every now and then i need to move, not literally, but i need some sort of change or out of the ordinary. the road trip is the perfect cure for that itch. for this particular self-treatment i left my digital camera at home, add that to out of the ordinary, and only used my ancient film camera, very moving. one awesome trip!

What do you think a girl from Arizona does the first thing she moves to California? SHE GOES SURFING!!!! Since getting into the wedding end of the photo biz, my time for surfing has definitely been a sacrifice. Now, days go by and I watch the waves from my car, usually stuck in the beautiful 101 traffic jams. But lately, with the help from my good friends and neighbors, I am back in the scene. {sort of} Their friend has put together an amazing Documentary about another surfers life. *So, Come out come out wherever you are and see the new surf film at the Arlington this Thursday night! Show starts at 7pm!!* Directed by Bill Ballard (The Mystic, Blue Crush), Archy chronicles one of the most fascinating and talented surf icons throughout his career as top-amateur, dynamic and innovative pro, troubled athlete, and most of all a survivor. Archy is a timeless film that tells the story of three very different generations in surfing. Spanning the 80's, 90's and into today, Archy's amazing story is one of survival thru surf stardom at an early age, fame, drugs and alcohol, sponsorships and the surf rock star lifestyle. Compelling interviews (including the likes of Martin Potter, Chris Mauro, Art Brewer, Bruce Irons, Christian Fletcher, Dino Andino, Moses Paskowitz, Sunny Garcia, Herbie Fletcher and Garth Tarlow), explosive surf action, timeless photos matched with Narration by Henry Rollins from the legendary band Black Flag and set to an all time soundtrack including The Clash, Social Distortion, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Devo, The Avett Brothers, The Kinks and many others, Archy finally sheds some light on the true life story of one of the most charismatic and legendary surfers in history. Sure to effect audiences of all walks of life around the world, this is a story that needs to be told.

I just can't believe it! I get a phone call early in the morning, caller id read Time, Inc. I immediately thought it was a subscription office calling to annoy me before my coffee. I answered all groggily and the voice on the other end was like hearing God (not really, but I have to add drama) "Good morning Kristen! This is the Photo Director of Time Magazine and we hear you have Santa photos? We'd like to publish them with a story we are doing on the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santa Clauses." (My mind is racing! My heart is saying forget the coffee!) "We'll pay this and this for each photo, and your name will be credited next to each one, yadda yadda yadda. Send us a disc of all your images via FedEx today! Here is our account number ..." Well, that woke me up!! I hung up the phone pretty much freaked out. The two goals I set for myself when I graduated from photography school was 1) to get published in Time Magazine and 2) to be my own boss someday. Well, I accomplished the first goal and the second goal is well on the way!! It was like my dream was just dropped in my lap. The previous summer I had followed my Dad, who has been a professional Santa Claus for 15 years, to the First International Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas in Branson, Missouri. While my Dad was shopping for more Santa gear and attending conferences on How to Santa to terminally ill children, A History of Kris Kringle, and Santa Eats: How to stay away from the cookie, I was hanging out with over 400 real bearded Santas and Mrs. Clauses, making photos of them being them. It was the best time and I was on a smile high the whole time. I am completely in my element when I'm documenting the world, the people living in it and getting to know each story. When I left the convention, I set a new goal for myself to write a book on Santas. Well, just check the bookstore shelves soon! Here are some more shots from that very memorable trip!