Here we go......

SUMMER!! Let the busy season - my July calendar is almost all booked up with outside sessions and the rain we are STILL having here is really making it tough to squeeze them all in - so I'm shuffling it all around and booking stuff into next month! Next weekend I leave for a wedding up the coast and I'm beyond excited about it after meeting the bride!

Here's a beauty to share - she's a ballerina and when her mom told me she was a dancer I got weak in the knees - but she didn't bring one dance item with her to the session so I warned her I might be calling her again!!


....no dance attire but when I saw the opportunity for this one, I had to take it!

Here's a close-up in studio to show off how lovely she is.....

The seniors are smart to call and book their sessions now! As September gets closer, so do the deadlines!!


Its a quick blurb today - my Marleigh was chosen to audition for a local commercial so we are off for that adventure today!! I'll keep ya posted on how she does - this could go either way - she'll be chatty and interactive or quiet and shy.

Stay dry Mainers....

Enjoy!

~kel~

Seriously.....

I know you want to gobble her right up........I can't say I blame you one bit.....for me its hard to resist!

Weekends in summer are spent at our campsite.....we have fabulous friends that draw us there and the memories we are giving our kids is the main reason for our regular retreats.

Marleigh likes the swings and this merry-go-round. I watched her from a distance, just resting like this....her "best big boy-friend", Cameron (a powerful, newly licensed, 16-year-old) whipped that saucer around so fast and she just stood there poised and beautiful.....I couldn't resist the urge to grab my camera. I asked Cameron to stop long enough for me to jump on for a ride...I sat opposite Marleigh with my back uncomfortably braced against the pole. Cam pumped us up to speed again and I snapped the camera as much as I could stand. She looked comfortable and confident......and so relaxed....I felt envious of her......... .....it didn't last long.....I shrieked to stop as I was losing my balance, and required assistance from Cameron jumping off that wretched ride. I was dizzy and starting to feel nauseous but the thrill of the ride was a fond memory for me. I know how she does it...that was me.....loving every minute of my time on the tilt-a-whirl and if I had access to a merry-g0-round like this when I was her age, I'd have been there just as much!! She's my girl......

This one is just a closer crop.........to show her bracelet....its been passed down from my mom (Mary/Meem) to Makenna and now Marleigh. It's a simple heart bracelet with the letter "M" engraved on it and even if you don't ask, she'll share with you "it was my Meem's when she was my age and I love it".
I know....I'm crazy about her.....

Enjoy!

~kel~

Rainy Tuesday

Just keepin' it real....we are on a several day stretch of this rainy mess, I have only photos from older sessions to share today....but its okay....going back through them only makes me smile again!

We took the kids to a fishing derby...for me this was a first!! Usually Jean would take them so that I could have some quiet time for typing....can you tell I'm enjoying my break from the daily deadlines? Of course I brought the camera....it was a beautiful morning (Mainers, this is what sunny mornings look like, just in case you've almost forgotten!) The turnout of kids was amazing..it was catch and release and from where we were standing, the sun reflected perfectly through the water making all the fish visible! The kids would toss their poles with wiggly worms and the fish would just swarm to them, like you only see in the movies! (Makenna, my trendy girl chose a skirt and leggings for her fishing attire).
Branden had the most success....I think he caught three that day! He was the master at his game and the biggest he caught was 12 inches long.

I love this photo....I think because I was so impressed with how well he handled his fish after reeling it in....I hadn't witnessed him learning the process so when he knew exactly what to do with it, I felt proud as the man approached to measure it.

Here's the princess....dress and all.....poised in her throne...enjoying her first memory-worthy fishing adventure! She sat while we would cast for her and hand it back. If I remember correctly, she's asking me for something to eat in this photo (she's always wanting something to eat and spied a hot dog stand on the way in - they were free for the kids).

Finally it came, a beautiful sunfish....she was THRILLED!!
Kenna was next.......another sunfish.....just as she was growing bored of the waiting game.

Patiently, Cam waited for those fish to bite......he tried the section of pond to my left........

....then he tried the section to my right where the girls caught theirs....
He'd settle for a sunfish...a turtle would be great too....anything that bites....just a nibble would be nice......we could see them in the water....
.....but no such luck....

Don't feel sad for him...he didn't feel sad at all....he enjoyed the thrill of the hunt and trying all sorts of different techniques and lures.

Enjoy!

~kel~

Rainy Monday......

We are getting totally soaked here!!

Last Thursday I got to catch up with my cousin who is visiting from an inland state. She left the coast to be with her hubby's family but still visits here. This time, she asked me to photograph her with her adult children (still can't believe we are old enough that her kids are grown). What a nice family - she raised them well! It was an overcast day with a prediction for rain that held off just long enough for us to get this shoot in - we got to our cars and the skies opened up! I suggested we go to the pier, its near our old tromping grounds and I thought bringing the coast back with her would be nice...

I got a bit "artsy" with some of the shots....I couldn't resist, the backdrop was so cool! I realize you can't see them that well but I just had to line them up anyway!

Personally, this is my favorite!

Lorri likes this one best......(close ups showing faces, I don't blame her, she has beautiful kids!)

The pier is sooooo awesome...all the colors and textures....would be a great place for an engagement session too!!!!!

Thanks for calling on me Lor, I hope your trip home was uneventful....I don't blame you for wanting to get out of this rain soaked town...its gotta let up sometime!

Yesterday we made this photo for Pepere for Father's Day! They were so cute trying to make little hearts with their fingers....Marleigh critiqued the photo when it was printed and asked for a "retake" because she didn't think she did so well. I adore it...and I think Pepere did too!

Enjoy!

~kel~

Here we go......

into summer....full swing now!

The kids finished their school year yesterday and the lead up to dismissal was total madness for me. I had an appointment at the studio to start my day and then the rush continued with preparations for my annual water balloon ambush on the kids as they get off the bus. This year Branden was home earlier (middle school) than the others so he and his pals helped me make the water bombs. They were so excited and I'm thrilled how the word has spread of my tradition and they all plan to come here on the last day! As they get older though, I'm not sure my tradition will be so cool....so I must continue to involve the older boys so it becomes the cool thing to do on the last day making it their tradition too! The rest of the day was spent playing in our yard...sometimes the craziness of having five tween-age boys running here and there made me feel concern for the rest of the summer but I laid down the rules of the Roy yard as I expect to do several more times in the coming months.

The last day also brought report cards, news of certificates and special awards that the kids had achieved throughout the year. Branden made us proud with High Honor Roll status, a Teacher's award and some gift certificates to local vendors for taking first place in some end of year projects. He's got school in his back pocket and math is his "thing". This year's teacher is recommending him for an accelerated pre-algebra class next year as he's much like his dad and the numbers just come so easy to him. I'm dumb....totally dumb when it comes to math....Jean gets all the credit for that gift...I'll stick to English assignments and projects as my specialty! Cam and Kenna seem happy with the teachers they have been assigned to for next year and they too had successful school years. Makenna learned to read...I'm try to continue that through the summer by tackling the suggested reading list the library sends home. She's wanting so badly to read chapter books but sometimes still struggles with the longer words in the basic books so I try hard to encourage the appropriate style for her. We'll get her there!

My day ended at the beach.....seriously, could it be ANY better than that? I photographed my friend Beth and her awesome family (you've seen the girls here before). The tide was really high at Fortune's Rocks and the wind was whipping hair everywhere but the photos were worth it! I opted to show their fun poses along with this great group shot......thanks Beth!!!!

On my ride home, I spotted this field of purple lupin....poor mom, I was talking with her on the cell phone when I spotted the field and had to ditch her to take the shot....good thing she's my mom and loves me so much....always encouraging me she didn't mind one bit!

Today the kids go visit Meems......they are beyond excited to spend the day with her.

Enjoy!

~kel~

More cuties, manicures and pedicures.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing this dynamic duo. I had a hard time deciding which photos to use here! Im just posting enough of a tease for mom! I was thrilled to learn that she likes close, off-centered crops as much as ME!! It will be so fun editing this session!

Isn't she sweet???

Gotta love sibling hugs.....

Christine, thanks so much for choosing me! I hope you like them....I'll send a link for your gallery as soon as it is complete!

Sunday I gave my girl a manicure and pedicure....she adores ALL things GIRLY!! Really though, I was just hoping it would hide the dirt better.....her feet get so gross in those flips and crocks she wears....just a hint of clean would be nice sometimes when I'm tackling those toes in the evenings! The daily summer baths are way more work!

Anyway, she loved them painted...I loved how the light played off her face in this one.....

And this was one of my first shots, I missed my mark with focus but still love the silhouette of her face.....
Now you see why I could photograph her ALL day long......especially if she's in the mood! That sappy love look, just for me!! :)

1.5 days left of school......preparations for the water balloon fight begin tonight as I contemplate making the balloons ahead of time for the first year ever! I have visions of hoarding and one or two of my children attempting to sleep with them....maybe I'll just keep the usual routine and scramble around preparing them all myself tomorrow morning.

Enjoy!!
~kel~

Found: Baby bird.......

I love the innocence of baby birds......that's what started me on this whole blogging daily thing!! Some may remember my series where I followed the birds each day, updating them for Cameron's class to follow....that was fun. I did make the story into a small paperback picture book and now I've misplaced it :( I'll find it again....


Last week, Branden and his pal Sean were waiting for the bus and found this guy flopping through the woods. They thought he was injured so put him in a bucket and brought him to me for suggestions on what to do. His wings were very wet so I figured that might be his problem with taking flight....I knew he was old enough to be hopping from limb to limb but the boys said he was just flopping on the ground like he fell out of his nest. I gave him some time to dry off in the bucket and then took him back to the woods and released him. Its so cute how the community of birds just flocks around chirping as if to encourage him to fly.
He's cute though, huh?

Well, only time for a quick post as I get to editing some sessions that need my immediate attention.


Before I close, I just wanted to send out best wishes to all the graduating seniors.....the ones I did photos for especially but also their friends and families. Its a big deal.....such a turning point in life. My very best wishes go out to my niece Lindsay...a beautiful girl, both inside and out. We are so proud of her! I know she'll be successful....you can trace her goodness right back to her parents, who are the best in my opinion!! Ray is Jean's brother and his wife Doreen and I hit it off the first time we met. I'm so thankful for them.....its not everyday when you have to approach someone with a question like this: "If something should happen to Jean and I at the same time and the kids are left without us, would you take them all so they won't have to be separated?"....without hesitation, Doreen responded with "Yes, no problem, we love them and we'll always have room for them!" Doreen, I hope you know now how much that meant to me.......its a peaceful feeling, thank you!!

Enjoy!!

~kel~

Models

Im seeing children to update their model portfolios and wanted to show off some of these cuties!

This is why I call myself a "mom's" photographer. The kids come in for headshots and I can't resist getting a group shot....and one with mom! I've been bugging my friend Deb to shoot me with my kids....maybe this summer we'll get that done!

I couldn't decide if I like the chocolate better than the color version.......you know how I feel about black and white/chocolate conversions.....the focus goes right to the faces and emotion in the photo.

Susan, thank you for trusting me with your babes. I hope you like your photos and maybe we can get one printed for Dad!!!!! I'll be in touch when your gallery is ready!


Thanks everyone for your kind notes about my red cupboards....but mostly of how you've missed my daily bloggin!!!! I will try again to make every effort to give you something to read, even if its b*o*r*i*n*g. I really felt the love from the comments I received about my absence and appreciate that you took the time to let me know I was missed.


I'm sad today about the unexpected death of a friend from high school. My heart is heavy with emotion and things like this always make me rethink my own existence. If I were to die today, what I want people to know about me is.....how much I love my family and friends (near and far..and some I've never even met face-to-face). That's all that matters to me......not the weather, not the bills, not the items I possess or desire. I want it to be known that I love.....and feel very loved.

Enjoy the day!
~kel~

The update I promised....

My project.

My house is small....but oh, so cozy! It needed a change...or rather, I needed a change. I decided to start with the cabinets and work my way through different projects. I painted them cherry red....and I love how they look. They bring brightness and cheer to my kitchen...the first place that welcomes my guests and the last place my family sees before they venture off for the day. It was a lot of work....but its almost done now so I thought I'd share this pic (crown molding to go at the top of the cabinets....hopefully tonight! Next....new counter tops and hopefully someday, new appliances.....Babe, are you listening?? :)
There's been so much in this last week - just no time for blogging. I must admit that I wonder how I ever found the time to blog daily.....and as I sit here doing it, I remember that just like exercise, making time to blog daily was good for me.....it takes my mind to places and memories and more importantly, I stay focused on what's important each day so that I can talk about it here the next day. I'll try to be better again.....I know having something to read with that cup of coffee in the morning is a good way to get started for some!


Last weekend we took the kids to the beach. I was meeting a friend there for a quick shoot and decided my kids would love to poke around for crabs and shells so decided to bring them along. (Note to self, its summer now, pack a towel in the car you never know when you'll end up at the shore) Jean and Branden were coming from a lacrosse game and met up with us there.....the skies were overcast but the temps were perfect. Father's day is coming....I think I'll frame this one for Jean....
or maybe this one.........(Marleigh's in a posing phase)

but since he is father to four.......maybe this one......(love Cam's rolled up pants..he's quirky about things...this is so him!)

here's a crab Branden found.....

personally, I like this one best!

Watching them grow is such a thrill....living with them through the changes...well....sometimes gives me angst. I see changes in Branden in just the last few weeks. I blame it on the end of school and anxiety to get to lazy days of sleeping in, lounging around the house and playing with pals in the yard but I think its something more...change is coming to my almost teenage son. He's absolutely the best son a mom could ask for.....kind, gentle and helpful. I know its hormonal and there's nothing he can do about it so I try to be patient. Sometimes, I'm not so fond of change.

Enjoy!

~kel~

Hi

I'm not ignoring you, really, I'm not!

I have not uploaded a single photo from my camera in one week!!! I am picking away at the editing process but this week has been mostly dedicated to a project I have put off for a year. I promise photos when the work is done and an update here soon too.

Today my oldest boy says goodbye to his first official girlfriend....she's moving away. His face was sad as he placed the little bracelet into a note he'd written to her. I gave him a photo to give her too. Poor thing - he's had to fight for this relationship as some of his closest friends didn't like the idea of him with this girl (I think because she'd turned them down before being brave enough to be the one to ask my son "out"). At 12 there's not much they do together...just talk on the bus ride and phone. I've only met her quickly in passing. So we begin the adventure with relationships outside of this family.....its a whole new world!

I'm trying to prepare myself for summer vacation. This will be the first summer in 12 years I have not had transcription work deadlines to meet on a daily basis. I'm incredibly excited about that and cannot wait to spend more time with my kids! I feel so blessed for my photography career...doing something I love...capturing moments my clients will treasure....spending days with my babes.....it's a beautiful thing!!

Back to work.....

Enjoy!
~kel~