When The Light Changes
There's something so bittersweet about summer. From the first few warm days offered in May, we know it won't last nearly long enough, but somehow, every single year, we find ourselves living like summer will last forever.
With its long days and late sunsets, summer makes us feel energized, alive, excited and ready to enjoy every single minute. We pack our days full like an overstuffed beach bag, and while most people are spending their summers at the shore, on the boat, and at BBQs, I'm usually spending mine capturing beautiful weddings, special family moments, and senior milestones.
This summer especially has been filled with "pinch me" moments and wondering how I even got here. Every year, there's a little big part of me that questions whether my style of photography will resonate with the next class of seniors, whether families will still want the lived-in moments that capture the beautiful messiness of life, or whether everyone will have moved on to something completely different. That's why this summer, the busiest in the history of KMP, I'm so wildly grateful and so far behind in editing! (All galleries are coming, I promise!)
I have such a deep sense of gratitude for reasons far beyond just being busy. After a couple of difficult years, I felt like I found my groove again. I got my fire and my focus back, and I remembered, fully, why I love what I do. So many times over the last few months, I've found myself sitting at my computer editing the backlog of sessions I've had since June and just being in complete awe. I know I've said this in at least four other blogs and approximately two million social media posts, but I think it deserves to be said again. Whether it's witnessing families have fun, let loose, and just be together, seniors being brave enough to let their guard down and be truly seen, or all the planning and details of an intimate wedding finally coming together, I get to revisit these special days while I edit. There is literal laughter, sometimes literal tears, and countless moments when I just sit back and smile, so thankful this is my real life.
June, July and August were go go go, and while the daylight seemed to stretch itself out and trick us into thinking summer was never going to end, it did. And then, without even realizing it, the evenings started coming sooner. I swapped my grill for my crockpot. I made soups for lunch instead of salads. There are a few extra blankets on my couch and on my bed. My tank tops have been put away and my sweaters and hoodies have taken their place in my closet. My garden has been cut back. The tree in front of my house was as red as fire, and sooner than I expected, the leaves began to fall. Even my summer candles have been put away and Volume One, the signature scent of The KMP Collection, has officially taken over my house! (It's so good! Keep reading for a little surprise.)
Everything around me seems to be slowing down and preparing for winter — I think maybe I should too.
For the first time ever, I've blocked off a lot of October and November to give myself room to catch up on editing, room to rest, and to breathe. It was a difficult thing to do when my instinct is usually to keep going at full speed. But I remember what the burnout felt like a couple years back. I remember the cost of not slowing down, and I don't want to go back there.
Maybe the seasons know this too and that's why they don't stick around for too long. Except winter. Winter has always been too long. But for now, I can see that the light has changed, the temps have changed, and the air is different too.
And this year, I'm going to change with it.
Cheers to the changing seasons and return of sweater weather,
Kristy
Because I am so excited for you to experience Volume One, the signature scent of The KMP Collection, I am offering 10% off the entire collection with code KMPBLOG through October 31, 2026!