whitney kelly photography

FUMC Christmas Pictures

2011-12-29T10:10:00.000-06:00

FUMC Church Members:

The pictures from the Christmas photo session are posted. The password on your information sheet is incorrect. The new password is fumc, all lowercase. If you have any issues accessing the pictures, please contact me at whitneylkelly@gmail.com.

parker sisters

2011-10-23T21:01:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness! I have neglected my photography blog, but not on purpose - life has just been super busy. I have several sessions that I need to post starting with these precious sisters. Big sister is such a cutie, but I have to be honest...baby sister just melts my heart!

parker sisters sneak peek

2011-05-31T19:50:00.000-05:00

4 days old.

2011-05-15T19:40:00.000-05:00

brothers

2011-05-13T21:42:00.000-05:00

These two sweet boys belong to a dear teacher friend of mine that occupies the room next door to me. Sadly she's leaving at the end of the year, but who wouldn't if you could stay home with these precious faces!

i heart faces - soft and sweet challenge

2011-05-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

This week I'm entering a photo into the I Heart Faces - Soft and Sweet challenge.

Melt my heart.

Sweet Presley

2011-03-13T21:53:00.000-05:00

a beautiful mother

2011-02-13T20:58:00.000-06:00

There's nothing quite as beautiful as my pregnant best friend ;)

bennett family

2010-12-30T20:15:00.005-06:00

Snider Christmas Card

2010-12-06T16:56:00.000-06:00

Another Christmas card printed and delivered!

lenderman christmas card

2010-12-01T18:59:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love the holidays because my mailbox is filled with the cutest photo Christmas cards. The holidays approaching mean it's time for Christmas card orders for Whitney Kelly Photography. Loving this card - it's so whimsical and fun!

lily beth

2010-11-25T15:41:00.000-06:00

precious sisters

2010-11-02T19:32:00.001-05:00

These precious girls have been clients of mine for a while and they get cuter with time! Their mom wanted some pictures done for their Christmas card and I love all the pinks and greens in the pictures. Christmas card sneak peek coming soon!

Goodies

2010-10-19T21:29:00.000-05:00

What are "goodies"? "Goodies" are the photo products that give you that fuzzy feeling once you see your photos as a piece of art!

PRESS PRINTED CARDS

Press Printed Cards are available in folded or flat, four papers, and two art papers. They are not photographs, but are produced on printing presses. Photographic Cards are not double sided or folded cards, but rather photographic cards with envelopes. They are offered in three paper types. Press Printed Cards are good for Christmas cards, birth announcements, and the like.

FINISHING SERVICES

A vareity of finishing services are offered for your prints. These prints will need to be ordered through me, separate from any order you place in the online viewing gallery. A price list for different finishing services is available upon request.

TEXTURES: Linen, Pebble, Embassy
MOUNTING: Matboard, Styrene Board, Foamboard, Masonite, Standout, Canvas

CANVAS GALLERY WRAP

Gallery Wraps can be ordered in Fine Art InkJet Canvas or using traditional photographic paper. Your image is wrapped around a thick wooden stretcher bar. Framing paper covers up the back of the bars and metal hangers and bumpers are applied to the corners. The Gallery Wrap is ready to hang with no additional work needed.

Other goodies are available upon request!

Investment

2010-10-19T21:18:00.000-05:00

SESSION FEE

$75 includes a session with up to 4 people
$25 for each additional person
Session fee may be due at time of booking to hold appointment date

The session fee includes pre-session consultation, post session editing of 20-30 images, and an online viewing gallery of all images. Sessions usually last 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Individual prints from your session are an additional charge. The fee is non-refundable, but in the event you need to reschedule your session, the fee will be applied to the new date.

PRINT PRICING

Individual image pricing as well as image CD pricing is available upon request.

Thrify Prints is available for single files needing six or more prints. If you are interested in this program, please let me know. All Thrifty Prints are available in Kodak Professional Lustre, Glossy, or Metallic Paper.

About Me

2010-10-19T21:03:00.000-05:00

For as long as I can remember I have had a camera in hand. It just came natural. My cabinets are full of photo albums and all the pictures inside capture life's moments. My "real" job is teaching Kindergarten to sixteen five year olds and they have learned that every moment is a camera worthy moment.

Photography is something I love. My goal is to capture each subject's personality through my work and try to capture more candid photos that catch the unpredictable expressions and emotions. My style is not your usual portrait setting - a little untraditional, but modern and natural.

I wish to create lasting memories for your family - capturing those special life moments.

Whitney Kelly Photography specializes in on-location maternity, newborn, child, and family photography in Central Arkansas and surrounding areas.

coming soon!

2010-10-10T21:14:00.001-05:00

A new blog design is in the works! It will be making it's debut soon. I AM SO EXCITED!

engagement session on the farm

2010-08-13T10:17:00.001-05:00

I spent an evening on the family farm with the farmer's cousin and his fiance for an engagement session. We started off under a beautiful patch of trees until we discovered we were being taken over by ticks! Eventually we got them all picked off, or so we thought....we got home and found more so we all took hot showers and bathed ourselves in rubbing alcohol. All in all, it was a fun evening...and we got some cute pictures ;)

Moment of Silence

2010-07-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

lily in the daffodils

2010-04-11T11:37:00.000-05:00

Since I moved to Arkansas I've met and become friends with several great girls. And we all have farmer husbands so we have a lot in common :) One of my best friends has this precious little girl, Lily Beth. Brea, Lily and Aunt Whitty took a day trip to Wye Mountain to the Daffodil Festival to take a few pictures. The daffodils were so beautiful, but little tomboy Lily liked the weeds better!

precious family

2010-02-21T20:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday morning I had a photo shoot with this cute family. Since our last meeting they welcomed a precious addition to their family so we had a mini newborn session, but big sister wanted to steal the spotlight!

The denim outfit was a special one...baby Lindley's dad and uncle both had their picture taken in the outfit when they were born. How neat is that??

baby m

2010-01-06T21:24:00.000-06:00

This one has a special place in my heart. My first nephew.

I introduce you to the little Italian, Michael.

lenderman family

2009-12-09T20:21:00.000-06:00

This family wanted some simple pictures of their small family in front of their Christmas tree so I headed over on Sunday. They had pictures taken in front of their tree when they were pregnant with their first daughter and now that they are pregnant with their second they wanted another one...how sweet :) Daddy is a military man so he's not much on smiling!

Christmas Cards

2009-10-25T22:08:00.000-05:00

It's holiday time! And holiday time means Christmas cards. Last year we did several cards for families and they ended up looking great. Let me know if you are interested this year!

delightful surprise!

2009-09-04T16:51:00.003-05:00

This week brought a delightful surprise for Whitney Kelly Photography!

Stephens Media, the company who publishes the newspapers in Lonoke County, sponsored the 2009 Lonoke County Reader's Choice Readership Poll. A ballot was included with all the newspapers over the last month and people in the community were able to vote on "the best" of Lonoke County.

Whitney Kelly Photography was voted Best Photographer in the Stephens Media 2009 Lonoke County Reader's Choice Readership Poll.

Thanks to my clients and friends for voting! I am very grateful for the award :)

sibling love

2009-08-27T21:02:00.005-05:00

A few weekends ago our cousin Wendy brought her three precious kids over for a quick photo session. Maggie and Graham love being behind the camera, as you can tell, but Emma Kate took a while to warm up. This session was pretty laid back, just playing in the front yard, but it was so fun to see the kids! Can't wait for our fall session :)

sweet newborn

2009-07-18T14:14:00.005-05:00

I spent last weekend in Oklahoma City getting to know this precious newborn. Her mother is Katie, a best friend of mine, and our other three best friends were there to meet her too. She has four "aunts" that love her very much! I am completely in love...she is so precious!

custom frames!

2009-07-03T11:04:00.003-05:00

I am excited to introduce a line of frames made exclusively for Whitney Kelly Photography and Park Street Market - cathryn and company. I am in love with these frames and plan on having a whole wall of them in our new house! cathryn and company takes custom orders for the frames - any size, color, more traditional look or a rustic, antiqued look.

Child or family pictures look super cute in these frames. Think collage. How cute?

Currently the 5X7 frames cost $70 and the 8X10 frames cost $80.

Let me know if you are interested in purchasing one of the frames pictured below or are interested in having a frame custom designed for your home!

new blog

2009-06-30T09:55:00.004-05:00

In the past month or so I have decided to separate my personal blog posting from my photography blog posting. So, jump over to keeping up with the kellys, my new personal blog!

I'll continue to post here too about fun photography stuff so don't forget about this one!

announcements!

2009-06-19T14:10:00.003-05:00

Park Street Market has a HUGE announcement this week! We now offer online shopping at http://parkstreetmarket.com! I will start by saying that there isn't the whole store to choose from yet, but products will be added weekly. We are also having a super sale this week to clear up some space for our new items that we will purchase at market next weekend and those items will be added as soon as they arrive. Have I ever mentioned I love my job? I hope I enjoy teaching as much as I enjoy my little gift shop.

Along the theme of HUGE announcements, the Kelly's have one too (no, not babies)! We are set to close on our sale of this cute house next Friday (probably Monday at the rate the bank is going), which means we can start building the same day! We finally got word from our buyer's lender today that we can close next week. I am jumping out of my skin excited!

apple pie

2009-05-29T20:10:00.011-05:00

Last Thanksgiving was my first holiday to contribute to the food spread (since I'm now married and that's what married people do) and my food assignment was a dessert. I was at a loss of what to bake. My mom gave me a recipe she had for Upside Down Apple Pie. It didn't seem that hard so I gave it a shot. My first apple pie was a tasty success! But it looked ugly. My father-in-law told me the only apple pie he would ever eat was his mother-in-law's and since she passed, he hadn't eaten apple pie...until mine, who cares what it looks like.

Ever since that day they all look ugly - the kicker - you put it together upside down and have to flip the pie after it cooks. Every time I flip, it always falls apart.

In an attempt to satisfy my father-in-law's cravings and to clean out my refrigerator before the big move, I spent Memorial Day afternoon baking. And voila! It didn't fall apart, was so pretty, and was supppper delicious!

2009-05-22T10:05:00.003-05:00

While most of you will be out having fun celebrating the three day Memorial Day weekend, I will be doing this.

PACKING. Thankfully my gracious mother will be in town to help.

Think of me while you are at Riverfest, floating, or just having a grand ol' time. I would much rather be with you I'm sure. Packing, I've learned, gives me headaches. And an aching back.

But, I'm not complaining. My new house will so be worth it.

complete shock

2009-05-21T09:08:00.003-05:00

I saw this photo online this morning and it made me laugh...thought I'd share. His facial expression says it all.

I will go on to say that Adam was a very talented singer and some of his performances were awesome, but I think his beliefs and morals may be a little far from what mine are. The cutie from Conway is humble, a good, wholesome Christian and I'm proud of America voting him as the next American Idol.

brighter than sunshine

2009-05-20T20:55:00.006-05:00

As I sit and watch American Idol I am blinded by the pictures I'm editing. They are so bright! I haven't worked for the talented florist Tanarah in a few months and was excited to see what she had come up with for this wedding reception at the Clinton Library. I felt like I was at a Pleasant Grove highschool reunion...our colors were black and gold...although the gold always seemed to lean more on the yellow side than gold. That's beside the point.

(pause....announcing American Idol results)

AHHHHH! Kris Allen...from Arkansas....won!!!! Arkansas alone had 38 million votes. Amazing. I am so happy...although I probably shouldn't be this happy over a singing competition. But I am.

Kris Allen + Keith Urban...need I say more?

Ok. Back on track. Here's the pictures from Saturday.

bottles and curls. diapers and pearls.

2009-05-12T13:12:00.008-05:00

The Fab Five hosted our first baby shower on Saturday for Katie and baby Molly....technically four of the fab five. We are excited for Fab 5.1 to make her debut into the world in late June or early July, and can't wait for girls weekend with the babe...hopefully with mom too, but I think she is already tempted to drop Molly off with us and go on a weekend getaway!

such a cutie

2009-04-25T20:37:00.007-05:00

This morning I spent some time with this cute little man. He is going on 3 months and does not like tummy time so we spent most of our morning taking any pictures other than on the stomach! This was my first time to play with textures/overlays and I'm loving them :)

three layer cake

2009-04-23T20:16:00.003-05:00

My mom is so proud. I have made my first ever three layer cake. Good thing you can't see under the top layer of icing because the top layer of cake came out of the pan in several pieces :) Matt loves chocolate cake so hopefully it will be a happy surprise when he gets home from the farm. And let me tell you....the icing is TO DIE FOR. I was tempted to eat the icing without putting it on the cake, but I think it would have been obvious if the cake was "un-iced".

In case you are wondering how I made this heavenly icing, well it's simple. Just buy a box of Betty Crocker Home Style Fluffy White Fat Free (see, a little healthy) frosting mix in the box. Here's the kicker..instead of mixing it with boring ol' boiling water as it calls for, mix with a small carton of heavy whipping cream (fattening I'm sure, but at this point, who cares). Mix together in a blender, and then try to not eat the whole bowl, but do take time to indulge in a piece of heaven.

Oh, and the cake is milk chocolate cake mix. Simple indeed!

**As my Mom so nicely pointed out, you use a mixer, not a blender. Duh. I know the difference and DID use the mixer! Oh, and please don't judge my icing skills down the side of the cake. I'll do better next time.

Muster

2009-04-21T11:47:00.004-05:00

"We gather today, Aggies all, to recall our past, to strengthen our ties, to honor those who have passed before us...We come today to affirm our commitment, our love for this place, and all that it represents." - Jack M. Rains, Muster Speaker 1984

Today is a day held dear to Aggies from Texas A&M University across the world because April 21 is the day for Muster. Aggie Muster is celebrated in more than four hundred places worldwide, with the largest ceremony on the Texas A&M campus in College Station.

"Muster is a time to look to the past, present, and future…not only to grieve but to reflect and to celebrate the lives that connect us to one another. A gesture so simple in nature yet so lasting in spirit, Muster is the lasting impression every Aggie leaves with us; it reminds us of the greatness that lies within these walls, of the loyalty we possess, of the connection that binds us, and of the idea that every Aggie has a place of importance – whether they are present in flesh or spirit."

My first Muster was on the A&M campus during my time in College Station. There are no words to describe the ceremony. You sit in silence. The Muster ceremony includes the Roll Call for the Absent. The Roll Call honors Aggies that have fallen since the last Muster roll was read. As the names are read, a friend or family member answers 'Here', and a candle is lit to symbolize that while those Aggies are not present in body, they will forever remain with us in Aggie Spirit. It's a very moving ceremony.

Century-old roots provide the basis of Muster as Aggies know it today. It has changed, yet the Spirit in which it was established remains the same. Since the beginning, every Aggie has lived and become a part of the Aggie Spirit. What is felt today is not just the love of a fellow Aggie, it is the spirit of hundreds of thousands of Aggies who have gone before. Muster is how that Spirit is remembered and will continue to unite Texas A&M and the Aggie family. A&M may change, but the Spirit never will. (taken from the Texas A&M website)

A good Aggie friend and I will attend our first Arkansas Muster tonight at 6 PM in Little Rock to honor the 200+ names on the Aggie Muster Roll Call list. Should make for a special evening.

a surprise visit!

2009-04-13T19:38:00.004-05:00

On Saturday night about 7 PM I got a phone call from my Mom asking if Matt and I had time to go to the Carlisle airport before we had dinner with the Kelly family. I was a little confused, but said yes and asked why. Reason being...my Dad was flying in! One of his friends recently got his pilot's license so he called Dad up and asked if he wanted to go flying...Dad said yes, on one condition...that he flew Dad to Carlisle to see Matt and I. Needless to say, I was excited! It was getting late when they landed so we had a short little visit, and back to Texarkana they went, but I was so glad I got to see big Gary and I think he was happy to see his baby girl :) ....and her husband!

And yes, Carlisle has an airport. A very little airport.

for sale

2009-04-04T11:24:00.004-05:00

Anyone need a really cute house in a tiny Arkansas town??

(Side note: The picture of my cute farmer was taken with my faithful little Canon point and shoot, and it just doesn't do the job like my big Canon!)

Our "first house" is officially for sale! Matt and I bought the house around the the time we got engaged and I have to say it's been a great first house for us, but it is time to move on. We closed on a lot two weeks ago and are excited about the chance to build a new house. Yesterday he showed up at the shop with a flimsy for sale sign you put on a car and then found a stake and he was going to make a homemade sign...it didn't have much hope...so I convinced him to take me to dinner in Little Rock and make a stop at Home Depot for a new sign :) We put the sign in the yard at 7:30 this morning and I've already had someone stop by the shop inquiring about it!

I'm really excited about building a new house, but I think I might cry when we actually have to move out! It was our first house together and I'm a little sappy about things I get attached to...my little pink dollhouse will forever hold a place in my heart.

2009-03-24T19:50:00.005-05:00

Drink plenty of water.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

Make time to pray.

Play more games.

Read more books than you did in 2008.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

Sleep for 7 hours.

Take a 10 to 30 minute way every day. And while you walk, smile.

Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Don't over do. Keep your limits.

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

Dream more while you are awake.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Smile and laugh more.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Call your family often.

Each day give something good to others..

Forgive everyone for everything.

Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Do the right thing.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

GOD heals everything.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

The best is yet to come.

When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

2009-03-16T20:18:00.010-05:00

Heard this earlier and remembered how much I love what it has to say.

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all—

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day,

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;

For I am His and He is mine—

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the pow'r of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

(Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townsend)

2009-03-12T22:30:00.004-05:00

A big thanks to Megan for giving me (and my mom!) this Kreativ Blogger Award!

"After visiting my friend Whitney's store, Park Street Market, I think her and her mom deserve creative awards! Her mom, Mrs. Cathy, makes all kinds of great things! They are very crafty!! Whitney does photography too!"

You are so sweet! I love what I do.

I pass this Kreativ Blogger Award on to Allison.

She is the very extraordinary creative graphic goddess :)

2009-03-08T19:49:00.003-05:00

"Fab Five" is what we call ourselves - we are five best friends from high school who to this day are still as close as we were back then. I consider myself pretty lucky that on any given day I can still count on these girls. We email regularly, call & text regularly, and try to see each other regularly. The last Fab Five weekend was in April of last year so it was definitely time for another, of course we've all seen each other since then, but not for an official girls weekend. And to make the weekend even better we got to ooh and ahh over baby Molly Jane, our newest addition, who will make her entrance into the world in July. In her honor we will gather again in May for Katie's baby shower!

Hope you girls enjoyed your weekend in Carlisle...I miss you already!

Here's to many more girls weekends with best friends (and babies!) :)

Megan upon arrival

Amy and I after dinner waiting for Shuggie to arrive

Katie with a gift from Shuggie, a "coming this summer" tank :)
Megan and Katie at one of the few restaurants in Carlisle...
notice my sister-in-law's picture on the "Razorback Wall of Fame"
behind Megan's head
Shuggie, Amy, and I
Amy and I at Wasabi in Downtown Little Rock

Amy, Shuggie, and Katie

The Fab Five!

Katie, Whitney, Amy, Megan & Allison

2009-03-05T22:10:00.003-06:00

Last weekend Matt and I helped give a honey do shower for our friends Ginger Cowling and Anthony Woodall. Matt and Anthony went to high school together and the Woodall's are family friends. Brea and I pretty much spent the whole night by the heater as it was snowing outside during the party and the venue did not have a built in heater!

Here are a few pictures from the night...my camera seemed to be limited to pictures of Kellys and Bennetts apparently :)

Brea & I...wishing baby Lily was there!

The Kellys - Jerry & Janet, Matt & Whitney

Chad & I

Brea, Amber & I

2009-02-25T11:34:00.005-06:00

Congratulations to our sweet friends Jay and Brooke Hauk! Brooke gave birth to James Baylor yesterday afternoon. Baylor weighed 7.7 lbs and was 21 inches long.

We had dinner club on Saturday night and sure enough they were there....I was for sure they'd stay home since he was destined to enter the world at any moment and then couldn't believe they showed up!

Jay sent out this picture yesterday from his phone...so cute! Matt and I can't wait to meet the little man :)

2009-02-24T12:28:00.002-06:00

During our Cabo trip, the three favorite men in my life - my dad, my husband, and my father-in-law - went deep sea fishing. Matt wanted to go on our honeymoon, but the price was a little steep. Dad really wanted to go and since the cost wasn't too awful it didn't take much to convince Matt, Jerry, or one of our friends, Fred, to go. Saturday morning the boys left out at 6 AM and eight hours later Matt reeled in a 9 foot, 200 pound striped blue marlin! He was one happy fisherman.

I'm pretty sure he's getting it mounted....which means this will be hanging in my house.

Here are a few pictures that Fred took while out on the boat. Proud of my boy!

2009-02-12T09:40:00.007-06:00

Today calls for celebration! It's Matthew's birthday :)

I got up this morning at 7 to make him breakfast. He would have loved a feast of eggs and bacon, but our refrigerator is practically empty since we've been out of town. So, being the brave woman I seem to be I attempt to re-create cinnamon toast and coffee just like his momma did when he was a lil pup. Well, I need some work. The coffee was "strong enough to kill an elephant" (I followed the measurement instructions on the can!) and I needed to "add some more cinnamon sugar". I'm no Janet, but I did get an A for effort!

Here's to you my little farmer. Hope you have the best 27th birthday ever. I love you!

2009-02-11T19:35:00.002-06:00

Hola! We are back from Mexico and let me say....one of the best vacations ever! It was so beautiful and do you know how great sunshine with no humidity feels?? The wedding was perfect, Ashley was beautiful, and there's just something I love about dinner and dancing on the beach. Mom and I and several others went whale watching the morning of the wedding...unbelievable! Oh, and Matt snagged him a 9 ft, 200 lb striped marlin, which he was very proud of and I have a feeling it will be hanging on my wall. All in all...very relaxing trip, I have no complaints and I especially loved having both of our families there.

Here's a sneak peek of our trip. More pictures to come when I get through all 500 of them!

2009-02-03T22:36:00.005-06:00

My journey begins tomorrow. Destination? Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for my sister-in-law's wedding and I am beyond excited! We will leave Arkansas tomorrow afternoon and make the drive to Dallas. Our plane leaves at 6 AM Thursday morning, a short layover in Phoenix, AZ, and then Mexico! The wedding is Friday afternoon at 4 PM followed by cocktail hour with a 9-person Mariachi band, and then a rockin' reception! I hope to go whale watching and visit the spa while I'm there, and do plenty of shopping and eating of course. Total relaxation! Pictures will be posted upon arrival back in Arkansas :)

Everyone have a wonderful week! I will be soaking up the sun on the shores of old Mexico and enjoying every minute :)

2009-01-27T12:34:00.008-06:00

Well, the weather here is pretty nasty, which makes for a slow day in the retail world and for sure no pictures today. I've spent most of my morning blog stalking when I should be utilizing this slow time and doing grad school homework....maybe later.

I am happy to say that the mister and I will be hopefully starting a new house in the near future! We had our house plan sent to be approved by the owners of the subdivision (since we will be the first house in the neighborhood...) and we got this call this morning that we are cleared :) The mister wanted me to take the plans and go to the bank this afternoon, but I assured him that it might be wise if we both go, since it is we that are building this house, not I. He finally agreed.

Here's a sneak peek of the front. I'm in love with it already.

I am very anxious for the arrival of next week. My first burst of excitement will come when the sex of Baby Mentzel is revealed. Following the news of blue or pink I will board a plane to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for my sister-in-law's wedding...not that I am looking the best for the beach right now....could stand to be a lot skinnier and darker. All eyes will be on her thank goodness...she will be beeeautiful, can't wait. Goodbye ice, hello sunshine!

2009-01-20T19:39:00.003-06:00

Park Street Market made it back from market in Dallas last night. We are exhausted! But are so excited about the new things we purchased and are anxious for their arrival. Our road trip to Dallas started with my mother-in-law and I traveling to Dallas with a stop in Texarkana to pick up my Mom and a fellow store owner...we were delivering my sister-in-law's dog and cat to her as well(they have been spending time in Carlisle with their grandma!) so we were piled in with four women, a dog, a cat, and lots of luggage. The dog is not very fond of me so it was a tense ride in the back seat! I spent all day today shopping the 2009 catalogs and trashing the 2008 ones. My job is so fun :)

In other news....maternity photo session on Friday. Excited to see what we end up with!

2009-01-08T21:51:00.004-06:00

Layton and Boston are the youngest Kelly cousins, and I have to say the cutest! While they were here over the holidays we had some time to take some Christmas pictures and then let loose at the farm. Boston is the sweetest thing and looooves his Momma!

2009-01-06T19:59:00.005-06:00

Christmas was wonderful this year, but I am glad life has slowed down a bit! We were busy at the shop up until Christmas Eve with those customers buying last minute Christmas gifts. Matt and I somehow had four Christmas celebrations and we only have one set of parents each! It all made for a fun holiday season :)

Matt's Christmas = every gift was hunting related. He really wanted to sleep in his duck hunting blind from my parents, but I managed to convince him otherwise.

And everyone should play the game Farkle. I think it's the new Kelly family Christmas Eve tradition....after we watch Christmas Vacation that is.

2009-01-06T19:23:00.002-06:00

I've been meaning to post some pictures from our annual Christmas party at our friends, Keaton and Lindsey Thaxton's, new house, but seemed to never get around to it. It's an annual party, but this was my first year to attend and it was so fun! We missed last year and Matt had to go by himself the year before. When we finally looked at the clock, it was 1:30 AM and the Bennetts, Browns, Thaxtons,and us Kellys were the only ones still celebrating! I left my good camera at home so I had to count on my trusty little Canon to do the job for the night.

2009-01-04T16:58:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday Megan!

I have never been a Razorback or a fan of, but after moving to Arkansas I have been surrounded by everything red and Razorback. I still have not given in, as I am a true Aggie, but in honor of Megan's birthday today I will post a picture of us in Razorback attire.

Hope you had a wonderful day :)

2009-01-03T20:33:00.008-06:00

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! Twenty nine years ago on this day, my parents, Gary Strickland and Cathryn McCasland, were married. I am so proud to have them as my parents! Congratulations on the very successful 29 years and here is to many many more :) Matt and I love you both!

(Mom - I know you hate pictures of yourself, but I couldn't post a picture of Dad without you!)

2008-12-30T22:41:00.004-06:00

Introducing....

Why this is posted in blue I have no clue. It was created red and is still red, but it is showing up blue. The Cathryn behind cathryn and company is my wonderful mother :) When we opened our shop she began to show her crafty side and it's taking off! She designs barbed wire & beaded crosses (which I might add...we've sold about 40 of them!) and with the help of my dad is now designing large (and sometimes small), funky, oh so cute wooden frames as an exclusive line for Park Street Market. Pictures to come! Custom frames are available as well. Did I mention they are super cute? Once my Christmas tree comes down, up will go my new "cathryn and company" frame collage on my wall!

2008-12-20T20:27:00.003-06:00

As deer season ends, duck season begins. I don't mind duck season as much as my husband is not so stressed and worried about ducks as he is deer. We haven't had a lot of ducks this year, but Thursday morning the boys didn't seem to have a problem. I love this picture....Keaton, Chad, Matt, and Clayton with their pretty ducks :)

2008-12-17T18:55:00.003-06:00

I seem to have a fascination with shredded cheese lately. I know, I am so weird. While I have always loved cheese I am addicted to the Mexican style "Four Cheese" shredded cheese. I bought another kind last weekend for our chili because the only grocery store in Carlisle did not have my preferred kind....I have learned that you can not be picky here......it was just not the same. Why am I sharing this? I have no clue. I just saw a commercial for shredded cheese and it made me think how strange I am!

Ok, so, on to better things....Lily. She's a doll! I took some pictures of her when we were home for Thanksgiving and it was extremely windy so we tried to take a few inside. Hopefully we'll choose a less windy day next time :)

2008-12-07T15:33:00.003-06:00

These brothers were excited about having their picture taken until we got started and then had to be bribed with Sweet Tarts! But, they loved the farm and playing with the sticks :)

2008-12-02T22:31:00.002-06:00

I never imagined this day. The day my Dad would create a blog. I have a feeling he will post many pictures - he is becoming quite the technology guru these days...who would have ever thought!

Happy blogging Dad :)

2008-12-02T16:28:00.005-06:00

Happy late Thanksgiving to all :) I haven't gotten around to posting since Thanksgiving...better late than never. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday full of lots of mashed potatoes and green bean casserole....

I'm behind on posting photos. Here are a few from the Cunningham family done at the Duck Club here in Carlisle. Such a precious family!

2008-11-20T17:47:00.006-06:00

I am a hunting season widow.

November brings many things such as my birthday, my dad's birthday, Thanksgiving, and now the most important in my household.....deer season. Oddly enough Matt finished harvesting soybeans at 10:30 PM on Friday, November 7....how timely since deer season opened the morning of Saturday, November 8....and he was definitely up at 4:30 with all his scent-free gear on ready to kill that big buck. Oh and I didn't mention that we had to celebrate my birthday on Thursday, November 6...no time for bday celebrations during opening weekend! Also hunting... his best friend, the best dressed hunter I've ever seen, my dad, and my father-in-law. They were decked out in camo, orange vests and hats, and their muck boots with a backpack on their back with all their hunting goodies they would need and their shotgun on their shoulder. Sadly enough no big buck came that weekend. "They just weren't moving" they all claimed. And my father-in-law "missed the biggest buck!"...he said that last year too.

Matt showed up to the shop on that next Wednesday morning and backed up to the front doors. He let down his tailgate and lo and behold what lay in the back of his truck, but a 13-point deer, his first kill of the season. That certainly got the three other deerless fired up and sure enough Friday brought the hunters back - this time with all kinds of hunting gadgets like electronic calls and deer incense...the smell was supposed to attract the deer...after smelling it I think it would do quite the opposite. Saturday morning as I am laying in bed at 7 AM my phone rings and it's Dad. He got a 12-point...on his birthday. Mom thought it was a weird looking deer, wasn't a mantle deer...she soon learned you NEVER tell a man is deer is ugly. That crushes them.

So, I guess I'm telling this since Matt just got his second deer of the season...a 9 point, but "a big deer...points doesn't matter"....so he says. I asked him since he's killed his two bucks for the season does that mean he is done hunting....he said no....of course, did I expect him to say yes?

2008-11-17T12:24:00.005-06:00

Happy Monday :) I'm finally posting Ashley and Dean's engagement pictures. Ashley is my sister-in-law and we will be taking a much needed vacation to Cabo San Lucas in February for the wedding! We took their engagement pictures at the Old Mill in North Little Rock several weekends ago.

2008-11-07T12:55:00.004-06:00

Well, I am officially a quarter of a century old!

I have the sweetest friends! One of my besties, Katie, posted a birthday tribute to me on her blog today. Thank you, it was very sweet! It's been a great birthday so far. We've had a few visitors here at the shop including Lily Beth, the super cute baby in the pictures from a few posts back. My parents are on their way to spend the weekend, which should make for a good birthday! My husband surprised me with a beautiful diamond necklace this morning. The picture is not "photographer" quality as I took it with my phone this morning :)

Hope you all have a great Friday! Glad it's the weekend. I'll be heading to Holiday House tonight in Little Rock and birthday celebrations tomorrow night. Matt will meet little Lily on Sunday...I think he's nervous! He gets nervous around babies, but it's his best friends new baby - he has no choice!

2008-11-04T14:41:00.003-06:00

Happy Election Day! I hope everyone has been or is going to the polls today. I went at 8:30 this morning thinking that surely in Carlisle I will not have to wait more than 30 minutes - plus, most everyone should be at work by now - well, I was wrong. Every farmer was there I do believe. I didn't get the shop opened until about 9:15!

I have decided to start sending out a weekly email to highlight some of our goodies at Park Street Market. If you'd like to be on our mailing list, let me know and I'll get you added! You can order by email and I will ship directly to you :)

Finished up a birth announcement today and will work on engagement pictures tonight and tomorrow. Should be posted soon!

2008-11-02T18:29:00.005-06:00

One of my best friends, Allison, said it best as she said "and this is all in love, but Whitney has been a blog slacker these days". Sadly she is correct! It's been a week since my last post, but it's been a little busy! We had our grand opening for Park Street Market, which was a huge success! We had a very good turnout and had to place 5 more orders on Monday, only our third day to be open. One of my nearest and dearest, Jordan, surprised me by showing up with her two kiddos, Ellis and Whit, her sister, and niece. It truly made my day! I think I got a little teary!

My sister-in-law and her fiance were in town this weekend. We had a great weekend, and spent yesterday morning taking their engagement pictures at the Old Mill in North Little Rock. Hopefully I can get a few of them posted this week so I can avoid being a blog slacker :)

2008-10-22T22:45:00.002-05:00

The Grand Opening of Park Street Market is Friday and Saturday! I am super nervous! I hope it is a huge success, but a little disappointed because our main line of silver , Beatriz Ball, will not be in for Grand Opening. Still being made in Mexico apparently, but hopefully it will be in for Christmas Open House. Mom is coming to spend the weekend. We will have all kinds of goodies and a super cute fall basket to give away. I'll post a few pictures after Saturday, if I can find time - I have so much homework for graduate school due on Wednesday, on top of opening a new business! Here's to all a great weekend - next time I post I'll be officially working again, but at least this time at my own business :)

2008-10-19T22:06:00.000-05:00

I was in Fayetteville the past three days to meet Lily Beth Bennett, who was born on Wednesday morning. Lily Beth is the new addition to Chad and Brea, whose maternity photos I did a few months ago and who will be moving home next month, much to our delight :) Chad and Matt are best friends, and the Bennetts are practically family. I was so lucky that I got to take her first pictures at three days old! She is quite a beauty and might I add that she has so much hair! Congratualtions to the Bennetts! Welcome to the family sweet girl...we can't wait for you to get home to Carlisle :)

2008-10-02T09:02:00.000-05:00

I had a great session with Tabitha last week. Tabitha's grandmother is a friend of the family here in Carlisle. She did great and loved the flowers and rocks that we found!

2008-09-18T09:45:00.000-05:00

Announcing the birth of Park Street Market! My mother-in-law and I have decided to open a gift shop in our little town of Carlisle. There is no place in town to buy a gift and gas prices have made people think twice before driving to Little Rock to pick up a gift, so, we thought it might be a good time. One of our good friends owns a shop in Texarkana so she's been a huge help in helping us get started. We went to market last weekend in Dallas - super fun, but overwhelming! We hope to open the middle of October or beginning of November - as soon as our inventory ships in. If you are ever traveling on I-40 in Arkansas heading towards Tennessee, stop in and visit!

2008-08-26T22:20:00.000-05:00

I had so much fun during the maternity session with Chad and Brea! So much has been going on the past week and a half that I just now finished editing her photos and got them sent to her earlier today. I have to say that her and Chad would make the worst pictures look beautiful because they are such a cute couple - and we love them dearly :)

2008-08-24T23:55:00.000-05:00

In the process of editing maternity photos - a few sneak peeks will be posted soon!

2008-08-15T19:20:00.000-05:00

I'm getting nervous. I just posted my first ever photography ad in the Carlisle and Lonoke newspapers! Gotta get everything together and organized in case I have some phone calls!

2008-08-13T10:06:00.000-05:00

A few updates to the blog are being done thanks to Missy Hanson with Loralei Roark...I'm loving the new header :)

My most recent project was a wedding announcement for my good friend Deena. She and her husband, Larry, got married in Cabo San Lucas on July 19. So sad I couldn't attend, but it seems from the pictures that it was a beautiful wedding. She loved the birth announcement I did a few weeks ago so I did a different take on the same template. A huge thanks to Allison Craig for helping me out with the dotted circle.

Have a maternity session on Saturday evening. Super nervous! And my computer is down...impatiently waiting for Dell to send me my box to send it in for repairs. Not very happy!

2008-08-06T09:06:00.000-05:00

Rise and shine! It's the first for me to post at 9:00 AM on a weekday. One perk of being unemployed...but hopefully not for long. Interview for a teaching position in a few hours!

It's the reveal of my new logo! I'm loving the lime green and chocolate brown. It's a little large on the blog, but the blog is a work in process too. Getting a few updates done so hopefully they will go live soon!

I'm currently working on a wedding announcement for a good friend that got married in Cabo. She loved the birth announcement that I did recently so it's just a different take on that template. I'll post it once it's finalized. Also have a maternity session coming up on August 16 - super nervous!

2008-07-16T19:31:00.000-05:00

Sorry it's been so long since I updated! I somehow haven't managed to get my recent family pictures uploaded until this week. In the process of finalizing the new logo - I'm so indecisive - but hopefully it will be ready soon! I never made it out to the farm to take the sunset pictures. One day I'll make it out to the farm at the perfect time for the perfect picture.

The Kelly family 4th of July celebration was quite busy. Friday morning Ashley, my sister-in-law, and her boyfriend ran the Firecracker 5K in downtown Little Rock. My mother-in-law and I went to cheer them on, although we didn't make it to the finish line before they did...and we were driving! We had to dodge road barriers to get to the finish line. I probably should have participated so I don't feel like such a whimp. Here's a few pictures from the race.

Friday night the celebration continued in Cabot. We all piled in and drove to Cabot to Matt's cousins house for a night of tacos, watermelon, and fireworks with the whole Kelly family, which is quite a clan. Here's a few family pictures from the night.

2008-06-29T15:56:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since my last update. Spending some time to update my last projects - wedding last weekend and new birth announcement. I'm also excited that my logo is getting an update...actually, I'm getting a brand new design that I'm anxiously awaiting. I'll post it as soon as I get the final product! Also just registered today for the Bellies and Babies photography seminar on July 25 in Little Rock. Can't wait to see what's in store. Carolyn Williams, one of my best friend's mom is coming up for it, so I'm happy I have someone to go with. Thursday is my last day at my current job, and I start class for my teaching license July 7. Scared/nervous/excited...mixed feelings...but hopefully will have a teaching job come August. 4th of July is coming up and I'm super excited for the family fireworks spectacular. Pictures to follow. Matt and I went out with some friends last night - made for a fun night. Plan on taking some sunset pictures at the farm this week...crossing my fingers they turn out like I imagine them to look like.

2008-06-29T15:48:00.000-05:00

I'm super excited to post my first birth announcement - for Graham Clark - the baby in the cute pictures below. Ordered them today so the final product should be in my hands in a few days - I'm anxious to see them. If you know of anyone that needs a cute birth announcement, let me know. I can't of course take all the credit since I did purchase the template, but I'm still proud!

2008-06-29T15:25:00.000-05:00

Worked last weekend for Tanarah. The Bolin wedding at Women's City Club downtown. Here's a few pictures from the reception. As you can tell, it was very pink!

2008-06-17T19:59:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Missy with Lorelai Roark for adding a link on her blog to me. Check her blog out at http://www.lorelairoark.net/. She's super talented!

Last week my mother-in-law and I drove over to Cabot to take some pics of our new baby cousin, Graham Sumner Clark. I posted some candid shots from the hospital several weeks ago. Here's a few from our photo session. He was my first newborn so it was a learning experience :)

2008-06-07T21:54:00.001-05:00

Another day of floral design with Tanarah. Two weddings today, at the same country club, in the same ballroom, so it was quite a day. Here are a few pics from both weddings - total opposites...the morning wedding looked so colorful and cheerful, made me happy :) On to Cabot tomorrow for pictures of our new baby cousin Graham!

Evening Wedding - 6 PM

Morning Wedding - 11 AM

2008-05-31T16:40:00.000-05:00

My mother-in-law and I spent some time at the farm last night. There's just something about eating dinner in the back of the expedition with our farmer husbands on the farm while they take a quick break :) We found some pretty wheat growing and it being my favorite crop to grow (it's so pretty!), I had to snap a few photos. Matt found a baby deer laying in the middle of one of the fields he was working ground on. I got as close as I could to it, but didn't want to scare it off. If its mom hadn't come back last night, I could have had a pet deer today, but fortunately it's mom rescued it sometime during the night. I quite possibly could be the worst person to raise a baby deer. Although, I'm sure I'd grow attached and could never let it go!

2008-05-31T12:28:00.000-05:00

Happy weekend everyone :) Here's the newest addition to the family - Graham Sumner Clark, born Thursday morning. Here's a few quick snapshots from the hospital on Thursday night. He's so perfect and will be the best little duck hunter ever! We're getting together in two or three weeks for a photo session so more to come...stay tuned.

2008-05-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

I got asked to add a picture of the fruit peacock. Think it's quite creative myself. I also came across this picture of the flowers and candle and thought it had a neat look.

Worked with Tanarah again yesterday. Long day! Here's a few pics from Sarah Nutt's wedding reception at Pleasant Valley Country Club and the church in Downtown Little Rock. Notice the apothecary jars with candy - that's the new thing to do here for wedding favors - pretty neat idea, and sure made the country club entryway smell yummy! I loved the tent outside with the hanging chandeliers...such a shabby chic touch to the reception :)

2008-05-16T21:29:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon a wonderful opportunity during the past month to work on the weekends when I'm available with Tanarah Haynie of Distinctive Designs by Tanarah. I work with her husband and he offered to let me join their team. She is a wonderful floral designer in Little Rock and has the most unique ideas. These pictures are from the first wedding reception I helped out with on May 3 at the Women's City Club in Downtown Little Rock - we did all that you see except for the food. Tomorrow we have four weddings, one of them being the niece of Houston Nutt, former head coach at University of Arkansas. She asked me to take several photos to add to her gallery on her new website. Here's a sneak peek of a few unedited photos.

2008-04-29T22:38:00.000-05:00

So, it's a few weeks late (I think it snowed in March), but I just got these uploaded to my computer. Here's a look into the life of snow in Carlisle...and the idiots that decided to go hunting in the freezing cold! Actually, with so many clothes on, I stayed pretty warm. I wonder how many times an A&M sign is covered in snow? Never was in Texas...but it's a beauty!

2008-04-16T19:30:00.001-05:00

Seems I was needed for some graphic design work for the Texarkana Radio Control Flying Club at last minute. Here's a sample of the web banner I designed to advertise for their "fly-in" coming up in a few weeks. Nothing too fancy, but it's just a bunch of guys...they are happy with anything! Here's to you pilots - no crashing!

2008-03-18T20:47:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally am posting a few of Amy's bridal portraits. She looked beautiful! Who would ever known we had just rolled in town from her bachelorette party two hours earlier :) It was rather chilly...the middle of December...but she was a trooper!

Next session - Matt's cousin's two little girls, Maggie and Emma Kate - so adorable, really looking forward to it. Their little duck hunter brother will arrive in June so I've got to brush up on my newborn skills!

2008-03-15T21:37:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the Hogs for making it to the SEC Championship game tomorrow. Matt is still on cloud nine after the win tonight and I'm sad because the Aggies lost today.

Here's a few engagement photos of Amy and Scott. They got engaged July 4, 2007 and got married on January 19. I'll post some bridal portraits of Amy in the next few days. Trying to get my blog caught up!

in the beginning...

2008-03-15T14:41:00.000-05:00

Well, I've started the blog. Hopefully this will help my aspiring photography business take off. Just got my new logos created, one of them above, I love it! Here's a few pictures from my first client...almost 9 months ago. Thanks to Lynlee for letting me photo Ava to get some practice. Considering this was my first shoot, there wasn't much editing done. Might have been if I had Jordan's husband who would help me! Still think they are cute - I eventually got better - I'll post Amy's engagement and bridal pics in a bit. For now, gotta clean the house. Happy Saturday!

*ava harvey*