Don't miss the moments...

I literally have to write into my calendar "take kid's portraits and order personal prints" as part of my to-do list. Remember that old saying "The doctor's kids are always sick, the shoemaker's kids are barefoot..." (botched, but you get where I'm headed) Yeah, well, the photographer's kids have no pictures. Simply put, I stink at not only taking pictures of my kiddos, but getting them printed. In a digital world, which I wholeheartedly embrace on a business level to transfer and share data, it is so easy to rely on posting to Facebook, CDs and galleries to carry the weight of our memories and I am constantly snapping pics with my junky Blackberry and posting to Facebook with a "I'll do this later with the Mama Blevo." Or with a "I'll back this up on my server later." Riiiiiight.

My point. The digital world is amazing. It has provided a limitless resource to share memories and special moments on a global scale among family and friends. Simply put, it's changed the entire way we see the world. We're moving at light speed and it's fun!

Make sure you use this digital world to your advantage. Specifically, don't get lazy. Like me. Take those pictures. Back up those pictures. Print those pictures. Store them away for generations to come. Don't let the moments fly by. Capture them! And then cherish them by taking care to make sure they are saved properly. Because there is no second chance.

Here are some of those pictures I know I'll look back on in years to come and thank God I took them (and yes, I just ordered prints today).

Love, Laughter & Sass

Ashley drives by my house literally every day. She happens to drop her daughter at day care right down the street. So, it is with a hearty "Thank God!" that I am reminded of her phone call mentioning that she saw my beautiful car decal and did I do family pictures? I say " Thank God!" because her family is one of those families that just make you happy. Every time I'm with them, I find myself laughing, smiling and just generally enjoying every second with them. If no one else ever mentioned the car decal ever again, just meeting them would make it more than worth every penny. I love this family. Truly. And I am tickled pink every morning when Akenna jumps out and goes "Katy! We take pictures with you! Where are the babies?" Did I mention she is 2, almost 3, and by far the sassiest, smartest, most well spoken kiddo I've ever encountered?! She blows my mind. When I hopped in their car to head to our latest session, I asked "Can I sit by you?" To which she replied "Of course you may sit by me." Seriously. She's 2.




This session was bittersweet to say the least. Due to a raging rain storm that thwarted our original plans, we ended up shooting quite literally the morning that Ahren was headed out for a 6-month deployment. I am so happy we did. I know it was especially hard to be reminded of time slipping away as the morning passed, but taking the time to spend those special moments together loving on each other was such a blessing to watch. Ahren, I am honored and grateful for your service. You are a loving husband, incredible father and man of good character. It radiates from you. And your family. May the next 6 months pass quickly!






PS. My favoritest family will be moving away soon. The call of duty will be bringing them to the West Coast. Ashley claimed she is stuffing me in her suitcase. For a second, I seriously considered jumping right in. But I'll settle for a good visit. At least once. I need me some West Coast sunshine and sass!

Godspeed, Sweet Dreams

I had the great pleasure of celebrating with my friend, Carla, a few weekends ago as she prepares to welcome a little boy into this world. Carla and I have a lot in common, and my heart is overwhelmed with gladness that she will soon be a mama. To say she is radiantly glowing isn't adequate. I am blessed to see and know her beauty, inside and out, every day, but I was absolutely awestruck by what I saw behind the lens. The camera loved her. And as I was editing her images post-shoot, I felt privileged to be a part of capturing the excitement, peace, and expectant hopefulness that spilled out of every image. She was, and is, simply put, stunning. And she's going to be one hell of a mama, don't you agree?







Lyrics from the lullabye below decorate my nursery walls. Every time I sing this song to the boys, I am humbled by what it means to be a mother. And as I celebrate my own little men's 8-month birthday today, I am reminded of these lyrics in anticipation of the amazing memories that Carla will have so very soon. Godspeed, little man.

Dragon tales and the "water is wide"
Pirates sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, will find the mouse
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen," wherever we are
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

The Dixie Chicks

And just for fun...look at my "little 'dids!" (My boss calls me "Katydid," so by him my boys are affectionately referred to as "the little 'dids." Love it!)

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Simply put, love reveals itself in countless and limitless ways.

One of the biggest blessings in my work is constantly experiencing new and creative reflections of love. Love never gets old, it never gets boring. It's always powerful, it's always beautiful and it always feels fresh. And on this eve of Valentine's Day, a holiday I usually toss to the wind, I encourage you to take a moment and remember why you love and why you are loved.

Two weekends ago, I was awarded the very rare opportunity to just play. I got together with several photog friends, some amazing and incredibly unique couples, a fabulous location and just had fun with a Vintage Valentine inspired shoot. It was such a neat display of how love transcends all different styles, characteristics, personalities, etc. and radiates warmly and brightly for all to see.





A big thanks to Chelsea LaVere, Melody Gillikin, Sarah Mariel, Christene Schaaf, Valerie Demo, Somer Chambley and April Campbell for jump-starting my creative juices! Having true friends in the photog world is a rare and momentous find! Bravo!

And an even bigger thanks to our gracious and rockin' volunteer couples for braving the cold, the rain and the crazy pack of photographers all up in your biz. You truly made my day!

Encore! Encore!

Back by popular demand, of which I am so incredibly flattered, humbled, excited and a whole mess of other big emotions...I, or rather you all, have chosen to hold another basics photography class.

Class will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at 12PM, in my home, lasting 2-3 hours, and will cover basic skills and fundamentals to propel you towards taking better photographs of your families and controlling the creative outcome of what you produce by taking back your camera and getting the heck out of Auto mode!

As before, cost will be $75, with a $30 deposit due by Saturday, February 18, 2012, and the remaining $45 balance due the day of the class. Class size is incredibly limited, so please be sure to contact me directly at blevins.katy@gmail.com to save your spot!

For those who took my first class, I am offering a discounted price of $40 should you wish to attend again to further imprint the information into your brain. (Graduates note: This is not the intermediate shoot out we will be planning as a follow up to the class you already completed!)

Can't wait to meet my newest group! And in celebration...here are a few candid pics of my own kiddos from everyday life!

The Importance of Me: 2012 Outlook

Lately, we have been focusing on the importance of you as the client, as a creative being and as a contributor to the artistic process. That's been awesome, and we'll continue to do so, because hey! You are super important and without you...simply put, I'd be lost!

But for just a tiny second, I'm going to switch gears and focus on the importance of Me and just how that will play out in 2012 and the years beyond. As I'm sure you've already noticed, we've had a few changes around here. The big website relaunch, the introduction of a formal web presence for my boudoir photography and the shift away from burned discs of images towards new cutting edge digital media transfer via PASS. These are all changes and decisions that have not been made lightly and not without purpose.

With the arrival of my two little amazing men, life took a major shift in countless different ways. One thing was abundantly, if not obnoxiously apparent. I didn't have the time available for my family that I wanted and that was something I desperately needed to address.

So what you are seeing is a streamline of my business in a calculated effort to free up more time for my family, while also making sure you receive the absolute best of me, all the time, every time. My intentions in 2012 are to work less and play more. This means my availability will be limited at times, so please be certain to reach out and plan ahead, but it also means that I am spending my time wisely, investing my heart in my family as I should, which can and will only translate to renewed vigor, passion and creativity for you!

Happy New Year!

Besides...who wouldn't want to spend all their time with these cuties?


Photo Credits: Melody Gillikin

January 21, 2012: you. me. hot cocoa. and our cameras...

(photo credit: Melody Gillikin Photography)

It's a date!

After receiving several requests, I have decided to host a small gathering of folks to teach the basics of photography and encourage you with some simple ways to improve your family photos.

The class will be held in my home on January 21, 2012 at 1PM. It will last approximately 3 hours and will cover the very, very basics of photography as they best pertain to you in an amateur sense for your personal photos. We will cover other tricks like looking for light, perspective, composition and neat ways to bring out the best in your kiddos.

This class is for those who have a nicer camera, but have no idea how to use it and struggle to capture their kids as they sprint past at lightning speed. In that light, it will be informal, probably pretty darn funny and empower you to control your cameras and capture the memories you want to last for a lifetime.

The class will be $75, which includes a $30 deposit that will be due by January 7, 2012 to secure your spot in the class. The remaining $45 will be due on the day of the class. The class will be capped at 8 people so that it stays nice and small and everyone gets a voice!

You will need to bring your camera, your camera manual and a willing heart. I ask that you bring your camera manuals because what I will be teaching you will be the fundamentals of photography, not how to use YOUR camera, and I'm not a technical pro on the ins and outs of your brand, so you may need to consult your manual for where settings are and how to use them.

You can have any type of camera, as long as it has manual, shutter or aperture priority settings (settings that allow you a certain element of control). This is to help you move beyond shooting in automatic and really learn to be in charge of your images instead of relying on your camera to do all of the heavy lifting.

Email me at blevins.katy@gmail.com for more information and to secure your spot in what will surely be a rockin' day of laughter, learning and fellowship!