I had 3 Senior boys last week… lots of fun sessions!  Chad had a little encouragement from his nephews who can make anyone laugh.  Kids just have that ability… it’s a mix of the silly innocence, I think.   

I’ve tried to narrow down my favorites from Chad’s session…

Thanks, Chad, for allowing me to take part in your Senior year!  Your family created great memories for me that day… I hope I’ve done the same for you!

~kim

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.   I’ve had some parents comment that they didn’t think we got any usable shots and they’ve been pleasantly surprised when their proofs are delivered. 

That’s my job… I see the shot before I ever set it up, especially with my older subjects.  Now, often times with small children, I’m trying to capture that look or that emotion… whatever is real for that child.  And if you’re a parent, you know that you can’t often direct children.  They direct you.  And that’s ok… I love it! 

I was thinking about the behind the scenes stuff today.  When I see a shot in my mind, it’s the finished edited version.  You may not see it, but it’s always there…. just waiting to come out.  My job is just beginning when your session is over.  I get back to my computer and get to work.  I realized just recently that I’d spent the better portion of a day proofing ONE session.   I opened each image and carefully edited stray hairs, a blemish here and there and created a final image that I was proud of.  THAT is my job.  And I love every minute of it! 

In essence, my goal is to please my clients.  I want to go the extra mile to give you an image that pleases you!   This (behind the scenes) work that I do is all a part of your session.  This image to the left is one example.  As soon as I opened it, I envisioned it in black & white.  It was almost as if the color didn’t even exist… just another part of the editing process.  But your session is not only about my vision.  It is as much about yours.  I’m happy to convert any image to black & white or my newest mocha conversion.

…because life IS Art.       

So, when they’re 14 and 15 they won’t appreciate that Ms. Kim called them "little bulldogs"… but how sweet are they (at 4 &5)!!  I had fun with Grant and John Thomas last week!  They both had the most beautiful blue eyes!  We had lots and lots of laughs!   :)  Thank you, Leslie!

As always, I had a hard time deciding on which of my favorite images to post.  But I finally narrowed it down to these two of each of them…  Who could resist that sweet grin?!  And John Thomas’ expression paired with his little hands and his shirt (Same Dirt, Different Day)… love it all!

And finally, one of my favorites (because we all know sometimes my faves aren’t the smiley ones…   

Ok, remember those hilariously funny senior boys I mentioned a few posts ago?  Well, here they are!  Tyler, Kyle, their moms and I had so much fun during their session!  These guys definitely kept us laughing… I had a great time photographing them!

I can’t wait for you to see all the proofs, but here is a little preview.  I hope you enjoy!

I have lots of pictures to share!  And as usual,  it was SO hard to pick some of my favorites!  I had mini-sessions in Louisville and met so many nice families…  When I first started my business, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to offer these sessions.  I really enjoy spending more time with families, but you’ll probably see a few specialty mini-sessions from me in 2008!  It was a ton of fun!!  Thank you all so much for sharing your families with me!!

{click images to view larger}

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And Quintina… thank you for opening your home to me!  Shane and I had lots of fun!!

~kim   :)

Just one to share of Tabb and his baby sister…  I love these sibling images.  I still look back on the early photos of Savannah holding Alex.  The love of siblings is amazing!

And it makes me think about my own younger brothers and how even if they are over 6 feet tall, they’ll always be my baby brothers. 

This is my job… making those memories for you.  I love it!!

…because life IS Art.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!  As I’m in the midst of the holiday rush, I’d like to take this time to say "Thank you".  I thank God for being with me on each and every session and I thank you, my clients, for choosing me… 

~kim 
Kim Kelley Photography & Design
…because life IS Art.

I know that you know that feeling.  Your face just hurts from smiling so much!  I left this session with sore cheeks… it was the most I’d laughed in a long time!  We had so, SO much fun!! 

It was great… your session should also be about having FUN!  I want your children to look forward to coming to see "Ms Kim" or have them look forward to me coming to see them!  It’s about capturing your child just being him (or her)… silliness and all!

My personal favorite…  (or I should say… one of them!)

I hope you enjoy the preview, Arey!  Thanks so much!!!  I had a WONDERFUL time!

I suppose that would be Brothers – part II.  I’ve had SO many sessions with boys lately and let me tell you… they’re always loads of fun!  Dylan seems so much older to me.  And I saw a little of myself in Kyle.  It was almost as if it was hard for him to look at me (he was just a little bit shy)…  But I did get some eye contact and some images that I love!  I hope you love them too, Megan!

Sharing some of my favorites…

They were SO sweet.  It reminded me of how Savannah was when Alex came home.  You could tell that Harper loved her baby sister!  And Anna Katherine already knew that Harper was "hers".  I would swear that this was a smile.  And she did it several times when Harper would get close… just TOO precious!   

I’m telling you… all these baby girls are making me anxious!  I love it!!  And Harper… oh my goodness.  She was SO full of questions.  It was great "chatting" with her!!  I’m going to share a few of my favorites, but there are so many more, Laura! I can’t wait for you to see your proofs… I hope you love them!

And finally, one of my favorite storyboards in a while…
Her personality shines!  I can’t wait to see you two again!