Kelly Chandler

Gone are the days when the yearbook photos were a head a shoulder shot with a simple backdrop that ran consistent across the page with each person’s head tilted just so looking stiff an uncomfortable.  Now if you look at a High School yearbook, you’ll see a variety of photos (both professional and uh….um…not professional).  I like taking kids out of their element and capturing a bit of urban flare in the photos when they are up for it.  For this session, Ashley, her Mom and I went to downtown Seattle and hit the Seattle Center area.  It just so happened that Boeing was having their annual meeting at Key Arena so there were people and cars everywhere…all wearing the same electric blue shirts.  Trying not to get people in the background was more challenging than usual.  But the results of our patience provided some knock out images of this beautiful girl!

So, like I said, getting people out of the background was a challenge.  This rough looking group of men were walking by as I was photographing Ashley.  They said, “Hey its picture time guys” as they sat down laughing.  I didn’t pose them this image is exactly how they sat down and it was for all of 10 seconds.  I fired off one shot, they kindly thanked Ashley and moved on.  I loved the contrast of this innocent fresh faced little beauty against this tough, been around the block many times group of men.  Ashley and I didn’t skip a beat and kept on with our session giggling a bit at how funny the guys were. 

I met Ashley 2 years ago when she became my son’s Kindergarten teacher.  It was her first year teaching.  Rob and I went into the school year with our fingers crossed that she would be a good fit for our little man.  Well, she blew us away with her genuine interest in the kids academic and social growth, her engaging teaching style, and her dynamic personality.  Ashley quickly became one of our favorite people in the entire school. 

 Last year Ashley and Travis came to meet with me to talk about their wedding.  I was both excited and honored that they would entrust me with capturing their special day.  However, I did specify that if I was to take the job…..there was one rule.  Ashley had to leave the school teacher hat at school and bring her sexy little bride veil instead.  I told her that I needed her to trust me if I ask her to do something crazy because the results will be fantastic. What happens in Coeur D’Alene…stays in Coeur D’Alene.  But here is a little peek of the amazing event that April and I witnessed.  She was a totally sexy bride and completely in love with her man!

Not many brides are willing to lay down on the ground for a shot like this.  When I saw the carpet in the hotel, I knew it would be a phenomenal shot and that she would be up for it.  When I was taking these shots, I knew right then that these would be some of my favorites.  I was right….LOVE ‘EM.

Travis and I got to know each other better when he came with Ashley to some of my son’s baseball games.  It was so fun to see him all dressed up and looking fab. 

April was photographing Travis around the corner while I was working with Ashley on this cool black door.  Travis kept peeking around the corner for a glimpse of his beautiful lady.  He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.

We had a blast with the wedding party.  We met in a bar….did some FUN shots like this one and then headed outside for more playful stuff.  Much like Travis and Ashley, they were up for anything!  It makes our job such fun to have creative freedom to be playful and not just stand people shoulder to shoulder.

Just before the ceremony a guest knocked over one of these candles and it rolled….still lit….down the aisle and under a pew.  Luckily, a groomsman was quick to duck and roll along with it under the pew.  He grabbed it and the wedding processional began.  Wow, that could have been a disaster!

At the reception, there was a surprise wedding crasher.  Ashley and Travis met at the Coug Pub in Pullman, both graduated from WSU, and as you can tell by the crimson and grey wedding colors….they are HUGE Coug fans.  They had no idea that Butch the WSU mascot was coming to their celebration.  Here Ashley planted a big kiss on Butch.   Don’t worry Travis, you are still her number one man.

This cat gets around.  I caught him dancing with every bridesmaid in the room….I think I even saw him cutting it up with grandma at one point.

Can you guess which groomsmen is the HUSKY?  He swore he’d never get his photo taken with Butch unless a few conditions were met.  Everyone who got their photo taken with Butch made a donation toward Travis and Ashley’s honeymoon “fun money”and they had to collect over $500.   Second, Travis had to agree to have his photo taken with the Husky mascot the next time they had the chance.  Well, $525 later Travis and Ashley will be enjoying some extra fun in Mexico…..and the photo I’m sure will end up in many of these guys offices and homes.  Go Dawgs!  (Had to throw that one in there).  

Well, Ashley and Travis, THANK YOU for a fantastic weekend.  I love you both and can’t wait to share the rest of your images with you when you get home from Mexico!

 To see some more fun shots from the weekend, visit April’s Blog.  Thanks for making the road trip with me Ape.  Your are a star.

This little cutie was moving from the moment we started taking photos.   She was so full of energy and life.  She smiled the entire session as Mom and Dad chased her about the park.  I snapped this shot and then a second later she was off again. 

Here she comes……..

…….and there she goes…….

Whew, we finally got her to stop for a quick moment.

We went to the nearby beach for a few more shots.  I love kids tootsies……so I adored this shot with her Mommy.

As I sat at my desk this morning, I noticed the house was particularly quiet.  The usual sounds of my kids buzzing about the house was not there.  My daughter was busy doing some crafts at my assistant’s desk behind me.  I looked up and what I saw on the floor across the room was the sweetest image I’d seen in a while.  My son was quietly reading to Tink our 4 year old yellow lab.  I happened to have my camera on my desk and quietly picked it up and zoomed in for this first shot.  I was afraid if I moved from my chair Tink would get excited and move.  After I took this shot, I quietly stood and moved in for a new angle. 

I asked my son what he was doing and he said “I’m reading to my girl.”  With that, he rolled over and gave her a hug, repositioned himself (see 2nd image) and continued to read.  This candid moment was so precious.  If you knew how much he loved this dog it would be all that much more amazing to share in their moment. 

Newborns sleep when they want to (which is often) and they are alert just a few hours a day.  Catching both states of conciousness during my photo session is always a treat.  This little guy was both bright eyed and sleepy during his visit.  We did have to wait a bit in between to avoid the “milk drunk” look that occurs somewhere between the two. 

This mom and dad were willing to let me be creative and do some skin on skin shots with the baby.  Mommy joked about all modesty going out the window once you have a baby.  I have to agree.  There is something about having kids that does leave you feeling less inhibited about your body. 

Okay, who looks this good after just having a baby???

I love how he looks so focused on his Mommy.  I wonder what he is thinking.  Probably something about how happy he is to be so loved.