Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Hamby.
Kelly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always had a love for photography. I used to take pictures as a teenager all the time, I was the one in the group always documenting all our activities and adventures. After getting married and having my first son, I upgrade to a nice DSLR, I took a very basic photography class and then just started shooting. I learned through trial and error about light and how to use it. It was my hobby for a long time, but after years of working in medical research at Emory University, and one more child, I decided to take my hobby to the next level and start photographing friends’ families on the side. This was exciting as I was getting to learn about using my surrounding, even more, getting what I wanted out of the kids, and cutting my teeth on photoshop. I got lots of experience in photoshop since being a perfectionist I really wanted my pictures to look as professional as possible and I was able to “fix” so many things this way. Especially, the toddler that looks the other way in the one shot you want to use! haha
After a couple years of doing photography on the side, I was expecting baby number 3 and it was just too hard to keep all the balls rolling with my full-time research job, so I decided to leave Emory and came home be with my kids and make my photography my main focus. My photography has always been done around my kids and their schedules and often it has taken a backseat. This year, especially since in May I had baby number 4 and we now have 4 children. I have never had the time to advertise or really ramp it up to being a large business… but maybe that’s why it’s special. I am able to give my clients a nice personal touch. Having come from a big family and with as many children as I have, I really “get” kids. I know what makes them tick and how to get them to work with us and their parents when they are having an: “I’m not going to cooperate with anything” kind of day. Most of all, I really LOVE these families and I love being able to capture a moment in time for them to remember forever. I enjoy catching emotion and connection in my pictures. I have also enjoyed photographing a children’s clothing line called Smockingbird kids. It’s a great company to work with and there’s never a dull moment on our photoshoot days with a toddler after toddler!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s not been too bad, I did have my camera and lens stolen at one point. But I’d say the hardest part, as a natural light photographer has been learning how to use the available light wherever you are. Especially in a darker house or building. It’s also challenging as a mom of 4 to find time to schedule shoots and edit them… but somehow it all gets done!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kelly Marie Photography – what should we know?
I am a natural light photographer, I shoot outdoors and I also do lifestyle photography in peoples homes. I mostly shoot families, newborns, and kids. I guess if I had to say what I specialize in it would be child photography. I am just really good at getting kids to work with me and respond. I would say that’s what sets me apart from the way I am able to work with kids and bring out their best sides. What I’m most proud of is having clients tell me how much their children love me and how they couldn’t believe how well they did. I have clients that come back year after year and the kids and I are buddies. They tell me they get excited about seeing me… that warms my heart so much! I really love their kids too!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have to give the biggest props to my husband who has always picked up the slack, around the house and with the kids, especially during my busy season (fall) when I have to edit round the clock. He has always believed in my skills and appreciates my love for photography. Also my mother and mother in law, they are always willing to help me when I have shoots that I can’t schedule around the kids.
My family has always been supportive and truly my cheerleaders. I would thank so many of my friends for trusting me to photograph their families and then passing my name along to their friends. These would be too many to list them all by name, but most of all my business has been through word of mouth!
I’ve had a few photography friends who have also let me bounce ideas off of them and helped me here and there along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.photographykellymarie.com
- Phone: 770-827-3929
- Email: kellymhamby@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographykellymarie
- Yelp: www.photographykellymarie.com/blog (this is my blog where my recent work is)
- Other: www.photographykellymarie.com
Image Credit:
Shannon Leigh
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
