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 38 years, a mom to 3 grown sons, gramma to 4 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)
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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 was (from what the vet could gather) half Italian Greyhound and half Rat Terrier. He was the face of my business as well as the name, and he passed away in June of 2023 just before reaching his 17th  year.

He was always fast, as he proved time and time again when the big dogs wanted to play (and when he had something that you didn't want him to have!) He could 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 was affectionately known in our family as "little white dog." He acquired several other names as well . . . sock puppet (he had a neck like a slinky), Linus (and that dang blanket), maestro (it's the rhythm of the tail), and when we had had enough of his mischief, rat dog.

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

Hermes was born to be a lap dog and he seeked out warm, sunny spots. He loved to cuddle up with anyone who would have him and (like most dogs) if you scratched him, he'd be your buddy for life. He knew what day of the week it was and eagerly awaited Wednesdays when he got to play with other dogs. (It never ceased to amaze me how he knew it was Wednesday, but I swear he really did know!) He was also the biggest, baddest watch dog there was . . . until you got close enough and offer to pet him of course.

​Hermes enjoyed 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.