Thank you. Seriously 🥰 Yesterday I shared a progress update with the functional neurology treatment ( check previous Reel if you haven’t yet) and your outpouring of encouragement was just what I needed to reset and keep pushing with all I have. Ironically treatment yesterday was more painful than normal - we have to break old scar tissue that has been formed over 20 years and partly why my hand stays so closed - and we have to break it up so new tissue can rebuild in a healthy way. But yesterday I could feel it more in my hand ( which is incredible!) but also meant it hurt like crazy - and last night - for the first time that I can remember...y hand FEELS sore and bruised! A CRAZY FEELING! This is the long game.. it’s weeks of trying new things and seeing something didn’t work, then getting up and trying again.. and I’m committed but if I’m totally honest, there are days where it’s hard to keep up with the homework, exercises, or the fluctuating nerve pain and knowing that even if progress seems small some days - we are making incredible strides. Sometimes I get in my head and think that others won’t want to celebrate with me til I’m doing even more ... or that the story isn’t enough to keep talking about. That’s a lie. People want to cheer you on, celebrate your small wins, encourage you! Your story matters even when it’s not all tied up with the pretty bow.. it matters and is worth celebrating WHILE you are in it and your people want to share in that! So thank you for the encouragement, the love and for cheering me on because some days it is hard to keep going when this is not a story that will be quick... definitely a test of endurance but I’m grateful for the opportunity. Your story is enough, your small and big victories are enough! I would love to hear some of yours so I can cheer you on!! Cheers to this rad couple who woke up at sunrise to explore the Rocky Mountains and celebrate in a way that honored THEIR story! HMUA: @makeupartist.angela @thekelseycox @justin_coxy 
“Elopements are Selfish.” Have you heard that one before? When it comes to the opinion that elopements are a selfish choice for a couple, to each their own, but I believe that is 1000% FALSE. I personally believe that creating an authentic experience for the ceremony and wedding day that marks the beginning of YOUR marriage, should be your choice! I don’t think it’s selfish to have one day in your life, the day you marry your life partner, to be shaped around what feels right to you! This ceremony is for YOU and your future spouse! Why not make it everything you dreamed of? I love how Kim + Chris were so open to ideas and as we brainstormed their elopement day over a beer (more like a cider for me haha) at a local brewery (pre-covid) - this magical day began to unfold. They wanted to share their wedding vows with their intimate immediate family and that was so special! Kim's father walked her down the aisle and her brother officiated - then we took a few family pics and went off on our adventure! We had planned a picnic on the beach to watch the sunset - just the two of them. Relaxed, no stress, just sand between toes, re-reading their vows to each other on a blanket in wedding attire and listening to the waves crash. It truly was incredible. The next day they had a laid back family BBQ at the family beach house and got to hang out, play lawn games, hang out by the bonfire with their close friends and family. The experience really felt perfect and just like them. There are so many ways you can get married - as long as you feel it represents your story and love - the skies the limit! On the blog I share about the 10 misconceptions with eloping and we address them head out! Check them out and let me know what you think! 
We're pretty shy and a bit awkward...I hope you can work with that!" - What Judy said to me on the phone before our session. If you are a photographer - you know that probably like 90% of clients say some version of those words! It's a totally normal (and VERY COMMON) to feel a bit nervous about being photographed together when cell phone selfies have been your only experience - but I GOT YOU! Photographers - remember the session is not about you. Let me say that again... their. engagement/elopement/wedding is. not. about. you. What I mean by that is our goal should be to capture your couples unique story and direct them in a way that feels authentic to them, not just trying the same 5 poses that don't work for every couple. If my couple is a bit more shy - I let the direction flow with what really feels right for them. So they joked about Matt from the Bachelor kissing with his eyes open, slow dancing in the sunset, and explored one of their favorite parks that was where they got engaged! I'm always so excited to hear what a couple thinks about their photos so when Judy send this response like minutes after receiving her gallery - my heart was so full! "AHHHHHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH! This is AMAZING! Thank you for all the GORGEOUS shots, Kelly!! We had such a wonderful time with you - you're such a beautiful soul and amazing photographer! Thank you for capturing the warmth, coziness, and soft vibe that we LOVE! Thank you also for helping us get past the awkwardness of posing for photos. You're amazing and we are so happy with them!!!!" Give me a double tap - if you feel we should shift the session and the focus back to our couples and not the new IG trends! @judesyeh @markrajandran 
Relationships MATTER! Joe + Alyx are seriously the kindest and most compassionate couple! And they come from incredible families! Joe is the youngest and the 3rd Barajas' KLP wedding! Joe was so sweet and told his family in 2015 at Adam + Katie’s wedding that he knew he wanted me to photograph his wedding some day! So 4+ years later, December 2019 - that time finally came and I had the joy of traveling out to San Antonio, Texas and (get this!) the Barajas family insisted I stay with them in their guest room! They picked me up from the airport and when I arrived they had a welcome basket waiting with snacks, water and a baby gift for Juliana!! Plus I got to spend the weekend with my past KLP couples (Joe's older siblings!) The Barajas, Castillo, and Knez families have watched my business move around the world ( from Colorado, to Ghana, to Seattle!) over the last 6 years and it means the world to me that they truly treat me like family! Over the years, my business, knowledge, and pricing has grown and I have always been so thankful that these families have valued me and my business! (check out my stories for the group pics of the 3 Barajas KLP couples!) I love marketing and am learning the tech side of sales - but business owners - PRO TIP: go above and beyond for your clients and they will WANT to share you with their family and friends. Create an experience your couples will want to talk about and share! Bonus tip: Always encourage your couple to carve out time for sunset portraits - you will never regret it! @alycastle7 and @jbrahh60 - love you guys!! 
Best Prank of my life... yup it happened TO me and I haven’t been able to top it yet! I was a senior in college and my two best guy friends from Vail decided to take an impromptu road trip to Chicago to visit me. It was homecoming week so we had home football games and one day when I had class, Kyle and Dak said they would take the train to explore Chicago. Little did I know... they spent the day prepping for the most ridiculous prank. Get ready. They CREATED a Homecoming Queen campaign at my college - to which I was running!😆 they made posters with my face and Chuck Norris jokes like “Kelly can divide by ZERO - vote for Kelly!” and literally PLASTERED my college campus with my face. I first caught wind when a RA called me and said I couldn’t put my posters over the entire entryway windows to the dorm ( to which I knew nothing about) but it didn’t take long til I saw the campus in all its glory. I even came out to my car... unrecognizable bc it rained and all the posters of my face created a film that covered the entire car😂I wish I had photos of this! My face was quite literally EVERYWHERE. Every classroom door, dining area, dorm...The best part of this prank, no one cared about homecoming so they figured “I guess we have a homecoming queen and I just never knew?🤷🏽♀️” so most people thought it was real! And then were just confused that I would be so bold to plaster my face on campus 😬🤣🤦🏽♀️ people started shouting in the halls “I’m voting for you!” And my campaign running mate? Jennifer Love Hewitt from early 2000’s! But somehow that still didn’t give it away😜 Every class I went to - I had to explain I didn’t voluntarily covers the campus with my face and the impact of this prank went on for months 😂😂 a freshman even said sheepishly....“so glad I got to meet the homecoming queen before you graduated!” I didn’t want to pop his bubble of excitement so I just smiled and nodded. Kyle and Dak... well done.. 😂😂 Ok! I can’t be the only one with a ridiculous prank story! Leave them in the comments! 
SIX PHOTO SHOOTS and a glamorous city Seattle elopement in 4 days! What a whirlwind but dang, I felt so inspired, creative and rejuvenated doing what I love!! And my clients really have become such a beautiful community that I felt like I spent the weekend with dear friends - because I did :) I have SO many photos to share, but for today I can't wait to get home to Agustin and Juliana! What are you excited about this week!? 
Moments matter (most). Ashley + Aaron’s city elopement was truly perfect! They have known each other for 20+ years and have this vibrant love and respect for each other and others in their lives - it’s magnetic! With a 20 person wedding at The @fsseattle - each person there meant the world to them. And my goal is always to capture those small but powerful moments that speak to the beauty in those relationships! I have so many rad city shots that feel straight out of a magazine because they 👏🏼brought 👏🏼 the 👏🏼 GLAM👏🏼 But these moments with their kids, Ashley’s sister and mom, their first look... those moments are what I’m most proud of! I’m so thankful Ashley reached out and flew me here to share I this a magical day! Find a photographer that values the relationships and moments AND can still capture the epic portraits you are dreaming of! Swipe to see some of the sweetest moments from yesterday’s city elopement! HMUA: the talented @lisaboehmbeauty 😘😘 
Where do you get your interior design inspiration from?🌾 🌙 I love integrating my eclectic style and the influence of the places we have lived with a more mid century / minimal / boho vibe. Agustin and I lived in Ghana, West Africa for almost 2 years early in our marriage and had the joy of going on a Safari in South Africa for our anniversary... It was one of the most magical experiences of our lives!! We love animals and we were excited to bring that part of our story into the design of Juliana’s room! And a big shout out to @thehavenly for helping bring my ideas to life! 🌙 Juliana’s nursery was literally my favorite room in our last house! Comment your home decor style below🗯️ Photo 2,3, and 5: @megnewtonphotography 
What outfits are best for an engagement session?🌾 🌾 There are a lot of factors that go into choosing what to wear to your engagement shoot: I like to tell couples, it’s not what you think you’re “supposed” to wear, but something you feel comfortable in, something that makes you feel like you and you feel confident in! It’s important that the two of you look great together, so make choices that make sense with each other, instead of clothes that are the same 🌾 we don’t need the 90’s matching khakis vibe 😬😬😆 I always recommend bringing two outfits that you can move freely in, and of course, be COMFORTABLE in. But seriously, if you have to photographed only from one angle or the outfit isn’t flattering- let’s skip it! I love sharing my inspiration board with my couples but 2 quick tips : I always avoid super busy, small print patterns and clothes with big logos or text and I lean towards warm neutrals usually because they look great out in nature! What do you think is important about choosing engagement photoshoot outfits? 💭