I’ve only been able to devote time to this on a slight part-time basis, due to my full time job. My full time job isn’t going anywhere anytime soon (it’s not the right time w/the economy to really pursue photography full time yet). However, I feel as though I owe it to my clients to treat Kasi Daine Photography as a full time business. That means new, cool packaging, more (consistent) blog posts featuring my amazing clients, and really treating this as though my livelihood depends upon it.
Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category
Ready to move full speed ahead…
November 23, 2011{Pay It Forward Friday}
November 12, 2010Ahhh Friday.. I’ve been waiting for you, for so long it feels.
So if you haven’t been able to tell by my recent postings, I’m full of all sorts of warm fuzzies this year. I’ve been inspired by this world and everything in it, moreso than I could have ever imagined. I’ve actually dubbed this year “The Year of the Awakening.”
Come on now… you didn’t actually think I’d go with something any less dramatic, did you?
Along with the joy and warm fuzzies, I’ve been able to open my eyes a little bit more to what’s happening in the world… Wait, let me change that. I’ve always been aware of current events; but unless something was directly impacting me, I just kinda shrugged it off. Hey, nothing to worry about right? Doesn’t interrupt my life, so who cares? And I think that’s kind of the mentality in America for the most part… it’s only human. We all get so busy, we all face our own trials, and especially with the recession – people have been hurting. The climate has changed in America… and I guess I just never noticed the negative dog-eat-dog nature that’s kind of evolved. I know, where have I been?
(A: KasiLand, the world of ignorance is bliss, dangit)
So what I want to do is spread a little bit of positivity. I want to inspire all of you, and all of the people you know, to do a random act of kindness, or do something nice for someone who’s down on their luck. To kickstart my attempt to bring a little more sunshine to the world, I’m pleased to announce the start of Pay It Forward Friday – a free mini-session giveaway!
Here’s the deal: Make sure you like Kasi Daine Photography on Facebook (http://facebook.com/kasidaine) & then suggest the page to your friends. Then I want you to reach into your heart and think “Whose day could I make with a free mini portrait session? Who could use a break? Who did something super nice for someone else, and should be paid forward? Who deserves to have touching images that they’ll have for a lifetime?” Then send me an email to kasi@kasidaine.com with the subject line “Pay It Forward” and tell me who this person is (provide a link to their FB) and tell me why they should be the recipient!
You cannot nominate yourself, obviously, because this is about doing something nice for someone else, just to do something nice for someone else… But by spreading the word of Kasi Daine Photography to your friends and family, it’s likely that someone may nominate YOU for the free session, just because of your generosity!
For this first Pay It Forward Friday, I’m giving away TWO free 30 minute mini-sessions! The first will be for non-music related portraiture – so it can be for maternity, newborn, children, engagement, couple, boudoir, etc…The second will be given away to a local band and/or musician! There are a LOT of musicians & bands out there that would greatly benefit from having professional promotional shots, and as a music lover, I couldn’t help but set aside a separate giveaway for those who make music that makes my heart sing.
So what are you waiting on?! Make sure to give a big thumbs up to Kasi Daine Photography on Facebook, repost to your friends, share the link to my blog and Facebook page, and start paying it forward! You have a good week to submit the names of those people you want to surprise with a free mini-session! Let’s Pay it Forward!
Bacon {the birthday bulldog}
September 28, 2010I promise you, I’m not a crazy dog lady.
I just happen to have one of THE most amazing dogs.
My most amazing french bulldog Bacon turns 4 today. So what do I do? I insist on making my dog wear a hat he clearly did not care for. Bacon’s so amazing that he lets me do this… and tolerates it just long enough for me to get my shot. 
His cooperation does not go unnoticed. This afternoon, when I realized it was his birthday, I called the brand spankin’ new H.E.B. (grocery store) in Burleson to find out if they served single cupcakes. They said they did, and I asked what all they had that didn’t have chocolate… and I let it slip.
“It’s my dog’s birthday.”
The incredibly friendly young lady on the other end went and checked out what they had left for the day and came back and said the only non-chocolate containing cupcake they had was carrotcake. I was so excited I said “Oh! He loves carrots!” (again… I shouldn’t be this nerdy to strangers who don’t already love me unconditionally.. I say the weirdest things!). The clerk proceeded to ask me how many I needed, and she would be happy to put them aside for me!
Hats off to you, H.E.B. Bakery and the young lady who helped me this afternoon. Your cupcake was much prettier before I took forever getting it home. But mmm, it was good. (After all, I did have to QC test it).
Happy Birthday, Bacon. You really are the coolest dog ever, and I can’t imagine life without you.
I should be sleeping.
September 26, 2010All night tonight, I’ve thought 2 things: I want to take my shoes off and I want to go to bed.
Instead of coming home, taking out my contacts, and getting the best sleep ever… I’m blogging. I can’t help it. Today was one of the most inspiring days I’ve ever had… I mean ever.
First of all, Will & Stephanie’s wedding was off the hook. I seriously tried to say something other than off the hook, but everything I wanted to say was too common for this beautiful event. I don’t usually cry at weddings, but I fought back a tiny tear when I was watching them on the dance floor. It was like you were watching two people, head over heels in love with one another, in their own little world – totally oblivious to the event surrounding them. At that moment, it was only the two of them, and the rest of the world had disappeared. I was very blessed to see this moment between the two of them (pics coming soon).
After the wedding, I headed to the Rail Club to see Black on High and Turbid North (along with Vaste Burai -Longview, TX- and Plector -Sweden in the house). I was just in time to see Black on High play 3 songs (pics also coming soon). Love these guys! After Black on High was Plector and Vaste Burai… and finishing the show was Turbid North – home from their tour. You could feel the love at their homecoming show. Good times with good friends. AMAZING performance when some of the members from the other bands jumped on stage and performed a Turbid North song with the guys. TN’s performance was so heartfelt, so thankful almost, to be home, to have had a great tour, and to do what they love. I even danced along the side of the stage (which I never do, unless it’s a Dillinger Escape Plan show). I drove home thinking again, how lucky I was, to be witnessing such a celebration of great things happening and great things to come.
Then I come home and see my husband, my dogs Bacon & Porkchop, my cats Sway & Reese… and think, once more, how blessed I truly am.
There’s much to catch up on…
September 13, 2010So the week before last, I spent my last days at my day job. That’s right. I quit! Great company, and I had the single most amazing boss ever (many thanks to Carol for everything she did for me).. but I felt as though it was time for me to pursue this passion a little bit more aggressively. I was off all last week, and I pretty much made a point to slack off the entire week. Mission accomplished.
With that being said, there’s tons to catch up on, and a LOT of blog posts coming your way! But I’m still getting some things organized, so don’t count on a flood of updates today.
I did, however, want to quickly share pics from this weekend.
Here’s a little bit of Bacon…
And the adorable Fiona Porkchop…
And before you think “Fiona’s just as great of a model as Bacon!”.. think again. This is one of the only great shots out of 2 dozen.. and that’s because thankfully one of my neighbors was grilling and she stopped to sniff. The rest of the shots came out like this:
So I’m off to organize, have a few errands to run, some emails to reply to… some happiness to follow.
For some reason I’m struggling with putting down my thoughts into words today. I blame it on my first ever steroid shot I received today, due to an allergic reaction of some sort. So if this blog reads incredibly lame, I’m blaming it on that + the lack of sleep.
I direct your attention to the best map I’ve ever seen on an advertisement – EVER:
This is for a local fireworks stand (duh, Kasi). Notice that on the map they make sure you know where they are NOT, in case you get confused and ALMOST go to the wrong fireworks stand. GENIUS!
It made me think of my own struggle to stand out and be an individual as a photographer. There are so many photographers in the DFW area – how do I set myself apart?! It’s my hope that through my pictures, along with my candid blogs, that the readers get to know ME. For me, photography is so much more than just taking a picture and billing a client. I want to know my clients, and I want to build relationships. I want to watch my clients’ kids grow up.. their pets grow up… I want to see my clients perform… At the end of this very (hopefully) long, (hopefully) successful life, I want to say that I touched people’s lives – and provided them with some pretty nifty photographs to keep for years to come.
So while we’re getting personal… I’ve been asked numerous times:
Is your name CASEY Stuhlman or KASI Stuhlman?
Legally, I was born Casey Harris. In 7th grade, I decided every week for a few weeks that I would change the spelling of my name because that’s the way boys spelled the name Casey. I started out slow, and then got really creative:
KC
K.C.
Kacey
Kasey
Kaysee
Kaysea (I said creative.. I didn’t say smart.)
Finally I found the perfect fit: Kasi.
So up until I hit the professional world, I spelled my name Kasi, with the exception of legal documents. I really should have changed it legally. Because low and behold, I married the most wonderful amazing husband… who had a little brother named Casey. So once we legally wed, there were TWO Casey Stuhlmans.
He says he was the first. I say regardless, I’m the coolest. So from here on out, we’re going to refer to Casey Robert Stuhlman as the 2nd Coolest Casey Stuhlman in the World (or the 2nd Coolest Casey – for short).
JUST when I thought I would accept my legal birth name, I decided to do this photography thing! Only problem is that I live in the Burleson/Crowley area.. the same area the 2nd Coolest Casey grew up and went to school. The 2nd Coolest Casey was a quarterback for NCHS & is incredibly beloved by all those who know him. I’ve actually had a friend’s younger sibling who went to school w/the 2nd Coolest Casey get ahold of my “day job” business card and say “Oh I know him.” So now you know why it’s Kasi Daine Photography, instead of Casey Daine Photography.
Reminds me, I need a picture of just the Two Caseys together – we haven’t had one since the Easter before I got married (over 6 years – eek!).
SO yah….Totally blaming the steroids & the lack of sleep on today’s blog. Coming soon this week are pics of my incredibly wonderful cousins’ kiddos. My cousins and I have been apart for way too long, and I couldn’t be more enthusiastic that we’re in each others’ lives again.
Goodnight all <3
Did someone say Slacker?!
June 30, 2010Bad Kasi, no blog post last night, nor a photo of the day! But I had a really good (read: nerdy) excuse. I had to rest up for the midnight viewing of Twilight Eclipse! Love me some R-Pat (totally Team Edward). Movie was amazing, I’m exhausted at work today, but so worth it.
It also gave me inspiration to design a t-shirt for the next round of movies… all of the t-shirts you see are so literal, and blatantly obvious what they’re referring to. I personally don’t want a t-shirt with a wolf on it (although Alan from the Hangover DOES make it tempting). So between now and the next few months, I’m going to sit with my partner-in-crime, Melissa (or Missy, as I sometimes refer to her) and we’re going to design our own Twilight shirts. I’ll probably post the designs on here as they’re developed, so I can gain feedback from all of you wonderful people. And if the designs are pretty rad, we’ll sell them online on either CafePress or maybe Zazzle!
And I do have a pic of the day in mind already – something hilarious I saw in an ad. And rest assured, I will doing one of the things I do best – rambling!
Oh, and keep a watch out for the shots I’ll be posting from my cousin Lisa’s little girl Emma’s birthday party!
:: Sunday, Funday ::
June 27, 2010I woke up at 6:15 this morning, amped up and ready to shoot again! I got to hang out with Kacey, Maddie, and Punkrock Princess-Styled Tera for a fun outdoors shoot filled with sprinkles, cupcakes, and tutus! I’ll blog all about it tonight and I’ll add a few sneak peeks!
For now, these are a few shots I got of Bacon yesterday on our little road trip!
Why, hello Saturday!
June 26, 2010I skipped the picture of the day yesterday – but I’ve made it up to everyone!
In fact, I jumped out of bed this morning at 6:30am, threw on a dress and some flip-flops, grabbed Bacon, and we went for a ride with my camera. To make it up to all of you who are watching the pic of the day, today you will receive numerous photos from me & Bacon’s ride.
More to come!
I didn’t even get 5 miles away from my office when I had to take a quick detour for the pic of the day.
Something has been weighing incredibly heavily on my mind lately. There’s a beautiful place in Fort Worth that corporate America is wanting to ruin. This place has so much sentimental attachment to it, for hundreds if not thousands of people. Some of the best times I’ve had in Fort Worth, some of the most amazing people I’ve met, all have occurred at this place.
Ladies & Gentlemen, the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth:
Now before some of you locals start in with “Well all they ever do is play heavy metal shows,” let me say… this place could play nothing but silent movies for the rest of eternity, and I’d be pleased as punch. This isn’t about the type of music played there.. quite honestly, to be blunt, I’ve grown weary of the “boys club” that the Ridglea music scene has become (you know, where the same acts play over and over again, regardless of the talent). The Ridglea could host nothing but country music from here on out, and while I may not attend, I’d still be able to admire the beauty and splendor that is the Ridglea Theater. Theaters like the Ridglea are no longer a dime a dozen; they’ve become an endangered species. We should save every bit of Americana we can.
So, please everyone (esp citizens of Fort Worth), please visit the Ridglea Theater website and obtain the information for the city councilman who needs to hear our pleas.. Save the Ridglea. http://ridgleatheater.com/
Also, to read about the ‘plans’ for the Ridglea, please visit http://www.dfw.com/2010/06/20/295133/ridglea-theater-running-out-of.html