Kelly Chandler

I’ve been photographing for this family for 4 years….since Ryan was just a baby himself.  Now Ryan is a big brother and has a baby brother to show off.  It was fun to see him so tender with his new sibling.  He was protective and sweet and full of love.

I am always looking for fun new props and backgrounds for the studio. Found this little old suitcase in an antique store and had a vision of a photo just like this one.  This baby is just 6 days old.  The newborn stage goes by so fast.  As a parent you are sleep deprived and exhaused.  I love being able to capture this time for parents to remember and for kids to look back and say, “That was me?”  ”I was so tiny!”

My heart sinks each time I see a call come into my cell phone from Soulumination.  It means another precious life is hanging by a thread and a volunteer photographer is needed to preserve memories of these special individuals.  When I got the call a few months ago to photograph a tiny baby with cancer, I literally felt sick to my stomach…why does something like that happen?  I found myself tearing up for days after our session, just thinking of the strength of this little baby girl and her parents.

I’ve been keeping track of this little doll and she is now cancer free.  It isn’t often that I can share these images as often they are to remain private.  But Austyn’s parents have released the photos to share.  This is one of my favorites….Austyn in Daddy’s arms.  We can all celebrate her precious life….cancer free!!!  Learn more about the amazing work of Soulumination at www.soulumination.org .