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Q+A with Keeli faith

a little bit of history...

Keeli Faith was the first wonderful human/photographer to be added to Little Icons' growing roster. It only makes sense to feature her in our first ever photographer Q+A.

Ashley and Keeli Faith met when Ashley and her family had moved to Nashville and began doing Little Icons pop-ups at a magical children's store called Arcade Kids (where Keeli Faith worked.) Keeli brought her son Arthur in for portraits twice! Luckily, they had done a session as a trade of services- and just before they packed up to move back to Edmonton, AB, Ashley and her family were photographed by Keeli Faith. She captured some of Ashley's favourite and most treasured family photos.

Soon after they met, Keeli Faith reached out to Ashley to say that she would love to work for Little Icons in any capacity. But, we were still a one woman show, and the big vision hadn't arrived yet. In 2021, after not being able to travel back to Nashville since October 2019, the gears were turning. It was such a shame to not be able to provide this service to the families who we had been working with. In what was quite serendipitous timing, Ashley reached out to see if Keeli Faith was interested in training to become the first additional shooter under the Little Icons umbrella!

  


Photographic Evidence...
When it comes to Little Icons...
it’s the children, the authenticity, and the relationship you get to build with a child that is the most important
the rest can be taught!

-Keeli Faith


Q+A

What prompted your desire to join the Little Icons team?


KF: I have always been drawn toward real/authentic/lifestyle photography where a person is captured in their natural element. When I had my first son in 2017 I new immediately that I wanted to get a portrait of him captured, not only for a beautiful photo to display in our home, but also to remember his unique little expression and view of the world. There was so much magic in his eyes & joy in his spirit - I wanted nothing more than for that to be captured - and Little Icons is what did that for me. When I got to witness Ashley taking his portrait and how subtle her cues were in allowing my little guy to simply “be” in front of the camera - it was hard for me to not to beg to join the team that very day! I wanted to do the exact same thing. To allow littles in front of me - no matter the age - to feel “enough” in their session by simply being themselves, and celebrating what makes them unique.

How long have you been creating these portraits?


KF: I joined the team in April 2021 and can’t wait to celebrate being with the team for 10 years in 2031 ;)

Before you started with Little Icons, what was your experience with studio lighting?


KF: My studio lighting skills were very limited and was my one true hesitation when dreaming of joining the team. I have always promoted myself as a lifestyle/natural light photographer (with the occasional OCF for a wedding/dark room) - but never formally got trained with studio lighting prior to Little Icons. Ashley took me under her wing, did NOT make me feel like a total misfit with my lack of knowledge, and guided me in the ways with studio Portrait Lighting ALL OVER ZOOM! Her personal knowledge as well as the manual she created for Little Icons helped me immensely in learning - and like all things, time and practice teaches all. The more I shoot/create/capture the more confident I feel - and now almost a year in, it’s starting to feel a bit more second nature & a super mobile child doesn’t scare me! Bring it on!

What was your biggest challenge with lighting, any tips to share?


KF: I am such a perfectionist & like a true enneagram 3, I want to only share the best images/not appear like an imposture in my title as a photographer. My biggest challenge was setting my pride aside & to allow feedback to wash over me as I learned an entirely new skill - which can feel scary/like I might feel caught  for “not being good enough.” BUT SURPRISE! My philosophy is now this: When it comes to Little Icons - it’s the children, the authenticity, and the relationship you get to build with a child that is the most important - the rest can be taught!

What is one thing you wish you knew when you started shooting with Little Icons?


KF: Don’t be afraid to learn new things. (In regards to studio lighting/etc.) The skills WILL come & your confidence will slowly but surely grow! It’s a privilege to capture these littles. 

What is one of your proudest moments in a session?


KF: During a session I had a pair of siblings. One was extremely confident during his session and the other sibling was much more reserved/nervous. I quickly realized during his session that he felt like he wasn’t as “good looking” or “handsome” as his brother when his family stepped away for our time together - and it was my greatest joy to watch him open up as I began to subtly compliment all of his features that I thought were beautiful. He was around 5 years old and walked away with such a happy spirit after his session ended. I hope he always remembers that someone in the world thinks he is enough just the way he is.

Biggest melt down/challenging situation that you conquered and how did you do it?


KF: I had a session with a little girl once who cried buckets of tears for 97% of her session. It was just a harder day for her/her session didn’t align with nap-time/etc - and the “win” in this session more than anything was reminding the parent of this child that this is absolutely okay - and we will celebrate the calm moments! This is not a reflection of a parent’s parenting or makes a child a “bad kid” because they cried. This gallery ended up being so dynamic and we got a handful of shots in between tears that were priceless/so genuine as she navigated her emotions. (Also singing every song I knew and giving her a snack always helps to stop the tears for just a few moments.) ;) 

Most rewarding moment?


KF: I once got to capture a pair of siblings with genetic disabilities & their condition was noticeable physically. They were the absolute sweetest children & again, I think my time with them & my subtle compliments specifically on the things I loved about them stated during their session left them feeling so beautiful. The most rewarding thing is seeing a child/children realize that they are truly unique & beautiful. 


You never know what a child is walking through, how they feel about themselves, etc
my goal is to celebrate who they are and remind them that they are enough
just as they are.


How do you connect quickly with the kids you’re working with?


KF: I have found that giving the child my absolute full attention from the start is key. I always welcome parents/care givers - but as soon as the “hello” is over - I am all in with the child in front of my camera. Depending on age I jump all in on getting to know him/her the best I can. My “party trick” is to learn a handful of things about them and about halfway through repeat it all back to them - so many kids LIGHT UP when they realize I’m really paying attention. Favorite color/toys/song, what they love about themselves, who’s the silliest person in their family, fast food order…It’s so fun to get to know these littles!

What do you do when a child is really shy or reluctant to participate?


KF: I have found with really really shy kiddos to lean into their mood more than try to change it. I once did a session with only saying a handful of things to the kiddo because he was doing so well simply being, being moved around on the box, and playing with a toy he had brought for comfort. Not every kiddo is going to sing songs or clap his/her hands/etc - and that’s okay! 

Favourite age of child to photograph?


KF: My answer changes because so many ages/littles are just so amazing, but overall - I’m gonna claim ages 2-3 are my favorite. Still little enough to not “think” about what their faces are doing and truly react/chat with me in the moment. SO many genuine moments are captured - and toot sounds always get this crowd laughing. HAH! 


What is your philosophy on working with children?


KF: Every child is different and deserves to be celebrated. You never know what a child is walking through, how they feel about themselves, etc - and my goal is to celebrate who they are and remind them that they are enough just as they are.

What are some methods/approaches have you created on your journey photographing kids?


KF: I’ve talked about this a bit above - but really paying attention to the child In front of me is my favorite approach. Halfway through the session and again at the end I’ll rattle off facts about them that I’ve learned and it’s so beautiful to see a kid light up realizing I remembered/cared!

How has working with Little Icons impacted you and your family?


KF: Just picture me crying in front of my laptop right now over how blessed we feel to be a part of this team. Since joining the team I not only feel like I get to share something unique/magical with the world, but I also get to be a more present mother & wife as I do my own photography as well - leaving room for so much more work/life balance than we ever had before.




3 tips for someone starting out:
  • Studio lighting can be learned! Don’t be afraid.
  • Don’t be afraid for slightly longer sessions when starting out! I allowed for more time when I first started off in case I felt my lighting wasn’t superb/I needed more time with a difficult child - and the more you do, the more confident you will feel for those future 20 min sessions.
  • The energy you bring to the room will be mimicked. AKA - don’t let a crying kid or over the top parent allow your energy to change - instead hold firm & I find 95% of the time, the room levels out for higher stressed families.





some of Keeli's favs!


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