Buffalo Boss Babe: Kellie Szkatulski

Today's Buffalo Boss Babe is Kellie Szkatulski. Kellie is the photographer Belle Idee Photography. Her sessions and photographs are sure to take you on a journey. I often make up stories in my head about her amazing and magical photos. She has the ability to turn little girls into mermaids or ballerinas and little boys into adventure seekers. They are truly magnificent to say the least. She captures something so beautiful with her clients it is hard to believe they are real. We sat down with kellie to chat about how she got her start and much more! ( All photos in this post are taken by Kellie!) 

What made you start or brought you to where you are today? Tell us your story and what makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe.

 I've always loved photography. I always wanted to go to college from something creative - musical theater was my plan for years....I ended up spending 6 years getting my Masters in Speech Pathology, moved down near NYC with the intentions of working with singers with voice disorders. Long story short, ended up back in WNY with my growing family and taking the plunge on my dream of creating whimsical, ethereal, painting-like images though photography (if I could paint I would paint portraits, but I can't even draw a stick figure dog, so I photograph my visions instead). I'm honored to be in the company of all these fellow Buffalo Boss Babes. What an incredible group of strong, passionate, talented, driven, genuine women. Running is a business is not easy....and only those that are in the midst of this crazy ride understand that. It's comforting and encouraging to know there is such an incredible network of other babes that are experiencing all of the ups and downs with you....and somehow, one way or another, we're all making our dreams happen and killing it in the process.

Who are your favorite people to follow?

In regards to art, I love to follow photographers from Poland, Russia, Norway....their images are so painting/fairytale-like and what gives me my inspiration. 

What are your favorite things to do in the area (Buffalo and greater WNY)?

Listen...Buffalo is becoming such a hip and happening area....but I am such a homebody. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by hundreds of acres of hilly forest right in my backyard, and love to just take long, peaceful hikes through it with my family. I also feel so fortunate that we are near the lake and that I get to spend so many evenings there in summer for sessions. Viewing a gorgeous sunset on the lake is one of my favorite things in the world. ......but if I do need to venture out into public, I love trying out new restaurants all over WNY! (so anyone reading this, feel free to leave me a restaurant suggestion in the comments)

Tell me about your favorite collaborations or a dream collaboration?

Well, I am constantly collaborating with fellow BBB "Wild Blossom Hollow" because I love flowers in my photo sessions....and she's one of the funniest and most real people I know, so collabs are always a fun time. 

If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?

Hmm, I'm not too fascinated with celebrities....and I'm a busy, business-owning, mom of 3....so honestly I would enjoy having a cup of coffee with one of my friends that I never get to see because of our hectic schedules!

What are your hopes, dreams, goals? Big or Small.

I have no goals to take over the world. My hope is that people will see one of my images and instantly know from the look of it that it's one of mine. I do hope that years from now the great grandchildren of the people I am photographing now will fight over who gets the portrait or album I made because it's their favorite image of grandma. Just knowing that what I create will be admired by family members many years from now is an incredible feeling. 

Tell us about your family a bit ? 

My husband and I have been together since we were juniors in high school, and I'm excited that this year we will officially have been together for more than half our life! I have three wonderful, wild, sweet, charming, and handsome boys. We just welcomed our third son this past fall...maybe you heard....I'm the crazy one that had him in the car on the 219. ....never a dull moment.

 Feel Good Five :)

Color: Aqua Blue

Food: Sushi

Super Power: Envisioning the perfect photo shoot no matter where I go, be it a beautiful park or the grocery store, I can't stop thinking of ideas.

Animal: Black squirrels 

Season of the year: Summer

Kellie is truly amazing and I am so thankful to call her my friend. Her photos are sure to become an heirloom for all of her clients and I can not wait to book a session for myself! Also... can we please talk about what a bad ass she is that she had baby #3 on the 219... Like whoa sista, YOU ARE AMAZING! To see more from Kellie follow her on IG and FB @belleideephotography or check our her website http://www.belleideephotography.com

Until next time babe!  

---

Buffalo Boss Babes is a woman run blog series featuring women in and around the city of Buffalo N.Y.

If you know someone doing amazing things for our community, past and present, young and old..... send us a message at buffalobossbabes@gmail.com 

Be kind to everyone you meet.

Here's to strong women! May we know them. May we be them