Hello!

I'd love to meet you in person, but for now, I'll start by introducing myself. 
​I'm Kelly Middlebrooks. Nice to meet you!!
​
I'm a wife of 37 years, a mom to 3 grown sons, gramma to 3 little ones, and I wear these titles proudly.

Making one last military move, we've called Sioux Falls home since 1999.  I'm a quilter, a photographer, a professional volunteer, a collector of quotes, and I love all things art.

My Why

As a family we've always had pets, you know, dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, lizards, toads (all the pets boys love), but it wasn't until I started volunteering at a local animal shelters that I finally knew what it was that drew me to photography.

It wasn't just the dogs (who's eyes told a story all on their own), it was the connection that I saw on a daily basis between the dogs and the shelter workers, volunteers & adopters. I felt like I was the only one privy to this connection because once frozen in an image that connection was so much more obvious. This is when I realized that I couldn't just take pictures of the animals; I needed to make sure those images spoke for them.

I believe that a dog chooses his human be it from a shelter or a litter of puppies. So, in 2014 I started my business with the purpose of showing pet owners like you that you're not just some random person who came into their life; you're the one they chose... and the one they'd choose again.

Things that make me smile:

​• Kermit the Frog
​• dogs playing with squeak toys
​• finding a bargain
​• starting a new project (I'm talking about hobbies, not painting the house)​
​• Ice Age, Pirates of the Caribbean, and super hero movies
​• public aquariums & air shows
​• my boys' senses of humor
​• the "marshmallow beds" at the Bellagio
• Blue Bell ice cream
​• and when the house is completely picked up (it rarely happens, that's why it makes me soooooo happy)
​

A few quirks ;O)

• I think mac and cheese should be eaten with a wooden spoon (it just tastes better that way)
• I never turn my clothes right side out when folding them (that takes waaaay too much time)
• I've never made it dry-eyed through a military reunion video
• I don't follow sports, but during the olympics I turn into every competing athlete's mom, complete with cheers and tears

I'd love to meet YOU!  If you're ever at one of the pet events in town that I mention on Facebook or the blog, PLEASE find me and say HELLO!  :O)

Bark!

Hermes is (from what the vet can gather) half Italian Greyhound and half Rat Terrier. He's now 16 years young and I dare anyone to tell him he's an old dog.

He's always been fast, as he's proven time and time again when the big dogs want to play (and when he has something that you don't want him to have!) He can also jump very high, often times landing him on the back of the couch or on the kitchen table. (Hermes, get off the table!)

Hermes is affectionately known in our family as "little white dog." He's acquired several other names as well . . . sock puppet (he has a neck like a slinky), Linus (and that dang blanket), maestro (it's the rhythm of the tail), and when we have had enough of his mischief, rat dog.

My husband has a phrase that describes Hermes very well - He tells people, "He's such a good dog, (dramatic pause) except when he's not."  Yep, that's pretty much Hermes in a nutshell. We love him because of (and in spite of) his quirkiness and uninhibited fun nature; we wouldn't trade him for the world.

Hermes was born to be a lap dog and he seeks out warm, sunny spots. He loves to cuddle up with anyone who will have him and (like most dogs) if you scratch him, he'll be your buddy for life. He knows what day of the week it is and eagerly awaits Wednesdays when he gets to play with other dogs. (It never ceases to amaze me how he knows it's Wednesday, but I swear he really does know!) He's also the biggest, baddest watch dog there is . . . until you get close enough and offer to pet him of course.

​Hermes enjoys casual walks on the bike trails, snoozing in the sunshine, curling up with a good blanket, and treats of any kind.

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Since you're considering a session, I'm sure you have questions.