Thought I should share

a little about me.

“have camera.
travel lots.”


KELLY HOLINSHEAD

Where to start? Ok. This one is easy – I am a professional photographer. I have been for some time; I hired myself in 2001, and I never looked back. I love this job as much as ever.

I was born and raised in Huntsville. My family settled a farm here in the early 1800s, so I admit I am fairly rooted. Although I do have such strong roots, I have done my share of traveling and living elsewhere, too. It was only a couple of years before I began my photography business that I moved back to Huntsville with the intent to stay for good. I kind of had itchy feet for a while, and to be honest I still love traveling.

For the first couple of years in business I operated from my home (in a wee spare room). Things quickly got too busy for me in that little room, so I took a leap and rented an awesome space on Huntsville’s main street right across from the town hall.

It was a building I had long admired (since high school), and it was a really great move to be there. I represented anywhere between 6 and 30 local artists at any given time and had great success with their and my own fine art work.

I would say that in the beginning the support of my family, my to be husband and in-laws was instrumental in my success….but that would not be wholly truthful Their offers for help and so much support has not stopped as the years have passed -at best it has lessened a little! I am fortunate to have such strong support behind me. It helps. A lot.

It was close to a decade into my renting Gallery space downtown when I felt the need for change (could be back to that itchy feet thing). My husband and I chatted about it and thought it might be time to move things back closer to home.

“have camera.
travel lots.”


KELLY HOLINSHEAD

Where to start? Ok. This one is easy – I am a professional photographer. I have been for some time; I hired myself in 2001, and I never looked back. I love this job as much as ever.

I was born and raised in Huntsville. My family settled a farm here in the early 1800s, so I admit I am fairly rooted. Although I do have such strong roots, I have done my share of traveling and living elsewhere, too. It was only a couple of years before I began my photography business that I moved back to Huntsville with the intent to stay for good. I kind of had itchy feet for a while, and to be honest I still love traveling.

For the first couple of years in business I operated from my home (in a wee spare room). Things quickly got too busy for me in that little room, so I took a leap and rented an awesome space on Huntsville’s main street right across from the town hall.

It was a building I had long admired (since high school), and it was a really great move to be there. I represented anywhere between 6 and 30 local artists at any given time and had great success with their and my own fine art work.

I would say that in the beginning the support of my family, my to be husband and in-laws was instrumental in my success….but that would not be wholly truthful Their offers for help and so much support has not stopped as the years have passed -at best it has lessened a little! I am fortunate to have such strong support behind me. It helps. A lot.

It was close to a decade into my renting Gallery space downtown when I felt the need for change (could be back to that itchy feet thing). My husband and I chatted about it and thought it might be time to move things back closer to home.

Things had just gotten a little too busy managing the Gallery and the photography side of things. I felt the need to step back, re-group and focus on the photography business that I had worked so hard to grow. So, we bought a used building and had it delivered – like within weeks of the first conversation about moving off of Main Street. We quickly renovated the building to suit and tada: a new home for the Shutterbug!

“That is kind of how I operate – just do it.”

Eventually everything seems to fall into place, and this move was no different. It has been amazing to be working out here, on our 125 acre property, nestled by the lake just a few hundred feet from home…and it is just 10kms from town, so many clients make their way out to browse the Gallery, for their portrait sessions or even just to say hello. That being said, it can be tricky to find me here as I am out shooting many days, so I usually suggest connecting with me before arriving.

Because I am from a pioneer family of Huntsville, because I photograph a lot for local publications, because I volunteer as much as I can, sit on boards and committees, and because I had the Main Street location for close to a decade, I have come to know a great deal of awesome people and for the most part, now seem to have pretty much a household name. I am thrilled to have built a strong reputation, but it still makes me laugh when I introduce myself and the response is: “Oh…you’re Kelly Holinshead…” Heehee.

Things had just gotten a little too busy managing the Gallery and the photography side of things. I felt the need to step back, re-group and focus on the photography business that I had worked so hard to grow. So, we bought a used building and had it delivered – like within weeks of the first conversation about moving off of Main Street. We quickly renovated the building to suit and tada: a new home for the Shutterbug!

“That is kind of how I operate – just do it.”

Eventually everything seems to fall into place, and this move was no different. It has been amazing to be working out here, on our 125 acre property, nestled by the lake just a few hundred feet from home…and it is just 10kms from town, so many clients make their way out to browse the Gallery, for their portrait sessions or even just to say hello. That being said, it can be tricky to find me here as I am out shooting many days, so I usually suggest connecting with me before arriving.

Because I am from a pioneer family of Huntsville, because I photograph a lot for local publications, because I volunteer as much as I can, sit on boards and committees, and because I had the Main Street location for close to a decade, I have come to know a great deal of awesome people and for the most part, now seem to have pretty much a household name. I am thrilled to have built a strong reputation, but it still makes me laugh when I introduce myself and the response is: “Oh…you’re Kelly Holinshead…” Heehee.


Nowadays I photograph about 30 to 35 weddings annually.

and I love them.

I love everything I get to photograph, but in particular I love wedding day. I love being married myself, so it kind of makes sense. I love working with natural light and I love creating images that speak to the couple, the moment and the day in the most natural and candid fashion as possible. I love all the little details. I love seeing the new ideas, each new dress, the carefully chosen suits, socks and shoes. I really love everything about wedding day, for the most part. I work with some amazing local vendors and I think I have the best clients any photographer could ask for! So, from May through to the start of November I am at a wedding every weekend and even some weekdays! The winter does provide a brief reprieve, with only half that number of weddings to shoot.

But a girl can’t just do weddings! I also photograph many families, newborns, big pregnant bellies, and plenty of commercial stuff, too. I have worked with many local companies to give their websites a fresh look with inspired images of their product – from artworks to giftware, retail shops and custom built homes to docks or cars or kitchen cabinets – the list is long and diverse. Among my favourite things to photograph: food. Perhaps it is because I also love to cook (and eat!). Having been a server for years (and even a line cook for a short stint), I seem to know my way around the kitchen pretty well, whether it be with knife or camera or fork!

I shoot Nikon. Always have. Started with an FM2 and still use it, actually for my fine art work. For everything other shoot, I capture things with a Nikon D810 and my second body is a D800, but I rocked through a few before I came to these (ie: Dx2, Dx3., Dx3s). I now love love love my prime lenses more than anything and my favourite of all is likely my 50mm 1.4. Second favourite lens? That would have to go to my 70-200mm 2.8.

I don’t always make time to post on Facebook or Instagram when I am shooting, since I tend to get caught up in the moments, but I almost always find time to hit the gym (I am a becoming a bit of a Crossfit addict!). And I always find time to walk our dog and spend time with my husband.


I am happy and lucky and ever so grateful for the incredible clients I have, the best job ever that I created for myself and the awesome life I am living.

It is good.


Nowadays I photograph about 30 to 35 weddings annually.

and I love them.

I love everything I get to photograph, but in particular I love wedding day. I love being married myself, so it kind of makes sense. I love working with natural light and I love creating images that speak to the couple, the moment and the day in the most natural and candid fashion as possible. I love all the little details. I love seeing the new ideas, each new dress, the carefully chosen suits, socks and shoes. I really love everything about wedding day, for the most part. I work with some amazing local vendors and I think I have the best clients any photographer could ask for! So, from May through to the start of November I am at a wedding every weekend and even some weekdays! The winter does provide a brief reprieve, with only half that number of weddings to shoot.

But a girl can’t just do weddings! I also photograph many families, newborns, big pregnant bellies, and plenty of commercial stuff, too. I have worked with many local companies to give their websites a fresh look with inspired images of their product – from artworks to giftware, retail shops and custom built homes to docks or cars or kitchen cabinets – the list is long and diverse. Among my favourite things to photograph: food. Perhaps it is because I also love to cook (and eat!). Having been a server for years (and even a line cook for a short stint), I seem to know my way around the kitchen pretty well, whether it be with knife or camera or fork!

I shoot Nikon. Always have. Started with an FM2 and still use it, actually for my fine art work. For everything other shoot, I capture things with a Nikon D810 and my second body is a D800, but I rocked through a few before I came to these (ie: Dx2, Dx3., Dx3s). I now love love love my prime lenses more than anything and my favourite of all is likely my 50mm 1.4. Second favourite lens? That would have to go to my 70-200mm 2.8.

I don’t always make time to post on Facebook or Instagram when I am shooting, since I tend to get caught up in the moments, but I almost always find time to hit the gym (I am a becoming a bit of a Crossfit addict!). And I always find time to walk our dog and spend time with my husband.


I am happy and lucky and ever so grateful for the incredible clients I have, the best job ever that I created for myself and the awesome life I am living.

It is good.

@kellytheshutterbug

@kellytheshutterbug


170 BREISACHER ROAD, HUNTSVILLE, ON • 705.788.7392

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