BEST OF 2010 (or at least my favorites)

Well, 2010 is about to come to an end. As I sit back and plan for a great 2011, I can't help but think about all of the families that trusted me with their memories. What an honor it is, what an amazing responsibility. These days it seems that almost everyone is buying a camera and calling themselves a photographer with almost no education or equipment knowledge. They think it's quick money and an easy business. They soon find that it's not quick money, and it's certainly not easy. So it has been difficult as a business person to compete against these "so called" photographers who are selling CD's and their soul for $50. But you, my clients and my friends - you have believed in me and stuck with me and helped my business grow.

After thousands of dollars spent on equipment and education over the past few years - I am left here, at the end of 2010 with only images. Some are better than others, but all of them have one common thread - they are of you and your loved ones. What an honor, what a wonderful thing to have captured for my clients - my friends. You trusted me and I hope I didn't let you down. I hope I captured a moment for you that you will have forever.

So.... in Kellie Saunders Photography style - I am going to post my favorite images from 2010 on facebook this weekend for my clients and friends to vote on. If your image wins - I will send you a 16 x 20 canvas print of it. Thank you - my clients, my friends. It's been a great 2010!!!

Go to www.facebook.com/kelliesaundersphotography

Now for the fine print. This is a fun contest - but not every image or session from 2010 will make it in the contest. These are only my personal favorites and each image has a story. I am not the internet police, but anyone found creating false internet profiles for the sake of a vote will be quietly removed from the contest.

Boudoir Detroit - Oh lala!!!

Hey Metro-Detroit ladies! You found me here because you are either searching for a boudoir photographer or you already know me and are about to finally take the plunge and schedule a session with me. :-) Either way - I'm glad you are here!

I started my journey with boudoir photography completely by accident. It was never my intention to photograph half naked women. After all I am a wedding and family photographer. What do I know about the female body? Well, as an artistic woman - I guess I know quite a bit.

How it happened was simple - I was hired to photograph a wedding. Like most of my weddings, the bride and I soon became friends. She wanted to give to her fiancé a unique gift on the night before their wedding. So one night my phone rang, “Kellie, I want to do a boudoir session,” she said. I was a little hesitant at first. I had never really photographed a woman this way so I wanted to make sure I could do a good job. Like any good photographer – I started researching and talking to my photographer friends. That research is what led me to not only believe that I could become one of the best boudoir photographers in Michigan. I'm still working on this, but I'm getting there. :-)

Well I did that first session and haven't stopped since. My sessions are fun and easy. Throw your insecurities out the window. It's my job to make sure you look you very best - no matter what your body type. I can't stress this enough - I work with all ages, shapes and sizes. Contact me for your session. I promise you will have the time of your life!!! I shoot either in studio or on location. My studio is located in downtown Royal Oak.

Melissa and Zach - Engagement Session, Heritage Park Taylor

I met Melissa and Zach last fall - right after Zach asked Melissa to marry him. What a sweet couple - so in love, so personable. We decided on Heritage Park in Taylor for their session - and they totally rocked it! I sincerely can't wait until their May wedding. Melissa is going to make a stunning bride!!!

Kids and More Kids

It's been awhile since I've updated my blog, so I wanted to share a few special moments from some recent sessions. Everyone knows how much I love photographing children - especially when I can capture them when they are completely natural and comfortable. As a photographer it's our job to make anyone we photograph completely comfortable. I want your kids to have fun during their photographic experience. Usually by the end of a session, I've been renamed to aunt Kellie, Kellie Belly full of Jelly, Silly lady - ohh the names go on and on. The days of standing still and saying cheese are over. :-)

Cutest Kid Contest!!!!

I know, I know... it seems like every photographer on the block is doing their version of a cutest kid contest. I tried to be unique earlier this year and have a Mommy & Me Contest for Mother's Day. That contest was so much fun and I was able to meet so many nice mom's and actually make some new friends and clients. It was so much fun that I wanted to do another contest, but put my own twist on it.

So - I'm having my 1st Annual Kellie Saunders's Photography Cutest Kid contest. Of course I'm not going to have your average cutest kid contest - oh no!!! I'm going to put my own twist on it and set the stakes high, for those who enter and for myself.

First - anyone can enter! Just send a photo of your cutie pie to kellie@kelliesaunders.com before July 15, 2010. Unless I took the photo it must be a non-professional photo due to copyrights owned by the original photographer. Please include their name and age. I will post the entries on my facebook page for voting. http://facebook.com/kelliesaundersphotography

Want to hear about the twist? The winners will all be featured on my website and in my printed brochure materials during 2011. So my fans will pick who will end up on my brochures and website!!! This is super exciting for me - because I have no idea who's cute little face I get to use for my website.

Three winners - two from public vote and a third winner will be selected from a panel of professional photographers.

All winners will get a private model session worth $150.00 and a print package. Winners must be willing to complete session in the Royal Oak area in the fall of 2010.

Everyone who enters but doesn't win will receive an opportunity for a discounted session as well.

Luke Grows Up!

I photographed this little guy last fall and again this spring. This children's portrait session was held at Heritage Park in Taylor, MI. My, how fast children grow! If you blink, you can miss it. In October he wasn't up and about on his own little feet yet and wanted to just hang out with mommy. But this spring - his little feet could barely keep still. What a joy to be invited into your lives. I so love watching these little ones grow up big and strong. I am blessed!

My Mother In Law's Garden

It's always a good thing for a photographer to have a gardener in the family, especially a Master Gardener - who has such a lovely garden. Well, I only shoot very private and special sessions there, because after all I'm borrowing someone's home. :-) Here are my two latest sessions in my mother in-law's garden.

Photo info - most were taken with natural light and one speedlight off camera set to one stop lower than available light to try and keep the background lit properly. Most were shot with my D90 and 17-55 mm 2.8 lens. I used a 50mm 1.4 on some shots that day as well.

Jackie's Special Delivery

What a special day - a new little baby - all fresh and cuddly. I absolutely love these sessions. They always make me want another baby - and hopefully one day we will be blessed with number two. Until then (and hopefully after... lol), I will be honored to photograph your new little one. Jackie is such a loving mother - and I want to thank you Miss Jackie for letting me photograph your little guy. What a treat!

Derek and Kahilee - what a great couple!!

I was so excited to do this session. First - we were shooting in Depot Town and I had never shot there before. I have to admit, this is now one of my favorite places to shoot. What an amazing little old town, complete with an old run down farmers market and wood buildings on the water. It's a photographers paradise. The only thing wrong on this particular day was the weather. We were running from the rain. Luckily it held out long enough for us to get some great shots. Kahilee and Derek are absolutely so nice and great to work with. I am so very excited to shoot their wedding this fall. They are a hard working couple with strong family values and so much love for each other. Yes, love does exist!!! :-)

Now - for the photo info - these were all shot in natural light. Because of the fear of rain I didn't want to bring out my lights without an assistant. Most were shot with a D200 and 17-55 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 lenses.

First Bridal Session of the Year!

Misti and Jesse did a great job with their bridal session. These two rockers needed some post wedding photos and I was more than happy to help them out. I'm happy that I could photograph this super fun couple and wish them a long, healthy and happy lifetime together!!!

(For you photogs - I used a 70-200 mm 2.8 lens with my D90 and D200 - all natural light. I tried to use my umbrella and speedlight on some shots, but the wind knocked it over and the umbrella died right there before my eyes. Eeeekkkk!!! These things do happen - so beware!!!)

Welcome to the world little baby "C"

This family is just such a pleasure to work with. I met them when I was looking for models for a maternity photography contest that I'm entering with one of my labs this year. As a courtesy for helping me with my contest I offered to shoot a newborn session for their new arrival. What a joy this little one was to shoot!!! To my photog friends - this session was shot using a Nikon D200 and a D90, 50mm 1.4 lens and a 17-55 2.8 lens, one light off camera with umbrella and natural window light as well.

Laney and Broc's Belle Isle Adventure E-Session

April in Detroit, Michigan always brings about unexpected weather. Laney and Broc were crossing their fingers that all would be fine for our Saturday afternoon engagement session on Belle Isle. It was a little windy, but what a beautiful afternoon we had. Here are a few previews of the session as I continue processing the images. Both Laney and Broc are police officers, so it seems only fitting that they are getting married on 9-11. I can't wait to photograph their wedding, Laney will simply make a stunning bride.

Even Photographers Sing the Blues

Happy Easter! I finally took a weekend off to spend Easter with my friends and family. I waited until the very last minute possible to shoot Easter photos of my daughter - and with good reason. I don't think I've met another photographer out there who has an easy time photographing their own children. It's almost funny - the day my daughter actually smiles for me will be a great day for me. :-) She had fun though and that's all that matters! You can tell she liked having her hat off and also loved the candy I bribed her with to try and stay still long enough for me to snap the camera. Happy Easter everyone! For the photogs that must know - these were taken with a Nikon D200, 2 Nikon speedlights - SB900 and SB600 off camera, one umbrella, and seamless paper. Most were taken with my 50mm 1.4 lens. Post processing included freshening up the skin and popping the color a bit in Photoshop. Shot in RAW.

Beautiful Baby Twin Boys

What a great way to start my blog - with brand new baby boy twins. What a fun session we had! I'm so thankful that fellow photographer Amy Gillespie, also of Royal Oak was there to help me - because I sure needed it. Here's a sneak peek of the session. Congratulations new parents Kris and Lauren!!!