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: Kristina & Jason: We’re married!

July 26, 2010 – 9:34 AM

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.

IMG 0189 Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Kristina & Jason: Were married!

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

IMG 0212 Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Kristina & Jason: Were married!

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

IMG 0156 Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Kristina & Jason: Were married!

Kristina looked beautiful in her dress.

IMG 0296 Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Kristina & Jason: Were married!

IMG 0482 Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Kristina & Jason: Were married!

IMG 0492 Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Kristina & Jason: Were married!

IMG 0610 Buffalo, NY Wedding Photographer: Kristina & Jason: Were married!

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

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Monday Musings 7.19.2010

July 19, 2010 – 11:28 AM

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.

IMG 1032 854x1024 Monday Musings 7.19.2010

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

IMG 0796 Monday Musings 7.19.2010

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.

IMG 1072 Monday Musings 7.19.2010

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

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Jamie & Michael: A Sneak Peak

July 15, 2010 – 2:41 PM

I met Jamie and Michael for the first time on Sunday. Jamie and I had kind of met when we became Facebook “friends.”

IMG 0314 Jamie & Michael: A Sneak Peak

Jamie and Michael are getting married on August 21, 2010. I was first introduced to Jamie’s mother when I received an email from her. That email arrived early December as she had located me via WeddingWire.com. It was around 10PM. A quick glance at my watch and I noticed it was only 7PM in Washington State. I decided to follow-up my email with a quick phone call. We made quick introductions and the rest, as they say is history.

IMG 0323 Jamie & Michael: A Sneak Peak

Jamie was finishing her English degree in Washington State and would not be traveling to the Western New York area until July 5th. Michael works full-time and resides in a small town of less than 2000-people just South of Erie, PA.

IMG 0408 Jamie & Michael: A Sneak Peak

We discussed venues for the couple’s engagement session and everyone agreed om Niagara Falls. The couple had only visited the Falls on one occasion and had never been on Goat Island thus missing the Horseshoe Falls and Three Sister’s Island. Despite the heat and humidity (you don’t have to shevel it) we all had a great time.

IMG 0586 Jamie & Michael: A Sneak Peak

We arrived in the Falls to a packed parking lot, high temperatures and high humidity. Jasmie and Michael were a couple of real troupers. We walked around the island trying to locate as much shade as we could along the way.

IMG 0711 Jamie & Michael: A Sneak Peak

IMG 0638 Jamie & Michael: A Sneak Peak

Click here for a slideshow of the couple’s engagement photos.

Chris

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Monday Musings 7.12.2010

July 12, 2010 – 11:22 AM

I really thought this post was going to be late. I didn’t think there was anyway to avoid that. I totally forgot to write. I was still chillaxin.  There are two reasons for my alleged tardiness. Number one would be, WOW! What a busy week. Lots of shooting, teaching a class, meeting with couples, album design and redesign and editing. Second, I was still on vacation time. That second one is difficult. My vacation last week  was needed and much appreciated. It has been several years since I have allowed myself to relax as much as I did while on vacation. It’s been so long that the term “chillaxin” wasn’t even a term.

I know the only way to maintain a successful balance is to ensure I am taking enough time for myself as I give away to others. So I have returned to my weekly bike rides and that activity which gives me more peace than anything I can think of; kayaking. I love the water and everything is brings to me.

There is a shallow area of the Niagara River where I can safely sit in my boat and be mindful of the rolling water as it slides effortlessly under my boat. The water gently raises my boat before gently allowing it to return to a sedentary position before the next rolling wave approaches. talk about relaxing.

I paddle near the shore so I can be closer to the wildlife. I see herons as they attempt to hide from anything approaching; fearful they may be at risk from an unknown predator. There are many other sights which I have the luxury to take in. Paddling forces me to slow down and enjoy what is around me. I do not like the opposite; racing through life wondering what has happened to each day and wondering why sleep has escaped me only to be replaced by racing thoughts of an overwhelming to-do list. It’s not worth it. Slow down. Enjoy life and everything it brings your way.

 sunset hamburg ny 1024x711 Monday Musings 7.12.2010

Thanks again for reading. later this week we’ll be posting a sneak peak from Jamie and Michael’s engagement session.

Chris

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Laura & Tim: A Sneak Peak

July 8, 2010 – 1:14 PM

Normally I’ll do a sneak peak post right after I’ve photographed an event. In this case the couple’s wedding came two days after their engagement session.

Laura had contacted me last July and inquired about the date she had in mind for her wedding. I recall opening her email and thinking, “Is this some kind of joke?” Laura lived in New Jersey. We had never met. We had never spoken and we had no mutual acquaintances. Laura explained she had Googled Western New York wedding photographers and “really liked my photos.” I sent Laura a contract and the process began. Laura came into town within a few months to meet with her vendors and solidify the plans which had been made to date. I fell in love with Laura’s sense of humor right from the start. Laura fell in love with Tim Horton’s coffee. I mean who wouldn’t.

Laura and Tim were to be married in Lockport and their reception would be at the home of Laura’s grandmother in Burt, NY. Laura and I spoke the week before her wedding and we decided I would pick up her and Tim and we would travel to a few different locations in Niagara County to complete their engagement session. I arrived at her grandmother’s home and needed help picking my lower jaw up from the ground. The grounds and her home were beautiful. I met Laura and Tim and said, “I think we can complete the entire session right her on your grandmother’s property.” That we did.

IMG 0009 Laura & Tim: A Sneak Peak

Laura was a natural in front of the camera. It took Tim  few frames to warm up to the idea of having his photograph taken so many times, but once he did…Tim commented once he thought there “was a lot of kissing” during the engagement shoot.

IMG 0085 1024x877 Laura & Tim: A Sneak PeakThe view from the deck in the backyard was breathtaking. Lake Ontario is a beautiful lake. The sky cleared as the shoot progressed and soon we could see across the lake to Toronto, Ontario.

IMG 0126 Laura & Tim: A Sneak Peak

What a beautiful couple.

IMG 0154 Laura & Tim: A Sneak Peak

Laura has the most incredible smile. I pointed the camera in her direction and her face simply lit up.

IMG 0238 Laura & Tim: A Sneak Peak

We briefly ventured away from Burt, NY and took a little side trip to Olcott, NY. Before hitting the little shops next to the park we stopped by Byes Popcorn for a bag of some of the best popcorn around. Unfortunately the stand was not yet open. I love doing engagement shoots and rarely want them to end. This couple made their shoot sooo much fun.

To see more of the couple’s engagement shoot, click here.

Thanks for reading and keep coming back.

Chris

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