Photographer uses nontraditional methods of picture taking

Top: Photographer Kristen Zier Talluto created a wedding atmosphere for a couple who did not have any photographs of the ceremony, and took pictures of their wedding rings inside of a flower. Bottom: Zier Talluto took pictures of Jamie Marie Hannigan for her composite, or comp, cards. NORTH BRUNSWICK — When Kristen Zier Talluto's daughter was born six years ago, Talluto picked up a camera to capture the baby and family events.

Having no prior experience with a camera, she played around with the camera settings and lighting and taught herself how to take pictures properly.

Now, the 30-year-old has turned her creativity into KMT Photography, a five-year business that does events, corporate events, religious events, children and family portraits, newborn and maternity pictures, anniversary and birthday parties, headshots and comp cards, pets and charity events.

"It's a very huge passion of mine. If I'm working with clients, I see things differently than other people," the North Brunswick resident said.

Using a digital SLR camera, she offers various packages that include color, black and white, sepia and/or selective coloring photos. She usually has the prints available within a few days.

"I don't follow the rules of photography," the mother of two said. "It's a photo-journalistic approach with a creative, edgy spin on it."

"I don't like things looking posed or fake — to me, that's not photography. I want to capture something as it happens … because it adds more emotion to the photo," she said.

One particular emotion-filled session Talluto had done involved a couple that got married young but didn't have an actual wedding ceremony. So, Talluto decided to try and re-create the wedding, making them bouquets, putting their rings inside a sunflower, making the groom repropose to his bride and re-enacting their first kiss.

"She had some sort of keepsake from a wedding," Talluto said.

Another shoot Talluto is proud of involved Jamie Marie Hannigan, owner of Stage Stars dance studio in Highland Park, a space Talluto uses for her photography if she is not on location. Talluto wrapped her camera in a plastic bag and went with Hannigan to a field in Hillsborough to create a scene for Hannigan's composite card shots. She made Hannigan, who was wearing dark eye makeup, jump around in a puddle on the side of the road as cars were coming by, all while it was raining out, so that Hannigan's makeup was running down her face.

"It was different for me because I'm usually used to shooting in the sunlight or overcast skies," the photographer said.

Forming an association with Hannigan, Talluto has partnered with the performing arts studio during several charity events.

She recently photographed about 16 dancers during the Halloween parade in Greenwich Village, N.Y., on Oct. 31. Half the

class was dressed as dead celebrities with frames attached to their heads, such as Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, Selena, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Marilyn Monroe and Heath Ledger, while the other half were dressed as paparazzi.

The choreographed dance benefited Make the Change, which opposes and speaks out against the media harassment of celebrities.

"It was a great experience for me as a photographer to be there because it was for a cause," Talluto said.

Talluto has also helped out with the Jessica A. Fox Foundation for one of Hannigan's friends who passed away from triple negative breast cancer, and will photograph a fundraiser for leukemia on Nov. 20.

On Dec. 5, the studio will host "Planet Art" to benefit a charity, to be determined, during which Talluto and other local artists will display their work. The Stage Stars members will also perform.

On Feb. 13, there will be a benefit for actress Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation for domestic violence.

For more information about Talluto's work, call 732-718-3215, email PictureThisDesign@hotmail. com or visit http://KMTPhotography1.blogspot.com.

For more information about Stage Stars, visit www.facebook.com/StageStars or email StageStars@ rocketmail.com.