Kelly Chandler

So proud of my daughter and her friends for choosing such a special family for their leadership semester project.  Read the post below from Tricia Bertsch’s Caring Bridge Page about her journey with Calvin and help ”Cure Calvin” if you can.

Written By Tricia Bertsch - Mother of Calvin

Our photographer, Kelly Chandler, has become a good friend to our family. She began taking our family pictures when Caiden was a baby and has continued to be on our journey with each child. When Calvin was born sick she continued on our journey and it was during this time she told us she is part of an amazing organization, Soulumination, which celebrates the lives of children and parents facing life-threatening conditions by providing professional photographs of these special individuals and their families free of charge. While we have never had her take pictures of Calvin in-patient we decided next time he is admitted we will allow her to as these pictures, these images, are important to capture and help tell his incredibly story. 

A few weeks ago Kelly called and told me her daughter Brooke, in middle school, decided her leadership semester project would be to raise awareness for Mitochondrial Disease and use the funds raised to help with our medical expenses. They are selling bright green bracelets for $3.00 but would will accept additonal donations. When Kelly told me about Brooke’s desire to help I was brought to tears yet I was not surprised by her kindness, empathy, and compassion as she is her mother’s daughter.

Today has been another hard day for our sweet boy. His fever remains (up to 100.7) and there is nothing I can do to knock it out. Dr. O’Neill told us today if it reaches 101 at any time (per his usual protocol) or if the heavy antibiotics do not work once we hit the 48 hour mark (tonight) he will need to be admitted to Children’s. My heart tells me there is something more going on than this “infection” and my instincts tell me he will wake up tomorrow with the same fever he’s been battling off and on for weeks but my head wants me to believe he will shake it and this will become a distant memory.

We are waiting for the referral to hit for the hematology/oncology clinic. We hope they can provide us some much needed answers into his bruising and fevers without needed to be admitted but if this fever doesn’t go away we will need to do it while he’s in-patient.

Tonight, when I thought I might break, I got a post on Facebook with a picture of the Help Cure Calvin bracelets. I was brought to tears by the empathy and compassion our family has been shown once again. This was just the reminder I needed that Calvin’s journey has a purpose. While our sweet boy puts up his own fight there are incredible young ladies out there who want to spread the word about a disease that affects not only him but countless other children we have grown to know and love. Our family will receive our box of green (Calvin’s favorite color) bracelets on Friday and we will wear them in honor of him and his courageous fight. It will serve as a reminder to him that he is not alone on his journey and he is making a difference – one bracelet at a time.

If you would like to buy a Help Cure Calvin bracelet please send your donation to:

PO Box 698 Kirkland, WA 98083-0698

Checks can be made out to Kelly Chandler. Please note how many bracelets you would like and be sure to include your return address. They will present our family with the final donation total at the end of their semester project in January. They will also be selling them at their school and at various sporting events.

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 .

I am excited to announce that my photography is on display at Starbucks in Pine Lake through May 15th.   Stop by Starbucks at 3016 Issaquah Pine Lake Road in Sammamish to see a variety of my work gracing the walls for customers to enjoy.  It is truly an honor to be their featured artist.

It is rare that my family gets a weekend away all together.  With both kids extremly active in sports….my husband and I often have to divide and conquer.  Thanks to the support of both sets of grandparents, even when I have a wedding, my kids have someone at every single event to cheer them on from our family.  I feel so lucky to have that support.  This weekend was unique.  No conflicts…just baseball….all together.  My entire family went to Pasco for a  baseball tournament.  The Chandler grandparents even drove over to cheer on the team.  I couldn’t have been more fun.  My son plays for a wonderful team with good-natured and talented kids.  Not to mention the parents are super fun too which is always a bonus.  

I took my camera to the event and photographed every game to share with the team.  There was lots of action to capture and I’ve edited down the photos to the top 459 images….yikes.  I had to share a special series of photos….my son hit his first “Out of the Park Home Run”. 

My husband happened to be leaning on the fence at center-field directly where the ball went over his head.  You can see Grandpa Chandler with his back turned looking to see where in the parking lot the ball landed.  Even my dog is watching the ball. 

His face says it all.

The team was so excited for him…they all ran out of the dugout to hug and high five him.

What a great weekend.  I couldn’t have been happier to have been there with my family to see his first one hit out of the park. 

This week was an amazing week.  I had the extreme honor of photographing the delivery at Evergreen Hospital of  this sweet little bundle of  joy.  Being invited to be present in such an intimate moment was truly so special.  Erin and Chris (mom & dad) were relaxed and down right funny during the pre-labor.   Once the time arrived to actually get to work on getting the baby out, the mood became a calm focus by Erin and total support and adoration by Chris.  Within moments, the baby was laying on Erin’s chest as both parents were clearly elated to see their perfect baby.   

Later in the week, baby Austin came to visit me in my studio.  Look as his eyelashes….are you kidding me?  Why to boys always get the long eye lashes?

 Doesn’t he look like a peanut in the shell?

 Welcome little man Austin and congratulations to Erin and Chris.

Yesterday, I visited Children’s Hospital to photograph for Soulumination.   As I entered Children’s, I felt this enormous rush of emotion.  Watching little children being rolled by in wagons without the strength to sit up on their own, I started to tear up.  I knew I had to pull it together because on the 4th floor in the infant ICU awaited a family with a tiny baby clinging to life. 

I made my way up the elevator and managed to regain my composure as I checked in with the nurses.  I put on a gown, gloves, and a face mask before entering the hospital room to join this precious baby and his family.  The mother was remarkably composed, most likely still in shock over what the coming hours would bring.  I photographed the baby as he lay in the bed wrapping his tiny hand around his mama’s finger. 

His mom asked to have him dressed in a special outfit for some of the photos.  It took a team of 4 nurses and breathing specialists to get him into the outfit, working quickly to disconnect and reconnect the tubes.  Once he was dressed the doctors carefully placed the baby in the arms of his mother in a rocking chair right next to the bed.  Knowing it would be the last time this mother held her baby was so surreal to witness.  Tears streamed down the mother’s cheeks as she caressed the baby’s cheek talking quietly.   I captured photos of his tiny feet, hands, and beautiful face cradled in mama’s hands.

As I finished up and began packing up my gear, the mother looked up at me and managed a smile and a “thank you”.  My eyes overflowed with tears and all I could do was shake my head to acknowledge her appreciation. 

This is the time of year that everyone (including myself) runs around trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on their list.  Pause for a moment and be thankful for the most important gifts of all, what really matters….life, health, and family. 

  Christiana and I jumped in the photo-booth for some silly photos at the end of Lyndsey and Jason’s gorgeous wedding last weekend.   

Photos from their wedding will be posted in the near future.

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!