i like airports.
i like finding a bench where i can perch quietly, coffee in hand…and sip, watching every interesting person that happens to meander past me. and i wonder where they came from and what their story is.
i like parties. shaking hands. hugging. meeting new fabulous souls and listening to every interesting detail about their life. i like leaving wondering if my new introductions will lead to life-long friendships.
i like facebook’s rampant 25-random-things-you-didn’t-know-about-me questionaire and finding out hidden treasures like the fact that my friend amy finished all four courses of the wilton school of cake design or that brett’s little sister can eat her weight in corndogs if the opportunity presented itself.
i like stopping to notice the waitress’ name printed on her badge and making it a point to call her that the rest of the evening.
because i like people. i love people. all different kinds of people. and when i meet new souls, i store them in little files in my brain to keep. because there’s a reason for everything, and even a simple chance encounter can carve significant impact on life. on futures. on inspiration that leads to becoming the very best version of yourself possible.
which is why i love a photo shoot.
the incredible opportunity to meet new people. and connect. and watch how they love, how they interact, how they breathe life into each other and maybe…just maybe…stop time and capture it.
i love how the first ten minutes of photographing families is awkward. a bit staged. posing, moving, pushing for the comfortable level where they forget there’s a camera. and finally suddenly feeling that awkwardness melt away as everyone loosens. finds their groove. tips their head back in laughter. when the kids drop the cheesy grin and smile real. because they’re happy. when they high five me after a good shot.
i love the window into their life. how they call their baby love-love. how in seconds, i can pick up who’s a daddy’s girl. who’s a mama’s boy. who’s shy. who’s the family clown.
like i said…
i love people.
and i love how i get to meet new ones all the time.
tonight it was the demski family.
three sisters from chicago who have been reading my blog for quite some time…whose comments have made me smile for months…and whose family made me smile tonight with every bit of their colorful charisma.
and i’m wondering which of the sisters will leave her hotel room the earliest tomorrow to find a computer in the hopes that just maybe a little of tonight’s love was ready for viewing.
oh, for the love of pete…these are some of my most favorite-est shots. ever. seriously…the ice cream gets me every time.
a joy it was…tammy, april & kristin. your families are beautiful and so are your souls.
a pleasure, as always to meet new faces.
…and shoes.
~k
Steph says
Cute pics…cute family/families! I am up early…can’t get back to sleep. FUN to read a new post/see GREAT pics! :o)
Steph says
P.S. – how could you not love this family. they’re from Chicago! 😉
TRB Holt says
Kelle ~ You have a gift.
Kulio says
Oh…I love these! And I love your people-soul. I had this really strange person come up to me yesterday who told me to put my hand out, and he mirrored his hand to mine without touching – then said, “Feel that energy?” ha. Thing is, I believe you can feel that energy. For me, I want to capture that energy in music. For you, the energy of life is captured in your pictures. They’re full of something. Life. Love. (I would say, “Laughter”, but I think that’s already on a plaque somewhere.) Peace and love to you Kelle! Keep on feelin’ it.
Kristin says
I’m the first of the sisters to see it!!! I’m about to run down to my sisters condos to show! Love them and you!! The pics are gorgeous!! Love my shoe shots lots!! Is that wrong??? Can’t wait to see the rest!!!
Tisha says
holy hot shoes! love all the shots with the hot pink lovelies!
favorite shot…torn between the first ice cream shot with the little guy begging for more and the sweet nuzzly one with his big sister. oh and the bw beach shots are always look fantastic.
April says
love these! love kris’ iphone! kelle, last night was a pleasure … so much fun! i love that we got to meet heidi, too!
mrc-w says
That looks like such a fun photo shoot!
Heidi says
lovin’ these pics and family lots!!!!
you rocked this shoot! beautiful.
the ice cream shots with the kids, little eli is seriously edible, are my faves. adore the family photo too!!
each of the children had their own little ‘thing,’ personality and it really shined through in your photograghs and it was delightful to watch.
*SO ENJOYED meeting you guys!!! can’t wait until you come back and meet up with the ‘most fun photographer in naples!’
Heidi says
oh yeah…i am so with ya on the meeting new people thing. SO MUCH!
Leah says
Those pictures just put the biggest smile on my face! Love all the kids lined up and the one of the sweet girl and her baby brother. OMG… you capture life in such an incredible way. Great shots!!
Kelly says
I don’t know this family, but want to go to their reunion and eat lots of ice cream with them!! Amazing!
Anna Ruth says
How do you do it? You take a family that you just meet and get amazing pictures. You can see how happy they are.
amyc says
My name made the infamous blog! Holy crap, I feel so, well, loved! Spectacular photo shoot of this family. Love the hot pink shoes and ice cream shots!
hdbl says
Kelle..your gift of photographing people is just really amazing.
I’m LOVING my camera and have been really enjoying nature pictures ( i know…really boring.) You can check em out on my blog. They are unphotoshopped let me know what you think…
Lisa Y. says
Must.
Have.
Those.
Shoes.
Tammy B says
Kelle, thank you so much for the awesome photo shoot! You are just as much fun in real life, as in your blog 🙂 I can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures. And Heidi, it was so great to get to meet you too! After all this time, we have a real life experience to think of every time we read a blog post. Oh, I am so missing sunny FL! But, it sure was nice to see all the new “green” at home! Spring has definitely sprung up here in the midwest.
Life with Kaishon says
This is exactly what I loved about you the very first post I ever read. I can tell that you love people deeply. And I love people that love people. Love. Love. LOVE!