2010 December | Kelly Lane Photography

Archive for December, 2010

2010 WEDDING FAVORITES

December 31, 2010

Last year, I was just a girl with a dream. I wasn’t sure how 2010 would pan out, but I had goals. As I sifted through the weddings from this year and picked out my favorites, I became so grateful. It hit me all at once, the reminder that last year at this time, I had never shot a wedding of my own. I forgot about the frustrations of working out my system, learning how to do things and make it work for me. The feeling that I was never going to get it.

Probably the biggest take away from this year, is that photography forced me to really learn who I am. If I had no vision, no idea who I was, and afraid to be transparent and silly in front of people, how would they ever trust me? How would they open up so I could capture a truly emotional photograph? I was forced to recon with myself. To stop hiding in the shadows and to step out, fully confident. In a sea of so many other photographers, I had to figure out how to be different. I won’t pretend that I totally have this figured out yet, but I am leap years ahead of where I was last year…and setting goals for 2011.

Thank you for being with me on this journey. I really appreciate each person I have come to know this past year. The support and encouragement. And am excited to see where 2011 takes me.

Christopher + Sarai

I really love this photo. This little boy was so cute.

Jean + Kay

Ed + Dana

Mark + Abigail

Lauren + Elliott

Casey + Brandon

Ken + Michelle

Kinny + Sue

And my first wedding… Drew + Kysha.

Kysha, I’m sorry if you hate me for reposting this pic, but I love it. I love your look, I love Drew’s response, and everyone else around. That was some fun.

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LILLIAN WEBB PARK: OBRIST FAMILY

December 29, 2010

As 2010 winds down, I have one last family session to post. Craig and his wife Unchong are good friends and Craig is a fellow photographer. As we looked at our schedules to try and mark a date for their session, the outcome looked bleak. Eventually, we found an opening that worked for all of us…in December. You can see their family session from last year here, also shot in December. Craig, I am game for scheduling a 2011 session now, maybe in let’s say…September?

Craig and Unchong are expanding their family and are expecting a new baby in February. I’m just going to throw it out there that their little girl Emma has some serious model potential. Here is the Obrist Family:

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GRANT PARK: DAVIS FAMILY

December 16, 2010

When we booked the session, we knew it was a gamble. A December shoot? Sure! Why not?! I have talked about Georgia weather before… IT BE CRAZY! You never know what you will get. I made a deal with mother nature, as long as it didn’t rain we’ll be good. Apparently I didn’t make a good enough deal. Mother nature laughed in my face. I do not like her jokes. There was no rain, but it by far has to have been the coldest day of the year. It was definitely the coldest shoot I’ve ever had. I mean come on, the day before was WARM!

Shockingly…I survived the shoot. The Davis Family was absolutely amazing. They rolled with the cold, jumped in the car when it became unbearable, and got right back out with smiles on their faces. I was blown away by them. They are one of the sweetest families I have photographed and I’m so glad they were game on that very cold day.

Here are a few of my favorites:

This may be my favorite.

A little football…

This is what future boys have to look forward to.

2nd favorite

I take it back, this is my favorite.

Posted in Lifestyle | 2 Comments »

REMEMBERING MICHELLE

December 14, 2010

We were put in the same group together. I had signed up for a mentorship program and was invited to a fancy luncheon to kick it off. She sat at my table and at break time we made our introduction. There was small talk and from then on we kept in touch, running into each other at church and/or mentorship meetings.

I was struck by her wisdom. What seemed beyond her years. She was finishing up med school. Compassionate, strong, caring and understanding. Just a few things I noticed about her immediately. Every single time I saw her she would ask me about my photography. She would dote on me to anyone standing around. She made me feel special. Like I was actually good at this thing. Like she really cared.

At the age of 27, Michelle was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of liver cancer. I didn’t know. I didn’t know until just a few months ago when I talked with her just exactly what she was going through. I felt guilty. A trait she would never want me to feel. In October Michelle was admitted to the hospital and I was lucky enough to be able to go visit her. Just 2 days later she would be flying to her home country where all her family was in Malaysia.

In the hospital room, we talked. I listened to her journey. Her courage. Her unshakable faith. It was so inspiring. I questioned what my own faith would be like in that situation. In the midst of conversation about her, Michelle turned it on me. She asked me questions about my life. Things I was going through and dealing with. Things that I did not turn to God with first. Right there in that room, in uncomprehensible pain, in sickness, in youth, Michelle responded with wisdom. She stood in faith when I couldn’t even have it for myself. She encouraged me.

This past Sunday, Michelle passed away in Malaysia. The news, devastating. Her faith, never ceasing. I have never met such an amazing woman of God. I sit here at my computer, tear filled with so many questions. Questions that can’t be answered. I appreciated a comment written on her Facebook wall, “You now understand what we can still only question”.

Michelle you are dearly missed. I am so honored to have known you. Thank you for believing in me.

Posted in Personal | 1 Comment »

CALLANWOLDE FINE ARTS CENTER WEDDING: CHRISTOPHER + SARAI

December 5, 2010

The November air was crisp and cool. But not too cool. You never quite know what weather you will wake up to in Georgia. The weather reports may say one thing, but here, weather does whatever it wants. It’s unpredictable, sometimes impossible to plan around. I was nervous for this wedding day because it was so late into November. On this particular day, the weather was perfect. Not too hot or cold. Sunny, with a little overcast. It was as if the weather had been told to cooperate… and it listened.

As I walked into Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, it felt like a wedding day. People all over the place. Carrying equipment, setting up, getting stuff done. It felt like something special was about to happen.

In the bridal prep room, away from hustle and bustle outside, I was immediately greeted by Sarai’s infectious smile. The mood was light and fun. You couldn’t help but feel that way too.

I made my way over to the groom’s room and as I opened the door smiled. All that was in the bare room were a couple of chairs, a television with the Falcon’s game on, and some beers. To be honest, Christopher hardly paid attention to the game, at least while I was there. He was beaming. Excited to see his bride. His love for her was obvious, without even seeing them together.

Christopher and Sarai, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day. I am so glad I got that second email from you. Your day, your love, and both of you are absolutely beautiful.

Here are a few from the day:

To view a slideshow with more images, click HERE.