Can We Just Buy The Files?

We understand that some photographers these days have built a business model upon simply shooting and delivering digital files on a disk or memory stick.

At Dennis Kelly Photography, we have decided this is NOT the model we choose for our business. We have made the conscious choice to focus on printed art as our medium. We have made this decision for a number of reasons:

¨ The photography process involves more than taking a picture. If you went to a five star restaurant and they brought you a pile of ingredients and told you to “cook it yourself”, you could expect it wouldn’t be quite the same as if the chef prepared it for you. The same is true of photography. All the details that go into producing a final printed piece of art are lost when providing raw images on a disk. We choose to be a full service studio and offer the full range of our expertise to our clients.

¨ The printing process itself is an integral and very important part of the photographic process, and it can be done poorly. We want to insure that our clients receive the most beautiful and long lasting artwork possible from our studio. We deal only with professional labs that closely monitor color calibration, use only the best materials, and stand behind the quality and craftsmanship  of the products they sell. If we allowed our files to be printed just anywhere without our oversight, this would be a disservice to our clients who have chosen us for quality. It would also reflect very poorly on our reputation for producing only top notch photography.

¨ Photographs only have value when you view them! This seems obvious, but we all know people who have disks of images sitting in a drawer, probably never to be viewed again. Our belief is that our responsibility as a full service studio is to help our clients choose printed artwork that they will enjoy and treasure for many years.

¨ Prints offer longevity that digital files do not. Digital files consist of magnetic charges stored on a medium, and they ALL will eventually deteriorate and become unreadable. One day, future generation will try to view those images and will be unable to. Those family heirlooms will be gone forever! Prints may indeed fade slowly over time, but will not disappear in the blink of an eye. Future generations will have decades to  view them, and have them restored if needed.

Posted in Dennis Kelly Customers, Education, Tips, Uncategorized

The Vital Importance of the Print

The Vital Importance of the Print…

A big issue facing our children’s future is the lack of the printed image as a family legacy and heirloom. Years from now, your grandchildren will be going through the history of their parent’s (your children’s) past. Will they find round silver disks or ancient memory sticks containing all the image of their parent’s childhood, only to find they no longer have the technology to open and view them? Or, will all the photos from your child’s past be lost on discarded or non-functioning cell phones and computer drives?

Think about how hard it is even now to view or convert old movie film from your parent’s past. Fortunately for us, our parents made prints from our childhood. These prints last longer and are the easiest media to view. They are the best way to preserve our history and heritage. The will not become instantly un-viewable if a few disk sectors become corrupt. Even if they begin to fade or age, you will have years to have them them restored and reprinted. They will not become lost to history in the blink of an eye.

With photography playing a larger part in our lives today, some people may think that the immediacy of social media somehow will take the place of an album of family photos, or the family portrait on the wall. What they fail to realize is that it is highly unlikely today’s platforms will even be around 20 years from now. We will have moved onto something else, and all those images and memories stored in the cyber world of Facebook and Instagram will be long gone.

As we progress in our lives, our photos and other memories of our past play a more significant role than we realized in our youth. It’s important that you help your children to understand this, and encourage them to “make those memories” or they will be lost forever.

Portraits displayed in the home give a personalized warmth and character that no other decorating touch can give. Studies have shown that children gain a sense of belonging and connection when their parents display pictures of them in the home.

It’s astonishing that people will display a large painting of flowers or a landscape in their home, but not artwork featuring their greatest accomplishment, their family!

Don’t let a “photographer” convince you that you want a disc of your images from your family or child’s portrait session. Insist on high quality prints, from a reputable studio, with a guarantee! Otherwise, your family’s heritage may consist of some pretty silver disks hanging over your sofa.

Portraits decorating your home add a personal touch like nothing else can.
Posted in Uncategorized

Meet Our 2020 Senior Models

Meet the Members of Our 2020 Senior Model Team.

Our senior models act as brand representative for us to their class and since we work closely with them, they are able to tell you all about what getting your senior pictures at Dennis Kelly is like. Our senior models are featured in our online and print advertising, and also get the opportunity to participate in special themed photoshoots and charity events too.

Who would YOU like to see as the featured model on our first direct mailer?

Vote for your favorite model and the one who receives the most votes will be featured in our very first mailer for the class of 2020. Only one vote per email address. All votes must be received by Sunday, May 19th 2019!!

Alyssa

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
As a member of the AFJROTC at Washington Township I assist at many school functions throughout the year, as well as participate in a variety of community service projects. I am a cheerleader at school, for both football and basketball. In the summer of 2018 I completed the Cadet Leadership Course at Joint Base McGuire/Ft. Dix, which was a week long program that was mentally and physically taxing but I was very proud of myself for completing it. I look forward to going again this year as an instructor.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
Many of my friends had their pictures done by Mr. Kelly and I always thought they stood out and looked different and more unique than other companies. When I saw that there was a chance I could work with him and be a part of interesting photo shoots, as well as having my own personal senior portraits done, I jumped at the chance and applied to be a 2020 model.
What things do you do for fun?
I play softball for parks and rec in Township which is a lot of fun. I’ve had the same coach since I was 5 years old so that is pretty cool. I enjoy going to the beach, whether it’s summer or winter and I love our family vacations.
Do you have any goals for the future?
I am looking forward to attending college and then going into the Air Force when I’ve completed my degree, hopefully to do investigations or intelligence as part of the Armed Forces.

Ana

 

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I play field hockey, basketball, and track and I also work at a daycare and I train a lot so I can join the marines next year
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I saw a post on Instagram and my made supported me with the idea
What things do you do for fun?
I hang out with my friends and I also go to church with my family
Do you have any goals for the future?
I’m joining the marines next year and become a great soldier.

Bella (Gabriella)

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I play soccer for my school as well as club soccer for RUSA. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my dog, Sophie 🙂 I love trying new things and activities. I’ve played almost every sport and couldn’t imagine myself without athletics in my life.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I love the styke of the photos by Dennis Kelly and i know a few girls on the team and it seemed like a fun experience and something new to get into!
What things do you do for fun?
Playing soccer, spending time with my family and friends, playing with my dog, working out and anything that’s new and exciting.

Do you have any goals for the future?
I want to graduate from highschool and college. I hope to be a forensics accountant when i’m older! I would love to be able to continue playing soccer throughout college and after I graduate. I also want to travel and go to new places and explore the world.

 

Camryn

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I enjoy playing volleyball, i have been on the volleyball team for three years now at school, i also have been dedicated to the township choir for three years as well, i love hanging out with my friends and spending time with my family. I also love photography myself and enjoy art.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I had seen his work when i was a freshman and since then have always wanted him to do my volleyball shots and senior shots.
What things do you do for fun?
I love exercising so any kind of running or sport is fun for me, i love singing and dancing as well.
Do you have any goals for the future?
My goal for the future is to take over my moms business and spread her name. she died of a heart attack 8 months ago, and she had created and run her own gymnastics center for 20 years, which i plan to keep up and running even longer.

Dorca

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I am a Latin and Ballroom dancer at Universal Ballroom Dance Center where I normally spent all my time at learning the thing I am more passionate about and also a student-athlete on the varsity cheerleading team and track and field.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I decided to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly because I was interested in many of his photos he has taken for the way it catches my eyes.
What things do you do for fun?
The things I do for fun is hanging out with my little brother and dancing with my friends at my dance studio and competing with them.
Do you have any goals for the future?
I have a future to be someone big in the dance world and compete in Blackpool in England and also to study mass communications and films.

Gia

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I spend a lot of time studying to remain at the top of my class academically but I also love to be with my family and my pet Corgi, Ellie! I am also a Level 5 All Star and Varsity cheerleader so I spend many hours at the gym each week to maintain my skills.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
My older sister was a 2016 Senior Model for Dennis Kelly and I loved hearing about her photo sessions and how much input she was allowed to have into the concepts and creativity. Her photos were amazing and I have looked forward to my turn for the past 3 years!
What things do you do for fun?
I love to read and spend time outdoors whenever I can. I also love to find new places to visit and I am always excited to learn about other cultures. I am fairly fluent in Spanish and, since I’m traveling to Greece this summer, I’m hoping to make progress with my knowledge of a second foreign language.
Do you have any goals for the future?
From the time I was in second grade I planned to attend Princeton University and study one of the sciences. I have since focused on Physics as my probable major but I am exploring all of my college options now that the time is actually here!

Grace

No information provided yet! Check back soon.

Jake

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I love to play volleyball for my high school team. I feel that I have made a brotherhood with all the guys I play with and that’s a bond I’ll never lose. I also love spending time with my family. I know that the value of family is extremely important and I hope that I can carry that same value with me throughout life when I have my own family one day. I am honor rol student and PVI and I take a tremendous amount of pride in my school work. I know that if you do something you should do it 100%. I also love my Philadelphia sports teams and being at those stadiums for Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers games has taught me the definition of passion.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I saw a lot of what Dennis Kelly had done in the past and I was inspired by the way his pictures were different. They weren’t like every other run of the mill photograph. I love doing things that are different and extodinary. His pictures inspired me to be able to show people who I really was in high school. I’m excited that one day I can show my kids picture of the things that made me who I really was in high school and not just me sitting in a chair in front of a fake back drop. I was super excited when I was selected to be on senior model and I can’t wait to be a part of all my fun and unique shoots.
What things do you do for fun?
I love to play sports. I also love the beach. If I could live on the beach one day I would be in my dream house. I also love going to sports games in Philadelphia. Seeing the teams I love with the people of Philadelphia is one of my most happiest places in the world. I also like having with my buddies from school and playing sports with them.
Do you have any goals for the future?
I want to go to college for culinary arts and become a chef. I’ve loved cooking since I was a young boy and I never stopped loving it. Food is another big passion of mine and I love cooking almost as much as eating. I hope this a dream I can fulfill and I know that if this was my career I would be happy going to work every day. I think that is what’s most important in life. You should never be unhappy doing your job. It should be something that brings joy to you every day, and I know being a chef would make me that way.

Kelly

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I enjoy painting, photography, creating fun goofy short films and music videos with friends, some other activities I do are bike riding, walking through different trails, and sketching.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I’ve always been interested in the modeling industry and love how each picture is filled with details and tell it’s own unique story. I thought the perfect place to start was Dennis Kelly! I’ve seen a few advertisements through Instagram and my sister Tara shared the link for Dennis Kelly knowing I’d be interested in taking part of the 2020 senior modeling team.
What things do you do for fun?
Things I like to do for fun include taking long bike rides with friends, baking, painting, drawing, and going on adventures!
Do you have any goals for the future?
Some goals I have for the future include going to college after high school and work on the journey to becoming an executive producer, movie director, actress, and model

Kristina

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I am very involved in my community. I volunteer to help mothers in need and at Jefferson hospital. I play tennis for the high school. I spend time with my family and my pets. I got inducted into national honor society and national science honor society.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I wanted to become a senior model because Dennis Kelly’s pictures are very unique. And he shows personality with all his pictures. Also there’s so many fun things to do and he’s one of a kind
What things do you do for fun?
I play tennis. I play with my pets. I hang with friends. I like to bake. And I hang with my family
Do you have any goals for the future?
I hope to go to a good school and study to do something in the medical field. I hope to have a family with lots of pets. I want to move somewhere where it’s nice out a lot.

Lindsay

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I play flute and piccolo in the marching band at WTHS in the fall. This year I was lucky enough to get a solo and be the flute section leader. I am also on the track team in the spring. My events are sprints and hurdles. i was also recently accepted into a leadership camp that will be held over the summer and I’m so excited!!
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
Some of my close friends had shown me their senior pictures and they looked really good. A few of my friends were also on the model team and once I got the chance to join I did right away.
What things do you do for fun?
I like to run, and play different music, and I also dance outside of school. I love hanging out with my friends and family and playing with my dog too.
Do you have any goals for the future?
After highschool I plan on going to college and studying biomedical engineering. I hope to be successful in this field and after that I’ll see where life takes me.

Lyana

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
The activity I do is dance. I dance 8 hours a week and love every second of it. Some hobbies I do is art and taking pictures with my friends. An accomplishment I am proud of is making it into National Honors Society In school.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
The reason I decided to become a senior model for Dennis Kelly was simply that I love to take photos and to get photographed.
What things do you do for fun?
I like to hangout with my friends, go to the mall and movies.
Do you have any goals for the future?
Some goals I have for the future is to stay productive and do what I love.

Meghan

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I do taekwondo everyday and every week, I’m in NHS, I’m a principal list student, i have gotten awards for taekwondo and volunteership. I love the beach and spending time with my family and friends. I love participating in school and I’m in science league, again NHS, and interact club.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
My sister Caitlin loved doing it and i loved how her pictures came out, and all the options she was offered to pick from.
What things do you do for fun?
Taekwondo, drawing, spending time with my boyfriend and friends, and going outside
Do you have any goals for the future?
Being a marine biologist and nurse

Monica

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I am a Varsity Cheerleader, my class president, a peer leader and a student ambassador!
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I love the quality and timeless look on his pictures.
What things do you do for fun?
I love to hang out with my friends and play with my dogs.
Do you have any goals for the future?
I hope to wake up in 20 years and only be doing what I love.

Mycala

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
I play basketball for school and AAU basketball and I love to cook and bake.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I decided to become a senior model for Dennis Kelly because I saw how amazing his pictures were and I wanted to join and have him take the same amazing pictures of me.
What things do you do for fun?
I play basketball, play with my pets, hangout with my friends, I love going to the park, cooking and baking, going to the beach, going to museums, dressing up,
Do you have any goals for the future?
For the future I would love to attend college and become a lawyer of have a degree in business. I would also like to play basketball in college and maybe later get into modeling.

Serena

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
Most of my time is spent cheering, for the Williamstown Braves and NJ Spirit Explosion Fab 5. I have been on the highest level of all star cheer, (level 5) since I was 10 years old. All star cheer at this level is a year round activity from November to May practices are daily, whether it is tumbling or stunting, every day is different but equally challenging. I have had many injuries, concussions, broken bones, torn ACL and a broken back. Currently I am not cheering because I need to give my body a break for now. It’s the first time I haven’t cheered since I was 5 years old. I’m kind of lost without it but have been studying hard to get good grades because that is what’s important when you’re a Junior. I also like to spend time with my boyfriend, Aiden.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
My cousin was a Senior Model as well as a few of my friends. I’ve always admired their pictures since they’re not your usual Senior pictures. Every picture is different and unique.
What things do you do for fun?
I love spending time with my friends. I help my mom at work in the daycare and love playing with the kids. I like to binge watch Netflix 🙂 Even tho I can’t do it at the moment, tumbling has always been a huge source of fun for me.
Do you have any goals for the future?
I’d see myself doing something like counseling, or a therapist. I love helping others. Of course, way down the road marriage and family is a goal I’m looking forward to!

Stevie Rose

Tell us briefly about your activities, hobbies, and accomplishments.
– I’ve been dancing since I was 2 years old. I currently attend high school for dance as well. At my dance studio, I assistant teach and have recently been given the opportunity to choreograph dances for this years recital. I also compete in dance where I recently received the over all highest score for a solo in my age group.
– I’ve been performing on stage in musical theater since I was 8 years old. This past December I was in Newsies at the Grand Theatre in Williamstown and this spring I will be performing in our school production of Inside Out. I’ve been nominated for 3 Julie Awards for my roles on stage at my theater and received 2 of those awards.
– This year I started dancing for the Philadelphia Jr. Soulmates Dance Team. Our first performance is coming up! 
– I am a member of the National Dance Honor Society, the Thespian Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and the National Honor Society at my high school. All of these Honor societies are awarded on grades, community service and talent. These are honors I am beyond greatful for.
– As a junior in high school, I have already completed my first college course and just recently signed up for 3 additional college courses for the first semester of my senior year. I am excited to work hard, continue my education and look forward to a bright and fulfilling future. 
– I am a Right Fit Dress Rep for The Right Fit Dress Company. I’ve been working hard promoting thier company and earning g community service hours for events I participate in through them.
– I am excited to be a Senior Models for Dennis Kelly Photography. I’ve just started my journey but look forward to all of the fun and exciting opportunities it has to offer.
What made you decide to become a Senior Model for Dennis Kelly?
I’ve seen the quality of Dennis Kelly’s photography and I know some of last years Senior Reps who all had great things to say about their opportunities and the photos they received. I feel comfortable in front of a camera (as I do on stage) and after learning more about the program and the community service opportunities that are available, I felt this would be a great for for me and am excited to start my sessions.
What things do you do for fun?
I dance! Dance is my outlet. When the music starts and the movement takes over my mind, body and soul, I am free. I’m free from stress, I’m free from worry, I’m free to just feel the music and create happiness. I don’t need to think (or over think), I’m not worried about grades or homework, I’m not worried about taking the SAT’s, I’m content and I’m happy.
Do you have any goals for the future?
I am currently working on college courses to get a jump start on my college education. I would like to become a dance/movement therapist. It is a form of physical therapy that can be used alone or in conjunction woth traditional physical therapy. It is a form of therapy that helps not only and injury or disability. It also helps heal your mental state of mind and keeps you active and moving. I sustained an injury when I was 12. I broke my elbow. The joint completely exploded. I had 2 surgeries to correct the problem and I remember my orthopedic telling me that I may not be able to use my arm the same way again. I remember the physical therapist telling me my injury could prohibit me from dancing to the level I was used to. I remember putting in my earbuds and working hard and imagine myself dancing while I was doing all of the exercises I was given to do. I want to make that a reality for others. I want to help people with injuries, disabilities, special needs, etc. to strengthen themselves and their minds through dance and movement and hope they find a love in it as I have.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Dennis Kelly Customers, News and Happenings, Senior Models, Uncategorized

Fitness Shoot with Chrisi

One of the really fun things I love about my job is the fact that I usually get to do something different almost every day.

One day I might be called on to photograph a senior hockey player on the ice, the next a pretty girl on the beach at sunset, and the next the exterior of a restaurant at twilight.

Being presented with these types of creative challenges keeps me on my toes, and forces me to think about each subject and situation I am faced with and how I can best employ my skills and knowledge to create something extraordinary.

Recently I had the opportunity to photograph a young woman, a nurse by trade, who is a real fitness buff.  Follow her social media and you will usually find her at the gym, working out. I’ve photographed her before, and I can attest to the amazing transformation she has accomplished with her body, all through hard work and dedication.

So, I was excited when I got the chance to showcase the results of her hard work.

In order to really accent her muscle definition and tone, I chose to photograph her with what we call “edge light” and a high ratio (meaning a strong contrast between highlight and shadow.) This type of lighting is challenging because it requires precision both in metering and placement.

Some tips I utilized to add impact to the lighting: I asked he model to lightly apply and rub in some baby oil on her exposed skin to add specularity. On some shots I lightly misted her skin with water to give it even more glisten. I added low lying fog from my chilled smoke machine for a gritty effect. And lastly, in processing my RAW files in Adobe Lightroom I gave my images a pretty strong boost in contrast and clarity.

Enjoy some of the images from our shoot.

Posted in Dennis Kelly Customers, Tips, Uncategorized

Shooting at Eastern State

Shooting at unique locations often has the effect of jump starting one’s creativity.

As such, I try to take every opportunity I can to push myself outside my comfort zone and challenge myself to work in new environments.

Such was the case a while back when I got the opportunity to do a photoshoot with one of my favorite models and frequent muse, Tina, at the Eastern State Penitentiary.

From the ES website:

“Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America’s most notorious criminals, including “Slick Willie” Sutton and “Scarface” Al Capone…”

Normally closed to professional photographers and models without special permitting and fees, I got the opportunity to shoot there on a hot summer night a couple years ago.

The conventional wisdom among photographers is that juxtaposing beauty with decay is a powerful way to create captivating imagery. There is certainly an abundance of beautiful decay at this haunting (and some say haunted) location.

There was a lot of ground to cover, and I wanted to be able to move fast and make maximum use of the limited time I had, so I opted for  minimum equipment. I chose a hand held DSLR and only 2 lenses, a 24-105 and my 70-200. I brought along 3 off camera speedlights, but mostly only used 1 or 2 on most images. My wife Bonnie served as my voice activated light stand… hand holding my main or accent light for 90% of my shots.

Working with an experienced model like Tina made shooting so much faster, as she required little direction. I could just explain my vision for the shot and she would nail it in just a few tries, then we could move on to the next series.

Below, please enjoy some of the many fun and awesome images we created that evening.

I can’t wait for another opportunity to photograph there. Unfortunately, Eastern State has discontinued their practice of opening the site to professionals one or two evenings per month. Hopefully, they will reconsider at some point in the future.

Posted in Education, News and Happenings, Uncategorized
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