This will be great. Here’s 10 reason you shouldn’t hire me!
First; a little introduction. I’m Kellie. I have the best husband and 2 amazing and wild kids- all of which are my driving force behind my business and my art. I’ve been a photographer for over 15 years (and I wont say how much longer than 15 years, because I refuse to give away my old age)… So my little family was not my original muse, but once they came along, everything about how I approach and photograph a family has changed. I now create photos that I would love to have of my own people. I specialize in fun and natural family photos in the Southeast Michigan area, and I am so so lucky to be able to do this work. In a sea of photographers, I know that it can be tricky to land on the one for you. So here’s a roundup of some of my favorite sessions to date, as well as my witty (not so witty) and sarcastic humor in blog post format.
10 Reasons you shouldn’t hire me. Let’s do this!
You hate having fun with your family. If there’s one word that truly resonates with my entire body of work, it’s fun. I love documenting joy and play, and will find any way I can to insert it into my sessions.
You don’t like memories. Ugh I could go on and on about this one. Something I think about is old photographs of my parents, and how special those are- especially since there was no digital format of them. They’re all you have outside of your memories (which will also eventually fade.) You are leaving tangible evidence of life; to your kids and their kids and many generations to come.
You’re not into connection. Think about your hardest days at home. It was a long day at work, there’s 4 bins of toys scattered all over your house, the dishes are piling, you’re exhausted, the kids are hungry, etc. Those are the days that I neeeed to see photos of my family connecting and loving on each other, and I need them hanging all over my walls, right in my face, to remind me that we are not our bad days. We’re happy. We’re a unit. We’re together. Nothing else matters.
You don’t need to update pictures of your kids every year, because they never change or grow up. Yeahhh. This one hits different. My kids seem to grow and change every day, and all I do in my free time is scroll through old pictures of them when they were babies.
You only hang your kids Jostens school pictures on your walls (bonus for the ones that are right after recess 🤣). I always pull the kids aside at the beginning of the session to grab some quick portraits of them individually. If I didn’t do this, you’d be stuck with their school pictures. I mean, they’re cool to have. But I’m not hanging those anywhere in my home.
You already got some recent pictures with your husband… when you got married 8 years ago. At the end of every session, I pull mom and dad together for a few photos of just the two of them, and it is the best thing ever. You guys started out as just the two of you- gotta honor that!
You have the latest and greatest iPhone, and portrait mode has been working juuuuust fine. Woof, have I mentioned that I hate portrait mode? I’m not even comparing a professional photo vs iphone. It’s just so finicky to use, and bossy too. There’s no comparison between iphone shots and professional photos. By all means, document your days however you can. I’m for that. But portrait mode isn’t gonna cut it, and I think the majority of us (photographer or not) can agree with that.
You don’t like art 💁🏻♀️ What in the world do you hang on your walls if not timeless and artfully created imagery of your own family? You can start by heading over to Mpix or Smallwoodhome– those are my favorites!
Okay for these last two I’m going to go against the theme of this post, and be serious.
You like light, bright, airy, or true to life tones in editing. None of these are my editing style, so they are not what you will get working with me. If you haven’t already, take a look around my website or my Instagram (or just scroll the images in this post)! My editing style is warm, emotive, and for the most part, properly exposed unless I am intentionally underexposing for a specific shot. If this isn’t your style, we may not be a good fit 🙂
You like perfection. If this is what you’re after, I’m probably not the photographer for you. It’s just not my style. I’m after the real. Real moments, real smiles, real love. None of that is going to be scripted or forced during my sessions. We want movement, laughter, love, connection, and we want it to be fun. I don’t know any kid who actually enjoys sitting still and holding a pose for 5 minutes, let alone for a whole 60 minute session. While I do direct my sessions into these more natural feeling photos, I will never force a pose. If it’s not happening, it’s not happening! So if you’re looking for natural looking photos where your family is genuinely enjoying each other’s company- I’m your girl! And if I’m not the photographer for you, that’s okay too! I may be able to refer you to someone who can give you what you’re looking for.
