New Web site!

I am so excited to announce a new Web site for Center Stage Photography. This new web site is so beautiful and showcases my work so well. I hope you enjoy it - let me know what you think! Our domain name has not changed -- so you can find our new site at http://www.centerstagephotos.net/.

The old Smugmug site is still there. We will continue to use it for selling recital portraits, dance performance photos, and to show off our custom products, such as Christmas cards, baby announcements, portrait bags, etc.

To all my ballerina portrait clients and recent private session clients - your proofs are still on the Smugmug site - http://www.centerstage.smugmug.com/.

Dr. Mom Part IV.... and make that Dr. Dad, too!

Julia and John came tonight for maternity portraits. Julia is the fourth pregnant doctor I have photographed in the last three months - all young, beautiful and nice as can be. Dad-to-be John is a doctor, too - makes scheduling appointments a bit difficult, but it always works out. I had a lot of fun this evening! Here's a few portraits to look at while you wait for me to get your gallery online - I know you are eager to see them (and hello to Mary and Katie, who I know will be reading this, too! - See you next week, Mary!).

As always if a portrait looks pixilated, just click on it - Blogger does odd things to pictures.

Nutcracker: All Jazz'd Up!

As most of you know, my portrait studio is located in a busy dance studio in western Shawnee called the Academy of the Arts. Besides my private portraits that you see featured on this blog, I also take recital and cast portraits for the dance studio. My little girl has danced there since she was 3 years old - and she's 9 now! We love the Academy of the Arts! A very special production is about to be staged - their third annual "Nutcracker: All Jazz'd Up!"

We took my daughter to the first year they did the show - she was not in it, but as soon as she saw it she fell in love. It's very fun, and very different than the classical version of the Nutcracker story -- modern and made for a young cast. It features several types of dance - ballet of course, but also jazz and tap. My husband and I love the tapping mice - we think they always steal the show.

I encourage you to take your kids to see this show! You have three chances to see it - Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and again on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. It will be performed at Mill Valley High School, between Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive on Monticello. Tickets can be bought at the door for $10 each.

I will be there as a photographer taking action pictures, and my husband is doing the performance video. But I'll also be there as a mom - my daughter has 4 parts in the show - it's always a wonderful feeling to see her on stage - I can't wait!

I hope to see you there!
And I can't resist posting a portrait of my own daughter -hamming it up as usual in her Russian Laughter costume!

Triple Blessing

On the Eve of Thanksgiving, it seemed appropriate to photograph this family, as it's clear the parents have a lot to be thankful for - their beautiful, silly, crazy little set of triplets. As a twin myself, I love photographing multiples. This set was my first triplets. They were rather wound up this evening - can you tell?

And as an aside - it seems like my studio has become the Beautiful Mom studio. I'm not kidding! Apparently word has gotten out in the Beautiful Mom newsletter that Center Stage Photography is the place to go.

Anyway - thank you, Jennifer, for choosing me to photograph your family - I had a great time - and no, the triplets weren't that bad! LOL Here's your sneak peak. Remember,if the portrait looks pixelated, just click on it. Blogger does weird things to pictures).

Happy Thanksgiving to all my faithful blog readers and clients!

Christmas delivery info

If you have not yet ordered your ballerina or Nutcracker portraits, please take note: Smugmug has published their Christmas delivery cut-off dates:

Christmas Delivery Cutoffs
First Class: Dec. 7
Express: Dec. 14
Second Business Day: Dec. 17
Next Business Day: Dec. 18

To ensure that you get your portraits in time for Christmas, please make note of these dates and plan your order accordingly.

Finally!

I have been wanting to get this family into my studio for as long as I have been a photographer ... which is only a year... but it seemed like a long wait! Our kids go to school together, and their girls are just so beautiful - a portrait photographer's dream. The parents aren't too hard on the eyes, either! With the girls' birthdays coming up, it seemed like a perfect time.

We had a great time tonight, Greg and Brenda! Enjoy the sneak peak and you will have your proofs in after Thanksgiving.

See how they grow!

What a difference a few months makes - this mom is a frequent visitor to my studio, even though she lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. Often when she visits family here in Kansas she stops by my studio for portraits. Last I photographed this baby, he was 7 weeks old - now, at 5 1/2 months, the difference is striking. What a handsome little guy he is! I have a lot of fun watching my baby plan babies grow, and look forward to each appointment.

Thanks, Angie for bringing your baby for portraits. Hopefully next time Daddy can come, too! (if a portrait does not look clear, simply click on it).

She wasn't having any of it!

The tiniest girl in this portrait really, really dislikes being in my studio. Can you tell? Even though these are not traditional portraits, I think they are cute enough to share. Big Sister loves having me photograph her - maybe one day Little Sister will, too! Until then, they can amuse us with portraits like these! (click on a portrait to see it bigger/more clear).

Hmmm. Maybe this one will do? =)