Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly White.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My journey in photography began years ago. My grandmother has a wonderful collection of family photo books, mostly in black and white, that I’ve paged through countless times. I love the stories they tell, learning about our family history and the personalities that were captured through film. In middle school I began carrying a point and shoot camera, and unknown to myself at the time, I began documenting life. My camera came with me on missions trips, after-school activities, sports competitions…really anything that was a part of my life. I loved the stories my pictures told. All my babysitting money went to developing film. Growing up, art was always present in my life, but mostly through drawing and painting. I took summer school art courses every chance I got, on top of what was offered through school. During my education the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, I took two photography courses but then my very simple digital camera fell idol after graduating with a degree in Graphic Design and Advertising. After moving to Texas in 2006, I decided my heart was meant to work with children. I became a certified EC-4 teacher and spent seven amazing years teaching kindergarten. Then, before our first child was born seven years ago, my husband gifted me a Canon 50D with a 50mm lens, and I began relearning photography on a DSLR camera. He used to film and create inline skate videos, so we definitely share a love for being behind the camera and visual storytelling. In 2015, after our second child was born, I attended Click Away in San Antonio with a friend on a whim. I really had no place there, as I didn’t even know how to shoot in manual at this point, but I was blown away at the talent I saw and the motivation that grew inside of me to find my voice behind the camera. I immediately came home and took a course on shooting in manual mode. A year later I opened my business, Kelly White Photography, LLC and was blessed with a third child. My family then needed me at home, so a two-year maternity leave followed. I’m now enjoying the busy fall season of capturing families, newborns and creating fine art school portraits for young students. I’m excited to see what else 2018 will bring!
Please tell us about your art.
I am a lifestyle photographer, specializing in families, newborns and students. I love capturing the love and connection between family members, and seeing how they grow together over time. Emotional moments, whether peaceful, happy or serious, speak to me as a mother and artist. You see your family every day with these emotions, and yet, it’s so hard to remember your children as they grow out of each stage. Children are continuously changing and growing, becoming more independent and growing into themselves. I think it’s so important to capture those moments of togetherness, and really being present in the frame with your children as they grow. As parents, it’s easy to capture special moments of our children on our phone cameras, but to be remembered with your children through photographs is something special as your family ages. Some of my favorite images I take are when my subjects are connected to each other, not with my lens. I want to see how you hold your child, how you gaze at your loved ones and see moments of happiness as you laugh together. I also love when clients let loose and get a little muddy, or roll in the grass. Send your clothes to the dry cleaners later and enjoy playing with your kids. These are the images that tell your family story!
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I began my journey knowing ONE friend at a ClickAway conference, through Clickin Moms, in 2015. I have gained a huge system of support, motivation and learning through them. If you are an aspiring photographer, I would recommend checking them out.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find me at www.kellywhitephotography.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kellywhitephotography or Instagram @kellywhitephotography
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kellywhitephotography.com
- Email: photography.kellywhite@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellywhitephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellywhitephotography/
Image Credit:
Organic Bliss Photography
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