I love the beach. The 'H' Family... Hampton, VA Family Photography

When this family's van pulled up, out popped the most gorgeous blond-haired little girl. She was holding a big picture of Strawberry Shortcake, which she held out to me with two adorable little arms, "I colored this picture for you."

** melt **

An absolutely perfect sign that this was going to be a great shoot.













A huge thank-you to my friend and assistant, Whitney, for helping out today!!

Thank-you 'H' fam, for being such a relaxed and fun family! I hope this holds you over for a while, the rest should be up for you soon!!

Until next time,
~ K

A Windy Beach Session... Hampton Family Photography

There are many reasons I just love this family and it's not that I've known them for years... I met them for the first time the morning of the shoot...

First, they agreed to meet bright and early at 715! Am I one of those crazy, freakishly cheerful morning people? No. Absolutely not. But there is nothing in the world like morning light and it's so nice to be able to shoot a family on the beach in this gorgeous light...

Second, Peter is from MN... which immediately makes him cool.

Third, they've lived in coastal SC... I've lived in coastal SC!

And then to top it all off they were wonderful and brave and adventurous and had a great easy sense of humor! Even when Peter was attacked by a crazy rogue thorny vine (or... maybe he just... you know... backed into it... but it was crazy!) & we had to battle those little sticker-prickly things that affix themselves to EVERYthing...they had a great attitude.

Take care guys and I'll have your gallery up soon :)











Until next time,
K

Brandi, Gilli & Landry ... Charleston Friends, Round 1... Beach Photography

Sorry this took so long Bran, here's a quick preview of some of your photos! They are so beautiful :)











If I had to describe Brandi in a word: BRAVE.

Wanna know why?

I'll tell you... She took her two kids, her oldest daugther's best friend, AND my two kids in to town BY HERSELF and walked around to see all the beach shops.

Willingly. Like... with a smile on her face...

(And surprise #2 was that my kids actually went WITH her WILLINGLY... without screaming or crying or any major dramatic gestures...)

DID YOU HEAR ME PEOPLE? That's FIVE kids! FIVE. onetwothreefourfive. Ohmigod.

And she came back and was still smiling :)

This is why I love her. Brave.

And she loves kids. And is a fantastic and amazing mother.

I am proud to be your friend ... and love being able to watch your kiddos grow with you every year (you can click here to see her blog entry from last year).

Love ya B. ** I'll send you the CD when I'm all done! **

Until next time,

~ K

The Beautiful Light... Carrolton Family Photographer Hampton Roads

I love what I do. Somehow, every family I shoot is just absolutely gorgeous. Maybe I'm biased, but really...

Take this family for example... Mom told me these are their first family photos in over four years! They drove up to the shoot in a very cool Jeep, hopped out of the car and I thought to myself, "Wow!! They look great! This is going to be awesome..." And it certainly was.

Thank-you so much for choosing me to photograph your beautiful family!

Here you go...!


We started the shoot off at just the right time I think... it was still pretty warm, but the sun was getting low in the sky... the good light was in the making... :)


Is this little one not breath-taking?!


And this little man... I don't think they can get more handsome. A little reluctant at first, he warmed up after we had a nice sand throwing contest :)




...and there it is folks... my favorite kind of light... warm and inviting... and these two little kids laughing in the sand... that's what makes what I do worth it every time! I adore this image.


One of mom and dad. Now we can see where those kids get their beauty! A gorgeous couple.

I have so many more great shots! I can't wait for you to see them!

Until next time,
~ K

It's CONTEST Time!!!

Just as I promised... !! A contest for a FREE session! Here we go... the details are below!

FIRST... what you'll win!

* a full 90 minute session at a location of your choice within the Hampton Roads Area
* 5 Images on CD
* 15 Loose Prints size 8x10 or smaller
* (1) 11x14 Canvas or Custom Framed Print

Retail value well over $750! ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!

SO.. here's what you have to do:

1) Submit a creative family photo!
* Photos must be non-professional and taken by you within the last few months.
* Use your imagination, we LOVE creativity!
* We have no pre-set definition of family... so if it's you and your dog, you and your spouse, you and your 2 kids, etc... it's ok!

2) In your email, describe what you love most about your family.... in 5 Words :)

GUIDELINES & INFO:

* If you're not already a Friend of the Kassia Reedy Photography facebook page, you'll need to hop on over and friend us ... check that out here
* Entries will be accepted between Wednesday, July 14th and Thursday, July 22nd (entries will not be accepted after 11:59pm EST).
* All entries must be submitted via email to kassia@kassiareedyphotography.com
* All entries will be judged by a group of my very best friends during our annual beach trip. All of the judges are non-local residents who have no ties or affiliations in the Hampton Roads area.
* Winner will be announced during the beach week (sometime between July 26-July 30)

REDEMPTION OF PRIZE:

* Winning family must be in the Hampton Roads commuting area
* Winning session must be redeemed prior to October 15, 2010.
* Winning session cannot be redeemed for cash
* Winning session cannot be altered in any way

Good luck! I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Patience is a virtue... The {B} Family | Newport News Family Photography

This photo shoot has been planned for a very long time. I am so glad we were able to shoot Raquel's entire family this morning. Despite the almost debilitating heat, we persevered for an hour with four adults, a 10 year old and an almost-two-year-old... on the beach in Yorktown.

So Raquel, here's your sneak peek... enjoy! You have an absolutely gorgeous family and it was an honor to photograph your family today.




{LOVE} this picture! This is Raquel and her sister who was down visiting for a short time.


And you all know how much I love daddy/kiddo pictures. This is a fave for sure...



Lady, I have so many more to show you... I can't wait for you to see!! Have a fantastic week... until next time,

~ K

The Almost Photo Shoot! | Hampton Family Photography

We thought... the 3rd time's the charm...

Due to the glorious weather here in Hampton lately, we've had to reschedule this shoot twice. Yesterday, after the winter storm passed, it was gorgeous out! Hooray! To the beach we go...

... but oh man... was it C-O-L-D. The wind whipping off the water... C-O-L-D...!

And little 'H' wasn't feeling so well, so we ended up calling it a day after a few minutes and will get back together soon...

BUT.

But it doesn't take long to get a few beautiful shots. Here's a little something to tide you over, Courtney, until we get together again!

This family is absolutely beautiful...









I'll see you guys again soon! And hopefully little 'H' will be having a better day :)

Until next time,

~ K

P.S. Okay, Okay. I know I didn't post a 'My Family Friday'.... I'll make up for it soon!

Photographers Need Family Photos too... | Hampton Family Photography

We are always behind the camera... taking pics of our own kids & other people's kids... but rarely do WE ever get in FRONT of the camera.

Sometimes we might try to hand off the camera to our significant other... and then talk them through the proper settings... and then look at the picture... and * oh gee, imagine that * it's blurry and, gah, there's only half my face in the frame!

Yes... I mean... Nooo honey, I am not talking about you... { smile }

So when Anne contacted me to do a family photo swap... I jumped at the chance.

Plus, though it's a bit nerve wracking photographing another photographer, it's nice having someone else knowing which way to turn and where to find the good light :)

Here you go Anne!


I kept getting them to yell, "Daddy's got stinky feet!!" Over and over and over again... as I perfected the shot. "Mommy's got stinky feet!" "Daddy's got stinky feet!" "YOU have stinky feet!" Hahaha.

And then...


...yeah... and then they go sick of me... {sigh}. Not to self: do NOT wear out the 'stinky feet' ploy...


I really wanted to get some good shots of Anne with the kids... that's what we don't always get... Well, without a whole lot of trouble anyway (self-timers, remote triggers, lots of running back & forth...)


Anne, your children are so sweet and very photogenic!!

But... I think this image is my favorite...





Until next time,

~ K

Megan & Kyle | Hampton Roads Couples Photography

If you live here in southeast Virginia, you know that the weather has been totally unpredictable lately. Scary and cold, yes. But predictable, not-so-much. And for a natural-light photographer who LOVES location shoots... this is a thorn in my side, to say the least.

However, there are days like today when it all just comes together... the weather, the light... everything tonight was just perfect.

Meet Megan & Kyle.

Kyle is a firefighter on Langley. Megan is working on her master's in education. Kyle just got back from a six-month tour in Afghanistan...and we are so glad he and the rest of the team are back safe and sound. These two will be married in May of next year and are one amazing couple. Totally fierce. Totally.

Our shoot started at the station...


I had these grand plans of using a few of the guys in the shot... but no-such-luck... just as we'd rounded up enough guys... alarm activation! Sirens... trucks out... they were gone.

*STOMPS FEET* This is life with a firefighter. Welcome to my world folks.

And I was so excited too. Kyle, when you go back on the floor... seriously... call me... we'll stage it again.


Anyway, small photographer-tantrum aside, we got some fantastic shots of these two! I dunno, might have something to do with the fact that they're gorgeous!! Just maybe...


Ooo. A little leg. Some bunkers. Sexy. Hotness. I. LOVE. THIS. SHOT. Would it be weird if I had it up in my house?! Yes? Yes. Okay. Darnit.

So after the station, we drove out to Phoebus to catch some more late afternoon/early evening light...


* sigh * I love graffiti.

We didn't spend tons of time out there, just walked around the block a bit, but were able to find some of the most awesome little places!! Like this...


and this...


...the light... oh the light...

And then as we were walking we passed the cutest little Irish Pub. It was a hole-in-the-wall place... and as soon as we saw it, we all stopped and, almost at the same time we all said, "Ooo a little Irish Pub!" Well, of course we went in. The regulars were in there and happily allowed us to snap a few pictures... and requested we bring one by so they could put it on their wall! Will do :)


Then, off to the beach to wrap up the shoot.


It was a whirlwind shoot ... filled with some pleasant small-talk, a few clothing changes, me practically falling out of Kyle's ENORMOUS truck (megan, more power to ya girl... that truck is a beast), and lots of fun! Thanks guys. I couldn't take a bad photo of you two. I can't wait for you to see all of them!

Until next time,

~ K

The Beautiful Family, Take III... | Hampton Beach Photography

Just a few months after I arrived in VA... I nervously clicked the 'Go Live' button on my new fancy website... and sat there and bit my nails to nubs and almost cried. It's such a labor of love working on a website and kicking off a photography business where you know NO ONE and can barely get from your house to the store without getting turned around... But I did it, ever so nervously.

After following the recommendation of our property manager, I joined a local parenting forum, Peninsula Mommies, and quietly mentioned that I was doing some portfolio building. Erin responded at once and said she was interested! We got together and I had a great time romping around her backyard with the kids and the dog. Today's shoot makes the third time I've photographed her family.

Erin, you and your family hold a special place in this photographer's heart, you were one of the first that trusted me to document the interaction between your family members. For this I am eternally grateful.

And can I just say... I was SO lucky to find them. She and her family are so laid back and wonderful.

But ... I'll shutup now... no one wants to hear me wax poetic about these guys...bring on the sneak peek, right?! Right.

First up, a family shot. I have to be honest, this one is both beautiful and hilarious to me. Everyone is on a forward path... walking towards me... like photography-lady instructed... except Keira. Nope, she was ready to jump in and swim to Norfolk.


Keira says to me, "Oh, what...you don't think I can swim to Norfolk? Look at how cute I am. I can doooo anything... " And, well, she's probably right. And if she were my little girl, I'd LET her do anything. Do you see those eyes? Who could resist? I asked her if she'd like to come and live with me... and she scoffed. *Sigh*



This next one is especially for you Erin :) LOOK FIN IS SMILING! Finley is the serious one of the bunch. She's watching... calculating...most likely trying to figure out how much energy she'd have to exert in order to tackle the crazy photographer-lady sticking the camera in her face... Oh but when she smiles. It's just the best and sweetest thing.


And here's big brother Owen, who is often called 'O'. Owen, ahem, got a little talking to while sitting on a log attempting to get a family shot... because he got all excited and threw sand in the air...and it got all over mommy. Erin was so calm and rational with him. SUCH a good mom :) So we pacified him by allowing him to throw as much sand as he wanted to ... but WAY OVER HERE... with JUST me :) And I love how these turned out! Favorites, for sure.


And a shot of mom and dad. What you can't see... just outside the frame there are three children pining for and wildly racing towards their parents. Well, as wildly racing as 18 month olds can... we purposely moved a bit away from the group to catch a few shots of mom and dad alone... good thing I snap fast :)


I think this might be favorite so far. There's not much more that I love...than a dad with his kids. Not much more to say than that...



As always guys, it was a pleasure. I had a good time out there on that beach! And I'm glad we finished when we did... because in Hampton... about 30 minutes later... it POURED!!

Your gallery will be up in the next few days!

Until next time,
~ K

Luke, Anna & Michael...at the beach | Hampton Roads Family Photography

There's something about the beach that just radiates everything that has to do with childhood... sand, toys, laughter, fun, splashing... being real. I know that when I close my eyes I can remember when we would go to the beach when I was young (which was actually a LAKE beach because I grew up in MN...), but there was SUCH excitement! The smell of the water and the lure of the huge open area and ohmigod-I-can-run-free-I-can-run-AND-SPLASH-all-at-the-same-time!

This is the epitome of childhood.

I think that's why beach sessions are so much fun for me. Kids LOVE the beach...

We got a good feel for that this morning at the amazing session I had with this gorgeous family. First let me introduce the kids:

This is Luke... Luke was very sweet and we had a nice conversation about his toy trucks. The excavator was one of his favorites... he was the sweetest thing, at one point, laying down on the sand quietly playing with his trucks while the cacophonous photo shoot went on around him.



Then we have Anna... who is sure to be a heartbreaker. She is absolutely gorgeous ~ thank goodness she has two brothers. Anna loves shoes. A lot. She wore mine around for a while...



And Michael...Phelps...ok not really. But he was most certainly ... the swimmer. Well, at least he thought he was. In fact, he was the first one to almost completely submerge himself in the water. He had a blast out there on the beach, darting in and out of the waves and giving his mom much anxiety... not to worry though... we have some beautiful shots of this adventurous little one...



And this family was lucky enough to have with them a set of grandparents who came down from Maine to spend some time with the family! And then they agreed to play with us out on the beach :) I just love watching grandparents interact with their grandkids...



...and...eventually... the babies lost their pants... so we hung out in cute sweaters and diapers. The weather was pretty much perfect today, despite forecasters calling for rain, so their outfits were quite fitting actually :)



And last, but not least.

Alina & Frank, this is for you guys. A little serenity in what I know is a frenzied (but wonderful) life. :) You two are drop-dead gorgeous and I loved meeting you! Thank-you for letting me share a piece of your day :)



Until next time,
~ K