{ Keels Photography }

Moving

2009-12-14T18:45:00.000-08:00

First, I'm breaking the silence after a long over due
blog draught. The business of busy-ness has crept in from all sides
and it seems that we are on the brink and in some areas breakthrough into
all kinds of newness. One thing new, our brand new blog. It's a bit fancier, bells, whistles, fog horns ect..
but it will still be written with the same heart and love for what we do with the sharing of all of God's sweet blessings
along the way. Second I'm more than sorta sad to see it change, I'm chronically sentimental and there has been a lot of life shared in these post. So, (probably more for me than for you) I'm going have a link on the new blog to this blog so we always can take a peak and see where the last 3 years went. My sincere gratitude for all of you that have stopped by from time to time, I look forward to seeing you at the new diggs, www.keelsphotographyblog.com
Onward and upward

C

Chance

2009-09-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

In my humble opinion, the art of photography is best produced when there is nothing in the way between the eye, the heart, the subject and the inspiration. Kinda like a golf swing, the best ones come with little thought, just a relaxed reaction, no analysis, just swing. It’s the analysis for me that creeps in at times, interrupting the calm for the litany of details, concerns and questions, such as,“ is this the right lens, am I too wide, too long, flash, no flash, drag the shutter, white balance, ISO, bounce, hard light, where’s the light. The short hand that photographers speak speed through my mind as bride and groom meet for the first time or have their first dance, embrace their parents, love their friends; a thousand moments and a thousands choices. It’s at this time when the anxiety has built and rush of the day has peaked that I take a deep breath and pray, “show me God how to best bless them, direct my eye, be the best in me.” Some would say that the photography of capturing genuine moments is something left to chance, I would say it’s taking the chance. Faith is the key. With all that said here are some images from Erin & Ryan.
Their wedding was a beautiful blend of glamour, fun and a little funk, thank you both and God Bless.

C

Best

2009-09-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

Varun & Sara bring out the absolute best
in each other and in turn brought out the best in me.
They're beauty together compelled passers by to comment
as we toured German Village. Fun, laughter was had by all.
Thank you both for the privilege.

ALEX IS A STAR

2009-09-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

I have had some fantastic senior sessions lately
and the one with Alex was no different. The shoot was so much
fun, I think I was a little sad when it was over. Alex has that outside to inside type of beauty
as well being fiercely intelligent and thoroughly hilarious, we were all charmed to say the least.
Alex, you're a star

Carter

2009-08-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

I found this image and loved it. I've been photographing Carter
now for almost six years. She has such a transparent quality, never
a young lady for pretense or staid posing, just her free spirit, her freckles and of course
her beautiful amber hair.

Movement

2009-08-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

This is Susie, she's a dancer, writer and over all serene soul
that has blessed our church with her presence over the past 4 years.
She's about to embark on a new path the leads through dance school.
These images are a send off of sorts as well as an expression of her expressions through
dance and movement. Thank you Susie for your wonderful openness and sharing of your dream.
God Bless every step of your journey.

C

Sunshine

2009-08-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

It was to be an outdoor wedding, months in the planning with the location being
at the house where Megan grew up. Our hearts sank as a cliff sized storm of thick gray clouds
paced with us as we drove into Youngstown. It was looking to arrive just in time for the ceremony. We said a prayer
and believed for the best and arrived to a blissful & calm Megan with not a word said of the impending thunder storm. We followed her lead and began to capture the moments as she and Peter embraced them.
Peace flowed and the storm, well, took a detour. The beauty and connection of Megan with Peter
brought tears to the eyes of all, including me. I witnessed, first hand, the wonder of the promise that becomes
a lifetime of marriage. God bless you both, we will always be grateful for you in our lives.

C

Lifted

2009-07-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

Chris & Jessica are simply a joy to be around.
Even on a 90+ degree June day their smiles and excitement
never wilted as well as their ever apparent love for each other.
I left their wedding energized and lifted, grateful to God for the connection
made between us. Jessica and Chris I look forward to seeing your story unfold.
Thank you so much.

C

David & Lorraine Part Deux

2009-07-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

As I was looking through
these images they reminded me of a poem
I've read (not written, I wouldn't do that to you)
Anyways, a poem or line rather that I've always liked but have long forgotten until
today. So David and Lorraine thank you for coming into our lives
and sharing your moments, this is for you.

"this world that lovers know they will soon discover,
he will give his heart to her and never cease to love her"

Lord Byron ( I think)

The Artist

2009-06-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

My friend Drew is one of the best people I know.
He's more a listener than a talker, man of
inner strength with a quiver of talents all wrapped
in gentle humility. Drew's passion, in addition to his wife Candis,
is painting landscapes (drewjonesart.blogspot.com). Wide open spaces,
sublime and remote low lying skyscapes are what he's into at the moment. So when
I asked to take is portrait in his inspiration he was enthusiastically in.
So in the midst of swarming bugs and quickly fading light he was a
complete gentlemen. So here's to you Drew and your destiny of greatness.

New Beginnings

2009-05-28T14:53:00.001-07:00

Dave and Lorraine invited me out to their brand new home for their engagement session.
It was a home that was mostly empty but soon to be full of memories in the making.
As it turned out is was a wonderful backdrop to their wonderful connection.
Thank you both for the privilege.

Sara & Tucker

2009-05-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

You just never know who's going to drop by the studio.
Sara's visit was an adorable surprise today as she shared her newest addition Tucker.
We were smitten to say the least and so I gave him the proper photographic initiation ( I couldn't help myself). We had the pleasure of photographing Sara's wedding last summer and it's so
great that we have clients that just stop by to say hi,catch us up to their lives,
bring in their kids and or pooches.
What a wonderful job I have.
Thanks Sara for taking the time, stop by any time!

Tricia's Favorites Feed the Hungry

2009-05-05T08:45:00.001-07:00

So we have all these portrait sessions that I want to share with you, but they are not quite put to bed so I will wait until next month. So this month I thought I would go back through our 2008 weddings and pick a favorite from each one. I was a bit overwhelmed after I made my decision. Each wedding has so many great photographs and how could I possibly pick just one ... and how could I possibly know what my favorite is without hours of analyzation. But then, as with everything, I just started. And when I opened up each wedding folder, I instantly knew the photography I was looking for. There was always a moment or photo that I clearly remembered and wanted to find. It was actually quite simple in the end.

And that's another reason I love what we do. A photo has so much power to take you right back to the time and place when it was taken. Even an out-of-focus, poor-lighting, terrible-composition photo. Lucky for everyone involved, Keels Photography doesn't take that kind. But they are powerful nonetheless. And I love that we beautifully document moments in people's lives. And these photos will instantly take them back and help them remember and honor something they might not have remembered without the visual to guide them. So remember and enjoy.

All my favorites are available in a 5x7 for only $15. And all of the proceeds go toward buying livestock for families in rural Asia. Today Keels Photography bought its first goat thanks to last month's favorites. Now there is a moment I would like to photograph. Seeing a family in need receive a gift that will help feed them for years to come.

Call us at 487-8035 if you would like to order or would like to learn more about our Favorites to Feed the Hungry initiative.

Thanks.

Faith & Talia

2009-05-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

I don't think that I quite got their names straight,
identical twins and all but the two gave me much
grace. We had plenty of laughs as we romped and rolled around the studio.
thank you girls for all the cheerios and the work out.

Confidence

2009-04-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

my nephew, David was gracious enough to be my subject
for a self assignment idea. "what do you want me to do" he said
"Shoot some hoops" I told him, knowing that would give me that intense confidence
that I wanted from him. One thing about David is that he has heart and gives %100 most of the time
and when it's basketball %100 all the time. My boys have quite a role model in him.
So David, "cast not away your confidence for it brings much reward".
Onward and upward young man.

Timeless

2009-04-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

What I love about photography is it’s ability convey a time, place and an emotional connection; a historical narrative, one second describing many. But then there are photographic opportunities that don’t immediately connect to a time, where there is a magical displacement that occurs and an entire new world is seemingly created. The shoot with Megan and Peter was one of those times. They invited me into their world and give me the tour. We talked and photographed and laughed. They shared with me their stories and steps to marriage, their relationship to each other and how it’s rooted in God and the love of Jesus Christ. It was a fulfilling experience that I will not soon forget.
Thank you Peter and Megan for all the beauty, it was a gift to be able to record it.

Volkswagen baby!

2009-04-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

I am a huge Volkswagen fan. So when my friend told me that Volkswagen came out with a mini-van, my response was, "We have to have another child so I can get one!" Turns out they did a whole marketing campaign based on that premise.

Well, these baby announcements are going to do the same thing to some of you. Since, April is Baby month at Keels Photography we have been creating and launching some priceless new Baby products. Candis has designed some beautiful baby announcements that you will not only want to send to friends and family, but also frame I suspect. They display your baby's first photo shoot at Keels Photography and provide room to put some heartfelt words to this beautiful moment in your lives. So if you are pregnant (or know someone who is) come to us. If you're not pregnant, think about getting pregnant. You could get these awesome announcement AND a Volkswagen mini-van.

And yes, I think Candis is now the front runner for employee of the year 2009.

Long Black Limousine

2009-04-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

That was my entrance song today. It’s by Patti Griffin (yes, I am a fan). It can seem a bit serious or heavy for an entrance song. But it’s excellent. Especially loud in the car.

I see a lot of limousines at weddings. They are always grand and unlike the one in the song they can be a bit untraditional. You’ve all seen the Hummer limousines right? For a girl born on Earth Day, those are a bit hard on the spirit. Either way, they carry wonderfully joyous people from church to … well usually somewhere to take beautiful portraits with Chris … and then to the reception. When you see them on the street alone, you know it’s for something fun. When you see them in a procession, you know it is for something sad.

The limousine in this song is for the other end of marriage. When the couple parts because of the circle of life (yes, we have been reading the Lion King). And although her words are about how she feels now that her husband is gone, I find words that remind me how to live while my husband and I are still here. Lyrics like …

“There’s nothing left at the end of being proud.”

or

“Forty years go by with someone laying in your bed. Forty years of saying things you wish you never said. How hard would it have been to say some kinder words instead? I wonder as I stare at the sky turning red.”

Not to hit you super hard with the “life is short” message on a Monday ... but it is. Download this song and you will be catapulted into the precious moment that is today. Say some kinder words if you can. I should probably go and get on the phone!

Tricia's favorites can feed the hungry - a new monthly column

2009-03-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

I get to see a lot of amazing photographs come through here. Usually when I see one I love my first reaction is ‘Did I take that?’ The answer is usually, ‘No, you weren’t even there.’ Dare to dream though. My second reaction is ‘I need them to have that.’

Now usually the ones I love are not necessarily the ones that get picked out. I have been told I like odd things before. Once in a bar in Chicago, I had a guy walk all the way across the crowded room just to tell me that I was wearing the ugliest shirt he had ever seen. Hopefully this won’t be like that. I just want to share some of our work with you that really makes me feel privileged to work with Chris and to have such a great list of clients.

Now here’s the part about feeding the hungry. When you see your photo, if you love it just like I do, we want to give you the opportunity to purchase a 5x7 for only $15. All of that $15 will go toward buying livestock for families in rural Asia. I love the idea of teaching a man to fish. And this program provides livestock and education to families so they can build a future and help themselves. (www.gfa.org). To order just call us at 487-8035 and tell us you are one of the favorites.

No matter what our religion, I think we can all agree that feeding the hungry is the right thing to do. And why not put up a beautiful photo of you and your loved ones while you are doing it? You will be blessed and so will they.

These are my first few. If you, like the guy in Chicago, want to give me some feedback, I would love it. Maybe a bit kinder than his approach. That way, I won’t make you buy me a drink. Hee Hee.

Tricia Keels

*Please do not ask me to change my favorites. This is just what I like.

Epiphany

2009-03-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

about ten years ago I said to a friend wouldn't it be
great if I could make a living photographing children
and do it a way that was natural, beautiful and said something
about who the really were. that conversation went through my head this morning
and it occurred to me that the wish/prayer I made is coming to pass. I thank God for that
and for every person that has given me the chance to record a time in their lives.
So here is Brody, a wonderful boy with a big light to shine.

Back home

2009-03-03T09:06:00.000-08:00

My stay in Santa Fe once again did not disappoint
and Joe McNally's class was an intense creative week where I
discovered so much about myself. That said returning to my beautiful
soundly sleeping boys and my amazing wife was the perfect completion
of the fantastic journey. Thank you Tricia, Atticus and Adam for this gift.

I have included to some images of the class. They are reminders and summations
of all I have learned.

Enjoy

Me

2009-02-28T13:39:00.000-08:00

Two of my favorites courtesy of the great Joe McNally.
much appreciated Joe

Joe McNally

2009-02-28T05:39:00.000-08:00

For the last 6 days I've been in Santa Fe NM taking a location lighting course with the venerable
Joe McNally(www.joemcnally.com). I had the pleasure assisting with Joe for Sports Illustrated almost 2 years ago and knew
that I had to take this guys class at some point. Well that point has come and the class has been challenging to say the
least, Joe is tuff and doesn't let much slide. He is competent to the core and with 25 years of being one of the best photographers in the world he is willing to share all he knows which has been a treasure. That said he's probably one of the goofiest, most funny people I have ever met and has reminded me that confidence and excellence should never rule out
having a great time with what you do and laughing as much as you can along the way.
Thanks for everything Joe you have shown me a few more pieces to this puzzle and I'm grateful.

images form Santa fe and the class soon to come!

Life is hard but God is good.

2009-02-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

God bless you Lia as he continues to set
your feet upon rock.

more to come

Theme Song

2009-01-19T10:06:00.001-08:00

I once read of a girl who starts her day off at work with a theme song. She described it like the entrance song to a wedding reception where the bride and groom enter in all their glory to start the celebration. (P.S. I hear a lot of these songs and by far the most interesting and truthful one was 'It's the end of the World as we know it' by REM.) I gave it a shot today by listening to Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin. Have you heard this song? It's awesome and soothing and truthful, as I wish everything was. As I am driving on 670W and singing at the top of my lungs as though I am in concert, it brought to mind a photograph that Chris (my husband … just in case we haven't met yet, I'm Tricia Keels.) took on a retreat. I love this photograph because it has so much potential for reading into it. So I am picturing the photo and singing at the top of my lungs (wishing I had my cowgirl hat on) and at the end of the song I realize heavenly days come in all shapes and sizes. As the fog lifts and the sun comes out, will I run to the end of the dock and jump off into the unknown temperature of the water or will I walk to the end and just dangle my feet in for awhile (while reading a book with my cowgirl hat on). Either way, the song can apply. Every day has the potential for heavenly moments. I truly believe this and it is most of the reason I get up.

I suspect this theme song will be replaced by another when the mood strikes. But this is it for now. So download the song, sit back and listen and take in this photograph.

And then let me know. what is your theme song right now? I will try to match one of our photos with it.

thanks for reading.

Tricia Keels

"The day is here"

2009-01-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

Lydia and Michael's wedding was the last of 2008
and what a great one to end on. Lydia's loving spirit
and smile you could see form space permeated every moment
and Michael's kindness and contagious peace warmed everyone.
Together they are like lock and key, meant for each other.
They truly shared every moment from spontaneous, bagpipe inspired
dancing to enduring the cold and indulging this photographer's request for
"just one more, ok may be two more shots"
thank you so much Lydia and Michael,

God Bless

Wonderland

2009-01-07T13:56:00.000-08:00

We had only met Brittny and Sean
the day before their wedding but it wasn't long before we could see that though continents originally
separated them, he in Ireland and she here in the states, that their love was meant to be. With Indiana's Notre Dame
as the backdrop of this amazing day and we watched as families of two countries celebrated, laughed and cried,
connected by the love of these two wonderful people.
Thank you Brittny and Sean for all your hospitality and the story you shared.
God Bless you both.

C

Explore

2008-12-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

So I've had high hopes of
taking a photo walk about while on Christmas vacation
and as of yet I haven't gotten further than my back yard;
sometimes thats far enough.
This is the little collection that came from it

Kathryn & River

2008-12-22T08:17:00.000-08:00

I stumbled onto this image this morning and just had to share.
Kathryn or Katy as she is better known is the lovely mother
of my fabulous aunt Rhonda, my father's brother's wife just to be clear.
River is the son of my good friends Christopher and April Sunami,
son and daughter in law of my revered mentor and former employer
John Sunami. All the degrees of connection elaborated are just to show
the reach and connections of friends and family and how often
those line are wonderfully blurred.

Fall

2008-11-19T12:31:00.000-08:00

As fall looks more and more like winter these days I thought
I'd share one of my favorite images from the season. My fine young son labored for an hour without
complaint as we raked leaves to an impressive peak. He was happily rewarded (and me too) with big jumps
into the center and later some hot cocoa from his mom. What a boy God has blessed me with.
Thank you once again Atticus

Yes We Can

2008-11-04T21:28:00.000-08:00

I have been a soldier for this country;
marched, stood at attention, slept in fox holes
and saluted our flag with tears of pride in my eyes.
But I have never felt more proud to be an American
than tonight. Congratulations Barack Obama,
history is in the making.

God Bless America

Presenting...

2008-10-28T19:24:00.000-07:00

...Cale. This guy was eager to meet the world, 2 weeks early to the pleasant surprise of all.
Welcome to the world little one, you have made it more beautiful to be sure. Congratulations
Jack & Kristen, you have one fine boy.

anticipation

2008-09-19T07:04:00.001-07:00

my son's have cruised right into the little boy stage.
All the baby has shed away making room for rockets, forts,
and exhaustive conversations of what goes out of them and into toilets.
To remember them as little balls in my wife's belly seems like decades ago.
The photos of that stage are precious to me and it brings perspective
of what a gift it is to have them and what a gift to me to give them to our clients.
Kristen and Jack were wonderful to work with. As much as they adore each other
I can only imagine how much they willl adore their son who will be here soon.
Thank you Kristin and Jack for all that you shared.

God Bless you all,

C

young ladies

2008-09-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

My good friend Chris Mosley gently mentioned last month that it had been some time since I have updated this blog.
So in response, I thought I'd get back on the horse. Things have been busy to say the least and have been blessed with
great people and great shoots. So here are some from the other day. Meet Gray, a beautiful, radiant yet centered 1yr old and Bethany, the gorgeous, talented and yet not self-absorbed 17r old. It was a my complete pleasure to have met you both. More to come, along with a little more about my friend Chris.

wedding dress

2008-07-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that we have been in business
going on seven years and we are just now doing
our first pre-wedding bridal sessions. Kim was a wonderful
introduction to the process. Her easy going nature was an excellent compliment
to my, at times, frentic excitment as I would shout, wait, stop thats perfect! don't move! now move!
and so on. I had a blast and she loved giving her dress a trial run before the big day.
Thank you Kim for the honor, you wedding was just as beautiful and we will be seeing it together soon.

God Bless,

Chris

a moment

2008-06-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

The most important thing I want to give
to our clients are their genuine moments back them,
where what they felt and experienced can be tangible to them again and again.

Rachel and Micah's wedding was a flurry of great
moments and each was a privilege to document.
Here's one of my favorites.

Thank you both and God Bless,

Chris

Fathers Day

2008-06-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

As a wedding photographer I have heard
many speeches from Fathers relating the
blink of the eye process in which their babies
transform seemingly overnight to adults. Even with
ample preparation of the redundant message of "it all
goes so quick" it isn't enough, it doesn't help, it doesn't slow
the transformation. The shirts and shoes that are suddenly too small
and don't fit are like highway warning signs for me saying :SLOW DOWN. TAKE THIS IN.
BE ALL HERE NOW. TOMORROW ISN"T PROMISED. CHILL.
thank you Atticus and Adam for trying not to grow up so fast
and teaching your ol Dad that there's nothing better than a belly laugh.
God bless you both.

C

beth & light

2008-06-08T18:48:00.000-07:00

2 weeks ago my photo mates and I went
to an outrageous location to photograph Beth.
We were graced with wonderful light starting pouring in and an
atmosphere of amber came enveloped us for about 30 minutes.
The thing I love about photography is that no matter how long you've been doing
it there is always new frontiers to find if you're looking.

Beth was a complete trooper as we hacked through brush
and scaled scaffolding to accomplish the vision.
Here are some of my visions

enjoy!

Sophie

2008-06-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

Meet Sophie the child that always smiles.
I can honestly say that I had only a small
part to play in the success of this shoot.
Sophie was so delightful we almost paid her
for the session.

It was great to meet both her and dad and partake
in the top secret mission to surprise Sophie's mom. Well executed!

thank you and God bless,

C

a blast

2008-05-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure who had the better time on the engagement shoot
of Theresa and Greg me or them. It was fun from the very first frame
and laughter was had by all.

Thank you both for sharing the love and and if course the glamour.

God Bless

Fulfilled

2008-04-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

it is something to be a part of day
where each moment is full, savored and experienced.
I watched Candis and Drew float through their day with contagious smiles that never tired, never succumbed to stress of the zillion details that can riddle a wedding. They invited us into their world and their hearts and by the end we were floating too.
God Bless you both and thank you for the privilege of being your friends.

C

The cobbler's kids …

2008-04-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

You know the saying, 'the cobbler's kids who had no shoes.' That's Chris and me (It's me … Tricia Keels writing). We photograph for a living but only have a handful of photos of the two of us together.

We met in a Starbucks (yes, it happens) on October 16, 2000 and were engaged four months later, hardly enough time to compile 'couple photos' for a wedding slide show. We were married on September 8, 2001 and we're off to Italy the next day. We took two photos of everything we saw, one with Chris and then one with me.

Next came our children. And who has time to photograph themselves when two little miracles are running around with the longest eyelashes you have ever seen.

This photo was taken by a guest at the last wedding we shot. It was fun to have someone turn their camera on us to snap our smiles. She was nice enough to send it to us and I am posting it here as proof that Chris and I are indeed in the same place at the same time in front of a lens … not behind it. Thank you to Jill Bolognone for your generosity in shooting it and sending it to us. (Could you please send us a release form so we can have it printed …. Hee hee.)

We began discussing our lack of photos the other day and decided to take more of those self-portraits. You know, the ones where you hold the camera out with the lens toward you, put your heads close together, hit the button and hope you are both in the frame. As we began trying it out, we realized our cameras weigh about one million pounds. And holding them out like that with one arm proved a bit challenging. I think its time to get a point and shoot.

all clear

2008-03-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

at last the email and website are restored.

anyone who wants me can reach me at chris@keelsphotography.com
two things I learned,
1. the world in fact does not end when I can't have access or be accessed by email.
2. once lesson one is completely embraced you sleep a lot better.

so here are a few glimpses of the amazing light of Santa Fe

technical difficulties

2008-03-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

well for the last 36 hours my website and email have been down. It has been a long road of communication
and confusion. Hosting companies and domiain registration blues, blah blah, who knew that one little niggle can throw the whole
thing out of wack. The upside is that I will know intimately what the inner working are that keep website and email a float.
Downside is that the light at the end of the tunnel is flickering and there isn't a determinate timeline, "but with God all things are possible". So if by some chance-you check this blog to see what's up and need to contact please call, 614 487 8035 or email at
cakeels@yahoo.com. I look forward to signaling the all clear, until then please say a prayer.

Coming Home

2008-03-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

hello all,

hard to believe that this time last week I was under a canopy of blue sky in Santa Fe.
I've come home to a snow storm and 18" of the white stuff. This image was the first taken when I got back;
my son Atticus sleeps deep like is mother and for all my attempts, it was nothing doing bringing him out of slumber.
What you can't see are the two card he made for me under his pillow.
I'm a blessed man.

c

Santa Fe

2008-02-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hello all, once again my sincere apologies for the lack of update on this blog.
For those who check this from time to time thank you for coming back and for those who are visiting for the first time welcome. It has been an exciting week for me; I’ve been in Santa Fe, NM taking the photography workshop “art & commerce” under the world famous advertising & documentary photographer Douglas Menuez. www.menuez.com. The experience has been nothing short of amazing and I believe life changing. The curriculum, the scenery and of course the amazing people I have met will long be laced into my soul. The workshops wraps in 2 days and already there are pangs of sadness but excitement to live out what I have learned here and create from the wash of inspiration from this wonderful experience. I have many new images and thoughts to share so stay tuned, the love will be spread in the coming days.

God Bless

Chris

Soul Man

2008-01-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

I want to introduce my good friend Jon Tillar.
He just recently finished producing his first album and it is in
the final stages of completion. It’s particularly exciting to me because
I am, after his wife and mom, his biggest fan, though I would suspect many would say that. Jon is such a true friend to so many people and to know him is a privilege.
Having said that Jon is one if the most humble people I've ever met - Jon could cure cancer and you would have to hear about it from someone else. This is not from false humility but because it is simple beyond him to be any other way. At his core he is a lover of God and all his creation and that’s what reflects in his music. I’m thrilled to say that a song from the album graces our website as I write this. It’s titled Ray and it is in my opinion one of the most beautiful songs that I’ve heard. Jon’s lovely wife Chrissy accompanies on this track and their voices together make one voice that heals your spirit. So here’s to you soul man, thank you for following you heart and making this music, the world is better place for it.

If you have thoughts to share about the music or would want more information when the Cd will be released and where to get it please feel free to post.

God Bless

ck

In motion

2007-12-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

It looks as if another blog draught has crept in,
my apologies for those who frequent here.
In the month and ½ of cyberspace silence I’ve been to
Houston TX for a commercial shoot, Tricia safely
returned from her writers workshop in Tuscany, where she found plenty of soul food
for her writing as well as amazing local fare for her belly.. Oh yeah, we've moved to a
wonderful house in Bexley, OH,( how do you like that for motion).
The boys love it and though change is, well change, it’s beginning
to feel like home. So lots going on and lots a great images of
our wonderful clients to share so stay tuned. To start here’s
Catherine and Jeff. You may have seen their engagement session
on this blog under “lost and found. ” Well the circle is complete and so are they.

Thank you so much Cathy and Jeff for your complete graciousness, love and beauty together.

God Bless

sons

2007-10-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

For the last ten days the boys and I have been on our own without Tricia.
She is currently in Tuscany Italy on an working organic farm attending a writers workshop that's running there.
For Tricia this is the perfect vacation.
We all have missed her terribly but take much comfort knowing what a fantastic time she's having.
Maybe she'll grace this blog with some highlights and insights from her trip, let's hope;
Tricia's a bit blog shy. Anyways, this has been a sweet time with my sons. They continue to amaze me
with sweet wonder and sheer will. Their mother makes it all look so easy in the day to day and I have
new respect and appreciattion for all that she does for us. Here are some images of the lads
for you my globe trotting wife, check out Atticus George Keels the one man band!

Yes

2007-10-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

I want very much to do this story justice so please bear with me if this goes on. About 2 month ago my good friend Drew approached with an idea. He wanted to know if I would be willing to photograph he and his lady Candis in what would be a pre-engagement session . He was actually taking me up on a suggestion that I had made to Candis a month earlier about photographing the two of them. The background was I had observed them one day in our church (we all go the same church) full of obvious love and adoration for one another; it was completely compelling and truly beautiful. So Drew was looking to make the shoot happen but with a twist, he was going to ask Candis to marry him at some point during the session. Background on Candis, not only do we go to church together but Candis also works at our studio as the best graphic designer in the city IMO not to mention Tricia and I both love her silly. Everyday coming to the studio was challenging because this was to be a complete surprise for her. Long story short it was a surprise; Drew planned well and managed to keep is head though is heart was about to blow up and Candis said yes again and again.
So what began with dancing turned to tears of joy and then dancing again!

Thank you Drew and Candis for allowing me the complete privilege of being apart of your engagement, it meant so much to be there.
God Bless you both… it seems that he has.

Northern Lights

2007-08-31T14:42:00.000-07:00

I had sometime to go with 3 other gentlemen (my uncle Rusty, cousin Hunter and friend Tim) on a canoe trip
to Quetico Canada. It is in my opinon some of the most beautiful
and unspoiled country to be found. Serene, quiet and soul cleansing
to be sure.

Enjoy

Romance

2007-07-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

Kristin and Patrick were like characters
from a Jane Austin novel.
He was her handsome and
considerate gentleman and she his beautiful
and cultivated lady.
It was great to be completely disregarded in the wake
of their obvious love for each other.

Thank you both for a wonderful day.

bling!

2007-07-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

When I first met Zeta and Jeff, I felt like a party had just arrived in my studio,
Seperatley they are both extermely engaging but together they are electrical.
They, as well as I, enjoyed every second of their day.

What fun

beaming

2007-07-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

Meegan has been blessed with this amazing smile and when she is with Bryan it's like sunshine.
They're both wonderful people and even better together.
God bless you both.

light

2007-07-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

these were all taken in about 15 minutes. there was this intense light
blasting through our house and everything took on just two tones.
Anyways at the end, I was like "that felt good!" It was always the exploration
as well as the challenge of light that made me keep showing up to my photo
classes in school. I would even dream about it. Light has this transformative power
to it, so much so it can even make even a toilet look inspirational, sorta.

honored

2007-07-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

Well sometimes the last thing you expect happens
and all you can do is go Thank You God! I guess honored is the word
to have received this sort of recognition epsecially so since there are
so many wonderfully talented photographers in this city.

I must give all credit though to God. If you know Tricia and I then you know
of the health issue we have faced over the last two years, a crazy spinal inflammation that put me on a cane and then to crutches over a span of 10 months.
(yes, by the grace of God I shot weddings on crutches) The challenges
were many and the mere fact that we are still in business is miraculous.
Recovering has been like a moving down a long road that only gradulaly gets
shorter but I am recovering!! The whole ordeal has showed me the power of hope and what it means to trust God.
So the good news is that I can now walk for miles, hold and carry my boys, take out the trash
and run around the block. LIfe is slowly coming back to normal and normal is a dream come true.
So to receive this "best of" accolade is just crazy cool and I'm so grateful.

So thank you to all who hoped and prayed for me, that told me not to give up
and picked me up when I was low, that gave me hope when all was depleated
and reminded me God uses all things for good.

Thank you Ken Pease for being the best friend a man could hav
as well the best photo assistant a photographer could ask for.

And Thank you Tricia, my beautiful lady, for believing, for holding our family
together and for loving me so well.

"I will be with you trouble,
I will deliver you and honor you,
with long life will I give you
and show you my salvation"

psalm 91:54'sh:)

Lost and Found

2007-06-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing Catherine and Jeff.
It was an intersting experience for me because as the session
progressed we talked less and less and I was noticed less and less.
I took no offense, in fact I would have it no other way. To see
to people get lost in the same moment and wander around in there
is something in itself, to have camera in hand, well let's just say
I was privileged to have been able to document so much beauty.
enjoy

favorite faces on the planet

2007-06-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here are my favorite faces on the planet. As a photographer there is this objectivity expressing a moment.
Taking the visual and hopefully giviing it context, taking on technical aspects with some sort of compentency and
last and most importantly hopefully giving the image some soul while expressing some of my own. That objectivity gets tossed out the window when I photograph my family. It all becomes reflex and sweet musing. It's just them on their own terms and me on mine. No objective other than to hold on to this time just a little longer.

here are the latest and greatest from the fam.

Moving forward

2007-06-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well I’m not going to prattle on about how long it has been since posting to this blog.
I’m just going to put my best foot forward, do my best keep this updated and hopefully create some momentum. Summertime translates to busy time here at Keels photography.
We have had wonderful portrait shoots, beautiful weddings, interesting commercial projects and studio remodeling to boot. We also would like to introduce our new office manager Patty Perkins. She’s a delight to our lives to say the least and brings charm and warmth to our client side services. We are blessed to have her. Stay tuned; tomorrow I’m posting some of my favorite images of late. Thanks for taking the time.

Grateful again!

2007-05-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

We recently got a copy of “The Knot 2007 Best of Weddings Pick” spring issue
and found out that we have been selected as one of six photographers for
best pick of Columbus OH. It's a huge honor to say the least and we are thrilled
to be apart of the awesome group that was selected as well finding out that actual brides
had the say in the selection process.
All the credit goes to God, because it
was him who made an impossible time possible.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"
Ephesians 3:20

the eyes have it

2007-04-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here's Ms Hallie! This was not a typical shoot. The longer the session went
the better the pictures got. I think I was shooting up until Hallie and Mom
walked out the door. What a beauty! The new site is about to debut sometime
next week, stay tuned. Also Keels Photography may have quite possibly found
our Interior Designer for the studio facelift. More on that soon.
I sincerely hope that you all are well.

God Bless until next time

Wow!

2007-04-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

Ok so much for new year resolutions and promises of consistently posting. If anyone is interested I haven’t lost those 15lbs yet (important word - yet)
Thanks to anyone who ever checks this blog for your patience and not completely writing this off.
A lot is happening at Keels Photography! First and most important we have had some great shoots
with some wonderful people lately. I'll be posting some of the best of this week. Second, we are putting
together and brand spanking new website with all kinds of new galleries and goodies. It's clean, elegant and simple
and will be online this month. Nothing against the old site, we are still going to use it hosting our
commercial and fine art work. Third we will be beginning a revamp of our studio. Our goal is to make it a space where
people won't want to leave. Fresh and inspirational with a little funk, curious? We'll be also posting the transformation
here on the blog. God is good. Thanks for reading!

Oh yea here is a snap of us in full wedding photographer garb on our way to rock the reception or have it rock us, something like that.

Chris

Gratitude

2007-01-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been more than a month since my last post. I’m not sure
how so much time passes so quickly with so little notice at times. It’s a condition
I’d like to do away with in the new year. That said, one of my resolutions
is to post much more often to this blog. I have no idea how many check this thing out but for the few or many that do hopefully there will be more shared.

Looking down the road at 2006, I am dizzy with speed that it’s come and gone.
The predominant feeling I have is gratitude. My wife Tricia, my sons Atticus and Adam, my family, my church, my friends, our clients have fully defined the word blessing to me and with my whole heart I thank God.

I thought I’d share Abigal & Alison Brown. I’ve been photographing them since they were a few months old. They are growing up beautifully.

Also congrats Chris and Emiy on your Adorable boy, Noah.

Miracles

2006-11-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

The beautiful thing about this job is that you get a birds eye view
of the succession of people lives. Take Barb and Chad; I’ve had the pleasure
watching their path roll out over the last year & 1/2 and it has been a great thing to see.
Through my lens I watched them wrapped in that crazy love that blocks
out everything but the moment they're sharing.
Through my lens I watched pass from two lives into one life, united,
steady in the love that commits to better and for worse and sickness and in health.
The love that lasts through choice, commitment and covenant.
And now through my lens I watched them today adore their son, fuss over him, chew on his toes and comfort his cries with soft voices reserved just for him.
What a blessing, God is good!
Thank you Barb ,Chad and little Chase for allowing me share in the miracle.

long time no blog

2006-11-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Well it's been quite awhile since the last entry and
to those who check out this blog from time to time, our apologies.
I promise to keep up from now on (Chris & Emily;)
Much is happening, I just returned home from a great
experience in Nashville TN where I provided photography
for the National Middle School Association's annual conference.
It was an amazing time and I once again am reminded that there are
few higher callings than that of an educator. God Bless them!
I looks like we are in for a great time this Friday night, our studio is having
an open house for all of our clients. My very good friend Jon Tillar has joined us in the space where he will run is framing workshop (www.colorcustomframing.com) out of the back area of the studio.
His space is looking super cool and I am thrilled to be working more closely with him.
So if you're not doing anything this Friday please come on by.
The address is 1628 W. 1st ave. Columbus OH 43212 anytime between 7-10pm.

"it's all about love baby, it's all about love"

2006-09-13T12:28:00.001-07:00

I think the hardest thing about this job
is being present in the moment. As a photographer
I'm trying to anticipate, particiapate and not participate
all at the same time. It can be a delicate balancing act
of seeing and timing. Sometime, actually a lot of times,
God reminds me to just be still and trust in love. It may sound cheesy,
in fact I know it does, but man is it powerful to behold.
A friend said to me once, "it's all about love baby, it's all about love"
It's true, on every level. With that I give you Kara and Steve being all about love .

meet Mimi

2006-09-07T06:21:00.000-07:00

I had the complete pleasure of photographing this beautiful little girl. As you can see I initially had to earn her trust. She didn't go for my patented goofiness and seemed to want higher brow conversation. I did the best I could and she was gracious with me.

Catching Up

2006-08-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Meet Jack and Kyle.
There is no end to the energy of 3 year old twins;
they never stopped moving and never stopped smiling!
Thank you Carlin family for the pleasure!

It's been sometime since our last post. The studio has been busy and family just as busy.
We are all having fun though. Congrats to Tricia Keels for making Bludomain's photograph of the day!
www.bludomain.typepad.com/blus_daily_blog/
God is good!

sisters

2006-08-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

There is something about sisters that intrigues me.
Laughter, adoration, deadly frank observations about hair,
eyeliner, the fit of jeans, glares and affirmations and all within
the minute it took to make this photograph.
Wondrous, magical stuff to be sure.

spirit

2006-08-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

I've spent most the day processing the most wonderful wedding.
I came across this shot and thought I'de share. This little girl
never stopped moving, I'm amazed this is even sharp.
Everyone had a blast but I think with the exception of the bride
she may have had the best time.

mondays

2006-08-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

Every Monday morning the family makes a trip to the garden.
It's usually preceded by a trip to Starbucks for short coffees and
organic vanilla milks for the lads. Anyways it is always fun
often picturesque.
Here are the boys, we love them.

Got blessed

2006-07-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Tricia and I had the complete privilege of photographing Danielle and Andrew's wedding last night. It was
super hot July day but joy permeated every nook, crany and smile. Everyone was so kind to us and complimentary. It was cool and we were reminded one again why we love what we do.