The Beauty of Dance - Stephanie

I've wanted to photograph Stephanie, now studying dance in New York, ever since she was one of my daughter's dance teachers. She was on a little break in Kansas from her bi-coastal life last week and so I finally got a chance to put her in front of the camera. She brought along a friend (who I have photographed many times) and we had a good time in the studio. Besides dance portraits, we had fun with headshots, and other things, too. Stephanie - I'll have your gallery ready soon!

This first one below is my favorite of her. It's not my traditional dance portrait, but I love it. I've always thought that Stephanie is very cerebral about dance. When she taught her classes, I could see her thinking - this portrait shows that side of her, I think. (click on it to see it better).


Fun with Marky!
I love this headshot of Stephanie - she looks like she's ready for Hollywood, doesn't she?

And my favorite headshot of Marky! I love showing women how beautiful they are!

The Beauty of Dance - Jenna - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

Young, beautiful, sweet, talented. Yeah, Jenna's got a lot going for her. Just look at her - I mean, what can I say? The images speak for themselves. Jenna! I had such fun photographing you! Enjoy the preview.

Kansas City-area dancers - I do offer special pricing for adult dancer sessions - email me for information.

A winning weekend for these pretty girls - AND Center Stage

This weekend, the Stage One dance competition was in town and three girls from the Academy of the Arts dance studio won Photogenic Awards with Center Stage Photography portraits! I'm very tickled for the girls, and happy I could do my part to get them recognition and a trophy.

Gwen, one of my favorite dancers to photograph, won the Senior Photogenic award with a senior portrait I took of her last fall;

My daughter Paige won first place in the junior division (it was a repeat for her as she won first place last year as well);

and Ashley, won second place in the petite division with a portrait I took just a couple of weeks ago!

I can do headshot sessions for your dancer as well - $125 gets you the 20-minute session and an 8x10 to enter at the competitions (weekdays only - contact me for details).

Congratulations, my pretties! =)

Two more cute kids!

This morning I photographed two 18-month-olds for my Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep fundraiser sessions. Did I already say how much I'm loving these sessions? I've photographed both of these kids before. Hadley for 6 month and 1-year sessions; but Jackson I haven't seen since he was a tiny newborn who slept through his entire session. It occurred to me that this is the first time I've seen him with his eyes open - and what beautiful eyes they are.

Aren't these two just full of personality? Both little people were very loving towards me today - toddler cuddles have a way of brightening any day.

If you would like your own "Center Stage Model Kids" session, contact me soon!

Thanks Sibyl and Christian; and Sara and Jesse - it was such a treat to see you all today.

Center Stage Model Kids!

On Sunday I conducted sessions for the national portrait event that is raising funds for the very worthy Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, an organization that coordinates sending photographers to hospitals to photograph babies who have just been born but are gravely ill, or who have already passed away. It's an outstanding charity and while I have not signed up to be a volunteer photographer, I was more than willing to take part in this fundraiser for them.

Funds are raised through this event by entering kids into a "Cutest Kid in America" contest - each vote is $1, and goes directly to NILMDTS.org. Only participating photographers can enter children into the contest, and only portraits taken since early January, of children 18 months-14 years, can be entered. I will be photographing a few more children this coming weekend, and could add a few sessions - if you would like for me to photograph your child for this event, my charity event session fee is only $35, and I am offering a discount on prints. Contact me ASAP! The families who have participated so far wanted to help this amazing organization, as well as get some great portraits of their kids.

I am thrilled to preview images from Sunday. I am really loving this look! I will probably continue to offer similar mini sessions even after the contest deadline, as Center Stage Model Kids sessions. Contact me for details!

OK - on to the *beautiful* kids I had the honor to photograph on Sunday. (and please click on each image so you can see it bigger!)

Aspen (above and below):Danielle:Jenna:

Jackson:
Lily: