~Spring Update~

Hey Everyone :)
Hope you guys had a great long weekend! I'm currently learning how to stream line all the web applications that SugarTree has so I can keep everyone up-to-date on the new and different projects and products that I'm working on. This is a crazy task all in it's self but I hope I'll get the hang of it sooooon! :)

So what HAVE I been up to this past winter??? Well, SugarTree started out the new year and has branched out (pun not intended ;) lol.......into Destination Weddings. I love traveling and photographing weddings, so why not combine the two? 3 weddings + 2 countries = An Ah-Mazing Expereince! Locations: Cuba and Dominican Republic

(The image above is Susan and Alex who were married January 20th, 2009 in Veradero, Cuba)

The first reaction I get from most folks is "WOW! A vacation while working!". I wish this was somewhat true. However, I would say there can be anywhere from 2-4 days of personal time. 4 if I am only shooting 1 wedding and 2 if I'm shooting 2. Most folks only see me on the day of the wedding. But what goes into the prepping is probably what takes more of the time than the actual shooting. I found that I was scouting for 1 day per wedding as each of these weddings this past winter were in 3 different locations. (This will probably continue as I'd like to find other areas and locations to shoot to ensure each couple get their own unique images.) There were also the meetings with the clients and the Trash The Dress shoots which took place the day after the weddings.

I will post images as soon as I'm finished editing them as I had 3 wonderful couples to work with :)

Stay tuned......

Beautiful Moments - We should live in them daily!

Hey Everyone,

I was recently a bridesmaid for the first time ever - Always the photog...never the bridesmaid! But that no longer applies! Two good friends of mine finally tied the knot and what an amazing experience I had being on the other end of the lens. Amber and Helder's wedding was filled with so much joy and love that I was so proud to be present during their union. During the last song of the evening (DJ services provided by http://www.amvpros.com/ ) which was Dig - by Incubus, as chosen by the bride and groom as one of their songs to dance to, they had the entire dance floor to themselves. Finally a moment to themselves as they had been spending time with guests. As they wrapped their arms around each other and started to sway, the brides family stood up and walked over to the edge of the dance floor and held hands in a semi circle around the couple. And then the grooms family got up to join hands and continue the circle. K...at this point I'm just holding my point & shoot camera trying to capture the last dance. Just then, the Maid of Honor - Jenn, grabs me and says "C'mon..let's go!" Motioning to the dance floor. I instinctively start composing the shot in my head of how I was going to capture this being within the circle....how could I record this beautiful moment? How could I not??? And yet I found myself wanting to experience every moment of it with all my senses....so I put down my camera and went to join the circle - hand in hand with the other guests. And as the music played, I could feel this rush of love and joy that surrounded this couple. (Imagine the last scene in How the Grinch Stole Christmas when all of Whoville held hands and celebrated the spirit of Christmas.) Their love supported by friends and family in the biggest visual way I could ever imagine. And yes...I was a big mess of tears at this point.
I was holding hands with Jenn and to my right was a little girl of about 9 who I think was one of the nieces of the groom (imagine Cindy Loo) ...I remember looking down at her and apologizing for having such a sweaty grip as the AC had broken down that evening due to the lightening storms blowing out the fuses. And she just looked up at me and smiled and said" It's okay...we all do!". Even a 9 year old girl was living in the moment...and here I was...a 31 year old mush ball! lol At the end of the song - we all came in for one big group hug! Since then I was told that this is traditional in European weddings - this circle the family and friends make...but in all my weddings I have experienced, I've never seen it. However, this was one of those moments that I'll never regret not getting "The Shot" or ever forget.
Congratulations Amber and Helder! Thank-you for sharing your beautiful day!

Destination Weddings...Free Coverage Offer!

SugarTree Photography is now starting to expand into Destination Weddings!!!
I am offering Free Destination Wedding photography services to the first 2 couples who book with me between Dec 2008 and March 2009. Locations can vary from the United States, Mexico, The Caribbean and Europe. The only requirement is that they cover all travel costs.
This package will include up to 3 days of coverage - rehearsal dinner, full day coverage of event and a trash the dress session. Approx. 600-1000 images as 4x6 proofs on CD. That's a $3000 value! *High res. images can be purchased separately.*
If you know of anyone that is considering a destination wedding - please pass along these details! They won't want to miss out!

Serious People having Serious Fun!

Hello folks...

Well, this blog has been along time coming and has finally arrived!

My name is Kristina Laukkanen and some of you may have known me as K. Photography but in Sept. 2007 I changed the name to SugarTree Photography to better represent the type of style I shoot with - fun, creative and an experience you'll always remember!

I thought I would start my first post paying a tribute to when I felt my photography was renewed with a breath of fresh air last May 2007. I have had my company around for about 5 years at that point and was shooting weddings and portraits part-time when I decided that I wanted to take it to the next level. What better way to do that then to seek out and learn from others. And boy - did I ever! I stumbled across a woman by the name of Judy Cormier of Elementz of Fotographie - through Facebook of all places. (Which I am a die hard fan of and it has done wonders for my business.) She was providing a 3 day intensive course called "Get Serious". The knowledge that I gained from that workshop and the wonderful colleagues I now have in the industry just solidify why I was in it in the first place - Because my passion for it is undeniable. So I'm sharing with you a few images from last May to kick off the SugarTree Photography Blog!