TEXAS SWIM ACADEMY | {COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER, KATY TEXAS}

Texas Swim Academy is officially in their new facility and lessons are in session!!  I was thrilled to be apart of the their busy morning and first lessons.  Congratulations TSA, I wish you many wonderful decades of success!  Hard work does payoff and dreams really do come true!

                      

MERRY (LATE) CHRISTMAS | {CHILD LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER, KATY TEXAS}

New Year's is days away I know, however, I simply could not let this year come to an end without a huge shout out to my new friend - Jill Efussy- with Stamped Paper Co!  She has been the magic behind my kids birthday invites and our current Christmas Card!!  To say I would have been lost this year without her is a gross understatement.  It's true, we have never met in real life but after lengthy emails, phone calls, and texts - I feel like I have known her for years!!!  She is simply amazing.  She is kinda my hero in the way that she took my sketchy scanned drawings and turned them into something beautiful...

Front Cover:

First Spread:

Middle Spread:

Last Spread:

Back Cover:

My kids were the inspiration for this year's card with their obsession for all things tents and S'mores.  We have made fort after fort in the house, so I thought it would be a fun twist to take it to the woods. After all, isn't that where a person is suppose to pitch a tent??!  The kids had a blast decorating the tree, camping, and eating S'mores.  Both thought it was super silly that they were sporting slippers & jammies in the woods.  This was the first year we actually set up a themed session and I loved every second of shooting it.  (Don't get me wrong.  My kids are not super cooperative because I am a photographer.  There was bribing, and begging, along with minor boughts of rebellion.  But the end result was worth it.) I feel a new tradition coming on as I am already looking forward to next year's card.

Albeit late, Merry Christmas from my family to yours!  Hope it was a great one.

Credits and Stylings:
cards: Jill- Stamped Paper Co.
kids jammies:  J.CREW
slippers: Target
tree: my great friends K&B
outdoor glass bulb lights: partylights.com
models:  my two cuties
tent:  made by hubby

2 WAYS TO DONATE | {KATY TX LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER}

1. FAN  FACEBOOK.COM/KARIPOLAKPHOTOGRAPHY AND A $$ DONATION WILL BE MADE BY KPP. 2. DONATE December 9, 2011 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Maud Marks Library 1815 Westgreen Katy, TX 77450 You can also make a donation at our Katy or Fulshear Food Pantries Go to www.ktcm.org for directions and hours of operation

Most Urgent Pantry Needs Vegetable Oil Dry Laundry Detergent Apple Juice Shampoo Ritz Crackers Toilet Paper Tuna Dish soap Mayonnaise Toothpaste/Toothbrushes Monetary Donations

A LITTLE R&R | {LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO}

June was a month of traveling for us. If you have done any amount of vacationing then you know it is a difficult state of mind to climb out of. I am just getting around to sharing some of the images of our travels this summer. One of the places my husband and I were fortunate to visit was Play Del Carmen. The wonderful folks at Southland Stucco and Masonry treated a handful of business associates and their spouses to a relaxing 4 day, 3 night get away at the Royal Hideaway Resort. I cannot adequately express my gratitude nor describe their hospitality and generosity. This was more than a trip to me...it was a gift of leisure and no responsibility. To think... I slept in, went to the spa, lounged by the pool, rocked my new Kate Spades , and READ A BOOK- no diapers, preparing food, or washing endless mountains of dishes! No this wasn't just a trip... it was a dream perfectly choreographed to the break in reality I so desperately needed! Many thanks to Jon, Amy, and Terry for such a great weekend. You guys out did yourselves!

These images are some of my findings around the resort and in town. In an effort to travel as light as possible I left my camera at home and used the camera on my phone.

FULL CIRCLE | {TEXAS A&M LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER, KATY TX}

Life moves so fast! Years fly by- jobs, husbands, kids, & gray hairs appear - without warning this crazy world comes full circle. Over a decade ago, my cousin K was in grade school and geared up for her "Aggieland Birthday Extravaganza Weekend". I was attending A&M, working for "Papa Bush" at The George Bush Foundation, and escorting birthday girls around campus!


The birthday girl and her guide oh sooo many years ago!

Today, my sweet little cousin has grown into a beautiful young woman and a Fightin' Texas Aggie! [whoop] Graduating this past semester with a degree in Marketing, we got together again to freeze time. K, I had an amazing day with you! I am extremely proud of you and your accomplishments. Congrats and Gig 'em! Enjoy your sneak peek.

Silly Ili + The Rodeo | {KATY CHILD LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER}

I am so excited to share some of my very favorite images from the Silly Ili's photo shoot. I must take a second and thank everyone that was involved and put in countless man hours to make this a huge success! Your sacrifices are noted and appreciated! First, to the folks at the Freeman Ranch and Stables - "Thank you" a hundred times over for allowing us access to your gorgeous facility! To Kristen at Silly Ili's and Roz with Sweet Pea Blossoms, your work is unbelievable and compliments each other flawlessly. If you like what you see both ladies have ETSY shops... here and here. To the amazing Amy M. that not only arranged for us to use the ranch, she also lent us her daughter and horse, and assisted with the shoot all while nursing and excruciating leg injury..."A" you are a ROCK STAR and we appreciate how giving and selfless you are. (If your child has asked for a pony and its just not in the budget...give them the next best thing!) Amy, offers Pony Playdates and Pony Birthday Parties. For more information, contact Amy directly via email at aem828@yahoo.com.
Finally, to our darling models and their parents who braved the early morning wind and chill- you brought cuteness beyond expectations...

Love these boots?.... get a pair here.

Mr. N...{Child Lifestyle Photographer Katy, TX}

With the soft melodic sounds of nature all around us, it was cool as we searched the farm for the perfect starting place to showcase Mr. N and his handsome smile. Being that is was just before sunset, and Mr. N's bed time, he was amazing to put up with me and my camera! Mr. N's momma won the Holiday Mini Session I gave away at the Mommy Swagger Expo back in August. S, I am so glad that you won this session! You have an incredible young man and I had a great time getting to know you both. Thank you for driving out to see me and the privilege of photographing your sweet boy!

I just love this first image...and french fries!
There is nothing like a little motivation to make a session run smoothly. It happens every session especially when there are little ones involved. For this handsome little man it was french fries! Who can resist their warm crunchy saltiness!?

Mr. N you look like you belong in a catalog! Enjoy your sneak peek!

2010 Holiday Sessions

The holidays are fast approaching and in "photography world" they are already here! I am beyond excited about this year's holiday sessions! Kari Polak Photography has teamed up with two wonderful boutique lines for girls, Matilda Jane, and boys, The Belle and The Beau, to offer you a one of a kind experience. Like the weather right now, these sessions are HOT. Don't miss out...reserve your spot today - http://www.karipolakphoto.com/

Happy Birthday KPP...

If you have known me any amount of time you will quickly learn that I look for excuses to celebrate even the smallest of things...and I love a good surprise! So it is only natural that I am looking forward to March and all its reasons to celebrate (the Lenten season, my daughter's 1/2 birthday, having my son for 2 months, St. Patrick's Day, the first day of Spring...and Kari Polak Photography turning ONE!! As with most 1st birthdays I want to do something special...so to celebrate there will be No Session Fees for any type of session booked during The Entire Month of March. (Just in time for Spring and Easter picts of the kiddos/family) For celebrating this milestone with me, you will receive a Party Favor after each session that can be used toward portrait purchases or future sessions . To RSVP and reserve your session please email me at karipolakphoto@gmail.com. I look forward to celebrating with you!

Merry Christmas

I can not believe how fast time passes! With December almost gone, I have finally found time to share what I have been doing for the last 2 months. Let me just start by saying "Thank you" to all of my clients, family, and friends who have made this an amazing year. Not only am I excited to meet our newest addition to our family in January but, I am also equally excited to see what 2010 brings professionally! I hope everyone has a joyous Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

I had a great time photographing the following families for their Christmas cards. We survived the cold and the wet together! Thanks for being such troupers!!

SENIOR REPS:

These two beautiful young ladies are my newest 2010 Senior Reps. We went all out with this session and spent an enitre day treking around downtown this past November! Keep an eye out for Shannon and Megan at Seven Lakes High School...ask them how they can save you some cash on your Senior picts! Also, I am already scoping out models/reps for the class of 2011. Know a Senior that might be interested?....Contact me at 979-229-3427, karipolakphoto@gmail.com to find out how you can get discounts, Cash for College, and freebies by becoming one of my Senior Reps!