Introducing....

Wow! I've been neglecting this blog for some time! I'm so sorry:) But I'm back and am excited to share a little something new... With any session you book with me, you receive a beautiful slideshow as a keepsakes. Check out the one that I made for my sister and brother in law:

And another one of my favorite families...

Northern Hills Mission Trip to Bolivia

This past week I had the privilege of photo documenting Northern Hills' first Missions Trip to El Alto, Bolivia. We teamed up with Compassion International to build a new classroom onto the school at Iglesia de Eden. Compassion serves as an advocate for children and strives to release them from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty. To say the least I was blown away by the integrity, love, and literally the compassion of this organization. Please visit their website and consider sponsoring a child.

We also had the amazing opportunity to meet the children we sponsor through Compassion. We were so blessed to meet our children and spend some time loving on them. We spent our Sponsor Fun Day at the zoo in La Paz. Our guide and representative from Compassion Bolivia, Maria Elena, said something that really touched my heart. She observed the team loving and pouring into these children like they had known them for their lifetime. "In many cases there is no father figure in these children's lives or the mother is too busy providing to play with their children. What an amazing testimony to God's love and an example you are setting when you instantly love and care for their children."

We saw poverty and living conditions that took us by surprise, even when we thought we were "prepared". There were many times when all we could do was find a quite place and cry. Despite everything that we witnessed, there was such laughter, gratitude, strength, and thanksgiving to God for blessings that many of us would file under "trials". Joy and contentment. They were living what Paul described in Philippians, only I'm not sure whether they have ever lived in plenty. "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4: 12-13

These beloved Bolivians thanked us for what we had done for them and I hope that they will someday know what they had done for us. Perspective was such a beautiful gift given on this trip.

An Aymara woman wearing the traditional clothing.

Our preworksite picture.

The reality of poverty hits a team member after she scrapes the remainder of her lunch into a mother's purse to serve her family.

We loved how the Aymara women carried their babies.

La Paz, Bolivia

How we were greeted every morning:)

Bolivia Bound

Tomorrow I leave for La Paz, Bolivia with a team from Northern Hills Church for my first mission trip. We will be meeting the children we sponsor through Compassion International and building classrooms for a local Compassion site. I am so excited about this opportunity and humbled that I get to be a part of this mission. One of the privileges I have will be documenting our journey and telling the stories that unfold through photography. I am so honored to be a part of this team-people that have a heart for serving and have said yes to a divine calling. Please join me in praying for opportunities to serve and love unconditionally, courage as I'm so far away from my family, and ultimately God's perfect will to be done.

~Kaela Green

Reflections on WPPI Things...

What a blessing I was given to be able to attend WPPI! My husband rocks for being so eager to watch our three boys and hold down the fort to get me there. (Sidebar...I think, nope, I know my husband is a much better housekeeper than I am. I call him "Mr. Mom". We won't talk about the perfect condition of the house in my absence, it still hurts to think about it. Seriously, can't he just fake that he needs me around??) And Kathy Ray rocks for braving the job of being my roommate! It is so hard to put into words everything that I experienced in such a short few days, but here's a little glimpse...

There were so many wonderful photographers that came and shared their hearts and their business. Some more business than heart, and others more heart than business. The first session I went to was Audrey Woulard. And I said to my friend, Dee Lucas, that if I get nothing out of the rest of the convention, that session was worth it! And that was only the beginning. Audrey shared how she got started, much like I have, although I didn't drop my camera and find my shooting style:) LOL!

I listened to Kirk Voclain and while I don't like his sexy style of shooting seniors, he has a great personality and really knows the biz! I was very inspired by his presentation and it lit a fire within and has really given me an extra boost of confidence. He shared a picture of his first studio that I tried to find. It was in a trailer with sign that read, "Senior Portraits, with a touch of class". How funny is that???

Finally we get to my last session and most memorable. Although, had it been the first session, it would've stood out in my mind regardless. It was Lifestyle Baby taught by Amber Holritz. And while I call myself a "lifestyle" photographer, she really defined this for me. She made me realize that what I offer my clients isn't just a photograph that shows what their son or daughter looks like at age 2. I'm showing you how you are a family with your son at age 2. How you loved, played, laughed, rocked, sang, and snuggled with your daughter. If you want a picture to remind you of what your baby girl looked like, you can go almost anywhere or to anyone it seems like anymore... But if you want to show your 25 year old grown-up son how you were together as a family~then you come to me. That's what a lifestyle photographer is. That's what I do. I take portraits that show what life was like for you when...So that someday when you look back on them with your children you will remember what it felt like to hold your baby girl in your arms. How he smelled when you kissed his chubby cheeks. And how they gazed at you like you are the most amazing thing they had ever seen. That's lifestyle photography. That's what I'm offering.

Vegas Here I Come! WPPI 2010

After much planning, discussing, & deciding the time has come for me to be off for a little known town named Las Vegas for WPPI. This will be my first year attending and I'm really looking forward to meeting new friends and gaining a wealth of knowledge!

For those that don't know, WPPI stands for Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. It's a HUGE convention that photographers and vendors from all over the world gather and take over the MGM Grand. There are classes taught by the people in my world call "celebrities". There are so many great speakers and it has been a challenge to prioritize who I'd like to listen to most! Some of the people I'm planning on seeing include: Audrey Wouldard, Kirk Voclain, Tamara Lackey, & Jana Candler~just to name a few:) I can't wait to share what I've learned and see how God will use this convention to bring new experiences to KGP in 2010!

One Day Sale Today!

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The Birth Story of Baby Joshua

I had the pleasure and opportunity to photograph the story of how baby Joshua came into this world. The J family is near and dear to my heart and I was honored to be asked to participate in this blessed day. Thank you, for allowing me into your lives to photograph such an amazing day!