I’m pretty excited to be collaborating on this project called “My Creative Truth”.
And if I am going to be truthful, being creative is scary. I flail and I spin. These are my contributions for the last two weeks.
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It’s been way too long since I have shared anything, but I just had to share this darling family that was visiting all the way from Australia. I could tell right away that the kids were used to being on beaches…they quickly snatched up the fins and masks that I had borrowed from my own girls, went to the water, and never came out until the sun went down. The evening was lovely and beautiful and sandy and wet….everything you would expect from a fun night on the beach.
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A friend pointed out to me the other day the stark comparison between my personal and professional work. Since she mentioned it, I can’t believe I have never noticed before. It’s glaringly obvious that my personal work is dark, moody, and often in black and white, while my professional work is happy, bright, and fun. Hmm, I’m not ready to dissect this quite yet, but I find it interesting.
You are so so soooooo talented, Kellie. Holy guacamole (and I like guacamole a lot). Your photos make me smile. LOVE the 1st one. So so soooo good!
I’ve totally noticed this. I’m a sucker for your personal work 
The way you capture the everyday… & your light usage. DROOL.
love these images…really do
I adore your personal work Kellie.
I’ve noticed this…and I personally love your personal work! So beautiful. That said, you’re not the only one that I’ve noticed does this. What do you think it all means???
Kellie, Your friend Sara Burns who is on the BSchool FB page (Im in B School right now) was raving about you so I came on over…glad I did!! Your work is beautiful. I like the light AND the dark. Its a reflection of the balance of life. We all need to be more comfortable in embracing all sides. You do that in a powerful way as far as I can see!!I am from the Big Island and love seeing your Hawaii shoots!!!! Aloha!
I see it. I see it in my own work as well… and several other photographers that I think are amazing. I think it has everything to do with comfort level. Clients, even when they are relaxed and trusting, are much less likely to show you the dark and moody. I’m sure you would see the beauty in it and capture it in the gorgeous way that you do if it were there for the witnessing. Know what I mean?
Here is just a peek of the awesome bunch that I got to photograph over the holidays.
I felt so grateful that I got to absorb the incredible love and energy that engulfed this extended family. Thank you so much for finding me. xo, Kellie
How FUN!!!!
It’s been forever since I’ve been to your blog! Wonderful captures of a fun family…love it!
You are just the sweetest photographer ever!! Thanks for making our session so fun and memorable. Can’t wait to see all the pictures! Lots of love from South Africa!
Happy to be in the sun, happy to be together, and happy to feel the love. I absolutely loved my evening in Lahaina with this incredibly fun and happy little family.
kellie, you all are a perfect fit. i think they call this brand of styling, “real life”. who they are just shines from the inside out. and who YOU are is reflected back in their images. xoxo
Kellie! Love these. So fun. Loved the ones of them on the beach
Really enjoyed looking through these!
I love your work! These photos are very beautiful! After being cold for so long I wish I was on a beach. ; )
My Define class just ended and I finally feel like I can come up for a little bit of air before we get into the thick of the holidays. I’m grateful that I can be busy, grateful for the calm, grateful for my family, my freedom, and for those that have served or are serving our country. My big brother is serving in Columbia away from his wife and 5 children…sending him lots of love on this day and everyday.
Came to your site to check out your picks. What a special surprise to read your comment on Veterans Day. Made me cry on my computer. Thanks Kel. Keep up the great work. Love you!
The energy and warmth exuded by this family reminded me of how lucky I am to be invited to capture these special moments. Michelle emailed me only 2 days before they arrived on Maui and since I hadn’t taken any sessions this month because of my October Light & Life class, I quickly responded with a big fat “YES!” Apparently, Michelle had panicked last minute at the thought that she wouldn’t be in any of the images she was taking of her children on vacation. I don’t really blame her for waiting, it’s totally something I would have done… it’s hard to decide to have your own picture taken, and she freely admits to not loving being in front of the camera. But after going through these images, I, for the life of me can’t figure out why….Michelle you are beautiful, inside and out, and I can feel your loving soul in every image. Thank you for letting me be a part of your evening in giving “proof” that you existed on this vacation. xoxo!
…and what beautiful proof it is!
oh my gosh- the black and white of the daughter is to die for!!!! The silhouettes of them on the hill *gasp* amazing!
Oh, these are gorgeous!
I love these SO MUCH!! I wish everyone would get family photos done while on vacation! I gasped out loud as each one loaded on my monitor! These are remarkable!
Michelle… You are gorgeous.
thank for taking such great pictures of my Daughter and her family loved the black & white of Michelle and Zoe
thank you again
What an amazing love filled session. I can’t stop looking at them…you are incredibly talented!! If I ever make it back to Maui (with my kiddos in tow this time) I pray you are still taking on sessions. Fabulous job Kellie!!
i love this so much kel. i can’t get over that last one. just can’t.
WOW! speechless. I love your art and your how your mind works. Such beautiful work!
We are in Maui until December 3 and would love for you to take nontraditional family photos, meaning not the typical beach scene but other unique but cool Maui locals. Please email me at kellyjocollins@gmail.com or try phoning at 206-3355833.
Thank you
well, i’m back at it….at least for this month.
it seems my procrastination was meant to be, because yesterday the little one learned to ride a bike. and i captured it with my big camera instead of my iphone. sid said it perfectly, “that was AW-AW-AWESOME!” and, I agree.
here’s a little slice of our yesterday.
don’t forget to check out Kristin M. Young | Central Florida Photographer!
[...] to see more of the awesome participants of the 10 on 10 project, start with Maui’s own Kellie Hatcher [...]
The water sprinkles on the cheek…stunning. Big congratulations on the bike riding, little one! And in flip flops no less! Way to go!
seeing your everyday how you see it is always such a treat…
congrats on Big Girl Status with no trainers! 
xoxo
glad to see you back-at least for this month…
What precious little moments from your day, Kellie! Congratulations to your little one for learning to ride.
I love her bike ride. What a beautiful day! You always make me smile. You also remind me that life is beautiful.
every time i start a post, i write a long story that has nothing to do with the session. usually something about me losing my car, or using an entire bottle of dry shampoo, or dying my hair with box color. you know, things that make people feel better about themselves. then i delete the entire thing leaving only a few sentences relating to the actual session. i did the same thing when i wrote this post, wrote and deleted. maybe next time i will leave the scatterbrain thoughts at the beginning of my post.
i loved this little family. we were lucky to catch a little glimpse of a hula show on our way to dip our toes in the pacific. these two made life with a 3 and 1 year old look too easy! so cool and calm….they were definitely not the hot mess of nerves I was when mine were this age. meet phoenix and clover and their ridiculously cool (and sweet) parents.
Oh wow….what a fantastic session! I absolutely adore these images!
this has to be one of my favorite sessions you have done. beautiful Kellie.
Such beautiful pictures! I have not been shooting as much as I’d like with my “big camera” at all lately. Or, I shoot, but I don’t process. Need to life back in order after my dad’s sickness and death this spring. Still post an occasional pic on FlickR, but mostly from my iPhone. :/ I hope you are getting what you want from life! Hugs!
Meet the ultra cool Modchik and her oh so modfam in their first family photos since their 6 year old was born. Thanks for letting me follow you around, it is truly an honor every time I get to capture these memories.
oh these made me tear up. just precious.
That last image of the brother and sister is so beautiful!!
Oh Kellie I clutch my heart as I type these words “thank you for rising up the task of photographing and photographers family” I don’t think people realize how hard that is, my kids, especially my husband are extremely turned off by having cameras in their face. Through wind and sand you make it look easy!!!
much love & aloha!
Linz
kellie, the interaction between this son and daughter is SO sweet. i would love to have pictures of my children together like this. such a gorgeous family in an idyllic place! beautiful post!
Lovely photos of ModChick! I love the light and relationships between everyone.
amazing Kel! you are redefining the family beach portrait!!!! gorgeous family too, so many of these should be on their walls. really totally ka work.
Linz- These are GREAT.. LOVE! There is one picture, with you and Pat, that i think i hear him laughing and saying “this is so lame, you owe me” and you are smiling” back…. Great to see so many smiles on your FAM!
XOXO
[...] Vacation this year was about just being together with no agenda. Really we only planned one thing and that was to have our photos taken while we were there and we did. We have never had our family portrait taken so when I found out we were going to Maui I instantly knew who to call first, Kellie Hatcher. Next time you see me musing around these parts I might just ask Kellie to join me for a conversation here on the blog. I know you will enjoy her work click here to see our session. [...]
Oh Kellie, I adore these!!! You are just so amazing:) I am so happy that Linds hired you to photograph her family:) xo
sometimes this happens when kids are tired.
and when it does, it makes me happy.
i mean, we are talking crazy, but oh so real.
and i love it.
i am fully convinced the happiest moments and memories will always be those very close to unhinged. kellie, that first image…that light. pure beauty.
Love it!!
perfectly imperfect! love these.
Just beautiful
these were taken a few weeks ago at our soul shooting workshop. i’m so grateful to the uber talented kristianne, an attendee, who gave up her time to watch our mock sessions and let molly and i and several of our attendees photograph her family. thank you for opening your hearts, bearing with the chaos, and giving an audience just a glimpse of your life at the beach.
to see the other mock session we did at our workshop from sarah’s perspective go here.
[...] visit Kellie Hatcher first and then follow the link on her blog to visit Sarah and Rosina. [...]
aaah! I love them. You are amazing. How did you get in front of Merrik running into the water with his board? no wonder you were soaked!!
the B&W are gorgeous and I love seeing the images where we are all together but not standing there posing for the camera. They have to be my favorites and most cherished.
Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with everyone at the workshop. The ongoing experience is having an incredible affect on my photography and my life!!
that one…..oh that one where she is sucking her thumb. please do another work shop. [denver colorado] mountain air, fall leaves, streams——-come on!!!!
What a beautiful family! I am so glad you had a wonderful time at your workshop. It looks like it was a truly special day! These images are superior.
love how real and intimate these are
[...] lives in South Carolina. Kellie lives in Hawaii. Sarah lives in California. Rosina lives in New Jersey. These [...]
Lahaina, HI 5:45pm
a walk on the beach after shave ice under the banyan tree….a maui vacation before there are three.
Beautiful family bathed in golden light. Love your work, Kellie.
Beautiful perspective!
Gorgeous light.
thank you so much kellie for this peek. it was a wonderful coming home gift! i love the images…this is exactly what i was hoping for- real moments, emotions and love captured. now i am going to have to find the wall space to display them all
[...] photo notes: *taken with my G11 and 7D/Canon 50 1.4. i planned on renting the 16-35 lens but decided not to and am kind of glad i didn’t. yes there were times i wish i had a wider angle but i liked the compactness of my set up and i didn’t have to worry about taking care of a rented lens. i still wrapped my camera up in a towel and tucked it into the non-sandy beach bag. i would have been super worried with rented equipment. *shot in Raw and Jpeg – no editing (will edit later as needed for our album *i love that we all took turns taking photos and documenting our trip *also check out Kellie Hatcher’s blog for a sneak peek of our beach photo session. [...]
Awww…love seeing my friend through your lens…so fun!
These photos are simply amazing!!!
Beautiful!!
We will be in Maui in March 2013 and would love to experience your work, Krista is amazing and I love her work. I love what you did with her family
Oooh! I would love to see more “posts just to post” ! Wonderful!
OH my goodness. these are beautiful
The first one is simply amazing!
It’s hard to explain the connection I feel to my clients when I get done with a session. I don’t want to stop chatting, I want to go to dinner and learn all about them instead of just studying their connections from behind the lens. After this session I felt exactly the same way. I have been referring clients for several months now, but when I received Jeff’s email and saw his work, I was flattered that he wanted me to capture his family on their vacation. (And, apparently, I only have to be flattered to take a session)
I recommended a beach that I use a lot and was flabbergasted when I arrived. The beach was covered in people and debris from recent bonfires. My jaw hit the sand for just a moment and I considered having them follow me to a nearby bay. I am pretty sure I rattled aloud all of our options while they stared at me and smiled politely. Sorry guys, I am not great at hiding my feelings. We decided to stay and I am so glad we did. It was a gorgeous night with gorgeous people and somehow we managed to stay out of the blackened wood piles, and holes in the sand (thanks, for saving me when I was walking backwards….that could have been disastrous).
Be sure to check out Jeff Seltzer Photography, if you are looking for anything other than photos of your children to fill your wall space…he has some gorgeous work.
xo, kellie
Beautiful, Kellie. As always. Your work is always beautiful light and real emotion. It makes me happy.
Gorgeous light! I cant wait for our session!!!
Just beautiful Kellie. Such a lovely location and amazing light
Wow! I am really feeling the beautiful connection between each family member <3
It was such a pleasure meeting you Kellie. You made the photo session so enjoyable and so easy. The pictures look awesome and I cannot wait to see the rest. Mahalo!!
I’m glad you stayed too. These are gorgeous!
Stunning work! You can feel the love this family has for each other. And all but one shot makes it look like they’re the only ones on the beach, so nice decision to stay. The light has such a lovely dreamy feel to it.
are you sure you weren’t talking about the beaches on our island? lol i can’t image that Maui’s beach like that, you would never know from these photos either btw. just gorgeous!
I want to go to there. You seriously rock my socks off KH! wayne and garth baby… w&g!
And Jeff’s work is amazing! I’m speechless. gorgeous art, gorgeous family!
these are just lovely!
These are so beautiful Kellie!! I’m glad you didn’t leave! Love the drift wood…
Love! I think he picked the BEST to capture his family while on vacation! Beautiful family.. beautiful pictures!
by Kellie
I love that first one so much. Why is so scary to be creative? It makes me shake in my boots.