Last night, after a soothing warm bath, I lit some candles and wiggled my toes deep into the comfy (and colorful) blankets across my bed. I had a journal and pen in hand with classical music playing in the background (yes, classical music… can you say nerd alert?) It was difficult for me to STOP my day and put the emergency brakes on my ‘go-go-go’ attitude. I listened to the music around me. I absorbed the music. I felt the softness of my blankets. I soaked in the moment. Breathing. I was in the present, the now.

With every breath, I begin to notice the other sounds trickling in from the other room. How could I not? They were loud sounds and overpowering sounds – the voices of my husband and daughter – my loud family (and yes, I am part of that ultra loud family). They were in the living room playing together, goofing off and being silly. My husband was dragging my daughter across the floor on her favorite blanket (kind of like a train ride) and they were laughing. They were enjoying one another, being active. And, of course, here I am locked in my room attempting to soak in the sounds of the deep cello ministering to my heart. Trying to reflect on life. Attempting to write and read. I couldn’t be more different than those two. Why am I so different? Why do I march to a different drum? Why do colors, and music, and ambient lighting inspire me? Why does it go into the ‘deep of me’ and draw out hidden waters?

And that is when it hit me… because I am an Artist.

I know it must seem ridiculous, but I have a hard time classifying myself as an “ARTIST” – because in my mind artists are hippies and they paint, write poems, smoke cigarettes and hang out at coffee shops. Me? I am not like that therefore I must not be an artist, or at least a REAL artist. In my mind, I am just a girl that adores bold complimentary colors in her home and really enjoys capturing moments, nature, and beauty on film (like the image above). What is so super crazy ‘artist’ about that?

Most of the time, I feel extremely average (I think a lot of us do) and more than anything I just want someone to tell me that I am special. So in my quest for affirmation I keep busy, working and striving, attempting to pour ‘something of substance’ into this empty, gapping hole at the core of me – my heart. I keep myself so busy trying to fill it up with things like – the drive for success, my art and love for photography, striving and comparing, and the approval of humanity. I tend to keep myself so consistently busy that I ignore the cries and soft whimpers within my soul. The emptiness only continues to rage because I am not filling the hole inside of me with the water that it longs for (kind of like an unquenchable thirst, that is not satisfied with coffee).

It actually takes time, more work (what? more work? UGH!) and continued effort – to quiet down the external (and internal) noise, get rid of the distractions, light a candle, look within and look to God. Your true significance will come from Him, not from others.

Dig into the deep… Who are you really? What god do you serve? Are you more in love with yourself, or are you in love with Christ? Do you love people? Are you obsessed with the mistakes of your past? The fears and failures of your future? — It is so easy to get pulled into past mistakes, or distracted by the big and scary unknown future – but what we need to be doing as a ‘people’ is live in the PRESENT, the now, and cultivate our souls and relationships with others. That is what is important. Loving God and people are the most important thing!

What moves you? What is your purpose in this life?
What personally moves me and touches my soul is acknowledging the presence of God in my life and within other people. I love people, their laughter and tears, the shared pain and JOYS of living life. I want to live a full life! I don’t want to be stuck living in the mistakes of my past, nor 10 minutes ahead in the future. Life is too short to not live it FULLY, in the here and now in this present moment. I want to be grateful for the things I have today, and not be consumed by the desires and wants of tomorrow.*THIS WEEK: I challenge you, to STOP the noise in your life. Shut down your work, your facebook, and television – cultivate your soul. Take a bath, light a candle, pull out a pen/paper and express your thoughts. Start an inspiration wall. (If you are a photographer, like me) Take a photo that inspires you, not because it is your job. Quiet the noise and find out what the deep waters of your soul want to pour forth.

Okay, okay… so maybe I’m not REALLY an italian, but every two weeks or so my family swears that I am when I make my home-made spaghetti. First off, I just want to warn you, that this recipe is nothing ultra special. It is just the plain ol’ spaghetti sauce recipe that I grew up with and learned from my mom (who is obviously is NOT an italian either, even though everyone thinks that we are.) So then, why am I writing this post? Well, lets just say I have a few spaghetti fans out there (Mike and Shelby) who requested this recipe. By my surprise, even my little brother and sister say that I have trumped my mom’s sauce. They actually prefer to eat at my house on “italian” night.

Let’s start off with some ingredients (images below). I purchase (1 jar) of the Classico brand “SPICY” Tomato and Pesto Sauce. (2 cans) Hunts Tomato Sauce. (1 can) Hunts Tomato Paste. (1 packet) Lawry’s Extra Rich and Thick Spaghetti Spices and Seasonings Packet.   To start your spaghetti sauce, please choose your meat of choice (or none if you prefer.) I always use a packet (around a pound) of lean ground beef (hamburger meat). First brown your meat until cooked thoroughly. Follow steps 1 thru 4 below. You do not need any oil, or grease in the pot. The meat should have enough fat within to create some juice to keep it from sticking. If however you choose to use lean turkey meat, you might want to spray the bottom of the pan lightly with some olive oil. *Drain meat in strainer if too greasy, then return to pot. Add your Classico brand “SPICY” Tomato and Pesto Sauce.

Add your (1 can) of Hunts Tomato Paste.*Warning. So I am a pretty big “SPICEY FOOD” fan. I love it and could add tons of cayenne pepper to this sauce, but unfortunately my family always complains that I make it tooooo spicy! This ingredient is completely optional, and something I personally add because I like a little kick. The image below (of the cayenne pepper) is a generous portion. My husband ate it last night and the first words out of his mouth were “well, that was spicy”. So, if you would prefer just a little bit of spice – just use about a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. If you like more – use 2 teaspoons. It is really up to you.

An ingredient that is not optional (in my opinion) is the sugar. Yes, that is sugar below – not salt. I usually use around 2 Tablespoons of sugar in my spaghetti sauce. However, once again, this is all based off of my taste buds. You can give or take with this ingredient. I always say – start out with less, and slowly add more.

Then add your (2 cans) of Hunts Tomato Sauce. 

This ingredient is another super important ingredient. LAWRY’S Extra Thick and Rich Seasonings and Spices found, of course, in the spice isle at the grocery store. Add just one packet (1.42OZ.) There are a lot of really great spices in this packet to give your sauce an amazing flavor. *NOTE: If your sauce gets too thick, just add a little bit of water. Maybe 1/4 cup.Stir, stir, stir, and stir some more….Stir really good to mix everything up, and cook on MEDIUM until you get a slight boil, then immediately turn to a low, low simmer. Cover. Cook for around 30 minutes on low. Make sure you come back and stir your sauce every 5-10 minutes so it doesn’t stick and burn on the bottom of the pot (otherwise you will have black burnt chunks in your sauce. Yes, I have totally done this before!) VOILA! You have the best sauce ever (image below) and the happiest husband in the world.Let’s talk noodles for a minute. So, my mom raised me on regular spaghetti noodles. The are thick, dense, and what you will find on your plate in most italian restaurants. I personally DONT LIKE THIS. I prefer to have Vermicelli noodles (otherwise known as Angel Hair noodles). They are tiny and thin, and oh-so dainty. One more plus? They cook a lot faster. Make sure to bring your water to a RAPID boil before putting in those noodles. Add olive oil to prevent them from sticking, and some salt for taste.  Boil until finished. Drain in a strainer. Make sure you rinse your noodles in hot water. Shake out water (via strainer). 

Enjoy your yummy dish a la marin kristine!!!

*There are definitely some requirements that I am specifically looking for – so please be sure to read this blog post in full before submitting your application for the position. I want you to be positive this is something you are interested in.

Details and requirements

I am in need of (one) SUPER INCREDIBLE person who is willing to work exclusively for Marin Kristine Photography as an assistant and second shooter. All wedding images shot by this assistant will belong to Marin Kristine Photography and will be given solely to the bride and groom while working underneath the Marin Kristine Photography banner. These images will not be used to advance the assistant’s personal portfolio on a separate website during employment. I must strongly express again that this assisting/second shooter position is ONLY to work EXCLUSIVLY for Marin Kristine Photography.

So…. does it sound like this could be you? Please follow the guidelines below to begin the application process:
PLEASE SEND IN ALL INFORMATION TO: info@marinkristine.com

• YOUR FULL NAME and CITY YOU LIVE IN
• AGE
• 5 (five) BEST/FAVORITE IMAGES YOU’VE PERSONALLY CAPTURED (or link to your website)
• A LINK TO YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE
• … and then, BECOME MY PERSONAL FRIEND ON FACEBOOK (if you are not already) CLICK HERE
• WHAT DOES YOUR WEEKEND TYPICALLY LOOK LIKE? (Friends? BBQs? Lake? Camping? Church? Family?)
• ARE YOU A PARENT? MARRIED? SINGLE? (Will your spouse be okay with your absence on weekends?)
• WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BE GOOD FOR THIS JOB?
• WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
• WHAT QUALITIES (of yours) DO YOU THINK WILL BENEFIT MARIN KRISTINE PHOTOGRAPHY?

If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to ask…

There is no greater thing than living life. I am talking about ALL of it. The hurts, the pains, the joys, the laughter, the mistakes, and the lessons learned. It is ALL so beautiful if you stop and  simply think about it. Think of the people in your life today, think about the friendships gained and the friendships lost. Think of how you have grown into the person you are right now. The wisdom you wear like a string of valuable pearls. The heartaches you carry on your back like Santa’s bag-of-toys on Christmas. The dreams you wish into reality. Think of the boyfriends (or girlfriends) you have had, and what they brought into your life. What about the nights you’ve partied so hard that you lived to regret it in the morning. The music you have danced to, the music you have cried to, the music you have sung on the top of your lungs to (in your car.)  I know I wouldn’t trade any of my experiences or memories for anything in the world. I would never wish for a different life. I love everything I have been though so far (even the biggest mistakes.) It has molded me and shaped who I am. My experiences, in a way, define me. And honestly, I think it has turned out to be quite a beautiful ride (and I haven’t turned out too bad either.)

The Story goes like this :

I was in the stunning Mendocino area, near Fort Bragg. I had spent the past few days near the ocean in a cute little cabin, hanging out with good friends, fasting to spend time together and get closer with God. It was beautiful and nice to get away. I love being around good girlfriends. But, after 3 days of not eating… you get pretty darn hungry and everything in the world sounds fabulous to chow down (even some liver and spinach.) After everyone had taken off to go home, it was just my best friend and I, all alone and abandoned to roam the streets of Mendocino… STARVING. We found this healthy little cafe (you always want to break a fast with something healthy) and I saw this rice-dish staring at me through the looking glass. It was making flirty passes at me, so I bought a little for lunch. OH YEAH, it’s yumminess hit the bottom of my belly with satisfaction. I absolutely LOVED it. After licking my plate clean (literally) I skipped back inside the cafe to dissect the ingredients to pieces. So what you have before you, is my version of this fabulous favorite Mendocino dish, discovered in a nameless cafe. I personally like to call it :: Marin’s Mediterranean Concoction

Details

Start with cooking the two cups of wild rice (which will take almost an hour, because wild rice takes forever to cook.) When it is done, put it to the side. Then cook up your cous cous. That takes only a few minutes. Combine your rice and cous cous in a large bamboo dish (ha ha, just a bowl – it doesn’t have to be bamboo.) Add in your cranberries and green onion. If you haven’t roasted up those almonds yet, now would be the time to do it. I like to buy them raw, chop them up, and then broil them myself… This way they are super toasty tasting. That is honestly one of the best parts of this dish, those toasted almonds make it GREAT! Make sure you watch the almonds though, because they will burn before you know it! I have done it soooo many times. Throw those in after cooking them up. Pour in the oil, honey, and lemon to taste. It shouldn’t be too sweet or too sour. It should be a perfect blend of both. You might need more of one than the other. I just taste as I go along and gave you a rough version of the ingredients. Make it your own! Add more of one thing than another if you like… Put in the fridge for 2 hours. Eat cold.

Well, that is it. Good luck. Let me know how you like it… I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Becoming. Changing. Growing. Those 3 little words pretty much sum up the last few years of my life, and it has been a beautiful ride. From attempting to “brand” my company, define my shooting style, discover who I am and share it with you, blog regularly, update my facebook and twitter, educate myself via workshops and mentors I admire… and more. It can be crazy. It can sometimes drive me to an emotional edge where (unfortunately) my husband and daughter pay the price. It is definitely a challenge, and any photographer out there, that is passionate about what they do, will tell you that their keyboard and mouse pad have been dusted by the mist of teardrops (I know mine have.) The stress and pressure that comes along with building a business is undeniable. It is talked about in hushed tones and only to VERY close friends. It is one heck of a ride, a roller coaster of ups and downs. There are those days of discouragement, and then there are the days filled with successes and joys….

But, doing what I love and witnessing a “dream” slowly come to life is worth more than a couple thousand tear drops. I get to create. I get to bless people, and touch hearts. I get to make new friends and see smiles that become a greater reward than a pay check. I have experienced honest growth: even just as simple as this blog post because I remember my first blog post (oh my goodness) I sat there staring at the computer screen not knowing where to begin. I didn’t know what to type, nor what to share with people that (I believed) weren’t even going to read it. I probably only ended up with about one sentence. Now, on the other hand, I just type away whether my grammar is correct, or punctuation perfect, or whether anyone is even reading. I just express myself and who “I am” and I’m slowly getting to a point where I know 5 years from now – my blog posts are going to be better, my stories will bring tears, and my images will move souls.

I love being inspired by others, and I hope to bring a little inspiration by the art I make and the things I say. I love that this photography voyage is never obsolete. It is always changing, always moving and growing. So what have I been doing lately? I have been fine tuning my business and putting the ‘finishing touches’ on my office. I have been getting organized, ordering studio samples, and preparing for the future. I am looking ahead and NEVER EVER stopping. This fun blog post is simply – a collection of FABULOUS images taken this afternoon. I love my “little space” to pieces, and wanted to share it with you! I know most of you have never been into my office (or haven’t been here lately) and I wanted to give you a little peek inside the doors. My office is where I spend almost every moment – from my morning coffee to talking with you guys on Facebook. And, as you can tell, my office is overflowing with “french boudoir” inspired knick-knacks that motivate me and sum up who I am as a business owner. Each item screams (loudly) about all the things that I love. I love soft romantic images with stunning light, boudoir and the beauty of women, vintage items and antiques. Oh, and lets not forget Anthropologie (clothing store.)

I am also inspired by little birdies, (like the ones below.) Just like the quote at the top of this post. I honestly feel “like a tiny bird with a BIG song” – and I know I’m not alone with this overwhelming emotion. I think most of us feel as if our song (dream; vision; message) over powers the size of how we see ourselves. I believe we put “a limit” on our ability by doubting what we can actually accomplish and how strong we really are. I am at the point (in my life) of daring myself to understand that no matter how tiny I feel, or how gigantic my song is – I know God is bigger and nothing is impossible with the Lord. 

If you are considering booking Marin Kristine Photography (that’s me!) for a wedding, engagement, or boudoir session please come by and meet me. I love making new friends, and hearing sweet love stories. I think that every human soul has something beautiful to offer, and I love beauty – that means YOU! Even if you are not interested in booking a session, I would love for you to come by and see me – just say to say hello – because on most days I am editing (and going nuts) behind the computer! I look forward to meeting you soon ~ XOXO