So, it's been some time since we've posted a blog, here at Audrey kelleR phoTography. The past few months have been quite hectic with moving the business into a new Studio Loft, here on the North side of Chicago in the Andersonville neighborhood.

The Studio is gorgeous, and proves to be a great addition to the Audrey kelleR phoTography name. With exposed brick, 9' tall windows facing West, and a 14' high ceiling, the space itself has allowed a flood of natural light to lay over each client when doing photo shoots. The building itself is a modern commercial building that bosts an industrial urban feel. We've tried our best to continue that feeling within the Studio by installing quarter-inch conduit as our curtain rods over the windows. The Studio has been a great joy for everyone here at Audrey kelleR phoTography, and we look forward to hosting a "just moved in" party later this fall for our Clients, family and friends. A save-the-date notice will be sent to our email list within the next month, so please, if you are not on our list, go to the website and join!

Lastly, we would like to take the opportunity to welcome three new employees to the Studio! Because of our clients, and word-of-mouth, the need for additional employees made itself known over the past few months. So, we officially welcome Kathy, Wil and Janette to the Audrey kelleR phoTography family. They are all working hard to help the Studio grow, and their efforts are much appreciated!

With all that said, please take a moment to look at the Studio photos posted. We are very excited about this expansion, and hope to share that excitement with our clients.

Be sure to check the blog in the upcoming weeks, as photos from our favorite photo shoots of the summer will be presented. One of which was an amazing day we shared with Baby Lucas, who is halfway through his Sweet Pea Portrait Program (a unique year-long program that documents a newborns growth over the first year of his/her life)!

Thanks so much for checking in, and we look forward to updated you in the future!

Fountain Square Art Festival

I finally have made my debut to art festivals in Chicago! Attending several art fairs year after year I have always wanted to have my own tent with my art work. What a great way to get my name out there to people I wouldn't reach through the current form of advertising, mainly word of mouth.

I applied to the two best and most prestigious art fairs in the area, to my surprise I was accepted at one of them. From what I was told by the other artists there, it was pretty amazing that Fountain Square was the first art fair I got into. I guess there are so many artists who try to get in and cannot. So that was exciting!

I found the festival to be quite different then exhibiting in galleries, as I have done for many years around the city. First of all the presentation of the art work is defiantly downgraded. I saw many photographers displaying and selling their work in cardboard mats! UGG! This will destroy the art work fast. I also found out that this is why a lot of the photographers have their stuff priced so low. Cardboard is MUCH cheaper then museum archival rag mat board. I decided regardless of what a lot of other artists are doing, I will still continue to use acid-free and archival materials with my photographs. This keeps me priced a little above the masses, but you get what you pay for.

Secondly, weather has a large contribution to an art fest. Yes, it was warm and sunny. Perfect weather I thought. But the wind was the real problem. Eleven artists lost their tents at the show and had to leave early with no tent and damaged art work. Luckily I was warned by my friend and client, Melissa Banks (http://www.raptinmaille.com) to weigh down my tent with 40lbs per leg; which I did. Although, I did lose one piece of art work. One of my favorites was blown off an easel and shattered. It was an old window with the original glass, no longer in tact and irreplaceable. But the good news, I sold my favorite and most expensive work of art. YAHOO

Having only one negative thing from the whole weekend I look at this as a success and will continue to apply for the art festivals in the future! Keep posted for announcements for upcoming shows! Heres an image of my booth and the piece that was sold titled "Enchantment"

Baby Tavin is Born!

I had the privilege of being at the hospital as baby Tavin was born.  Very soon after his birth I was able to take these very special photos of Tavin and his new first time Father, Jared.  

I recently did a photo shoot for a Chicago model named Jason Cates. A wonderful stylist named Beth Berlin worked on this shoot with me. She was able to assist me with coordinating Jason's wardrobe and all the misc. details to ensure that he felt as comfortable as possible. Jason was thrilled with the final shots from the photo session. Here a few of my favorites:

Julie and Scott's Wedding

I couldn't ask for a better couple to launch me back into wedding season.  Julie and Scott were a delight to work with and they had such great style!! Her hair was done by Michele of Hair Party and the venue was A New Leaf in Chicago.  

Syleena and Kiwane-Grammy-Nominated R&B artist

I received a call from Kiwane the other day and went back to look at these maternity shots.  They were taken a while back but I had to share them now.  I forgot how great these turned out!  I love the results of the material in front of her, what an amazing painterly look that you just cant get with digital enhancement.  The women is Syleena Johnson, CEO and R&B artist of Aneelys Records.  This grammy-nominated artist just released a her new album  in South Africa!  Check her out!  http://www.myspace.com/syleenajohnson

Many of you know that I love animals, and one of my favorite types of shoot to do is of animal portraits. This is Tex. He's a no-nonsense kind of guy that just loves to be loved. This session could have lasted all day, if it were up to him; he loved the camera! So, here a few of my favorite shots from the shoot.