Alisha McKellar Portrait Design
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Welcome to the blog!

This is where the stories behind the photos live, as well as random stories about my life as an Atlanta, GA Portrait Photographer.

I hope you enjoy reading, and if not, there's always photos to look through. :)

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Saturday, January 14, 2012

Valentine's Mini Sessions Announced!

Somehow, I was able to book my dream location for Valentine's Mini Sessions!
This will be the first year I've made these sessions available, and I am so excited to see all of you fabulous couples getting something way more than flowers and chocolate for Valentine's Day! This is going to be so much fun!

Details:

Friday, January 13, 2012

Let's Get Real...

Today has been a great day. I woke up to 28 degree weather, and snow flurries. I'd call that a great Friday morning. :)

I decided to make the most of it. By that, I mean skipping putting on makeup since I was, after all, only going to the grocery store, right? Well, as I went through the self check-out, the girl just stood over me as though I were trying to shoplift groceries. I guess maybe she thought I could fit my 5 lb bag of potatoes into my wristlet? Who knows. At any rate, it made me feel like I obviously should not leave my house without makeup. Lesson learned. haha!

Now that I got my humor out, I want to get real with you.
Being the new girl anywhere, no matter what age, can be a really tough thing sometimes. For me, it almost became exciting because I moved around a lot as a kid. I remember my first days at new schools, and how I always had to find that new place I belonged, or those new friends I was supposed to make. It took some time, but I always learned who the "mean girls" were, and tried my best to avoid them.
I just knew that one day, I would settle into some place that fit. That place where I would have that incredible group of friends who would always be there for me. You know, the ones you can call at 2am, or who build you up instead of trashing you because of some silly reason?
Let's just say, no matter where I moved, or how many schools I went through, I never found that. I found some amazing friends along the way, but I've never had "that group".
Little did I know...they don't really exist. Sure, you can have a group of girlfriends, but do you REALLY?
It has been my experience that whichever poor girl is left out of a get together suddenly becomes the topic of conversation-and not in a good way. And, I'm sad something I held out hope for all these years turned out to be such a letdown.
I don't really mean that as a bad thing, but I just know now that it doesn't take a "group" of friends. I only need one really awesome one to "fit".

Onto my photography career.
I wanted to become a photographer because I loved it. Trust me, if I'd wanted to become a millionaire, I so would have chosen a different path. I chose it because it gives me a creative outlet, and it allows me to connect with people on a very personal level.  Having the power to treat people nicely, and make money at it...sign me up. :)

When I was just getting started, I had a few incredible people who were not afraid at all to lift me up, encourage me, and tell me all of their "secrets of the trade".  By the way, I hate that term. It's not a secret, no matter how much you think it is. If someone is willing to learn, they will find a way. So, why not just be nice and help them out? :)
If those people hadn't helped me, it would have taken me so long to get anywhere, and who knows, I may have given up. That is such a sad thought for me.
I am so grateful for their help, and that is why I love helping others. I can't tell you how many phone calls, emails, Facebook messages, etc. I get from people who just bought their first camera, or got it as a gift. They are so excited, but feel they don't know where to start. I want them to hold onto that excitement. It's supposed to be fun.
Now, I have experienced many photographers who get mad when someone wants them to share their knowledge. They seem to think they are going to "steal" their ideas. Let's face it. Just like in the music industry, or any other industry, we are all influenced by those before us. It's 2012. Pretty much everything's already been done. Now, that doesn't mean you can't try, or that you should be boring. It just means the tighter you hold onto the knowledge you have vs. sharing it with others, the more insignificant your life becomes.

I believe that every day you wake up, you have a choice to make about the kind of person you want to become. The things you do each day just build on top of each other to make you either a wonderful person who helps others, or a brat who treats other people like the gum that got stuck to the bottom of your shoe.

 So, go be something great! Go be someone who someone else is excited to talk about...GASP...in a GOOD way! :)

Sincerely,
~Alisha

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Engagement | Sonal + Siten

First blog of 2012 goes to the gorgeous Sonal + Siten!!!!
Their Engagement Session absolutely took my breath away! They seriously look like celebs.

I love couples in love...and so does my camera!! It completely makes my day to hang out with happy couples and hear stories about how they met, their wedding plans, and just their plans for life in general. It is the start of something brand new for them, and I can't think of anything that gets much more exciting than that!

So, I am honored to share some of our day with you!










Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 | Favorite Photographs | Year in Review

As we drove through our neighborhood today, I saw everyone outside, enjoying this strangely beautiful weather we are having. There were people working in their yards, taking down Christmas decorations, and driving away with their Christmas trees tied to the tops of their cars. All preparing to start fresh with a brand new year that is only hours away.

While it is so hard for me to believe we are about to say hello to 2012, it's even harder for me to believe all of the things that happened in 2011.

Well, I think it's better said with photographs and their captions, so let's get this started. :)
Took my first trip to Montana + Wyoming.
Got to spend time with my husband!
Saw the most snow I've ever seen in my life.


Made a photographer friend + went to meet Sandy Puc' + Gerry Ghionis. Great day!


This girl has a fire in her! I simply told her how to shoot in manual on her camera...over the phone maybe a year ago...and now she's rocking AMAZING weddings!


My best friend got engaged!!!




My other best friend had her Senior Recital + I got to surprise her!!!!! Her talent simply blows me away.

Had my own 10 Year Class Reunion by attending my old high school's choir concert and seeing my choir teacher and her family!

My best friend got married!! (Yes, I was multi-tasking that day...photos, hair, carrying flowers...whatever)

:)

At her reception!

Most of the girls!

:)

I just love this one!
GORGEOUS couple I got to shoot engagement photos for!!!!!

She is such a cutie!!!!

Took a road trip to visit my cousin! And...we threw in some time for photos! :)
I started branching out and cooking more healthy meals. :)


Finally took a trip to Hilton Head Island!!!

Oh, how I love the beach!!!!!

Kerri's Senior Session!

:)

I had so much fun doing her photos!

Talk about a highlight...saw Mumford & Sons in concert! Too great for words.

Mumford & Sons!

Mumford & Sons

Of course, made new friends at the concert! :)

And, Brittany and I didn't get lost! Yay! :)

Got to meet THE Promise Tangeman!!!! One day, I will be able to have her design my website. :)

Got to hear Zach & Jody Gray speak, and I learned more than I could ever remember! AMAZING people!

Zach & Jody Gray

Aaron turned 1. :)

Made another photographer friend...and went back to see Sandy Puc'.

Finally went to a Christina Perri concert!!!!!

And...she was so great that I practically cried through the whole thing...embarrassing my poor husband. lol.

Family + Children Sessions really picked up, and I am SO grateful! How beautiful is this family?!

This photo helped her win a pageant! YAY!!!!! What a great text to receive!


Awaiting another sweet little girl!!!

Can't wait to meet their little girl!

First year with Holiday Mini Sessions, and I am in LOVE! Can't wait to do them again!

Hudson turned 1. :)

Got to photograph two of my high school friends' family over Thanksgiving! A lot can change/happen in 10 years! :)

OH MY!!! I LOVE this family!! Full of love, fun, and lots of energy! :)

One of my favorites from their Family Session!

Awaiting baby Knox!

AH! Can't wait to meet their sweet baby boy!!!


Macie turned 1. (She was the very first of my Newborn Sessions. It will be so wonderful to watch her grow up.)

And...she LOVED her cake!

SUCH a sweet, sweet couple!!!!!

Possibly one of my favorite photos of the year. There is so much meaning behind this shot, that I just LOVE it!

Thought he would be shy, but he was such a star during this session!

Getting ready for Christmas!

Too much cuteness with these sisters! :)


I LOVE this one, too!!! So sweet!



f
The Turner Family!

The Whittemore Family!
This family is simply priceless to me!



This family was beyond amazing! They had me laughing the whole time! I didn't even have to try to make them laugh!
My last Family/Children Session of the year. He was so cute! And he was so sweet to his little sister!
My very last session of the year. She is SO beautiful!!!!!!

Our absolutely silly attempt at a Christmas card shot.
And...I finally changed my hair. 


Now, New Year's Resolutions. I have a few.

1: Learn how to sew.
2: Use my treadmill.
3. Take the time to have more coffee dates with friends.
4. Try to no longer take things so personally. (This one may be the hardest)
5. Finish a song.

Thank you for letting me be a tiny part of your life, and as we all start a new year, I hope only the best for you and your family!

Can't wait to see you in 2012!!!!

~Alisha