Kelley's Photography Trip to Miami

I flew to Miami with the hopes of ditching my little bout with bronchitis, finding warmer temps and being inspired.  I got the latter of the three and really, I think that was probably the most important and rewarding.  For a four day weekend, I was surrounded by five other women just as passionate about their families and photography as I am.  I packed light with only one little suitcase and my 50mm lens and started shooting the sunrise over Atlanta shortly after take off.

We were on the go non-stop, carrying heavy bags of gear and step ladders with us.

We were all photographers and the subjects, depending upon the time, location and vantage point.  And depending upon the time, location and vantage point, I learned more about how uncomfortable it can be being the primary focus and how to help alleviate that awkwardness.

We photographed sunsets.

And birds.

Architecture and fancy malls adorned with girls in short skirts and furry boots carrying their dogs in purses.

We photographed night and day.  Without any flashes (although I had brought mine along).

Did I say we photographed birds?

There was dancing and laughter.

And art in the Fairchild gardens.  Chihuly's work makes me swoon.  If only because I would love to work on this scale, but my torches limit me to work smaller than a child's fist.

I photographed lunches other than my own.

And was thankful when I returned home and was welcomed by smiling faces belonging to both strangers and my family.

My home is slowly being put back together, floors are getting mopped and my cough is disappearing as Atlanta reaches for the 60s this weekend.  A wedding has been added to my schedule in May 2012.  Life is good.

Evening in Roswell

Kelley took her friend Cas out for a Mexican dinner to belatedly celebrate her birthday.  She picked up some black paper and an exacto knife on the way for a little art project over dinner.  We cut shapes out of the black paper.  Cas cut a star out of her paper.

Kelley cut a heart and then used a rubber band to attach the paper over her camera lens.  The cut out heart shape turned lights into hearts.

After we finished eating, we went outside to walk around the town square and take more photos with our newly made lens covers.

And without them...this is the backside of a canoe shop.

Here is one of Cas's shots.

The Help Portrait Project

Kelley's local photographic society volunteers their time, experience and equipment to participate in the Help Portrait Project each year to photograph foster families before Christmas.  Owen went with Kelley to help and he handed out candy canes to all the kids after they were photographed.  Kelley helped with posing kids and editing, but did get a chance to photograph Owen hamming it up on a background under the lights.

Photographing a Wedding

Kelley was asked to photograph Aunt Kiki's soon-to-be step-daughter's wedding.  Here are a few photos from the day.  It was such a great experience and Kelley is looking forward to photographing more weddings in the future!

The weather cooperated after a short cold spell with much rain and gave us sunny skies and warm temps.  I was honored to be asked to capture Bethany's wedding day as she got ready before exchanging vows with the love of her life.  So much time and attention was put into the little details that came together to make this day extra special. 

Here is Mr. Thomas walking his daughter Bethany down to give her away to her fiance.

Kelley's Photography Got Published!

Remember this photoshoot I did earlier this summer just outside of Minneapolis?  Two of the photographs I took are now published in the Parade of Homes magazine in the Fall Showcase 2011 issue!  Page 38 is the full page photo.  Wow!

Pear Tree Photography even got the photo credit on this smaller image on page 18!

I had so much fun photographing these two guys back in June.  So fabulous to see my images in print and remember what a great time I had with them.  I am really looking forward to seeing them again next summer and their house which is completely finished.  It is an absolute dream home and I couldn't be happier for them!

An Afternoon at Two Parks

We're not even through September and the leaves are already changing.  I'm not ready for autumn yet.

The girl child wanted to play on the playground while Todd and Owen played catch on the nearby baseball fields.

This girl just loves to swing.

She is also a monkey and loves any kind of jungle gym there is.  Do you see her hiding from me here?

She climbed to the top and sat for awhile.  There was a little bit of pouting and grumping going on.

Todd got a good shoulder workout throwing the ball to Owen to both catch and hit.

We went home and cleaned up in new clothes (at least for the kids) to drive down to Sope Creek Farm to meet Tyler of Blue Lily for our first family portraits in years.

It was over a 20 minute hike through the woods from parking lot to the old mill ruins.

When we got to the spot, silliness was coming forth in massive quantities.

This boy loves rocks.  Not only does he search them out, save them, store them at home, he also needs to be photographed with his finds. Needs.

I should have known at this point this would be the mood for our family session.

More silliness and faces.

And very few natural smiles or cooperation.

Very few.  But I'm glad I caught these two.

She was full of energy and bouncing off the stone walls while we waited for Tyler to finish up the session before us.

We also had extreme seriousness, switched up with pouting, tears and possible toothaches.

I love these blue eyes.

We finished up after 7p and stopped at Ted's Montana Grill for dinner on our way home.  The kids menus have wax sticks instead of crayons.  Chloe reminded me of an Indian Princess with her long earrings.

If you want to see the family shots that Tyler got, you can click here.  I will tell you this one is my favorite.