Big Sister. {Snohomish and King County, WA child and family photographer}

August 27, 2012 · 3:52 pm

I just love to see returning families come back to update their family photos and I especially love it when they are old high school friends of mine! Amy and I graduated High School together back in the day and I have to say, she looks absolutely radiant expecting her 2nd child, due in October. And, big sister is beaming with pride about her upcoming new role. You can see it through her shining eyes and sweet smile.

Love this family. And, loved the pretty light on this particular evening.

Many many more images to come, B family…

Two sweet girls {Snohomish and King County, WA child and family photographer}

July 6, 2012 · 7:42 pm

Such a sweet family this is! I have the honor of knowing the mama from our local MOPS group and from our church. We met up one evening last week for a little portrait session down by the river and their girls couldn’t have been more cute! In matching summer dresses, braided hair, and bashful smiles I was able to snag just a few moments of this family’s love for one another.

Enjoy your sneak peek, W family! Many more to come…

Friend {King and Snohomish County child and family photographer}

August 26, 2011 · 8:57 pm

I was having a hard time trying to find a title for this post, so I settled on one word.

Short and sweet.

Friend.

Friend.  Because that is what I think of when I think of my girl, Michelle.  She defines the word to me…  in my life.

I think I get along so well with my sista friend because we are fairly similar.  We are both nerds at heart {and I can say this, because it is true} and although our silly antics can annoy our husbands at times {especially when multiplied by two when we are together}, we still know how to be real with one another.  And, dang can we talk.  Talk about life, our kids, our passions, our businesses.  The list goes on and on.  Often times, I come home from our time together, and Jeff asks me how it was…  I usually say, “Oh, we talked about photography.”  And, he says, “You talked about photography for TWO hours???”  Yup.  Girlfriend and I know how to roll.

And, I must say…  Michelle is a triple threat too.  You know how they say that about J.Lo or Justin Timberlake?  Well, she is a triple threat in the Arts…  Girlfriend can sing {she leads worship at our church}, take a mean photograph {yeah, you may know her work HERE…  she is the Massta of weddings, maternity, and newborns…  often referred in larger circles as:  The Baby Whisperer}, and although, I have never seen it, I have heard she can dance too.  I am sure she can bust out a mean running man.  Yeah.  Triple threat right there.

And, like I said…  she is a friend.  A good one, at that.  She is loyal and supportive.  She is the cheese to my cheesecake.  The wonder in my Wonder bread.  She has acted as my mentor when I first started my crazy photography pursuit and business three years ago.  Like Yoda and Luke Skywalker or Mr. Miyagi and the Karate Kid, she has been my cheerleader through and through.

And, she is one beautiful lady as well.

 

 

I met up with the Newells this past Wednesday evening down by the river {why do I always hear Chris Farley’s voice when I say:  ”down by the river”?} for their fun family session.

Newell family…  we love you dearly and are so glad to be doing life with you.  Thank you for your friendship.

 

 

Beautiful mom and daughter moments…

 

Mammas, can I speak to you briefly?   Aren’t we usually the ones behind the camera?  The ones that are running to grab that great shot of our kid doing something fantastic?

Well, let me say this to all of us hardworking moms…  It is good to get in FRONT of the camera at times too.  With our family.  With our spouses.  With our kids.  These moments we have with our children are so fleeting and down the road, I want my kids to see images of me right there with them…  not wondering, “Where was mom in all of these pictures?”

SO, I challenge you…  make it a point to get in FRONT of the lens with your children sometimes.  Do what I have been doing lately.  Set your camera on auto and self timer the moment.  Turn the camera around and take that shot.  OR…  hire a photographer or a friend to take some pictures of you and your family together.  You won’t regret it.

 

 

 

And… a few out-takes I couldn’t resist posting of my silly friend.

 

Char and Brian | engagement {King and Snohomish County couples photographer}

August 22, 2011 · 9:45 pm

Char contacted me a couple of weeks back to ask if I could photograph her wedding held this past weekend. I typically don’t specialize in weddings, but after chatting a bit about what Char was wanting and since it was held outdoors, I said yes and we made our plans. One of Char’s requests was to meet before hand for some nice casual pictures of Brian and herself… and, their beloved dog, Luna. We had lots of fun at the river for their engagement session and Luna ran and ran!

Every time Brian and Char would get close, Luna was there to cuddle in also. Such a fun dog! And, I love that they wanted her included in many of their images, as we all know a pet is truly part of the family. {I know that is the case at our house, since presently, even as a I type, our 85 lb. yellow lab is fast asleep on the couch behind me}.

Brian and Char… it was a pleasure to capture the love you have for one another. Here is a sneak peek at our time at the river together… More images to come of your family reunion and wedding!

**Brian and Char will receive a FREE 5×7 with their print order if they receive 10 comments under this blog posting.

Expecting {Monroe, WA maternity and family photographer}

August 12, 2011 · 7:57 pm

I am back from our wonderful break away! Although, I am going through Maui withdrawals this week, I am glad to be HOME… back into our routines and schedules. I have a zillion images to get to and post about from our vacation, and I hope to do so soon, but FIRST, I wanted to get up this expectant family’s sneak peek!

What a beautiful mamma to be. There is something special about a pregnant woman. I TRULY believe it is a magical time and Susie wears her expectancy just gracefully. She exudes natural beauty… that is something that I am always drawn to in a person and it is my hope that these images show that as well.

And, Bruce! What a cutie. He was all smiles for the camera and VERY interested in the river bed rocks. I am excited to get to see this family again soon for their newborn shoot and capture more of the love they share for one another!

**Show the love… This family will receive a FREE 5×7 with their print order, if they receive 10 comments under this blog posting.

Knit together {King and Snohomish County Child and Family Photographer}

July 11, 2011 · 2:38 pm

Yes, this family is definitely knit together. From the minute they laid eyes on baby Judah’s beautiful face through a picture across the miles, they were destined. Mama prayed fervently for her little one. Daddy longed for the day when they could hold him.

This adoptive story, like all adoptive stories, is really a love story. And, God had a plan in this one. Through all of the paperwork, court dates, and waiting. God brought Judah home.

I loved photographing them together. Playing. Laughing. Snuggling. Judah’s cocoa brown skin and beautiful Ethiopian curls. I love that I got to capture the love they have for one another. It is palpable.

Recently, I have been blessed to photograph many families and I am slowly discovering that they are holding a special place in my heart, as I stand behind the camera. It is fun to meet all of them, hear their stories, see their love, watch them interact with each other, and document moments in time for them. I posted this ARTICLE earlier this morning on my FACEBOOK page, an article that I have read many times before. One that is written by one of my all time favorite photographers. If you have a moment, give it a read. It is not a plug for hiring me to be your photographer, although, I would love that! It is a reminder for us all to capture those moments. Even I am challenged in this. Years down the road, I want to remember these days that are so fleeting, as I look at a picture in a frame.

Enjoy your sneak peek, Johnson family!

**As always, this family will receive a FREE 5×7 with their print order, if their blog posting receives 10 comments.

**And, lastly… remember my SUMMER SALE I have going on right now! A perfect time to book a session for your beautiful family! Email {kelly@kellyharperphotography.com} or call me for details…

Sweet family {Monroe, WA child and family photographer}

June 14, 2011 · 8:33 pm

I had the privilege of photographing a friend and her beautiful family this past Saturday evening. A few months back, this family walked through a bit of a rough spot: their home had been broken into and many of their belongings, stolen. Amongst many items, the most heartbreaking was the loss of their home computer {filled with ALL of their family photos} AND many of their framed photos!

I felt so badly when I heard this story… I cannot imagine feeling the violation of a home theft and loosing all of my precious memories in photos. Many items can be replaced, but the loss of photos, simply cannot. My heart wanted to do something for them… enter a photo session!

Whitney is one of those moms that you look up to. Home-spun, grounded, and real… I love her solid nature and her creativity in making the world a better place for her children. I love walking beside her in motherhood.

And, her boys are a hoot! I love their wildness and adventure! We had a lot of fun riding the tricycle around, throwing rocks in the river, and looking for bugs in the grasses.

I know these pictures cannot replace your loss, but I hope it’s a start for your family! Enjoy dear friends…