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Have You Met Kelly Polizzi
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Excited about our Have You Met series where I showcase YOU, the photographers of our community. We had over 400 photographers apply for the series in less than a week. I can’t wait to showcase the talented photographers. There is a mix of hobbyist and business owners as well as full-frame and crop sensor users. This may be my new favorite part of the site.

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks in advance for supporting Click it Up a Notch. I am not longer accepting applications for this series.

  • No.
    01
    Tell us a little about yourself and your photography journey.

    I am a wife and stay at home Mom to three children aged 8, 5 and almost 2. We live in New Hampshire, although I am originally a Londoner from England.
    I have always loved taking pictures, ever since I was little. When I got my first camera as a kid, it stayed glued to my hand wherever I went. Years later I got my first DSLR but it wasn’t until much later, when my second child was around 2 that I actually took learning to use it seriously. Before then I was happily going along on automatic mode, just enjoying capturing snap shots.

    Once I started paying attention to the fundamentals of photography, putting them into practice and actually noticing a huge difference in my resulting images; I wanted to learn more and more. I read every article and book, watched every online video I could on how to improve my skills. Topics such as exposure, composition, lighting etc. My love for photography has grown into a true passion.

    Kelly Polizzi - 50MM F3.2 - SS8000 - ISO 6400
    50MM | f/3.2 | SS 1/8000 | ISO 6400

  • No.
    02
    What is the best advice you received so far on your photography journey?

    It’s not so much advice but a quote that has had the biggest impact on how I take a photograph I don’t remember who said it but it’s profound to me. “You don’t see a photograph, you feel a photograph”. I find that to be so true. My best images are the ones I take with my heart, not my eyes!

    Kelly Polizzi 50MM f2 - ss160 - ISO 1250
    50MM | f/2 | ss 1/160 | ISO 1250

  • No.
    03
    What is your favorite thing to photograph?

    Childhood – in all its wonder and beauty. My kids playing together, marveling at a new piece of the world they are discovering for the first time, even their tantrums. I have an insatiable need to record it all!

    Kelly Polizzi 50MM f2 - ss250 - ISO 160
    50MM | f/2 | ss 1/250 | ISO 160

  • No.
    04
    Where do you find your inspiration?

    My children inspire me. I love seeing life and the world through their eyes. I also enjoy viewing work from photographer friends on flickr/facebook and other sites on a regular basis.

    Kelly Polizzi 50MM F2 - ss250 - ISO 3200
    50MM | f/2 | ss 1/250 | ISO 3200

  • No.
    05
    What type of background do you have? Self taught? Formal training? Mentor?

    I am self taught for the most part although recently I have begun taking a few online photography workshops.

  • No.
    06
    Are you currently doing any photography projects? If so, what?

    I am doing a sort of project 365. I say sort of because I don’t push myself to take a photo each day but I do try to take at least 7ish per week, if that makes sense? I put them into templates which I plan on turning into a book by the end of the year. I share these templates on my fb page once completed but I’m a little behind at the moment. Aah story of my life.
    I also try to capture a day in our lives once per month to also be included in the book.

    Kelly Polizzi 50MM F2.0 - ss180 - ISO 640
    50MM | f/2 | ss 1/180 | ISO 640

  • No.
    07
    If you could only use one lens for a year, which would you choose?

    I think if I were limited to one it would have to be an everyday lens I could use indoors. I have always had my 50mm but recently purchased my 35mm 1.4 and I think is the one I’d go with. I love how wide it is! Great for telling a visual story.

    Kelly Polizzi 50MM F2.5 - SS 2500 - ISO 100
    50MM | f/2.5 | SS 1/2500 | ISO 100

  • No.
    08
    Share links to 3 of your favorite photography tutorials and tell us why.

    A two part series on metering. Lots of other good stuff on this site. I think this is the tutorial that made it ‘click’ for me:
    Metering: Photography tutorial

    Shooting from Different Angles (also lots of other great photography tutorials that I have found helpful)

    Low Light Photography

  • No.
    09
    What is your favorite image right now?

    I think this one of my daughter and youngest son playing out in our yard on a heap of rocks. I like it because its my children doing what they do every day and also clearly shows my daughter’s adoration for her little brother. She calls herself his ‘second Mommy’.

    Kelly Polizzi FAVORITE 50mm f2 ss 3200 iso 320
    50mm | f/2 | ss 1/3200 | ISO 320

  • No.
    10
    What type of camera and lenses do you shoot with?

    I have a Canon 5D Mark II. I used to have quite a few lenses but recently sold them all as I never use them. The only two I have now are my 50mm 1.4 and 35mm 1.4. I would love to learn macro photography at some point so a macro lens is definitely on my wish list for the next one to ask hubby for!

  • No.
    11
    Let’s light someone else’s candle, who is a photographer you think we should check out?

    There are so many I love! Can I give my top three? I love these particular photographers because their images truly move me. They each have incredibly beautiful, unique styles and an ability to make the everyday look like art.
    1. Molly Flanagan of Molly Flanagan Photography
    2. Meredith Novario of Meredith Novario Photography
    3. Heather Robinson of Heather Robinson Photography

  • No.
    12
    What is your biggest challenge when it comes to photography?

    Embracing the MESS! I have to make a huge mental effort to resist moving kids toys etc out of the way before taking a shot because capturing my family exactly as it is, in our everyday living environments is so important to me. But it’s hard! I do try to angle myself to crop the obstacles out though but I give myself a break with things like garbage bins – they have to go … and outlets, I despite outlets!

    Kelly Polizzi 50MM f2.5 - ss1000 ISO 800
    50MM | f/2.5 | ss 1/1000 | ISO 800

  • No.
    13
    How do you display your photos?

    I have a black and white canvas of my daughter in our dining room but that’s about it currently. We somewhat recently moved into our home and I am still figuring things out decor-wise. On a recent trip to IKEA with my family I purchased 8 square frames for the huge empty wall in our dining room which I am very much looking forward to displaying some nice black and white images.

    Kelly Polizzi Display

  • No.
    14
    What's the strangest thing you carry in your camera bag, and why is it in there?

    I have a small (but handy) holster camera case I carry around with me. It can only fit my camera with one lens but since I only use one lens most of the time, that suits me fine. Although I have to admit, there are some beautiful Kelly Moore camera bags I lust after.

  • No.
    15
    What is next on your list of things to learn this year in photography?

    I’d like to learn how to meter using the zone system. I’d like to learn macro photography. And I’d like to get better in general at manipulating indoor light. So many goals. But that’s the thing I love about photography. There’s always more to learn and always room to grow.

    Kelly Polizzi 70-200MM f5 - ss 250 - ISO 500
    70-200MM | f/5 | ss 1/250 | ISO 500

  • No.
    16
    Show us what your work space looks like.

    I am currently using my daughter’s little desk, which she uses for home schooling. We share the computer (which actually works out because it forces me to stay off of it during the day and get some actual cleaning done!). One day I hope to have a super big desk area in my home, far away from little hands, but until then; this is it.

    Kelly Polizzi Desk Area

  • No.
    17
    If people want to follow more of your work where should they go?

    I post to my blog, Times Like These, once in a while for family back in England or if I have a series of pictures to share. You can also follow me on Flickr.

8 Comments
  • Rubi
    April 6, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    I love the photograph with the ducks, it looks straight from a fairytale.
    Rubi | Instagram | The Den | http://www.the-den.blogspot.com

  • Annie
    April 6, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    I love this! Kelly, I love the upbeat tone of your post and especially your beautiful black and white photography. Thank you so much for sharing!

  • Janelle
    April 6, 2015 at 12:56 PM

    CIUAN, thank you for inroducing us to this wonderful creative mama! Loving her blog, images and the tutorials!

  • Kristal
    April 7, 2015 at 8:52 PM

    Nice to meet you! Love the picture of the frog it the sweet hands.

  • lorrie
    April 8, 2015 at 1:59 PM

    great interview enjoyed reading it and saved some of the links right now I can only afford a basic digital camera

  • Michele
    April 8, 2015 at 2:06 PM

    Hi Kelly, just took a peek at your blog as well. I can totally relate to so much on there, as a Christian, homeschooling, washing chicken eggs mom, lol! Fabulous pictures here and at your blog, and wonderfully encouraging. It was great to “meet” you. :-)

  • Rachel
    April 9, 2015 at 11:08 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing! I love all your pictures and am excited to check out your 3 favorite photography tutorials!! http://www.myneedforcreativity.com

  • Meredith Novario
    April 14, 2015 at 11:18 PM

    Thank you for your kind words, Kelly! It was great to read about you over there in my home state! I’m jealous a little expect in winter. :D

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