They made me cookies! - Kansas City Family Portraits

Yes, you read that right. This adorable family made cookies for me and brought them to my session. The mom, Shelley, knew I had turned 40 the previous weekend so thought I could use a treat - how sweet is that? Maybe I'll start giving an incentive - $10 off your session fee if you bring me cookies! Ha!

Anyway, Shelley and Dale's youngest was so shy and very against having her portraits taken - but in the end I am very pleased! I know Shelly will be very surprised! They are yet another family who I have worked with during one of my many ballerina portrait events - it feels good when these families keep coming back to Center Stage.

I'll have your gallery ready soon - perhaps today!

Fire and Ice - Kansas City Portrait Photograher

I photographed this little beauty a couple of days ago. She had been sick for her "ballerina portrait" session the week prior so her mom brought her in to the studio for her make-up session and we had a great time. I even convinced her mom to let me work on a different backdrop for some, and I know she will love what she sees :)
I like to think of these as the "fire and ice" portraits. I'm sure you can figure out why. But when she came in, I told her, with her blond hair and blue eyes she reminded me of an "ice princess" but later, when she was in the fall colored tutu and in front of the warm backdrop, there was nothing cold about it!

Thanks, Jill, for bringing her in and for loving my work - I appreciate that so much!

Cold But Worth It - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

The session could have been miserable. Yesterday was so cold and dark. But when I get to photograph two little girls who love the camera, add in two wonderful and helpful and involved parents, a cute dog and an amazing environment, the session was anything but miserable. Sure it was only 40 degrees, but we all had fun and I am so looking forward to showing Shelly her gallery. Choosing ones for the blog has not been easy - I love them all! (FYI - click on the images to see them bigger/more clearly).

I have give a special compliment to the girls' dad, Clint. He's just the type of dad I like in my line of business. Instead of acting bored, or hiding out in their SUV, Clint was encouraging to the girls, drove us around all over the West Bottoms, never once looked bored, and he even carried around my antique yellow sofa.

Thank you, Shelly and Clint, for choosing me, yet again, to photograph your girls - it was a pleasure.

Sunday's Girls - Kansas City Portraits

Here's a preview for all of the families who came to the Oct. 4 portrait day at the Center Stage Studio. I saw a lot of traditional ballerinas, and then some not-so-ballerinas - all beautiful!

I did want to say that I'm so happy that so many of you brought your tweens. So many people, it seems, have portraits done of their small children, but once the kids turn 6 or so, they stop having them photographed regularly. But look at the many tween beauties I've photographed over the last couple of weeks. They absolutely love having their portraits done - much more so than the 2-year-olds - and look at them! Their beauty deserves to be photographed as well, and their personalities really shine.

Your galleries should be online by Monday. Until then, enjoy!

Friday's Ballerinas - Kansas City Portrait Studio

Here's a preview for everyone who had sessions on Friday. Such pretty girls!

Galleries for Sunday, Sept. 27's sessions are now online. All ballerina clients should receive an email from me today about that - contact me if you do not receive that email.

Also, these sessions sold out this year. We are trying to guage demand for another day of sessions this fall - most likely a Friday evening, or Sunday morning early in November. If anyone reading this would like a session this fall, please contact me to be placed on a waiting list.

Thank you!

My pretty ballerinas - Kansas City Portraits

Finally! Previews from Sunday's ballerina portrait event at my studio in Shawnee. I am really enjoying editing these images - so beautiful! I am so looking forward to hearing what you all think of your galleries. Thank you to all of you who have sessions. It is always a pleasure to create these beautiful images. We photographers have a saying - if an image is especially beautiful we called it "canvas worthy" - and I am seeing a lot of canvas worthy portraits.

Sessions for this event are now sold out - I've got about 30 children to photograph between Friday and Sunday. If you know someone who wants a session, please have them contact Laurie Wood (not me - even though our names are similar). We are considering starting a waiting list for those still wanting sessions, and if we get enough interest I will schedule another date later this month or in November. Her email address is: lauriehullwood@hotmail.com

Ballerina Portrait Event - Kansas City Children's Portraits

I'm thrilled to show you these portraits I took as examples of what I have planned for this year's fall ballerina portrait event.

I am styling this year's portraits around this stunning backdrop, loaned to me by a wonderful photographer, Kimberly Hill of Bliss. I have many costumes available for your daughter to wear, and our parent volunteers will pamper her with a beautiful hair do, a subtle make-over with lip gloss and a touch of blush (all optional!), and then help her slip into costume - transforming her into a prima ballerina. Once her session is over, she will leave with a few special little treats, as well.

If you aren't into tutus and tiaras, bring an outfit for your child to wear - dresses in pink, white and/or ivory would also look beautiful on this backdrop. Plus, if you prefer a fashion session, we can do that as well - I am also offering an alternative, modern paper backdrop in tan for those of you not interested in roses.

Session fees and print prices are discounted for these limited edition Center Stage sessions - contact me for details. Scheduling officially begins Monday, Aug. 31, although we've already filled several appointment times.

SESSION DATES: Sunday, Sept. 27; Friday, Oct. 2; Sunday, Oct. 4
PLACE: Center Stage Studio, located in the Academy of the Arts building, 5413 Martindale, Shawnee.

P.S. I've even bought a new settee for this event - isn't it lovely?
Alternative, "fashion" styling on tan paper for those of you wanting something different this year (and yes, the fashion sessions can have blowing hair, just like a model!):