Christopher Kijowski Photography bio picture

Welcome to my blog!

I'm a wedding photographer based in Buffalo, NY and available everywhere else. I specialize in capturing relaxed portraits, amazing details and the real moments from some of the most amazing families and couples on Earth.

Photography has been a passion for me since I was a little kid and my grandfather thrust a Polaroid instant camera into my hands. From that point I was hooked. This blog follows both my personal and professional life and features images from the weddings I shoot, the places I travel and the friends and family members that mean so much to me. It's my own personal photo album combined with an information source for my current and potential clients. I'm also a recovering social worker. This site is a little more informal and I just want to give everyone a sense of who I am and what I'm all about. Thanks for visiting and come back often to check us out.

Thank you for allowing Christopher Kijowski Photography to be a part of your life.

All my best,

Christopher

Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Beth & Matt: We’re married!

Beth and Matt were married on July 31, 2010.

Beth spent the morning at the wonderful Belezza Salon located in Williamsville, NY. Beth and her Maids of Honor spent the night in the beautiful Avant Hotel in Downtown Buffalo. This was my first time in this beautiful hotel. The designers saw the need for a mixed use building. In addition to the hotel rooms there are also 26-luxury condos and five-floors of office space. Beautiful.

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The couple exchanged their vows in the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Buffalo, NY. Once the ceremony was completed we drove to the Coast Guard Base on Furhman Blvd. and with granted permission were allowed to take photos at the base of the lighthouse.

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After post-ceremony photographs, the couple celebrated with family and friends at the celebrated Saturn Club in Buffalo, NY. Music was provided by Whirlin’ Disc Sound.

Thanks for reading. Next week I’ll some additional photos from this and some other recent weddings.

Chris

Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Monday Musings 8.2.2010

Another week and another month have passed and like the weeks and months before this, it was also very busy.

Kujo’s last football game as a high school student ended in a defensive battle seeing a score of 7-0 in favor of the “South” team. Kujo played for the “North” team. Another week means another week of work as a social worker; busy with interesting patients. Another week also means another wedding. My passion realized.

I am asked all the time how I can work a 40-hour week and pull a 12-hour wedding day and then sit down and edit and upload all of those photos, put albums together, etc, etc. The answer is simple really; I LOVE what I do. I love the couples who have trusted me to photograph their wedding day. I have an opportunity to spend an amazing day with amazing couples. I feed off of that energy and excitement. The real question I tell people is “How can I not be energized by my business.”

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Saturday I had the pleasure of spending the day with Beth and Matt. The couple was married at the Unitarian-Universalist Church on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo and celebrated with family And friends at the Saturn Club. Here’s a couple photos to wet your appetite. More to come as the couple has earned their own blog post.

Here’s a couple of photos from the couple’s wedding.

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Thanks again everyone for reading. Your comments and suggestions are kind and helpful. Much thanks goes out to the fabulous couples who I have had an opportunity to meet, photograph and simply spend some incredible time with.

Keep coming back. It’s only going to get better.

Chris

Monday (Thursday) Musings 7.26.2010

This week was a week pretty much like any other. Social work, editing photos, meeting with couples, uploading photos, putting together and uploading albums. Did I mention editing photos. The highlight of my week was Kujo’s graduation party. Kujo graduated a couple of weeks ago from high school and is preparing for an athletic and academic career at Alfred University.

I’m not sure if we had enough soda for the party. I am a true lover of a good, dark beer but shhh, don’t tell anyone; I’m a sug-a-holic. I could chug a couple of really good root beers and be in heaven, sugar heaven that is. I have to get in my fix before 9PM otherwise I’ll lay staring at the ceiling long into the night. if you look long and hard at this photo you won’t see any root beer. The reason, shhhh, is because it’s been hidden. Nancy accused me of hiding it. I don’t know what she’s talking about and that empty can in my office? i’m not sure where that came from but it’s not mine.

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My weekend began in a very interesting manner. Jack and I returned from our walk Friday night. We reached the end of the driveway and I took him off his leash. We walked up the driveway and as we approached the rear of the house Jack took off after something in the backyard. Usually it’s a squirrel. A minute later he returned and with a pronounced limp. The smell which also accompanied him caused me to wince and recoil in disgust. Neither Nancy nor myself was ready for that smell. Jack was sprayed by a skunk. Now you know that smell. You’re driving down the road and you smell a skunk? Well take that smell and multiply it by a hundred. In the midst of everything Nancy was involved in planning Kujo’s graduation party she jumped in and washed Jack. The remedy provided by so many Facebook friends worked. Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions.

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I still can’t believe he completed high school and will now be moving on to college. August 11th we make the trip to Alfred University where he begins the next chapter in his life. it was so much feun to get together with old friends who I no longer have an opportunity to see with as much frequency as I would like. Thanks to everyone who attended and made Kujo’s grad party a memorable event.

A quick note. Kujo played in the North/South All-Star Football Classic last night. His team lost what was a very defensive battle 7-0. His team played well and I am proud to say Kujo’s individual play was as it always is, stellar.

Thanks again everyone for reading. Your readership and friendship is appreciated.

Chris

Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Kristina & Jason: We’re married!

Good afternoon dear friends. If you’re looking for the usual “Monday Musings” post, you won’t find it here. I’m postponing that post until a little later in the week. I know how disappointed you are but trust me that post will be present in a few days. Now on to the good stuff.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to photograph an amazing couple. I had met Jason a year earlier when I accepted another social work position. I don’t make a point of discussing my photography at my job but I do display some of my work in my office. One thing lead to another and the conversation of wedding photography was broached. During the past year Jason became engaged to Kristina and he discussed with me my willingness to photograph the couple’s engagement and wedding. Naturally as I build my business I did not want to say “No” but I also didn’t want Jason to choose me because of our work relationship. Kristina and Jason were married on Friday July 16, 2010. We began the day at a really cool hair salon in Herkimer, NY. The salon, HotSpotSalonandSpa is a full service salon with very nice professionals. If you find yourself in Herkimer, NY and need a haircut, color, tan, etc. check them out.

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Most of my favorite shots are the ones I’ve waited some time to get. These are the shots where people have forgotten about my presence and begin to assume their true selves. I fall in love with the expressions on their faces at that time as well as those expressions when they see those photos and don’t recall me taking the photos. Those are also

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Hoping the rain stops. It did and then the humidity took over.

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Kristina looked beautiful in her dress.

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I have recently been consulting with Marc Fuller. Marc is an SEO designer extraordinaire. All I’m going to say is there are going to be some changes in my blog-site in the coming months. We’re going to share some fresh new colors and bold new images. I have not yet decided on a new avatar because I’m just not that comfortable in front of a camera. truth be told its simply more that I’m just not that photogenic. this past year i have had an opportunity to work with some amazing couples and they have inspired me to make these changes. I’m excited and I’m even more excited to share these changes with you.

Thanks for reading and keep coming back.

Christopher

Monday Musings 7.19.2010

This past week was a lot of fun. Social work for the first three days then I traveled to Utica, NY where I had the pleasure of photographing Kristina and Jason’s wedding.

While at the couple’s wedding I had the opportunity to meet one of Jason’s friends, Steve Gregory. Jason introduced me to Steve about a year. This wasn’t a formal introduction but one of those “I’ve got a friend…” introductions. Steve plays strong safety for the San Diego Chargers. I couldn’t believe how laid back and humble Steve’s presentation was. My son called me during the reception to ask how the wedding was progressing. I asked Steve if he would speak with my son, who while not a Chargers fan is a huge football fan. My son has played football since age 8 and is now moving on to play Linebacker for Alfred University.Steve offered to speak with my son when he called. I heard Steve’s portion of the conversation and again was impressed. I was thankful to have met Steve and to have made his acquaintance.

Thanks Steve for the photo, the phone call and autograph for my son. I’ll remember that always.

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Jason and Kristina had their first dance of the night as a married couple.

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Kristina’s dad jumped in with the band and played the drums like a pro. He lead the band playing Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long.” I’m not sure what his musical background is but you could have fooled me into thinking he was an original member of the band.

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All in all it was a pretty awesome week. Fantastic wedding with really great people.

Stay tuned later in the week for a sneak peak from Kristina and Jason’s wedding.

Thanks everyone for reading. Keep coming back. There’s sure to be a lot more excitement.

Chris