Skype Dates, Plunger Hickeys, & My Unicorn Scar

"She knew what all smart women knew: Laughter made you live better and longer."

-Gail Parent

Welcome to the first edition of "Kelsey's Embarrassing Moments". Please, take a seat. Grab a kleenex for fits of laughter that might result in tears...I'll start at the beginning.

For Christmas, Tammy sent me a package full of presents. She is the sweetest person in the whole world and if you spent 2 minutes with her, I'm sure you would agree. One of the things she sent me was an "iPlunge". Visit Here to purchase one for yourself. (You are gonna want one.) She thought it was hilarious and I did too. It is a mini-plunger that works as a stand for your iPhone.

On Tuesday night, we were Skyping and laughing about everything. This is a normal occurrence. We Skype, usually much later than we should be awake, and everything becomes hilarious. It might be because lack of sleep, or we might just be the funniest people you've ever known.

Anyway, while skyping, I noticed the iPlunge sitting on my desk and started playing with it. Suctioning it to my computer, my phone, my arm.....And then my forehead. Yes, I am a genius. Apparently my forehead is the flattest surface in the world, because it grabbed on for its life. We laughed as it was stuck looking like MAAAAYBE I was a unicorn. A unicorn plumber.

After a few minutes of laughing, it started to hurt, so I tried to pull it off. Let's just say it was a bit painful and felt like I was ripping off one of my eyebrows. And then, what did I see??? A HUGE RED CIRCLE. Oh ya, a huge red PLUNGER HICKEY! Tara, Tammy, & Kyle laughed. I kind of laughed, and then googled "How to remove a hickey?" I definitely have never googled THAT before.

So after reading up and realizing that I didn't have any Vitamin K laying around, I discovered that it most likely will last for 5-7 days. Oh ya, Internet. 5-7 DAAAAYS!!!

When I woke up in the morning, it was not lighter. And it hasn't gotten lighter yet. But that's okay. Because my family and friends are trying to come up with solutions for me. Want to hear some of my favorites???

From My Mom : Make some more red circles on my forehead. Draw vines with a marker. Pretend it's a cluster of grapes.

From Tara : Tell people I used to be a unicorn, but my horn fell off.

From My Dad : Get some flesh colored paint, because make-up doesn't cover it.

From Cara : Cut Bangs.

My Solution: Purchase a sweet "Dan'l Boone Coonskin Cap" from the Sportsman's Wharehouse and pretend that I hunt and fish. While wearing dresses.

All that to say, I have a new addition to my face. And people love to stare at it when I am in public. I have been asked many times already, "OH MY GOSH! What happened to your face!?" It's the best. I love love love my plunger hickey.

Take a look. 

Life is best when you used to be a unicorn...

See more of my work at www.kelseylynnephotography.com. Become a fan of my work on FACEBOOK. Give me a call so we can chat, 253.569.7600.

Communication, Vulnerability, + Bricks in the Face.

"Write your troubles in the sand, carve your blessings in stone."

There are times when life needs a pause button. Because sometimes, I need a little break. After going to Minnesota at the beginning of this month, I was feeling so ready to take on the world. Visiting one of my best friends, Liz, was something that my heart needed. But after coming back, life continued to happen. I was overwhelmed with the things I wanted to be doing, the things I couldn't do, and the things I couldn't change. I basically felt like I got hit in the face...with a brick. 

Keeping in touch with people who you love is seriously the best thing. I have noticed lately how much I love the phone. I LOVE being able to talk to the people who I don't get to see everyday, or even every week. I love talking to people in Minnesota, California, Wisconsin, and Oregon and feeling like they are sitting in the same room as me. How lucky are we to have the phone? But really, the people in my life need to be told all of the good things about them. We all have a tendency to forget. To dwell only on the negative, on our imperfections, and our failures. But that is why we need each other. To remind us of the reasons why we are loved, why we are capable, why we are beautiful. 

I have been realizing that communication is one of the most important things to me. The people I am closest to are the people who I am able to communicate the most openly with. Because vulnerability is a place where relationships thrive. It is where they grow, are tested, and are made to last. I read once that "A relationship is only as deep as it is open, and as strong as it is broken." So so true. It is hard sometimes to be vulnerable, and even scary. But it is so necessary, and will always benefit your relationship in the end. 

So, I want to challenge you. To pick up your phone and call someone who you love, and remind them why. And when they ask you, "How are you?", be honest. Be vulnerable. 

And me? I'm doing alright. Life is good. I have a family who makes me laugh and who laughs at my ridiculous stories, I have a best friend who lives with me and reminds me always why everything will be okay, and I have even more best friends who call me to remind me that I can do it. They remind me to dream bigger, and to throw my fears away. So internet, that's what I am doing. 

Here are some pictures of my life these days...My crazy, beautiful life. 

Life is best surrounded by people who love us. 

See more of my work at www.kelseylynnephotography.com. Become a fan of my work on FACEBOOK. Give me a call so we can chat, 253.569.7600.

The Henderson Family. Round 2.

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."

-Joyce Brothers  

Sarah and Skye have been on the blog before, mostly showcasing their baby boy James. We met a few weeks ago for some family pictures, and to get some of her adorable baby bump. Baby girl will be here soon, and we are all anxiously awaiting her arrival. So some pictures of them as a family of 3 were necessary! They will soon be a family of 4, and judging by how cute James is...This baby girl is going to be the most adorable thing.

Here is this beautiful family. Take a look!

Life is wonderful.

See more of my work at www.kelseylynnephotography.com. Become a fan of my work on FACEBOOK. Give me a call so we can chat, 253.569.7600.

Best Friends, Math, + The Stratton Family

"Friendship multiplies the good of life, and divides the evil."

-Baltasar Gracian

Best friends understand. They understand the emotional phone calls, the words that make absolutely no sense, the hectic schedule that does not allow you time to clean your room when they come over, the messy bun hair and unmatched socks for your coffee date. And they also understand when you are 2 months late for blogging their session. Oops.

Brettany and Steve and Dawson are my besties. The Stratton Family is my favorite family to photograph. Mostly because it feels like a party, a coffee date, and a sleepover all wrapped into one.

With about a million pictures at the pumpkin patch this year, this session is one of my favorites. Dawson has more personality every time I see him and he understands that I love him. Even with my lack of blogging....Dawson, I'll give you extra kisses next time I see you to make up for it.

Here they are. This beautiful family. They are a nice as they seem, and smell even nicer. 

This is my FAVORITE face. I hope all babies make this face at me!!!

Life is best with best friends. 

Conversations, Chickens, + The Jackson Family.

"A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short."

-Andre Maurois

The Jackson Family is the kind of family that invites you inside for a cup of tea and a long conversation. The people who aren't in a rush to go from place to place, like a headless chicken. But who genuinely care about each person who walks into their life, into their home. They ask questions, not just because they have nothing else to do...But because they care about the answer.

Brian and Laura are the best parents. The have 3 kids. Emily, Luke, and Ellie, who are all full of personality. Emily is into photography and I hope that one day I can read her blog. Luke is a star soccer player and I am thinking I need some lessons. And Ellie, she loves pretty things and so do I. Before I left, I was talking with Brian & Laura about their favorite books. I LOVE reading, and they do too. So asking for their recommendations was something I had to ask. Do you have any book recommendations? Let me know!!!

We met at their home in Maple Valley, for a family photo shoot. Their property was my favorite and I am thinking about calling weekly to set up photo shoots there.

Introducing : The Jackson Family

Life is best with someone to talk to. 

See more of my work at www.kelseylynnephotography.com. Become a fan of my work on FACEBOOK. Give me a call so we can chat, 253.569.7600.

Issaquah, Ice Cold Cokes, + The Davis Family

"Hitch your wagon to a star."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Davis Family has appeared on the blog many times before. I had met them a few years ago, before I even thought about being a photographer and lovely Facebook brought them back into my life once I started posting about photography! Seriously, Facebook deserves a high five and a kiss.

One day, I will have a studio in Issaquah where I can meet with clients, show them photo slideshows while eating chocolate covered strawberries and drinking ice cold coke, planning wedding itineraries, and displaying all of the pretty canvases from my recent photo shoots. But UNTIL THEN, I will just adore Issaquah for the beautiful locations that it offers and write down my dreams until they become a reality.

Let me tell you, this is the best dressed family. Their colors matched perfectly with each other and with the location! Theresa's yellow scarf and patent red flats were just the cherry on top. I mean, who doesn't love baby girl Uggs and little man Toms!!!! Seriously!

Davis Family, thank you for being the most faithful clients I could ever ask for. I love taking pictures of you every time because I feel like as time is going by, I am more comfortable taking your pictures and they are getting better and better. Not gonna lie, these will be some of my favorites for a long time. The day couldn't have been better. You are wonderful. Hope to see you in the spring when the weather gets warmer!

Here are my favorites...

Life is best with faithful friends. 

See more of my work at www.kelseylynnephotography.com. Become a fan of my work on FACEBOOK. Give me a call so we can chat, 253.569.7600.

Phone Tag, A Billionty Faces, + The Byrd Family

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."

-e.e. cummings

For a few months, we had been playing phone tag and trying to nail down a date for some pictures of their adorable family. We finally picked a time and a place and honestly, these pictures have made their way into my heart, along with this family.

Aaron and Corrina are as real as they come. Honest, encouraging, genuine, wonderful. Clara and Skylar are the happiest children. Clara has about a billionty faces and she showed me all of them during this photo shoot. Skylar is so so so smiley and made my job so easy. They even brought their own bread to feed to the ducks. Talk about prepared. 

Aaron and Corrina, thank you thank you for all of the nice words that you kept saying to me. I drove away feeling like a superstar and completely encouraged. The things you said made me appreciate my job and being able to spend my time doing something I am passionate about. I hope you love these pictures and they make you feel beautiful every time you look at them. I am pretty sure I want to hang them around my house because of your pretty faces. 

Introducing : The Byrd Family

Life is best with happy babies. 

See more of my work at www.kelseylynnephotography.com. Become a fan of my work on FACEBOOK. Give me a call so we can chat, 253.569.7600.

Weddings, Michael Jackson, + The Things that Help Us Remember

"Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great."

-Mark Twain 

One of my goals for 2012 is to shoot more weddings. I LOVE weddings. Everything about a wedding day is exciting and special. I love that there are never a shortage of things to photograph, memories to capture, and moments that will happen only once. And driving home after a wedding is the best, because I think back to all of the things that happened in the last 8 hours, and realize that when I show the couple the pictures, they will re-live every moment. That's why pictures are so important, they help us remember.

Yes, there are moments of pressure and the night before consists of a lot of checking and double checking. Batteries, lenses, mints, shoes, camera. But after I take the first picture, I remember why I love my job, and I forget all of the stress.

In October, I had the pleasure of second shooting for one of my favorite photographers, Melissa Shaw. Take a look at her website HERE. She does an AMAZING job and working with her was such a gift. I was able to learn a lot and ask questions along the way. She has a way of making people feel comfortable in front of her camera, and the pictures always look natural and never forced. Her personality is easy to work with and be around, her sense of humor is stellar, basically, she's fantastic. Give her a call!

The bride and groom, Mitchell and Brittany were fabulous. They have been together for a while, and their family and friends filled up the room to look on as they said their vows. In Bremerton, the weather stayed clear for pictures, and even gave us a beautiful sunset to end the night. He makes her laugh, and from looking at these pictures again, I am positive they will have a life full of laughter. What better way to spend forever?

After the ceremony and formal photos were over, Melissa and I were able to eat some delicious food, take pictures of the dances and toasts that definitely made me tear up, and then break out some of our own dance moves. Melissa basically has the same skill level as Michael Jackson, she almost broke out her glove.

Thank you Mitchell and Brittany for allowing me to be a part of your wedding. You are wonderful people and made me laugh the whole day. Thank you Melissa for allowing me to second shoot with you. It really was such a great day, and you are the best dancer I know. Can't wait to second shoot for you again sometime!

Here are a few of my favorites...

 

Life is beautiful. 

See more of my work at www.kelseylynnephotography.com. Become a fan of my work on FACEBOOK. Give me a call so we can chat, 253.569.7600.