i heart faces - Happiness

This week at i heart faces the photo challenge them is happiness.  Well in one word I can tell you what comes to mind when I think happiness.  MALIA.  My daughter.  She is the vision of happiness.  Since she was an infant she was always smiling, laughing and HAPPY.  Now she is a teenager and growing up much too fast, but her happiness still radiates from within.

A few days ago I took her and a couple of friends out for a photo session in the bluebonnets (it's a Texas thing!)  And trying to get her to be "serious" is nearly impossible.  So, I just pressed the shutter and captured that wonderful warm radiant happiness that comes from deep within her soul.

This is one of my favorites from the day.  Malia.  Always Smiling.  Always Happy.

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

The Importance of Photographs

Last night as I curled up in bed I did what I do almost every night.  Turn on my iPad and do a few more minutes of internet searching.  I constantly browse through photography blogs, look at photos, search for new locations, etc.  Last night was no different.  As I was scouring the blogs I can across a story that I just knew I had to share.  It touched a spot in my heart both personally and professionally.

This story is the reason why I LOVE my job as a photographer.  I know that with each click of my shutter I'm capturing a moment.  A smile and sometimes a tear.  A laugh.  A memory.  That memory is not just for us or the people in the picture, but for our kids, our spouses, our families and our friends.  People that might not even be here with us now, but will be the future generations looking back at their family history.

I posted a blog earlier in the year about a family that I was honored to work with.  Here is the link to that post:  Lanoux Family.  I had photographed this family earlier in 2011.  At the time Mindy was battling cancer.  She had been battling for years.  But that day, behind my lens I captured her with her husband, her beautiful kids and moments that had nothing to do with cancer, but of moments all about family, love and joy.  Those photographs are there for her family to look at and recall that day with a smile.  That is priceless.

Yes, professional photography can be expensive.  But you are buying so much more than paper.  We spend money on things everyday that only give us joy for a short amount of time.  A manicure that last two weeks.  Hair color (that can be $100s of dollars) that last for 6 weeks.  We spend that money and often times don't think twice about it.  So, the next time you see a price list from a professional photographer, remember that you are investing your money in something that lasts.  Something that you can look at and appreciate for years to come.

Here is the link to the post that I found last night.  I hope you take a moment to read the letter that this photographer received from one of her clients.  It will touch your heart.  Here it is:  The Letter

~Kelly

It's Been A While...

Yes, it has been a while since I have posted.  Well, more than a while.  Let's be honest, it has been a long long time.

I've been blessed to have been keeping very busy with weddings, family portraits and teaching photography classes.  I'm so very thankful for each and every opportunity that I have to step behind my camera and take photos.

It is a new year and it's getting off to a very busy start.  A few years ago I could not have imagined being so busy with photography.  It was a dream.  Today it is a reality and oddly enough, I still feel like I'm dreaming.

Thank you to everyone that has supported and encouraged me.  Thank you to everyone that trusts me with your special moments.

Thank you all!  Now let's make 2012 the best year yet!

~Kelly

Dimitri- Senior Portrait Session: Conroe High School

Working with High School Seniors is always a fun experience and working with Dimitri fit the bill.   He is an amazing young man.  Soft spoken and kind, wise beyond his years and easy to be around.  Dimitri met me at the high school football stadium on a beautiful afternoon in Texas.  The sun was shining, but Dimitri's presence could outshine any sun!

We started his pictures on the football field.  A place in which he is very comfortable.  I think I enjoyed it just as much as he did... let's face it, it has been a long time since my feet stepped onto a high school football field!  He is also academically gifted and takes his studies seriously as one day he wants to study law.

After spending some time at the school, Dimitri followed me to downtown Conroe.  As we worked, people kept calling his name and saying hello.  It is obvious that he is a well known and very liked young man.  We discussed the places that he has lived, his plans for his senior year and plans for his future as a college man.  He spoke with hope an anticipation for his future.

After shooting his pictures I found out something absolutely wonderful about Dimitri.  He was officially adopted this past Thursday and now has a wonderful family to call his very own.  In the words of his new Mom, Sandra... "Dimitri is an excellent young man and an important member of our large family.  We are so proud to call him son."

Thank you Dimitri for sharing your afternoon with me!  It was truly wonderful to meet you!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our time together...

i heart faces - Photo Challenge- Let Them Be Little

Let Them Be Little is the theme of the weekly photo challenge at i heart faces.  As soon as I read the theme I knew exactly which photo I would post.

To me this photo embodies the idea.  These four brothers have very distinct and unique personalities and it was evident to me when working with them.  You can see those personalities come to life in this shot.  Each boy is doing his own thing.  Rather than trying to pose them and get each to look at the camera, perfectly smiling at the same time, I simply... Let Them Be Little.

Thanks for stopping by.

Kelly

THE WOODLANDS HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR: TJ

It is that time of year, the kids are back in school and high school seniors everywhere are looking forward to the year ahead and all of the wonderful things about that defining last year of school.  The senior experience is not complete without a senior portrait session.

The first senior I had the pleasure of working with this year was TJ.  He attends The Woodlands High School and will be a 2012 graduate.  TJ's presence struck a chord with me instantly.  He has a quiet gentle spirit and was a joy to be around.  His mother, Grace, joined us while we strolled the streets of Old Town Spring on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

I enjoyed working with TJ and can't wait for his 2nd session in the spring.  What can make a portrait session even better than usual?  TJ is a very talented musician!!  I got to do what I love to the sound of music!  He brought along his guitar and played throughout the session.

Thank you TJ and Grace for giving me the pleasure of working with you!

Here are a few of my favorite photos...

THE WARREN FAMILY: Dunn, NC

I had the wonderful opportunity to head back to my home state of NC a couple of weeks ago.  While I'm home, not only do I have the pleasure of spending time with my family, but also time with my friends.  To make it even better, sometimes I get to photograph my friends and their loved ones.  This trip was no exception.

A very dear friend, and wonderful photographer in her own right, asked if I would take her family portraits.  You see, we tried this earlier in the summer at the beach.  Much to our dismay Mother Nature did not exactly cooperate.  So it was time for a do over.  In the country.  And wouldn't you know it, Mother Nature  decided to tease us once again.  All day long the looming clouds and rain showers kept both of us on edge. However, we are determined professionals and as rain drops fell from the sky I headed over to Gina's house.  And then it happened.... it was one of those Ahhhhhhhh moments.  The rain drops stopped falling and the gorgeous cloud cover gave us the most beautiful softly diffused light.

So, we headed down the road to a cotton field, then to an old house and ended the session by an old barn just behind their house.  Just a few miles from home Gina found these amazing backdrops.

I would also like to say a huge Thank You to Gina for 2nd shooting with me at a beach wedding just a few days later.  Gina, you and your family warm my heart!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our afternoon in the country...