Cora in the Fall | Carmel Family Photographer

Sometimes I get frustrated that I can't keep more up to date with my blog but with the busy fall season (and a household with a husband and 3 young kids), it's pretty much impossible.  The perk though, that I'm finding, in having a lag, is reconnecting with these sessions that I held 2 or 3 months ago.  Sometimes I stare at the pictures while editing for so long that I make myself dizzy - trying to perfect the colors, crop, and every detail.  When I step back for a few months and come back to a session to blog or update my website I get to really enjoy the images as if seeing them for the first time.  I really loved looking back at my session with Chad, Madison and baby Cora (who coincidentally was born during the same week my little Eden was born).  

It was an unseasonably warm fall day and even though it was late in October, the fall foliage was hanging on (wasn't the same story last year).  Four month old Cora was a little sweetheart and a ham for the camera.  The pictures speak for themselves on how much Mom and Dad are smittin' with her.  (:  And then Betty the dog - so glad we got a few shots with her (and BTW I love when dogs have people names!).  

I'm excited that I'll get to catch up with Chad, Madison and Cora at an extended family session this spring.  I can't wait to see how much Cora has grown and changed.  (:  

The first couple of pics I took while wandering around the park prior to our session. I'm not much of a landscape photographer but I felt compelled to capture the calm and color of the morning.  

If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388. 

Win | The Gill Family | Indianapolis Family Photographer

I was referred to the Gill family by the Boyce's (we had an awesome fall session - check it out). They wanted a combo lifestyle and portrait session - one that portrayed them as is - life with two busy, young boys.  I pulled up to their house on a Friday evening, a couple days after the Cubs had won the World Series, and they had the infamous "W" flag flying on their porch.  Anyone who knows me, knows I love the Cubbies and I love Chicago.  Well, so do the Gill's -  total win - I knew I was going to like this family and we were going to have a great time.  

We started the session in their home - they sported their World Series champs attire - and we shot some lifestyle photos.  Madeline and Trent love to get in on the playing action with their boys, Aiden (3) and Desmond (1).  I loved capturing the interactions between everyone the entire session.  We later took the session to Cool Creek Park.  The sunset was beautiful that evening and we shot until the last drop of light. 

Thanks to the Gill Family for a fabulous evening!  Go Cubs Go!  

If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388. 

Adventures | The Van Winkle's | Indianapolis Family Photographer

For the second night in a row I'm blogging a session that was held at Coxhall Gardens.  It's a hotspot for photographers but the grounds are so large that several of us can be out there without stepping on any toes.  This particular session was taken on one of the busiest evenings of the fall but sometimes when your go-to spots are taken........you find some new favs.  (:

I met the Van Winkle family last March at the Trader's Point Easter egg hunt.  I photographed families and kids with the Easter bunny (not totally my thing but love to help out the Trader's Point community and connect with the families). I definitely remembered photographing the family with twin babes strapped to them with a toddler - the Van Winkles. Fast forward seven months and we are meeting for a photo session - twins now almost a year and On. The. Move.  

We spent most of the session letting the kids take us on an adventure through the grounds. Which is my life in a nutshell - following around my crazy kiddos - so it's something I get to practice daily. Spontaneous fun - not much posing - just letting kids be kids.  

Thanks so much to the Van Winkles for allowing me to capture this crazy, busy, awesome time in your lives.  

If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388. 

Together | The Dalton Family | Indianapolis Family Photographer

In my second fall/winter season as a pro photographer, I learned that Thanksgiving and Christmastime can be a busy busy time. Kids come home from college and relatives travel to spend time with family members.  Families gather to share in traditions, fellowship and togetherness.  One of my favorite sessions during the holidays was the Dalton family. They were all in the same place at the same time during the Thanksgiving weekend - perfect timing for some family photos.  

We had a perfect (although a bit chilly) evening for our session.  The kids endured and I couldn't be happier with the results.  Seriously - check out this beautiful family:

Thank you so much to the Dalton's for such an amazing session.  I hope to see you in the years to come!  

If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388. 

Sweet Girls | The Beyer Family | Indianapolis Family Photographer

I am always so honored when friends ask me to photograph their families, and the Beyer's are no exception.  I've known Andrew and Erin for about 10 years now.  Andrew and my husband , Tony, were classmates and friends growing up in grade school. When my husband and I first started dating, they were one of the first friends that Tony introduced me to. We went over to their house (which was reassuring that the guy I was dating actually had some married friends and not just all singleton friends that wanted to party all of the time) to watch a Colt's playoff game.  I remember walking into their house and for some reason Tony introduced me to Andrew as "Kari" or "Katie" - I can't remember exactly but I know it was some "K" name not my own (yes, really!!)  Andrew looked at me and said "Kelly, right?"  Maybe Tony was nervous that he was actually bringing a girl to a friend event or totally just had a brain freeze - either way, Andrew and Erin made me feel comfortable from the first time meeting them and they have been great friends ever since.

Our oldest kids share a birthday (different years) and they are the Godparents to our eldest Louis.  We have watched each other's families grow and have shared in happy times and sad times.  We missed them a ton when they spent 5 years (I think that number is correct) in Michigan for Erin's work.  We did visit them once on a very very very cold weekend in January and they made the drive back to Indy several times since both are from here. We were elated when they moved back to Indy and into a house that is only 10 minutes away from us.  We have vacationed together, celebrated numerous kid birthdays - there have been pool parties (thanks to Erin's parents), play dates, Indy 500's, dinners, Colts games, and on and on.  Having friends that are sharing in the same walk of life that you are is an amazing feeling.  Tony and I are so grateful for their friendship. 

Andrew and Erin celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary this past October. Their lives are now full with girliness with 5 year old Katelyn and 9 month old Caroline.  Apparently Katelyn and my son Louis are going to get married someday and we'll then be related. (:  

We had a blast at our session.  Miss Caroline was a bit upset at first but she warmed up.  Katelyn was a perfect model just as I knew she would be.  (:  And Andrew and Erin, you were pretty awesome too (:  I can't leave you out. (:  

So this last photo I have to share because it was taken literally seconds before Katelyn took a tumble off the bridge and into the marsh.  Whoops.....I tried to catch her but........well.......didn't happen.  She was fine - just a little wet and distraught.  And that was a wrap!  

Thanks so much to the Beyer's for a wonderful evening and even more for the wonderful friendship.  (:  

If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.