Another holiday {Southern Maine Photographer}

Seems like lately, that's the only time you hear from me! I aplogize for my absence but I have so much work that needs my attention...from preparing the studio to editing sessions and its not leaving much time for the blog.

My Makenna wanted a scary house this year. I'm just not that into decorating for the holidays, including Christmas...a tree, some garland and white lights, that's the extent of it for me. But she's been bugging me like crazy to get out the spider webs, the jack-o-lanterns and scarecrows. I procrastinated just long enough that she started working on Jean.....who joined in on her fun, hung the web, the spider, a homemade scarecrow and black lights to make his girl happy. His efforts do not go unnoticed....every morning I see her outside primping the props, and smiling a gigantic, ear-to-ear smile at our "scary" house. She compares it to others in the neighborhood and tells me how her friends on the bus comment too. (its only scary to 7 and younger...I'll spare you the photos!)

I'm off to take the kids trick-or-treating around town....and then we are going to hit the haunted hayride and then tomorrow we have a whole LOT of other great things to do!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
Come see me at the studio tomorrow from 10AM-2PM. Im photographing the trick-or-treaters and giving them the 4x6 prints (they will have to return in one week to pick them up). This is FREE to the public - bring your friends and family - just come SEE ME and meet Melissa, my new roommate/fellow photographer!!

Studio address: 39 Limerick Rd, Arundel

Enjoy!
kel

Celebrations!

15 years ago today, I married my best friend!! 4 years before that, he finally asked me out! 3 years before that we met through mutual friends and I fell into immediate "like" while he hardly noticed my existence...soon after our meeting, we became very close friends and for three years supported each other in a friendship capacity.....but look at us now!!

Today we will celebrate that friendship, our children but most of all how blessed we are to have each other! Jean took today off work to spend some time with me...it seems lately we haven't had much of that so I'm really looking forward to it! This weekend we will go away for a much needed mini vacation while the kids stay with my mom.

I love you, Babe.....

Here's how our house celebrated Branden's first day as a teenager! He and Jean share a passion for clams (steamers) and lobster (lobstah) so Jean brought them home and they prepared their feast. My mom came over to join in on the fun while I prepared a pizza for the rest of us! I'm not a fan of the crustaceans.

We're off....and I know I have lots of sessions to bring up-to-date here!! I'll do my best to get some sneak previews here in the next day or so!

Some of you know that I share my studio space with another photographer, Joanne Lee. Joanne has found a space closer to her home and will be opening her own studio the first of next month. Best of luck Joanne, its worked so well for us!! I'm using the time while Joanne moves out her possessions to give the space an updated paint job. I hope to have it ready for the upcoming specials!!

Enjoy!

~kel~

Sunday: October 18, 2009

Today is the first day a teenager lives in my house! My oldest boy, Branden Kelly Roy, was born at 10:10 PM 13 years ago today and made me the happiest I've ever been! I can say that things have only gotten better since that day and I am truly blessed to be his mom! He's bright and capable and I enjoy conversations with him!

This is my second post in less than 12 hours so read below if you haven't seen last nights!

I'm cutting and pasting this email because even if you've read it before, it bears repeating. Its really great stuff!!

A group of professionals posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined See what you think:

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands get arthritis too. That's love..' Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you,
the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.' Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.' Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.' Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that.. They look gross when they kiss' Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.' Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,' Nikka - age 6

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.' Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.' Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.' Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night..' Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.' Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.' Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.' Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.' Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.' Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.' Jessica - age 8

And the final one The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry'

I'm off to enjoy my boy! Before I sign out, I wanna say....Happy Birthday Handsome, I love you!
Enjoy
~kel~

A glimpse into part of my week....

Well, first I must apologize....I had this post all ready to go at 11PM last night (after a full day of trying to get it done and only having time to work on it in pieces). I thought for sure that it had posted but for some reason I am back to square one in pulling this together. I was so tired too I might have said something I'd regret today so the blog angels created an error preventing the post. Its just as well, my mind is fresh.

I'm sorry if you attempted to get in on my holiday special and I had to turn you down. I'm even running it two days now and both booked up in just a short time. I'm happy to see its become a popular event! Anyone who has had session with me this year is welcome to use their photos for Christmas cards! Let me know your favorite and I'll whip one up for you!


This card shows off a family that is special to me. I was at the hospital the night the little one was born and I've followed them ever since. I always look forward to seeing them!


You know I like to shoot from "below"....and Ms. Lindsay wondered what I was up to!

This baby....sweet in every way. Her mom called me to inquire about newborn photos. I feel bad that I never even asked her name...just inquired about the age of the baby and when she said she was 12 days old I replied with "oh, you need to see me soon...can you come in tomorrow". Since I've never been known to be short for words, I'm sure I said lots more than just that and had them booked for the next morning and then asked their names! A little backwards from my usual approach (sorry Erica) but gosh I'm so glad I got them in!! her lips are amazing!!

And her full tummy made her sleepy.....which makes for the most beautiful baby photos you could ask for!!!

Here's one that makes her practically edible! Gosh, I love my job!!!

I'm going to close this post now as it's my second attempt at getting it online in as many days! I'm tired from being outside in the chilly air all day and I think I will retire a little earlier than usual. Tomorrow my oldest boy turns into a teenager. It goes by too fast.....

Enjoy!!!

~kel~

One year ago, we were packing our bags and overflowing with excitement to go to Disney! I think we will try to save for another trip next year! I'd like to make it a bi-annual thing for our family but I'm not sure it will always work that way! The memories and the fun are something kids still talk about regularly.

I'm way behind sharing some session photos. I've got the seniors all squared away and I'm working on my regular sessions and wedding photos now! I had a fabulous season with seniors and hope next year is just as fun! Many thanks to the parents and students who called on me.....best of luck this year!

I'm sharing Nicole's family with you today........beautiful, huh? It was a change of pace for me to be back in studio after being on the road with outdoor sessions for the summer months. I think I'm ready to work in studio again, just not ready for this chilly weather coming!!

Nicole, thanks for your patience while I sorted through senior sessions! I'll be posting your gallery soon!

I have loads of annoucements to come in the coming days!! I hope you'll check back again soon!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Does she look older? {Southern Maine Photographer}

My big girl just celebrated her 7th birthday and the way it all played out proved to me how much she is maturing.

First of all, she wanted MY friends there to celebrate! She's become accustomed to having my girls, her Godmothers, around and I'm so happy about that! She made her guest list and after Meemie, they were at the top! She asked if we could have a dinner at the Olive Garden and since the boys were going to be at football practice, I was willing to make it a girls night and we'd bring cake back home. At the last minute, she changed her mind. She wanted pizza at home and an ice cream cake.....we changed it, kept the boys home from practice and had a nice cozy evening at home with the whole family here to celebrate with her!

Marleigh was glad to play dress-up with cousin Kaylee and even Makenna proved she wasn't too old for dressing up with them.

A simple ice cream cake made her so happy - it did not have a word scripted on top because it was chosen last minute.
I bought her the boots she'd been asking for.......
She's becoming a young lady.....so beautiful....
.......and all mine!!!

Makenna, I love you!

:)