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Meet Kyndal!

I had so much fun doing this girl’s shoot. We had a blast together. She was so awesome and went along with all of my crazy ideas. Kyndal is another senior from Gatesville High School. She is a tomboy at heart and loves just being in her Nike shirt and jeans. But goodness, when she does dress up she is stunning. She told me when we first started our shoot that I would have to tell her how to pose because she had no idea what she was doing. Well, that was a total lie because as you can see, she was a natural. I can’t even begin to pick a favorite of her. Kyndal has plans to be a nurse and graduate in 2020. I think she will be amazing at anything she puts her mind and heart into. Kyndal’s shoot brought an end to senior season since we are less than a month away from graduation. I have so enjoyed all the amazing seniors that I’ve gotten to know. I can’t wait to see them all walk that stage and go on to make our world that much brighter simply because they’re in it. So Kyndal, my prayers and thoughts are with you as step out of this chapter and into a brand knew one. The lives that you will touch with your unique set of gifts and skills will be innumerable. Good luck, sweet girl!

#nursesrock #senior16

Meet Kaylyn, better known to most as KJ. She's a senior from Gatesville High School that has a unique style all her own. KJ is the type of girl that sees beauty in things most others would look over. That’s why it was so much fun to take her pictures in downtown Waco, Texas. KJ is a girl after my own heart who loves old doors, busted up brick, and crazy colored walls. Her photos are breath-taking simply because she's in them. Her beautiful heart and fun personality make her unstoppable. KJ is taking that knock-out power to Tarleton State in the Fall and what a treat they are in for. This beautiful girl is a bookworm, Star Wars junkie, and an adorable band sister. She plays the flute and also has a crazy awesome voice. There isn’t much this girl can’t do and I’m beyond excited to watch what the world will become with a firecracker like her leading it.

#KJ bookworm beautyfromtheold

About me:

So as a photographer I love that I get to meet so many beautiful human beings. I have heard fascinating stories, seen amazing individuals and families, and learned to love people more. I am a natural introvert. It really isn't a matter of being shy because I’m not afraid to talk to people, but I definitely get my rejuvenation from being by myself and where it is quiet. However, photography has been an opening to a whole other side of me that I’m still getting to know. As someone who is quite comfortable being by myself, I’m seeing that I truly love people. I get to see these other beings that are made in the image of God and it is an amazing experience. People are beautiful and I love that I get to capture that. As part of my job, I’m always asking lots of questions to get to know you better, so I figured it was my turn to let you get to know me a little more!

1. I am addicted to coffee and can drink it pretty much any time of the day or night.

2. I love bright colors, but if you looked in my closet, you would see lots of grays and blacks. I should probably broaden my horizons.

3. My husband (JayR) and I have been married for over three years and he’s pretty much my best friend in the world.

4. I am a bit OCD. I kind of get tingles when there is stuff I can organize, even if it isn’t mine.

5. I grew up in New Mexico and I loved it. My family still lives there and I am so happy when I can go back for visits. It wouldn’t bother me to live there again one day, but if I can’t, I’m pretty happy being in Texas. (JayR calls me his Tex-Mexican.)

6. My TV pretty much lives on HGTV. My favorite show is Fixer Upper and JoAnna Gaines is like my hero.

7. I am terrified of creepy-crawly things, especially if they’re in my house (and I lose track of them).

8. I took a welding class in high school and was actually pretty darn good at it.

9. I love the idea of shopping, but when I’m actually doing it, I become exhausted in no time.

10. I hate wearing shoes, but I also don’t like when my feet are cold. The struggle is real.

11. JayR and I frequently speak a sentence and then break into song. We have conversations in song too.

12. I’m not a huge fan of cooking, but I love to bake. Cakes, cookies, pies, fudge - I love it all.

13. I can be very sarcastic, but I try to keep it to myself until I get to know people better. I’ve been told I’m sassy.

14. I get a little bit nervous before every photo session because I want everyone to love their photos and treasure them for years to come.

15. Mercy is one of the spiritual gifts God gave me and it can be a blessing and a curse. However, I love that my heart aches to love people, even if we are only apart of each other’s lives for a short time.

Thank you so much to every single one of you who have stood beside me through this crazy adventure and undertaking. I honestly, could not do this without your continued love and support.

Meet the Glover family. Rex, Randee, Raylee Jo, and Rhylee. I fell in love with this family on Saturday night. They had me laughing and smiling, and that was before we even started! Rex and Randee have been married almost 10 years, but they have been together over 13. In that time they welcomed Raylee, who is 9, and Rhylee, who’s 4. As you probably noticed, we had a theme going with our pictures. Rex works for the railroad so of course, we had to get pictures of this railroad family! Rex was a good sport because he agreed to go where he works on his limited time off. Thanks, Rex! These photos were taken at Whistle Stop Park in Temple, Texas. Randee and I neither one had been there before, so we were both super excited with everything we saw. The girls loved climbing around on the trains, and we were blessed with a sunshine day after almost 4 solid days of rain. This family seems to have so much love and respect for one another. All the smiles and laughter were so natural. When it was mom and dad’s turn for pictures, the girls loved making them giggle. The same was true for them; I'm pretty sure I had my fair share of bunny ears during this shoot :) and I loved it. Trying to get a family of four just right in each picture can be challenging, but these guys made it look easy. It really seemed to help that the environment was natural for them. Randee and the girls were asking Rex about the different trains, and we amused every conductor as they drove by with smiles and big waves. I loved the time I got to spend with the Glover family. I hope you enjoy a small glimpse into this beautiful families’ life.

#trains love photography

Say hello to this almost, Mr. and Mrs.! Iliana and Jacob are so sweet together. They are so relaxed and comfortable around each other, which, I guess, comes pretty easily after being together almost 7 years! 7 years exactly on April 1. Iliana and Jacob were high school sweethearts and they met doing something they both loved, JROTC. I guess that makes them one “commanding” couple! They knew that they liked each other from the very start, but Iliana’s father told her that she was a little too young to be dating anyone yet. Jacob, being the gentleman that he is, decided that he would wait for Iliana. How sweet is that! When the day finally came, Jacob asked Iliana to be his girlfriend on April 1, April Fools Day! Why that specific day? Because this sweet, shy lad was a little nervous that Iliana would say no. So to play it safe, if she did say no, he could play it off as an April Fools joke. Smooth, Jacob. Very smooth. Jacob and Iliana both still laugh at that. However, the girl he had long waited for did in fact say yes! So what’s the first thing you want to do when you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? Go on a date, of course! This proved to be a not so easy task for them. Schedules were simply not lining up. Finally, they both found a day that they thought would work, but Iliana forgot that she had promised her niece that she would take her to none other than to see the “Hannah Montana” movie when it came out. What day do you suppose that fell on? Jacob, however, being the sweet guy that he is decided he didn’t care, as long as they were together. So the THREE of them went and saw the “Hannah Montana” movie together. Pretty sure Iliana new she had a keeper even then.

As you can see, many of these photos are taken at the Hippodrome Theater in downtown Waco. Iliana and Jacob love movies. That is their go to date option, so why not include their favorite thing to do in their pictures? In fact, they love movies so much, that they made it the theme of their upcoming wedding! So excited to photograph that! They also chose the historic Texas Ranger’s Museum. The couple loves the Texas Ranger’s baseball team, so of course they had to sport their Ranger’s jerseys in front of their favorite spot. Which is why they chose to have the wedding reception in that very spot! I love these two so much, they were a blast to scoot around Waco with. I hope you enjoy these photos of them and be on the look out for their wedding and Iliana’s bridal photos coming soon!

#hippodrome rangers truelove

Meet Kailyn. She is a beautiful senior at Gatesville High School. She plays in the Hornet band and is in color guard. This bubbly girl is so full of life. I was so excited when she asked me to do her pictures. Kailyn has such a contagious smile, and I couldn’t wait to capture it in photos.

Usually, I ask people if they have places mind for their photos, and if not I make suggestions and we carry on from there. Not Kailyn. She knew exactly where she wanted her photos taken because each spot had meaning to her. I LOVE when people have meaning in their locations. It’s what’s part of the memories that these photos hold. Kailyn loves Gatesville, and even though she is excited about the future, she holds this town and the people close to her heart. We first went to Coryell Memorial Hospital. Sounds like a strange place for pictures, right? However, Kailyn knew that there was an old, rustic gazebo behind it. She sees the beauty that others might miss. Next, we went to the courthouse. The beautiful architecture of the old building, the green grass, and old paint chipped doors made for some of the must breath-taking shots of Kailyn. Third, we went to her church which happens to be mine as well. Kailyn loves God and her church home. There isn’t hardly a Sunday when I don’t look over during worship and see her standing there using sign language for each song. It’s beyond lovely to watch her worship in her own personal way. We have a beautiful prayer garden there with three huge crosses over looking the town. Kailyn wanted to carry those with her also on her new adventure after graduating. Finally, we went to the most fitting place, Gatesville High School. Kailyn is and always will be a fighting Hornet and she is proud of the legacy she has left. I’m so proud and thankful to have been a part of even a fraction of this young ladies’ life. Class of 2016, please, welcome, Miss Kailyn Paige Tidrick.

Meet Riley Miller and her beautiful daughter Lexi. Riley is a Gatesville gal and works along side her mom as a beautician at Two 2 Tangle Hair Salon. She is a single mom to 5 year old Lexi and as you can see, they absolutely adore each other. Lexi loves dancing and being a ballerina. As we walked through Raby Park, Riley and Lexi would hold hands and spin each other around. I felt like I wasn’t even there, they were just doing their thing as I captured every beautiful minute. This mother/daughter bond is strong and I hope through the years that it continues to be. Thank you, Riley and Lexi, for letting me be a part of your wonderful memories.

Go Hornets! Meet Colton Pittman and Brayden Mitchell. Best friends, team mates, and graduating seniors. I mean, really, #10 and #11? Just makes sense that they would be buds. I had fun going out to McKamie Stadium to take pics of these two. They may not have been thrilled when Colton’s mom set them up for an hour session, but when they were told they could throw the football around and just be themselves, it became not such a chore. Getting to shoot them on their field was really special. You could see as they looked on, the many memories that had been made there. Touchdowns scored, team huddles, and blood, sweat, and tears. I hope these two and their families are able to look back on these photos with pride, remembering the many moments that brought them to where they are today.

Taylor and Tyler are the perfect tale of high school sweethearts. Taylor is a recent high school grad and knew exactly what her future held in store for her, to marry her country boy, Tyler Brown. When asked to do their engagement photos, I couldn’t be more excited. I love doing photos of couples first of all, you get to see how they interact with each other in what can be an awkward situation of taking pictures. You are told to act natural, but it can be tough when a camera is all up in your business. However, Taylor and Tyler seemed to be pros. It was no trouble getting a smile from either one of them. Tyler seems perfect at drawing a laugh or smile from anyone, but especially his sweetheart. Taylor seems to be the more reserved one in the relationship, and Tyler is very outgoing and talkative. They compliment each other so well. Opposites attract, and it looks so well on these two. I hope you enjoy their photos and truly see the love that radiates from each of them. Young love, true love, pure love - these two have it.

#younglove

After a long year of teacher’s conferences, school field trips, and second grade craziness, I was so ready to be back in the place I love to be, which is behind the camera. For those who don’t know, my husband has one of the most adorable nieces in the whole world, her name is Miss Pyzlee Snyder. After my husband and I married over 2 and 1/2 years ago, she became my niece as well! Over the last few months, Pyzlee has been involved in multiple beauty pageants. She has done amazingly well. In her last pageant she won the state title for Texas as Grand Supreme model. She won multiple trophies, a diamond ring, along with sashes and ribbons. She is quite the little super star! Next month she is headed to Nationals in Oklahoma and I couldn’t be more proud. So when my amazing sister-in-law asked me to take Pyzlee’s portfolio pictures, I jumped at the chance. Maybe she’ll remember me when she’s in the Miss America Pageant ;) Pyzlee is a natural in front of the camera. She is such a little ham and loves to be goofy and silly; and adorable, but that just comes naturally :) so these are a few of her portfolio pics. The photos needed to have a theme so there are a variety of things going on - fairies, cowgirls, firecrackers, oh, and let’s not forget Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz! Hope you enjoy!

Sweet Anna Rose

Well, things have been crazy the last few months. With teaching and family, I have not been as on top of things as I wish I could be, but that changed over the Christmas break! I had the most amazing photo session to do, and sadly it was a session that almost didn't happen. Sweet, little Anna Rose Burroughs is a 9 month old miracle. Anna is the daughter of Dusty and the late Jade Burroughs. Jade and Dusty had been married a short month, when they discovered they were expecting Miss Anna! Oh the joy that this young couple had over their sweet, baby girl. A joy that Jade was able to share in for 7 beautiful months. On October 9th, 2014, Jade was tragically killed in a rollover accident at the early age of just 23. Jade and Dusty had only been married 16 short months, and now he was left to raise his baby girl alone. Thank God though, this is not the end of the story, for this could have been much more tragic than it already was because you see, sweet, little Anna was also in the car with Jade. Anna laid in her carseat 7 hours before someone drove up on that country road and heard a whimper coming from inside the car. The gentleman reached inside and touched her arm and startled her awake, and was then greeted by her beautiful smile. God saved Anna for a reason, and it is incredible to think what He must have in store for her to rescue her from such a tragedy. Sadly, Anna will probably have no memory of her sweet mother. Just the stories and pictures that others share, but we know that our Savior is merciful and that Jade will never be far from Anna's side.

These pictures are the reflection of an adorable, happy baby girl that is the spitting image of her mother. I cannot describe the honor it was to enter this home and just capture the sweet, miracle life of Anna Rose.

Rest in peace, sweet Jade. We know that you are celebrating your New Years in the presence of Christ.

This is no ordinary couple, this just so happens to be my beautiful parents. I had the honor of taking there photos in regards to their 28th wedding anniversary! These photos were taken in my hometown of Corona, New Mexico. The backdrop? Their very own backyard for the majority. We hit a few other local places; my dad's church, our school gymnasium, and an open field next door. When they asked if I wanted to go else where for these images, I couldn't think of a better place than the beauty that they call home. Every picture, every background, every moment completely described them. Through editing these photos I found myself smiling because the love I saw in these pictures was the same love that I saw all while growing up. They were my model of how a marriage should be and one that I based so much of my own love towards my husband from. They were and are the stem of it all. I hope you enjoy just a handful of the beauty that make up the 28 year marriage of Cal and Sherry.

So it took me way longer to post this blog than I was wanting, but do to technical difficulties, well, here it is haha.

I had the amazing honor of getting to do a session with not only one of my favorite couples, but my best friend in the whole world. She was my college roommate, maid of honor at my wedding, the whole nine yards. We were "joined at the hip" as everyone always said. People were actually worried when they didn't see us together haha. Candace and Phil were so much fun to shoot. In every picture you can see not only how much they love each other, but the absolute fun their marriage is. I told them just to have fun and pretend I wasn't pointing a big black thing in their face and that is exactly what they did. I have never had almost too many great photos to choose from, but with them it was overwhelming. Set with the beautiful Cameron Park as the background, every picture was full of color and life. I hope you enjoy these amazing photos and that with each one you can enjoy the fun that they experience every day.

#truelove

Upcoming!

Hey everyone! Sorry it has been a little spotty on my posts lately! However, things have really been moving in so many ways! Be on the lookout for an awesome blog coming up on dear friends of mine Phil and Candace Avants! I had the joy of photographing them this weekend at beautiful Cameron Park in Waco, TX and the pictures came out amazing! Also, I received an awesome opportunity to work for a company called Mom365. I am assigned to two hospitals in the area and get to photograph the newborns and their families! This will most definitely help me in my own photography business. God has truly been blessing and I can't wait to see what comes about next!

#blessed

Cooper's Blog

Here he is everyone! Cooper Brian Remini. This adorable one month old captured my heart from the moment I met him. He was bright eyed and ready to go as soon as I got there. He seemed a little confused at first wondering why he was outside in a basket with a strange girl pointing this black thing in his face, but he did awesome! It was my first new born shoot and I was a little nervous, because I didn't know what to expect. But this little guy spoiled me because he never shed a tear. He would get a little fussy, but then mom and dad would take him and feed him the "decoy" bottle and he was ready to go again. I figured with a full belly that he would sleep through most of the pictures, but I got the most amazing bright-eyed photos. He was awake, for almost every single photo. There are so many great pics, I almost don't know which ones to share, but I know he will capture your heart just as he did mine.

#capturedmyheart

Website!

Hey everyone! So I finally have my website up and running! Please check it out and tell me what you think! The web address is temporary for now, but I will let you know the permanent one as soon as it is available. Thanks guys! Here it is http://kelliwest12.wix.com/kdphotography

Cooper time!

I had a blast taking pictures today of little Cooper! He did amazing and was such a trooper through the whole thing. He gave me a full hour of photos and I couldn't be happier with them. Be prepared to see lots of adorableness coming your way real soon!

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