This client knew she wanted all b&w photos from her boudoir session and was particularly drawn to the moodier images on my website. Because of this, I kept our “scene” as simple as possible: just something to sit on and a window for light. That’s it.
I’ve been photographing this kid since he was FIVE! I can’t believe he’s done with high school (graduated in January) and living his adult life now. His mom is my dear friend and I’ve watched her help him overcome some major challenges throughout his life. It wasn’t easy, but they did it! Congrats, Royice (and Michiko)!
I always have the best time with Mike and Cory. We all laugh SO much! I did their engagement session, at their previous home, a few years back (shortly before photographing their wedding). I met their dogs, they played an 80s board game, made cocktails, took a walk, and listened to music. It was adorable. Since their wedding, they purchased a new home, which is every bit as quirky and awesome as their old house. Oh, and Cory went from being a Mr. to a beautiful Mrs.
Anyway, we thought it only fitting that we do their anniversary session at their new home (well, these were taken pre-Covid, so it’s not so new anymore!). We, of course, included their pets (Martha, Lucky, and Panther) in the session too.
As you may or may not know, I purchased a 1969 Aloha camping trailer in the summer of 2019. My husband and I spent a little over a year tearing it apart (down to the studs) and then rebuilding it. Instead of a camping trailer (which we already had), we decided to turn it into a functional business space. Initially, my goal was to turn it into a photo booth and/or mobile photo studio, which it worked well for, but in the end I decided to sell it. I had just purchased my VW bus and needed the room, plus I already have a studio and don’t really have time to run a photo booth.
Wanda recently went off to her new home with Wild NW Goods, where she is living her best life as a mobile clothing boutique! My husband and I had so much fun with the project that we plan on doing it again in the near future (I’m hoping for an even smaller trailer!).
Anyway, before I sold the old girl, I manged to set up a few photo shoots with her, including this one with Cylee & Drew. We shot this on the beautiful property of an airbnb that I rented in Scio, OR, as the sun was setting on the most beautiful October day.
I’m finally making a long overdue trip to Vegas! I will be staying in downtown Las Vegas and offering both mini and full boudoir sessions on June 22nd and 23rd. If you are interested in booking a session, please email me at kelwardphotography@gmail.com
Please note: I am not doing any model calls for this trip (paid sessions only).
So, I totally dropped the ball this month. I had planned on doing some cool double exposures on film, but clearly that didn’t happen. I simply lost track of time and before I knew it, the end of May was here. The only self-portrait I took during the month of May was this one, which was taken with my cell phone. I took my class to The Gray Lab for a field trip and since they were done early, I decided to snap a quick photo of myself in the space after they left. I was NOT photo ready (obvi), but this is probably a much more accurate representation of me than my previous self-portraits. This is me, after running late because I spent two hours, drinking coffee in bed, instead of doing my hair and makeup. I threw on a hat and ran out the door.
Sooo…. I bought myself a really cool birthday gift this year! I brought Ginger home on March 10th, the day after my 45th birthday. She’s a 1973 VW Bus…(an Adventurewagen, to be exact). Her high top is really cool and a bit unique. It doesn’t open/pop up, but instead has storage compartments over the front and back. The open space in the middle allows people to stand up while inside and OMG, it is SO nice! Well, for those under 6ft tall anyway! HA! The sink and cabinets were removed long ago and for my own reasons, I decided to remove the stove and fridge (which were about where I’m sitting in the photo below).
Let me tell you… Ginger was in need of a LOT of work. I mean, she still is, but not nearly as much as when I first got her. The good news is that she runs really well (shout out to Always V-Dub in Portland) now and we have her pretty stripped down and ready to start re-wiring, re-building, etc. My friend, Ryan, rescued this orange beauty from abandonment in central Oregon, but that’s another store for another time. I recently sold Wanda, my 1969 Vintage Aloha trailer (and she is living her best life, as a mobile boutique!), and am SO excited to keep working on Ginger! Don’t worry, I’ll be posting updates soon!
I’m not normally this excited to re-blog something, but here we are. River and Levi eloped three years ago and I love sharing the photos from their wedding day! Although I blogged about it shortly afterwards, my website crashed between then and now, so their anniversary seemed like a good excuse to post them again!
The couple had planned a larger event, at their home in La Grande, but with a baby due that same week, they decided to just elope instead. As a wedding photographer, River LOVES elopements, but it took a little convincing to get Levi on board. Little did he know, River had a few surprises in store for him. She had arranged for Levi’s best friends to surprise him at the cutest little A-frame (she told him to come over and help me unload my stuff…having no idea his friends were actually at the house). She also invited all of their closest family and friends to the ceremony and Levi had no idea, until he walked around the corner, to head to the ceremony spot.
Levi is a cryer and I adore that about him. He cried when he was surprised by his best friends and then again by the guests at the ceremony. He also cried multiple times throughout their vows. River, on the other hand, is a nervous/emotional laugher. So, one of them was crying and the other was laughing and it was the most adorable thing ever.
Levi’s sister read a poem, while River’s sister performed the ceremony. The kids were involved too, of course, as family is so important to them. Their oldest was in charge of the rings and although their middle (youngest at the time) was a little pre-occupied with getting her fruit snacks open (and asked for help in the middle of the ceremony), she made a special point of telling her Mama how beautiful she looked! That baby bump? Yeah, he’s 2.5 years old now!
Pretty much everything was DIY for this elopement, but you’d never know by looking because River is crafty as heck. She made her floral crown, her bouquet, the ribbons, etc. She found her dress, which was absolutely perfect for her vintage style, as well as her baby bump, at a local thrift shop for $60. The only alteration she made was removing the long, puffy, chiffon sleeves that were attached to the short, crocheted sleeves.
Sam’s mom contacted me, when she was referred to me by another photographer (shoutout to Rebecca at Noses Tails Paws! Click HERE to get more info about her awesome pet photography!). We communicated through email for a bit before meeting up for the session, so while we didn’t know each other, I don’t think we felt like total strangers, either. Sam was a great kid, who was quiet, but so friendly and respectful. His mom was awesome and I’m afraid we spent a little too much time chit-chatting throughout the session (Sorry, Sam!). Anyway, we took a short walk through Minto Brown Park, on a beautiful fall day, to get these shots.
In keeping with tradition, a couple of smart Moms decided to book a mini session for these besties. You see, these two had their photos taken professionally in Kindergarten, as well as 8th grade, so it only made sense to do it one last time, as they entered their senior year of high school. We even replicated some of their previous poses, such as the “infinity” shot. Kassie & Ryan are not only beautiful, but they’re cold weather troopers too! We met up on a sunny, but CHILLY morning last summer. Despite the low temps, these two were full of energy and smiles.
Time has been flying by like crazy lately and I just can’t believe that these girls are less than two months away from graduating high school! Kassie and Rian…I hope your senior year has been as magical as it could be, all things considered!!
My dear friend, River, took these photos of me last year. We met up in Hood River in March of 2020 (literally days before the country shut down, due to Covid-19), to exchange photo sessions. Of course, we spent most of the time catching up and laughing. Anyway, this was only my second time having someone else photograph me in a boudoir setting. The first was about a decade ago, with my awesome friend, Azure. Anyway, it was really good for me to get in front of the camera and I looove the photos River created! She even made a little “watercolor” art for me (see last photo)! Oh, and yes, OF COURSE my wrap is Outlander themed. ;)
I’d only met Owen once, in passing, a few years ago, but I was not at all surprised with how nice and friendly he was. See, his dad is my department chair, where I teach, and he is also very nice and friendly. Anyway, we met up at Joryville Park this past fall, as it’s a favorite park for Owen and his family.
Apparently I am getting really into St. Patrick’s Day this year. In addition to my self-portraits and my most recent St. Paddy’s themed beverage post, I went ahead and rounded up some of my favorite GREEN boudoir images.
Happiness being a dessert so sweet,
May life give you more than you can ever eat.
-Irish Blessing
As part of my monthly self-portrait project, I did my March photos today, which is my 45th birthday! Green is my favorite color, plus St. Patrick’s Day is this month, so… I went a little overboard with the green…and regret nothing.
At the risk of sounding like a braggart, I’m getting REALLY good at these self-portrait outtakes. HAHA! Check out the shot below. I was trying to do a hair flip, but timed it all wrong (obviously). Anyway, I kind of love it because it looks like I am literally…FIRE!!
Last fall I rented an amazing airbnb, which happened to have the most beautiful light for portraits (I rented it for the outdoor space, as I was doing photo shoots with my vintage trailer, so using the inside of the house was a bonus!). I actually thought ahead for once and brought my tripod and then finally learned how to hook my DSLR up to my phone, to shoot wirelessly (without having to run back and forth with the self-timer). It’s still a lot of work, but a lot easier than the old way, that’s for sure! Anyway, this started a new tradition, where I do self-portraits with my husband when we travel. :) I mean, hello…he’s totally hot and we look pretty damn smokin’, if I do say so myself. ;) Anyway, I’m really only comfortable sharing a few for now, but here you go!
