MEET DENNIS AND BONNIE
Dennis and Bonnie Kelly are the owners of Dennis Kelly Photography, which they established as a partnership in 1981.
Dennis handles the photography and Bonnie runs the office, and together their left brain / right brain partnership has resulted in Dennis Kelly Photography becoming one of the most highly regarded portrait studios in the South Jersey area
The Kelly’s have 2 sons who both grew up in the family business, but you now have professions of their own, and 4 grandchildren, who are a source of constant joy.
In addition to photography, Dennis is an avid scuba diver, and a PADI certified Divemaster and has dived in exotic locations all over the world.
Bonnie has a great talent for home design and decorating, gardening, and practices yoga regularly. She also has a sweatshirt officially naming her as “World’s Greatest Grandma”.
Bonnie and Dennis are avid “do-it-yourselfers” and have presided over many room remodels, kitchens, bathrooms, decks, skylights, and basement renovations. There isn’t much they shy away from!
ABOUT DENNIS
My interest in photography began at a very young age when my parents gave me a black and white developing kit for Christmas. I can remember setting up a makeshift darkroom in the basement and watching that first image magically appear in the tray of developer under the dim glow of the yellow safe light. From there I was hooked.
My love for photography followed me into high school and college, where I did photography for the school yearbooks and newspapers. I got a job at a local studio near my house, working in the darkroom, sweeping floors, assisting anywhere and sucking up knowledge anywhere I could. I shot my very first solo wedding at 17 years of age!
My passion coupled joyously with my love of people, and I soon focused my interest exclusively on portraiture. I became obsessed with learning techniques to make people look their best, and to dig deep to try and create portraits that captured each individual’s unique personality.
My wife and business partner, Bonnie and I opened the doors of our first studio in 1981, and we’ve never looked back.
My father once told me, “Do what you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Well, I don’t know about that, but at least I’ll admit I’m fortunate to always be happy and excited to go to work every day!
I believe that photographs have an ability to touch our lives in a powerful way. The thing I love most about my career as a photographer is being able to bring joy, happiness, comfort, and pride into the lives of the clients who entrust me with preserving their precious family memories. For that I am indeed honored and grateful.
AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Dennis is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and a member and past president of the Guild of Professional Photographers of the Delaware Valley.
In addition to his career as an internationally recognized portrait artist, Dennis also devotes time to teaching and lecturing professional photographers on various aspects of photography, and is frequently invited to judge professional imaging competitions.
Below is a partial list of degrees and certifications he has earned:
- Certified Professional Photographer 1991 (Awarded with the highest score on the CPP written exam in the country.)
- Master of Photography Degree 1996
- Photographic Craftsman Degree 2003
Additionally, he has won the following awards for excellence in photographic imaging:
- New Jersey Photographer of the Year (multiple years)
- South Jersey Photographer of the Year (multiple years)
- New York State Court of Honor (multiple awards)
- New Jersey Court of Honor (multiple awards)
- Walter Free Trophy for Highest Aggregate Score (multiple years)
- Fassebender Cup for Highest Scoring Salon Image (multiple years)
- Mallas Award for Excellence
- Kodak Gallery Award for Excellence (multiple awards)
- Fuji Mastepiece Award for Excellence (multiple awards)
- PPA International Loan Collection (multiple years)
- Images featured in PPA General Collection and Loan Collection Coffee Table Books
- Featured Instructor at the Triangle Institute of Professional Photography
- Featured Presenter at the NEPPA, PPANJ, MarylandPPA, PPA of Delaware, and GPPDV conventions and program meetings.
- PPA/Epcot Center Loan Exhibition
- GPPDV Photographer of the Year (multiple years)
- Imaging Asia 2005 Loan Collection
- Center for Fine Art Photography Imaging Showcase and Featured Gallery Image
- Individual Gallery Showing of Fine Art Photography Philadelphia, PA 2004
- Numerous Blue Ribbon and "Best Of" awards from the PPA, GPPDV, PPANJ, and SJPPA including; "Best of Show", Best Portrait of a Man" "Best Portrait of a Woman" "Best Portrait of a Child" "Best Group Portrait" "Best Salon Image" "Best Folio Collection" and the "480 Club"
- In 2020 Dennis had his image "Balance of Power" nominated for a Grand Imaging Award (top 10 out of 6,000 entries) in the Portrait category and was selected as one of 3 semi-finalists in Portraiture representing Team USA in the Photography World Cup.
Dennis' dedication to photographic excellence and continuing education means that you can expect an unrivaled level of commitment and professionalism.
The Master of Photography Degree and the Photographic Craftsman Degree are bestowed for excellence in photography, and service to the profession, respectfully.
The Certified Professional Photographer designation is an ongoing process that must be renewed on a regular basis. It involves proving proficiency in photographic knowledge and skill, but also ethical business practices, unwavering dedication to customer service, and a commitment to ongoing education.
In 2020, Dennis had an image selected as a finalist in the Grand Imaging Awards in the Portrait category and was selected as one of only 3 finalists in the portrait category of the World Photography Cup for Team USA.