Kelli Trontel

Three weeks ago today, I was driving home from a Womens conference at church. It was a little after 4pm and the sky was dark, the winds were blowing harder than ever and the rain was not letting up. What would normally take me 40 minutes to drive home…..took over 2 hours. The freeway was closed and the water on the roads began to rise. I had no idea what was about to come…..it was a shock to our city.

I know. I know. Texting and driving is bad news bears……but I was stopped [i promise!]. Since the radio wasn’t saying much about the roads and weather, I decided to hop on twitter to try and figure out what was going on. **p.s…to all you twitter haters out there….this a perfect example of social media at it’s finest!** I posted a “twitpic” of my current view on the freeway and asked people what they knew of the situation and the responses were such time savers! I was able to avoid certain roads and get home- safely.

My heart is heavy for those that have lost everything….and anything at all. We have dear friends who lost their home and are now dealing with additional headaches- called Insurance companies. I am sad at the loss of many of Nashville’s tourist attractions and recording studios, which contributed to the heart and soul of our city. However, I am proud to be part of this community that I call home. WE ARE NASHVILLE! We love. We serve. We help. We rebuild. A new song will be written!

Below are many photos that I took as I walked around and prayed over our city. I have also posted a video that a dear friend [Michael Deppisch] put together, which is so very powerful. There are many opportunities to volunteer and give- check them out here & here. Yes, it’s been 3 weeks since the flood, but the volunteer needs will desperately be needed for months to come.

One year ago today I was laid off from my job at an advertising agency in downtown Nashville. Goodness, I remember it so clearly. It seems like yesterday when I was sitting across from the CFO as her mouth was moving, but my mind was wondering off towards new dreams and visions. As I left the building and was walking to my car I had no idea what the next day, week, month or even year would look like for me. At the time, I was in a music group called COLMANblue and we were really hoping to move things ahead. I was hopeful in the midst of the unknown.

Let me back this up. It was Easter 2009 and our pastor was talking about purpose. I sat in my chair that Sunday and really examined my life. Was I really doing what I was called to do or was I putting my hands to things that I selfishly wanted to obtain? Pursing my own dreams? My own visions? The last thing that I wrote in my journal that day was:

“I don’t want to be a person doing things that God has never called me to do in the first place.”

So, as I was hearing the dreaded words of being let go- just three days after Easter- my mind went to that place in my journal. I was hearing the words “Now Go. Do what I have called you to do.”

So much has happened in this ONE YEAR. Never before have I felt more in line with what I am being called to do with my life. The funny thing is, it hardly involves what I have been trained to do since I was a little girl. The music that I had been pursuing had come to an end and I found myself in a whole new place, but never alone. I am being REFINED. REDEFINED. SHARPENED. TRUSTED. LOVED.

So, I sit here in my office away from the office [Starbucks] and I write to you to tell you….to listen. Be aware. Be intentional. Dream. Take chances. Believe. Have faith. Life is fast and ever changing. God dreams much bigger dreams than we could ever begin to touch, and honestly our dreams don’t even come close to the magic He desires for us. He’s not even effected by time frames….how amazing is that!?!?

“God trains the called, he doesn’t necessarily call the trained.”

I am a people person. I love a good conversation. I value relationships. All of these things are what I get to experience on a daily basis with photography. Yes, I love nothing more than a ridiculously radical photo, but first and foremost….its YOU! It’s an honor for me to really get into the lives of people…..with guards down…..being real and authentic. This is where true magic begins.

The opportunities that have come my way in just the last few months have completely blown my mind. I’ll be announcing a few of those things later this week. It just amazes me how quickly things come together when you are doing what you’re called to do. I whole heartedly believe in proper alignment….being at the right place, at the right time, doing the right things with the right people. Try it! Life is just better this way…….

Is anyone else out there hearing what I am saying? Where are you at in this season of life?

Be encouraged! And lets move mountains! I dare you.

p.s the CFO that laid me off….later hired me to photograph her daughters wedding. Seriously?!? Life always works out.

Last month I received a call from Sharon Eaves, inquiring about a photosession for a few of her artists that she represents. Never did I think that I would be pointing a camera at the frontmen of bands such as Lonestar, Restless Heart & Shenandoah [remember…I moved to Nashville to be a country singer so I grew up listening to these guys!]. I called my dear friend, David Bean, and begged him to collaborate with me on this….since this is really his world and what he does best. We had the best day ever with Sharon and her boys- Richie, Larry & Marty.

A huge thank you to Lindsay White, who did hair & make-up. She is fabulous!

Sharon…it was a wonderful experience to work with you and your team. Thank you for the call….it was an honor to partner with you on this. David and I had a blast!

Hello friends!

My heart was so happy when I read your comments on my last blog post….it’s nice to know that the people out there reading my blog….have a voice [i know theres more of you!!!]. I seriously love hearing from you and my hope is to get to know you better through this little space on the internet.

Well, I want to introduce one of my most favorite bloggers…..Miss. PROMISE TANGEMAN. She is based in Phoenix, AZ [where I spent a few years of life- prior to moving to Nashville] and she just continues to amaze and inspire me. Talk about a girl with loads of talent….she is an incredible graphic designer, photographer, artist, but more importantly, a girl with a genuine heart and integrity in all that she loves and creates. Her blog is one to bookmark and visit over and over again…theres always something encouraging, fun and fresh….she ROCKS!

I am featured on her site…..so I wanted to WELCOME any new visitors that are coming through from her site! THANK YOU for stopping by….I am so glad you are here!

Promise, THANK YOU for the sweet write up about me and my business. You are so so sweet! I really do hope that our paths cross [in real life] some day soon…!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend….lots of fun stuff coming up this week!
xoxo

I’ve been slacking on blog posts lately. I’ve been working on my new blogsite, which will debut sometime next week…so I’ve been hesitant to continue adding to this one here. I just don’t like long pauses between posts….for a few reasons:: I miss communicating with you and I get really anxious to share new projects and ideas!

Moving on…..

I want you to meet my dear friend…and one of my most favorite photographers in Nashville:: Miss Allister Ann. We met during a pre Help-Portrait event in October and hit it off instantly! Us “red heads” must stick together!!

Allister contacted me to collaborate with her on an idea that was sent to us by photographer extraordinaire Jeremy Cowart. I didn’t even have to think twice. I absolutely adore Allisters heart and passion for art and photography. She truly inspires me. I knew this would be great.

Our call to action:: Allister and I wanted to create another impact together.
Our goal:: To raise money from our art to contribute to Haiti.
This Valentines Day….lets share the LOVE.

**Details about the art and auction will be coming tonight**