poetic

A grandma, grandpa, and their daughter's little family visiting from Baltimore. Meet a few members of the Poet family.

Loved photographing this crew in the studio. Can you even believe the light and life and shine that exudes from ALL of them!? There's really no faking that kind of joy and pure goodness. There's also no faking how delicious baby Julia's rolls are. Clearly, she stole the show. Such a fun twist on the usual "mommy session"- a "grandma/mommy session!" 

Thanks, Poet family for a wonderful morning together and letting me glimpse a peek of your love. 

trying to be free and me

I feel like I'm constantly pushing against the temptation to simply fall into a pattern of photographer complacency. It can feel easy to do what I know will work, was is familiar, and safe at sessions. Not that safe and easy doesn't produce pretty photos- because it absolutely does. But that's just it- my heart of hearts yearns to create so much more than just "pretty." 

It's funny how I have to practice and practice how to be just...me. To forget what I see on the blogs, in the forums, and on Instagram and just do 100% Samantha Kelly. I'm still learning but these images feel like the right direction.  

I allowed myself only 45 shots. Only 45 shots to push a tiny bit closer towards what I want to be creating. That's what this little session was about for me. 

and harvey makes 3

There are some families who you could shoot over and over and over again and never ever get bored. 

I love this little crew. So much. 

sister sister sister sister

The Ahlstrom family is one of my most loyal clients and I absolutely adore these girls. Shyla, their cute mom, told me she forgot about their school photo day AND the make-up photo day (hahaha awesome) and so she wanted a session just for the two of them- in their uniforms (can you even handle the adorable-ness?!). And then, of course we had to ditch the uniforms and jump, jump, jump, wrestle on the bed! Along with these shots, I also got a few really sweet and simple classic portraits of each girl but I dunno- I kinda just luuuuuv the silly, goofy, playful ones. The marker on the bottom of the foot, the poses they strike all on their own, the giggles, the huge hugs...it really just doesn't get much better than Eden and Britain!

Mamiya 645 ProTL, Canon eos3, Portra 800, Tri-x

a forever and ever family

The Deller family drove from Colorado into SLC Friday morning at 2:30am. I shot these photos with them at 10:30am. And, at 2pm, they were sealed together inside the Salt Lake temple as an eternal family. The next morning, they flew to Hawaii for a family "honeymoon." (And if THAT weren't amazing enough- the oldest daughter told me she recently BUILT her own film camera! When I asked the mom (Suzanne) if she cared for any classic, traditional portraits of her children, she immediately responded, "Oh we for sure don't have to do traditional stuff- I love the unconventional!" The cherry on top was when the dad (Michael) referred to me as "that zany film photographer." THIS is the stuff my little quirky film photographer dreams are made of, folks. ) I really loved these guys and the fact that they were willing to brave the cold, cold morning weather for these shots documenting such a wondrous occasion.

Mamiya 645 Pro TL, Canon eos3, Fuji 400h, Tri-x

wilson family

Shot just two rolls with this little crew for a mini session and, turns out, it was just enough. Simple and sweet.  

Mamiya 645 ProTL, Portra 800

dixon family

The Dixons live up the street from us. They love our two daughters like their own. Becca (in the peach and cream top) is one of our very favorite babysitters and Hero ADORES her. Becca takes Hero for rides in their family's red wagon and brings her Christmas presents. While showing Hero a few of these photos, she excitedly exclaimed, "That's Becca! That's my big sister!" Hero loves playing at "Becca's house" and now, after having the wonderful opportunity of photographing Becca's family, I have a better understanding of why Hero loves the Dixons with all her heart. This family is truly something special. They are all the best of friends and just SHINE. Watching these sisters interact with each other was a total joy for me and you'd be hard pressed to find more loving, supportive, and kind parents. I know that MY life has been blessed by the Dixons and I loved being able to capture just a small bit of their light.

Mamiya 645 Pro TL, Canon eos3, Kodak Portra 800, Tri-x

the venice canals, a beach, and the thiot family

I got this text from Stacy Thiot last night: "I love that we text and are besties now. I actually had a dream about shooting film last night. Haha!"

So maybe, after shooting her family, Stacy and I ARE great buds and maybe I'm not so secretly trying to turn her to the dark side of shooting film. (Mwhahaha!)

I was beyond thrilled to meet these three after being friends on Instagram for a while now. And I'll never ever get over these California locations. Sunny, warm, and gorgeous in December. I'm sold! Now all that's left to do is find a way to get out to Cali more often or...just move there. Preferably the latter.

Thanks, cute Thiot family for trusting me to capture your magic and for letting me call you guys friends.

Mamiya 645 ProTL, Canon eos3, Fuji400h, Kodak Tri-x

we are roz

Listen to how crazy this is: Carson is a videographer and Jostlyn is a film photographer. Sound like anyone else you know? (Ok, I'll tell you: me and Chas!) And here's another fun fact: Jostlyn was the person who sold her Mamiya 645 ProTL to me! I really love my camera and I have her to thank for it! So, when I was booking St. George sessions last weekend, it seemed ONLY natural for me to bring her old camera by her and Carson's new (amazing!) studio for a little hello, good to see you again, and photo session. But seriously, I'm so, so happy they had me do these photos because it gave me the chance to finally put a face to a name and who wouldn't want to shoot in this perfect studio setup?! I mean, let's get real. They also didn't mind Chas filming the whole session for a little photographer promo video he's making for me. (Perks of having a videographer husband.) But wait- it gets better! Chas and I had so much fun during our session with these two that we then forced them to come to dinner with us that night as well! Haha.

To be honest, shooting another photographer is always a little intimidating but shooting another film photographer- and the person who previously owned the camera you're shooting!?- I was kiiiinda nervous. But being with Carson and Jostlyn quickly felt like just hanging out with old friends. I just wish they lived closer (and dinner dates could happen more often)!

Be sure to check out their awesome work here. If I lived in St. George, I'd get in on the WE ARE ROZ party. Fast.

let's stay in bed together all saturday morning

I mean there really are no words for these three. Truly. And don't even get me started on little Kennedy and her kitty whiskers. Don't even.

If MY lazy, snuggly Saturday mornings looked this good, I'd never ever leave the bedroom. But just because these guys look like they walked out of magazine, doesn't mean they aren't the nicest, most friendly and welcoming little crew you've ever met. Because they are. Thanks, Tew family for letting me in on your morning happiness.