Pretty Things

Sometimes when I pick up my camera, and I'm feeling random, all I want to do is just go find a pretty thing and take a pretty photo of it.  So last Sunday, that's what I did.  It was raining and in my mom's garden there was a beautiful pink tulip calling to me.  Here's what came of it...I hope these Pretty Things brighten your day.  Enjoy!  :)

Snowdrops

Blueberry flowers...they'll be yummy blueberries later on :)

Raindrops on the tulip leaves

Pansy

Pot marigold, a.k.a. Calendula

Mallow (yes, it's a relative of marshmallow!)

This delicate little flower has been cursed with the name "Elephant's Ears"...hehe...I guess because of its large leaves.

Mandarin oranges

This one cracks me up.  Mom has lots of iris.  But they don't stay in the same place while they grow; they're tubers and they grow longer and longer, sometimes away from the tags she's put by them.  Looks like this one has been growing away, and she isn't quite sure what it is..."purple/white?"  ;)

A solitary little snowdrop...

And the tulip that started this happy little shooting spree.  :)

If you just looked out the window, you wouldn't see a whole lot out there...but there is a lot of beauty to be discovered even in a tired, sleepy winter garden.  That's what I look for when I pick up my camera.  Beauty.  It's usually there to be found, you just have to do a little searching...and that's what I love to do!

That's all for now folks!  Enjoy the "pretty things" and have a lovely Thursday!

- Kelsey Schweickert

Discovering beauty...

http://www.photographybykelsey.net/  |  kelsey@photographybykelsey.net  |  www.twitter.com/partyinmycamera

Jared and Samantha

The day after 2010 began, Jared and Samantha started their new life together!  It was freezing cold outside but the party inside was a happy one...as you can see.  :D

I was second-shooting for Britton Felber...the creator of Something Amazing!  :)

Samantha, the beautiful bride

Oh yes...this was a fun group of bridesmaids!

Love these cute toenails!

Cutting the cake

Decorating the getaway car...talk about a COLD job.  But these guys braved it out and the couple drove off in style!  ;)

Congratulations, Jared and Samantha!  All God's best to you in your new life together!

Tahoe photos next...I think...we'll see.  So many photos to share, so little time!  ;)

- Kelsey

http://www.photographybykelsey.net/  |  kelsey@photographybykelsey.net  |  www.twitter.com/partyinmycamera

Pinon family portrait session

OK, I know I said the next post would be recent wedding photos, but these family portraits are way too cool not to share! :) This family session was a long time coming (like, months!), but we finally managed to find a time that worked for both our schedules -- a beautiful sunny afternoon just before Christmas.

You've already met the twins (see Dec. 31 post)...these girls were SO fun to photograph! They bravely did whatever I asked, including lying down on some rather damp grass/leaves for the photo in that earlier post. :)

This is Gabriel -- he was a big help holding the reflector for me! :)

Bella, an adorable little gal!

Isn't she cute?!

Her mom, Angela...you can see where Bella gets her good looks! ;)

Both parents together...

All the kids

Bella and Gabriel with their mommy. Is this cute or what? :)

Here's what Angela told me when she saw the photos (quoted by permission)...
"You completely amazed me! My eyes were filled with happy heartfelt tears! I loved all of the pictures! You captured beautiful smiles & the true personality of each one of us! Once again thank you for your time & hard work!"

Isn't she sweet? :D I definitely enjoyed this shoot a lot...the entire family was great to photograph and just have fun with. And I'm super-happy with the photos we got!

Quick break in the editing tomorrow -- heading back to Tahoe with my family to check out some of that new snow at Sugar Bowl. Baby (err, that's my camera) will come along as usual, so if he gets to see some of the action you can be sure I'll share whatever comes of it. :) AND I really am going to post some of those New Year's wedding photos -- we got some amazingly beautiful images. All in good time! ;) For now -- good night, friends!

- Kelsey

http://www.photographybykelsey.net/  |  kelsey@photographybykelsey.net  |  www.twitter.com/partyinmycamera

Jennie - senior portraits

Jennie and I had a grand time doing her portraits at her grandpa's country club...what a gorgeous place for a photo session!  It was great being able to explore the whole place and shoot to our heart's content.

Then we went outside to catch some of the beautiful late-afternoon light.  Here's my favorite photo of the day...

Isn't the light pretty on her dark hair?  I just love it!

Jennie's a natural poser.  She can do it so easily and gracefully -- I loved working with her!

That's all for now...next, wedding photos from last weekend!

- Kelsey

http://www.photographybykelsey.net/  |  kelsey@photographybykelsey.net  |  www.twitter.com/partyinmycamera

Dane Sanders Workshop in Colorado

You know those times when you sign up for something, something you know will be helpful, but really you have no idea what you're getting into?  I knew Dane Sanders' workshop would be good...but I had no idea how good!  It was transformative—inspiring—life-changing—and my approach to my photography and my business (and just about everything else, really!) will never be the same!

I don't know where to start, so unless you want to sit here and read for the next two days, I'll just share one thing Dane said that's been percolating in my mind: I am not my photography.

I've worked hard to become a good photographer.  That's important.  I love to discover beauty, and I need to have all the skills to capture awesome photos of that beauty.  But that's not really the core issue.  Lots of people out there can take cool photos.  It's all about being the unique person God created me to be.  Living that out thru my camera skills...and every other area of life.

Being yourself is compelling.  It's authentic.  Even if it’s quirky sometimes—it’s the real thing.  :)  And because I'm a unique individual, there's no one else who can do what I can do.  I have a one-of-a-kind spot in the photography world, and I'm the only one who can fill it.  Finding beauty in people's lives and documenting it in the way only I can...because I'm the only one of me out there.  Does that inspire confidence or what!  And this affects every aspect of my photography business.  My photography is an outgrowth of the one-of-a-kind, creative, wacky person I was designed to be.

Actually, this is a universal truth.  It applies to you too!  I don't know what your unique giftings are.  But you, too, were made to fill a role uniquely well, in a way that only you can.  There's only one of you in the world, and there never was and never will be anyone like you.  You have a part to play.  You're uniquely qualified to play it.  As Dane says, cooperate with reality. Continue to become more who you were made to be.

Here's a few photos from the class...we had a grand time!

The two Kelseys!  :)  Would you believe it, there were two of us there!

The awesome neighborhood in Longmont where Stacy Ziegler (who hosted the workshop—yay for Stacy!) has her studio

Erin, one of my new photographer friends, working with our very fun portrait models, Jennifer and Allen

My turn to photograph!

Britton,working his magic

That's all for now!  :)  Happy Monday, friends!

Kelsey

http://www.photographybykelsey.net/  |  kelsey@photographybykelsey.net  |  www.twitter.com/partyinmycamera