Spring. Its not too far away!

These were taken last spring at Parson's Beach in Kennebunkport.

Happy Friday!!
~kel~

What I see....

When a family comes to me for portraits, I know they are looking for perfect smiles and no double chins so I do my best to capture that....but what I see is so much more. I watch the family dynamics and strive to capture "them" as a family. This is my style and these are the photos I treasure from the family sessions. Its so sweet how her family responds to her when her candy cane breaks.

She and her daddy have a special bond - I'd love to have a photo like this of me and my dad. -->

Yesterday would have been my dad's 62nd birthday. My brothers, sister and I always have dinner with my mom on his birthday and my mom makes his favorite meal. Last night my uncle (dad's brother) and his wife came over and brought my grandmother for a piece of birthday cake. My husband enjoyed hearing hunting stories my uncle shared of times he went with my dad. Dad has been gone 19 years now and we still carry this tradition. I miss him very much and really wish he could have met my kids. So when I see a moment like this, I take the opportunity to stop time for just that second. This is why I am a photographer!

I am blessed with some terrific friends and I had to share this photo of them. He's not one for having pics done so I really appreciate that he doesnt kick and scream when his wife drags him to come see me.

Have a great Thursday!! If you haven't voted for your favorite pic yet - we'd love to have your input!!

~Kel~

Love letters and girly girl pics.

Im such a girly girl at heart and when I found out my Makenna was going to be a girl it was like a part of me that had been sleeping came alive. I could be an adult and get excited about pink, sparkles and fluff because I could shamelessly pass it off as

----> hers (or something she just "had to have"). Now she's old enough to take to the nail salon with me and she loves shopping!! Marleigh is catching on to it too - whenever I buckle her in the car, she asks "Shoppin Mumma"?

I say all this because I always get excited when I have a girly girl come to me for portraits...and.....it takes it to a whole new level if her mom is a girly girl too!! So, when the mom of this beauty spotted the red pettiskirt and asked me if we could put it on her - I didn't hesitate a second! She twirled and danced and then we wrangled her to sit still for a few pics...for mom! Her tights were perfect with red hearts and the rosepetals sprinkled on the floor make the photo more fun.

I loved how she was sitting in this next photo and it looked like she was writing so I made use of the photo and turned it into a love letter theme.

Im not sure about the rest of my Maine friends but I'm pulling the shades for the next few days hoping the snow gods get the hint that we really dont want the 7-12 inches predicted for today....or the storm they are saying we will get this weekend :( Im ready to fight the pollen mess that sticks to my car and those lady bugs that come out as soon as the weather warms a bit.

Can you say: cabin fever!

Happy Hump Day!

Kel

Everyone is invited to vote!!

Even if you're not a relative or friend of any of the photos above, please vote for your favorite!
Cute alert!!! Such a sweet face and his personality was just as sweet! He brought his mom, dad and two sisters with him to his six month session - I was so happy to meet and photograph them all. I love a square crop and since this is what babies do at six months (discover their fingers and toes) I like to photograph the milestone.

He's such a lucky guy - he's got two sisters that adore him.....

and his dad thinks he's terrific too. He's a smiley happy baby - the kind you want to smooch a lot! Im attaching a photo of the entire family so you can see his beautiful mom too!

Have a great day!

CONTEST!

Here are the contest entries. In NO particular order so when you vote, be sure to use the right number that corresponds with the photo. The last date to vote is next Sunday! Contestants should invite friends and relatives to come and vote for them. Good luck to all!

I've got my top TEN contestants!

I guess I didnt expect such a quick response (wasn't sure anyone really read this) and thought it would take people the weekend to decide on a favorite...so happy, thank you!!!! I decided too that Im not going to wait until Weds to start this contest. I will start it Monday morning with a post of all the photographs. I would love for all who read to participate with a vote for their favorite - they are all fantastic photos. I will give the contest one week and the deadline remains Sunday, Feb 10 for votes.

Also, I've been thinking about starting a regular contest every other Friday. This 11x14 giveaway will be my kickoff to thank those that have I have worked with this last year. What comes in future contests may not be as big but it should be cool to play! I think I will do contests where you win the same day :) First emailer/caller kind of thing. So, watch for more!! If you own or know of a local business that might like to contribute a little prize pack to the Friday fun, please have them contact me! Its a good way to get acquainted with the services of others!

I took my girls to the studio for some photos. Makenna actually asked me to take her for some Valentine photos in her new hat (we found a woman online that makes sweet little hats and when Kenna saw them, she had to have this particular one). I got this photo of Marleigh that just steals my heart. Its always a struggle to get her to look directly at me for a photo - and to sit still! So today's photos are of my girls but I just have to share them.

Can you stand it? She's as sweet as they come..truly my little blessing!! Here's Makenna in her hat! She's mine but gosh, when Im photographing her, to me she looks so beautiful - and when its her idea, I get such great results!

Have an excellent Saturday!

Freebie Friday!! Win an 11x14 print!!

Here are the details: Must be one of my previous clients from 2007. You choose your favorite photograph (there is no access to the photos again so you must either have the actual print, a proof book, set of proofs or good memory - you can just describe the photo to me, you dont need the actual number. You cannot enter for family members/friends, they must contact me directly.) from a 2007 session with me. The first TEN to reply to this (email me) will have the opportunity to win their print.

The deadline to contact me with your favorite is Tuesday, February 5, midnight. On Wednesday, the 6th, I will put all ten photographs on my blog with a number on them. There will be access to a poll (or you can email me your vote) and all readers will be asked to vote for their favorite photograph. Invite friends and family to come and vote too because the photograph with the most votes wins an 11x14!! Voting will end Sunday, February 10, midnight and the winner will be announced Monday morning (2/11). One vote per person, please.

I hope I have answered all the questions but if not, please email your questions to me at: ksrphoto(AT)roadrunner.com (replace (AT) with @ sign).

Here is today's photo collage. Makenna's first cake.

Im really excited about the contest and Im anxious to hear from you!!!!
Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!