Kellie Kano Photographer

05/23/2019

I don’t always shoot weddings... but when I do my couples are 100% friggin amazing. It’s been far too long since I’ve shared my work, so here are a few from last weekend with Lishan & Dawei.

Yes friends, still booking a select 12 destination weddings a year & 50-ish lifestyle sessions. Still in love with this job.

09/13/2018

Partnerships and parenthood are where our legacies live. And what I get the honor of capturing weekly. 21 sessions all over the southeast from May- August. Its been an incredible Spring season with so much work to share. Closing out fall bookings soon with only 4 dates left for the year. These images make me long for summer to last forever...

06/26/2017

So much new work to share. Ten lifestyle sessions and two weddings will be showing up here soon. Kicking it off with the Wade family on the shores of Bald Head Island.

So grateful they trusted me to capture this season, even with my ( ever-growing! ) 7.5 month baby bump.

All the heart eyes for these four and the sunset on BHI.

Its been a while since I've shared new work here, so I'm trying to play catch-up this week. When things get quiet, it means I'm shooting all over the southeast and putting all of my energy into my clients and their stories. Hence the lull here...

Aaaand being 2 weeks out from welcoming a new little Kano into the world is adding to the "busy" these days :)

Last month I headed to Bald Head Island to document vacation life with one of my favorite families. Seven years of capturing the love and connection that exists between these four. The Wades represent everything about lifestyle work that sets my heart on fire. Loving hard, being in the moment and leaning into the beauty of each moment.

During the 5 hour drive into the island, it poured. Literally flooded the roads leading into the ferry. I kept thinking, "how on earth are we going to pull this off?" and just as the ferry pulled up to the island, I was greeted by Julia's warm hug and golden sun shining through the trees. So we adventured all over the island together. The marsh, tide pools, even a stop off for ice cream. Every minute was magic. Even the sandstorm and crazy wind that showed up at sunset. I'll let the images below tell the rest of their story.

Julia, Jonathan, Quin & Ash- love, love you guys. Thanks for being you.

04/12/2017

I will forever believe that an empty parking lot can be beautiful with a single ray of light and this kind of love.

11/29/2016

This session was the perfect day-after Thanksgiving treat. The moment I pulled on to the Mohs' street, it felt like being transported back to the 40s. Colorful homes with front yards full of tricycles, and the squeals of little ones playing in backyards echoed as I walked up the sidewalk to be greeted by miss Borgie's sweet grin. Her perfectly bouncy curls and twin brother Baker's crystal blue eyes are something straight out of a dream.

Ya know that saying about two peas in a pod? Never has it better fit a pair of siblings. Perhaps its that they've been together since the womb, but these kiddos love each other ( and steal each other's toys ;) so well. They had me laughing from the very first frame I shot. Borgie stealing bites of cookie dough and Baker ( not so secretly) licking the freshly baked cookies. The two of them are pure joy and its pretty clear after spending the morning with them...their parents are smitten. Jean Gray & Nate pour so much heart into their family. They have built the sweetest life for their little ones & it shows in every one of their images. Here's a peek into life with the Moh's family...

Jean Gray, Nate, Borgie & Baker ( and Cabbage & Pickles!)- thank-you. Til next time, love to all. xx

11/10/2016

While my loves were camping in Linville Saturday night, I was hanging by the river with five of my very favorite people. If you've followed my work for any length of time, these faces will be familiar. Eight years of documenting Michelle & Ryan's life from engagement to a family of five. They are at the very heart of what I do and I treasure the friendship we've built through the years.

When I first started this business, I dreamt of building connections with my clients that would span decades. That allowed them to fully let me in to the beauty and truth of their lives. So having these five as lifestyle clients and friends of 8+ years is super special to me.

These three littles have my heart. Fisher with his perfect dimples and sweet little personality. He has his parents' sense of adventure and is the best big brother to his little sisters. Harper & Claire are the cutest pair with their soft curls and mini-Boho style. We had the best time adventuring through the woods, wading in the river and soaking in the beauty of this season.

Brevda Five- you guys are the real MVPs. Love you so. Also, gimme allllll the river sessions.

10/31/2016

I super adore this family. Next year will mark ten years ago ( ten.years.) that I was standing on a cobblestone aisle in Chapel Hill photographing Lucy & Javier as they joined their lives. I was only a handful of years into shooting weddings full time & these two made such an impact on me. Lucy wore the prettiest tea-length dress and had a smile that made everyone around her light up. Even nine years later, their images are crisp and clear in my mind, and the joy of that day has carried over into the life they are creating as a family.

This is year three documenting Benjamin and two with sweet Amelia & I could not love them more. Benjamin is a fireball of energy who sat on my lap for part of the shoot and talked my ear off about school and Halloween costumes. His excitement for life is so precious & left me driving home with the biggest smile. And little Amelia with her wild curls and giant brown eyes. She just melts you with a single look. On this warm October day, they pulled out Halloween costumes, jumped on beds, paid the chickens a visit at the park and made memories as a family. These four are one of my very favorite parts of this job I love. They are genuine and warm and building a beautiful life as a family.

Lucy, Javier, Benjamin & Amelia- until next year...big hugs to you guys. And Happy Halloween! xx

10/27/2016

Last April I was in Louisville photographing these two as they traded vows in the beautiful Brown Hotel. I knew the moment I boarded my flight home that they would be clients for life. So, a few weeks ago I headed to DC to document their first days as a family of three.

Meeting baby Maxwell and spending the afternoon with these wonderful humans was such a gift. Their precious boy is a perfect blend of the two of them and I've never seen a mama glow quite as much as Kasey does. This...right here, is the soul of my business. Creating lasting friendships with beautiful souls and traveling all over the US to document their biggest life moments, year after year.

Kasey, Marcus & Max ( and yes, even crazy pup Lucy!) thank-you. Until next year, so much love to you guys.

09/06/2016

Six years of documenting this family, and just when I think we can't top their last session, they bring a double dose of Wade magic. Photographing them feels like home. Honest & soulful and as real as it gets. We never have a plan for their sessions & that's what makes them spectacular. Its the simplest of moments spun together into a gorgeous tapestry of their life. Playing trains, an impromptu jam session on the piano, bubbles in the backyard and a dance party down by the river. Having Quin & Ash grab my hand right when I walk in the door is 100% why this job and these people will always have my heart. And seeing the images we have created over the years in every.single. room. of their home nearly brought me to tears.

Julia, Jona, Quin & Ashton- thank-you. so.much.love to you guys.

07/07/2016

Last week I was in Charleston for a week of vacay/work & met up with one of my favorite families for a session on Sullivan's Island. Once again I was reminded that the setting, the lighting, and even the weather don't make a shoot magical. Its the people, the love, the connection that brings each frame to life.

Turns out this grey, rainy afternoon created the perfect scene for us & Nicole, Jon, Nick & Vivi brought the magic. And even though it had been over a year since I last saw Nick & Vivi, they ran straight to me & tackled me with hugs. Loved every minute, you guys. Love you all.

06/23/2016

This session is one of my favorites to date. Everything from finding the perfect dress in a tiny boutique the day before the shoot, to the dreamy weather & the fact that they chose Rachel's parents mountain home as our backdrop. All of it just fit together seamlessly to create the trifecta of goodness that was this shoot.

These two share such a connection. They're the very best mix of silly & serious, and to top it off they look like they stepped right off the pages of an Urban Outfitters ad. I mean, how gorg is Rachel?! Inside & out.

This couple, this place, this day = full-on magic. Rachel, Jonathan & Lacey- thanks for adventuring with me, tresspassing to hang with cows & braving the freezing creek barefoot. Cannot wait for October. So much love to you guys. xx