Wedding planning is overwhelming, especially with so many important decisions that need to be made. Your photographer can make or break the wedding day, and the preservation of your memories is in their hands. Here is some great info to help you choose your wedding photographer. Be sure to hire a PROFESSIONAL Your wedding photographer […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

I don’t shoot film because it’s trendy. I don’t shoot film because it’s what the new generation wants or thinks is “cool.” Trust me, I have NEVER been cool. I’ve always gone against the grain, been my own person, and often paid the price for it. I spent (wasted) much of my life apologizing for […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

Today I’m going back to Ashlee and Greg’s 2006 wedding in Turlock. What a gorgeous couple, and a beautiful photo with flawless light. And all I can look at is that piece of hair going into her cleavage. What was I thinking? I’m so glad I’ve learned as much as I have and am now […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

I had the pleasure of meeting the gals from Sierra Bridal at the January 5th Get Married Modesto Bridal Show. I immediately struck up a conversation with one of the owners, Sandy, because I’m from Sonora and went to high school there. Turns out I went to school with her daughter! Small world… I hauled […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

Sometimes you just need to go for sushi with your girlfriends. Three of us had a fabulous long lunch and vented about everything going on in our lives. It felt FANTASTIC! Everyone needs friends that you can say anything to, that you can confide in, and who support you. I’ve shared a lot about myself […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

When photojournalism joined wedding photography in the 90’s I was quite excited. That was how I was already shooting. I loved how REAL the photos were. I loved the originality. Black and white photos were FINALLY gaining momentum! (I had been hired at multiple weddings to shoot the black and whites because their photographer refused […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

We had SOOOO much fun at Maria and Zach’s wedding today! This couple is sweet, awesome, and very in love. Maria was literally hopping around in her dress and veil saying, “I’m so excited! I’m so excited!” Too cute! I finally got to photograph a gorgeous long, veil that was edged in lace! YAY!!! I’m […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

If I had a dollar for every time a client showed me a photo on Pinterest and wanted it duplicated, I could buy that pivoting lens thingy I want so bad but can’t afford. Pinterest does have its place. It’s great for creating mood boards, planning stylized shoots, showing clients what to wear to photo […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

Mark, Remember the wedding we shot at the fairgrounds eight years ago? As the bride was walking up the aisle with her father, there was a lovely giant dumpster behind her, which would be in the photos. We were working with bare-bones equipment, zoom lenses on our 35mm bodies – in direct sun – no […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

There are several definitive characteristics about me that make me who I am. For instance, I watch I Love Lucy in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, I can talk to a tree, and I’m highly addicted to dark-chocolate-covered honey comb. But there is much much more… • I’m OCD about my […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

During last week’s treasure hunt, McKenzie was hopping around, grabbing items and saying, “Oooo, oooo! Dawn, we need this! OOOO THIS! Let’s get this!” In EVERY store. So, when she grabbed this gown off the rack at Buy Rite Thrift, I shook my head, dismissing the “OOOO DAWN WE NEED THIS!” “How much is it?” […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

Have we met? If so, you know I’m uber-passionate about film. I love love love it. Let’s take a little journey though some shots I got in San Francisco during Lesley and Earl’s awesome engagement session, and talk about the challenges I faced because of my insistence of shooting 100% film. Earl and I are […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

I ordered this gown over a year ago because I really wanted to do an Ice Queen shoot in the snow. Then it didn’t snow. Bummer. Well, now it’s snowing in the mountains! So I have about a week before I risk it being gone, and I have NO idea how I’m going to pull […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

I swear this photo shoot aged me ten years. When we got home, I put away the hair and makeup supplies, then took to my bed. After I woke from my coma today, I sorted props to return. Tomorrow I’ll pack mine away and de-glitter my house (if that’s even possible). McKenzie was right when […]

Dawn Kelly Media -

Why yes, I WAS up until 1:30 hot-gluing props. Famous quote of the night: “It’s amazing what you can do with a hot glue gun. OWE!!!” Klutziness + hot instrument = burned fingertips. But I can’t NOT do it. I’m obsessed with making my own funky props for my creative shoots, and I am going […]

Dawn Kelly Media -