Many of our Grads talk about having taken up photography because they wanted an outlet for creativity, and something that was just for them. And Kellee, a mum of four and a much loved member of our CLG community, is one of those Grads.

Meet Kellee

Kellee lives in Fargo, North Dakota with her husband, and her two grown up kids and two younger. She was running a home daycare business when she decided she wanted something that was just for her, so she turned to photography and ultimately launched her business at Soul Tree Photography Studio.

We’re constantly inspired by her work and generosity in sharing in our groups… and for that reason I’m thrilled to introduce you to Kellee today! Read on to learn how she went from simply pursuing a creative hobby, to running a successful photography studio!

Something for Me

I had always wanted to learn photography!

My first DSLR was a Canon 3ti that was given to me as a Christmas bonus from my last employer. I’d pick it up, take a few pics and then lay it down for months and/or years at a time. I always had other distractions getting in my way!

I’d run two half marathons in the months leading up to joining Click Love Grow, and it was my time to myself, but my body was NOT loving it. I was sore and achy all the time and felt like I was 80 years old vs 42!

But I was in desperate need of something just for me, and photography answered a burning need for a creative outlet.

Luckily, photography isn’t typically as physical… not yet anyway! So finally, in 2018 at age 42, I decided enough was enough! I dove into the Click Love Grow Enthusiast Photography Course and haven’t looked back!

Learning With Click Love Grow

Lou has such an amazing ability to communicate and that really helped me understand those challenging concepts easily. The lessons and critiques I received on my images each week was wonderful.

The course exceeded my expectations and I couldn’t recommend it more!

My favorite part of the course was the dedicated private Facebook group that is created for the course, as it introduced me to fellow students and moms from all over the world.

The lesson homework/challenges were always so much fun, as everyone comes up with such interesting takes on them. That creative inspiration played a big part in my own development, and getting to know them, and seeing their progress was definitely a highlight.

Finding My Inner Creative

I feel so much more confident about my photos since taking the course.

Once I graduated, I loved being able to control my camera and create the visions I had in my head straight away, as opposed to just snapping away cluelessly and hoping for the best!

It definitely fills my creative soul more than any activity ever has before. I’d never really been “great” at anything. I tended to pick things up quickly and become “good” but never amazing, but this feels different.

 

Studio Style

I started out practicing on my own children and those in my care. But I had a lack of clear space in good light so I started creating photogenic spaces in small corners of my house, which resulted in a more studio style of portrait. Also, I live in a place where it’s really cold for 8 months of the year so that was a big driving force to embrace indoor studio photography. Soon I was collecting props, experimenting with backdrops, and having so much fun with it!

A Photography Studio is Born!

I turned my photography into a business right away and started Soul Tree Photography Studio.

 

I consider myself a natural light photographer, however some days there is simply not enough light so it was essential to master the speed light.  Sometimes I’ll add continuous lighting especially if I have a vision for a specific look. So during this time I gained a lot of experience using artificial sources to light my subjects.

 

It worked beautifully, capturing children in tiny corners of my house, but I began to outgrow the space. I was getting bookings for entire families, and I simply didn’t have the room to capture more than 3 people at a time. Plus my props started to overrun my house!

 

So it was time to take the leap and expand my space. I heard about another photographer moving out of her studio and needing someone to take over her lease, so I jumped at the chance! I found two other photographer friends to sublease from me, so that we could all afford the rent more easily. We all have our assigned shooting days and times throughout each month, and we share props and everyone contributes to the space when we can.

 

 

A Creative Career

I had longed for a career that would be more creative and flexible, and what started out as a hobby quickly became a dream that photography will get me to that place.

Joining the Click Love Grow Enthusiast Photography Course was the best decision I’ve ever made.

If I hadn’t taken that leap, I wouldn’t be working in a career I’m truly passionate about, and which also fulfills my need for creativity.

Before & After

We hope you enjoyed Kellee’s story and stunning portraits! We love a before & after set of images as it’s such a fantastic visual way to showcase the growth of our students in just 8 weeks of learning with us. And Kellee’s before & after is no exception! Her before shot is cute for sure! But her after shot, which was taken at the end of the course, shows her skills in finding and rendering more flattering portrait light, stronger more mindful framing, improved perspective and she used her settings to better isolate her subject and achieve for perfect exposure.

Ready to start taking photos you love, NOW? Our next Enthusiast Photography Course is starting again SOON!!

Register today, put yourself in our hands, and let us do the rest!