Welcome Ruby Rose | The Shula Family | Indianapolis Newborn Photographer

December 08, 2015 in Newborn

You never know where you are going to meet your next client. Back in September my husband I took our boys out for a hike at 100 acres park at the IMA. We met a couple with their toddler boy that was playing on the same apparatus as our two. The mom was pregnant and in the back of my mind I'm thinking "potential customer, potential customer" - because my brain is always on business. But I'm not really forward like that and I hate to be annoying to people who don't really want to hear my spiel (not that I have a spiel - let's get real here). We quickly chatted about randomness until our boys run off to the next thing.

Then we are on the "Bones" display (if you have been there, you know what I'm talking about - probably my kids' favorite) and I'm trying to snap some photos of the boys. Dad from the couple above comes over with their dog and asks if we want a family picture taken. Sure - yes - because that NEVER happens. Since he is super nice, we talk some more and some more and I end up passing on my business email to him. They contacted me soon after that to take newborn pictures upon the arrival of their sweet Ruby Rose. How sweet is that name???

I'm so grateful for the opportunity and am always happy to meet new people. On-location newborn shoots can be a little invasive with all of my equipment and props, etc. The Shula's took it all in stride and opened up their house to me. Ruby was an AMAZING model - only 7 days old when I met her - and she slept like a champ. Big brother Parker was a little bit harder to catch with the camera. (:

Meet the Shula's - new family of 4:

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 newborn photographer, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.

Waiting for Elin | The Lewis Family | Greenwood Family Photographer

December 02, 2015 in Family, Children

I was connected with the Lewis family through another client (shout out to the Hauser's!!). After a quick phone conversation with Monica (mom) to set up the session, I knew immediately that this was going to be the beginning of a wonderful relationship. On the phone, I quickly discovered that they are in the process of adopting from abroad. China to be exact. Adoption can be a long, frustrating, emotional, drawn-out process - and not to mention all of the costs involved. I was instantly intrigued with her story and their passion for adopting.

Our connection lies in the fact that I too am adopted. My parents waited over 3 years for me and I was lucky to be adopted during infancy. Adoption is part of our family - my dad was adopted; my aunt was adopted, and my uncle was adopted. Adoption changes lives and brings families together - something I will forever be grateful for.

Back to the Lewis family. They currently have two boys: Emery (11) and Asher (8). They are really funny and outgoing boys - love sports and just playing around. I felt like I was looking into my own future with two energetic boys bouncing all over the place. I will say, they were much easier to photograph than toddlers - they actually did great and followed my directions! It was such a fun session with them!

The Lewis' love their boys, and they are hoping to add to the love in their house. They are currently waiting for Elin, their little girl they are hoping to adopt. They have not been matched yet, but they gave their future daughter a name so that they could pray for her by name. Monica's tie to adoption first starts with her great grandmother Aggie who adopted Monica's grandma, who was abandoned at a young age. If not for her great grandmother Aggie's loving heart and openness, the family's chain would look severely different.

Then Monica was 22 years old - a student traveling to Belize, Rotan, Hong Kong, China and Thailand. It was there she saw such a great need to help less fortunate children. Orphans. She left there saying that she'd be back someday. And that someday has come. The Lewis' family faith in God through this whole endeavor is inspiring. They knew they wanted to adopt someday, but financially they did not know if they could afford it. No, they didn't win the lottery - they are putting it all in God's hands and they know that He will not fail them. With the love from God and support from their friends and family, they will bring Elin home.

Thank you so much to the Lewis family for sharing your story with me - it hits home in my heart and I pray with you that you bring Elin home as soon as possible.

If you want to help the Lewis family out in any way, please contact me and I can get you in touch.

With that, I present to you, the Lewis family - Monica, Nathan, Emery and Asher. Next time I photograph them, hopefully Elin will be the star of the show (:

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

A Hrivnak Holiday Session | Maplelawn Farmstead | Zionsville Family Photographer

November 29, 2015 in Children, Family, Holiday

I had the privilege to photograph my good friends, the Hrivnak's, a few weeks ago. They wanted a holiday-themed session, so we met at Maplelawn Farmstead in Zionsville to see what we could cook up. First, their outfits were perfect - coordinated and cute and classy - loved it! Second, Dustin and Esha have the CUTEST little boy, Aneesh, and he actually seems to like my camera. (: I don't always get that lucky. (:

The Hrivnak's were one of the first families I photographed during my portfolio-building stage - we had a great session back in May for Aneesh's first birthday. I will always be indebted to them for trusting me back then when I was getting started and for sticking with me. We already planned a session for Aneesh's 2nd birthday pictures so we all are already excited for that!

Back to the holiday session: I'm in love with so many of the photos - the Hrivnak's are so laid back and playful during our sessions - the love between them just radiates. Their happiness + the sunset light = one amazing session.

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

A Little Girl Surrounded by Love | Mini Session at Maplelawn Farmstead | Zionsville Family Photographer

November 24, 2015

Sometimes a rescheduled session can be the best thing that happens. One of my Trader's Point mini sessions did not work out - poor 2 year-old Karis was sick and even spent part of that day at the doctor's office. Her mom brought her and dressed her and she made a valiant effort, but it just wasn't happening. We decided that instead of having a bunch of photos of a grumpy, sick girl (mom said she's always super happy and easy-going), we would reschedule for a later date.

I had been wanting to try out a new location - Maplelawn Farmstead in Zionsville. I had already booked another mini there for a Saturday in November so Karis, her mom, and her aunties met me before my other session for their make-up. And mom was right - Karis is the happiest and sweetest little girl. She was so fun and it was just a random shoot of her loving on her family members and running around. She ran in circles, she swung around in her auntie's arms, she gave kisses and hugs, and threw leaves in the air. A perfect depiction of a 2 year-old's world. (:

Thanks to Joan (mom) for allowing me to capture some sweet moments with your little girl.

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

Small Business Saturday | Deals Through November 28th | Indianapolis Family Photographer

November 22, 2015 in Marketing

Hello to all of my wonderful clients and potential clients! Now that I'm an owner of a small business and have a much larger appreciation for all small business owners, I wanted to join in the fun of Small Business Saturday. I have never been a huge fan of Black Friday, but this is a cause that is worth supporting and honoring. I know that many think that photography can't be that hard. You're just taking pictures, right?? Or my favorite: Your camera takes awesome pictures! Well, there is so much more to it than that, and I will not go into all of the technical things I think about during a shoot plus everything else that is going on (props, poses, corralling kids, lighting, background, keeping a smiling face). Or I won't go into all of the prep I do for each shoot (I am a preparation queen). Then there is the business side - a completely different animal - closing the books each month, insurance, website maintenance, BLOGGING, marketing. And I'm not here to complain - I LOVE this job more than any accounting job I've ever had and my boss is pretty awesome too (oh, wait, that's me!) I'm just here to say support small businesses - I bet you will get better service from them than you ever will with any big-box store. (:

So anyway.....to my deal.....

Book a 2016 photo session from now through Saturday, November 28th (aka Small Business Saturday) and receive discounted rates: $225 for a portrait or lifestyle session (regularly priced at $300) and $125 for a mini session (regularly priced at $175). As a refresher, my portrait sessions last 1-2 hours and you get all edited digital images. My mini sessions are 30-45 minutes long and you receive your pick of 15 edited digital images with the option to purchase the rest for $50.

The not-so-fine print: You only need a $75 non-refundable deposit (that goes towards your session fee) to receive the special price and to hold a tentative date (save the rest for Christmas presents). Limitations may apply to certain dates. Special only applies to sessions expected to be scheduled in 2016. Special does not apply to gift certificates and sessions are non-transferable.

And for total cuteness, because I can't have a blog without any pictures, my sweet Nicholas playing in leaves a few weeks ago.

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