The Mike Kaiser Band

Lots of things going on in my photographic life. Documentary is posing new and difficult challenges. We are being turned into photographer-writers. Yes, that's right. We have to write in great length about the documentaries we create. It's very practical, and I will truly love it once it is learned. The process is rather painful.

We also get to start on our research project and have to have a figure to research for the presentation by tuesday. Any suggestions? I want to do someone who was into social justice but who isn't a really obvious choice like Dorothea Lange. Maybe someone from the 60's? I'm excited for this, believe it or not.

My first documentary project is completed for the most part. I mean to say that the images have been made, are finished drying and waiting to be flattened and matted. And of course written about. I'll post them once I get digital copies. I love film. It's been so good to get back in the darkroom.

I am shooting a wedding this saturday with Chris Whonsetler. Should be a good time. The last wedding I shot with him was really fun and I got some great images out of it. I'll be sure to share the pictures from saturday when they are done too!

And good news. For my commercial photo class (product) I finally had a successful photo shoot! Isn't that exciting!?

No equipment malfunctions or anything. The only problem is that my "band" isn't really a band, its really my boyfriend. He really does, however, know how to play the guitar. So that's what really counts. Plus he has got quite the photogenic face.

Enjoy.





All images are ©Kirsten Tornes Photography
Please don't steal.

you're needed by everyone who loves you

Things here are starting to move full swing and insane.

Crazy amounts of work, and always something to do. IWU really overworks their students.

I have a photo shoot of the Frank Lloyd Wright house, Woodside, in about two hours for my Commerical Photography class. I'll be sure to put up pictures soon if they turn out good.

I'm really excited for that assignment and I have even borrowed a friend's ultra wide lens for shooting the interior of the building.

In other news, I recently photographed Frank Schweikhardt my friend who happens to be an incredible musician with the Crossroads of America and is on tour right now introducing his new album Life But No More. Check it ouuuuut. He's got in on vinyl and will also be available on itunes pretty soon.









All images are ©Kirsten Tornes Photography
Please don't steal.

Struggle of the Self

I've been thinking about the next year, and the last few photography classes that I have for my undergraduate degree. This semester will be documentary and product. Next, senior show. That's it.

Two out of three required conceptual series have been completed and now it's time to be thinking about my last and most important series. Show.

Both my last two series are a little depressing. This is because I am so emotional. When I am upset, I need to express it and photography is one of the ways I do it. The other is writing.

I posted earlier my fine art show, which was basically me processing all the things that I think are wrong with me. This show is about losing [in a sense] my best friend at the time.

I was half-joking with a colleage over sushi, "I almost want something tragic to happen to me so I can come up with a good idea for my senior show."

Art is such a language of the heart, the soul. It has the power to speak our darkest thoughts, and that's why it is so scary to show. Showing work is like stripping yourself bare and allowing everyone to see you vulnerable. The whole time you are just praying that someone will resonate with you, hoping that the work speaks clearly and loudly.

I want to say something my senior year. I want my work to do something, to mean something. I want to make a statement that will follow people around. And when they are there, in that same moment I was expressing, they will see the image in their mind and know they are not alone.


Each of these pieces are 4x5 scanned negatives, hand damaged.
Available either digital or palladium prints [limited]
All images are © Kirsten Tornes Photography












Please Don't Steal.

Very obviously meant for each other

Hailey and Nathan Fast were married on July 11th.

We all knew this day would come the moment they started dating. Hailey and Nathan are two of the most perfect for each other people I have ever met.

I lived across the hall from Hailey freshman year of college, so I got to see the beginning of her relationship with Nathan. It was incredible to see how their love has grown and strengthened in the past few years, and to celebrate their wedding with them.

Here are a few from their engagement shoot and then a few favorites from the wedding will follow. All pictures are © Kirsten Tornes Photography unless otherwise noted. I had the amazing opportunity to shoot with my good friend and colleague Sammy Javech, and the photos of hers that I put up will be noted.

© Sammy Javech

© Sammy Javech


Congratulations Hailey and Nathan!

Please don't steal.