First things first: Alert! Alert! Wendy over at the SHABBY NEST is having a giveaway on a SUPER cute pendant! You should have a look at her stuff at her new Etsy shop too - her drawings are amazing! I recently started lurking there and every day she posts something fun! I linked her on my sidebar so you can check her out daily AFTER reading my boring little blog FIRST! :) Call me SLIGHTLY selfish that I want to keep my readers to myself......but I'd be VERY selfish if I didn't share a few of my favorite blogs with you all!!

Next....I've been working with my kids' talent agent to update the files of some of her clients. I offer a 30-minute session and they get professional shots for their portfolios. Check out this little bit-o-sweetness.....he's got a passion for dinosaurs and is waiting on a new sibling due in March. I know these poses are similar....but he was just so cute I had to go in for this close-up twice....you would have too!!

Here's just a taste of his personality.....when the kids this age first come in, I try to get them to warm up a bit by giving them exercises to do....he followed EACH one perfectly!! His mom told me that she's often told that he reminds people of that Jonathan Lipnicki from Jerry Maguire....I completely agree! He's got an amazing personality and is a boy after my own heart, he's CHATTY!!

Here it is.....the serious face........could you just eat him up?Nicole, thanks so much for contacting me! I hope you like these (even though they look all wonky on the web).

Enjoy!
~kel~

Another Pup and My Duck.....

It's puppy season...Michelle...I'm working on you!! Another friend of mine got a pup too! When I heard he was getting a Rottweiler, I told him I'd be happy to take photos of her if he wanted me to. He called me the minute they got home with her and within 30 minutes I was shooting her first portraits! I'm making good use of the flower pot we have at the studio - its the only thing that wrangles these busy little creatures and keeps them in one spot so the camera can focus on them! Shooting black dogs is HARD....they don't like to stay where the lighting is best...wiggly buggers!She'd just left her momma and siblings and was so cute howling for them...

After all that work, we tuckered her out and she needed a rest. Chris & Stacey, I hope you like them! Congrats on your new baby....I wish you peaceful nights of sleep these next few days...but I don't think its gonna happen! :)

I don't consider myself a "duck" person...but this one singled ME out! I love her sleek grey colored body and tiny stature. When I walked through the door at Lowe's...I felt the gravitational pull like a personal invitation....."c*l*e*a*r*a*n*c*e"....the rack called to me! I meandered over slowly, keeping my calm and reading the sign...75% off... I immediately felt my blood start pumping! There's nothing like a good 75% off clearance sale to pull a girl right out of cabin fever!!

I chatted with a clerk about the topiaries on the top shelf and she offered to grab a ladder to climb after it. My high was taking over and I got that please get it quickly before someone else sees it and I am forced to take her down over the $9 topiary...how embarrassing would that be. I don't like confrontation but 75% off in the middle of winter...I might not be having my "best"day. The clerk and I discussed the sale and the shelf was full of finds. I loaded my cart (love how big they are at Lowes!) and I placed the well-handled box containing the sweet duck in the front seat! Don't you agree....she's lovely!!

Still on my high, I stopped at the post office to ship a few things and dragged that broken box right in with me to share her with the postmaster (She's a really nice lady named Maria who has a cute Canadian accent and tolerates all my visits to the P.O. because I'm too lazy to figure out how to ship my photo orders right from home...I always tell her she's the reason I ship that way...I like to see her smiling face). Maria agreed that for $2.25 I'd gotten a fabulous deal!!

Today Marleigh goes to visit with Memere and Pepere while I attend a few appointments. She loves to be with them and they enjoy her company too. I know she exhausts them.....just her constant chatter is enough to exhaust me and I'm used to it! (she's nothing like her mother)

Oh, a note for clients who read this blog and see their photos posted here....if you have facebook or myspace, PLEASE feel free to use the photos I post here on those web pages if you'd like! I discourage printing them but you have free reign on web use!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Child model...and help from you!

Look at this little cutie! I had the priviledge of spending some time with him and his mom last night updating his modeling portfolio.....we enjoyed some great laughs getting these. Since I'm a sucker for the serious face, I'll start with them and graduate to his rockin smile!

Donna, thanks so much for calling on me! I really enjoyed chatting with you and hope to see you again soon!

I thought I'd post here asking for some help finding a specific piece of furniture. This photograph is from another photographer who just got her chair on Craigslist...I've been searching high and low but cannot find one for ME! I got her permission to post this photo ... would love it if a reader had something like this tucked away in an attic or something. Its called a boudoir chair and I'd take it with or without arms (color, fabric, etc. is all optional). If you know where I might find one, please contact me at: jkroyATroadrunner.com

It's a snow day here so all the kids are home from school. I'm off to start a project with them!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Marleigh was here........

half eaten granola bar...unfinished bowl of cereal...she's always hungry

and here......

and here.......

and here.....

and here.......

and here.....and here......

aaahhh, my Linus.....

I guess she FOUND what she is looking for.....clothes for the naked babies on the bed.

This is what happens when I ask her to clean her room.....its way more work than its worth!

Enjoy!

~kel~

Arrrgh!!!

The Portland Pirates is the name of the AHL team that played Saturday night and hosted Makenna's team. As you can already guess, the mascot is a pirate named Salty Pete and a parrot named Cracker. Marleigh goes NUTS for the characters (thank you Disney for all the hype that makes taking a 3 y/o to functions like this such a BLAST!) She was hysterically funny and just the playmate my brother needed! Here they are practicing their pirate talk. Kaylee was participating but got camera shy when Tina stood up to take this for me. Marleigh went one speed that night - 100 MPH - showing off all her well rehearsed Hannah Montana moves for the crowd and screaming "OOOHH I LOVE THIS SONG" with every quick clip they played during the event.

Makenna was adorable! What is it about seeing my little girl with that big helmet and a pony tail streaming down her back that makes me tear up when I see her out there on the ice? She's going for it - doing what she wants to do and lovin' every minute of it! She's as girly as they come...delighted that Aunt Tina might make her pink leg-warmers to wear for practice....and all the pink accessories she can possibly get her hands on so that everyone will know about the girl power behind the number on her jersey.

I never moved from my seat to take these photos so the quality is not my usual as the camera and its lens were maxed to get them at all. This one below...in true Makenna style, she noticed the boys standing at the wall with the video camera and left the game to offer the boys a close-up shot (we all laughed at how vain she was).

after that, she made her way back into the game....and loves this photo because its got Salty Pete in the same frame :)

She played like a star under the pressure of an upset tummy. When her game was over, she retreated to her seat in her daddy's arms and collapsed in a heap. As we were leaving the game, Jean picked her up to carry her out and she vomited down his back.......I scurried her into the restroom, stripped her of her top, used the only thing I could find to clean her up (scraps of t.p. because they only had hand dryers, no paper towels) and gave her my coat. We walked back through the parking garage to find Jean, Marleigh and the boys (who were anxiously waiting for all the grotesque details of the vomit). We got Kenna loaded in the car, I looked back at her draped in my GIANT jacket....she smiled and said faintly "I played my game like I wasn't sick at all...but I feel so much better now!"

She's back at school today...with her healthy appetite back, she scoured for all the good snacks in the closet before leaving.

I'm off to rescue Jack from the hands of Marleigh (who thinks she's got the best thing going in a playmate who lets her do whatever her heart desires!)

Enjoy!
~kel~

I miss summer!

I just had to say it. I'm chilly all the time and I find that I'm longing for spring to get here. I know I'm no different than most who are braving these temps. Truthfully, I think I was ready for spring sometime last November!

Yesterday I had two sessions for my book project. Thanks so much to the dad's willing to come in for me! I am still undecided about posting them here or waiting for the book.

I apologize my posts aren't as frequent as readers have become accustomed...there are many routine days here where nothing eventful really happens so I choose to spare the chatter about truly nonsense stuff. I have to admit though...I've had a day or two where I showered and put my jammies back on - now I know there are a few jealous of that news! Don't get me wrong....I love the routine days and I'm enjoying the calm after the holidays. I needed this time...for organization and relaxation.

Two days ago my friend Peg got a new pup. When asked what breed it is, she replies with "She's a pug and a beagle mix". I caught her doing it yesterday and said "Oh Peg, you gotta say she's a puggle...its the cutest thing EVER!" I was the same about explaining Jack was a Malte-poo, always offering the two breed names in full...but after saying it so many times, I now find I lump them together and let people just giggle if they choose. This is Lola....she's a most adorable puggle pup of only 10 weeks! Can you stand those big beautiful ears????

Peg whined like a pup and this is the reaction we got from sweet Lola.

Last night my big girl skated....I will post photos later. I am nursing a headache and need to back away from the pc.

Enjoy!
~kel~

My twin nieces, finally!!!

I was so excited when my sister-in-law called to book a session for the twins. I have always had ideas in my head for these two specifically, knowing their personalities and how close they are, I wanted to do photos of them that showed more bonding than traditional siblings...after all, they shared a womb.

We ended our time together with the girls in their jammies.
Lisa, thanks for letting me have my time with them!!!! Girls, you were great....I hope you like them!!!

Enjoy!

~kel~

More random snaps....

Yesterday I took Marleigh and Jack to the studio with me. Marleigh really wanted photos in her new princess dress ($5 at TJMaxx) and was willing to pose for me so I ate up the opportunity and used it to get a few of Jack too. Marleigh was so delighted to wear this dress at the studio she stripped off her socks and shoes and ran barefoot as if she was at home.

Jack has settled in so well. I'm feeling so lucky to have found him.

This is something he does REALLY well! We are working on fixing that unwelcomed bark that comes after the curious greeting bark. Its really the only complaint I have. He has not pottied in the house in several days and listens to commands so well...not to mention how darned cute he is performing his tricks!

My curious little Burgah found my makeup bag. She dabbed a bit of eye shadow on her cheeks..isn't she a beauty?

The kids came home from school reporting that they got to watch the swearing in of Pres. Obama at school .... I grabbed a photo so even when they don't remember years from now, they will have documentation of how young they were on this day in history.

Well, I must close now. Jean fixed the button that mysteriously broke off my clothes dryer so now I have piles of laundry to catch up on.

Enjoy!
~kel~

Happy Inauguration Day!

I have random photos to share today. Just snaps around the house...sometimes I think those are more fun to look at! It wouldn't be me to post without telling the stories behind them all!

My boys are blessed to have some really great friends. Two of them (brothers of same ages) asked if they'd like to go to a Portland Pirates hockey game (our local AHL minor team) but it's the big time if you are 9 and 12 years old. They were told to bring their skates along because they were going to skate with the players after the game! The boy's ate up the opportunity to attend. When they arrived home and jumped off the cloud they were on, they showed me how they'd had their gloves signed by the team. This coming Saturday, my girl, in her first year of hockey, will skate during their intermission game......the anxiety is already brewing for that night!

This morning I was able to capture the "kids" watching for the bus. I had to move fast so the photo is not technically perfect....but in my opinion, its one of those that doesn't have to be to be great!!!! How lucky am I that I have captured all these moments of watching my children grow.

ISO: 4000, ss: 1/125, ap: f/4.5

My hard workin' man was clearing the rink after the storm. The boys usually follow along behind him getting the ice as smooth as possible.....but they were off having all sorts of fun while Jean maintained the rink.

ISO: 5000, ss: 1/125; ap: f/4

Here's my girl.....walking the dog........so cute! ISO 200, ss: 1/400, ap: f/8

Yesterday I caught Marleigh in this dress I picked up from Laurie (you know, my good pal who has wonderful clothes saved up for a mom like me who prefers to shop hand-me-downs). When we arrived at Laurie's, Marleigh spotted this dress and BUGGED me to death to wear it. I let her wear it that day and then hid it in the closet....until yesterday when she found it again. She had pink cowboy boots on with it but removed them when she saw me going for the camera. This look......its the one I get when I ask "who did it" I'm tickled to have captured it. Please note the wings peeking around her....truly an angel in my eyes!

I should have used a flash to fill her face but there was no time for it.

I pushed my settings to: 2500 ISO +1.7 exp. comp, ss: 1/125, f/4

After hitting the publish post, I remembered a conversation with Marleigh this morning after bathing her. She was questioning the can of shave cream on the shelf in the shower....noting actually that it was the stuff daddy puts on his face. I agreed and she asked if I shave my face....of course I replied quickly with no explaining I shaved my legs. She stated she wanted to change to a man so that she could shave her face. I explained that men did not wear princess dresses, tiara's, nail polish or makeup. She assured me she would only be a man for a short time and then she'd change back to a "lady", like me & Kenna!

Enjoy!

~kel~

It's Monday!!!

Just some silly photos of my pooch as he ran after the kids on the ice rink Saturday before our foot of snow fell. He looks so goofy I thought these might make some laugh. Truly he looks like an olympian here, don't you think!

Yup, he ran into the edge...

Below is my baby....all bundled up in her snow gear.

Rigging her up brings me right back to the days....when I required my mom to tuck the wrists of my mittens perfectly into the sleeves of my jacket and the struggle to get those cumbersome snow boots on. The work it takes getting ready and then the inability to move like a normal human trudging through those piles of snow......I giggle at it now and if I knew for sure that a photo of her walking like the Pillsbury Doughboy would make you giggle too, I'd post a full length shot for sure. But, photos don't grasp the silliness of the waddle....if I knew how to upload a video, well, then I'd post it for sure!

She has a cold tear on her left cheek from her eyes watering. She loves to be outside.

Today, Martin Luther King Day, a historical day that falls on the eve of another historical day in the making, I want to wish everyone in this United States of America peace and understanding throughout the next few years. I'm not politically savvy and I do not have the words to describe how I feel so I am going to direct my readers to a blog I stalk as my friend Michelle has an incredible way with words. Thank you Michelle for giving me the words and the thoughts to share with those who frequent my blog.

Enjoy!
~kel~

A hero.

I'm not sure how many know the history of my dad's death....but he was killed in a small plane crash (he was the pilot and it was local to home). So, now you will understand why my emotions get wrapped up in the miracle on the Hudson. And even though you've seen so much about it already, I had to share my feelings. My heart is overjoyed for this man and his family......he's truly a hero and the happy ending makes me so filled with joy for the survivors and their families....what a blessing.

This is an amazing photograph.......

Today I had my first official father/daughter shoot for my book. I will share a few tomorrow......or should I keep them a mystery until the book is done and I can show them off together.....hhhhmmmm would anyone like to comment their opinion on this to me? I'm not one for teasing......usually! :)

Thanks to all my blog pals who added me to their friends list on FB!!! Looking forward to conversing with you all soon! Michelle, if you read this, could you send me a note on how to make my photos larger on blogger....I remember you gave instructions a while back but I cannot find the post in your history. Thanks girlfriend!

Happy Weekend to all the people!

~kel~