Evenings at the Park...

"While we teach, we learn."

-Seneca

I've known the Olson family for a long time. Actually, it's been about 8 years, but they are the kind of people who I feel like I've had in my life forever. I went to high school with Sarah and Josh and our families have spent time camping and laughing together many times. A few years ago, Sarah married a man named Skye and her last name was changed to Henderson. They had the most beautiful wedding pictures. I swear I looked through them and was IN AWE!

About 14 months ago, they had a little boy named James. He is a sporty little guy who has energy for days. He loves his uncles and his grandma. He loves to play at the park, and knows his way there by heart. Also, Sarah and Skye are expecting a little girl and her baby belly will be seen on the blog in a few months!! She just needs to grow that baby a bit more!

A few weeks ago, I was able to spend some time with the whole fam at the park for some pictures. James ran around and I tried my best to keep up. It was one of my favorite sessions I have ever done because James was just playing and running around and being the happy baby that he is. I love that Sarah and Skye let him run free. They love how adventurous he is, I do too.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Life is best when we take time to play.

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.

Plaid Overalls, Cupcakes, + Baby Aiden

"A boy is the only thing God can use to make a man."

-Anonymous 

My best friend/sister Tara works as a nanny for a fantastic family in Renton. She watches a baby boy named Aiden and absolutely loves her job. She comes home with stories always and we laugh about how cute babies are. I have heard about Tony and Janine since January and could tell that they were the kind of people who draw a crowd. Aiden's first birthday was August 21st, and Tony and Janine wanted some pictures of their baby with family at his birthday party and to celebrate how cute he is. 

Let me tell you, from the first moment that I walked into their home, I knew I liked these people. They are warm and inviting. Janine told me stories about her hectic morning and we laughed like we'd known each other for months rather than minutes. I love people like that. Who invite you into their life when they first meet you. 

It was very important to Janine and Tony to have pictures of Aiden with both sets of Grandparents. And I have to say, when going through the pictures, they had to be my favorites. This family is full of joy and love. 

Aiden can say "Spongebob Squarepants" and that automatically makes him the coolest 1 year old I know. He also wore plaid overalls for the day, which means we have matching outfits...I kid, I kid. This child is adorable. He loves to smear frosting on his face/eye when he eats cupcakes. He learned that from Tara. What a great nanny she is! :) 

Look at this beautiful family, and this adorable baby.

 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.

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

"Life doesn't come with an instruction manual, that's why we have fathers."

-H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

Anyone who knows me well would say that I am a "Daddy's girl". Don't worry, my mama would say the same thing. Well, today is my dad's birthday. And let me tell you, tonight at dinner, we will laugh, I might cry, and we will celebrate what a wonderful man he is. 

He seriously is one of my favorite people to talk to, to be around, and to laugh with. He tells it like it is and loves people more than anyone I know. He is my hero and has been through so much, yet is strong for everyone around him. He is generous with his time, his home, his finances, and his love. He is full of wisdom and has unlimited amounts of patience for me. He keeps my secrets and my heart. He is a man of influence and integrity. He pretty much is a rockstar. He likes to listen to his music loud and car dances with the best of 'em. He has taught me how to cook, to fish, to parallel park, to budget, to wakeboard, to love God, to love people, to live life, and to laugh. This man is my walking instruction manual. This man is the best father in the world. 

My parents might have only had one biological child, but they are a mother and father to many more than that. Watching them love my friends and my generation is unbelievable. They care about my friends like they are their children and nothing could make me feel more loved. 

Dad, Papa, Jer...You are the best man I know. I am so blessed by you always and cannot even tell you how loved I feel by you. You have been my rock forever. I'll love you forever and laugh with you for always. Thank you for believing in me and pushing me to grow and to dream big. You are my biggest fan and I feel your support daily. I love you. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures of my favorite man.

Life is best when we celebrate those who we love.

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.

Icebergs, Happiness, + Beverages for Daaaaays.

"Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things." 

-Chaim Potok 

The last week has been a full one. Wes + Ashley got married on Saturday and had one of my favorite weddings that I have ever been to. I was a bridesmaid and got to spend the day alongside one of the most gorgeous brides ever. Seriously, she looked STUNNING. It was a week full of laughter, hairspray, high heels, and caffeine.


In the beginning of August, I made a list of things that I would not purchase until September. On the list were clothes, shoes, make-up, books, and the most difficult....BEVERAGES. Let me tell you, I have not purchased anything off the list! Except for a few beverages. Oh goodness, have I missed Starbucks.


Let me just clarify. I think that life is better with a Tea Lemonade in my hand. I'll drink coffee when I am EXHAUSTED. **Right now, I'm sipping an Americano to stay awake...** But there is something about tea that is just YUMMY. Especially with extra ice. Everything is better when it is the temperature of an iceberg. So this past month, juice from home and water has been my friend. And of course the drinks that my friends have bought me because they all are fully aware of my addiction. Thanks, lovely friends!!!


So, while I have not 100% succeeded, I have been very good about not buying things I don't need. I even spent money on an oil change today. Oh goodness, the Green Chariot is a happy camper.


All that to say, I will be blogging a few sessions in the next couple of weeks that are sure to make you smile. I cannot tell you how blessed I feel to have such wonderful clients. Really, they are beautiful and so much fun to be around and photograph. Until then, I'll be sipping on my Americano and trying to cross things off of my to-do list.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Wes + Ashley.

Life is better with beverages.


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.

Once Upon a Time : Wes + Ashley

"Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question that he wanted to spend his whole life answering."

-Nicole Krauss (The History of Love)

In March, I went to her house to pack up her room so she could move to Ohio. Deep down, she knew she was moving across the country to be closer to the man she would marry. Each Wednesday night, Ashley and I would drive to Chipotle and talk about Wes. He is kind and patient, generous and caring. She is full of life and spontaneity, sequins and love for the people around her. Together they are the couple everyone wants to be around.

Ashley and Wes had been together for about 2 years and had never lived in the same city. He is in the Air Force and was living in Hawaii for the first year of their relationship. But when he moved to Ohio for school, she knew she needed to find out if this would last forever. Her family approved and knew that Wes would someday be a part of their family. In June, he flew Ashley home to propose to her and to make sure this girl would be the one that he spent forever with.

On Friday night, we drove together to Enumclaw for their engagement session. They were beaming the whole time. Wes had been at field training for 6 weeks and just the week prior had gotten home. She was glad to finally have her fiance back. Only 5 more days until they never have to say goodbye. Until they will live in the same house, in the same city. Forever.

Ashley and Wes, I cannot wait to be there when you promise to spend the rest of your lives in love. You are two of my best friends and I am so glad to know you. Every time I am with you, I know that you are the perfect match. Wes, keep good care of Ashley. She means so much to me. Ashley, Wes is such a good guy. I trust him to keep you safe and happy always.

This is what love looks like.

Life is full of Fairy Tales.

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.

Decisions, Support, and My New Camera

"Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision."

-Peter F. Drucker

I like to have the people in my life very involved in it. I like to share things with them...Like chapstick, toothpaste, shoes, dresses, food, Starbucks, anything. So when it comes to my business and big decisions, I love to share my ideas or goals with my friends and family.

For about 8 months, I have been wanting to buy another camera. I have done lots of research, asked a lot of questions to the employees of the camera stores, and debated on which camera to buy. With some advice from a few of my favorite photographers, and lots of conversations with my dad about making this investment, I decided on the Nikon D700 and a date to purchase.

One year ago, in August, I decided to pursue a dream of being a photographer. It was a little scary at times and I wondered if anyone would like the way I see the world. But I could not be happier with the way this last year has unfolded. I can look back and see that I have improved and know so much more now than I did. I have practiced and set goals to push myself to become better. So as a birthday present to my photography business, I thought that August would be the perfect month to buy the camera.

Last night my fam bam took a trip to Seattle to Glazer's Camera to make the purchase because we all know I needed a little support. Plus, I love sharing my life with the people I love. We ended the night at Paseo for some Cuban food. DELISH! GO GO GO there!!!

Thank you Mom and Dad for believing that my dream can become my career and for also pushing me to dream bigger. Thank you Michelle Jensen and Josiah Reimers for helping me decide which camera to buy and for encouraging me when I doubted myself. Thanks Tara, Brettany, Liz, Jessica, and all of my other friends for being the best support system ever!!!

Meet my new camera. I'm getting to know it better. But let me just tell you. BEST.DECISION.EVER. 

And here is a picture of Baby Oscar taken with the new camera. Oh I love his little face!!!

Life is best when shared.

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.