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Hobby Photographer Enjoys a Professional Career of Natural Photography
A car with a Mississippi State decal rolls on the University of Mississippi campus early Sunday morning, but the driver is not there for anything malicious. Rather, the driver is there to snap beautiful portraits of a recent University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy graduate in the Grove.
This photographer is Kelly Paris, a retired city employee for Oakland who currently cares for her father-in-law who will be turning 100 this August. Taking pictures since the 1980s, Paris said that she has recently begun selling her photography in the past few years.
“I joined a local internet group called Shutterbugs,” said Paris. “I was encouraged to take my photography to the next level by the group and a few other friends and family members.”
Paris describes herself as a natural photographer who only uses Light Room to enhance her nature photography and minor editing on portraits. Since she looks after her father-in-law, Paris enjoys nature photography around her home in Oakland.
She said, “I’m not your normal photographer. I work from my home which means I do most of my shoots around my home on the road to Cossar State Park where I love to go and take sunsets and deer photos. I only work otherwise after my husband gets home and on weekends when he can be here with his Dad. If work is what you call the enjoyment I get from snapping the camera.”
Paris said she adores snapping picture of children and nature.
“I love the kids outside, following them around (and) letting them do their thing,” she said. “I love God’s beauty! Nothing is more breathtaking than a sunset or a landscape. Anything that doesn’t move is always a plus!”
During the day, Paris says she goes outside to look for “bugs, spiders, frogs, flowers, weeds, trees, ducks, fish and just about anything you can think of is liable to end up being the subject of the day.” She also tries to capture building and houses in a way that no one has quite captured them before, admitting that “it’s not as easy as it sound sometimes.”
Among her pictures for sale, Paris has pictures of the Lamb Fish Bridge in Tallahatchie County where she grew up near Charleston, Mississippi.
As for children, she enjoys making memories with photography. Paris said that she got into photography to document her four children as they grew up. And now as a grandmother to two grandchildren, she is creative in snapping pictures of young kids’ merriment.
“For example, little girls love to play model so I have a box of hats they can pick from and have fun posing while I shoot,” Paris said. “It’s fun and that’s the key to getting a smile.”
Those interested in booking her photography may find her on Facebook on either her personal page, Kelly D. Paris, or on her business page, Kelly D. Paris Photography.
Callie Daniels Bryant is the senior managing editor at HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.
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Ping Pong Paris
August 1, 2016 at 9:10 pm
I am the husband of Kelly and I never thought her photography work would take off like this. She loves what she is doing and has fun doing it. Love the article on her, it’s her to a tee.
Ping Pong Paris
August 1, 2016 at 9:10 pm
I am the husband of Kelly and I never thought her photography work would take off like this. She loves what she is doing and has fun doing it. Love the article on her, it’s her to a tee.
Shana Bauer
August 1, 2016 at 10:39 pm
I have known Kelly all my life. I grew up in Oakland and with her children. I had her do a photo shoot last September for my then 5 year old daughter and she did an outstanding job. Not only with the pictures but with my daughter. She was able to catch so much of her personality in each of the pictures. I am so happy and proud of you Kelly. Lots of love.
Shana Bauer
August 1, 2016 at 10:39 pm
I have known Kelly all my life. I grew up in Oakland and with her children. I had her do a photo shoot last September for my then 5 year old daughter and she did an outstanding job. Not only with the pictures but with my daughter. She was able to catch so much of her personality in each of the pictures. I am so happy and proud of you Kelly. Lots of love.
Francine Glass
August 2, 2016 at 4:58 am
Kelly is a forever friend and is an AWESOME photographer!! She has always had a GREAT personality and is a “People-person” Her love of LIFE is wonderful and CONTAGIOUS!!! Go, GIRL!!!
Francine Glass
August 2, 2016 at 4:58 am
Kelly is a forever friend and is an AWESOME photographer!! She has always had a GREAT personality and is a “People-person” Her love of LIFE is wonderful and CONTAGIOUS!!! Go, GIRL!!!
Jim Hendrix
August 3, 2016 at 8:28 am
I’ve known Kelly for nearly two years now. she never ceases to surprise me with her beautiful images of nature and people. She seems to have a natural born talent for seeing beauty worth capturing all around her. Personally, I love most her stunning outdoor portraits. Way to go, Kelly.
Jim Hendrix
August 3, 2016 at 8:28 am
I’ve known Kelly for nearly two years now. she never ceases to surprise me with her beautiful images of nature and people. She seems to have a natural born talent for seeing beauty worth capturing all around her. Personally, I love most her stunning outdoor portraits. Way to go, Kelly.