Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving and God's Blessings to everyone!!!

Colby - finally

As most of you know, I have a difficult time getting decent pictures of Colby. Usually it's just me and her by ourselves, and her preference is to be standing right next to me (at all times) instead of having her picture taken. She's a real turkey about it!

So, when I met Kori and Ben and my dad and stepmom at Starved Rock park over Halloween weekend, I was determined to use the opportunity to get some decent images of Colby! And, of course, true to the ornery child she is, she proved my claims wrong. Instead of saying things like "I don't want to!" and running to my side, she stood there and smiled at the camera, laughed naturally at everyone watching her, and even serenaded us by singing "Frosty the No-man".

Here are a few of my favorites. Because who knows when I'll have that kind of help again, you'll probably see these images up at our house for the next ten years!!!

I love this one.....if I could get an image like this for every single mother out there, I would die a happy person. This is everything I want my images to be...pure, natural joy.

Singing to us....

Despite my earlier post, Kori did get the hang of the camera and did a great job getting a few family pictures for us as well!

My all-time favorite of that day....

Thanks for checking in!!!

Kelly

Attention Brides!

All Brides, if you see me show up at your wedding with my sister Kori as the second shooter, RUN!

A few weeks ago, my family met up with my sister Kori's family and my dad and stepmom for their annual family pictures.

I asked Kori if she would take a few of Nick, Colby and I as well.

This is what Kori got.....

....and this is what I got.

And, after five minutes she said that the camera was 'too heavy' and that 'she needed a break.' I love you, Kori, but seriously, camera work is not in your future...perhaps holding an off-camera flash, but definitely not camera work. :)

All joking aside, we did get some great family pictures once Kori got used to the camera. Those coming soon!!

Kelly

It's THAT Time of Year!!!

Yes, everyone, it's THAT time of year! Because my family celebrates our Christmas at Thankgiving (aka Thanks-Christmas to those of you newbies to the blog), I start getting into the holiday spirit, let's say, around October 1st. :) Maybe it's all the family portrait sessions that I know will end up on Christmas cards...maybe it's the down comforter on my bed...or maybe it's all the cinnamon and pine candles that begin appearing on the Yankee Candle shelves at stores. In any case, I mentally begin my holiday season.

Some people's choice of music is R&B, Country, or Pop...mine is Christmas. I'm still waiting to be asked to be a guest judge on some Christmas music awards that I just know will exist at some point. Every year, I try to add a bit to my Christmas classics. If you weren't a blog reader last year, you can click here to get the full list of classics from years past. And, here are my picks so far this year.

• Merry Chrismas, Baby by Nicole C. Mullen
• Lamb of God by Nicole C. Mullen......oh my gosh, I'm in LOVE with this song and listen to it nonstop!!!.....and it's not what you'd expect at all as far as beat, but I LOVE the message and visuals.
• Redeemer by Nicole C. Mullen....yes, not a Christmas song, but I have it on my Christmas playlist, and really, shouldn't all Christmas music be Christian music and vice versa????!!! Anyway, this song gets to me....in like a bring-a-tear-to-my-eye way. Excellent message in reminding us that God is in control.
• I Need a Silent Night by Amy Grant....yes, no list would be complete without Amy on the list! Fun, upbeat tune that reminds us, again, of what Christmas should be about.

And, because blog posts aren't fun without a bit of eye candy, just wanted to let everyone know that my sister Kim has uploaded a selection of her custom Christmas cards to my site! Take a peak and see if there are any you like....you might just be the featured family in one or two of them as well!!

You can access the cards by going to http://kellymccormickphotography.com > Clients > Password "Christmas".

And, as a means of contributing to my annual Christmas music post, Kim says do not buy the new Sheryl Crowe Christmas CD...in her words, it echoes her last name. :)

Happy Holidays!!

Kelly

Chad and Katy - Engaged

I'm getting ready to head out the door for the last family session of the year, but before I leave, I desperately wanted to get these amazing images posted of Chad and Katy!! When I first went through their images, I had 223 marked as 'favorites'....I think it's taken me the last 2 weeks to get it down to a more managable (sic?) number. I actually said to my sister yesterday on the phone, can you please drive here and decide which of these images should be in the final set?! They're adorable, photogenic, and willing to go anywhere I asked of them!!!

Chad and Katy, I'm so excited for your wedding and all you have planned! (Katy's plans for image displays at their reception is going to be like no other reception I've been to! Can't wait!!) Thank you for introducing me to areas of Shelby County I'd not visited before!...and for giving me the chance to be a part of your big day!

Blessings on you all! Kelly

The Smith Family

A few weeks ago I met up with the Smith family for both family portrats and a quick senior session as well!

Here are a few of my faves from the session!!

This one was for mom....

....and this one was for me! LOVE it!


Cassidy laughing....when her dad stepped into a hole, if I remember correctly! I love laughter in pictures.


Probably my all-time favorite of the girls that day.

Daddy's girls.

But Mom wasn't going to miss her chance to get a picture with the girls!

And, finally, the man of the hour....Cody's a senior this year, and like most senior boys, he was SO looking forward to his senior pictures. (sense my sarcasm here?)

But Cody, you did just fine, I think. LOVE the grin in this image!

A solemn moment. Probably reflecting the greatness of his future. Or, what he's going to do when he gets done with these pictures!!! :)

And, what would a senior session be without an image of a boy and his beloved truck!!

Thanks, Smith Family! You're awesome!!

Kelly

The McCormick Family!

A few weeks ago I met up with the in-laws for our 2nd annual fall family photography session! Here are a few of my favorite images!

The husbands are not usually excited about family pictures to begin with...especially since we started at 7:30 am! But, the light is awesome at that time of day!!

....and we were done shortly after 8:00!!! It doesn't get any better than that!

Since having a child, I have decided that really having kids of your own is to get grandkids someday! This was the most important picture of the day!....for Christmas cards! To heck with the rest of the fam...it's all about the grandkids! Just teasing you, Ar!!!

Grammy, what you laughing at?

Claire is the niece that makes me feel old with each passing year....she was just a newborn when Nick and I got married. Grow down, Claire!

Rosco Peco.

Hate my open mouth....love the rest of the image.

Colby was her usual unwilling participant for the family portion of our pictures.

This image gives me hope that she'll get better as she gets older!!

Thanks for checking in!