I’m not sure why, but I just don’t blog personal stuff like I used to.  It’s most likely because of a lack of time and energy, and also because I just didn’t figure anyone really cared about the day in, day out stuff.  It’s funny though, I’ve had quite a few people tell me they’d read a certain book because I’d blogged about it, or that they felt like they knew my boys before they even met them, and even that they’d peed their pants laughing over story I’d shared about my crazy life.  Makes me want to start sharing more again. 

At last week’s Austin PPA meeting, I finally had the chance to meet someone whom I’d admired for quite some time.  Matt Nicolosi and I “met” online about three years ago on a photography forum.  Not only was his work technically great, but he really had a way with documenting and capturing daily life and objects from a completely different perspective and then turning them into amazing art.  When I heard he was speaking at the meeting, I registered right away.  Matt talked  of shooting for yourself…not just your clients.  I have been feeling like hauling my camera equipment with me meant I had to work.  I had quit shooting just for me.  Anyway, when our family decided to rent a boat and take the boys tubing, I didn’t hesitate to bring the camera.  Nothing fancy, and definitely not ART, but just a good documentation of an amazing day with my men. 

Just a little background info here…

Cody didn’t want to go.  I think he was mostly tired from a sleepover the night before.   He’d tried tubing the year before and it didn’t go over so well so he was pretty determined that he wasn’t going to have a good time.  We rented a boat from BLORA (and for you Ft. Hood friends, I’d highly recommend it.  It wasn’t fancy at all, but fairly cheap) and headed out on Belton Lake.

Jake went first and was loving it.

And the first time he wrecked, this was Cody’s reaction.  He was so scared his brother was going to get hurt.  Poor, sweet baby.

But then I went (thank goodness no one had the camera for that!) and showed him how the boat could go slow and then he was game.

And after his first turn, this was him describing to me how he was holding on for dear life.  Note the complete attitude change. 

And this is what I love about Texas.  As we’re cruising the lake, what do we see but COWS hanging out in the water.  I love it.

We spent Easter in Houston with my husband’s aunt, uncle, cousin and grandparents. Since  Jake has expressed an interest in learning piano, Granddaddy Buck wanted to give him his first lesson.  Eighty years difference between these two and one priceless moment for both of them.

So, I’ve wanted to start this post a hundred times.  I know I’ve sorely neglected my blog…and that fact hasn’t been lost on me.  I’ve thought about it every day–wondered if anyone missed me.  My daily blog stats have gone from the hundreds to the twenties which does make me a bit sad, but to be completely honest…I’ve just been enjoying my life.

This fall was beyond crazy…up to six shoots a week, daily editing, blogging, emails, late nights, and hours upon hours sitting at my computer.  My personal life was non-existent and my family was all but ignored.  My mental well being suffered–but I didn’t even know it at the time.  The move to Texas forced me to close down the business and start all over–in every aspect of my life.  I needed to reconnect with my husband, be a real mom to my boys, make new friends, start seeing and valuing the important things in life. 

Not that the business I’ve built from the ground up isn’t important.  It’s my labor of love,  my artistic expression, my true passion.  It’s just what I do and what I love, and it truly fills my heart to make others happy with something I’ve envisioned and produced.  But when I look back to October and November of 2009, the business was a thief.  It stole my passion, my family, my life. 

I’m in such a better place now.  I’ve literally backed away from the computer, the blog, and even the camera.  I bought a little point & shoot camera and have tried to focus on capturing our everyday life–not worrying about getting the perfect photo or the editing I could do to make them better.  Just capturing life as it is.  It’s been freeing.

With all that said, spring is upon us, I’ve had a refreshing break, and now I really am passionate about my photography again.  I know…it probably sounded like I was giving it all up, huh?  No way.  I love this job.  I love my clients.  I love making people happy.  I just need to remember to make myself happy along the way. 

So, look for some upcoming blog promotions and help me get Kelly Holder Photography out there to my new Texas friends!!  Feel free to subscribe to the blog (up at the top) and even become a Facebook Fan!

In the meantime, here’s what my crazy family has been up to since moving to Texas:  grizzly man beard shaving, 5 year old soccer, a Texas snow day, new friends, cave exploring, hot tubbing, a trip to San Antonio, and trampoline jumping. 

I hope you enjoy watching  it as much as I have living it.   And feel free to leave me some comment love so I know someone is still out there tuning in to my sad little neglected blog. 

It was an exhausting, stressful, and crazy end to 2009 and quite frankly, I’m glad that year is over.  We had three years in our home state of Kansas and we thoroughly enjoyed being so close to family and old friends, however I do believe I’m ready for the next adventure.  

Being a military family and moving so much, we tend to categorize each duty station by the big events of our time there.  Here are some of the memoriable events of 2007, 2008, and 2009 at Ft. Leavenworth:

• –starting my business, Kelly Holder Photography, and watching it grow into something bigger than I could have ever imagined
• –Jake attending 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades at an wonderful school on post with amazing teachers
• –Jake playing his first year of intense tackle football
• –Cody growing from a 2 1/2 year old in a crib to a soccer playing kindergartener
• –the adoption of Fresco, the adorable long legged pound pup, the eventual sad return, and the happy ending with his new family
• –the purchase of our new puppy Remy, and all the trials & tribulations…and joy of having a new puppy
• –Jason graduating his master’s program with an MBA
• –getting reaquainted with old high school and college friend who live in Kansas City
• –networking with some amazing KC photographers who’ve now become great friends
• –traveling to Atlanta and Germany to shoot weddings
• –traveling to DC, Maryland, and North Carolina for week-long client shoots
• –traveling to Branson, Bald Head Island, North Carolina, and Las Vegas for workshops and conventions

I will look back on Leavenworth, Kansas with fondness–glad to have been there, but ready for my next life!  Texas is already treating us well.  We adore our new house and neighborhood.  The boys love their school and teachers.  I’ve become fast friends with some amazing ladies who are just “my kind of people”.  So far, so good.  I’m sure once Jason starts back to work next week in the “real army”, it will get crazy and hectic again, but there’s so much to look forward to…and I’m going to embrace that.

After a month off, I’m also ready to embrace shooting and working again.  My eyes have missed viewing life through the lens as I haven’t even picked up my camera once.  I did purchase a great little point and shoot camera since one of my 2010 goals is to take more candids of the boys and just life in general.  No more excuses that my camera is too big. 

Kelly Holder Photography “Texas Style” will be taking clients very soon.  I purchased a new website, office furniture, and desktop computer and will be working on getting all of that set up next week.  I still need to explore the area to find my shooting locations, but hope to take clients in February.  Check back to the blog for some fun incentives and promotions I’ll be running.  And if you are a friend, client, or stranger–please spread the word that KHP has moved and will soon be booking sessions!  There may even be a little something in it for you!

Late this fall, my good friend Julie Lackey shot a few family pics for our Christmas card.  Since a post just isn’t a post without a pic, I’ll share a few.

Wishing you fun and laughter in 2010!

It’s Monday and therefore, the official end to my vacation.  I’m not complaining though, it was a good one and I’m ready to get back to some sort of routine.  With the boys starting school in a month and the KHP photo session calendar filling so fast, it seems that fall is right around the corner.  Can you believe it?

Speaking of the calendar, PLEASE email me soon if you’re planning on a fall photo session–newborn, child, family, or high school senior!  I have just a few weekend slots available for the rest of 2009 and since we’re moving right after the Christmas holiday, I won’t be shooting any sessions after November 13th.  Also, I’m offering KHP gift cards in any amount–the perfect gift for anyone you’d like to refer to KHP!

I’d planned to blog some images from our Florida vacation, but am already too swamped.  I did however put together a slideshow of snapshots that I’ll share here.  Our vacation included a trip to Destin, Florida to enjoy the beach and then to Orlando to stay with Jason’s brother, Jeremy, and his family.  Of course we took advantage of the sweet deal Disney was offering for military families and hit all the Disney parks in the five days we were there! 

Just a few things I feel I must say before the slideshow:

#1)  Cody and Jake have adopted new smiles–identical imitations of the Indiana Jones Lego character–and as hilarious as they are, I love them. 

#2)  Yes, I know there are way too many photos of the castle at night–but keep in mind, you are only seeing about a third of them.  I have a little obsession with the darn magical castle

#3)  The Indiana Jones stunt show was Cody’s main priority.  Because of a torrential downpour and lightening the area, they only did half the show both times we went.  Thankfully, he was able to see the big boulder stunt the 2nd time–and Jason was chosen to be an extra in the show (that’s him on the far left).

Okay, here we go…enjoy!