Fall Photos @ Glenns Valley | The Vance Family | Indianapolis Family Photographer

October 20, 2015 in Family, Children

I have known the Vance family for awhile now. I attended Ball State with Sarah (mom) where we both received our accounting degrees and then years later I worked with Matt (dad) at Brightpoint. He actually had the luxury of sitting in the cube right next to me for a couple years. Lucky him!! We became pretty good friends and have stayed in touch after I moved on from the corporate world. Their first child, Natalie, was born right when I started working with him, so it's crazy to see how much she has grown! Her twin brothers, Jack and Luke, were born in October of 2013 and are celebrating their 2nd birthday this month.

We had to get creative to capture photos of/with the boys. News flash, but 2 year old boys really don't enjoy getting their picture taken. But I am always up for a challenge.... And look at that red hair - LOVE it! Perfect for fall!

I could tell Natalie enjoys being a big sister....always first to try to help them, entertain them, play with them....

Kelly Martin Photography offers custom on-location lifestyle and portrait professional photography services in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. Session types include family, newborn, maternity, children, couples, engagement, seniors, lifestyle and more! Real. Creative. Personalized.

If you are looking for a family or children's photographer, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.

Blonde curls and eyelashes | Matthew & Audrey | Indianapolis children's photographer

October 17, 2015 in Children

I am all about the details and Matthew and Audrey had some wonderful features to focus on. Look at this boy's long eyelashes!

And Audrey's sweet blonde curls.....

I was excited when Erika (aka mom) contacted me to have a mini session for the kiddos. I used to work with Erika at PwC way back when and hadn't met her children yet. We had fun chasing them around and I loved the compassion that Matthew showed his little sister.

Oh and Audrey could not keep her tongue in her mouth! So cute! BUT my favorite image from the night was the sweet kiss from big brother....

If you are looking for a family or children's photographer, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.

#ENDALZ | 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer's | Indianapolis Event Photographer

October 14, 2015 in Events

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer's is personal for me. Many of you know my family's story and our connection to Alzheimer's. My dad was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's in 2009 and lost his battle in September 2012. The disease took away his ability to make simple decisions, speak coherently, understand the world around him, and take care of himself physically. We watched the decline over a few years and it was a world of frustration and hurt for everyone involved, especially us closest to him.

I cannot even express my hatred for this disease and how it broke my heart to even visit my dad and realize that him and my mom would never enjoy the retirement they thought they would have and he will never get to enjoy his grandchildren and play with them, teach them how to golf, or tell them stories about what a pain in the butt their mother was growing up. (: My mom was my dad's sole care-taker until she physically couldn't take care of him anymore; at which that time he was placed in a nursing home. He went through 3 nursing homes and 2 hospitals, which added to the drama of the disease and highlighted the fact that quality care for people with younger-onset Alzheimer's is hard to find. When my dad passed, he was in a special "last resort" 'nursing home 4 hours away from my mom and 2 hours from me - making it extremely difficult to visit on a regular basis. Care-taking is a saint's job, especially in these instances and with this disease, I think the care-taker can end up worse off than the patient if not approached correctly and if they don't have the necessary support.

The Alzheimer's Association (AA) holds several walks throughout the country to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's research, care and support. This annual walk has become a way to honor my dad and also remind ourselves there are still many people and families out there suffering with this disease. The disease is not preventable or cureable and it cannot be treated - it is awful. Alzheimer's needs our attention. I'm not saying cancer, heart disease, and other diseases aren't bad - we all have lost loved ones to those diseases- but with Alzheimer's there is no hope. A diagnosis is an eventual death sentence - and in most cases, it's a long drawn out, mentally painful death. Dignity is lost. I want to end this for my other family members, for my friends, for my children - so they don't have to experience this pain.

We know that once a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it is only the beginning of a very rough road, and the AA provides help and support for families in need. We reached out to their resources before and they truly are an organization that is started a movement to end the disease.

This was the 4th year we had a team in the walk. The team Tough as Bricks was formed to honor my late bricklaying father. This year I technically did not walk as I volunteered my photography services. I got to witness and capture the emotion of the day from a little different perspective. We had a beautiful day for the walk and it was great to see a large turnout! #ENDALZ

If you are looking for a small event photographer, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.

Molly's Senior Session | Holliday Park | Indianapolis Senior Photographer

October 05, 2015 in Seniors

I was so excited when Molly's mom contacted me about taking her daughter's senior pictures. We had a short turn around but the weather forecast was perfect and senior sessions are always a nice break from family sessions with toddlers running around in every direction (what? my subject is going to sit still and listen to me???).

I was even more excited when I found out Molly was a runner and an Irish dancer. I am an avid runner and always love meeting people with that same love. No Irish dancing here but I always admire people with such talents. She starting Irish dancing when she was four years old and her grandma signed her up for lessons. Unfortunately she had a stress fracture at the time of our shoot so no fun dance moves for the pictures, but we did get a few with her showing off her flexibility and kicking her leg up in the air.

Molly is a senior at Brebeuf Jesuit and although she hasn't chosen a college yet, she plans on majoring in physical therapy. I enjoyed getting to know her and her family (her mom came for support and then her dad "just happened" to show up to walk the family dog, Cooper. (:

The evening light was amazing against Molly's skin and hair - we couldn't have asked for a better night for photos! She was a wonderful model and I wish her the best of luck during her senior year and beyond. Thanks to the Dennie family for allowing me the opportunity to hang out for a night and provide photography services for you!

If you are looking for a senior photographer, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.

Summer Photos at Holcomb Gardens | The Bellamy Family | Indianapolis Family Photographer

September 30, 2015 in Family, Children

The Bellamy family met me at Holcomb Gardens on a Sunday morning in June for some family photos. Even though the hot sun was beginning to warm things up, we were able to get some fun pictures in before it got too steamy. Jessica and Jeff have three energetic kiddos - Harper (5), and twin 2.5 year old boys Aaron & Brandon. Needless to say, the pinwheels were hit!!

Jessica and I worked at PwC together about 10 years ago. Like Melanie (featured in a previous blog), she was with me on a cruise where I met my husband Tony. We have made the effort to keep in touch after leaving PwC and still have dinner/playdates every few months. It's been so fun watching their family grow!! Miss Harper started kindergarten this fall and she's a very intelligent little girl with a lot of sass. The boys are so silly and goofy, with a little bit of shyness.

How cute is this crew??