College sweethearts Charly and Justin were all smiles during their maternity portrait session.  These two darlings have the shiniest hair I’ve seen–I’m certain their lil bambino will follow suit! Lucky…  Though Charly was entering the “uncomfortable” phase of her pregnancy, she was still able to rally and smile away–who needs to take a deep breath or sit easily, right?

Justin is an amazing soccer player and I have no doubt we will be watching him in the MLS someday soon.  Cheers to a beautiful couple with a future as shiny as their hair!

Who doesn’t love a well crafted bevvie?  I adore  the garnishments, the classic stemware, the tinkling ice and then savoring how every little detail comes together in that first sip…  On Monday evening people gathered at the historic Capitol Theater to celebrate the repeal of prohibition.  It was a step back into the yesteryears–with attendees dressed to the nines, bartenders worked quickly to keep the crowd happily imbibing as a silent film played in the back.  The Greta Jane quartet kept the swooning mood alive and Tush Burlesque performers scandalously entertained the rowdy patrons as the entertainment drew to a close.  It was the most fun I’ve had on a Monday night in ages!  Here are a few images from the evening.  The full collection of photo booth images will be posted on the Olympia Film Society’s Facebook page, so make sure to stop by and “Like” both Cortney Kelley Photography and Olympia Film Society on Facebook.  In fact, maybe you should pour yourself a cocktail first…  Cheers!  Cortney

Oh the beauty and vitality of youth… Last weekend I photographed the birthday party of Maddy and her friends–a crazy group of 13 year olds, girls who have been friends since elementary school–what a darling group of girls.  Full of sass and giggles, crushes and loud music, glitter and attitude.  The party was so  fun!  I’m still finding glitter in the dressing room…  Happy birthday Maddy!! Thanks for coming into the studio girls : )

Some girls need diamonds to make them giddy with glee.  Me?  Oh, a silver beaded curtain will do just fine : )  I was beyond thrilled to find a 10 foot long silver beaded curtain at my friend Nan’s awesome shop http://funjunkonline.com// I LOVE rummaging through dusty drawers of people old junk.  You never know what treasure you’ll unearth.  I’m always looking for cool props to add to the studio and couldn’t believe the score at my last visit.  A 5 foot wide, 10 foot long SILVER BEADED CURTAIN!!!!  It looks A M A Z I N G!  I had to snap a couple of quick images with the closest model and  Mrs. Nixon willingly (ha!) obliged, well ok, we plied her with treats…  Enjoy!  Can’t WAIT to use this with my high school seniors!  Can you say ROCKSTAR?! Oh, yeah…

I fell immediately in love with Daniel and Brittney when we met last summer. I was so honored when they asked me to photograph their wedding. They are heading into their senior year of college and are the most lovely college sweethearts. I love working with creatives–she’s into visual art, he’s into music, and I’m just in heaven : ) We spent a perfect afternoon playing around downtown Olympia and creating such fun and playful images. Thanks you guys! I can’t wait for August!

Like Buddy the Elf, I like smiling.  I can safely say, it IS my Favorite.  That, and laughing–I’m pretty good at both of them too.  But meet Dan and Gabi, two people who clearly also like smiling, and laughing, and just being adorably in love.

I first met Dan when he was a wild 18 year old soccer player with the Blackhills Football Club (BHFC).  I remember taking a team photo for them — Dan decided to embellish his look with a piece of wheat grass hanging out of his mouth, it really made the photo… yep, that’s Dan.  He’s still a bit wild. Thankfully, I think he’s met his match–maybe not as wild as him, but she seems like she can most definitely hold her own! Yay!

Gabi and I met at the holiday party for the BHFC coaches (my husband Philip is also a coach with Dan).  Part of the evening festivities was a white elephant gift exchange–always a hilarious and mildly inappropriate game…  Some people brought coffee baskets, some people brought used athletic gear and SOME people brought a fifth of delicious tequila and a darling PHOTO of themselves… guess who brought the gift and guess who fought to win it?!  Yep, Dan and Gabi brought the photo and yours truly, thoroughly enjoyed the tequila.  I have the photo on my desk right now, and every time a look at it, it makes me smile. Smile at two people who are really REALLY good a smiling… I can’t wait for their wedding.  There will be LOADS of smiling then!

It also didn’t hurt that they were leaving in the morning for Mexico.  Yeah, I’d be smiling too…

Newborn babies are such amazing, fragile creatures.  They change so quickly from the soft wrinkled skin and stormy gray eyes.  Their sweet yawns and squishy faces make for unexpected images, love that. Within just a few weeks they are on the way to chubville!  Another babyhood phase I love.  It was a sweet session with little Graya–this tiny nut was so dang strong.  She was actually holding her own head waaaaay up!   It such a joy to see new families figuring out the new routines and each other.  Congratulations Jade and Tyler!

I met my fellow photographer and friend Martha a few years ago at a photography seminar.  She is one of those instantly open and friendly people.  The course focused on newborn/baby photography and we had a good time trying to replicate the poses with our purses and notebooks.  Martha is an amazing photographer–I love her style!  She recently began having her first tattoo inked and wanted to document the process.  Yeah, self portraiture of your own arm just doesn’t really work… so she will be stopping by the studio before each session in Portland.  I’m excited to see the next phase. Watch the evolution with me : )

It’s time to create art out of those you love! Call soon to book one of these limited sessions! A $400 value… Who doesn’t love a bargain?

Today I photographed the ever so adorable Shelby.  She has these intensely green eyes and an exuberant smile with perfectly straight teeth.  Such a sweet kid!As we talked, we found out we shared lots of mutual friends, that they knew my older son through the soccer shop, my younger son and nephew through choir, it just went on and on.  It was one of those times where living in a smaller, connected community felt so right.  I asked Shelby how she heard about me and her response was a little shrug, a smile and “just everybody”–I must confess I had my own little Sally Fields moment of “They like me!  They really, really like me!”  hahaha!!  So thanks Shelby and Candice for making the start of my weekend so very smiley.  And you know, I like you all right back!