A NEW PATH IN MY JOURNEY WITH PHOTOGRAPHY

For a while now I've been feeling like something was missing with my business.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE what I do with great passion.  Photography is good for my soul.  It is my creative outlet.  But, I've been longing for a little something more within the structure of my business.  It's like I reached this fork in the road and one path would keep me going in the same safe direction and one would take me somewhere unknown, maybe uncomfortable and scary.  Well, I'm all for an adventure so guess which path I chose to take.

A strong desire to share my passion for photography with others has been tugging at me.  I've networked with some professionals, followed blogs and taken classes.  I love talking with other professionals, discussing equipment, techniques, the business, etc.  Still I felt like I was looking for something more.  Just before Christmas I toyed with the idea of teaching a photography class.  Somehow, I immediately dismissed the idea.  But over the months it kept popping into my mind.  A lingering thought that would never disappear completely.  Then a few days ago I decided to let my guard down and just go for it.  I decided the best way was to just put the idea out there and see if I got a response.  What did I have to lose?  No response = no class.  Response = Oh, snap, I better get ready.  Well, within a couple of hours I was getting response from people who were interested in learning. So, tomorrow is my 1st class and I'm so excited.  Yes, I'm nervous too.

For those of you coming to the class - here is a disclaimer right up front.  I don't know everything about photography.  I don't pretend to know everything about photography.  I don't think that my way is the right way or the only way,  but it is what has worked for me.  I'm so excited to see you all tomorrow.  And I promise, we will have fun and learn a lot along the way.

~Kelly

And because blogs are better with pictures... This picture was taken while on vacation at Ocean Isle Beach.  It was so hazy and foggy outside and I though this tree looked cool.

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC: FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION: LIFELONG FRIENDS - #3

Here it is.  The 3rd and final installment of LIFELONG FRIENDS.  The last portrait session that I did while in NC was for my friend Angela and her beautiful family.

I have known Angie since we were 5 years old.  We met in Kindergarten.  I suppose some of my first memories of her were from that first year of school.  It is amazing what little details we can remember from so long ago.  More memories come to mind when we were a little older and involved in sports.  We played softball together.  We started out around 3rd grade and played up until high school.  Of course sports was not all that we had in common.  We bonded... over hair.  Yes, I said hair.  You see, we both struggled with our very curly frizzy hair (and still do).  There were also countless sleep overs, at her house and mine.  My family considered her to be another daughter.  My Grandma fed her pancakes one morning until she was sick.  Angie continued to eat because she was to sweet to say 'no' to my Grandma.  Our friendship took us through elementary, middle and high school.  We parted ways and headed off to separate colleges.  However, we have always kept in touch and maintained our friendship over the years.  Now as adults, wives and mothers, I'm still honored to call her my friend.  I'm so lucky to have had her in my life for such a long time.

Angie, her husband Brian,  their 2 kids and Angie's beautiful sister Audrey joined me for my last evening at Ocean Isle Beach.  Much to my delight the weather was beautiful aside from some wind.  We walked out on the sand and started the session.  Of course Addison and Chase were more than happy to run around enjoying the sand and surf which made for some great candid shots.  This family is a joy to be around.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Here are a few of may favorites from our beach session...

Addison you are a little Princess!

Chase you are a joy!

Audrey and Addison

Audrey and Chase