3 Reasons Why You Need a Professional Headshot

Professional headshots are so important in todays world.  Especially with social media being a heavy hitter in promoting our business.  People want to know the face behind the business.  

Headshots are great for all professions.  Hair dressers, insurance salesman, crafty moms, graphic designers, realtors, CPAs, photographers, makeup artists, yoga instructor...etc.  

I have a passion to help business owners stand out from the crowd, and one of the best ways to do that is with a professional headshot. 

Here are three simple reasons why you need a professional headshot.

The Holt's Albuquerque, New Mexico Maternity and Family Session

Celebrating beautiful pregnant mamas today.  As a mom of two, I know this road can be challenging.  But we always say, it is totalllllly worth it in every way. 

I love this family (went to college with this beautiful mama) and I had a wonderful time traveling up to Albuquerque to photograph them on one of their favorite trails.  How beautiful is this location?  I've decided that this is now my favorite new spot. 

Puerto Rico Prints For Sale

I had the opportunity to go to Puerto Rico and I was so excited to photograph all the beautiful colors.  It really is a wonderful place.  I would love to share the photographs with you with this sneak peek on my blog, but also on my web gallery where I feature more of my art work.  

See more here.

I hope you enjoy!

2018-2019 Weddings

BOOKING 2018-2019 weddings and offering a complimentary engagement session when you book your wedding with Cristy Cross Photography.

Fill out a contact form on my website and lets meet up to talk more.

Healthy Snacks For You and the Family

Yup. 3 pm roles around and I'm hungry.  The kids are hungry.  And we are all about to get hangry.

Sometimes I make them something, like a grilled cheese sandwich, and sometimes we just do quick snacks.  To be honest, I think I've bored my kids to death with carrots and bananas.  They don't want them anymore.  Wahhh.  My momma heart is bummed, because those are healthy snack options.  And now I have to be creative and give them something else.  But what?

For example today, they had blueberry muffins.  Thanks to my husband for making them the other night.  He planned ahead for breakfast meals and snacks for the week.  My oldest ate blueberries and raspberries too.  My youngest, well.  We do our best to hold him off on eating all candy in sight until dinner time.  I mean, the blueberry muffins only holds him over for so long.  And he had two!

Now, for us mommas and dads.  I need something savory and sweet.  Vermont beef sticks is super yummy and its a healthy and clean option.  I get these at Natural Grocers.  I ate mine with an orange.  Perfect little combo.

Other healthy options to try out for yourself and the family:

-Hard boiled eggs.  My boys go crazy for these.  I like to put mustard on mine.

-Leather fruit strips

-RX Bars. Berry Blast is a kids flavor and kid size. You can get these at Target.

- Apples with a nut butter of your choice.  I prefer almond butter. I love the flavor.  I like the one sold at Costco.  Do you have a favorite?

-Turkey slices and sweet potato crackers.  I buy both of these at Costco.

-Shredded carrots.  We normally give the boys baby carrot sticks, but they got bored after eating them for several years.  So my husband bought the shredded carrots and they are eating them!  Changing the shape makes it new again. Score!

-Sliced bell peppers

-Avocado seasoned with salt, pepper, and onion powder (I put this on everything), drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  So good.

-Any kind of fruit

-Frozen grapes.  My oldest loves these.

-Zucchini Bread from Against All Grain (first cookbook)

If I lived in my dreams, I'd have a chef make us healthy food every single day and that is all I would eat.  I could have healthy pizza, healthy baked French fries...etc.  But let's be real.  We don't eat healthy food 24/7 and that is totally okay.  It's nice to have healthy options though.

I am always on the lookout for more ideas.  I mean, my kids say they like apples today, but that might change tomorrow.  So the more options I have up my sleeve the better.

Share your healthy snack ideas with me. 

Photo Club Meet Up

Hi all photographers and videographers.  I would like to invite you join the Photo Club.  

We are meeting up this Saturday, February 17th at 3 pm. (feel free to stop by even if you can't make it right at 3 pm. I'm sure we will be there for a while.)

Bring your camera equipment and we will get to know each other, visit, and plan out a photo shoot for the next meet up.

Pass on the word to your photographer friends!

So far we have several people attending.  I look forward to meeting you all.

My Secret I Want To Share With You

Have you ever been sad for no reason?

Six years ago, I had a baby, and little did I know I was experiencing post-partum blues.  I was depressed.  I wasn’t aware of it at the time, but I was definitely feeling it. 

I believe I was pushing myself further into depression by the foods I ate.  Vegetables were never on my plate. I drank tons of Dr. Peppers, ate tater tots covered in nacho cheese sauce, and barely drank water.  I would socialize with friends, seem okay, then go home and all of a sudden I was sad again.  It was the pits.  It totally sucked.  It took me a year to finally get through it.  I hate that it took that long, but it did.

What was the secret to getting better? Working out and healthy eating.  In my mind it was a huge task to accomplish, but in reality, it was simple.  I had to look at it in small pieces.  One day at a time.

Working out saved me.  Eating better saved me. 

Somehow, I quit Dr. Peppers.  I skipped a day, then another, then another…I didn’t do it on purpose.  I was just so busy that I never had a chance to drink one.

So then before I knew it, I was a week in.  I was surviving without it.  My taste buds wanted it, but I kept fighting through it.  And here I am 5 years later.  No Dr. Pepper and no desire for one.

That was the first step.

Then I started a food and workout challenge with a friend.  We kept each other accountable and posted on Instagram what we ate and the workout we just completed. It was perfect.  I went at my own pace.

Then, while at my neighbor’s house with a group of friends,  they were talking about working out.  I realized they were going to the same bootcamp I used to workout at when my oldest son was a toddler.  I was so excited.  I saw more hope.  Knowing that these friends were going helped get me going again.  And knowing the same instructor would be there made me excited. 

Through this bootcamp, I gained so much.  I gained strength, I gained endurance, I gained confidence, and I gained knowledge of healthy eating habits.  I also gained a group of friends and a coach who encouraged us through each movement.  We were a team and cheered each other on.

Here I am, five years later and I’m still working out 3-5 times a week, eating vegetables everyday and making better choices for myself.  I’m happy. I’m confident.  And I love working on new challenges in the gym.  It might be painful in the moment, but I love looking back and being proud of myself for finishing.

My maximum for deadlifts is more than my body weight, I completed a marathon and still run half marathons, I can do a pull-up...all of these are things I never knew I could, until I tried.

This shoot was inspiring to me, because working out and making better life choices improved my life.  The movements in these photographs are beautiful.  The girls in the photographs encourage me.  Their smiles make me smile.

It’s amazing what our bodies can do.  We limit ourselves sometimes, but if we would just try, we could see how great we can be.

It's been a while since I've done a styled shoot.  You can see my last one here.  And this one is quite the opposite of my normal wedding and portrait sessions.  This was a project I created for myself. Just something fun.

If anyone out there has ever felt like I did, I suggest asking a friend to start working out with you. Find a gym that suits you or workout routines on Pinterest. Keep each other accountable and have daily check-ins.  Share your goals with each other and encourage one another through them. We can't do this alone.  That's for darn sure.  

I praise Jesus for the friends he put in my life back then, and who remain my friends to this day. I'm also so thankful my husband encouraged me through it all too.

Now my family eats veggies on a weekly basis (including my 6 and 10 yr old), and their mommy is happy.

And you, my friend, will you share some inspiration on how you get motivated throughout your day? Maybe someone is readying this that really needs to hear it.

_____________________________________________

A huge thanks to all of the girls who helped out and made this dream a reality.

Models: Meryl, Bri, Iwona, Samantha, Sasha, Sam, and Sydney.

Girls are wearing Lululemon, Old Navy, Nike Metcon shoes, No Bull shoes to name a few.

Thank you!  

Jacee and Jase's Denver Union Station Engagement Session

Jacee and Jase's engagement session at the Denver Union Station was pretty awesome.  It was blazing hot, but it was the perfect place for their shoot.  

I count it a blessing to have been their photographer for these as well as their wedding.  

More to come from the wedding day.

The Cole's Clovis, NM Family Session

The new thing with family portraits these days are in-home family sessions.  I absolutely love them.  Families are real, raw, more relaxed and authenticity shows through even more.

This year I will be doing more of these sessions.  They just bless my heart.

The Cole family has been doing in-home family sessions with me for the last several years now and I would love to extend that to more families.  Here is a sample of what that can look like.

Christmas Mini Sessions at Milk House Market

This is the first year I will be offering Christmas mini sessions, and I'm so excited to announce I will be doing them at Milk House Market in Friona, Tx.  

Mark your calendars and book a Christmas mini session at Milk House Market.  Contact Cristy at www.cristycross.com, cristy@cristycross.com or 575.219.9312 to schedule your session.

Here are the details:

$250 for a 15 minute session on Saturday, December 2, 2017 from 1-3 PM CST

1-5 people (each additional person is $25)

Includes 10 digital negatives, you select your favorites

 First come first serve.

Session fee is due at the time of booking online.
Once you’ve booked, I will send more details on how to prep for the session as well directions to Milk House Market. This will help make the day go a smoother. Especially if you have little ones.

And if you've never been to Milk House Market, you are in for a treat. Milk House Market is all about creating a home you love with unique and inspiring finds. They offer a variety of farmhouse decor with a mix of vintage pieces that are simple and timeless.

Photographing Those Genuine Family Moments

I recently did a Facebook Live about family sessions and I wanted to follow up with a blog post about it, so here you go.  You can check out the live video here. (excuse the nervousness)

When hiring me for your family photographer, ask yourself why you want family photos?  What's the desire behind having them done?  Also, where do you want to take these pictures?  And, what in the world are you going to wear?

Let me break it down for you.

Why get family photos?  Do you want to document your family and kids while they are little in their genuine, real-life moments? Those laughable, funny and squishy love moments? 

Where should you photograph your family? If you want those genuine moments, photographing in your home is the best place.  Families are in their environment and will be more authentic.  (Your backyard are also a great location)

What to wear? First off, start with mom.  Then work on the rest of the family outfits.  Keeping with solid colors is best.  You want these photos to be timeless, yet trendy. Decide on a color palette choosing between cool tones or warm tones.  For example, gray, cream and tan are a good base.  Add baby blue and dark gray for cool tones or for warm tones add maroon, camel and blush.  

Plan your outfits a week before the session.  Then, lay them out the night before so you are prepared and ready to go. 

Keep the outfits simple.  I want you to feel comfortable and relaxed.  

30 minutes to 1 hour before your session:
-Feed your children a light snack, like apples or a banana.
-Please don't feed your children gold fish, or graham crackers or anything that will
stick in their teeth prior to the session.
Feel free to do all of that AFTER the session :)

Note to mom:

Get your hair and makeup done by a professional.  Nothing crazy or out of the ordinary.  Just having a professional to pamper you is something you deserve.  Consider it a gift to yourself.

Fall 2017 Mini Sessions

It's that time of year for mini sessions, and I would love to photograph you and your loved ones.  These sessions are available to just about anyone.  That includes families (family of five), kids, babies, and couples.
The sessions are quick and simple, and a whole lot of fun.  Like for reals. We laugh, play and ya'll smile and I snap a bunch of shots and everyone is giddy.
They will take place in Clovis, NM at the Hillcrest Park (soccer side).  Directions coming soon.  Each session is 20 minutes.

Want to Book A Session?

Saturday, September 23rd.ONE DAY ONLY
Here are the details:
$250 for 20 a minute session with 10 digital files
Includes up to five people. Each additional person is $25

Available Times:

5 pm-BOOKED
5:20 pm
5:40 pm
6 pm-pending
6:20 pm-BOOKED
6:40 pm-BOOKED
7 pm-BOOKED
 
Email me at cristy@cristycross.com to book your mini session, and provide the time you would prefer.  First come, first serve.  

Session fee is due at the time of booking online.
Once you’ve booked, I will send more details on how to prep for the session.  This will help make the day go a smoother.  Especially if you have little ones.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Engagement Session

When you travel for a session, it moves you to a different place.  Literally.  The scenery changes, and it inspires you.

I am so thrilled for Natalie and Walt's wedding in September.  

Here is a peak of their sweet engagement session we did last month. 

The Handley's Clovis, NM Family Session

The Handley's are one of my favorite families.  We've been neighbors and close friends since they moved to Clovis many years ago. It was an honor to photograph their family and come over as a photographer, not just a friend to create memories in paused moments for them. 

The mama and I workout together, eat together, shop together, chat about our children, take walks together and my kids adore her kids.  They are moving away this summer and we don't know what to do about that.  So for the moment we just don't talk about it and enjoy our time with them before they leave. So before I cry, here are my favorites I want to share with you.

Senior Graduate Lookbooks

Hey seniors.  Let's tell a story together with a Lookbook.

The Wilsons Clovis, NM Newborn and Family Session

The Wilson family welcomed their sweet baby girl into the world.  And look at how precious she is?

The Curtis's Clovis, NM Family Session

This year the Curtis family changed it up for their family session and did a batman theme.  How cute is this?  And because Batman saves lives down in the "city", we went to an urban location to complete the look. 

What ideas do you have for your family session?

Claire and Jared's Clovis, NM Portrait Session.Take 2

The fall colors are just booming right now and Claire and Jared only made them look better.
While shooting, Jared saw an owl fly by and we tried to act like bird watchers as we looked in amazement while it set up high in the tree. All we needed were our binoculars. It was so cool.

And I just LOVE this shot of them.  They are so cute, and so crazy for each other. 

Have a happy Thursday everyone.

The McAden's Vintage Township Lubbock, Tx Family Session

My ultimate goal as a family photographer is to grab a shot of mom and dad and their kids in a moment.  A sweet and real moment. Creating something that tugs at your heart even if you don't know the people. 

Well, this shot tugs at my heart times 10, because I DO know these people-quite well.  This beautiful mama has known me since I was in high school and she has been a role model to me for the past 18 years.  Holy moly!  I just did that math and I am shocked that it has been that long.  Woah.  Her goodness and kindness and tender heart are characteristics that are loved by her husband and overflowed and shared by their children.  My husband and I just basically love this family. 

We all have friends out there that make us complete.  We may not see each other for 6 months at a time, but we love each other just the same.  She is my cream to my coffee.  I just can't live without.

(okay enough of the gushy stuff...now take a look at my favorite shot from their session)

Aren't they so adorable?

The Brewer's Rainy Day Session

Last weekend we scheduled a session for Claire and Jared.  A down pour of rain came on us and we had to call it quits.

Currently, Clovis weather is in the 60s, and warm and sunny.  So we are going to do round two this afternoon.  I can't wait!

Enjoy your Saturday.