destinations

The St. Louis Arch And Choosing Happiness

By Kelley / April 25, 2014 /

Over the last three months, I have had many conversations.  With friends.  And strangers.  They have told me stories.  Many side splitting, tears rolling down my face, laugh so hard I need to pee stories.  And just as many heart wrenchingly terrible.  Stories of the past.  And on-going nightmares lived every day. Tales that were…

Read More

Blue Ridge Weekend Getaway {Stars, Career Planning And Cooking}

By Kelley / January 27, 2014 /

I think it was on Wednesday of last week when my honeys said, “Let’s go somewhere this weekend.”  We started looking on VRBO and found this Comanche Lodge in the Blue Ridge mountains (they look like hills to me, but I’ve learned not to dispute the locals here.  It turned out the owner only lives…

Read More
Two grooms almost kissing at sunset

Matt + Mike Got Married!

By Kelley / December 18, 2013 /

This day was over twenty two years in the making.  A day that Matt and Mike never imagined would be possible in their lifetime.  But in May 2013, Minnesota passed a law for marriage equality and what was never possible became a day to plan and celebrate.  I was so honored that Matt and Mike…

Read More
Black and white photograph of LGBT wedding with two grooms about to kiss after their ceremony and stopping in the aisle

My Last Wedding Of 2013 {FYI – It Rocked!}

By Kelley / December 2, 2013 /

I was jumping up and down excited months ago when Matt + Mike asked me to be their wedding photographer.  And I’m still jumping up and down excited as I work on all of their images as I relive a fabulous celebration.  A celebration of two people who have been committed to each other for…

Read More
High school senior wearing purple and red kimono with arms outstretched in the middle of a bridge

Muscle Shoals High School Senior Photographs – Emily W

By Kelley / October 14, 2013 /

A few weeks ago, I packed up my minivan for a little overnight trip and drove out to Muscle Shoals, Alabama for a last minute senior session with my cousin.  The stars aligned with my kids school break, calendars and weather.  The five hour roadtrip was a breeze.  Yay for good books and clear skies…

Read More

Matt And Mike Are Getting Married

By Kelley / October 9, 2013 /

I had the pleasure of photographing Matt and Mike two years ago when we were in Minnesota on our family summer vacation.  Matt is a fabulous graphic designer and small business owner worthy of major clients (think Fortune 100 company golden arches worthy).  I have a mutual friend to thank for introducing us and will…

Read More
Family of three sitting and laughing together in Chicago fall leaves

Chicago, IL Family Photography Session – Ernst Family

By Kelley / February 26, 2013 /

As I’m focusing on family and on the hunt for an awesomely fabulous family to photograph for free, I realized I somehow neglected to share more from this session in Chicago last fall.  And oh. my. goodness.  Was this little girl adored by her parents.  It was so awesome to see!  She was twirled and…

Read More
Newborn baby boy peering out behind polka dot blanket

Newborn Session – Chicago Lifestyle Photography

By Kelley / November 1, 2012 /

When I was in Chicago almost two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of doing a newborn lifestyle shoot in a Chicago suburb.  It’s interesting what they call suburbs these days, as it was an hour drive and there were highway signs indicating Iowa wasn’t far.  😉 The drive was well worth it and I…

Read More