Kelsey - Kansas City Senior Portraits

I enjoyed photographing Kelsey and was really honored to get to spend a part of her 18th birthday with her. She's such doll, and very talkative, which always makes my job fun. Kelsey had been set to go to someone else for portraits until my aunt forced my business card on Kelsey's mom one day (my mom and aunt like to do that!), and so instead she came to me. I'm very pleased with my aunt over this - and note to self - I need to hand out more business cards. The box I ordered about 18 months ago still has a bunch left. Well, I never said marketing was my strong suit!

Thanks Kelsey! Enjoy your preview.

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!

Chrissy - Kansas City Senior Portraits

Isn't Chrissy stunning? She's the latest senior I've had the good luck to photograph. I just love her look, her style and how she went all "Top Model" during her session.

Chrissy - it's been a real pleasuring working with you, and getting to meet your family (and your little friend as well!) Thank you so much for choosing me for your senior portraits.

Seniors - I have special pricing for the class of 2010. Call or email me or details.

Finally, A Beautiful Fall Day - Kansas City Family Portraits

I loved photographing this family. They are returning clients, which means a lot to me; the weather had finally turned nice; the 2-year-old was amazingly easy to work with (when does that ever happen?); and it was the mom's birthday! I just love the portrait above - Lisa suggested she and their little girl both sit on Daddy - and I love the results!

I'm really enjoying these fall sessions this year - no wonder fall is the most popular time of year for family portraits. What a gorgeous backdrop the park makes. Of course, we had to work around about every other photographer in Kansas City who also happened to be in the park at the same time as us - it was a bit surreal! I'm now convinced that every third person in the metro calls themselves a photographer.

Thank you Lisa and Sam, for choosing me, again, to photograph your family - enjoy your preview.

Danae - Kansas City Senior Portraits

I had the pleasure to photograph this lovely young woman this week; both in my studio and on location. She has a great smile and a supportive family, and reminded me why I love to photograph seniors so much! You may find it unusual to see a family image among Danae's senior portraits. However, I have no problem with others joining the senior for a small part of her or his session - it makes it all the more special, I believe.

Because I'm in the process of building the senior portrait portion of Center Stage Photography, I am offering special pricing to seniors in the class of 2010. Contact me for details.

Thank you, Danae! Enjoy your preview. Your gallery will soon be ready.

Another Chilly Morning With Cute Kids - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

This October's weather has not been kind for we portrait photographers who do a lot of outdoor sessions in the fall. I photographed these two cute kids this past weekend when the temperature was about 48, and a cold wind was blowing. The sunshine sure did help, though! These cuties came for a birthday session - 4 years for the little girl and 1 year for the baby boy. They were a lot of fun. We walked pretty far into Shawnee Mission Park to find a pretty, more secluded location. I just love how the light looked that morning on the bridge. It's funny, when you become a photographer, you see light differently - I'm always noticing "pretty light" where before, in my life, it wasn't something I paid much attention to.

Anyway! Thanks, Tanya - your gallery will be ready soon.

Ashlynn, part II-Mill Valley High School-Kansas City Senior Portraits

Ashlynn, who I blogged about last week, wanted some senior portraits on the farm. We had a bit of an adventure even getting to the farm outside of Lawrence, but once we were there, it was pretty magical (except, maybe, that menacing turkey).

Ashlynn is my Center Stage senior rep at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee - you can ask her about getting senior portraits done with me, and she can give you a coupon for something special when you place your order.

Here are a few previews, Ashlynn - I had a fun time with you on Sunday!
(click on the horizontal images to see them more clearly)

Ashlynn-Mill Valley High School-Kansas City Senior Portraits

I love shooting senior portraits, and so it was my lucky, lucky day when Ashlynn chose me for her senior portrait session. Isn't she just beautiful? I've asked her to be my senior portrait representative at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee - so Mill Valley seniors - contact Ashlynn if you are interested in Center Stage senior portraits. She will soon have some information to give you.

I'm actually running a special on my senior portrait sessions this year - $90 session fee; and $500 yous get digital files from your session and a proof book. Contact me for more complete details, restrictions, etc.

*By the way - you can click on the images to see them better.

Thanks for choosing me, Ashlynn!

Experimenting with Light - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

So, you all recognize this young woman - Gwen is one of my favorite people to photograph. She's sweet, fun, beautiful and talented (and I'm leaving out some adjectives just so my gushing doesn't get embarrassing).

I have wanted to use studio light outdoors for a while now. What's called "OCF" (off camera flash) is very popular in the portrait photography world right now. While no self-respecting portrait photographer uses "on camera flash" - that is, the camera's built-in flash, for portraits, the use of a flash unit (be it a small portable one or a large studio light) outdoors can create a whole new look, and also make night-time portraiture possible.

So, I grabbed Gwen, and off we went to some land just north of my studio door, and I gave it a try (using a long extension cord to plug in my light). How cool is this? I can't wait to try this again (and will do so at my parents' farm this weekend - if my kids will cooperate...if not, my parents, sister and husband may be forced to be my models. Watch my blog for an update on that - lol!)

I have one more to post - my own favorite - that has some very different qualities - I'll do that once my hosting site is back online.

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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! =)