Remember when I promised to show you some of the photos from the catalog I worked on last fall?  Well, I didn't forget (even if you did).  Lifekind (www.lifekind.com) is an organic company that sells mattresses and other organic bath and personal care products. We were going for"light and airy" – I think these turned out pretty swell.  What do you think?

As a wedding photographer, I get to spend the most special day of many people's lives with them.  I am lucky to live in a state that is accepting of different lifestyles and where same-sex couples have the freedom to marry. I can tell you from experience that love is never "cookie-cutter", but a couple on their wedding day, straight or gay, is always the same: giddy with love, glowing with excitement and practically jumping for joy!
Unfortunately, there is a proposition on the upcoming ballot that would remove the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry.  Why does it matter? If you have ever talked to a bride on the day she got engaged, you have experienced the fast-talking, high-pitched-squealing, hugs-that-squeeze-the-breath-out-of-your-lungs, diamond-ring-waving ecstacy that goes along with an engagement.  And if you have ever been that bride... well, you know. 
Let's make sure that everyone in California has the chance to feel that feeling.  Because love comes in different colors.  Because marriage is a wonderful, beautiful thing. Because it's the right thing to do. 
Voting "NO" on Proposition 8 ensures that all Californians keep the right to marry the one they love. 

Had a great senior portrait session with a Nevada Union senior this past weekend.  We hit at least 4 different locations and then came back to the studio to do a few more shots.  It was a grueling three hours, but the results are killer!  I won't be surprised if Rico never talks to me again after the shoot we had, since I plum wore him out, but once he sees his proofs, I am sure he will love me forever.  Here's one, just a teaser, for you guys...

I have finally gotten around to getting this website in order... I shouldn't complain about being busy, but sometimes a girl wants to do a little housekeeping!  Go ahead and click around, see what you think.  Personally, I think it is finally coming into fruition, but I just might be biased!

As far as the "busy" part goes, I have been treading into new territory: singlehandedly shooting almost an entire 48-page bedding & bath catalog in less than a month!  I am very excited to see the catalog come together, and once we get a little further along in production, I will post some of the photos here: they will make you want to crawl into bed and snuggle down!!  One day we set up an entire fake nursery in no time flat, flew our models in from L.A. about an hour before we were scheduled to shoot and spent two hours getting the perfect shots- I knew the pictures would turn out fabulous and they did! It's been great, and I love the challenges (you try getting the lighting right on a king size bed!) but my heart lies with taking portraits of people- I guess that's how I know I am in the right profession!

It was an interesting week here at emily kelley studios... with two very fun and different shoots.  We had our first photo shoot featuring a double decker bus:  maybe not that interesting for you Englanders out there, but in Northern California, it is quite a treat.  The family was great, the kids terrific, and the bus was a gem!  Peggy, Amber, Callie and Tucker:  thanks for a great afternoon!

We also were commisioned for some business headshots by Acton Arboriculture, the local tree guru.  The photos should be up on their website within the next week, so go check 'em out.  Zeno does all sorts of tree care, landscaping and other good stuff, you should give him a call too!  It was the perfect time of day, the light was great, and the shots look spectacular!  I am just glad I didn't have to climb the tree with him!

This past year we have moved several times.  From a town that I can't believe  anyone would ever choose, much less the 1,076 people who do, to a house that wasn't fit for humans (and definitely not the dogs!) we have finally settled into a house that has running water, constant electricity and even (gasp!) insulation… we are very happy to finally be settled.

Last week, emily kelley studios was very proud to be able to donate to a worthy cause.  FREED Independent Living Center in Nevada County hosted a dinner to honor Sam Dardick, a pillar of the disability rights movement.  We set up a photobooth, and had a lot of fun taking photos and raising money for FREED.  If you were brave enough to pose under the lights, we will be sending you an email within the next week with links to your photos – I bet you can't wait!  Update: the FREED PhotoBooth can be seen here
P.S. – Happy birthday Dad!  I love you!

We would like to congratulate all of the people who have fought so hard for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.  On May 15, 2008 the California Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to ban same-sex marriages, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vowed to uphold the ruling.  We at emily kelley studios fully support this ruling, and are very excited that the state of California is one step closer to full marriage rights for all couples.
In celebration of this landmark ruling, we would like to extend a 10% discount on all wedding packages booked between today and June 30, 2008, just mention this post and the Supreme Court ruling when you call emily kelley studios for your upcoming nuptials.