Hello, hello!! {Southern Maine Photographer}

I made it through the holiday! Happy times, great gifts and smiling faces all around the Roy house!! The 26th, it seemed my body just knew the rush was over, I wanted to sleep the entire day! I didn't though...we enjoyed some relaxing, a quick trip to spend some Christmas cash and then lunch with my mom to help her gobble up those leftovers. It has truly been a relaxing last few days for me and though there are times I feel a bit lost because there are no deadline pressures on me at this time, I am getting my home organized and that feels so great! Goodwill has benefitted from my purging and since the kids are content to stay home and play with their new stuff, I'm keeping Jean busy with projects that have been put off for far too long! Its all good!

The boys got to skate on the ice rink Christmas morning....the first time all season. Jean was so pleased to be able to tell them it was a go, a gift to himself to see them skate on his manmade masterpiece. Its really too bad the 50 degree rainy weather we had yesterday created more problems for it than he'd anticipated.

Tonight we are going to enjoy some time with dear friends and we're all excited to get together! I have oodles of photos to share as I've only taken a few days off and have so much back-tracking to do on the blog!

Stay tuned.......
~kel~

As real as it gets {Southern Maine Photographer}

Good Morning Maine!!! This is how it looked a few days ago on a warmer morning after the snow. It was foggy and the sun was trying so hard to burn it off....it was pretty and actually warranted me turning back for my camera to grab these shots. They are taken just at the end of my driveway.

Since I always post the smiley, happy side of Marleigh on my blog, this time I had to post the opposite today. I would never have taken these photos if she was in pain from injury. Follow the story in the photo and look at her hand......

You see, my little girl is trying very hard to grow up. She wakes every morning and primps in the mirror, brushing her own hair and dressing herself in a style all her own. While working yesterday morning, I heard Marleigh in the bathroom getting frustrated with something. I didn't get up to see the problem, only asked if I could help. At first there was hesitation and then she walked through my door. She'd been crying quietly but when I spoke to her, she sobbed stating "yes, I need help".

I'm not one bit sorry that I grabbed my camera......as a mom, these photos are wall-worthy and capture her sweetness through tears and I can live with that knowing she's not in pain in them, only frustrated with her attempts.

It was intertwined pretty good but I patiently picked the pieces out and offered her the brush to put in the trash! We never use that brush in this house......and this is why......

I'm so glad its Saturday.......

Enjoy!
~kel~

So this is how it goes....{Southern Maine Photographer}

The decorating of our tree.........

Marleigh showed me EVERY ornament before she hung it.......she and Kenna really love to find the ones that are special to me.... (our first Christmas together)

I seriously had to look at...e..v...e...r...y....ORNAMENT.....before she found the perfect spot (usually all on one limb)!

Remember when you were ten....getting your ornament hung the highest on the tree was the goal!

And here's the traditional "line up in front of the tree" snap!! Mis-matched clothes, Cameron sporting his patch and Marleigh in her "face" phase......this is my life every day!!

As for Jack......I'm not sure he likes his new haircut. Jean says he looks like a sissy now and I truly think he understands our human words. The kids try to pump the poor pooch back up telling him how cute he is....soon enough he'll be a mop again and hiding those big brown eyes.

Here is a snap of the kids the next night. I wanted a shot for my Christmas cards but this one just didn't make the cut (actual card to be announced at a later date). This one made for a good profile photo for my facebook!

See what I mean about the "face" phase. I wish she was edible, I'd take a nibble every night!

Well, my day has come to an end. I feel the pull to the comfort of my cozy flannel sheets. Its the first night in a long time I feel "caught up" and I think I'll actually sleep through until morning!

Enjoy!

~kel~

Our Tree Adventures {Southern Maine Photographer}

Photo overload but this is for the mom in me who wants to document our adventures in choosing the perfect tree. My aunt and uncle own a tree farm and since the kids are older now and the memories are more likely to stick, we venture out to choose the perfect tree. When they were really little, we had a tree in a box that was a nightmare to put together. The itchy fake branches irritated my arms as I put it together and rearranged each limb so it wasn't as obvious it was fake. Now that the boys can help with the cutting and carrying, the experience is fun and happy for us all.

This year we went the day after the first snowfall. The trees were covered and it was beautiful....
This shot of my family venturing out is one I will treasure....its life in Maine.

This boy is the one who gets into the season for all the right reasons! He LOVES gift giving and helping as much as he can.

Branden gets the job of making the cut....second year in a row.

Marleigh's excitement keeps everyone up......

Cameron tagged it so we are sure to take home "Our" tree.....perfect in every way, its full and shapely.... My guys carry it out....

Then is time for some hot cocoa and a tractor ride.......
....there she is.......
before we left, I looked back over the landscape and took this shot for memory sake......the perfect day to choose our tree.......
it waits for us at the bottom of this hill.....all netted and ready to go........
It was a good day. Waiting for the snow to melt off the limbs was a long one for the kids. We decorated the next evening. That story........tomorrow!!!

Today the kids are home from school...there's a storm outside and the excitement to stay in our jammies, eat fun foods, watch some Christmas stories and play in new snow is at its peak right now. I hope it stays "happy" here all day!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Monday's race....{Southern Maine Photographer}

The craziness of a new week begins. Jacky boy goes to the beauty parlor today to get himself all spiffed up for the holidays. Usually I take on the joyful task of grooming him myself but I'd like to see how a pro would make him look so I'm treating myself this time around. Ms. Marleigh has school this morning and is already packed to go (still an hour away) and I'm going to take advantage of the alone time and see what Walmart has for my kiddos for Christmas gifts. I'd like to say I've got it all figured out but this year my boys are so hard to buy for! I see Cameron is worried that his taste is too expensive so he tries hard to keep his list filled with not-so-pricey items. We let him in on the secret of Santa so now he has a more emotional connection to the "big guy" and thus the financial concerns for his choices!


This weekend I had a session with Sweet Avery. Look at her proud new parents......

I love how cozy she is in this one.......

I have more time scheduled with her this week as I didn't get as many of her alone as I wanted so they are coming back to see me again!

I'm off to deliver the little ones (Marleigh and Jack) now. Wish me luck with shopping!!!

Enjoy!

~kel~

Keep your hat on! {Southern Maine Photographer}

First things first, I gotta mention this to my local readers.... go to Norton Lights (in Southern Maine) website for all the info. The Norton's are clients of mine who are not only creative, they are generous and giving. I am honored to give them a shout out about their efforts and their partnership with the Make A Wish Foundation!

Every year Stan outdoes the year before with his amazing decorations that dance to music. They ask passerbys to tune their radios to the music and enjoy the dance from the comfort of their vehicles. Stan is out there, representing the spirit of the holiday dressed as Santa and handing out small treats to the kiddos. If you go, tell them I sent you!!!

Thanks Stan and Melissa for your service to the less fortunate this holiday season...its an honor to be your friend!

*I bought some new hats/props for the sweet babies that come my way. I took photos to send my supplier, Amy, knitter of these lovely pieces.

Sweet Maggie came to see me yesterday for her four month photos and was very willing to model them for me! This was my favorite! Not sure why they look so strange when I upload them to blogger....I may have to break up with blogger if it keeps making my work look so strange.
Isn't she totally edible!?!
I'll see you in a few months, Maggie, when you come to show me how much you can grow in such a short time!



Here's my hockey player....always ready to go and usually eating on the run. It was crazy during the football season when we were merging into hockey, seemed we were always eating out. I'm not fond of dinner time planning but I was really missing the time with my family to discuss the day. It seems Cam was too - he comments often how much he likes dinner time when we all sit together talking and laughing. He's my sentimental guy.
I'm off to get the kidlets on the bus.....then Marleigh and I are off to do Gram's hair.

Enjoy!
~kel~

Tip-toe, tip-toe.....{Southern Maine Photographer}

I'm tip-toeing along because I don't want my workload to see that I'm taking a break to update the blog. I typed that sentence, then left to bring Marleigh to school...on the way, my car decided it didn't want to run anymore so it hopped a bit and then it stopped completely, right there at the stop sign. I put it in park and started her up again...but I made a quick call to Jean and he advised me to call AAA. I'm not sour about it one bit, yet. (the car is still at the shop) I am thankful that I have a hubs who comes running to my rescue!

Since my last post.......I enjoyed an awesome Thanksgiving holiday with Jean's family the Sunday before the actual holiday and then with my family on the day! Its always relaxing and great catching up with my sibs. I tell Jean all the time how lucky we are that our families all get along so well and there are no ill feelings.

I saw New Moon the first weekend it was out.....loved it! But I'm the type who enjoys most movies for purely entertainment purposes. I think its more about the company and state of mind as I'm usually very relaxed when I get the time to sit that long and it's not in front of my pc.

Today I sent my girl off to school in a sweet little dress she picked out herself! She's off to see the Nutcracker with her class and last week came home excited and screeching how she needed a fancy new dress. I curled her hair for the occasion...she's over the moon about it all! I see that smile and it makes my mommy heart think "I did okay" (which isn't always easy to do with a girl of her elevated maintenance level...KWIM?) LOVE HER!

I must admit....I took the photos this morning and then when I went to edit them for the blog, I saw how grown up she looks and it made me tear up a bit. I can't think about it too much....I want them to stay little forever.

I've been creating Christmas cards for my peeps! I've had some last minute family sessions and I have to admit that the weather has been amazing for the end of November! I'll post a few so you can see what I mean. We may not have super green grass or even leaves left on the trees but its still a beautiful place this State of Maine!

Look at this adorable family........
and their beautiful dog, Brady.....who I had to make center stage for this photo....

Lorri, thank you for sending Lisa and her guys to me!! Lisa, thank you for making the call....I truly enjoyed my time with you guys!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Kelly Roy {Southern Maine Photographer}

Here are a few snapshots as I was leaving the studio last night. We are making progress on bringing all the pieces together and having lots of fun rearranging and finding new pieces along the way. I thought it would be fun to share where we are in the process.....


I'll keep you posted on the changes as they occur! :)


A few weeks ago I mentioned showing off Mrs. Potter's family....look at her handsome guys and that beautiful back yard!! All the leaves have fallen and the trees are completely naked now....winter is sad..to me. Now lets talk about what an awesome teacher she is!! The kids LOVE her and she LOVES them back..its obvious!! She got Makenna so excited for school and I often hear her telling Marleigh how she wishes Mrs. Potter was still her teacher! Thank you, Tasha, for your warmth...you make the transition for this mom a little easier!
Lastly, I had to share this......proud mommy moment.....I was watching TV (actually watching it, not just listening while I work) and I saw this very quick clip at the beginning of the new Toyota (Thanksgiving sales event going on until Nov 30) and I thought I saw Cameron at the very beginning of it. I tried for a week to DVR programs when I thought the commercial would play and today I saw them playing it repeatedly during the morning news. With only six minutes left in the program, I took the chance I might catch the commercial running again...LUCK was on my side this time, I got it, stopped it and photographed it to prove to Jean that I was not imaginging that I was seeing a sweet little face that belonged to me!
So watch your TV for my boy's photo! This was done a few years ago on a stock photography shoot when I was in charge of his hairstyles and we kept it very short. Its fun to watch and I thought it would be fun for those who are in areas running this commercial to look for him too!

Enjoy!!!
~kel~

Kelly Roy {Southern Maine Photographer}

I have a mix today!! Not one of Mrs. Potters famous snack mixes (pretzels, goldfish & popcorn) that she gives to the kiddos and has made popular in my house, but a mix of sessions!

Lets start with Edie. She won me at an auction! So fun to give back to the community and I'm always so flattered when someone bids on my work! Photographing families is why I do this. You can probably guess that there are a few of her kids in the same grades or classes as a few of mine...that's how we got to know each other...her four, my four, and our mutual friend Kendra who has almost seven....it was inevitable! Thank you for choosing me, Edie....I always enjoy chatting with you!

The last two weekends, I have held my annual Christmas special at the studio and here is a shot from one of the sessions. It used to be one day during this season but when the first date booked and I had so many still calling in for a spot, I decided to add a day. I think I will share some of these in the coming days too as I am still proofing them and each session is unique. It was so fun....I always look forward to this time of the year as I get to catch up with some of my favorite clients!

So..Ms. Marleigh is growing in every way. She's four now you know and that means she speaks a little more clearly, she's "big" now and when the man at Lowes stops her to mention what a beautiful "barrette" she has in her hair, she's mature enough to correct him that: its not a barrette, it's a headband...that Makenna wore to school yesterday but today is her turn today and she really likes it because its shiny...but its not a circle one....a circle ones go all the way around her head, this wide headband is curved like a "c"....she removes the headband and is demonstrating this to the poor man who only stopped to pay a compliment....she continues....."and sometimes it hurts my head where it ends, it digs into my skin behind my ears BUT that's okay because I really, really like it." The sweet man looked at me with wide eyes and laughed. I think she made his day!

When we returned home, she was writing on her Tinkerbell dry erase board. She gave poor Tinkerbell a new look and then came to me holding it up and pressing it towards me...."look mom, a turkey!" Sure enough.......I was shocked....sometimes her drawings are not easy to identify...but gosh, this one for sure is! I had to share it on the blog....(nope, that's not the headband she had on at Lowes)

As I type my blog this morning, she is laying under my desk patting the leg of my fluffy flannel jammies repeating, "mom, I really love your jammies". I know Christmas is coming but 'll never buy her a pair.....I much prefer she pat mine!

For school, Cameron had to write a 50 word description of a character in a book he's reading. I love how he writes so I asked him to do a 50 word description of me. He smiled a HUGE smile and walked away. A bit later, he came to me reciting this.......

Person: MOM!!!

Very nice, blonde hair, green eyes, cozy, 41 years old, totally awesome, shopper, loves to watch us play sports, very funny. Loves to go to the beach and loves to go on photo shoots. Loves to go to Disney and a lot of other trips too. Hates to pay bills.

50 words....exactly!!

I'm blessed.

Enjoy!
~kel~

Don't hate them....{Southern Maine Photographer}

because they ARE beautiful!!!!!

Okay, so I have scads of sessions that I've missed sharing here so I'll go back to them when things settle down. I have started to write my blog at least five times this week, I get overwhelmed with the time it takes to pull it together (writing, re-reading and editing the photos for uploading purposes) and something always pulls me away! But I have a few minutes this afternoon.

So, let me share this little sweetie with you. He was born 11 days ago today! He's got wonderful parents who truly adore each other.....this I can attest to because while I was snapping close-ups of those amazingly luscious lips of his, his parents danced slowly behind me to a song on the radio that is meaningful to them! Ian, I was impressed with how much you showered your wife, a brand new mother, with affection and love in my presence. Sara, keep him....forever....and if you guys ever, ever have a moment when you doubt that love, come back here and read about how sweet that moment was! Its important! When your ten or fifteen years into your marriage you may need to go back to days like that in your memories.....and its okay to do that! If only everyone could remember the reasons why they married their spouse, I'm confident they'd fall in love all over again. I feel its the one reason my life is so blessed....the foundation of our marriage is one of the most important things to both Jean and me. We try each day to build on it...not just for us, but as an example to our children. If it is to be, its up to me!

I love how his cheeks pushed his bottom lip in.........


Next, you might think I'm editing a session from weeks ago with all that green grass around this beauty but nope, shot this senior session yesterday, November 12, on a 50 degree day here in Maine! I was so happy she got a beautiful day with filtered sunshine, a photographers best friend! Lovely, huh?

Katy, thanks so much for contacting me....your daughter is beautiful!!

The weekend is here....I'm "off" tomorrow with a full day of special sessions on Sunday! I'm trying to balance it all out and so far I find that slow and steady is winning this race. The first of the week I saw the doc for a cough that just wouldn't go away. When I counted the days, I'd been sick two full weeks and doc said I'd suffered enough so prescribed some meds and an inhaler to help me along. I'm feeling so much better and hope that I haven't passed it on to Branden who spent the day at home on my couch.

Enjoy!!

~kel~

Playing Catch-up: {Southern Maine Photographer}

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job? I feel so blessed for the people that come into my life through this little business of mine. I sit here days after a session editing and reliving the time I spend with each person and think Im one lucky girl that they trust me with their memories! It's an honor, thank you!

Shelly's husband, Shawn, was one of my younger brother's friends growing up. I was thrilled to see him after so many years and that he's doing so well...with a beautiful wife and two of the most adorable boys! I must admit that editing Shelly's session I felt pride in the photos I captured...simple background so that the focus is on my subjects and how they feel about being together.


This one makes my heart smile every time I look at it....shot while mom got the baby situated, to me this is priceless and needs no words.

I'll admit, I did set up this shot (the pose) but the way they interacted naturally....its all them!

And if you can stand one more bit of cuteness.....

Shelly & Shawn, thanks for trusting me with your memories!! I hope you like your photos!

As for me, I'm sick. I have a chest cold that took my voice away on Halloween, then I got it back only to be blessed with an irritating cough. I took some cold medicines and now I feel them kicking in. Its time to kiss my babies, water the dog (that's what we call taking him out to pee) and turn down the house lights. I love bedtime.....

Before I go, I wanted to update on how its going with Marleigh being off to preschool a few mornings a week. It didn't take me long at all to adjust to having a few hours to myself!! You all assured me...I knew it myself (having done it three times before) but I can honestly say that I know she's happy and it makes me so happy! I know she's in good hands with Mrs. Potter (whose session Im going to BLOG for you in the next few days)! The first day, I cried, not for her absence, for the absence of babies in my house. I called my loving husband to express how much I'd like...no needed another baby so I didn't have to go through this hurt. He was right, I'd get over it without another pregnancy. I love him.

Goodnight friends,

~kel~