Renee Kellogg Photographer

As photographers, as with any industry, it's important we learn and adapt with new technology. If we didn't, we'd still be shooting onto glass slides or using gunpowder to fire cameras. That said, I've gotten to use some advanced AI tools in my editing software the past couple days and it is so fun and useful. These are probably some familiar images. Now, could I have improved them without using the AI tools? Absolutely. The software is better and I am better at using it, but the AI is sort of awesome too. It isn't going to replace me as an artist, but it might make my life a little easier if I'm editing a bunch of sessions all at once!

Model Call:
Looking for one model(s) for each category: Family and Couple (Can be engagement). These sessions are to help me build my portfolio back up but you get something out of it too!

One hour session at your choice of location:
Saylorville Lake Beach / access Golden Hour times.
Thomas Mitchell Park Early evening
Waterworks Park Golden hour times.

You will receive gallery of digital images from your session and option to purchase prints directly from Renee Kellogg Photographer but will also receive print release. MESSAGE me for details.

I will be putting out a model call later today (Thursday). There will be a few categories, but pay attention to this page because the model call will be great but limited in numbers. That's right, I want to get into shooting people again. (Please forgive my photographer dad joke).

I took this photo at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge a few weeks back. I wanted to make it look more like a painting than a photograph, so that is how I edited it. If you're in Central Iowa, you should definitely check out the refuge.

It's been a rough couple of weeks. I like to take a drive through Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge when I need some peace. The bison were close to the road. If you live in central Iowa, check this place out!

This isn't the best photo or the most professional, but it's important. This is my Grampy, who is 94 and my cousin Andy and his daughter. We had a pretty great day weather-wise today while we were celebrating Easter and then went for a walk in Grampy's neighborhood. I snapped this real quick with my phone as they were heading out. ❤️

I'm so happy the weather is nicer this week. I am not a fan of winter!! This photo was taken last summer at Badger Creek, just west of the Des Moines area. They have a pretty big sunflower plot each year!

Renee Kellogg Photographer updated their address.

This is the Wrigley. He is my sidekick, always up for a ride in and is 97% of the time a hot mess. I've had him since he was 3 months old and he's going to be 11 in a couple months. It's hard to believe because he still acts like a puppy 60% of the time. He naps next to me while I work at my full time job all day, but gets very bossy when it's almost break / lunch time (usually about a half hour before it's actually break / lunch time). While I've been working from home, he's learned how to howl (he never howled before April of 2020), and learned that "time to go to work / let's go back to work" means that he needs to come back inside and get back in my room. He will usually also jump back up on my bed if I tell him to get back to work. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?! He also gets excited if you ask him "do you look like a goat?!" He also barks at every farm animal we ever see. Cows give him a "really?" look when they hear him barking. He's never met one up close but would probably freak out if he did. He's completely ridiculous, but other than making him not scared of strangers and fireworks, I wouldn't change him. :)

Some of my favorite things to photograph around the state of Iowa are our historic churches. This is an historic Catholic church, Immaculate Conception of Wexford, Iowa, that is located in northeast Iowa. This area has a lot of limestone being near the Mississippi River, and a lot of the churches, other buildings, and even homes were constructed of limestone. (Google Anamosa State prison) for some images of one of our state prisons that was constructed of limestone.)

These pictures are from last spring at Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City, Iowa. The buffalo were very active that day. I got a kick out of the one in the road and had to take his photo in Pearl's rearview mirror.

For today, I wanted to share my favorite 13 pictures from my recent trip to My Pleasant, IA, to see Home Free. It was such a fun trip and amazing concert!

Anyone else's dog put his foot in the bowl to keep it from sliding around?

My planner just knew I needed this today. It really is not well with my soul at the moment, but I need the motivation to let some things go and make it well.

I seriously need to try different lip colors. Most impressed that I own 2 lipliners. Probably due to ipsy.

Taking stock of my makeup bag. I may be obsessed with Great Lash. Hey, it works for me, I'm not allergic to it, and it doesn't have a yucky smell.

Seniors-Book Now

A little birdie told me this little man has a birthday today! Happy Birthday, L!!

I have lots of open availability for photography sessions. Remember, my fall sessions are only $125 and can be either on the 2 set dates or pretty much any time otherwise.

Fall Mini Sessions! The date will be October 11 and 12. I will do two different locations (one for each day). These are good for kids, families, pets, or even seniors if you haven't had your pictures done yet!

If you're in Des Moines and have not checked out the Ashley Okland playground, you should! Miss M loves it!!

I have a new website!! www.reneelynnphotography.org (still under construction!)

www.reneelynnphotography.org

Back in January, my dad was diagnosed with leukemia. Yesterday, we had a family / friend picnic celebrating how well he is doing! He's holding his "grand baby," my best friend Jessica's little girl!

I can't believe I first photographed this family almost 2 years ago!! Miss M was still baking...and L was just a little guy (well, littler than he is now.)

I will not take pics on railroad tracks for this very reason, plus there's a safety concern. Besides, we have so many hiking/biking trails in the area that give the same sort of pic!

Having your senior picture taken on the railroad tracks might look kinda cool, but did you know you're breaking the law by doing it? Railroad tracks are private property owned by the individual railroad. They are not public land, so if you are on the tracks, you're trespassing.

I have seen lots of cool cars so far this weekend!

If you know me, you know I love a few things: Dogs, Horses, Vintage Pyrex, good tunes, and classic cars. "Doo-doo-doo, looking' out my front door…"

This Iowa girl prefers the road less traveled.

Sometimes, I just like to get in the car and drive…and in Dallas County, IA, last night, I found this group of horses hanging out in the sunset.