Memories that feel like you.
Grand Rapids Family Documentary Photographer
I don’t simply create a moment to photograph, I help you unfold everyday snapshots of your life that tell your story.
Life feels blurry if you let it rush past you without savoring it. Time is such a thief. So what if we could trick time, and make it stand still for an entire lifetime?
Whether it’s the playful laughter of your children splashing in a creek, the quiet in-between moments making coffee, or the love that fills your home reading books at bedtime, my goal is to capture your family’s life in a way that feels natural and true to you.
You won’t always remember the dishes and the mess.
Or how they insisted on holding your hand when you went for a walk.
Or how they’re favorite ice cream always had sprinkles.
You won’t always remember the chaos.
But you’ll miss it.
The Family Story Session.
The whole story.
These sessions are simple but powerful. They are the true heart of storytelling. I want to gently tip-toe into the space that holds your most precious people, and to display the deep love you have for one another.
These sessions are your heart.
Your family is not a trend.
These deep, experienced moments matter.
Instead of going to a busy/popular park or landmark in the area, you will be experiencing life at home. These memories are best made under your own roof, or adventuring somewhere meaningful to you.
Maybe your session will look like making pancakes for breakfast and wiping a sticky face dripping in syrup. Or playing in your backyard sprinkler, your kids laughing as you run through together. Or maybe it’s something simple like getting all the kids ready for bed with a newborn safely in the crook of your arm.
This session offers a longer, more immersive documentary experience with multiple activities, and more time for your family to settle in and simply be together.
Years from now, I want you to hold these images in your wrinkly hands and think, “what a beautiful life we have lived. I remember that moment like it was yesterday.”
The Everyday Session.
For a little piece of your story.
These sessions are quick but heartfelt. I want to creak open the door of your life, and grab everyday moments that make your heart smile.
Your family matters.
Someday, we’ll realize these small quiet moments, are what matter the most.
This is a miniature version of “The Family Story” session. Let’s create little snippets of your story in the everyday.
Maybe your session will look like a walk in the park, your baby bump making it’s presence known to the world. Or snuggled up in the kitchen making coffee and hot cocoa while your kids put together a puzzle on the kitchen table. Or even drawing with chalk and playing hopscotch in the driveway.
This is a shorter session focused on one meaningful activity or moment you’d love to remember.
Let’s find the little memory in this season that you never want to forget.
The Details Are Covered
My free session guide gives you all you need to feel prepared for your documentary photography session.
Your life. Your Story.
Your life. Your Story.
The Family Story Session.
✓ 1 – 1.5 Hour Session
✓ 100+ Images
✓ Complete Session Guide
✓ Magic Hour Light If Outdoors
✓ Many Heartfelt Activities
✓ $700
The Everyday Session.
✓ 45 Minute Session
✓ 50 Images
✓ Complete Session Guide
✓ Magic Hour Light If Outdoors
✓ One Main Activity
✓ $550
An Early Morning with Coffee and Cinnamon Rolls.
There are some mornings you wish you could hold onto, and keep forever.
For this family, it looked like cinnamon rolls and coffee, with little hands coloring in the kitchen. The three of them simply gathered around the table together.
Nothing extraordinary happened.
And that’s exactly why it was worth remembering.
The way they sipped their morning coffee, made each other laugh, and stole a quick kiss - those are the little moments of connection that happen when a family is simply together. Moments that may not be extraordinary at the time, but are everything.
This is what a Family Story Session is about.
Not creating something for the camera, but slowing down long enough to see what’s already there. Because someday, these cinnamon roll mornings will look different. Routines change. Toddlers grow. And you’ll wish you could step back into this exact season even just for a little while.
That’s the meaning behind these sessions.
We’re remembering not just what you'r family looked like - but what your family felt like.
“A slow, everyday morning family story.”
As told through the lens of the documentary photographer KMellema Photography.
Getting in front of the camera can be a little intimidating.
Let’s change that!
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Through my session guide, and my eye for styling if you would like help, rest confidently that we will create real memories that you'll be teary to look back on for many years to come!
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Knowing what to do with your body when you're not used to having the focus on you can be a little daunting.
I love to get families playing and interacting together to get the most natural poses. Don't worry about looking put together or posing- the magic will happen through naturally capturing this season of life you’re in! -
I promise your kids are not the first to get upset during a photo shoot and they won't be the last! Working with kids (and their big emotions!) is my specialty.
Believe it or not, some of the best photos come from the raw moments that are caught in the in-between by doing real life activities. Those are often the moments that beautifully showcase the love shared within your precious family. -
More than anything, I want to capture the true personality of your kids and your family. There's room to get silly, serious, and every emotion in between.
Your job is to choose what you want captured during this season of life, then to show up. That’s it! Lean into the messy and the real life imperfection. The best memories come from letting go, and just letting your kids be themselves.
Kind words. Full hearts.
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![A family of four standing in a grassy field during sunset, with trees in the background. The family includes a man, a woman, and two young girls, one sitting on the man's shoulders and the other being held by the woman for family photography.]()
"I cannot recommend Kelsy highly enough. From the initial consultation to the final product, the entire experience is always seamless and enjoyable. She has a wonderful way of putting my family at ease in front of the camera, resulting in natural and beautiful photos that truly capture our personalities. She is patient, creative, and professional throughout the entire process, and the end results always exceed all of my expectations. Not only does she deliver stunning images, but she makes the whole experience fun and memorable for my family."
Caitlin Gietzen
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![A dad holding a young girl in front of the ocean at sunset, with both smiling and laughing at a family photography session at Lake Michigan.]()
”Kelsy makes my whole family feel comfortable (even my picture hating husband) which makes sessions feel fun and stress free. My favorite part about Kelsy’s work is the way she captures the little moments. The pictures I have from Kelsy are some of my most prized possessions, they mean so much to me.”
Cait Bowen
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![Family dancing and playing in a greenhouse decorated with string lights and plants at a family lifestyle photography session in Zeeland, Michigan.]()
"We have been blessed to have Kelsy capture are family many times over the past few years. Her stunning work speaks for itself. But beyond being insanely talented, she has the most calming presence. She goes above and beyond to make everyone feel comfortable. She understands the complexities of having small kids and makes you feel as if you’ve been friends forever. She is a gem of a photographer and a wonderful person."
Sami Duval
Let’s answer some questions.
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I LOVE families! I love how each one is so different. I want to capture the uniqueness of your family story. I always have every member of the family interacting during our session. Sometimes that means parents are tickling their kids. Sometimes it means we're picking vegetables out of your backyard garden. Sometimes it means snuggling in bed and reading books. Sometimes it looks like picking flowers, running through fields or simply hugging your people. A documentary session is meant to tell a story - yours. We don't stand stiffly and smile at the camera. We make real life memories doing everyday things. That’s where the magic is.
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All of my families do their sessions at sunset for a good reason! Golden hour is my favorite light to work with because it truly adds a level of magic to your photos! Some of my suggestions if you're nervous about the time are:
1. Put your child down for a late nap on session day. Because we do a lot of playing during our session, often young kids have so much fun they forget they're tired. Bringing pajamas to your session for the drive home is also a great idea!
2. Book a fall session since the sunset is much earlier.
3. Book an in home session. We can use window light at any time of the day.
4. Embrace the snuggles! If your babe is tired and snuggly during your session, let's capture that!
It might be a late night to do a golden hour session, but making memories with your family is always worth it!
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After booking, you will receive a session guide with information on what to expect, styling help & tips for making your session the most successful it can be! I want you to enjoy every second of your session with your family, and preparing for your session plays a huge part in that! I always walk alongside my families to choose outfits so that your images will look cohesive & beautiful! Don't stress mamas, I've got you!
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I do, I love seeing my clients year after year! I offer a 5% discount for returning clients!
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Your photos will be delivered through a professional gallery that is linked to a professional printing lab. These can be ordered directly from the gallery & delivered to your home! You also receive full printing rights to your images, so you can print anywhere you like!
