Yep, he did it.  Drew has stolen my heart!  I arrived at his session and got out of the car and saw another one of the most beautiful boys I’ve seen!  I was so excited about our session together. 

But Drew wasn’t as sure as I was…  ha ha!  In fact, he wasn’t so sure about me at all. 

But for those of you who have read my blog and looked at my work, you know that I love, LOVE these solemn expressions.   It really isn’t all about  the cheesy fake smiles just for the sake of capturing a smile.  What it’s all about is expression… emotion… real.   And Drew is a real life doll!  I think that’s why these more serious shots are some of my favorites. 

His parents and I thought Drew might be comfortable with my daughter, who is 8.  I picked her up and we continued with our session.  I did get smiles from Drew but I think it helped to have another child there.  You should have seen the smile that Drew flashed Savannah when she first arrived.  Oh my goodness… it was the sweetest! 

And I learned a new trick… little boys think it’s funny when Ms. Kim "falls down"!  I was sitting on the grass and falling over… Drew really got a kick outta that!  But I won’t be able to preform this little trick in a few months.  Well, I’ll be able to fall over but I might not get back up so easily.    This last shot was from our falling down fun… 

And when we left, I’m not so sure that Drew hated to see me go, but he had gotten a little attached to Savannah.  She was carrying him around and I think he might have stayed with her if given the choice. 

Memories… not only do I preserve them for the parents, but I get to make them for ME!  I love this job.   

…capturing your "life as Art". 

It truly is the best medicine. 

I read somewhere that a baby’s laughter was one of the sweetest sounds.  And it is.  Who could resist this face?  Who could not smile when a baby smiles? 

I had so much fun with Mattelyn… she is such a happy baby!  She has the biggest smile… and is all gums.  I LOVE it!  This is really what life is all about.

Call today for your appointment and make it about your…  life as Art.

Kim Kelley Photography & Design

I’m not sure what more I could have asked for.  I drove up to a beautiful cabin in the woods, but not only that… I had 3 beautiful children to work with.  Work, I say?!?!   I’d call it more fun than work!   We did have a beautiful setting, but when I work I try to capture the children… their serious expressions, their smiles, their personalities.  I had lots of fun with these 3!

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So, as you can see… it’s really not about the surroundings.  It’s all about the beautiful children that I get to work with each week!  I love every last minute of it!      

Weddings are such happy occasions!  I had a lot of fun capturing this one.  I’ve also added more of Tabitha & Carroll’s wedding to my wedding gallery.

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I say it every time I take another photograph.  Newborns are awesome… 2 year olds are awesome… weddings are awesome…  families are awesome.   

I realize tonight as I’m driving back from a session in Grenada that photography is just awesome!  It’s not the newborn or the 3 year old or the huge family…  it’s the interaction, the communication between siblings or families and with me.  It’s all special.  It’s why I love what I do.   I love children!  I love the adults who come with them!  ; )  Everyone is different.  And I walk away from every single session with a memory… a memory much like the one I’m trying to capture for my clients.  Something real.  Something special…  a look or an expression.  They are all special moments…  Moments of your life.

life as Art.

I know that I’ve probably said this before, but I’m constantly amazed at how I love every single phase of a child’s life!  I might think that the babies are precious and no other age could be better, but then I have a session with an 8 year old!  And I had SUCH a great time!  I love to capture a child’s expressiveness!  This image of Ben really says "boy" to me!  I think it’s one of my favorites!  I didn’t tell him what to do… he just did it.  And together, we captured this memory.  Natural.  Real.  life as Art. 

You can see more of Ben’s family session by clicking here!

I’m not used to this.  I came home from school after dropping Savannah and Alex off and there is no noise in the house… no television tuned to Boomerang or Sprout, no sounds of tractors in the hallway, no little voices asking for something to eat.  It’s quiet.  I’m working on orders this morning and it’s quiet. 

Alex went to kindergarten this year.  Savannah is fine… she’s in the 3rd grade, she loves her teacher and she’s ready to go… She wouldn’t even pause for a picture!  Alex, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure about school.  He’s been at home with me…  taking pictures and placing orders since he was 2!  He stood outside his classroom door with arms folded and said, "I’m not going in there."  And he meant it. 

Of course, after some coaxing, we got him to his table.  And from there, I got a less than enthusiastic response for my request for a picture! 

But today was a new day (the 2nd day) and while he still wanted me to walk with him, he did go right on in!  And he never said a word when I turned to leave!  I think it was probably harder for me to leave than it was for him to stay.

This is going to take some getting used to.  The quiet.  But as most of you may already know, once February gets here, the house will be quiet no longer.  Savannah and Alex will have a baby brother or sister and quiet will be a thing of the past. 

But that’s ok…  we can’t wait! 

I don’t often post about my own children.  But I realize more and more that my babies aren’t really babies anymore.  Savannah is 8 and will start 3rd grade tomorrow and Alex is 5 and he starts kindergarten! I can hardly believe it.  They are growing like crazy.  I just know I’ll turn around one day soon and they’ll be graduating.  I’m glad to be able to capture moments like these…

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We had just gotten back from school clothes shopping in Jackson.  Savannah wanted to go to Libby Lu and Alex wanted a watch…  hence that last shot (a boy and his watch).  lol…

Thanks for letting me share my babies with you!   Your feedback is welcomed!   

Wow.  I’ve been busy.  Busy is good.  ha ha…  I shot a wedding yesterday at Mathiston First Baptist Church and had a great time.  The people were  SO nice and welcoming! It’s hard to believe when I started out, I said I’d never do weddings.  I love them!  I’ll share more previews a little later in the week. 

I’m working on some new and fun things for the fall…  a contest of sorts as well as other exciting events.  As time draws nearer, I’ll be sharing here so check back!

And as always, your feedback is welcomed!  You can post feedback here or e-mail me at kimellis@kimellisdesigns.com

I had forgotten how much 3 month olds are like real-life baby dolls!  And Reid was no exception!   Here is a little preview from his session…