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

Monday Musings 9.6.2010

Today is Labor Day. The official end of Summer. Where has summer gone? Already the weather has been noticeably cooler, the days shorter and the sun more sparse.

This past week was a busy one. One which saw me searching for a cure for one of he worst headaches I have had in some time.

We drove to Alfred University this past Saturday and watched Kujo play in his first college football game. AU played Widener University. AU handily won the contest with a score of 37-0. Kujo started special teams and play the last 10-minutes of the 4th quarter at his position, linebacker. That 10-minutes should have been enough to get the coaches to take notice as he registered one-solo tackle and three assisted tackles. He also forced one-fumble and recovered another fumble. I keep reminding him he’ll be starting that position before long.

Jack and I snapped the following two photos while out on our walk Sunday morning.

DSCF7361 1024x682 Monday Musings 9.6.2010

DSCF7362 1024x682 Monday Musings 9.6.2010A couple of photos from Bond’s Lake Park outside Lewiston, NY.

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DSCF7368 1024x682 Monday Musings 9.6.2010My brother drove up from Pittsburgh with his two boys. This is his oldest son Ian who turns seven on Wednesday. Ian is normally very shy and any photos as he hides behind his father proves to be very difficult. I’m unsure what was different at this time but he just couldn’t stop getting himself in front of the camera. This is one of my favorites from this shoot. Happy Birthday Ian.

IMG 0070 1024x682 Monday Musings 9.6.2010Sunday was also my mother-in-laws 80th birthday. Happy Birthday Ma.

IMG 0001 1024x886 Monday Musings 9.6.2010What a busy but enjoyable week and long holiday weekend to boot.

Thanks for reading. I truly appreciate all of my new readers who have signed up for RSS feeds.

Chris

Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: We’re married!

I had the opportunity of photographing the couple’s engagement session in July. That shoot was also the first time I had met the couple. Jamie and Michael, like all of the couples I have photographed were great to work with. Rumor has it Jamie’s dad doesn’t cry easily and when he saw the couple’s engagement photos he did just that.

It was a hot drive down to the salon in Northeast Pennsylvania. The smell of hairspray was strong in the air and on my tongue. Jamie looked beautiful as she had her hair done. She chatted easily with family and friends and didn’t appear anxious.

I’ll stop talking now and allow the photographs to speak for themselves.

IMG 02511 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: Were married!Jamie’s ruby slippers.

IMG 0263 1024x682 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: Were married!I love when I can find a suitable location to do an outdoor dress shot.

IMG 0304 622x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: Were married!I loved the detail on Jamie’s dress.

IMG 0311 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: Were married!

IMG 0333 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: Were married!Jamie did her own makeup and did a wonderful job.

IMG 0320 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: Were married!

IMG 0327 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: Were married!

IMG 0338 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Jamie & Michael: Were married!That’s all for now. I’ll post more from this couple’s ceremony later.

Thank you Jamie and Michael for placing your trust in me and allowing me to be a part of a very special day in your life. Congratulations!

Thanks for reading.

Chris

Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Monday Musings for 8.30.2010

This is it. Another milestone. The last Monday of August and the last Monday of Summer. This Saturday was also my birthday. (Thanks to everyone who emailed, texted or face-booked me with birthday wishes.) Like every Friday this past Friday was no exception. I left my office and never looked back.

I raced home and we drove to the 2.5 hours Alfred, NY. As I drove the Thruway munching on a Wegmans sub listening to NPR I attempted to contemplate the magnitude of the plans I had scheduled into the next two days. We arrived on campus at 8:00 PM and caught the last quarter and a half of Kujo’s pre-season game. He played well breaking up a pass play and four tackles. It was great to see him and know, first-hand he is doing well. His classes began earlier in the week. We make another trip South when he plays his first season contest Saturday September 4, 2010.

We drove the 2.5 hour drive back home and arrived home in the early morning hours. Both of us collapsed and immediately fell asleep. The next morning I packed the care and made the two-hour drive to Westfield/Barcelona, NY. I met with Ronda and Mike (the couple whose wedding I photographed last week) and photographed their Trash the Dress shoot. Once we completed the shoot I took a leisurely drive back to North Tonawanda in time to shower and change to head off again this time for dinner with friends for my birthday. Thanks Christine and Bobbi for a wonderful dinner and a wonderfully relaxing time.

Sunday was no less busy. Nancy and I spent the afternoon at the Music is Art Festival in Downtown Buffalo. It’s all good and the weekend, despite being very busy was a lot of fun.

We stopped at the cemetery yesterday and found they had installed Paul’s headstone.

DSCF7338 1024x579 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Monday Musings for 8.30.2010I love to take Jack for a walk by the Niagara River. As you already know my camera is never left behind. I grabbed several of an awesome sunset with my trusty point and shoot.

DSCF7348 1024x682 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Monday Musings for 8.30.2010Here’s a sneak peak from Ronda and Mike’s Trash the Dress shoot. I love showing these photos locally and discussing Trash the Dress in Western New York. I get the strangest looks and people say things like, “What? Are they crazy?” I love the concept. I think there are far too many things we hold on to and never use or see again. Send me an email with your thoughts and opinions. maybe I’ll include them in a blog post about Trash the Dress shoots and their place in wedding and portrait photography.

IMG 0230 791x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Monday Musings for 8.30.2010This one was from the beginning of the shoot. IMG 0012 766x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography, Monday Musings for 8.30.2010

Well, that’s it for today. Come back later in the week for more photographic fun.

Chris

Buffalo NY Wedding Photography – Ronda & Mike: We’re married!

Ronda and Mike were married Saturday August 14, 2010 in what I can only call one of the more memorable weddings I have ever attended as either a guest or a photographer.

I arrived at the salon for the hair and makeup photos and Ronda pulled me aside and said, “I need to tell you what the plan is. You’re the only person other than Mike who knows this but when he goes to get the garter he’s going come out with a derringer pistol in his teeth.” I asked where the pistol will be and Ronda responds, “tucked into my garter.” Of course, why didn’t I think of that. So this is where I tell you, faithful reader that Ronda and Mike are police officers. Henceforth the interest in firearms.

IMG 0125 1024x682 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Ronda & Mike: Were married!

IMG 0139 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Ronda & Mike: Were married!

IMG 0128 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Ronda & Mike: Were married!

IMG 0152 1024x682 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Ronda & Mike: Were married!

IMG 0208 682x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Ronda & Mike: Were married!

IMG 0244 813x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Ronda & Mike: Were married!

IMG 0246 805x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Ronda & Mike: Were married!

IMG 0250 1024x843 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Ronda & Mike: Were married!

We completed the shoot at the salon which by the way was a pretty awesome place. It was Marcel’s in Jamestown, NY. I arrived at the church located in a town called Stillwater just outside Jamestown. Now if Stillwater sounds like an old western name keep reading. So I see the groom and the groomsman all dressed in tuxedos that are reminiscent of what Doc Holiday might have worn, complete with cowboy hats, cowboy boots with spurs and bollo ties. The guys in the bridal party also wore badges which denoted the groom as the “Marshall” and the groomsmen as “Deputies.” Now, before I forget every groomsmen also wore a holster containing a sidearm, a six-shooter to be exact. I would find out at the conclusion of the ceremony the guns were real as the bridal party fired blanks into the air to celebrate the couple’s union. There was also one member of the bridal party who sported a shotgun, and yes he fired it as well. Now Ronda had mentioned this to me but I’m not quite sure what I was thinking because when the guns were fired it took me by total surprise.

I hope everyone enjoyed the post and the photos. Thanks for reading. There are many more photos to come. You can also click here for a slide-show.

Chris

Buffalo NY Wedding Photography – Monday Musings 8.23.2010

Hey everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well and your last week has been fun and productive.

As I write this I look up at the calendar tacked to the wall. I realize it has been almost two full weeks since Kujo has been at Alfred University. Time has made the transition a little easier, at least on me. Stephen calls and texts us daily and we can see his updates on Facebook although as busy as he is they have become fewer in number. I have not pursued the calls as frequently as mom because I can often hear how difficult the time away has been for him and I want to be able to give him the space he needs to grow and flourish in this new environment. Nancy and I attended a BBQ cookout on the Canal last week. Hands down this was the best BBQ at the show…Skin and Bones.

IMG 0011 1024x682 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Monday Musings 8.23.2010

IMG 0005 1024x682 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Monday Musings 8.23.2010

Weddings have been busy and I have had the opportunity to spend time with and photograph some pretty amazing couples. This past Saturday I  photographed Jamie and Michael’s wedding in Ripley, NY. This Saturday I have my first Trash the Dress shoot. Back to Barcelona, NY where we’ll be spending some time in the lake with a wedding dress. I can’t wait.

Here’s a sneak peak from Jamie and Michael’s wedding.

IMG 0023 888x1024 Buffalo NY Wedding Photography   Monday Musings 8.23.2010

This Saturday also marks another annual landmark for me. It’s my birthday. We won’t be discussing my age here but I will say except for a few creaks and groans I feel pretty good. I have no complaints and am very thankful for my family and the always amazing couple with whom I have an opportunity to spend time when I photograph their wedding.

Thanks everyone for reading.

Chris