Knoxville wedding photographer blog – shannon kelley photography » Knoxville based wedding photographer – modern photography for hip people

Where do you shoot at? Do you have a go to for your photo sessions?

This week I’ve been thinking on locations to shoot photography sessions at and trying to get some out of the box ideas going. Knoxville has some great locations but this isn’t a huge city so it seems like all the good, popular ones are overused and busy. So….here are some of my thought processes in coming up with some fun locations! This isn’t Knoxville specific, just to get ideas flowing… enjoy! Your homework can be to grab your kid, dog, hubby, client, or heck, a cool jar or something and go to a new location and try it out!

1. Think out of the box. So often we gravitate towards parks and downtown, the normal things. Now, while that is all well and good (and talked about more down below), challenge yourself to pick something new, something different for you. Or if you go with the old standby of the park, shoot it completely different so this session doesn’t look like the last one at all!

2. Downtown. Ok… way overused here in Knoxville and I am guilty as charged on this location too. I LOVE the urban cool brick and texture look, the dirty alleys, love it! But there are some of you reading that may have never shot a session downtown in your town. Do it! If you are a downtown junkie like me, then either find those corners in downtown that are new to you or broaden your horizon from downtown.

Here is my tip for downtown: Pick a meeting place for you and your clients. Then plan out before you meet them of where you are going to walk (I usually make it a circle around a couple blocks or at least end up where we started), one that has some things you know you can shoot and then keep your eyes open for new spaces along your path as you go. THEN, next client you meet downtown do the same thing but choose a different route! Then you aren’t shooting the same thing every time.

3. Parks. Yes, there is the ever popular UT Gardens in Knoxville. And I’m sure you have them in your town if you aren’t local…those places that are the #1 spot for portrait photographers to have their sessions at and you always see 5 of them when you are there. Here is my challenge…pick a different location! Think outside the box on parks….go to a less popular one you, look into spaces that aren’t necessarily parks (we have the Smokies near Knoxville that give great beautiful places to go)

4. Ask your clients! I always have a conversation about location with my clients. I first ask them what interests them (ie…do they love hiking, do they bowl every week as a family). See if something sparks an interesting location in that conversation. I mean, imagine doing a photo shoot at a bowling alley for a family that loves to bowl…how cool are you and what great memories you just made for them!!

5. The family farm. This goes with #4 but thought it needed its own #:) Some of the best photos come from where your clients live. So after asking about their interests, ask if they have land, know of a cool place that is in their family, etc. Family sessions with babies are the best at their houses I think because it’s memories of their space, the babies toys, room….how awesome is that! fun story: I was talking to one of my bride’s this year the other day about their engagement photos and the location. She mentioned they got engaged at her grandpa’s farm…so we are doing the shoot there! Memories for them to last a lifetime plus an awesome backdrop for me to work with…its a win/win!

ok…now get out there and scout out new locations to shoot at!! Hope this was helpful!

1. This is going to be quick because I’m on my way to IKEA!!! That’s right folks, my second visit ever, all within a month of my first! We’re stocking up for some photography studio awesomeness! ETA on leaving Knoxville: as soon as I hit publish on this post:)

2. I’m never one to wish winter away or let it bother me but Lord, I need me some springtime! I could move to the ocean tomorrow and be fine. It’s not usually this cold here in Knoxville and maybe that is why…not sure what is up about this year, but that is where I am with life right now:)

3. Lena is cracking me up lately! I have to get some of it on tape! She is a mess! My favorite: she has been helping paint and has adopted the new rollers (the fluffy part of it..ya know?) as her babies. She rocks them and they sleep, and then she says “oh, they crynin” So cute!

4. Did I mention I need some springtime. Anyone that lives in a tropical location want to put a crazy loud family of three (2 of whom are obsessed with keeping it dark and only using flashlights!) up in a room. We’ll do dishes:)

5. This weekend is full of studio finishing up and 2 fun shoots! Plus I have a contest going on for some wedding wonderfulness…my Knoxville brides that are getting married in 2010 and 2011 are all in a drawing for some awesome Bride shirts that I have to give away…so we’ll have the drawings and winners up next week! Woohoo!

ok…on my way! Have a great Friday!! I’ll post pics of the studio soon…I have some awesome before ones!

You know, I didn’t grow up saying I wanted to be a photographer. I always thought about it, imagined what it would be like, always had a camera in hand but it was more of a dream I never verbalized or even thought about much because I really didn’t think it would/could ever happen. It was like saying I want to be a astronaut.

There is so much that goes into where I am today. Little moments like my mom making us stop on our road trips so she could get this great picture, taking pictures on my little camera as a kid with my 110 film, getting my first “real” camera as a Christmas gift at 14, being a missionary kid and seeing the world through a different way, dreaming of how I could turn my bathroom into a darkroom. All those little things that made me appreciate photos, how they capture the beauty and hardship in this world, the little things in life, how memories will be our souvenirs.

This past week has been full of remembering those little things and looking forward to big things. This week I went all in, with much hyperventilation. Because really, if you are going all in, well, its a little scary:)

This week I leased a studio.

Not just a studio for me. But with a dear friend who helps balance my crazy! (thanks Becky:) ) I’m so excited to be on this journey with her! Lots to tell and show in the near future (first we’re going to paint…you will thank me for this since the whole place is blue when we got it I’ll show before and afters when we are done) but for now, a 5 on Friday dedicated to our studio and all the little things:)

1. Since we are keeping separate businesses we wanted to have a studio name for the place. The name kind of found us.. studio317.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

2. We’re on the look out for a couch or loveseat. The one above is one that I’m loving. oh, Ikea

3. our logo. and the website that is coming…

4. Community. That is what we are striving for. This isn’t just a place for us to work, its a place to build community! So, if you are a Knoxville photog, we’d love to have you be part of some fun shoots and meetups we have planned (stay in the know here) or contact me for all the inside scoop of how you can utilize the studio for your business!

5. We are busy painting and getting stuff installed…all that fun stuff! Stay tuned for a fun open house night here in the next month or so! Here is one of the colors (above) that we are using…much better than the blue in there:)

Yes, very random today! It’s Friday!! Today I dropped off lots of beautiful albums to girls that have a great gift for their hubby’s! Next week I’ll share some pics after they get their surprise…don’t want to be ruining any beforehand:)

ok. randomness. and go.

1. Does anyone else want to see this movie, Valentine’s Day? I am a sucker for movies like this.  Ones with lots of storylines that merge together, like Love Actually.  Love it! We are going to have movie night tonight too and watch Couple’s Retreat, looks hilarious!

2. nanernanernaner…I have a secret! I kind of fell like Apple or something right before Mac World… in a very minuscule way of course I have awesomeness coming up and can’t wait to share it but sadly, I will have to wait until next week.  Actually, lets go ahead and say it will be debuted on next weeks Five on Friday.  YAY!

3. So, if anything were to be my first love (besides God and fam of course) it would be missions.  More so that photography even but I don’t think one could really exist in my world without the other.  I crave missions, as in, NEED it, must have it.  I crave the culture and people groups, seeing the world as God see’s it.  Its the sociologist in me I guess.  I’ve been in a funk lately, as in, MUST do something more! So, a few things planned here in the next year but until then I’m finding little ways to settle my craving.  Because lets face it, the little ways are sometimes more important that the big ways.  Next week our family is cooking for 150 homeless, would you want to join me? (call me or email me if you do!) I would LOVE to have a few of you join, help cook, shop for food, however you want to give.   Increase your craving for changing the world. One little way at a time.

4. Speaking of, does anyone know someone with a 2 year old or younger that could use some clothes.  I have a couple bags of 2T and some smaller that I would love to give to someone who really needs it.  I don’t mind shipping.  Let me know if you know of anyone:)

5. Well, this 5 on friday is turning out to be more about missions than I originally thought! So, alot of my missions travel was taken with my SLR film camera..  I am finally going to get some of them transferred over to digital. I can’t wait to see them again and be able to share:)

I realized this morning IT’S FRIDAY! And we are overdue for a five on friday post now that the holidays, the contests, and the wedding week are behind us. So I couldn’t bring myself to do any other five post other than haiti. Because everything else seemed so silly and trivial in comparison.

I’ve made myself not watch CNN and not get wrapped up in this because I’m the type that takes things overboard (who, me!) and would be planning to catch a flight down there. I did mention to Brad that I was sure there was some Haitian babies that needed us but, no dice. yet. But in the midst of it all, I still want to honor what is going on and do a small part to give back, even if I can’t be on the ground there helping in person.

So that is what our five is today. Five ways to give back and impact a country and people in dire need of it. But before you even give back, pray. Pray for the people, those hurt and impacted by this and for those on the ground helping and administering aid. That in itself is worth more than anything.

1: So, CNN was banned but Don Miller got me! He posted this video about World Vision and I knew I had to watch. To wrap my heart around it and, even though I can’t be there or do too much, I can do something.

2: A blog I have been reading of some missionaries that live in Haiti and were there when this happened: http://ourlifeinhaiti.blogspot.com/ give you a great insight and non-media look into the devastation. Plus it gives you some specific prayer requests.

3: Oh, social media. You have changed our lives forever. When I really stop and think of how far we have come in the past even 5 years, its kind of scary, but good. Raising money via texting, tweeting and retweeting about it, posting on your facebook ways to help. This is such an awesome new phenomenon! So I’m sure you have heard about it but Text 90999 with the word “Haiti” as your message and you’ll instantly donate $10 to the American Red Cross. Plus you can post this on your facebook and/or twitter too to spread the word!

4: Love 89 has set up way to donate to Compassion on their website. Super easy and 100% trustworthy that your money is being used for good. I have had the privilege to see a Compassion project in action in Ecuador and work hand in hand with the kids and families they are impacting and it is one of the most influential things I have ever witnessed in the world! This organization is changing lives no doubt about it and the awesome thing is, you can to!

5: Another awesome way to give back and get a little something amazing from Etsy:) Go to Hearts for Haiti to buy a donated item. 100% of the money will go to Doctors without Borders. Super cute stuff on there that is screaming to be an awesome Valentine’s Day gift!

So much going on here! It’s supposed to be the slow season coming up after all the weddings in October and Christmas portraits but it seems like we are just gearing up for some awesome December/January happenings here at Shannon Kelley Photography! So, I thought I would dedicate this five to the upcoming stuff so you guys know what you have to look forward to!

If you got the newsletter, you probably have a heads up on a couple of things plus some other juicy fun stuff. Go sign up so you don’t miss out next time!

1. Big fun announcement of awesomeness next week for the ladies! (well, and men too…we’ll make sure not to leave you completely out!) I’m so excited about this and we are rapping up details on Monday so we’ll send out an email to those on the newsletter list for first dibs so be sure to go sign up!

2. Christmas is coming! Every year we, as a family, try to do some good for the world in our little way. Whether its spending Christmas Eve with those on the street or handing out Christmas cookies…nothing too extravagant but I like to hope/pray it impacts someone in a good way. This year I want to include you! Do you have any ideas? Would you be interested in helping us do something physically or would you rather give money/items/support? Or would you rather just read about what we do? I have a couple ideas but wanted to see what you thought and if there was any interest.

3. Woohooo!!!! My favorite time of year on the blog is almost here!!! Picture of the YEAR!!! I have the hard part of narrowing it down to 12 then you will have the harder job of picking your fave. We’re are doing it a little different this year to make it fun fun fun!!!! (read on to #4 for detailed funness!)

4. This year we are having 12 days of PIXMAS! (don’t hate on the corny title!)

-From Dec 11th through Dec 23rd we will be announcing (in no particular order) one nominee per day with a little background story on the picture as well!
-Then on Dec 26th we will start the voting. For you nominee’s, this will give you Christmas to mention to your fam and friends to vote for you…just giving you a strategic hint:)
-Voting will run through December and the winner gets a full session in 2010 and a big ol canvas of their picture! Plus, all nominee’s get a mini session in 2010 so its a win-win!

Now, who is excited!!!!????

5. Speaking of voting…I was nominated for best wedding photographer in Knoxville. To whoever nominated me, a huge thanks. You made my day. Seriously. So, if you haven’t read it on facebook… please go vote! Pretty please with sugar on top! You can vote multiple times every day through December! I’m thinking some fun celebration on the blog if we win, don’t you think? Win or not though, love all you guys and your support! It means more to me than you will ever know!

I’ll admit, I’ve ran into a Toys R Us to grab something the morning after Thanksgiving around 9 or so but never have I left out in the dark to grab some deals and deal with the crowds. I’m not sure what got into me but this morning I struck out on my own to have some fun. I had my relatively short list with only one “must have” item. No, it wasn’t the latest electronic, the flat screen tv, or some giant toy. Nope, it was Hungry Hungry Hippo:) I knew I definitely wanted to get that on sale at Walmart. Other than that, I was going for the experience. Here are a few things I observed/thought of while I popped my black friday shopping cherry.

1. Walmart was my second stop. It was when I realized there was a method you could have in the madness and start over analyzing people’s behavior (its the sociologist in me:) ). A call to my sister (avid Black Friday shopper) who told me that you have to go in with a game plan and be prepared to show some fierceness and attitude as you shop confirmed that to be a true black friday shopper one must have a gameplan and some attitude (and maybe a cart but more on that later!)

Things I noticed about Walmart:
-The registers were definitely not as crazy and the lines not nearly as long (it was about 6:30 or 7 when I was there though since this was my second stop so that may have been a factor)
-People who were shopping were SO much nicer than at Target. People were helping others find things and the holiday spirit was must more noticeable.
-Walmart;’s cardboard bins are made like crap and definitely can’t stand up to the hundreds of people grabbing at them. They were strewn about like a broken christmas ball.

2. Target was my first stop and it was CRAZY! Buggies were at a premium and the lines literally went past the jewelry section. And people were MEAN! As I walked aimlessly through the electronic section having visions of people breaking into a Christmas song (what can I say, this is my first time, I was black friday shopping delusional) some lady started cussing the poor Target guy out because the line took so long. Back to reality for me:) I really thought about going over to her and just being like “Merry Christmas” just to see what she would say.

Things I noticed about Target:
- The deals weren’t as good in my opinion as Walmart so I’m not sure why it was crazier.
-The people (not the salespeople, the shoppers) were SO much ruder! I’m talking line cutting, cursing, and just generally not smiling and no holiday spirit. It was when an older man literally walked past me to get to the register because he apparently thought the long line behind him wasn’t meant for him that I realized that this is game on day, not a day for singing carols in line.
-Target was out of a TON of stuff…Walmart wasn’t ( and I was at Target a good hour and a half before I went to Walmart)
-Target’s cardboard boxes to hold the stuff were definitely stronger and nicer looking (but didn’t hold as much which was probably the issue with the above)

3. If you have any ailment at all, you may want to consider a motorized cart. I got behind one of those things and it was like the parting of the sea. She was not afraid to use that thing and people knew it. I just followed her along for a while and it cut my time to the toy department in about 1/2.

Also, a regular cart can be a advantage and disadvantage…
-advantages: blocking device for line cutters, accidentally bumping into someone for a little vengeance (mean, I know…I would never do that), blocking off a good deal so you can get the one you want
-disadvantages: I mean, really, who wants to get through a crowd with a four feet protrusion in front of you.

4. After your shopping it is the perfect time for some yummy breakfast. I opted for Chikfila, my sister sent me a text with a picture of tacos with the message “intense shopping=tacos at 8am” so its whatever floats your boat:)

5. I sprung (sprang?) for a little Christmasy fun and bought Merry Madagascar to bring home. We saw it on TV the other night and fell in love with it. So, we had some penguin fun and watched it and decorated the house. Fun times!

So that is my observations from this mornings adventures. I have to go food shopping later today so hopefully it wont be crazy there too:) How did your shopping go?

the date night is a rare occurrence around our house. Not because we can’t or don’t want to but really because we are home bodies and cheap. just sayin’ Usually when we do have one we opt for dinner and a movie, that sort of thing. Tonight we are doing date night, our style. Lena is spending the night with nana and we are chilling at the house! Oh yeah! So this week is dedicated to being cheap on your date night!

1. Redbox. Oh Redbox, I’ve known you for a short time and already wonder how I didn’t come to knwo you earlier. With your $1 deals and freebies. So yes, tonight this is one on the list. We will be sitting on the couch watching a free movie from Redbox. *For those wondering (you know you all are:), you can go to redbox.com and sign up to get the free codes, they have one to use for signing up and then every first monday of the month. Woohoo!

2. A close second on what to do tonight, but alas, the couch is a calling:) There is something about walking through a mall during this time of year that is so much fun! Just to walk and look thought…when you go in with a list and need to get stuff, this time of year makes it a bit of a challenge.

3. Another fleeting thought of what to do tonight was go down to Market Square and enjoy the community of Knoxville. I haven’t been downtown much lately and could use a little Tomato Head hummus in my tummy. Putting that on the to do list for here in the next few weeks since we aren’t going tonight! But yes, look at your city and find fun things to do there on the cheap…there is always something going on!

4. Christmas lights! Are they up yet?! Here in the tourist mecca of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg they are and its so much fun to drive/walk around and enjoy. Gets me in the holiday spirit!

5. This one is on the list for tonight and Brad couldn’t be happier! Papa Murphy’s! We’re getting a thin crust yummy one! Poppin it in the oven, watching a movie, and probably falling asleep:)

happy friday!

Don’t forget…you can do a five on friday too! Here is how! If you do one, put a link back to my blog and sign up below so we can go check yours out!