Monday, September 29, 2008

Ballerina Preview - Friday!


OK, several of you accosted me at the dance studio tonight, eager to see a preview from the portrait event this past weekend - so I figured I had better get home and make this post!

So, here is one from each session on Friday (Saturday's to follow later this week). The horizontal ones look sort of small but click on them to see them bigger.





Sunday, September 28, 2008

Another little angel

Another little angel has graced my studio this week - this time a baby boy - almost 3 weeks old but still very tiny. He was so calm during his session - probably the most calm awake baby I've photographed. His mom and dad, Tessa and Jason, say that's just the way the little guy is! Lucky them - unless of course he's saving it all up for later =D

I'm not much of a prop photographer when it comes to baby portraits (no big flower pots for me, but Anne Geddes sure does them well), but mom asked about wings and I do happen to have a pair donated to me by a client - so on went the wings, and the result is pure magic!

Here's a preview - enjoy!
I love the symbolism of this last portrait - the idea that his baby's parents will support him through his whole life. And besides that, I also love his little round tummy and the way his feet are "praying"!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Wonderful new family

Meggan and Ryan brought their precious, 12-day-old baby girl for portraits today in my Shawnee studio. They reminded me of my husband and I, 10 years ago, when we first became parents. Excited, proud, in love, and just a tiny bit unsure about their new roles in life. The session lasted three hours - as my newborn sessions tend to last... we make time for feedings; time to quiet the baby, time to clean up the inevitable pee and poop... but the investment of time always pays off. Here's four proofs for you to enjoy while you await your gallery. If they look pixelated, simply click on them to see them better. I am so happy to have been able to work with you today!Look! She's winking at us! Awww~!

First birthday in the park

I've been looking forward to this session for several weeks now - animated little H, outside, for her birthday portraits. I'm so honored to have had the opportunity to document this special birthday - her very first. I wish I could post her whole session just so you could see all of the funny faces she makes!

Thanks Sibyl and Christian, for making the drive to Johnson County today for your baby girl's portrait session. It was so nice to see you all again.

BTW - I photographed H at the same locations as Gwen below - and used the same chair! This time is was the baby's dad who got the pleasure of carrying it around for me.


Friday, September 19, 2008

Senior Portraits - Gwen


I had the pleasure of photographing Gwen today for her senior portrait session - something both of us have been looking forward to for a long time. You will recognize Gwen if you are a regular blog reader or familiar with my Web site - she's often the subject of my photography. Her mom loves portraits of her baby girl - and who could blame her? And yes, Gwen is every bit as sweet as she looks!

Gwen, I had so much fun today. Thank Colin for me for carrying the chair and blocking the sun! Here's a few proofs -- I was right, it was incredibly hard to choose and I haven't even downloaded a large portion of the proofs yet from my camera! Your gallery will be ready in a few days.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Ballerina Portrait Event - Shawnee


DATES:
Friday, Sept. 26
Saturday, Sept. 27
Sunday, Oct. 5
PLACE:
Center Stage Studio, inside the Academy of the Arts dance studio, 5413 Martindale, Shawnee

The fall ballerina portrait mini-session event is coming up quickly. If you would like a session, please contact me or Lisa Murry as soon as possible to schedule your appointment. Lisa is the mom who coordinates the event for the Academy of the Arts dance studio at the Shawnee location. You can email Lisa at: lisakmurry @ hotmail.com

This year, in addition to the tutus (including the much loved fall leaves colored ones), I have more than 10 pettiskirts for you to choose from. The backdrops are a wine-colored one and one with greens and lavenders.


I look forward to this event every year - and look forward to seeing everyone!

Friday, September 12, 2008

More portraits for K


This little guy's mom loves portraits; so even though I just photographed him for his 2nd birthday back in June, she was back today for more -- this time he was in a cute little Chinese outfit that he had been given by a friend of the family. Mom Krystin had her two-year portraits done in a little white Chinese outfit - she showed it to me and goodness her little boy looks so much like her.

Thanks, Krystin! Your proofs will be done in a few days.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Back to the studio for a great family


I can't make up my mind. After an outdoor portrait session like the one I just did on Sunday, I think, "Oh, outdoor is my favorite!" And after a studio session like this one today I think, "Oh, studio is my favorite!" I guess I just love it all!

This evening I photographed the Wood family (no relation to me) - one of my favorites! They are just so nice! And today I got to meet a member of the family I had not yet met - which was an added treat. I am fascinated by identical twins, so getting to photograph G & G again was really neat for me.

Thank you, Laurie and John, for coming in this evening for portraits - I look forward to showing you all of your proofs soon.

Monday, September 8, 2008

The outdoor season has begun

I had the pleasure of photography Katy and Brian and their sweet daughters yesterday. After months of mostly studio sessions it was so nice to get outside again and stretch my creativity and photography. The girls were so easy to work with, and wanted to know all about my own children, which I think is so cute. Look for many more outdoor photography from me in the next couple of months.

Katie - your proofs will be ready soon. Until then, enjoy!

I love "my" babies

This is just so fun for me! Seriously! Just seeing these babies coming back for portraits -- I got to know them as teeny tiny newborns and that is probably how I shall always think of them. But then they come to my studio and they look nothing like they do in my mental image and that is just so disorienting!

Christina and Jason brought Baby B back for portraits yesterday - I just have to show a before and after. Remember this sweet baby (and handsome daddy, too?)

Well, now look at him! He's already 16 pounds at 3 months old. What a chunky monkey! And I finally got to see his eyes =)

Thanks Christina and Jason!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Design Aglow E-Zine mention

I am thrilled to tell you that my work was recently featured in the Design Aglow e-zine "Success Issue." Design Aglow is a very chic magazine for photographers full of inspiration and ideas and advice. The latest issue contains a feature about how important it is, in a world seemingly filled with photographers, to develop a recognizable and individual style to achieve success.

The article's writer, Andrea Joki, an American living in Finland and an amazingly talented photographer, chose me as one of the featured photographers in her article, "The Success Advantage: Style."

She writes: In contrast to the current trend for bright, high key studio portraiture, Kansas photographer Lori Wood Habiger, owner of Center Stage Photography, found a different path when developing her style. Using a rich combination of low key compositions and unusually arranged lighting, Lori created a very distinct look that keeps her customers returning for her artistic eye. She describes her work, "I like to think that my work is dramatic and emotional; traditional with a bit of a modern element. I love shadows and how they compliment the human form and face; and how the dark and the light emphasize the emotion of the moment."

This portrait of beautiful Christina Lehman was one of two of my portraits used for the article. By the way - high-key means the overall tones in the image are very light; low-key means the overall tones in the portrait are dark, and typically a lot of shadowing is used.


The other portrait is of a lovely teenaged Overland Park dancer named Lauren - the daughter of a photographer, which I just love! This portrait was taken at a mini-session event at a South Overland Park dance studio. Andrea Joki herself chose these portraits from among my body of work as ones she finds to be illustrative of my very unique style of portraiture.