making white his dominant color).

Each person having their own dominant color while still incorporating a few touches of the others that will pull all the looks together. This will break up the color visually and highlight each personality.

Most of our moms choose their dress first, and then build the rest of the family’s outfits based around that.

Remember, we recommend selecting those softer, lighter tones and avoiding those ultra-bright, bold colors. (unless we’re in the studio, then it’s free game on color)

The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. Feel free to vary the shades of the colors, too. That softer color palette fits beautifully into a natural environment, and can easily be paired in so many different ways.

Mixing Up the Pieces

If you have multiple children, don’t feel like you need to put them all in the same type of outfit. For example, one of your daughters could wear a dress and flats, while the other wears a skirt and boots. One of your sons could wear a bowtie, while the other one wears suspenders. Mixing up the wardrobe pieces will bring great visual interest to the photos.

Prepping Your Little Ones

Before your session, pack a bag with snacks, water and any small objects (like toys or lollipops) that might help us get their attention when it’s time for them to look at the camera. If they are old enough to understand you, it’s a solid plan regardless of their moods. Our goal is to make this as fun and stress-free as it possibly can be for you and your family!

Final Note

We know we just gave you a lot to think about. We created this guide to help make your portrait session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Y

Our future memories are the most important thing to us, and we want your session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. And we’ll take care of the rest!

Portrait Session Checklist

1. Set date, time and location with k.H.a.

2. Review guide for style tips

3. Schedule hair and nail appointments.

4. Choose your outfits

5. Pack a bag with:

– Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots

– Second outfit (if you’re doing two)

– Touch-up makeup

– Water bottle (for warmer sessions)

– Coat or cover-up (for colder sessions)

– Snacks for the little ones

– If you have a toddler or younger, small eye-catching toys (or lollipops) to hold their attention

I can’t wait to see you.

#khalifestylephotography #cookeatexplore #theladyh

Let’s Talk Plan B | The Brass Tacks

September 9, 2018 By // by kate

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetstalkplanB #CollectiveBias #ad

The Importance of Having a Backup Plan | Let’s Talk Plan B One-Step | The Brass Tacks

I’ve always been told that I’m too loud, too ‘extra’, too blunt. Well, no, I’m just not afraid of talking about the things that can make others uncomfortable. I figure it this way. If my talking about women’s health, the “taboo” topics (which I don’t believe should be taboo at all) and being real, open, and matter of fact about all of it, if that makes it so that ONE other woman either has a question answered, or finds the courage to voice her own concerns or opinions or seek out more information, I’ll be doing backflips. So, let’s talk Plan B One-Step.

We as women run households. We run companies. We run families. We plan vacations. We absolutely understand the importance of having backup plans for the backup plans.

Whenever I’m working on a project, be it for Cook.Eat.Explore (the food and travel side of my professional life), styling a session for a client, throwing a dinner party, or traveling back to the West Coast to see family, I inherently understand the importance of having a backup plan. (Or five. Whatever. I like to be prepared for all eventualities)

So why should our birth control be any different?

Despite our best efforts, life never goes quite as we planned.

So much so, that the number of colloquial phrases summing said up seems endless. Sod’s Law. Coughlin’s Law (Nod to one of the best movies of the 80’s). Murphy’s Law. Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Life is all about how you handle your ”plan B”. Failure to plan means you plan to fail. Here’s the thing with all of that, though. While there may be a sliiiight grain of truth to those sayings, we do the best we can to ensure that we cover all of the eventualities. We make sure that we cover alllll our bases in every aspect of our lives, because let’s be real for a second, surprises are only a good thing when it comes to birthdays. And diamonds. Or maaaaaaaaaaybe vacations.

“Surprises” and “birth control” in the same thought? Nope. No thank you.

We as women have more choices and options at our fingertips now than at any point in time. We can do or be anything that we want to be, and the fact that we have a second line of defense (that we do not have to rely on anyone else to take care of) in the realm of birth control, that’s HUGE. HUGE.

No matter how careful you are (and let’s be real for a second, mistakes happen, and we don’t always make the best choices for ourselves), condoms break, pills get skipped, or even worse, someone slips something into our drink and rape occurs.

Before Plan B emergency contraception came onto the market (either with or without a prescription (and requisite visit to your doctor)), women who were not ready to be pregnant had to look at the calendar, figure out the anticipated dates for Aunt Flo’s next visit, and pray.

And wait. And pray. And wait some more.

Now? Now we have options. Now we have choices, and now, now we more than ever, are in control of our own futures. Which is all well and good (and in my opinion, as it should be), but what about the woman who’s not sure of what questions to ask? What about the woman whos drink was drugged the night before and has turned to Google prior to heading to the corner drug store?

That’s where I come in. If I can answer one woman’s questions, ease the mental stress even a TINY bit? Win.

There’s A TON of myths about Plan B, right? Plus, add in the whole fear of the unknown thing, and things can start getting a little overwhelming. What does it do? When does it need to be taken? Why does it work? At what point does the efficacy drop? Most importantly, why having a backup plan in place before you could ever imagine needing it is so vitally important.

I’m here to provide a resource to anyone who is looking to learn more about what Plan B, what the process for taking it is, and where to find it. Here’s the other thing, I’m not a doctor. (basic chemistry and I, not so much of a good match) so if you have specific questions, I’ve gotta tell you, reaching out to your doc, the pharmacist in your drug store, or to one of the resources listed at the bottom of this post, that’ll be the way to go. I can remind you of one thing, though, Plan B One-Step does not replace regular birth control methods. It is a backup option when regular birth control failed or somehow unprotected sex happened.

Ok. So, tell me more about Plan B. What does it do? Why does it work?

Biggest myth I’ve heard tossed around about Plan B is that it’s “the abortion pill”. Nope, false. The active ingredient in Plan B is levonorgestrel, is the same ingredient in many common birth control pills – just at a higher, single dose. Plan B works mainly by delaying ovulation – it helps to prevent pregnancy BEFORE it begins. It WILL NOT affect an existing pregnancy. I will say that again for those in the back.

Plan B WILL NOT affect an existing pregnancy.

When does it need to be taken?

The short answer? The sooner the better. The sooner you take it, the better it works. Plan B must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or birth control failure. That’s three days. Even with a three-day window, stick to the sooner the better thing. Also, as with all medicines, make sure that you take it as directed.

The sooner you get Plan B into your system, the better it will work, and real talk here (hey, I meant it when I said I’m not afraid to talk about the hard stuff.), if you’re at a point that you’re taking emergency contraception, you get that time is of the essence.

Even the worst hang over I’ve ever had, it didn’t last three days, so don’t even try and tell me that you’re too hung over after a night that you may or may not remember fully to drag yo’ hungover self outta bed and drag yourself to the store.

At what point does the efficacy drop?

At the end of 72 hours, after you either made a questionable decision, your primary birth control method failed, or the worst case scenario happened, and you’re reading this after having been raped. If that’s the case, please, PLEASE go to an urgent care clinic, an E.R., your gyno, the closest Planned Parenthood clinic, the closest police station, the closest fire station, your best friend’s house and get them to go with you, and report it. You can walk into any of those places and ask for help. IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT.

Oh, you just wanted the short answer? The sooner you can take it, the better, but NO LONGER than 72 hours after unprotected sex.

Where can I find it? Do I have to talk to anyone to buy it?

CVS is my drugstore of choice, so that’s where I’m going to tell you to go. That’s where I’m going to show you where to find it at, but you can find it also at CVS Caremark, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid or Walmart, etc., and you should not have to talk to anyone if you don’t so choose.

If you’re a CVS gal like I am, Plan B is on aisle 14, (the adult care, feminine care, and family planning aisle) near the end, right about knee height.

Not near a CVS? You may have to ask the pharmacist because some stores keep it in different locations, or if you’re standing in the pharmacy, and got here via Google, ’cause you’ve looked and aren’t finding on your own, you can always ask the pharmacist and they will be able to help point you in the right direction, and answer any further questions you may have.

Click [HERE] for a coupon that’ll save you $10 off.

Hang on a sec, I want to have kids at some point down the road… will taking Plan B affect my fertility in the future?

Nope.

Am I going to have to show my ID to someone? I don’t want anyone to know I’ve taken Plan B, and I DEFINITELY don’t want my name to go on any list.

Yo’ body yo’ choice. Period.

You don’t have to tell anyone that you’ve taken it. You don’t have to tell anyone you bought it. If you want to, awesome. If you don’t, awesome. You wanna shout it from the rooftop? You do you.

You do not need to show ID to buy Plan B. If someone tells you that you do, turn around, walk yo’ ass out of that pharmacy, and find one that respects your right to privacy. Because here’s the thing. There is no age restriction. You do not need an ID or prescription to purchase.

So…… I’m in my 30’s, will it still work?

Absolutely. While half of the women who use Plan B are 18-24, the other half are 25+. There is no specific “type” of women who use emergency contraception. There is no one group of women that use EC more than another. We’re all human. Mistakes happen. Birth control fails.

That’s why we have a Plan B, in all aspects of our lives, and that’s why we plan for all of those eventualities. You never know when you’re going to need plans b-z.

#LetsTalkPlanB

Want to work with me? hello@khalifestylephotography.com

EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN IS NOT ART.

August 31, 2018 By // by kate

You know those nights when you go to bed early, fall asleep pretty quickly, mayyyyybe getting up to drink water or pee, but never wake all the way up, and you’re able to crawl right back into bed and fall straight back asleep? It was that night last night. I was loving it. Until around 3:30, when all of a sudden I’m fully awake. Tossed around a while, gave up on it, and figured I’d start the day early.

Between Happy Hour with Columbus Bride and Groom at Thursday Therapy last night, and a project meeting that followed, it was late enough when I got home that other than a quick run through email, my phone was off and my computer stayed closed.

This morning, once I’d given up on sleep, I ran through email to make sure there wasn’t anything that needed immediate attention, and opened facebook, planning a couple of minutes of rather mindless scrolling before getting started for the day.

This is the first paragraph of the first post in my feed.

I read the words. I know the definition of each of those words. Each of them. And yet, my brain struggled as it tried to make them make sense together. It took reading just those two lines a couple of times before what was being talked about here, which is, in no uncertain terms; child pornography.

Wait. What?

The greasy, sick, dread that flooded into my body was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I read the rest of it, and as I read, group notifications were going off like crazy. The boudoir groups that I’m a part of, where discussion of boudoir portraiture is the norm (uh, duh, we’re boudoir photographers) were instead coming to the sick realization that a big name portrait photographer has been shooting child porn under the guise of her ‘art’.

I now know what it looks like to have sold your soul.

This abuser, this pedophile, (because let’s be very clear, in no way is this art, this is unequivocally child pornography) is claiming to be the victim. The statement released is tantamount to “Oh poor me. I’m really the victim here, no one understands me, blah, blah, blah, bullshit.” Bitton’s response to all of this?

Producing child pornography isn’t healing old wounds. It’s a federal felony.

https://statelaws.findlaw.com/ohio-law/ohio-child-pornography-laws.html

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Support those that are trying to fix this issue. Share petitions that help the voice travel further online. Send those petitions out via email, text even.

Here is a brief list of places you can contact to see how you can help. There are many more resources in your area if you get savvy with google.

• Operation Underground Railroad
• Exchange Initiative
• Thorn
• TraffickCam
• Polaris
• http://www.sacasa.org/about-saaturn/
• National Human Trafficking Resource Center 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733
• National Center on Sexual Exploitation
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-THE-LOST
• www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign

WHAT I WANT TO SEE HAPPEN

If you can see on the list above there isn’t really one place that fights the kind of sex trafficking involving Social Media images, reposts, r o l e p l a y and other child fetish hashtags that contribute to the issue.

• I want Instagram to change their “community policies” and include a “sex trafficking, pedophilia, or grooming” selection in their reporting process.
• I want the team that responds to these reports to be FULLY trained on what these individuals do and HOW THEY ACT on social media.
• I want this team to be directly connected to the FBI and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

If you see something, say something. Trust your instincts as though your families lives depended on it because they just might.

HUGE thank you’s to Bre Geiger for her contributions to this article, as well as for all around being a badass.

Arthritis Foundation | 2018 Cruise-In & Auto Show

August 3, 2018 By // by kate

I met Liz Martin last fall, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, as we both were mastering the art of #adulting. At the time, I had no idea how much a chance phone call would change the direction of my life, and I am SO hugely grateful to the universe for crossing our paths.

The evening that followed that first phone conversation was the Fall SOUP event and the first time that Liz and I met in person. It was one of those, “oh hey, there you are” kinda moments that simply clicked.

Arthritis Foundation | 2018 Cruise-In & Auto Show

Since that fateful fall Sunday afternoon, I’ve photographed a handful of events in collaboration with Liz and by extension, the Arthritis Foundation. Each event is more kick-ass than the last, and the AF Auto Show and Cruise-In was no exception.

I have an intern this summer, Colby, who was with me at the Auto Show, and without him, I would not have been able to capture the event in the same way. Not even a little bit.

That first morning we got to check in, picked up our badges and the key to our golf cart (HELL YES golf cart!) and got to work. Hang on a sec, and lemme back up to earlier that morning. Colby got to the house, together we loaded up the cooler with bottles of water, Gatorade, and energy drinks, (props to the wedding and event photographer day of drinks of choice), made sure that all of our gear was packed and ready to go, stopped at Starbucks for a hit of that liquid gold, and off we went.

We figured out real early that first day that the k.H.a cooler, while heavy with drinks and ice, was not heavy enough to stay in the cart when we went around corners. (That tidbit of knowledge only took twice to sink in) Which meant that Colby was tasked with driving, while I rode shotgun, using my legs to keep the cooler where it was supposed to be.

The next two days were spent zipping around the show field, capturing alllllll the things. This show was the first ever auto show for both Colby and myself, which meant that we were both essentially little kids in a candy store, for the first time ever. Experiencing it, and soaking it all in, cameras in hand, eff-ing fantastic.

Arthritis Foundation Auto Show Food Court

Plus, Y’all, the food carts at the Auto Show? Ballin’. We dug into funnel cake, because if duh. If you’re able to be at a festival that has a booth selling funnel cakes, and you’re able to avoid it entirely, you’re a better person than we are. We inhaled that thing. Then lemonade. Then burritos. Something along the lines of keeping our energy levels up and whatnot.

Rockin’ out with Snidely Whiplash

Saturday, the second day of the Auto Show, Snidely Whiplash performed, and lemme tell ya, these guys have real big energy and are real fun to watch.

The show was wrapping up, I was done shooting, so I kicked my feet up on the dash of my golf cart, popped a top, and enjoyed the show. There could not have been a better way to end the weekend.

Want to work with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

Want to learn more about the health benefits of incorporating turmeric into your daily life? Read more HERE.

#khalifestylephotography #arthritisfoundationautoshow #arthritisfoundation #asseenincolumbus #dublinohio #cookeatexplore

#khalifestylephotography #arthritisfoundationautoshow #arthritisfoundation #asseenincolumbus #dublinohio #cookeatexplore #snidelywhiplash

#khalifestylephotography #arthritisfoundationautoshow #arthritisfoundation #asseenincolumbus #dublinohio #cookeatexplore#khalifestylephotography #arthritisfoundationautoshow #arthritisfoundation #asseenincolumbus #dublinohio #cookeatexplore

ARTHRITIS-FOUNDATION-AUTO-SHOW-2018-1-26

Five Books to Read This Summer | Self Care for Creatives

June 27, 2018 By // by kate

Five Books to Read This Summer | Self Care for Creatives

A friend of mine asked me a very simple question earlier this summer and it knocked sideways. “What are you reading right now?”. I’m pretty sure my mouth gaped open, and I had that fish outta water thing going for me for a moment. It’s a simple question, and yet, I had let my self care slip so badly that the closest I’d come to reading a book as of late was skimming through Like Water For Chocolate and a book of Robert W. Service poems that sits next to my bed.

How the hell did I get to this point? I LOVE to read. All caps, Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole style L.O.V.E. reading, and as I racked my brain, I couldn’t remember when I last picked up a book for fun. Well, crap.

As I’ve picked up some of my Nora Roberts favorites again, to wind down after a day focused solely on business, website servers, client proposals, meetings, studio time styling shoots, getting my camera and gear out solely for the sake of being creative, don’t forget laundry, and keeping the house clean (you know, the never ending to do list that is adulthood as well as owning a couple of business’), the question got me thinking. What else do I want to read. What have I ordered from Amazon that I haven’t made the time to get around to reading? What does that list look like? The more I thought about it, and tossed it around in my head, I realized that if I was tossing in reading for fun aaaaaand business, that there’s probably a whole bunch of other creatives out there who are in the same boat.

Join me this summer, let’s read together, apart.

[[A quick note (ahem*fine print*ahem) the Amazon links below are affiliate links. What that means to you is this | I’ll receive a small commission should you choose to purchase through them. There is no additionally cost to you, in any way. Questions? Hit me up. I’m happy to answer them, or, click HERE for our terms and conditions]]

The Millennial’s Guide To Changing The World

Allison Lea Sher’s number one Amazon seller Millennial’s Guide To Changing The World crossed my desk when I was reviewing it through Brand Backer, and there was SOOOO much awesome in it, that while I’m exactly a millennial, I’m a HUGE advocate for anyone, at any stage in life picking this one up.

Alison Lea Sher’s Millennials Guide to Changing the World will lead a generation in doing just that. Reading her words is like having a conversation with your big sister over a cup of coffee in your favorite coffee shop. She tackles hard issues head on, with compassion, wit, and humor.

If you yourself are a millennial, you know someone who is, or if you have children of your own, this is a must read.

Blogging Brilliantly for Your Business

I first heard Christine Tremoulet a couple WPPI’s ago, when I sat in on her class, and y’all. MINDBLOWING. In the change the way you think about doing business and life and what not. She’s a force of nature, in the best way, and oh man does she know her stuff.

I’ve read her book multiple times, and like all other books that I go back to time and again, I get something different out of it. This summer, as I delve deeeeeeply into teaching my intern, Colby, how to start his brand (and blog) from the ground up, I know that I’ll be approaching Christine’s book with a perspective that I have not before, and I’m real stoked.

Join Her Facebook Group [HERE]

Let It Out, A Journey Through Journaling

According to my mom, I’ve been keeping a journal since loooooong before I could write. When I’d get into trouble for whatever it was that I’d done to deserve being sent to my room, she’d poke her head in the door and there I’d be, scribbling away furiously in whatever journal I was using at that point in time. I’ve kept journals consistently through out my life, once one is filled, it goes into a big plastic storage tote that to this day, lives at my mom’s house.

I met and photographed author Katie Dalebout when she was a part of The Wine & Shine’s first annual live podcast event at The Wonder Jam, and like with Christine, this chick is passionate, and big time inspiring.

I bought her book on the spot, and with that whole not making time to read for myself thing, have yet to pick it up and dive into it. Hence it’s place on my summer reading list. The sections that I’ve read through however, have been hugely motivating in the inspirational way, and I’m jazzed to kick back with a frosty something or other and get reading.

Faster Than Normal

A friend of mine, who is also a photographer & creative (and fellow ADHD gal), sent me the link to a list of gift ideas for those of us who deal with our brains working faster than our bodies can keep up with, and while I’ve lost the link itself, I did order Peter Shankman’s book on the spot.

The absolute importance of self care has been brought into sharp relief as of late, and for me, that means reading Shankman’s book.

Sooner rather than later.

Light is The New Black

This one speaks for itself. If you’re meant to read it, you will.

Want to work with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

Dudes & Details | Working with Heather

June 2, 2018 By // by kate

Dudes & Details | Working with Heather

I met Heather Marlin seven or so days after moving to Ohio two years ago when we both attended a workshop on boudoir photography lead by Erica Coffman at UA Creative. We clicked. (hah. I made an unintentional funny.) She owns and runs Big Fish Stories Photography and Design, and she is one of the best and coolest women I know.

When she called and asked if I wanted to second for her at a wedding, capturing the moments and memories by way of wrangling groomsmen and documenting the details. I was all in. Anytime she calls to ask if I want to get my camera out with her, I’m down. (I get to wrangle babies at her newborn sessions (read = I snuggle the wee ones so that Heather do her thang, and the new mom and dad get a couple of hours to close their eyes or watch tv in her studio sitting room) it rocks)

Anytime she calls to ask if I want to get my camera out with her, I’m down.

Upon arriving a the hotel, Heather headed off with the ladies, to document the getting ready portion of the day with the bride and bridesmaids, and headed off to find the room the groom and groomsmen were hanging out in prior to the ceremony.

These dudes were so much fun to hang out with. They’ve all been friends since most of them could remember, and the love and deeeeeeep rooted affection they’ve all got for each other, it was palpable that day.

Heather, I’ll come shoot for you anytime.

Interested in working with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

The Second Annual Live Pod Cast Event | The Wine & Shine Podcast

May 31, 2018 By // by kate

THE SECOND ANNUAL LIVE POD CAST EVENT | THE WINE & SHINE PODCAST AT LIT+LIFE YOGA

I met Liz and Nina, the duo behind the Wine & Shine Podcast, last year, when we teamed up to create a lifestyle branding photography for the podcast, and I subsequently became the Wine & Shine’s photographer.

These two women y’all, they’re seriously kick ass. They’re passionate about what they do, passionate about supporting and lifting up other women (something that is SERIOUSLY lacking in todays world), and all around passionate about life.

Last year they hosted their first ever live podcast event, at Allie and Adam Lehman’s Wonder Jam, with guests Katie Dalebout, Taylor Riggs, and Simi Biotic (legit, the energy that these babes bring together is phenomenal). This year, the Second Annual Wine & Shine Live Podcast was held at Lit+Life Yoga, and featured Ashley Rector, the founder of Harness Magazine, and the powerhouse health coach that is Julie Wojno.

The light, and energy, and good jujus that filled the Lit+Life that night, real kick ass, and real fun to photograph.

Short and Stout, Columbus’ favorite mobile bar, kept the wine flowing in the cool evening air, and the light that night? It was perfect.

Want to work with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

#wineandshinepodcast #juliewojno #ashleyrector #harnessmagazine #litlifeyoga #shortandstoutbar #columbusohio #womensupportingwomen #blogandbizbabes #khalifestylephotography

I’m Kate | Let Me Introduce Myself

May 21, 2018 By // by kate

So here’s the thing. I’ve been putting a lot of thought into how I wanted to write this. How to start writing this. And I kept getting stuck.

Everything felt wrong and forced and fake. And tonight, I figured it out. I was trying to figure out a way to ease into it, smooth the road, and all that.

Here’s the thing though, that’s bullshit, on evvvvvery level. I’ve spent far too much of my life trying to be less of myself so that others would be happy, and I’m real done with that.

Imma be real open (read=vulnerable) and realllllllllly real with all this. I grew up in Oregon, and traveled all throughout the West (which means anything rest of the Rockies, and the state of Montana, should there be any inquiring minds.), and while I have friends scattered across the country, and globe, my family pretty firmly planted between California, Oregon, and Washington state.

Jeff and I made the decision to move away from Portland together, and I was ecstatic to be moving closer to my nieces and nephews, to actually get to be involved in all of life, not just an aunt that shows up at holidays bearing gifts. Scared (because duh, I moved to a state in which I only knew a handful of people) but excited to see what the world had in store for us across the country. Know the saying “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans?” Real true.

I did everything that I was supposed to do, and not only did it not work, I lost myself in the process.

We did move across the country, and yup, closer to family. I was excruciatingly careful to not post anything on Facebook, here through k .H.a. Lifestyle Photography, or on Cook.Eat.Explore, that could be seen as “too much”, “too out there”, “too polarizing.” Didn’t matter if it was something that I’m passionate about (for the record, I’m 100% pro-choice. What a woman chooses to do with her body, that’s her business. Not yours. I think that states who have legalized the use of recreational thc are genius (don’t believe me, or think otherwise? Check out the tax revenue that those states have been pulling in, hand over fist, which fixes roads. And fund schools. I think that Trump is Hitler reincarnate. (We are on a dangerously similar path to that of Hitlers Germany), but see, I had to tamp all of that down. Because it might be too much. I might offend someone. A potential client may not hire me, because I’m outspoken about what I believe in, but worst of all, what if family saw it, what would they think? (It’s amazing what you can make yourself ok with. Until you can’t.)

I did everything that I was supposed to do, and not only did it not work (that’s a conversation that will only ever be had in the inky darkness of the other side of midnight, soaked in bourbon) I lost myself. I stopped being me to try and make everyone else happy. Well, guess what. The family that we moved out here to be closer to? The mask finally slipped free, and it always does, the truth came out.

My “sins” had been roundly counted, listed, and apparently broadly discussed amongst everyone in the family, save my husband or myself, anyways. It didn’t matter that I’d been doing EVERYTHING I could to try and fit in. It happened anyhow. I stood up for myself. (You can guess how well that went over).

After WPPI this year, I drove through the Sonoran Desert to Phoenix to spend time with friends, and we ended up driving over the Superstition Mountains, on a historic stretch of road that is real high up the list of the most dangerous roads in the world (totally by accident), which also traverses land that is considered to be cursed by both the Apache and Navajo tribes (the blood that had been spilled there so long ago stained the earth in the truest of senses), under a full moon. Whoops.

Randall, I know I’ve said it before, and I’ll be saying it until I draw my last breath. I have such HUGE respect for how cool and composed you were behind the wheel that night. Driving over those mountains that night, my life (and his own, and that of his husband) were absolutely in Randall’s hands. The right side of the car, sheer rock face, straight up. The left side of the car, straight down.

Had his grip on the wheel slipped once, had his attention faltered, at all, that would have been it for the three of us. Curtains. Swan song time.

It was only after we’d (finally) got into our room that night out at Apache Lake, that the adrenaline coursing through our bodies finally began to abate that we were able to process the prior four hours, stretch out and get some VERY needed rack time.

Gut check time.

The next night, watching we had the Oscars on when we got back from dinner, and Keala Settle performed This Is Me on the Oscars, (I still haven’t seen The Greatest Showman) and it was like a dam burst open inside of me.

I am never tamping myself down in that way to try to be accepted again. This is it. This is me. Flaws, faults, and all.

What makes me, me.

Aside from 33 trips around the sun? My passionate love affair with a really good manicure, massage, or night out laughing with friends. I’m killlller in the kitchen, and when I offer to cook for you, I really mean it. Bear in mind that dinner in our home is rarely served before 9:30. HOWEVER, there will not only be good wine flowing, there will be multiple appetizer platters put in front of you, bites of whatever I’m cooking offered for tasting along the way, and more likely than not, a big ass box of Goldfish crackers in the pantry. Because I apparently have the same taste in snacks as most two-year-olds.

I am blunt. Friendly. Funny. Loyal to a fault (again, of which there are many). I play the piano. I am a shoulder to lean on when the world gets too heavy. I’m a sanctuary for my loved ones. My blue eyes will pin you to the wall, and I will know without question if you’re lying to me. I make a hell of a cocktail. If you tell me you can hang, I’ll believe you. I’m not your mother or your priest. Music pumps out of the speakers in my car and in my home. All of the time. I’m a night owl. I’m an old soul. I’m passionate, I’m caring, I’m compassionate. I swear like a sailor on a five-day bender. I can be too impulsive and I don’t have a huge amount of patience. I very firmly believe that sexuality is powerful and that confidence is sexy. I know what it means to have your heart broken and your hopes dashed. I’ve traveled the world. I’ve held back other women’s hair, and I’ve had my own held back. I believe in destiny and karma and I own more than one tarot deck. I’m loud, and I have zero tolerance for bullshit.

I may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I am a damn fine shot of whiskey.

Want to work with me? hello@khalifestylephotography.com

Columbus Lifestyle Photography

Prepping Your Family

Coordinating the Crew

How to Mix Colors

Mixing Up the Pieces

Prepping Your Little Ones

Final Note

Portrait Session Checklist

The Importance of Having a Backup Plan | Let’s Talk Plan B One-Step | The Brass Tacks

We as women run households. We run companies. We run families. We plan vacations. We absolutely understand the importance of having backup plans for the backup plans.

Despite our best efforts, life never goes quite as we planned.

“Surprises” and “birth control” in the same thought? Nope. No thank you.

That’s where I come in. If I can answer one woman’s questions, ease the mental stress even a TINY bit? Win.

Ok. So, tell me more about Plan B. What does it do? Why does it work?

When does it need to be taken?

At what point does the efficacy drop?

Where can I find it? Do I have to talk to anyone to buy it?

Hang on a sec, I want to have kids at some point down the road… will taking Plan B affect my fertility in the future?

Am I going to have to show my ID to someone? I don’t want anyone to know I’ve taken Plan B, and I DEFINITELY don’t want my name to go on any list.

So…… I’m in my 30’s, will it still work?

#LetsTalkPlanB

Want to work with me? hello@khalifestylephotography.com

This is the first paragraph of the first post in my feed.

Wait. What?

WHAT YOU CAN DO

WHAT I WANT TO SEE HAPPEN

Arthritis Foundation | 2018 Cruise-In & Auto Show

Arthritis Foundation Auto Show Food Court

Rockin’ out with Snidely Whiplash

Want to work with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

Five Books to Read This Summer | Self Care for Creatives

The Millennial’s Guide To Changing The World

Blogging Brilliantly for Your Business

Let It Out, A Journey Through Journaling

Faster Than Normal

Light is The New Black

Want to work with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

Dudes & Details | Working with Heather

Anytime she calls to ask if I want to get my camera out with her, I’m down.

Interested in working with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

THE SECOND ANNUAL LIVE POD CAST EVENT | THE WINE & SHINE PODCAST AT LIT+LIFE YOGA

The light, and energy, and good jujus that filled the Lit+Life that night, real kick ass, and real fun to photograph.

Want to work with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

I did everything that I was supposed to do, and not only did it not work, I lost myself in the process.

Gut check time.

What makes me, me.

Want to work with me? hello@khalifestylephotography.com