Wrapped Up In You

The amazing light and beautiful couple in this maternity session make me smile! Only God can create lighting like this...and then add fun clothing, simply WOW! I will let you take a look and see for yourself...but I am in love with all of the images & had really
hard time culling them down for them.

Enjoy! ~xoxo Kerri

VINTAGE inspired session with old tricycle

Enjoyed a fun, on-location outdoor session for Ty's 2nd Birthday photos. My inspiration was easy since we had permission to use someone's personal property with an old barn, beautiful landscaping & gorgeous morning light!
He got to run, play & just be a little boy and I was there to capture it! So much more relaxing for moms to just sit back, watch, & spend quality time with their children while I do all the work!

Beautiful night for a shoot...

Enjoyed a relaxing day at home but just couldn't sit around & not enjoy the beautiful evening light after being stuck inside past few days with lots rain!

Since it was sunny, Maddie was my muse..since she is usually so willing! My other two teenagers aren't so much these days :( They have to be "in the mood"!

I have lots more to share but here are few of this set- LOVE this girl! And she didn't disappoint, so many expressions & poses!

Part-time Photographer/ Assistant Needed

Looking for someone who LOVES newborns & is professional, patient, reliable, has understanding of camera settings and wants to work in a fun atmosphere! This is a part-time position with varying day hours plus some Saturdays. Only serious inquiries please!

I can message you full details if you think you are a good fit, please email me at kerri.zeien@yahoo.com. This would be great for someone with school-aged children or empty nesters looking for little extra to help out.

Thanks,
Kerri

LOVE at First Sight...Meet Oliver!

Literally, fell in love with this little guy the minute I laid eyes on him! He has soooooo much personality in those BIG EYES! He just wins you over with his expressions, which are many and then there is that hair, OMG!!!!

He just came in for his 3 month session and has hardly changed...still same great personality! His momma (and dad,lol)is one lucky lady :)

Can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings in!

*the first two are his newborn pics

When did I REALLY become a professional photographer?

I have been wanting to write this post for awhile, time just always seems to get by me! I would like to share a little about my journey..

Besides being in love with photography & my camera at an early age, like many other photographers I fell in love with it all over again capturing my own children.
I didn't really set out to be a "professional photographer", it found me.

I don't want to go into that, for another time.

Let me start by first stating, that to say I am a "professional photographer" has taken quite some time and didn't come without lessons learned the hard way. Oh, at first I thought I was a photographer, but definitely a pro I was not. The realization came to me in 2009, when I attended a large photography conference. I heard fabulous pro's speak & tell their story, share their talent and was blown away.

I was a little fish in the giant ocean! Wow, I was ready to go home & crawl under a rock. I learned those few days that being a photographer isn't flipping a switch to "auto" or even "program" modes. I learned new words like "soft focus", finding the light, depth of field, manual mode, proper exposure, and the list goes on. Soft focus, btw is not something you want to be told about your work unless it is intentional,lol!

I put my camera up for little bit and then got it back down, if those people could do it so could I! With the help & encouragement of an amazing new friend and fellow professional photographer I switched my camera to "M" or manual & promised I wouldn't take it off. I poured over books, practiced on my kids, my dog, my neighbors, family, landscape, you name it. I started to see differences, but still not where I wanted to be. Finally, I realized that I needed more education to help. In the past few years, I have spent many hours (and lots money!) attending workshops all across the country to learn. It has been amazing and hard work all at same time! I had to be away from my family, which was very hard!

There is so much more to the story, but I don't want to bore you with it..

In learning to be a "professional photographer" I also had to learn business aspects, it isn't just about taking photos. I get inquiries all time about pricing, how I do things, etc. There are photographer's on every corner just like hair dressers, doctor's, restaurants. Referrals are great, but just because someone has numerous fb likes or friends or a photo gets lots comments doesn't make you photographer.

When you are looking for a photographer, really look at their quality of work! It isn't about being "affordable" or cheap! The saying is really true, you get what you pay for- With facebook & internet it is easy to compare. And it amazes me how many people think they are "professional photographer's" because they bought a camera, setup a website or fb page & decided to start a business.

I am sharing a few photos from my early days when I thought I was a photographer and some from recently. I thought it would be more helpful to use the same subject in all, my daughter Maddie. They are all edited/processed the same way. The first two were taken with camera on program mode and are soft in focus besides using an external flash. The last two were taken in manual mode, using natural light, & sharp in focus.

You be the judge-

Meet the Boys...and be ready to FALL in love!

Can't wait to share pics with everyone of each of the boys & let you get to know them a little bit!

To back up a minute, I have been wanting to focus little more on boys for some photos. I have 3 girls of my own, which I love to capture, but feel like I always use girls for models, or to "play" when trying out something new or creative. I also hear from many clients that boys just don't seem to have as many choices with clothes and accessories so I want to help change that. AND, I want to show them having their picture taken is fun, not boring & something they have to do because Mom said to do it!

So.... take a look at 6 local boys, all regular kiddos who joined me for few hours on a school night (THANKS to all the mom's!)

First, we met up at my studio to pick out outfits from clothing they already owned. Once everyone was there and dressed, we walked over few blocks to do few group shots and some individual ones outside. With it being a weeknight, we didn't have much time to stay & play outdoors so we headed back inside for few of each in the studio.

It was a great experience for me and hopefully each of them! New friendships were made and a new perspective on getting your photo taken. I think they are each considering a modeling career on side now, lol.

Look for several upcoming posts about each of them individually!

Thanks for allowing me do what I love :)
Kerri

What a cutie! Had fun playing outside with this little guy! Check out how cute his little shoes are : )
AND I even snuck Mom & Dad in for few with him-

;">

Look what I get to use this week for newborn shoot!

SUPER excited to use this adorable newborn crown that was just designed by SUGARBUG BOUTIQUE for a newborn session today! It is so little, just darling! Will post few pics from the session later this week!

My Sweet Maddie Pie Princess

Maddie & I got little time to shoot few quick pics,seems like I don't have much time to "play"! The whole family has been super busy, just like everyone else this spring. Here are just few of my favs so far! Can't wait to get some time to go through them all & get some ordered for the walls! Definitely will have to print several, as I'm sure I will NOT be able to choose just one! Hope you like them! I will catch the blog up soon with details of what's happening around the studio (we've been working on redesign) and also lots photo sessions that haven't made it to the post yet. Enjoy the last few days of April! (can't believe that) Kerri

Maddie, 6 years old & Mo, just 8 weeks!

Maddie turned 6 years old this week, WOW! She is getting so big, so fast. Seems crazy to think she is my youngest & that big.

We didn't get to do much for her actual birthday since it was a school night. Everyone else was busy or gone this weekend in our household, so her & I snapped a few pics this morning then went to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch today. (where she picked, of course!) Have to admit, it was lots of fun just hanging out with her & taking a day off work myself.

For those of you that didn't know yet, she has had rough 2012 so far! She started out in Nov & Dec getting ear infections again. She had them really bad as an infant, had tubes put in at 9 mos. She had to have them surgically removed when she was 2 1/2 and has not had any trouble... until the end of last year. Her dr. decided to re-tube her 1st of Jan & it was an excellent decision. When they got in there, one ear was literally rupturing.

February she had a second surgery, very unexpected! It all started on Valentine's Day! She got sick during her class party & had to go home early, had to cancel going to my sister's bday dinner too! She was very sick all afternoon & evening. We kept her home the next day also, she wasn't getting sick anymore but had high fever & slept alot. That night she seemed worse, higher fever & couldn't stay awake for more than 10 minutes or so. The next morning she came into the bathroom while I was showering & I found her asleep on the floor when I got out. When I asked her to tell me what was going on, she quickly said her side was hurting really bad. At that moment, the light went on! I had my appendix removed when I was in second grade & remember it all too well. I pressed left side, nothing...right side, she yelled out in pain. We went to hospital hoping I was wrong, but quickly got back test results (they did xrays, c-scan, blood work, & not even sure what else!) This was all by 9:30 a.m., we were moved upstairs to Pediatric floor & told would be going to surgery. At about 1:30 or 2, still waiting...after pressing for information we were told the dr was in surgery & it would be at least 3:30 or 4. This was so hard, watching her lay there in pain, begging for a drink (which she could not have due to surgery) and waiting... whole time not understanding how in town this size there was only 1 dr on call! Besides the fear of it rupturing!

Finally, at 4pm we were taken downstairs for the surgery. In meantime, her fever was still spiking higher. Met the dr, who tells us that he is pretty sure it has already ruptured! CAN you imagine what all was going through my mind at this moment! After longer than expected surgery, they come out to tell us the good & bad news. Good news, it didn't rupture... the bad news, they had a very hard time locating it. It was up very high on her side, pressed between her liver & colon. It was very infected, the only reason it didn't rupture was due to the pressure of her other organs on it. They had to really manipulate & twist her to locate it & make her incision larger than most.

Most appendectomies have a pretty quick recovery time for children. Well, not for Maddie. She ended up being in the hospital for 5 days, kept getting sick for first few, developed Illeus from the manipulation, continued to have fever & was put on antibiotics same as if had ruptured. She didn't get her appettite back for about 4 days after being home & considering she had not eaten anything solid since day before Vday, that was long time for someone her age & size.

Needless to say, she had a great birthday & is finally getting back to normal self. She was released this week from any restrictions, which for her means she can run & dance! So 6 is looking good & we are ready to enjoy the rest of 2012 healthy!!

Sooo, this all leads up to "Mo" her BIG, special birthday present!! Another story, lol! She met a friend's two tea cup poodles & fell in love with them. That is all she has asked for her birthday past few months. We of course, told her no way. Another friend knew how much she wanted one & happened to know where to get one, lol. After everything she had been through, how could I not get her one, lol!!

AND he is really cute & sweet! BTW, he has a little brother if anyone is interested, just email me for details. kerri.zeien@yahoo.com

February ALREADY!

Happy Valentine's Day & Happy Birthday to my one & only sister! I cannot even believe this month is half over, not liking how fast this year has started out... I haven't had much spare time as you can probably tell since my poor blog has been neglected. For those of you that don't already know...I became the new, exclusive St. Mary's Hospital newborn photographer the first of October!! Super exciting, they were ready for a change after a decade of the same look. This definitely made for a busy fall/holiday season.

January & February has been all about catching up, cleaning, organizing, sessions & getting ready to attend awesome workshop! I get to see friends & get inspired for spring!!

Been updating website & will be blogging some fun, new stuff soon! Hope you are enjoying your winter hibernation too! So glad to be back : )

Life & Lemons...

First off, want to say sorry to my blog & readers that I have hardly had any free moments during the fall/holiday season to post. Usually trying to work through piles of dirty laundry, dishes or enjoy my children! Also, Thank you to all my awesome clients for their trust, support, patience in allowing me to capture moments of your children or family! To my husband, children, family & friends...thanks for understanding that you don't get to see or talk to me much the past few months while I work long, crazy hours! Enough of the mushy stuff...

I awoke this morning to a few minutes of quiet before starting a busy work day. I chose to check out fb for few minutes & read a post on my fanpage wall. My first instinct was to delete it as most would, but I decided to shower first(lots great ideas have came in there!) & think about the best way to handle. I prayed about it "dot, dot, dot...(any Bachelor/Bachelorette fans out there,lol!)

....Lemons & my "Gran" came to mind. Gran was one of those people that everyone loved! She was sweet, kind & very wise & just darn lovable! Miss her everyday!
I often stop myself & think about what she would say or do in situations before I do something. Lemons then came to mind- LOVE the saying "Lemons to Lemonade"...

So my answer is to leave the post up. Yes, it would be easieer to delete it & even block the person,etc & just move on. But that's not me.

I am not going to comment directly about the situation because that would be unprofessional. Personal communication goes a long way, people should try it instead of hiding through social media! I will say that I know from beginning to end, I was nothing but kind, patient & professional. I provide all my clients, whether studio of hospital each with time, respect & lots of patience. Those that know me, know that I usually go above & beyond to get the perfect shots of their newborns, children & families!

I have worked hard to know the differnence between good quality photography & not so good. What I used to think was good was really not technically correct. There are alot of amateur photographers out there that people think are doing good quality work, which is whole other story. (many have wrote about it, just google it!) All I will say is that what you think is good might be that you just love the subject(s) and aren't really trained or know the difference in technically correct.

I have also learned to look at the negative situations, one's we may want to "delete" and see what I could have done differently. If nothing more that to push my self to do better! I don't think we can ever stop learning!

So that leaves me with lemons...Gotta go, going to go make some lemonade!

Wishing everyone Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & many blessings!

Kerri

Sneak Peek for Miss Fara, 1 day new...

Just few quick ones to share, LOVE this sweet little newborn! And she has a wardrobe just as darling! For those who haven't heard yet, I'm the new exclusive photographer for St. Mary's Hospital for Women & Children. Enjoy :)

Caught My Attention!

Have you ever had a moment where you look at your child or one of your children & turn back around for a double take? Something CAUGHT your attention! I experience that each year with one of my girls, one has grown or changed alot. I usually notice it most when I take their photos or see it as I'm editing.

A few weeks ago, my middle daughter had a school dance that started before I got home from working. It was a casual one held in the school's courtyard outdoors. If you know her at all, she is very laid back & easy going. She always looks good, but doesn't spend hours getting ready. I would have guessed her to brush her hair, change from her school uniform.

I was sitting on the couch when she came home, walked past me & caught my attention! She looked stunning, absolutely beautiful!! She has really grown into a smart,beautiful young lady. Sometimes, you wonder as parent if you are doing a good job. I'm know I've made mistakes along the way, but I have done alot of things right. :) I talked her into letting me drag her down to the studio & capture this moment. It will be one I always remember between the two of us. See what you think...

Turning 1! {CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER Evansville, Indiana}

Just few quick ones I got to work on, can't wait to finish all of them!! Turning one, so hard to believe a year has flown by already!! I have had such fun capturing the big ONE year celebration for several babies past few weeks! Love getting to watch them grow & change!!

This little sweetie is just as beautiful as her big sister!! Love her head full of long, curly hair & those big eyes, WOW!!! It wouldn't matter where we did her pictures!! She was soooo good in the high heat too! We did wear her out by the end of the session with outfit changes & our not so funny anymore songs & faces, lol! She was asleep right after they left : ) Special THANKS to her big sister for being an awesome helper & model!

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them!!