Portrait: Opal

I love a lot of things about being a photographer, but definitely one of the top things is my clients. Every client I meet is different and unique, but they are all just so dang nice and lovely. Being able to do what you love, with people you enjoy being around right off the bat, is magic and a total dream come true.

The minute I spoke to Opal on the phone, I knew I'd like her. She was so easy going and silly (2 of my favorite qualities!). She had amazing spots already picked out for us to shoot at, and had already determined that her horse Tizzy just had to be in the photos (YAY!). I had never photographed a senior with her horse before, but I've actually been dreaming of a shoot like this for awhile. So much so, that one of my senior representative (photographs soon to come) will involve a senior with her horse. Opal was so laid back, effortless, and she gave the photos her all. A lot of people, when I first talk to them, are really nervous about not knowing what to do. I certainly don't blame them, I tend to be quite shy and being in front of a camera with someone I don't know, is enough to give me a heart attack. But the best thing you can do is just let your inhibitions go, and just rock it for the gorgeous person you are. Opal did just that and I was so proud of her.

Her and Tizzy were adorable together, and I hope that the pictures captured their intense love for one another. Opal, you are a total doll, and I hope you love these photos as much as I do. I can't wait to bring you your flash drive later today. 

Family: Price

There's nothing scarier, or more rewarding, than watching your friends grow up and have children. Hayley and I have been friends for what seems like forever. From the moment I saw her rocking her "I love Nerds" shirt, I told my mother that we'd be best friends, and I was right! Hayley and I have gone through everything together, and it's through all of that that I'm proud to call her my sister. We aren't as close as we used to be (growing up will do that to you) but there were always be mutual places in our hearts for one another, as well as afternoons to catch up and giggle together again.

I can't believe my baby sister now has two babies of her own. It's daunting and overwhelming, but uncontrollably magical at the same time. I'm so proud of the mom that she's growing up to be and the personal growth she's experienced as an individual. I love you Hayley, and you have a wonderful journey ahead of you. I can't wait to photograph your wedding next year when you and Anthony tie the knot. He's honestly so great and easy going with you. Lord only knows a man would need a heavy dose of patience to keep their sanity with you and those girls. ;) Enjoy your family photos.

Portrait: Tony

I can not say enough times how unbelievably amazing my clients are and how much I love them. I honestly have the best clients in the world. This last Saturday on my way to the coast to shoot the cutest little boy EVER (Tony), my car decided it didn't want to go with me and broke down. I was devastated, frazzled and completely unsure of what I was going to do. After a call to the ever calm boyfriend, I was able to rearrange myself back together and give Tony's sweet as can be mom a cal,l who was sooo much more than just understanding, she even offered to pick me up! (Seriously - the sweetest woman). After a short chit chat, we decided to just delay the photos a few hours until I could make it there. I did make it too! With all of my hair still attached, even! My car troubles only ended up costing me $2 (My Dad is awesome, and my boyfriend's pretty handsome and handy with a pair of pliers).

Needless to say, what could have been an incredibly horrible day, actually ended up turning out fantastic! Tony, Covita (Tony's mother) and I had a great time! We went to the beach, we played on the floor, had fun hiding under a tye dye sheet, ate yummy orange fruits, and got washed up in the sink. It was a wonderful day and Florence couldn't have been prettier. Thank you again, Covita, for always being so unbelievably lovely and producing the most darling little boy. I am always in awe at how happy and agreeable he is no matter what we put him through (he even gave the sand a chance!). I absolutely adore the both of you and can't wait until October to see you both again!

I also want to say thank you to whoever stopped to offer me that bottle of water while I was sitting and waiting for my dad to pick me up. Your sincere kindness meant so much to me, regardless of the fact that I wasn't thirsty and didn't need it. I wouldn't have guessed someone would do that in a million years. You are awesome and you gave me an extra ounce of hope in the thoughtfulness of others. Thank you.

Portrait: Vianey

I don't mean to disregard the boys or anything, but girl senior photo shoots are by far my favorite shoots to do. My heart is tethered to photography for one reason: to make people realize how incredibly beautiful they are. In a world that tells you that you have to do, be and look a certain way to be attractive, I try my hardest to do the opposite. I think that everyone is gorgeous and flawed collectively, and that the true beauty comes through the partnership of both. My heart breaks for teenage girls especially. The world, I feel, is the hardest and most expectant on them. It's unfortunate, and I wish it'd change, but it's reality. So anytime I get to photograph a teenage girl, it makes me ecstatic. They have the world at their finger tips and are perfect the way they are. I hope that if they get anything from my time and photos of them, it's that.

Vianey is absolutely no exception. It was sooo much fun spending time with her and goofing around downtown Eugene. Starbucks would have been icing on the cake (if I could have managed to navigate myself to one) but I suppose I survived. ;) She was a trooper through it all, changing in the back seat, talking to interesting Eugenians, and trekking through wooded areas. This girl is amazing. I'd like to point out that she did her hair and make-up herself (Unbelievable - I know!). This girl is going places and I'm watching her feet just waiting. She's going to rock beauty school off its socks when she graduates. She's a lovely girl and someone that I would have been honored to call my friend in high school. Vianey, you radiate from the inside and out and are an amazing young woman. I'm so glad that you are one of my senior representatives, enjoy your photos!

Deals Galore

I'm sweetening up the month of July with an extra special deal. This whole month I'm going to be offering 20% off of all wedding packages! You're wedding doesn't even have to be in July! As long as you book and pay your deposit this month, you get the deal! To check available dates, e-mail me at kaelynephotography@gmail.com or call/text me at 541.915.7096. I look forward to everyone's lovely nuptials.

And the Winner Is ...

This contest was a LOT more difficult than I thought it would be. I struggled a bit with the pet contest entries in picking who I felt best deserved it. But this contest was far more difficult. I had at least twice as many entries, and almost all of them were emotional. It was so great to see so many tattoos with such intense meanings behind each of them. It took all night and up to this morning for me to finally decide on my winner. I can't begin to fathom the will power it would take to not only hear that you're going to be permanently paralyzed from the chest down, but to overcome the 2% odds of ever walking again and actually do so. I'm excited to announce that my tattoo contest winner is ...

Kristin Donegan

I'm looking forward to our shoot together.

I want to say thank you again to all of the entries. I appreciated and loved every single one of them. Your artwork and stories were beyond moving.

Portrait: Janey

I have to say, that I honestly have the most unbelievable senior representatives this year. I'm so completely beyond excited to work with each and every one of them. They're all so different and wonderful and I'm so full to the brim with pride for each one of them.

Janey is the first of the bunch that I've gotten to shoot. And as you can obviously see, the girl is beyond gorgeous and radiates from the inside out. She's such an awesome young women and outstanding role model. I always love seeing high schoolers be a part of the SODA club (Students Against Drugs and Alcohol). Knowing what you believe and standing up for it regardless of the opinion of your peers is difficult, and I have nothing but respect and adoration for those who dare to.

Thank you Janey for letting me photograph and get to know you. You are sweet, clever and stylish. I can't believe all the knock out outfits you brought along. I'm pretty sure no one should be allowed to blow me away with every single one of their clothing choices. :P

Portrait: Rebecca

I've been waiting for what feels like forever, for this shoot: the "light" half of Rebecca's dark and light shoot. In case you need a reminder, you can see her dark shoot here. For this half, we had already determined that golden sunset light was a must and that the coast was definitely the place to go. It was tons of fun having a little girls road trip to Florence. I had never bothered to check out their docks or Old Town area (I'm a Newport girl, hands down) and was pleasantly surprised by all the adorable shops and rusty fishing boats. To say we had fun is an understatement. How could I have anything but a great time when ice cream and random belting of songs from The Swan Princess are involved?! I adore Rebecca and I'm completely infatuated with these photos. I know she's already swooning over them, but I hope the rest of you enjoy them as well.

Don't you just love this vintage Polaroid I recently picked up? Even the old school bag is a priceless prop! Definitely ecstatic I purchased it.

The Time Has Finally Came ...

We reached 500 fans! Yay! I want to first off say thank you to everyone for their constant support and interest in Kaelyn.Elizabeth Photography. Facebook and word of mouth are where all of my business comes from. So without you I wouldn't be here! Which is why I wanted to repay my fans with 2 random free mini shoots! I used random.org's generator to get 2 different numbers between 1 and 501. The numbers were 183 and 315, and let me just say, that counting the fans of Kaelyn.Elizabeth Photography to 315 was not the funnest thing I've ever done. It was horrible. But, it's done now, and I have two winners to congratulate.

Elizabeth Spiry

& 

Pete Norman

...

Congratulations!!! You've won! And I'm super excited to shoot you guys! I'm so excited that I've never photographed either of my winners before. It's sure to be a lot of fun and I can't wait.

Portrait: Elyse, Jones & Gator

I'm sure all of you remember these three. They were the winners of the pet photo contest back a couple months ago. The fact that you can see framed photos of Gator hidden in the background of their entry was definitely the deal sealer for me choosing them. You know your dog is a member of your family when you specially frame your favorite photographs of them.

This couple was just as sweet and wonderful in person as they were in their entry. Elyse is so adorable and silly and Jones is a total man's man. Gator is his perfect hunting companion and the three of them make such an amazing, lovely family. I adore the way they look at each other and Gator's playful nature and sense of adventure. It was hilarious watch him prance around through the brush. Thank you again Elyse and Jones! You two are wonderful people and I can't wait to watch your lives grow in the years to come.