G R A S S Y S A N D D U N E S

There’s something about the texture and color pallet…

A V I L A B E A C H

That perfect mix of beach and textured rocky cliff…

M O N T A N A D E O R O

The most epic location… requires a little adventure… and yes, that’s the Long’s. Again. Because they choose the best spots!

P I S M O B E A C H

P I S M O C L I F F S

Another epic spot requiring a little adventure…

S L O G O L D E N H I L L S

What’s better than rolling hills….


M I N I S E S S I O N D A T E S :

SLO HILLS Sept 8-9

GRASSY DUNES Sept 2 and 16

VISALIA AREA OCT 21-SOLD OUT

FRESNO AREA OCT 1

NEW VISALIA AREA DATE: OCT 28

30 MINUTES | $375 | ABUNDANCE OF IMAGES

Email with any questions! ka@kelliavilaphotography.com

6/21/23

Location, Location, Location!

If you’ve followed me for more than 5 minutes, you know how much I love photographing and championing women. Not that I don’t love men, I sure do, but as a women who’s struggled in all the ways women struggle, I want to shout from any pulpit or platform I can that women are incredible beings with many super powers and if we fully understood what we are capable of and made for, the world and more importantly, our families, would be better for it.

I don’t just photograph women as seniors and women as mothers, I photograph Boudoir because I believe in intimacy and self love. I love to see a women realize her unique beauty and how that can change her confidence and her relationship. Marriage is damn hard. Intimacy makes it easier. It’s literally the key.

Not every woman is ready for Boudoir. And Boudoir is not the only way to recognizing your beauty and significance. Sometimes, seeing yourself in a portrait through the eyes of someone else, can change how you see and understand yourself. As a mother, I’ve recognized that how I love myself, care for myself, see myself directly affects how my 14 year old daughter does. She’s learning from me simply by being near and watching. She’s absorbing whatever cutler I create in my home and it can have huge impact on who she grows into. For the good and for the not so good. So be careful with yourself. Be careful how you treat yourself. Be careful how you love yourself. Someone else’s heart my depend on it. Not to mention your own.

Last week, my sweet client and friend Cambria came to town with a blue dress and an excitement to shoot. The day was grey and gloomy but we decided to embrace the moody vibes and play in the dunes amongst the Eucalyptus. The black and whites are my favorites but holy damn, that dress is fire!!! Cambria wore it well, as she wears everything so well. It’s the smile for me. And the hair. And the incredible personality and heart. She’s an all ’round babe in every way. Check out her pretty Instagram and notice the Bohme link in her profile where you can snag that ridiculous blue dress!

If you love what I captured with Cambria, I’d love to photograph you as well. Maybe it’s not in a formal dress on the beach. Maybe it’s in my living room with a backdrop and good window light. Maybe it’s Boudoir, maybe it’s a formal headshot, maybe I come to you…. I’d love to photograph you.

8/08/22

Women

She said she’s been waiting for this shoot in this place for years! Her name is Cambria and this is the only place her Senior Portraits should be taken; Cambria CA! I love how well we worked together. She let me do my thing and she brought all her style and incredible energy… My approach to senior portraits is a bit untraditional. I want it to feel like a photoshoot for a magazine. I want you to fee like you’re the influencer and this is your campaign. I want you to see how lovely and lovable you are. You’re in the most exciting time of your life, one that will leave a permanent mark on who you are. I am so glad to have a moment in time with you that you’ll always remember. If you’re interested in booking your own session, here’s a page with info and link to view availability!

5/13/22

Cambria | Class of ’22 Senior Portrait Session

I’ve been photographing this babe since she was in 8th grade! We’ve been dreaming of an epic shoot for graduation since then and epic is definitely what we got!

“What’s an Adventure Session?” Glad you asked… It’s when we level up your portrait session with a location that’s incredible, it usually requires a trail, a hike, maybe a drive but mostly it requires some wanderlust and major style! Your wardrobe can absolutely be extra, you’ll get a lot more images, and we’ll take a bit more time to make all the magic happen! Ask me about scheduling your own Adventure Session! Here’s how it went down with Lillie Hodges…

Glam: Brittany IG: @brittanys_glam | Rachel IG: @colormebronzesunless

Wardrobe: Jeans, floral dress, crochet top, Alan Jackson Tee, shorts, black formal dress

5/11/21

Senior Portraits, Adventure Style

If you’re a senior or the parent of a senior, here’s some pro tips on making it the best senior session possible, after all, these sessions have become a kind of “right of passage”. Especially for the girls! A professional photo shoot with amazing clothes, hair and makeup is really everything to a girl in the funnest season of her life…. So here’s what you should and should not do

Do:

Hair and makeup up with a pro!  I have a girl… just ask

Wardrobe you LOVE. You should feel amazing in everything you wear. When you schedule a session, I send you inspiration for this to help you choose…

Bring a hype girl! Who can also help with outfit changes and makeup touch ups…. We all need a hype girl!

Select an epic location! We can do this together. Pick somewhere that’s you! If you’re a beach babe, then let’s go to the beach! 

Pick a photographer who represents your style! 

Print your photos! Don’t let them live on the World Wide Web! Let me make a beautiful album with all your favorites for you! 

Don’t:

Don’t settle for wardrobe you don’t feel amazing in!

Don’t let your bff do your makeup unless she understands makeup for photography. 

Don’t bring your whole family or your boyfriend along. Only bring people to your session who can make you feel confident and help you have fun! If that is your boyfriend and family, then bring them, if not, I’ll be your hype girl!

Don’t bring too many wardrobe changes that take up more time than you have. 3 changes for a regular session is great, or you can add time to accommodate more changes! 

Don’t wear heavy eyeliner, it can look like dark shadows around your eyes and that’s expensive to fix in editing. 

When you schedule a senior session with me, I’ll send you lot’s of info to help you prepare. Wardrobe Inspo, hair and makeup referrals, and more… If you’d like to schedule a session or find out more… Follow the link!

5/11/21

Senior Portrait Must Do’s and Please Don’ts

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photography mentor, mama and guac lover.

Hey, I'm Kelli Avila.

With actionable advice and tailored tips from a photographer who’s been through it all, turn your small business into a flourishing brand.

I’ve been at this business for 10 years. It’s the very thing that lets me provide for my 4 children as a single mom. I know what it’s like to feel inadequate and overwhelmed. Your business should be a boost to your income and your confidence level and yet, at the beginning, that idea can feel like a far-fetched dream. Let me show you the ropes with real talk, perspective and discerning advice. You’ll leave inspired and informed.

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