Aaron {Actor/Promo Headshots} Akron, Ohio

Copyright © 2012 KellieAnn Reynolds
All Rights Reserved 

You can't pay to learn what I learned from this shoot. To start, it was the uneasy moment when he started crossing out sections on the contract. Obviously he didn't like some things. Okay, no problem. I'll wait and see. Then, the overwhelming moment came when I thought I was losing a job, to be the only one of its kind and therefore the first, all because of a contract.

It was the moment he said he needed some time, a week maybe, to think it over, and no, he didn't have any questions. But after some talking points, and establishing that the contract would remain in its original form, I felt it was best that he take any time he needed, no pressure. His girlfriend furrowed her brows at him, and mouthed, "I'm so sorry" across the table at me. I welcomed the learning experience. But, he surprised me when he agreed to the terms and signed the form and we moved into a pretty fun shoot! Out came the lights, camera, and a bottle of wine. Throughout various outfit changes, and while everyone else had some drinks, we shared our own ideas behind Pearl Jam songs, and had a good time.

During the shoot, I periodically showed him some of the exposures on my camera. He looked at my husband and said, "Wow, she really is good. These are great!" This is when I learned he hadn't even been to my website yet. The power of word-of-mouth is astounding. After the shoot, he gave me some additional feedback about my contract, and even though he grumbled about it at first (because he worked with countless contracts at a previous job) he confirmed that I have a good business model.

{Vintage Portraits} North Canton, Ohio

Copyright © 2012 KellieAnn Reynolds
All Rights Reserved

We were so excited to do a vintage portrait session together that we we planned it in under two weeks time through quick chats and text messages. It was one part desire and another part necessity; we both had shifting schedules at the time. We completely submerged ourselves in the creative process with whatever resources we had. Some ideas got used, others didn't. But we didn't miss a beat!

Copyright © 2012 KellieAnn Reynolds 
All Rights Reserved

I studied images online of clothing, hair, makeup and the styles of the times. She sent pictures, including one of her living room to give me an idea of what I would be working in when it came time to shoot. The clothing and accessories really set the overall tone for the shoot. A birdcage veil, with black lace and white pearls! Killer dresses and heels, and a lil' red lipstick! Kinda moody, kinda foxy. :)

Gotta give a high-five to the fellow, who played along and seemed to know exactly when to stop shaving prior to the shoot in order to create the kind of stubble you only see in magazines. Oh, and that snazzy suit.

Copyright © 2012 KellieAnn Reynolds 
All Rights Reserved

I learned so much throughout this shoot. The entire process opened my eyes to a whole new world of people, photography, and psychology! :)


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Pretty, Simple. DIY {Thank-You Card}

Created in Photoshop and Illustrator, printed, cut, rounded, glued
(Spades/Lotus  design Copyright © 2012 KellieAnn Reynolds ) 

I love DIY. And I take a photo of every handmade Thank-You card (and others) before I deliver them, just so I can remember what I designed and for whom it was created. I'll admit, I am a devoted memory hoarder.

Here's the latest card, for Olivia and DJ, the most wonderfully awesome engaged couple I could ever have the pleasure of working with. They are an amazing couple! I created this custom graphic almost immediately after Olivia and DJ first contacted me, before we had even met in person. Through email exchanges, they told me a bit about themselves and their wedding... then I came up with this Spades/Lotus design. When we met about wedding photography, I brought along a digital copy of this pretty and simple design. When we met up for their engagement session, I gave them the card tucked inside a miniature rosebush. It was super fun, quick and easy to make!!

(reverse side) Paper, Ink, Ribbon, Pixels, and Glue

Ellen {Senior Portraits} Alliance, Ohio

Ellen found me on Google. She wanted Portraits done for her High School Senior Yearbook. Her mom gave me a call, we all met at a local café and hit if off. The first thing I noticed about Ellen was her curly locks and stylistic make-up. She's bold, mysterious and has plans for the future. She likes music, animal prints, and works at an ice-cream parlor.

When I showed up at her home the day of our session, she had picked out 4-5 different outfits to wear and she looked gorgeous, of course! Here are a couple of teasers from our Senior Portrait Session.

Olivia + DJ {Engagement Session} Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

High School dances. Lockers stuffed with books and old test scores. After-school jobs. The first crush. First kiss. The nerdy first car. Graduation. Graduation parties. Then... off to College! Budding romances that take off before you can keep hold. This is how Olivia and DJ came into each others orbit, only to travel at different speeds, catch up, then take different courses again, and... eventually lose touch. For a small number of years.

When Olivia turned 21, DJ ended up at her Birthday party through mutual friends and the two of them were reunited. These lovebirds seemed to pick up right where they left off, only now they were adding "I Love You" to the mix. Hugs and kisses became more abundant. They bought a house together. Things got serious. 

What is remarkable about Olivia and DJ's relationship –and I picked up on this almost instantaneously– is their innate ability to communicate without saying a single word, and how they pick up on each other's body language and respond as equals. There are no secrets between them, which would eventually prove to be slightly difficult for DJ when he was planning to propose to Olivia!

DJ seems to always have a goal in mind, a big plan, if you will. Whether he's creating a new garden, enhancing things around the house, or in pursuit of starting a promising family, he's a determined fellow. So when it came to planning the perfect proposal, he asked Olivia's father first.

Olivia is the kind of girl who can befriend anyone. People just like to be around her. She is extremely caring and generous and her smile is never far away. Olivia is extremely devoted to her family and she serves her community on a daily basis. 

DJ proposed to Olivia one day after a regular workout. They snuggled up on their favorite couch in their favorite room overlooking a pond in their backyard.  And as Olivia would put it, "Right there in the midst of my regular day, he proposed!" 

I had a blast with Olivia and DJ. They planned their engagement shoot as the leaves began to change over. We took a walk throughout the park where they would hang out in High School. Their wedding theme is Casino inspired, so I cut out some playing cards to make the words, "I DO." It was a great time and I am so excited to document their wedding day in June 2012! :)