Happy Valentines Day

Yes, yes...everyone says their kids are the best, so why can't I?  This is my blog and I say that I can :).  I think they are the best.  Sure they fuss....and whine.....quarrel with one another....and occasionally lightly tap (bruise) each other.  Who's kids don't I ask.  But they are a whole lot of other stuff.  They are kind, compassionate, giving, creative, thinkers, joyful..yada yada yada.  This is why impromptu photoshoots are necessary.  To document their fashion at the time (anyone who can pull off stripes and leopard at the same time is ok in my book)...hair length...character that shows through the photo...and the way they beam love.  Grateful for my kids in a BIG way!  Happy Valentines day ya'll!

Before and Afters

When I first started photography, I used to say "your photos is only as good as your editing software".  Do I still believe this?....to some extent yes...a good edit can take a photo from great to extravagant, but most importantly I have studied HOW to get that straight out of camera photo to be just perfect, so I don't need to do much to it.  For the last year I have been working on an edit that is colorful yet holds onto that film style that we all love and remember.  It's familiar and nostalgic to my every sense.  I remember the cube flash film camera my parents had and how the images were grainy...full of shadows and drama...my fav.  I have tweaked this edit so many times, but am happy with the result.  When you ask a photographer to take your photo, know that there is much time and thought put into the shoot itself in seeing exactly what they want for you.  Then the editing....ahh the editing.  Sometimes my favorite part.  I see an image that I shot at the shoot and kick it up just  a smidgen...making the beautiful people shine.   

I get asked on almost a daily basis "What do your images look like SOOC (straight out of camera)....they look a little like the below.  Trying to get the best shot SOOC and then fine tuning.    The editing takes the most time, but the result is an extraordinary image for families to have for a lifetime!

The dreamer

I just love this girl.  She is adventurous, free, grateful, thankful for her friends, is shy from nothing, reaches for the furthest dream and does all she can to just skim it with the tips of her fingers, she is an avid reader and has a thirst for life that challenges even my own concept of how much this world has to offer.  She whispers prayers to the Father knowing with FULL faith that He lends His ear to her and sits with her....always.  She has taught me much about being a sensitive soul.  How the very weakness of sensitivity is not knowing how to grasp the very nature of the heart of people.  How she can intercede for someone and carry their burden for them...a very trait she learned from her Creator.  I am proud....she is 8....and understands what has taken me 34 years to even slightly understand about people....I'm grateful.

Germany!!!

Rothenburg was our next stop on our European Adventure and ...woah..this place was crazy amazing.  Lots of renaissance dressed folk with their steins in hand.  HUGE birds and parades left and right.  The architecture was incredible and the sites were bright and colorful.  It was an amazing place to visit and spend time.  The town of Rothenburg is surrounded by a great big wall.  So you enter through these side arched doors into a step back in time.  Everyone was super friendly and there were tourists in just about every square inch of this historical city.  It was truly incredible though.  Josh and I had the best time exploring this quant city.

Oh what a night...late December back in 14'

Tonights shoot was....magical.  Crystal is a photographer friend who I met years ago through church.  When she asked me to photograph her family and do a super cool fire shoot....I was IN!  I couldn't be more happy with how this shoot turned out.  This family is super cute and awesome, the light was fantastic and the fire was...well....warm on a FREEZING cold night.  Crystal showed up to our fire pit shoot by first saying...."uh, so we forgot the firewood"...HAHAHA!  I wasn't sure how we were going to have a fire pit shoot without firewood, so her very gracious parents drove to the local store to get us some firewood and boy and I grateful for them.  The firewood was all that we needed to bring this whole shoot together.  Thank you Brindles for having me capture this crazy awesome time for you and your kiddos.  The shoot is for the books!

Hi, my name is Kel and I'm a blogger....kind of

Ok, Ok, ....it's been a LONG time since I have blogged.  The level of busyness has been out of control.  I love it for sure, but it has kept me from blogging! :(  I remember the days when I would blog every day....look at every blog under the sun...and write like I had time to spare.  These days.....not so much.  I do miss it though.  I am so grateful to have been busy though.  Steamboat has given me some great sunsets and overcast snowy days so far and WOW, the lighting is just fantastic.  Here are some samples of just what I have been up to these last few months!

A wedding, headshots, company/church team photos, seniors, family, website shoots, newborn, maternity, Christmas mini-sessions, engagement, sisters....boy, it's been a little crazy. Crazy good!

ANNOUNCEMENT TIME

I have been approached several times this year asking....Can you teach me how to use my camera? I LOVE helping people learn things and since I know a thing or two about photography...this is a win-win.  On January 10th 2015 I am offering my first Workshop "Learn Your Camera".   I have 5 spots open and will open more dates if there is interest.  If you have a *DSLR camera and want to know what the heck is aperture and how does it change my photo? Why is 1 eye in focus and the other is blurry? What is White Balance?  Then this is the place for you.  1 hour of learning the basics of your camera and 1 hour out shooting together.  This is a great opportunity to challenge yourself and the first step in taking better photos of your family/friends/pets, you name it.  After we learn the basics, other workshops will be offered on learning your style, posing, how to get and keep the interest of your kids while you shoot, using light to your advantage, lenses and much much more. 

 That's it! I am so excited about this workshop and hope you are too!

The workshop is $75 for 2 hours of great fun while learning your *DSLR camera.

*must have a DSLR camera to bring to the workshop

email me at kelwood9@gmail.com to register for the class

Nicolai & Kelsie's Wedding!

When Kelsie & Nicolai called me to meet them to talk about wedding packages......I was overjoyed!  They are a super young couple who love the Lord and serve the church with all that they have.  I take a certain favor on people like that because that was me this side of 10 years ago.  I was a young missionary to China with one thing in mind...to marry Josh...I didn't care if we got married in a back alley, as long as we were married.  This couple reminded me of Josh and I.  I asked the bride the morning of her wedding "Are you ready?"...she said..."I can't wait until it's after 6 PM tonight"....She was ready and wanted to be married.  I love their dedication to each other and to the church.  This was such a beautiful wedding to photograph and it didn't hurt that the couple was GORGEOUS.  Check it out for yourselves!

Congratulations Kelsie and Nicolai!  

Happy Birthday Ben

Last weekend was the birthday of the century!!!  Well...he was turning 1, but holy smokes was he cute!  Parents Ashley and Galen know how to put on a partay.  

Happy Birthday Ben!

Darla & Danny's Wedding!!!

Once upon a time....that is how stories begin and should end happily, yes?  Well, in this story....once upon a time started 27 years ago in college.  Danny and Darla dated in college and endearingly refer to one another as college sweethearts.  They went their separate ways after college both following a different path.  Flash forward 27 years later and Danny and Darla are standing at the alter fulfilling a dream.  Both saying over and over that they should have done this long ago.  Before parents and family....D&D promised each other a life filled with joy, forgiveness, and love.  It was a honor to photograph their day in such a gorgeous location.  So grateful to have met them and share that special and momentous day with them.  Have a look see at the beauty that is Danny and Darla!

This is Livie...she is Darla's "new" daughter...they are thick as thieves :)

This is Claire, she is Darla's niece.  She and Livie had just met the day before and they were instant kindred spirits.  So much fun to see them together. 

Preparing for the ceremony...adorable!

*****Stunning*****

Darla's nephew walked her down the aisle..so special

Darla is sooo cute!

You may KISS your bride..WAHOO!!

McCoy family photos!

There are moments in my photography career where the "stars align", everything is as it should be.  Last week I had that shoot. The evening was beautiful, the people were beautiful, the kids were filled with the excitement of summer (which I love) and the parents/grandparents could relax and let the shoot unfold.  The light was just amazing and I could not be happier with the images I got of this gorgeous family.  Thanks McCoys for a great evening!!!

I refer to this shoot as a Ralph Lauren shoot :)

Stacy Hillmer

Can I just say....I love this woman.  She is a past bride of mine and I was so excited when she called me to photograph her maternity session. :)  She is so beautiful inside and out.  Lights up a room when she walks into it and will definitely be the best mama to her baby boy.  Just look at how beautiful she is :)  

Harper Mattox

First senior of the year and I am in LOVE with these images!  Harper is incredibly beautiful and we got to go to the greatest location.  We ended up at the Catamount Golf Course, in golf carts, riding around the entire course yelling "STOP HERE". HAHAHA, it was the best!  The whole family came and made it so fun for me.  A great start to the senior season!  Thanks Harper!

Clay & Erica's Wedding

When I was asked to photograph a reception in the beginning of the year, my response was YES!  I LOVE receptions!!  Then the couple decided to have an actual ceremony, in the Falls, on a gorgeous summer afternoon, joined by a few friends and family....my answer was YES! YES! YES!  I just love intimate weddings.  They are so joyful and filled with just the right people...the ones who know you best and love you the deepest.  Clay and Erica's wedding was no exception.  They were surrounded by about 20 of their closest friends/family as they said "I Do" and signed the papers :)  We had about a 20 minute ceremony and after a few family photos/bride and groom photos,  I headed down to the reception to await the arrival of the bride and groom on a tandem bike!  It was super exciting.  The cruiser bike was perfect!  They rode through downtown to the reception hall and were greeted by ALL their friends who toasted/laughed/and cheered for the happy newlyweds.   Check out their special day!

Event coordinator: Girl Friday Event & Design

Food catered by: Rex American Grill of Steamboat

Reception venue: Olympian Hall 

The grooms sister and dad performed an awesome song dedicated to Clay and Erica's relationship.  Very touching!

Spillane Family Photos

So, I had the great pleasure of photographing a fellow photographer in town.  She has 2 kiddos and they are dang cute people.  Such a great time in the overcast, windy, rainy, sun drenched field  that was filled with wild flowers!  WILD FLOWERS! They were so gorgeous.  A few days before their shoot, I told Hilary that she needed to have a bright lipstick......can I just say......I LOVE that color on her.  Show her some love!!!!

Schmidt family

Well, I just have to say...God Bless my friends.  I just love photographing amazing people and this family is nothing short of awesome.  Emily and I have been friends for many years.  I remember having convo's with her about kiddos years ago and I always got the answer "some day".  Thank goodness she had babies, because...look at them.  GORGEOUS kids from very attractive parents.  Thanks Emily and Andrew for allowing me to photograph and capture this special age of your kiddos.  Truly is a blessing to see your kids grow up through the years.  Here are some of my favorites from their shoot.  WOWZAHS!

UN-REAL beautiful

Maybe my favorite shot of ALL time

GORGEOUS!!!

They are adorable people...Adorable

Gabsy's "senior" photos

Gabrielle called me and said "I need some senior photos because my parents think I need some good photos at this age"...I was like..YES!  I totally agree!!!  I just love that her parents pushed her to do this because she looks amazing!  I just loved this shoot!  We went in the dead of winter down into the falls and shot next to a waterfall in the shade....it was cold.  TERRIBLY cold...and Gabsy wore this amazing dress and faced the elements....amazing.  I just loved this shoot.  Gabsy was so down to earth and super easy to talk to, making the shoot a ton of fun.  Here are a few of my favorites. :)

More of the Schmidts to come!!! LOVE these photos

My baby doll!

This is my youngest.  She is joy....pure joy.

Elwood Christmas

Every other year the Elwood clan gets together for Christmas and 2013 twas that year!  Everyone flew in relatively close to Christmas (or on Christmas) and we began a sweet time of toasting with egg nog, singing carols to the neighbors and yule tide all round.  Well.....kind of  hahha, we did sit around the fire, but it was not with egg nog it was with coffee or hot chocolate, games were played, music videos made and the occasional smelly diaper (thank you Liam) graced our presence.  We shared laughs, good food and the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus.  I am blessed to be in a great family and really love our Christmas's when we are all together (minus Jess of course).  Next year....lonely, but 2015...WOOT WOOT!! 

Enjoy some photos taken during our family photoshoot.  Photos courtesy of Amy (SIL) and myself. :)

Happy New Year!