Noelle.....so lovely!

This great family drove a LONG way to see ME!! They come from a state away so I knew I had to treat them right. I kept them at the studio until I felt they had enough images to make it worth the trip. I'm so honored!
So girly..her mom made her the headband with the big pink flower, I had to add more to make it look like she was in a flower bed. They want to have four children, they are fantastic parents, relaxed and involved!

The blanket in this photo is a scarf made by one of my clients, Shana Aldrich. She came to me for some head shots and we got to talking about her career in fashion and one of her own creations are these beautiful scarves! I was thrilled when she offered to share her talents with me to use for some of the babies I photograph. Ms. Noelle was my first model and I think she did a fab job!

Daddy's in the Air Force and when I saw his tattoo, I knew I had to match them up! Noelle gave me a bit of everything from smiling, to yawning to sleeping...I love it when a plan comes together!

Thank you Vania and Rob! It was wonderful meeting you and your beautiful daughter!!

ON THE HOME FRONT:

Well, things are changing! My house is slowly emptying as things get boxed up. I'm trying so hard not to be sentimental about moving out of the first home I've ever owned and brought all four of my babies home to....it only hurts when I really sit and think about it. It seems the nights are harder. Sometimes I wake from sleep in the middle of the night and my mind goes right to the move and how much change I'm causing for my kids. Are they are my first concern? I find myself wondering, am I moving for me? for Jean? certainly laying there in the dark, it doesn't feel one bit like I'm doing this for the kids because I know how hard it will be for them to change schools and friends. For me this is easy, I am moving "home". Back to my old tromping ground, my closest friends, my family and my mom! Pulling my kids away from their friends seems so unfair. BUT, then morning comes and I look at them all and know that their characters will grow from this experience. They will learn that they can survive a change so big. They are good people and will attract good friends no matter where they land. Their worlds will expand from these changes and when the next big change comes along, they will be that much more prepared. We're doing this for all of us!

I will post photos when we own the property! I'm not superstitious, just respectful of the folks that own it now. Our closing date is Friday....my stomach did a flip when I typed that...we are beyond excited!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Oliver......

Isn't he the SWEETEST!!!! I'm telling you, we only grow them CUTE in Maine!!!

I stepped out of the box a bit and mom and dad were so great about letting me try something different. He's newly born but a good sized boy for my new bowl....still cute enough to eat!


Lately this once tough pose has become a standard for my newborn sessions....until the parents start to complain they don't like it, I think I'll continue making it a standard!
Mom and Dad, thanks so much for choosing me on just the few photos you saw in the hospital brochure and the kind words of the ladies that work there! I hope you are pleased with the results of our session!


I spent last night photographing the wedding of Maria & Craig...I'll post you a few of those in the coming days..unless your a fan on facebook, I've already posted a few highlights there. They love to dance and I got some great ones of the groom gettin' his groove on out on the dance floor. He didn't stop the whole night! It was so fun to watch him!

I have to close as these days I'm temporarily sharing my office space with Cam (whose trying to sleep here beside me now). The move has shaken up some of the normalcy around here but I know soon enough we'll be back in to a routine.

Enjoy!
~kel~

Workshop Images!!

Image overload but you're gonna like these!

I went to a workshop yesterday with a photographer, David Beckstead, from Washington State. There were thirty photographers and five models to brave the rainy day and push our knowledge to get some creative images of brides and grooms. It was too rainy to get outside so we stayed inside an old mill and followed the light. Here are some of my images....taken of some of my model friends. They were so awesome!! Thanks Jaime, Emily and Chris! In most cases, David set the models up to show us how he uses the available light.....with thirty photographers shooting, we had to be creative with our angles!

It was a great time.....here are Emily and Chris...who are getting married this summer!!

.....and this is Jaime...whose already got herself a man but boy does she rock the wedding dress!! First two are my faves!

These images are not typically something I'd take at a wedding unless the bride allowed enough extra time for the creative shots. If any of my upcoming brides are interested in shots like this....we should talk!

I had so much fun hanging with my gal, Melissa, and seeing familiar faces from other workshops I've attended. It was an exhausting good time!

Today I meet with another bride and photograph couples for a marriage retreat! It's gonna be a great day!

Enjoy!
~kel~

We're off again!

We're coming and going so much these days that my time at the pc is limited. Hockey season has ended but Lacrosse starts up and both boys are on different teams/leagues so is crazy again!

I had to show you this session.....loved how they all came out and finding just a few to show here was tough so I borrowed them from my facebook page. This family comes from a group of friends whose babies I've been fortunate enough to photograph!! They are sharing my name and I appreciate that so much - it brings a level of comfort for us all upon first meeting and I'm sure the kids sense it too!

Jenna, thank you so much for coming in to see me and your kind words upon review of your session were so lovely.....they made my day!!

Loved this little diva part of the session....she loved being all dolled up in pink and pearls...maybe I'll share some more from the rest of the session later in the week...so many cute ones!

When you're looking for decor change, craigs list is such a great escape! I've been finding the missing pieces to fill the voids going into my new home....did I mention its BIGGER? Last night I scored a lovely headboard for my king bed for only $100!! Getting high on bargains is the way to go! I'm on a mission now to find a dining room table that seats us all comfortably! I'm planning on having holiday parties....wanna be on my guest list, send me a note!!!

Also...I am going to venture to the beach for some mini sessions with the bed as a prop. I will keep you posted on the date as I really want an overcast day. The catch with this is....you MUST let me know if you want to be on this email list specifically!! I am NOT sending it to all of my clients, only those who have expressed interest! I will not have time for everyone and this is a very short window that I can work in so sessions will be very limited! That means....when you get an email from me....don't wait!!! Also...notice for this will be very short as I need to watch the weather and plan accordingly! send me a note at jkroy(AT)roadrunner.com as I am making my special email list!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Relaxed and casual! {Southern Maine Photographer}

Trying to come up with a blog header sometimes stumps me. I always want it to be right for the photos and the subject and I know I repeat myself often but this one really does describe the shots to follow!

Hope your holiday was great!! Ours was....relaxed and casual! It has been super crazy here buying and selling. All the chaos of trying to keep my home clean for showings has proved to be no easy feat! I seriously live with the four little pigs! Marleigh makes a mess the second I turn away, even the real estate agent laughed at how crazy it was keeping up with her! The first day of showings, he was here early to retrieve keys and have one last walk through, all the time he giggled as I kept telling Marleigh to pick-up, put-away and stop taking out!! I finally got him all the information he needed, Marleigh was buckled safely in her car seat, Jack was cowered on the floor of the van (he's not used to riding and is such an over-excited dog, he hides the first bit of the ride). The first showing lead to the offer on the house!! When I returned home to my sparkly clean, everything-in-its-place home, I discovered that Ms. Marleigh had beat me at her game....I ventured to the bathroom and discovered the horrors of pink toothpast dribbled down the entire depth of the sink and the toothpaste and princess brush left helter skelter on the countertop! I'd tried so hard.....but maybe that pink dribble was what made my house a home? I love her and her pink toothpaste dribble!!

So here are the kids....our last Easter morning in this house. I wanted to capture the beauty of the day, the casualness of how relaxed and happy we were to not have to be away from home. Jean cleaned the yard and I watched old movies with the windows open and the smell of spring pouring in. A perfect relaxing day! Later we joined my family for some grillin' and it was a good day!

Love these......relaxed and casual....I watched the family sit together on my couch, they were waiting while I prepared the camera...talking to to their sweet, adorable son I snapped these.

Jane and Kevin, congratulations on your new Teddy Love!!! He's awesome! Thanks for having me part of it all!

I'm going to try to catch up today!!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Can you believe this?

We were not looking to move. We didn't feel we were ready finanically for it.
we paid so little for our home years ago that the comfort of the payment was
so nice with four kids. just thought we'd be here forever.

SUNDAY: (almost two weeks ago) we got a call from my old and dear friend, Peggy,
telling me we NEEDED to see this home. Her husband is a plumber and one of his clients, is moving south and they want to sell asap. I told her we didnt think we could make it but the tone in her voice told me I needed to make an effort.

MONDAY: We drove by to see if we liked it. It looked nice...but hard to see from the road. they weren't home so we couldnt look inside. When we got back home, the owners called to see if we wanted to come back. It was too late in the evening so they asked if we could come tuesday morning but Jean has to work all day so I declined. She said, we have a realtor coming at 1:00 but if you're interested, we'd rather sell without a realtor and we'll make you an outstanding deal. I told her we could be there for 5PM but not sooner. She told me she'd call the realtor and tell her to come later in the week.

WEDS: Called the bank and a realtor to see about selling our home, could we
make the numbers work.

THURS: Bank is sure we can get financing for the home WITHOUT even having
to sell our own home if that were the case! (owners didn't have the time to wait for ours to sell). The asking price was incredible so we wanted to try hard to get it. Its beautiful, on 5 acres of waterfront land, only 6 years old, and this couple is generous in many ways...we prayed it would work out.

FRIDAY: Officially sign loan papers and bank assures a commitment letter by Monday. We sign a purchase and sale agreement and are officially UNDER CONTRACT for the new house.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY: Pack up my sweet little home as much as we can and move "extras" to storage so the house appears uncluttered for showings. I watch HGTV and know how important this is!! painting, fixing, packing, hockey tournaments, dance and the weekend was gone in no time.

MONDAY: Committment letter and a closing date of April 30.

TUESDAY: Packing the house, cleaning, painting and prepping.

WEDS: Our house officially goes on the market.

THURS: First showing on our house..sounds like we might have an offer!

FRIDAY (today) Five showings scheduled!

When I think about it all, I get emotional it all comes back to this wonderful couple we met. They have given us an amazing *AMAZING* opportunity to bring our children back to my home town, 3 minutes from my mother, living on the same pond as four of my girlfriends and a place for our kids to grow and come home to later. My heart is happy.....so happy. Its not a huge home, its just perfect four us! It has all the things we need now and also for what we planned for a retirement home (on water) all wrapped in one package. The couple guides us as if we have known them for years and treats us like their own children, doting on my Marleigh and offering us the things they don't want to bring with them. They love us already and we love them too. I will be honored to love their home as much as they do!!!

I'll post photos of the home once its OURS! I just had to share the story so you know where I've been and how luck has played a role in my life of late. We surely do feel blessed!!

I must close as I have to leave again for the day. I have sessions to edit and hope to get much of this chaos out of the way this weekend!

Thanks for following me over here....I'd love to hear that you made it!!

Enjoy!
~kel~