teddy bear

My little sister, Rosie, got a puppy. 

Let me be the first to say that the ridiculousness of all this isn't lost on us. But, let's be honest, life is too short to not get newborn photos taken with Teddy. 

(I can't even handle those puppy paws. And that face.)

lawsfully wedded

Oregon will always and forever hold a most special place in my heart. My husband calls it my spirit state. So it should go without saying that getting to photograph Lauren and Jeff, together, in Oregon was pretty much amazing. 

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. 

a fresh start

One of my most favorite parts of these Spring Babes small portrait sessions was having the chance to meet so many new kindred spirits in person. These two were no exception. 

Oh- and I wish you could've heard this laugh. Sweetest ever. 

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. 

all is welles

Had the fun opportunity to photograph this little trio for Little Peanut Magazine's Summer 2015 issue. 

Can't get enough of Mr. Welle's face? Me neither. Lots more goodness over at Oakley's blog, Nothing Down About It. 

proof of the peaks

If you don't follow Brooke Schultz's photography work, you're really missing out. Not only is she a talented artist, but an incredible writer. 

On a recent Instagram post, Brooke wrote how, "We're all full of a million peaks and valleys" and how, through her photography she'll, "bottle the peaks so you can be lifted by the proof of them on those days it feels like the valley's gonna swallow you." I just love that. This woman is a mama warrior, the queen of her home, and- as you'll see- the epitome of natural glamour. But what I love most about Brooke, is the depth of heart and pure goodness she exudes. 

I feel humbled to call Brooke my friend and completely honored to capture these moments with her beautiful family. I hope these images can be proof of some of the highest peaks in her life.

we are the beardshalls

The Beardshalls live up the street from me. When I walked into their home, their Will was in his jammies, fast asleep on the couch, with the pup laying next to him. I've never loaded film so fast in all my life. And that's really how the rest of my short time with the Beardshalls went. Just all these darling little tender scenes naturally occurring between a family that breathes love and calm and trust. 

(And yes, Will is legitimately sound asleep for the first half of the session and his parents totally embraced his sweet sleepiness and didn't once try to wake him. I still can't believe how amazing that was!)

Teach me, Beardshalls. Teach me how to be more accepting and authentic and sparkling like you. ORRR maybe I'll just force you to come with me and my kids to the park all summer long and hopefully a little bit of your effortless charm will rub off on me. 

Golden

I wish I could've shot a thousand rolls of film with this little crew. After our mini session together, I kept thinking to myself how these guys were so fun and easy to work with. In a word: golden. I was thrilled when the film came back reflecting this same sense of "golden-ness" that I felt while spending time with them. Ahhhh, film. You get it. You just get it.

Mamiya 645 ProTL, Ektar 100

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