Just do it......

So, you know, I have this friend.......an old friend....a friendship that goes back as far as one can, into my early childhood. I met Diane in my kindergarten class, in the basement of the Cousen's Memorial School in Lyman, Maine.....a small, cute school that is still filled with children today.

Di remembers those days better than I do....rather than the other relationships I made that year, I remember the blow-up letter "H" and just how much hair it had hanging off it. The teacher kept him high on a shelf as all the children were as infactuated with his hair as I was. Di and I were fast friends and though in the years that followed, we would sometimes drift away and spend time with other friends, we always came back to hang with each other. We even attended a trade school for the travel industry together after high school....we lived in the big city of Pittsburgh and boy do we have stories to tell!!

We've been through the gamut together.....bad boyfriends, great parties, weddings, and funerals. Di lost her mom to breast cancer when we were kids and she was there for me when my Dad passed too. Recently she's learned her dad has been diagnosed with cancer....another tough road to go down but I'll be there for her every step. I've been bugging her for months, since the birth of my idea to create a father/daughter book to please let me have a photo of her with her dad for the book. She finally asked him and it worked out perfectly as she helps me at my photo specials and he was kind enough to make the trip into the studio for this shot......

Mr. C and Diane, thanks so much for letting me have this one for the first page of my book!!! I know Di HATES to have her photo taken so this means a lot to me!

For those reading this.......if you don't have updated photos of your loved ones, what the heck are you waiting for? You never know what tomorrow holds.....stop saying "someday" or "when I lose weight or get a tan". It doesn't have to be a professional photograph (though I'd love to help if you'd like my assistance).....just do it and get that photo!!!

Enjoy!

~kel~

PS: Lise, thanks for the compliments on my blog changes......glad you like them! I was craving something different and think its a nice change. I'm getting on those boys about updating the blog...sports are keeping their time at the pc to a minimum these days! :)

On-location again......

Its so great to have this warm sunshine melting the snow away. I had my first on-location shoot yesterday and it didn't require a jacket! We're moving slowly towards summertime and I'm so happy to see the snow go.

This is Keegan......I've been photographing him since he was a newborn! He recently had his third birthday and after an attempt to take some in studio (that wasn't happening for this strong-willed child) I told Donna I'd come to them this time around. I put my zoom lens on and chased him around his yard. He was more comfortable in his element.....riding his John Deere and raking leaves. It was much easer to engage him in conversation so I could get these. We discussed the Easter Bunny and whether Keegan thought his behavior lately had been good enough to warrant a visit next weekend. Though he didn't have a concept of the time, he was sure he'd been really good and was relying on me to take the perfect photo to send to the Easter Bunny to prove it!

Donna, please show these to him, I promised he'd get to see a few on the 'puter. Let him know I'm putting in a good word for him....we want him to get LOTS of treats!!!!
Love the innocence in this one.....but his grandmother will wonder where the rest of his head is...she doesn't get my "style".....its okay.....there are more......

Like this one.....

Thanks for your company Donna.......and thanks for those GS cookies....we already dug into them!

Happy Monday!

~kel~

Brothers......

We're patiently waiting for Cameron's hockey tryouts to be evaluated and confirmed if he gets a spot on the travel team. I know my gal Laurie's boy got called up - Congrats Owen!! Cam's never played for a travel team before so he's finding the competition on the travel side of things a bit more intense...and he's lovin it! Next week will include at least one more night of tryouts as they try to fill the remaining slots - fingers crossed for my boy, he's working so hard these days! Today he played two games in a tournament that was a good hour drive from home, not worth returning here between games, Jean opted for spending time with his teammates and Cam was in his element. He scored two goals and two assists in the second game and came home with proud reports and exciting stories to share with his brother.....I love listening to them!

As we ate our dinner together, the rest of us got all the details. While watching the excitement I couldn't help but think how great it is that he has a passion so young. Branden is passionate about the game but not the same way Cam is. I wonder if its his position as the second child in birth order that makes him so competitive or if its just his makeup...probably both. He's competitive but in a quiet sort of way....a few years back, his coach named him "Cam "The Quiet Man" Roy" it's perfect...but I still call him my gentle giant. His heart is so big! Even when things aren't so great with Kenna, if asked how much he cares about her, he'll say with conviction that he loves her and he's usually the first at her side when some thing's gone wrong.

I have a photo of my boys from when they were much younger. I didn't take it....and the photographer wasn't even going to show it to me....luckily it was a quick modeling session and he gave me access to all the proofs from it...my boys are simply sitting side-by-side...looking at each other and laughing...giggling at something silly that only boys would find funny. I treasure that photo - it's exactly who they are.


Though these two brothers just met....they have a lifetime of learning about each other. My wish for them is they are always this close.

As always Heather & Ja, it was great spending time with you guys and your little men! I hope you like....

Enjoy!

~kel~

My days.......

Lately my days are spent working on photos, designing materials for the business and juggling Master Tyler two days of the week. I wish I could say I'm productive at cleaning and organizing my house but no such luck with that.

Yesterday I did Makenzie's newborn shoot at the studio.....Think they'll want this at the firehouse? Look at her sweet face.....what luck!

...stay tuned in the following months as we all watch her grow through her first year together!!

Yesterday I had to sneak up on Jack....he was watching something out the window and just looked so cute sitting there. Jean calls him my shadow, he's always following me around the house...even if its just to change rooms, he's right there, three steps behind.

Just to show how quickly time flies.....and because its now after 11:00 and I've been trying to get this post online since 7:00 AM, I thought I'd show how quickly they change. Tyler was born in November..and I took this photo soon after...
And here is is today.....all smiles.......the biggest toothless grin you could ask for! Today is his momma's birthday so I printed a few of these to send along with her to school so she could show off her pride and joy.

Last night I took Makenna to a high school play....their version of "Footloose". We went with my friends (her Godmothers) and had such a nice time. It was a really late night for Makenna but she bounded out of bed just fine and in plenty of time for school this morning. Last night the minute we dropped the girls off and the car was empty except for Kenna and me, she asked me which boy I liked best.....I told her the boy who sang the most did really well. She confessed she liked him too! This morning I asked her again if she liked the play....her reply "I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT and I'd like to go see that boy again!!" On the drive home last night, I could not help but think that I didn't get much exposure to this kind of thing when I was younger and I hope to bring my kids more. I hope it was memorable enough for her to think back on it with fond memories years from now.....just like I remember the first time we ever watched a Barbie movie together. I cried like a big sap sitting there watching that sweet little thing with her popcorn and little tiny toes curled around the bowl...engrossed in her first love story.

Well, I'm off to visit with Marleigh before her nap (dont want her to think she's been replaced when Tyler's here).

Enjoy!

~kel~

The Road to Boston

Melissa and I left early Thursday for our venture to Boston. I tucked my little pocket Canon ELPH in my purse as carrying my pro camera is too cumbersome for a seminar. We had a great time taking random shots (Melissa and I passed it back and fourth so these are a mix of both) and I decided to share them here for your viewing pleasure....

My view from the driver's seat as we waited in traffic on the bridge (yep, nerve wracking).....

The toll booth man....who was THRILLED to have his photo taken..

Another shot from the driver's seat - awesome to have this point of view, huh?

Magnificent sunshine...just about 8:45 AM

We don't have these tunnels in Maine.....

I had to have a shot of this for my boys....anything with a Pat's logo is a big deal here!

There's a rowing crew practicing in the water here - didn't even notice them there until I was cropping the photo.

Ahhhhh lovely city!!!

When you don't live in it every day, you really appreciate the beauty of the little things in the big city.

This guy had the right idea, the traffic was fast moving and frequent stopping....great shot Melissa! (poor thing had to tolerate my craziness I was screaming out "get this, get that, get the biker"!)

We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory - I had a picture of Melissa showing off the menus but decided she probably didn't want to be showcased on my blog...so I went for the photo of the pizza - it was so yummy (Yes Diane, I ATE THAT FOR LUNCH - Di knows I'm a fussy eater and typically would turn away from a pizza with huge tomato slices but I liked them cooked this way - I'm stepping out of my box!)

We had a slice of cheesecake to go and ate it when we returned to the seminar - I forgot to take a photo!!

So....that was our trip to Boston - just a variety of photos to share today...

Bloggy love....you know what it is, right? Comments...people who blog love the comments...it just lets them know there are people out there actually reading their words. Well, after Cameron's parent-teacher conference last night and noticing that both of my boys struggle with their writing abilities, I decided to encourage them to start a blog. Hoping that they would seek other blogs of interest and learn how to write more colorful and structured stories knowing that real people would read them. When I suggested it to them on the ride home, my gosh, they were so excited! I think the glamor of being "online" was the big draw. Right now its just introductions...but go have a look and stay tuned for updates...I hope they continue to write a little something as time passes - even if its not daily! Branden & Cameron's blog. If you do go, please take a second to leave them so bloggy love - Cam is thrilled that people can write to them too!

Happy Tuesday!
Enjoy!

~kel~

Hi......image overload as I recap.

I apologize for my absence....I have been extremely busy and "away" from the pc so much I started having withdrawals. I had my special last weekend and must apologize to my clients for not getting their photos online sooner...its not my style! I haven't really even been able to keep up with emails and have only had a few moments to update my facebook page. BUT....if you are my facebook friend, you've seen some of my more recent work as I try to put a few online for my clients to put in their profiles. (Remember, any photos on my blog or with my name on them are allowed on your facebook pages, desktops, myspace, etc....happy to share!)

I have had a few sessions lately that have challenged my photography skills. Some I was REALLY successful at and others...well, I did "good" and will work on honing them more.

Monday I photographed the arrival of Ms. Mackenzie - I shared those with you but here is a snap I took on Tuesday for her hospital photo....she smiled when her daddy spoke to her...

While there, I grabbed a few of her hard-workin' momma lovin' her up......

And her proud daddy giving her kisses.....

Tuesday: I photographed these for a local comedian, Steve Cloutier. He's a new to stand-up and trying to get his name out there. I took this shot (his idea) for a potential project that is to come later in the year.

This photo was my idea....just because if you know Steve...he's very humble and really doesn't think he's studly.......

Wednesday: I had my nephew, Tyler (almost 5 mos) and as much as I like to think I'm a supermom, I'm so out of practice with the babies!! I've given away all my baby stuff and don't have anything to accommodate him. I found that I just had to cuddle him the entire day to keep him happy, it was DREADFUL!! (snicker) I didn't even take the camera out of the bag this day...it needed a rest too!

Thursday: I was away for the entire day - My photog friend Melissa and I drove to Boston (2 hours from home) to attend the NILMDTS training seminar and Photoshop World Trade Show. We covered the gamut of emotions from excitement of the drive itself and the trade show to tears during the training videos (there is such a need for this service - it's a proven fact that the photographs help the parents with the grieving process - "There is no footprint too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world"). I hope to spread the word more in this area about the organization in hopes to change peoples mindsets about having photographs of their precious children - no matter their condition - its not morbid....its a baby!

Friday: I was glued to my pc all day - editing the photos for my clients who attended the special. I never got out of my pajamas as working at my pc is way more comfortable in my flannels. I needed to be dedicated to my work and my sweet girl Marleigh accommodated me so well - we had frequent breaks to satisfy her cravings and so that I could adjust the babysitter (TV programs). I don't like admitting that I use the TV as a sitter - but Friday it was a necessary evil to help me get caught up.

Yesterday, Saturday, I had an early morning appointment with Master Jaden who is now 12 days old! It FLIES by!!! He was the first birth session I shared last week! I was so thankful Heather was patient with my timing as I usually like to have the newborns in my studio before 10 days old but my week was just not allowing for one more session! They got to see why - even at 12 days old, they are not as sleepy making these types of sessions a little more work for adults. We waited him out and it was SO worth it! Jason is an arborist so when I told him I'd seen a portrait like this with a baby suspended from a tree branch, his eyes lit up and "cool" fell out of his mouth....at first I thought he was just pacifying me and snickering behind my back that I was nuts....but he trusts me....this proves it! I hope his mom gets to see these - she's miles away in sunny Florida - I used to babysit for her and my relationship with Jason goes back to when he was just this size too! Its amazing how these things come full circle like this....of all the people I know, its just so appropriate that its Ja's baby I get this shot of.....I'm very proud (of the portrait and Ja!)

Can you stand this......such sweetness.......

Well, that's where I've been.......just busy days. I was feeling bad that my senseless chatter was getting a bit much so I decided to stop it for awhile and only share meaningful information. I may have to go back to the senseless chatter as I miss my blogging time....

Enjoy!
~kel~

The birth of Mackenzie Rose

If you're my facebook friend, you got a sneak peek at these already....wink wink


A dainty little thing......even at 9.5 pounds and 22 inches long. I didn't know her parents before this day -only through one phone conversation and a few emails - they trusted me to capture this for them and I am truly honored!!! While we awaited Mackenzie's arrival, we had great conversation -swapping birth stories, family histories and discussing the name game. I captured several photos of Charlene working hard through her contractions, and then I watched her enjoy a break after the anesthesiologist gave her a dose of relaxation. As her body relaxed, the baby found her way into the world and we were all surprised by her size...born earlier than originally predicted!
I got an amazing birth shot of Daddy, David, assisting in the delivery! He has delivered several babies in his line of work as an EMT/firefighter but this one is by far the most special. (check out that umbilical cord!)
Her hospital hat was so cute - a little knitted sun bonnet, most appropriate for this sweet thing!

I was most touched when I heard the nurse announce that all of David's "brothers" from the fire department were waiting to see the baby less than two hours after her birth. They were by far the cutest bunch I'd seen - and so excited for David and Charlene.....it was heartwarming for me to see so many of them coming in support. Here's one for Mackenzie's baby book......
Thank you Charlene and Dave for having me as part of this very special day! I enjoyed my time with you and look forward to watching sweet Mackenzie grow!

Enjoy!
~kel~