Kelly Chandler

Sure, you can buy advertising space in magazines….but it is always a special honor to be selected and published in industry magazines for editorial content.  This Fall/Winter some of my photos are featured in an editorial piece on “Bride Ideas” in Seattle Bride magazine.  The article is about Lyndsey Deluca-Heinle’s beautiful up-do.  You might remember her from my blog as the stunningly sexy petite blond with her handsome husband Matt Heinle.  They were married in August at The Woodmark in an elegant affair.  I remember the day of their wedding thinking her hair was spectacular. 

Click on the photo below to read the entire article from their online magazine.

I was reminded yet again of how precious life is…and how the little things just don’t matter.

I just had a photo-shoot for Soulumination for a beautiful family with a 7 month old baby who has been in Children’s Hospital since January.  Mom and Dad have endured so much watching their little one go through test after test to determine a yet-to-be-diagnosed neurological disorder.  My prayers go out to their family and the little siblings who were so patient as we photographed their brother. 

As I tuck my kids in bed I will sit a little longer each night watching them sleep and praying for their continued health and happiness.  I will also pray that they can find a diagnosis and cure for the little one who I had the honor of capturing beautiful photos of today. 

Dalton had the great fortune of being called up to play for the Eastlake Little League Coast Championship Cubs team.  They competed in a tournament against 15 Little League Coast Championship teams on the Eastside.   The final game went into an extra inning and the Cubs pulled out a victory by 2 runs.  Congrats to the Cubs!

My son has waited for 3 years to be able to have a paint ball birthday party…you have to be 10 to play.  He didn’t even want a kid-birthday party for the past 3 years just so he could have a blow out party when he turned 10.   We decided to have the party this past Sunday (which was also Father’s Day).  He invited a bunch of his 10 year old friends and their fathers to play paint ball.   You have never heard as much smack talking as the week leading up to the event.  “Your goin’ DOWN”,  “Better watch your back side”,  and “I’m going to light you up” were some of the choice smacks going back and forth between fathers and sons.  When the day arrived all of a sudden the Dad’s got all worried about hitting the kids with the paint balls….that lasted about 10 seconds before their own inner child took over and the guns started blazing.  The boys had bigger targets to hit and clearly this Dad got nailed. 

The constant rain that has been flooding Washington since March played nicely into the whole Rambo theme.  My son didn’t care how dirty he got laying in the mud while sniping the dads.  It was hilarious to hear them yelling “cover me” as one kid shot wildly and another ran to advance on the dads.  

Notice the photo below in which this unsuspecting dad is about to be nailed in the leg by the paint ball.

I told the parents to dress the boys in something they didn’t care about getting dirty and full of paint…and to stop at Value Village if need be.  This kid picked up a pair of overalls and looked like a hill-billy.  I cracked up each time I looked at him.  You know he’d never be caught dead in those near home….but at KC Crusaders Paintball Field, he fit right in.

My son taking aim at a dad.

Happy Birthday Buddy!  And Happy Father’s Day to some awesome fathers.  Hopefully the bruises from the paint-balls heal quickly.

Oh, and in case you are wondering….despite me wearing a bright yellow helmet and a vest to alert the teams that I was the photographer and not a target…..I got NAILED 5 times.  And I can honestly say, it brought tears to my eyes.  But I’d do it again just to see the joy in my son’s eyes and the big bright smile on his face as he had “The BEST birthday ever, Mom.”

Beginning in early March, my daughter’s Crossfire Soccer Team began competing in the Challenge Cup Division 1 Gold State Championship.  Over the next 5 weeks they competed in 7 games that took us as far as Yakima.  This weekend they advanced to the Semi-Final game which took place on Saturday at Starfire Complex.  Crossfire defeated FC Crush 4-1 in the Semi-Final game.  Congratulations to Crossfire GU11-A for defeating Washington Premiere 3-1 in today’s Championship Game.  Click the photo above to see a slide-show of photos from today’s game.

I had another shoot for Soulumination on Sunday…it was at Seattle Children’s Hospital.   I’ve photographed families for Soulumination throughout the fall, but each was a child with Leukemia and the sessions were on location. This was my first shoot inside Seattle Children’s Hospital.  I wasn’t sure how I’d respond, but I knew there was no better way to honor my son Grant (who ironically would have been 12 years old that same day).  I also knew I would be giving the Mother and siblings of this 9 year old child a gift that would last forever.  

Unable to speak, open his eyes or move much at all, this little boy has endured more than many of us will in a lifetime.  From a photography perspective the session couldn’t have gone better.  It took a little negotiation to get the younger siblings to do exactly what I’d like.  Visualize me giving them a “wagon” ride - (the carts to transport items back and forth in the hospital) around the hallways after they cooperated for photos.  In the end I captured touching moments between each child and their brother.  I know they will cherish these when they are older and can grasp what an amazing 9 years this little boy has battled.  My favorite shots are of mother and son snuggled up together in his bed.  You can feel so many of her emotions just looking at the images. 

I left the session feeling emotionally exhausted.  I felt anger at the disease, sadness for the siblings, a full heart from witnessing the unconditional love of a grief filled mother, and gratefulness for the health of my own children.  

I knew when I joined Soulumination that I was giving the gift of my photography talents to families who might not otherwise think to document the final moments in little lives.  But what I didn’t realize was the gifts I’d be receiving from these families.  I am constantly reminded that the little things in life really don’t matter.  My prayers go out to this little boy and his family as they search to find peace in this unbelievable struggle.

Wow, what a crazy season!  The to-do list just seems never ending this time of year doesn’t it?!  So many hats to wear, so little time…..mother, wife, photographer, custom card designer, party hostess, and finally Santa’s Elf.  The list goes on but you all share the same story I’m sure…so I’ll spare you the details.  Rest assured that the change of pace January brings will be a welcome one.  I’ve been behind on blogging, thanks for checking in though.  The jobs listed above all took over and blogging took a back seat.  I’ll be back soon though so come back soon.  My first wedding of 2010 is this Saturday, January 2nd….starting the year off with a bang.  In the meantime, if you didn’t receive my holiday card the front and inside are shown here.  Happy New Year!

 If I don’t have a wedding to photograph on the weekend, you’ll find me standing on the sidelines of one sport or another, photographing my children and their teammates.  Rain, snow, wind….it doesn’t matter, I wouldn’t miss it. 

Dalton’s Eastlake Wolves Rookie Football Team Red had an UNDEFEATED season.  This past weekend, I got the chance to photograph something extra special, A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!  At 9am on the ice covered turf of Mt. Si High School, these boys did what they had been taught to do all season long…..”Play like Champions!”  In front of about 250 fans, 37 Eastlake Cheerleaders, and with my husband coaching the defense, I watched the Eastlake boys defeat Lake Washington 12-0 in a shut out.  Our team lead the league in points scored (245) and fewest points scored against (45).

Dalton (#28) tackles a LW Kang.

Running to the outside.

Heading to the end zone!  Touchdown!

This LW Kang thought he was going to score…but Dalton got him from behind.

What a season….and what an honor to be able to capture photos of these boys from the sideline.  They handled each victory with class and made each and every coach and parent so proud.  Way to go Eastlake Wolves Rookie Red Champions!  For more on the team, you can see an article published in the paper at the following link.

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/sports/70306152.html

It is my honor once again to be on display at Overlake Hospital in the Labor & Delivery - Mother Baby Unit.  It is particularly exciting this time as the hospital has recently remodeled the entire Childbirth Center.  It looks fantastic!  Gone are the peach and teal of 1980….you now see beautiful rich colors and warm dark wood furnishings.  Makes me almost want to have another baby just to hang out there.   Plus, you will find over 50 of my favorite images enlarged and lining the halls in this area of the hospital. 

This Sunday, November 8th from 11am-2pm Overlake will be celebrating.  They invite you to come to an Open House to see the newly remodeled center.  There will be guest speakers, car seat safety demonstrations, informational and educational booths, a family show by a magician, refreshments, and more….and it is all free.  Did you know that Overlake is ranked in the top 5% in the nation for Maternity Care!  Impressive! 

 So stop by on Sunday, take a tour, and check out some of my favorite baby and family images like this one. 

Soulumination, founded by Lynette Huffman Johnson, celebrates the lives of children and parents facing life threatening conditions by providing professional photographs–free of charge–of these special individuals and their families. The life-affirming photographs of Soulumination are an enduring, positive record of the child’s brief life, and provide a loving legacy for the children of parents lost to terminal illness.

Having lost a newborn child of my own 11 years ago, I know what a treasure photographs are for parents.  I have recently joined the Soulumination team of photographers in honor of my son, Grant.  I want to give parents something to treasure….a gift, using my skills behind the camera. 

I did my first Soulumination photos yesterday for a family with a young child who has ALL Leukemia.   Going into the session, I took the approach of the session being “just like any other family session.”  This philosophy kept me strong throughout 2 wonderful hours I spent with this amazing family.  I witnessed tremendous love, compassion, and strength between this child, the siblings and the parents.  I held it together until I got in my car and drove away with tears running down my cheeks. 

I wish I could share the touching photos from this session.  I was careful to be sure I captured intimate photos of each family member alone with this beautiful young boy.  The photos of their family and the children all together reflect a special family full of tenderness.  One of my favorite moments was when I asked one of the siblings to come sit nearby and hug is big brother.  He said, “Sure, I’ll do that…he is my best friend in the whole world.”

Soulumination is a 501(c)3 non-profit public organization. Tax ID number 20-2644809.  To learn more about Soulumination or to donate to support this mission, click on the following link. Soulumination