Promiseland Farm Opens for Specialty Photo Sessions
Thursday, February 17, 2022
By Kellwood Studio Photography
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Promiseland Farm Opens for Specialty Photo Sessions

And just like that! 3 years goes by… Matt and I moved our family out of the suburbs and went rural just shy of 3 years ago. Being a photographer, I have always been drawn to nature, wide open spaces, blue skies and split rail fences. The serenity touches something deep inside my soul and reminds me of home. I grew up with an old abandoned barn and pasture across the street from my home as a girl. I had many adventures exploring, tree climbing, fort building and wild animal collecting growing up in Smalltown, USA. When I was a young woman, I couldn’t wait to leave Smalltown, USA. I flew out or the quiet as fast as my motorcycle would take me. But as I grew, had babies and later became a busy mother, I longed to get back to Smalltown, quiet.

I believe God plants dreams in our hearts , visions for what he has for us. In 2015 I drove around Carroll County Illinois dreaming of a different world, and capturing “HOME” on camera. This is one of my pieces of art that stopped my car mid drive so that I could dream of placing myself in the scene for just a moment. I dreamt of living with a pasture and a backyard full of lush grass. 

Who knew, a few decades later Matt and I would own our forever home, complete with blue skies, magnificent sunrises and sunsets, abandoned barn, fences and to date we have a fantastic family of  40 some chickens, Bruce the Turkey, 7 Goaties, Oscar Mayer the Pot Bellied Pig, Sonny the Mni Horse, Shirley and Joanie our 2 alpacas and Naomie and Stefan our beautiful horses. (Its been quite a learning curve too!) Not only animals we have included a 1951 Dodge pickup truck as our newest family member!  While I still photograph weddings, corporate events and people of all walks and ages, I am evolving. I have a vision of sharing what we have through my camera. Matt and I are opening Promiseland Farm to the public to be enjoyed and create memories with God's beauty and our animals…. Whether you love horses, goats or sunrises,  like we do, we invite you out to have a photoshoot in the beauty and serenity of our HOME, Promiseland Farm!

Book Your Photo Session at Promiseland

So if you are looking for a unique photoshoot with nature, some goats or alpacas, we are ready to share the beauty and create memories with you here! We will be taking bookings beginning June 1 and we are practicing Covid-19 safety guidelines until our state advises otherwise. So come on out, hold a chicken, hug an alpaca and let us capture the magic in a unique Promiseland Farm family photo session experience for you!

We look forward to meeting you! 

 
Top 10 Newborn Tips for Success
Monday, August 03, 2020
By Kellwood Studio Photography
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How to Have Success with Your Newborn Session

 

Of all the beautiful images that I get to take, there is none so precious as the Newborn Session.  This session, taken in the comfort and privacy of your home is to many the most mysterious kind of session. What will we wear? What should I expect are some of the questions that come up. And given that fact that many things can happen during a newborn session, including needing to nurse, oopsie accidents and crying babies to name a few, on top of nervous parents can add up to some serious stress.  While we can't guarantee a quick seamless session, I can guide you to some secrets that have proven successful for me over time. Read on!

Simply by taking care of you and your family and doing some of the preparations in advance can minimize much stress. If you have any questions at all, I am here for you, to guide and help you. 

I look forward to working together!

XO~ Kellyann


 
TO SHOOT? OR NOT TO SHOOT?
Thursday, April 23, 2020
By Kellyann Harmon of Kellwood Studio Photography
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WE CELEBRATE THE CLASS OF 2020

With the new norm of online school, cancelled athletics, delayed proms and graduations, this year has been a bust for our CLASS OF 2020 SENIORS. As I am a mom of 2 recently graduated daughters, (who are also losing college and life experiences) it is heartbreaking to witness this loss.   These college-bound young adults need recognition, commemoration  and celebrated. Currently, we are  limited to the large number gatherings. But, we are also offered safety guidelines for existing and moving about in this confusing time
 
I have always encouraged Senior Sessions because it is so much more than a snapshot. A Senior Session is much, MUCH MORE. To start with, we offer you a free consultation to connect with you and your senior. We spend time reliving memories and sharing stories of who this young adult is. I have a gift of drawing people into conversations, I am able to collaborate on a photo session vision with you. Together, we create an EXPERIENCE. It doesn't matter if your son or daughter is adventurous or reserved, musical, or athletic, intellectual or crazy- we have fun creating a fantastic and unique photo shoot specifically for you. Teamwork and collaboration guarantee capturing the essence of who they are. I capture these moments for you, the parent, to fondly look back on while at the same time, giving your young adult freedom and fun in their session through style of clothes, props, locations and being the super star for a day! It's a win for all. 
 
Because we care about these moments, we are still providing the Senior Session Experience for our graduates. Because we care about EVERYONE'S SAFETY, we are implementing new Covid-19 Session Guidelines. We want to provide a safe, fun and quality session while keeping YOU and I SAFE.  Senior Sessions are outdoors. With the use of technolgy we have been doing Zoom Consultations from home. We know that with careful game day planning and execution we can celebrate the Class of 2020 through their unique portrait session

 

To get instant access to our Covid-19 Session Policies click on the button below. 

To get more info on our studio call or email Kellyann:

Phone: 2224.303.4020

Email: kellwoodphoto@att.net

Tags: SENIOR
 
Photographing Large Family Groups
Monday, July 15, 2019
By Kellwood Studio Photography
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Photographing multi generational family groups is such a rewarding experience and absolutely priceless to share with your client.

You know that you have just created something of value with them, you have been included in a sweet little moment of time in their lives to experience how they play, share, and love on each other.  Having been a family photographer for almost 20 years, here  are a few tricks of the trade that I have learned along the way! 

 

Tip #1

Photograph the biggest grouping first. This includes, grandparents all the way down to grandchildren and every aunt and uncle in between. Children are unpredictable and this is the main photo that your grandparents are going to love on their wall. Usually before kids lose interest or cry or get tired you can snap this one before they realize they are expected to "say cheese" and look at the camera!

Tip #2

If there are little babies or toddlers involved get their photos done first! This includes the Group shot, the grandparent shot and their individual family shots. Older kids may not be enjoying themselves yet but they will turn on their smiles and fun later in the game!

Tip #3

If you have a little one who is just having a hard time, don't keep stimulating them. Stop, regroup, and go another route. Sometimes just letting them be with mom and dad, or shifting your focus to candid capture is the best and sweetest plan. Kids are kids and if they are sad, hungry, tired, scared or just don't like what they are doing you can't make them get out of that mood right on the spot. I brought bubbles to this session, and while our little guy was having a hard time, her perked right up at the idea of play! VIOLA! 

Tip #4

Above all else- Have fun! Be accommodating! Care as if you were bringing your precious ones to your the  photographer and making an Investment.

Or how about this ?

"Do to others as you would have them do to you..."Luke 6:31 

Not a bad motto to assume as a business owner right?

XO, 

Kellyann

 
The Secret to Getting Great Engagement Photos
Monday, June 24, 2019
By Kellwood Studio Photography
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What is the Secret to Getting Great Engagement Photos? 

The Secret is to understand their "Couple Personality" 

Every Couple has a personality when they are together. Whether they are bold and adventurous, quiet and reflective, or silly and affectionate, every couple has a "couple personality". My husband and I are loud. We don't mean to be, its just that stuff happens to us. Weird stuff . Getting dumped on in the rain before we enter a small group gathering or breaking through ice as we take photos of the Rock River. Stuff just happens. and we respond. Loudly, laughing and drawing way to much attention to ourselves I am sure. But its funny to us. And the rest of the world doesn't really matter to us in that moment. We have a "couple personality" and its what I love about us! 
I have photographed many couples. Some are uncomfortable touching each other publicly. And honestly, some can't keep their hands off of each other. It doesn't matter because the secret is that they just interact as them. A good photographer is sensitive to each session, and draws out the authentic couple and personality through pre consultations and guided interactions.  To be a great Engagement photographer you need to LISTEN your couple - UNDERSTAND them. Don't just cut and paste what you did for your last session onto your current session.  You should also have a setting that they will enjoy. And allow them through your approach and conversation to have fun. Because while every couple's fun looks different, every couple has FUN. it's up to you to understand them. 
Engagement sessions are the best. They are like a test drive to booking you as their wedding photographer.  Which means that you have already laid a foundation of trust and beautiful images and a fabulous experience together! Good Luck!
 
XOXO
Kellyann