Oh my goodness, I am terrible at BLOGGING

I mean, I haven't blogged in like.... erg.... a YEAR.

I spend more of my time updating Instagram and Facebook... because honestly, it's just easier from my phone. And let's be honest, 2020 WAS A WASH.

So let me fill you in since my last blog. I had a couple of sessions in early 2020 that I honestly never got around to posting here. I thought 2020 was going to be MY year.

And I decided to buy this awesome space for my studio (and future life plans), closing on it right before COVID. And then COVID decided to change our entire lives.

I won't lie, being married to someone on the frontlines in 2020 (who is actually important to an entire hospital structure in this community) was very, very heavy. It meant that we as a family lived our lives very differently- so much more in quarantine to protect others and ourselves, especially when every day my spouse was directly in it with COVID. Everyday was a different amount of emotions and my coping method is to rechannel heavy energy into making something beautiful. Looking back on the year, it's been a year where I took all of my funky ideas and tried to get them out there. It was a year I could perfect my editing. I spent it figuring out what direction I wanted to take my business, but also what needed to be made in the studio. It was a year of envisioning costumes, props, and my artwork. It was a year of getting life a little more organized, painted, and ready for future sessions. (There was so much painting, I left sets of paint clothes at the studio- and they might still be there.) It's been a year since I closed on that space that would house the clothes, furniture, art projects, and props for pinup. It's been a year of non-stop making, cleaning, painting, and creating spaces and scenes. It's been a year and I will be ready when it's time to open to the entire public.

Last year, I did a handful of outdoor family sessions for friends and one pinup in the summer all dependent on numbers in our community and the direct input of my healthcare spouse. As of March 2021, I am only accepting healthcare that have been fully vaccinated. In a way, it is my little thank you to open to my people in my former life. When vaccines are rolled out to the entire public (including me), I will plan to open fully. Until then, enjoy the fact that I have amazing friends in healthcare. They are pretty darn fantastic...

So that's the year in a nutshell.

Can I present my amazing friend, Kara?! I have known her as a co-worker, as a neighbor, and a friend. She's one hot mama and wife, but she's also one amazing caregiver with the heart of gold. And she honored me by being in my studio a couple days before her birthday. For International Women's Day. I mean, perfect, AM I RIGHT?!

Seriously, I have been so lucky to know some legitimately BEAUTIFUL gals, inside and out.  I hope to highlight some of my current work and throw in some oldies that I never posted. Stay tuned. And Les Elvgren, eat your heart out.

XOXO,

Kerry

Beautiful friend at a beautiful place

If you have been following Instagram, it's been a swoonfest of gals. I am a little late at the blog. 

And January might have been the month to knock everything out before the official unveiling of the website. 

When I had this concept of "vintage women in pinup style" in mind, it has been really difficult for me to explain it. I am pretty articulate with words, but this was a hard concept to get heads around. One of my earlier posts (see New Orleans) helped with showing my goals of how I wanted to take pictures. Despite all of these sessions, it's still hard to explain and much easier to show the pictures. And when I was needing to get my own headshots done with a silly fun idea (because sometimes you have to be there to experience not just direct it all), I knew there was one person I would want behind the camera just to capture my goals. And of course, that same person was also up for the same kind of fun.

Did I tell you I have beautiful friends? Well, this one. This one captures beauty from behind but also exudes it when she is in front of the camera. She doesn't like to be in front of the camera, but my goodness, she is such a stunner. This gal has been my easy coffee date after she started working with me more than a decade ago. She was an actual partner in crime as my cohort in oncology social work at one of the hospitals. She and I had babies the same. She quit the gig to pursue photography full time and if you don't know her, you should hire her for all your maternity, babies, family, and kids sessions. She's been one of my go-tos for bouncing off life. But she is one to also encourage and when I told her about my silly ideas... talk about building a friend up and helping shape up the business model. She's also my go-to when I say, "let's go location scouting!" and you end up cold calling and emailing random places that you want information on. She's the one that will end up giggling at you while you are dancing in a coffee shop. Or maybe you end up laying on random cement in front of her because it's hilarious and it looks good. You can't ask much more from a gal like her. I am so lucky to have her. Find you a gal like her. Real, effortless, build you up when you aren't sure how to make heads or tails, and will get in front of a camera for you because you asked.

A duplicate, but I love it in color just as much as black and white. 

Just a few other pics of Monarch Prime. It definitely is in one of the most beautiful places in Omaha for sure. I have been dying to eat there and when we went with friends the day after this shoot, it did not disappoint. In fact, this might be an anniversary place or a very nice date night place for beautiful cuts of meat and gorgeous drinks that were on point for us. My husband might be a bit particular about his old fashioneds and let's just say, that it is exactly how he makes them at home, which there are few and far between of places that make them as delicious as he does. The ambience, the decor (down to the restrooms), and the staff doodle books were all beautiful touches... But the FOOD. We ended up with the last piece of a bison ribeye that had been aged in house. There may have been uncouth behavior as the request to leave the dish to allow for our sides to use up the sauce from the ribeye. One side dish in particular stuck out for me, their beet salad was presented so beautifully but also tasted divine. Thank you, Monarch Prime staff. 

 

Stay tuned for the next place with my girl Amanda.

xoxo,

Kerry

My brain doesn't ever stop creating...

It doesn't really stop. I know that I have a legit problem when I get involved in projects. Ask my husband, he knows there's no stopping this train.

A lot of people have asked WHAT do they do with the pictures once they have them. Legitimate question...

Well, the first answer is obviously, WHATEVER YOU WANT. The sky really is the limit. But the obvious is usually to make an album with any pictures.

My pictures, however, don't always warrant that... These type of pictures especially...

This is where, I hope you have chosen me as your artist ... Here's a list of ideas:

-Post-it notes (so that your family and office staff know exactly what you mean when you write things down and maybe how you want them to listen)

-Notebook cover (to giggle at whoever gets to stare at your lovely face saying some very specific quote)

-Bookmark (for when you find yourself reading.... riiiiiiiigggghhhhht)

-Calendars (and if you made a couple of Norman Rockwell pinup style, then this makes it even more fun)

-Playing cards (for your children to always remember you are still involved in their playtime)

-Luggage tags (because someone tries to take your luggage and you can shout at them that your face is on that tag)

-Glassware (EVERYONE should drink out of your beer mugs)

-Stationary and Thank You Cards (the quotes add some humor AND personalization)

-Phone Cases (yes, that's obvious because then you know which phone belongs to you)

-Magnets (your kids will know you are with them at the fridge even when they decide to go off to college)

The list goes on. These kind of things are just silly enough because you might not be recognized right off the bat AND sarcastic enough that it makes it acceptable. I won't lie, I had teatowels made of myself as a tiki girl and I think it is hilarious when my husband wipes his hands on my coconuts. Really, my coconuts. 

But I might also be partial because I love to add a layer of real to these products. This right here...

in a tea towel... (Actual amazing recipe) 

Will post something about my products in the future... Because some of us might have gotten product because it's silly. 

XOXO, 

Kerry

When your friend...

...Used to be a flight attendant.

...Gets excited and builds you (without very little evidence that it should be done).

...Is the encourager and THAT person you ALWAYS want in your corner.

...Validates and says the things that need to be said before it comes out of anyone's mouth because it's genuine.

..Starts to gather up ALL THE THINGS before it happens, because she's 100% ALL IN with you...

Well, you bet your bottom dollar that THIS friend deserves some love on the blog. Love this gal. I CAN'T EVEN with her genuineness, her honesty, and her refreshing love for all the things.

Everyone needs a Maria like this one in their life. I am so lucky that she's part of mine and I am so loving the way that this shoot incorporated her previous career in the airlines as well as the way we feel about "momming."

She honestly is a light in my life as well as everyone she graces. She will save your butt, brainstorm with enthusiasm in any problem, and talk in a way that is honest and hilarious at a later time. 

(flight attendant pictures involve mixed media of old advertisements for that fun vintage ad feel)

And just in time for the next holiday... LOVE how these turned into a very OLD SCHOOL PINUP style...

And we really did have a photoshoot... 

She's the best. I mean, look at her. She's the best. 

XOXO, Kerry

One of my favorite girls out there...

Can I talk about one of my closest girlfriends?

She is perhaps one of the most thoughtful, genuine, kind, and REALLLLLL people I know. And she does it all. I don't think you get it, but she really does it all. I mean, all of it. As in runs all the things and while she does it, she is really, really kind. She really exudes the greatest energy and I am so lucky she's part of my everyday people. Oh and the cherry? She's seriously gorgeous. As in jaw drop gorgeous. (There's something to be said about the way that good energy inside really reflects on the outside too... And she's really actually one of them)

Don't believe me? Well, just a couple from her session. 

You didn't believe me, did you? 

I hate to say it, but I don't know how, but I have a beautiful tribe. Really. Inside and outside.

Genuinely, honest, good freaking women who raise their kids with me, kill it in all they do, and build me up. It doesn't make sense. But you will get to see more of them here in the next month. Because my girls will brainstorm with me, network for me, and take the day off to take pics with me. And seriously, FILL MY CUP. Because they are my girl tribe. 

 ADDENDUM:

I had the opportunity to take pictures at the Red Lion Lounge... If you haven't had a chance to grab a drink at the Red Lion Lounge... then you have been missing out. I have been here numerous times in the Blackstone District and love the vibe. When you sit in their booths, well you feel like it is a different time and place. The pink door is one of the most famous doors in that building, which you can't miss, but I have always been about the ambience of a bar. And of course the drinks. This place has a classy feel to a night out, but also that Nebraska nice too.

Maybe even more so, is when you realize that one of your neighbor's best friends owns a triplet of places that you TAKE YOUR OUT OF TOWN GUESTS TO EAT. That's right, Red Lion is associated with Butterfish (best sushi in town) and Stirnella (literally the place I take all of my friends to lunch on the way to the airport). It totally makes sense. I am so glad to call them new friends also... because foodies. And friends.