Beautiful fall day; busy photographer

Today was a very busy day for me - I had four sessions - all very different. Three outdoor and one in my studio in Shawnee. All of them are repeat clients - so it was fun to get everyone in front of my camera again. Here's a sneak peak for everyone. Your mini-session proofs will be ready in a few days. (if a portrait does not look clear on the blog, click on it to see it better).

The Standens


The Koehlers



The Greffets




The Haases

Ballerina Portrait Contest - Semifinal #4

Please vote in Semifinal #4! Vote for your favorite portrait. The winner will move on the final round and vie for a set of these super cute little cards called "Moo Cards." You can see the here: www.moo.com. I have some in my purse and love showing my kids off by pulling out these tiny little cards with their portraits printed on them - bad thing is that my mom has stolen some of mine! She loves them, too. Luckily my sister ordered her own cards :). If you see me around, ask me to see mine! I adore them, and plan to get several family members their own set for Christmas (shhh!)

This poll closes in one week. There will be one more semi-final next week - and then on to the finals!

(remember - if a portrait does not look clear, you can click on it to see it better)

Two things to note:
• Those of you planning to order holiday cards with your portraits on them must do so ASAP. In fact, all custom products should be ordered by Nov. 14.
• I have been hearing from some people that they are disappointed that they did not sign up for this ballerina portrait event. If you missed out and regret it, you may still schedule a private appointment with me. I can create these portraits for you any time in my studio (minus the hair styling and make-up -- but costumes are always available). You can use my special "Birthday Club" mini-session pricing for these - through Dec. 31 only. See my Web site or contact me for details.

EDITED on Nov. 9 -- WOW - what a contest! #4 held on to win this round, and will move on to the finals next week. Thanks everyone for voting!

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A Day Made for Portraits

Sunday I made a return visit to a client's home -- this time to create portraits for her friend Melissa's daughter. You never know what the weather will be like in late October, but the weather was about perfect that day. I have many outdoor sessions scheduled in November - let's hope the weather stays nice!

Melissa, thank you for choosing me to take portraits of your little princess.

I had a lot of fun! Your proofs will be ready soon.

(click on the portrait to see it more clearly)

Crazy for purses

I'm crazy for purses. Or is it more fashionable to say, "Crazy for bags"? Either way, these are for you! I have always had a bit of a purse obsession, and when I found my new portrait bag vendor, it was love at first site. I couldn't wait to place my order, and they arrived today - only two weeks after I ordered. I bought three... and am already plotting my next purchase. Of course, I went with the upgrades - leather trim and a different portrait on each side. I really love the look of these bags, and would be happy to show you mine personally. I know I will be seeing many of you at the Academy of the Arts dance studio Monday-Wednesday evenings. I can even work up a picture of a "virtual bag" for you so that you could see what your portrait would look like on your chosen bag design before you order. We can also do a collage on the bag for you for a small added charge. So if you have four children and want an individual portrait of all four on your bag, a collage would be a great way to go.

I bought:

• The Classic Handbag
• The "Photographer's Tote" - but you can have one, too! It's big - big enough for a 17-inch laptop, and then some.
• A coin purse

If you love bags like I do, you really should put one of these on your Christmas list. I need all orders placed by Nov. 14. They've told me that to ensure delivery in good time for the holidays, that's the date. Sure, we can place later orders, but I can't promise your bag would be here by Christmas. Your bag will definitely be one of a kind!

See more about these great bags on my Web site: http://centerstage.smugmug.com/gallery/3699788#212939524

"The Photographer's Tote"

In the first picture at the very top of this blog entry, you can see one side of my new "classic handbag" with a colorful portrait of my two cute kids on it. Below is the other side of the bag - my kids in black and white this time.

Ballerina Portrait Contest - Semifinal #3

It's time for the next round of our ballerina portrait contest. Vote for your favorite! This poll will close in one week and the winner will move on to our final round and have a chance to win a set of Moo cards made of portraits from their order.

And yes, those of you who do not win may buy your own set from me -- if your portrait order was at least $150, you may purchase a set of Moo cards -- featuring the portraits that you have purchased -- for $60 plus sales tax. Watch this blog for some more fun products you can buy (these all would make wonderful Christmas gifts) - including

• Beautiful portrait bags (no minimum order required)
• And portrait tile jewelry (no minimum order required).

Have fun voting! (if the image does not look clear, please click on it to see it better).

EDITED FRIDAY, NOV. 2 - congratulations to #2 for moving on to the finals! Thanks for everyone for voting.

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Holiday Cards

Many of you have asked about holiday cards.

We offer almost 30 designs, from modern to Victorian. Each is a 5x7 press-printed card - that means they are printed on a printing press on quality paper - not on photo paper. All are flat, and printed on only one side, so you can write your own personal message on the other side. White envelopes are provided.

To use a Center Stage Photography portrait on your holiday cards, you must order your cards from me, and the portrait used must be one you have purchased a print of, unless you are part of our Holiday Card Mini-Session event Nov. 4-5. You may view the card designs here:

http://www.centerstage.smugmug.com/gallery/3704038/1/212543173#212204208

Prices are: $50 for 25 cards; $95 for 50 cards; $140 for 75 cards; $185 for 100 cards.

Exclusively for my clients who have placed portrait orders over $500 - you may purchase one full-resolution digital file from me for $95 (it must be a portrait that was included in your original order), and then you may get your cards printed where you choose.

The above also applies to Baby Announcements. As of Oct. 25, all baby announcements using Center Stage Photography portraits must be ordered through Center Stage Photography. We can create a custom design for you until we build up our design offerings. Prices are the same as for holiday cards.

This is going to be one seriously cute baby

Mary and Ryan came to my studio this evening for maternity portraits.
Cute mom + cute dad = cute baby!
They will be back in December so I can photograph their new baby boy. Mary is one of several doctors and/or residents who have come to me for maternity and newborn portraits. Since Mary is a pediatrician, I'm very curious to see if she will handle her baby boy with "new mommy jitters," or will she move him around like a pro? I can't wait to find out!

Thanks to Mary and Ryan for trusting me with these special portraits. I'm really looking forward to our next session.

Ballerina Portrait Contest - Semifinal #2

Here is the second round of our fun little contest. Vote on your favorite portrait - the winner will move on to our final contest and have a chance to win a set of Moo cards from Center Stage Photography! I get to choose the portraits to be included on the Moo cards. Have fun voting! (See the Oct. 12 blog entry for more information. Also, if a portrait does not look clear, please click on it to see it better.)

All ballerina sessions are now edited and online!
Remember that you have until Oct. 31 to place your order
at the Early Bird Special prices.
All portraits from this event will stay online through Dec. 31.

By the way - some of you have asked about holiday cards. We have 30 designs for choose from, from Victorian to modern. You can stop by the studio to see copies of each one; or soon we will have a gallery on our web site where you can see each design. Prices are the same as for our holiday card mini-session portrait event -- you can see pricing in our Sept. 14 blog entry.

EDITED ON OCT. 26 - Portrait #6 won this round, and will move on to the final. Congratulations!

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