I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say ‘he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.’

– Vincent Van Gogh

Model: Ashley Chanel
Stylist: Maikoiyo Alley

Be sure to leave this girl some love, she is seriously talented. And thank you Kristen for sharing with us and being a part of the Featured Artist Fridays!
You can check out more of her awesome work here.
Take it away Kristen…

Orlando wedding photographer, Kristen Weaver, loves Chik-Fil-A sweet tea, and feels she may never have made it where she is today without it. She loves fashion photography (those who cannot, take photographs of those who can), wedding photography, family portraits, senior portraits and being able to capture them. She’s a philanthropist at heart, trying to change the world one slice of cheese at a time. She mainly shoots in the Central Florida area, but is available for destinations as well.

Who inspires you? Or where do you find inspiration?

Ok, well obviously you read my blog about Paolo Roversi being my biggest inspiration in photography. But I also find a lot of inspiration from music. It’s all about the energy and a feeling at my shoots. When that’s in place, I’m completely inspired. When I’m inspired, I definitely shoot my best work. I could shoot all day being in that frame of mind. It’s so energizing!

What got you into photography?

This is one of those questions with a really long answer… so I’ll summarize by saying that I’ve always been intrigued by it, but it was probably my intense passion for fashion magazines that made me connect all the dots. From more of a physical position, I picked up the camera for a graphic design project in college, and haven’t put it down since. I can specifically remember “phases” of my life by the role that photography has played in it.

Mention an incident when you laughed out loud at yourself?

I couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Katherine Heigl, because I just think she cracks me up. I’ve been told that I have the same facial expressions as her. So that’s fun!

What was the last movie you went to see?

Actually, this weekend we saw 2! Despicable Me and Grown Ups. I loved both of them, but Despicable Me was my favorite

What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

A lot of drinks! Coke, IBC Root Beer, Milk, Bottled Water, Lemonade and Yeungling. I think there’s also blueberries, cherries and carmel dip. It’s a little hodge-podge of random stuff.

During your childhood, what was your favorite comic character?

Jem! Or, the Wuzzles! Or anything Disney… even though we lived in Ohio, my parents would save all year for this giant blow-out Disney vacation and I just LOVED it! Now I live in Orlando and never even get over there – but when I do, I could pretty much tour the entire place.

Which is your favorite language other than you native language?

Italian. I learned it (and I use that loosely) in high school, and went over to Italy as a junior. I love everything about it – the culture, the language, the scenery and the food! Mmm…. Gelato.

Be sure to leave some love.

If your a model wanting to work together, please email me at tonhya @ tonhyakae.com
Rates are very reasonable.

It’s so important for all of us to continue to do things that drive us. Things that give us the excitement and butterflies again. We all have passions, goals, and dreams…yet sometimes we think they are out of reach and we just give up. Sometimes I really hate when people say this but it is seriously so true…you really can do anything you put your heart and mind into. Most of the time these dreams and passions take work… like real hard, honest work. And yes, sometimes it is very frustrating when you don’t see instant results…but you have to keep pushing through. And when the day comes when these dreams turn to reality…life will never have tasted so sweet.

Be thankful. Be humble. Be you.

Model: Morgan
Make-up Artist: Angel Dorr
Hair/Styling: Tonhya Kae
Photography: Tonhya Kae Photography

If you are a model, hair stylist, make-up artist, or stylist and would like to collaborate, please shoot me an email at tonhya@tonhyakae.com
Can’t wait to hear from you.

But then I started thinking…(UH-OH)…and I want to know who you all are!!! I mean I truly want to meet every single one of you, even if it means only being internet friends!
So today is THE day. The day for you to stop being so shy and introduce yourself! Yes, that means you too…I’ll even go first.

Hello.
My name is Tonhya…with an “H“.
I’m a daughter/sister/photographer/Jesus-lover/loud-laugher/big-eyed/crazy-dancer/classical-music-listener/shower-singer/big-dreamer/unhealthy-eater/Goodwill-hunting girl.

Okay, your turn. GO.

And because every post is better with a picture. Here is an oldie but goodie.