motherhood. It's a unique and individualized experience that is beautiful and exhausting.
When my friend and fellow photographer Mindy asked me to come to her beautiful home to capture the fleeting experience of breastfeeding, I jumped at the opportunity. Mindy is a dear, dear friend that I admire very much. She's an artist and an intellect. She's a friend and a colleague. She loves her family fiercely! Her daughter Clementine LOVES her mama! I've never seen bluer eyes on a child!
This was a wonderful experience that I feel more people should take the time to memorialize. Documenting what's most important in your life to you, at this very moment is never a waste of time!
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Claire is a senior at Catholic Memorial High School. She has been taking voice lessons for several years and her passions include country music and singing. Claire enjoys travel and one of her favorite places to visit is Carlsbad, California with its beautiful beaches and incredible views of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean! Her favorite restaurant in Milwaukee is the Mitchell's Fish Market. Claire is looking forward to attending college next fall where she plans to study environmental science.
Claire's senior session included stops at Retzer Nature Center, Nashotah House, and Paradise Springs Nature Trail.
Attending the Spark Workshop was an opportunity to learn, grow, and make new connections. I'm forever grateful for the chance to expand my knowledge and experience as a photographer. Here are just a few images from my time there.
As I reflect on 2018, my goals for 2019 are clear and motivate me. I'm not one to make resolutions per se, but I am one who strives to move forward and improve. I'm also one that doesn't live in the past, but I can never forget the past because it's what has shaped me into who I am at this very moment. I'm excited about the plans I have in 2019, and I invite you to start making some of your own plans.
Photos are an incredibly important part of our lives. They are captured, fleeting moments that live on forever.
Why should I hire a professional photographer? I have the latest smartphone that has the best camera. It's not necessary.
It's true, there are some great phone cameras out there. I take a ton of photos on my own cell phone. Have you ever printed an image from your cell phone? I have, and the quality of the print is never as clear as the prints from my professional equipment. It's also about the experience you get when you hire a professional photographer. Mom's and Dad's....how many cell phone photos are you in? Selfies? Those images are even less quality when you flip that phone camera. Filters? They are fun, but do you want your great grandkids seeing you with dog ears and a dog tongue sticking out in all your photos?
Hiring a professional photographer is an investment. Hopefully, it's an investment that you see the value in. Working with me, you will learn that I'm laid back, kind, accommodating, and fair. I can customize packages to fit your families budget. I take a lot of pride and pay close attention to post-production and editing which also makes professional photography stand out against cell phone photos. When you refer me to your friends and family and they book because of your referral, I thank you with free prints! I have access to some of the best hair and makeup stylists that will help make your session even more personal. If you are looking for an urban, country, vintage, boho, in-studio, or styled look to your photo shoot; I'm willing to travel, find space or accommodate to fit your needs!
If you have a High School Junior or Senior, you are thinking ahead to Senior photos, I'd love the opportunity to work with your family. It's never too early to plan ahead for your sessions. I also love working with families and do personal branding and head-shots for Entrepreneurs. I look forward to meeting you, and would love to answer any questions you might have about hiring a professional photographer! Please email me at [email protected].
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Cyber Monday Special! One Day Only!
2019 Family and Senior Photography Session Packages 33% Off!
Struggling to find the perfect gift for a spouse, parent, grandparent or significant other?
Give your loved ones a gift they will cherish forever: The gift of professional photography!
A Family or Children’s Portrait Session is the perfect Mother’s/Father’s Day gift for a spouse, as well as a wonderful birthday gift idea for your spouse, parents and grandparents.
For families with a high school student currently in their Junior year, a Senior Portrait Session is a memory that you and your Senior will treasure always.
On Cyber Monday only, Direction Photography by Kelly clients can purchase 2019 photography packages for 33% off! Act quickly to purchase your 2019 Family, Children’s or Senior Portrait Session Packages for $300, a 33% discount from standard pricing of $450.
Here is what you will receive by purchasing the Cyber Monday Special:
- A pre-session consultation
- A 60-75 minute photography session
- 30-40 fully-edited digital images in a password protected gallery
- Digital images can be downloaded to your device or delivered to you on a USB drive
- One 8” x 10” print of an image of your choosing
- $100 credit toward the purchase of additional prints or products
- Digital images can be shared with family and posted on social media
- Print release
Act quickly! My Cyber Monday special is one day only and ends at Midnight on November 27th
If you would like to purchase the Cyber Monday Special or if you have any questions, please contact me through Facebook Messenger or via my website:
https://www.directionphotography.net/contact.html
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Working with other's in this creative industry has been a beautiful blessing. I always get very nervous to reach out to other photographers or creatives, but I'm quickly learning that more often than not, people want to help, and see other's success. It has helped me grow as a person, and make meaningful relationships that I will carry with me through my career and life.
Here is a little project that Jude asked me to help her with. It was a perfect evening on a rooftop parking garage in downtown Rockford, Illinois. This golden hour photoshoot showcases Jude's amazing talent of being a make-up artist.
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1. Always carry bug spray.
2. Always carry dog treats!
Vanessa, Leo, popcorn, and coffee are preparing to welcome a new baby into their family very soon. This sweet family and I met at Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Rockford, Il for their maternity session. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to continue photographing their growing family with a newborn session, and then an additional session after that. Did you know that I offer packages?
Here are a few of my favorites from their session! I think you'll agree that this baby is going to be beautiful after you see her mom and dad! Coffee and Popcorn are pretty photogenic, too!
Finley Faith, you are beautiful, kind, compassionate, athletic, so so funny, independent, a good friend, a sweet sister, an amazing daughter, a graceful dancer, and an ambitious human being. Your laugh and nose scrunch is my energy! You have a bright future, and I couldn't have asked for anything more when God gave you to us.
Here's to being 9 and just who you are intended to be! You are so loved!
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You'll usually find me becoming one with nature if your photo shoot is outdoors! I may even ask you to get in unique places!
She was already laughing because I told him to tell her who he thought had stinkier feet; mom or dad!
Getting on his level helped him gain trust in me. Plus, one with nature!
This little lady needed no help from me being in front of the camera! She's as sweet as she looks!
She was in heels and a long dress, but that didn't stop me from asking her to climb up and between these large concrete pillars. Complementing her task and joking about this endeavor created great laughter and movement.
I promise I don't kiss all the people I work with! This beauty is a close friend and someone that has worked so hard for her college education. Relationships with the people I work with is very important to me. Getting to know the people I work with help me create wonderful portraits.
My sweet sister came and helped me second shoot during a session on the University of Illinois Campus. She's the best, and how lovely is she?
Working with people is a great privilege. Documenting the important directions in your life is a great gift you can give yourself, as well as future generations. I'd love the opportunity to get to know you, as well as work with you! You can see the "behind the scenes" in person, and maybe even have a little dirty talk! wink. wink.
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Congratulations on your graduation from college, ladies! Cheers to an exciting new direction in your lives! I'm so proud of all of you!
Here's to Honest, too! Honest is Cait's most loved and cherished service dog that is always by her side! I loved that they all brought their pets to the photo shoot. It was a fun day!
Now is the time to start booking for your 2019 graduates! For the month of May, if you book your senior session with me, you will receive 20.19% off your session! Call, email, text, or message me with your inquiries! I'd love to work with your college or high school graduates!
]]>Hosting my first ever Spring mini-sessions was a new experience in my business. I was nervous, yet excited to try something new. From finding a booking site, and encountering errors along the way, to finding a great location, and learning "studio" setups; I accomplished it! Not to mention the fear of the possibility of NO ONE signing up! Nonetheless, I had 4 lovely families come out to Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden to spend a Saturday afternoon with me. The weather wasn't ideal, but my families embraced the day. Thank you to Klehm, my amazing friend Jon who helped me during the sessions, and my lovely families that supported my new endeavor! Here are a few of my favorites from the day. Enjoy!
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Learning from Christina Ramirez helped me discover new ways to engage with seniors, and how to bring out their personalities to document this exciting and important time in their lives. Here are a few more photos I captured during my time at The Reset Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana! Happy Friday, friends!
Here are just a few of the photos I took during the HS Senior shootout. When I say "a few," I mean these don't even scratch the surface. I'll be blogging more photos of this beautiful young lady, as well as the second model we worked with. Enjoy, and Happy Friday!
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Your spring mini-session includes:
20-minute time slot
Choice of indoor or outdoor or both
10 digital images in a password protected online gallery with print release for 10 images
10-5x7 prints of digital images
Admission and access to the grounds at Khlem until 4 pm
Khlem Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 155-acre "living museum" filled with many gardens and rare trees. There is a 1.8-mile handicapped-accessible paved path that allows a great view through the arboretum. There are chipped and other unpaved trails to adventure. To see what will be blooming in April, follow THIS link.
There are limited spots available for this great opportunity. I'd love to spend an afternoon with you and your family at Khlem. To select and reserve your time slot, please follow this link and book today!
]]>I’d like to take a moment and tell you my story. Why I’m choosing today to launch, and how the different directions my life has taken has brought me to this very moment.
Eleven years ago today, our life was forever changed when Livia Grace entered this world. Little did we know that her life would shape ours in the way it did. Eleven years ago today, my plans were on track. I had married my best friend, Jake, and the start to our dreams of a big family was underway. In 2009, we welcomed our second daughter, Finley Faith into our family. However, shortly after her birth, we received the news that Livia had a terminal, genetic condition called Sanfilippo Syndrome. This diagnosis changed the direction of our lives. The uncertainty and fear we were facing were overwhelming.
We were in love, and that love shattered the overwhelming fear. As a result of Liv’s diagnosis, I resolved to embrace each and every change in direction we would face. Livia taught me that. For the past ten and a half years, my life has been intertwined with hers. Taking care of my family will always be my priority, but caring for Livia was different. She depended fully on Jake and me for everything. Caring for Livia was liberating and beautiful. A LIVing lesson gifted to me and my family.
I’ve always had a strong desire to create, so when my girls were little I wanted a nicer camera than what I had at the time. I wanted to capture as many memories as I could, so Jake gifted me a Canon Rebel T2i for Christmas. I remember telling Jake that I wanted a camera I could change the lenses on. After I received my camera I embraced photography, fell in love with it, and educated myself on becoming the best photographer I could be. I taught myself as much about photography and my new camera as I could. I learned very quickly what all the different dials and buttons did. Jake supported me by gifting me several new lenses over the next few years. I took many photos of the girls and our family and posted most of them on Instagram.
Looking back at those photos, I can see how my eye as a photographer has changed. After Livia’s diagnosis, my photography became much more emotional. How I was feeling at the time is reflected in my photos. My happiness, my joy, my immense love for my girls, my sadness, my broken heart, was there in my photography for all to see. Looking back, a new direction was starting to emerge for me even though I didn’t realize it until much later. Livia and Finley were showing me how to write this story of mine, even though I didn’t fully comprehend it at the time.
When I reflect on my life since 2004, I can see that each change in direction was distinctly different. Some changes were planned however many were not. Regardless, each change in direction took me to a place of love, beauty, and growth. I’m proud of what I’ve been through, and what I’ve learned. It’s shaped me and made me the person I am today.
Livia passed away on September 23, 2017. Today would have been her 11th birthday. I ache for my arms to be filled with her body again. To feel the weight of her on me. To breathe in the smell of her hair. To feel the thickness of her hair run through my fingers. To be singing to her. To celebrate. Today another change in the direction of my story is unfolding, the first change in many years. All the changes in my life’s direction have brought me to this very moment, and it’s the reason I’m extremely proud to launch my new business: Direction Photography by Kelly.
My hope is that with this business I inspire people to embrace whatever direction their life is in right now. I want to help others to write their own story by capturing the special moments of their lives. Whether it’s a brand-new baby, an engagement, a marriage, a loved one in a nursing home, a funeral, a hospital or hospice stay, I hope that because of my unique experiences and story, you will trust my eye and passion to capture the moments of your life that are most important to you.
Launching my business on my daughter’s birthday is a gift that I’m giving to myself because of all the gifts she gave to me. I know she’s always with me and will continue to be the inspiration for making this life of mine one of love, beauty, purpose and hard work. I’m happy and excited about this new direction I’m taking for myself and my beautiful family.
Kelly
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