Custom Photography - Why It's Worth It - Kansas City Portrait Studio

A friend of mine who lives near Chicago, the supremely talented Marianne Drenthe of Marmalade Photography, a couple of years ago wrote an excellent and comprehensive article about custom photography. You can read it here.

Of particular interest to many of you would be the section about custom photography pricing. She goes into great detail about why quality custom photography can be an investment.

Of course, I am confident that my own clients do understand this. You all do "get it" - you understand that you are not only paying for the paper your images are printed on; and the ink used. You make a choice to invest in something beautiful and timeless. Something special. You choose me/Center Stage Photography because you know that I offer a unique style, outstanding customer service, quality prints and albums, a memorable experience during your session, and a guarantee on my work.

I :heart: Maternity! - Kansas City Maternity Portraits

I know, I know. I say this a lot - but I love, love, love maternity sessions. This one for Christina and Joe was a lot of fun - they are so excited about their first baby. Plus, Christina was a great model (she danced when she was younger and it really showed!); and Joe is a photographer, so we had a lot to talk about. I can't wait to meet their baby girl.

Here's a preview for you - gallery coming soon!

Gotta love the 6-month-olds - Kansas City Baby Photographer

I know I sound like a broken record, but I love photographing 6-month-olds! Oh my goodness, there's just nothing cuter than a baby that age who has just learned to sit up on their own. The faces they make are amazing and I love to capture that in my work (those many, varied expressions make for wonderful albums and storyboards).

I photographed Christy's baby boy when he was just a few days old, and she brought him back for portraits this week - which totally made my day! What a doll. Plus, his "big" brother came along as well, and the result was a rare event indeed - a 6-month-old and a 3-year-old both looking at the camera and both smiling! Gosh, that makes me happy!

Christy - this is only a tiny taste of the cuteness coming your way - gallery coming soon!

Another birthday boy! - Kansas City Baby Photographer

I've had lots of first birthday sessions lately -this time it was Tessa and Jason's little boy. I hadn't seen him for a year, so it was quite a treat. Remember him? I have always loved this image of him. You can see more by clicking here.
His parents are just wonderful clients. Tessa writes me the sweetest emails - the second I see her name in my in-box I know it's going to be a good day. Tessa and Jason - thank you again for choosing me to photograph your little boy - it means a lot.

Little Miracles - Kansas City Baby Portraits

It's hard to imagine these chubby little fellows started life as tiny preemies only three and a half months ago. But look at them now! They've come a long way, and I know that to their loving parents, Angela and Scott, they are amazing miracles.

Angela - I think these portraits prove the saying "better late than never" - I'm so happy you decided to bring your babies to my studio. I enjoyed our session so much, and can't wait to show you and Scott the rest of your gallery.

By the way - I'm told it's still not clear whether the twins are fraternal or identical. I'm putting my bets on identical. What do you think?

Happy Birthday, K! - Kansas City Baby Portraits

I have had the pleasure to photograph this sweet little thing several times in her first year of life and it's always special for me. It's such an honor to have gotten to follow her growing and changing through the year, and we celebrated the end of her first year with a cake smash in my Center Stage Studio. Even her parents, Meggan and Ryan, got in on it - and ended up with a bit of pink frosting on their faces, too!

A few days later we followed up the studio session with a urban baby session in Kansas City's West Bottoms - I'll share some of those tomorrow.

Happy birthday K!
Eat a piece of cake for me!

Beautiful 10-month-old - Kansas City Baby Portraits

I had the good fortune to photograph this beautiful baby earlier this week. The only catch is that she's recently become quite mobile and so keeping her on the backdrop, in the lighting area, gave her mom a workout. Elizabeth - thank you for choosing me to photograph your little sweetie - I'll have your gallery ready soon.

Worth the Wait - Kansas City Newborn Portraits

This little girl arrived a bit later than expected - and planned for. But I can see by how much she's loved that everyone agrees that she is worth the wait.

I think she is the youngest baby I've photographed - if you go by the time of day she was born, she wasn't quite 4 days old. She slept soundly through most of it, bless her little heart - that always makes my job much easier.

Congratulations Courtney and Tim - your daughter is a sweetie. Enjoy your preview.

Happy Boys - Kansas City Newborn Photographer

Look at the little guys! All smiles for their portrait session with me. Aren't they cute?

It was a neat experience photographing Christy's new baby boy - I think he's the biggest newborn I've had the opportunity to photograph - 10.5 pounds! Which puts a whole new spin on the "laying on Daddy's outstretched arms" pose doesn't it?

Thank you for choosing me, Christy. I'm very happy you saw that birth announcement on your sorority sister's refrigerator. Enjoy the previews - your gallery will be ready soon!

The Twins Turn One - Kansas City Baby Photographer

Look who just had a birthday! You've seen these little men on my blog a few times - they are the only newborn twins I've photographed in my two years in business. Their mom, Julie, found me after attempts to schedule a maternity session with someone else proved difficult, and I'm so happy she did. It's been great to see these baby boys grow (and yes, they made a terrible mess with the cake!)

Julie - here's your preview - I know you've been patiently waiting.

A Blessing for Jenn and Mike - Kansas City Newborn Portraits

This little lass has been a bit of a trouble maker for her parents already (particularly her mommy!), but they of course consider her nothing but a blessing. I have photographed Jenn and her family a few times now - and you all know how I feel about repeat clients; plus Jenn enjoys photography as a hobby and we always have a lot to talk about. Love that!

Jenn, I hope you feel better soon, and congratulations to you and Mike. It was a pleasure.

The Boy Loves His Cake - Kansas City Baby Photographer

I adore Christina and Jason and their baby boy, and am so happy they have chosen me again and again to photograph their son's first year of life. It means a lot to me to have been able to watch this baby grow through my portraits, and both parents are just great people to work with. Thank you, Christina, for being one of my biggest fans =) She's also a bit of a Center Stage star, as a couple of her maternity portraits have become a bit famous - one is hanging in my studio and a local maternity boutique and I have booked clients based solely on that portrait; and another was featured in an international magazine for photographers.

Enjoy your preview!And, one of the famous Christina portraits - isn't she beautiful? I'm thinking they need another baby!