“Michelle Kersey is a Portrait Photographer. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative photography in Louisville, KY. You can read the original blog post here Baby Taylor | Newborn Portraits Louisville, KY.”

“Michelle Kersey is a Portrait Photographer. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative photography in Louisville, KY. You can read the original blog post here Baby Dylan | Lifestyle Newborn Portraits Louisville, KY.”

“Michelle Kersey is a Portrait Photographer. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative photography in Louisville, KY. You can read the original blog post here K. Newborn Portraits | Louisville, KY Photographer.”

“Michelle Kersey is a Portrait Photographer. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative photography in Louisville, KY. You can read the original blog post here M. Newborn Portraits | Louisville, KY Photography.”

I’ve had some WONDERFUL sessions though, which I can’t wait to share with you all over the next few weeks as I catch my breath. I realized tonight that I still haven’t posted this session from last month, the follow up to this Maternity Session. It was such a relaxed session, I swear little miss didn’t cry the whole time I was there! I seriously love lifestyle sessions for how relaxed they are. Especially when I can catch some in-between moments, like feedings, changing, etc. But, most of all, I love capturing the real expressions and interactions.

I am still incredibly in love with this little girls nursery. (You can see more details of it in the Maternity blog post) She was such a tiny little thing, all the newborn clothing just swallowed her! She has a sweet big sister, that wanted to read books while her baby sister had a bottle, so she popped herself onto one of the stools and read to us all. Just the cutest little girl. She also was thrilled when baby sistor held onto her fingers (yes, I misspelled sister on purpose, mom will get it ) . *melt* I can tell these two are going to be inseparable pretty soon.

“Michelle Kersey is a Portrait Photographer. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative photography in Louisville, KY. You can read the original blog post here A. Newborn | Lifestyle Newborn Louisville, KY Photographer.”

I’m so very happy to announce that I’ve been chosen to be a volunteer photographer for Red Thread Sessions! This is an organization that  allows adoptive families to a free session fee with one of their volunteer photographers. Adoption is so difficult for everyone involved, emotionally and financially, so I’m thrilled to be a part of an organization that is helping with both of those difficulties.

I have known a few families that have adopted, including one of my cousins. But, most recently, a wonderful friend of mine has gone through adoption after not being able to have children biologically. I have cried many times for her, and with her, through the past couple years of this process. It’s really hard to describe the ups and downs that come with adoption, but the best up there can be is when the adoption is finalized. I have felt so blessed to be a part of my friends journey and to photograph her new little bundle of joy. I cannot wait to give more families beautiful memories of their recent adoption too!

Why  the name “Red Thread” Sessions?

The Ancient Chinese Proverb is a commonly-used saying within the adoption community. It symbolizes the bond that all adoptive children have with their adoptive parents, even before they meet. An invisible “red thread” connects them to the people they are destined to meet. Although this Proverb truly relates to all people, it has a particularly strong connection to adoptive families and seemed like the perfect name for this organization.

For more details on Red Thread Sessions, visit their website or contact me!  If you know anyone that has adopted or is going through the process, pass along this info to them!

“Michelle Kersey is a Portrait Photographer. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative photography in Louisville, KY. You can read the original blog post here Red Thread Sessions Family Photographer | Louisville, KY.”

This year has been such a blessing. Last year, I started back on a passion that has been within me for longer than I can recall. Photography has always been a part of my life. My parents took many photos during my childhood and I truly started my photography journey to take better pictures of my kids… and then I got on a train that just took off. I have dedicated myself for quite some time to learning all that I can. Many, many late nights on the computer learning. Many hours behind my camera practicing. I have so much more to learn and so many goals I wish to accomplish next year. I hope to keep improving and growing as much as I have in the past year.

I’d like to give a big “Thank you” to all of you that have entrusted me to document moments in your life in 2011. I hope to see you again in front of my camera next year!

So, without further adieu, here are some of my favorite images from 2011. I hope to photograph you and yours in 2012! Have a Happy New Year!

“Michelle Kersey is a Portrait Photographer. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative photography in Louisville, KY. You can read the original blog post here 2011 In Photographs.”

Well, today I set up my studio for a session tomorrow and I decided it was finally time for a new family portrait. My last one was taken when my daughter was around a month old…. She’ll be 1 Saturday. (Whoa.) While my husband complained about doing the pictures this instant (what man wouldn’t) I persuaded forced him to do it.

I started going from closet to closet trying to find something. All the while yelling speaking loudly to my husband to get off the Xbox 360 and come help. (Do you think he turned off the game? Of course not… Men.)

Here’s how the hunt for a coordinating, but not totally matching, outfits went down:

My son’s wardrobe is pretty limited, he wears pajamas all day and play clothes when we’re out. But, I had just found a pair of plaid shorts from last year that would still fit him. Oh wait… the only matching shirt (also from last year) is way too short. So, I kept searching through his closet, and I found a couple polo’s. There was a green one I liked, so I took it and went to my daughters dresser. Crud. There was nothing that looked good with it. Then, like the shining sun, I saw my daughters bright yellow capris! Score! I just saw a yellow and white striped polo in my sons closet! Add the only “nice” shorts my son has (Khaki) and a white top for my daughter and they’re done!

Whew! Now I have to find something in MY closet to match… yikes. I went through my husbands side first. He only wears khakis, so that was a no brainer. Seriously, the man does not own a pair of jeans owns one pair of jeans that were a gift and never wears them. So, I thew them at him while he was still paying the Xbox 360 and told him to put them on. He was still in disbelief that I was going to force him to quit playing a game to take some family pictures.

So, here’s the even “funnier” stuff… so, the kids are wearing yellow and white. Do you think my husband owns a yellow shirt? Surprisingly there was one in his closet… circa 1998. No kidding. And, the kicker, it was actually my sisters. No, she’s not as big as a man, that was sadly the style back then… to wear a mans polo much larger than you need.  *shakes head* what were we thinking? So, I threw that at him and went to my side.

OK, remember the whole “I don’t have anything to wear moment”… insert that here ____

I’m looking and looking through my pitiful amount of clothes. (Seriously, how does my husband have MORE clothes than me?) Well, I remembered I had just bought a couple tee-shirts from target, two of them where yellow. I got one off the hanger, looked at it and went “What am I thinking?! Everyone is wearing a polo or something nice, this won’t coordinate. ” Then it hit me… hidden in a JCPenney’s bag… in the back of the closet… was a brand new white eyelet dress. (Thanks Mom!) I hadn’t worn it yet, but I fell in love when I saw it and had always wanted a dress like that. (Can I give another thanks to my mom? She bought it for me… THANKS MOM!)

So… there you have it in a not so small nutshell. Oh, and least I forget… footwear… when in doubt… go barefoot. Kids feet are too cute to hide behind shoes. As you can see… it IS possible to have a cute, coordinating family without buying a single thing. If I can do it, you can too! Seriously.

What have we learned today?

• Start with the person that has the least amount of options and work your way through the family.
• Don’t match. Coordinate.
• Pick one main color (White) one neutral (Khaki) and one pop of color (Yellow)
• Show your personalities (yes, my sister’s polo is kind of my husband personality, he lives in polos and tees… just never wore that one)
• Go barefoot

“Michelle Kersey is a Portrait Photographer. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative photography in Louisville, KY. You can read the original blog post here What should we wear?.”