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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9th Birthday Session - Kansas City Portraits Photographer

Happy 9th birthday, sweetie! I enjoyed hanging out with you in the park - not once, but twice =)

Second Time's the Charm - Kansas City Baby Photographer

I was to have photographed this baby back in June, but heavy rain that day ruined our plans for an outdoor session. She and her family live in St. Joseph so we were not able make up the session until last week. Rain was threatening again but thank goodness we didn't get wet (although I do admit to getting a few mosquito bites - gotta start remembering that bug spray!). Isn't she a little beauty? She was so curious!

Thanks Lindsey! It's always great to see you!

Beautiful Sisters - Kansas City Family Portraits

I really love to photograph adults, so I was so happy when Andrea contacted me to photograph her, along with her sister. I love how these two are so different, yet have some interesting similarities (during editing I've noticed that their eye color exactly the same). Andrea and Natalie - it was a pleasure to photograph you! I only wish you had gotten your mom to come for the session, too. Enjoy the preview.

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.

Allison - Kansas City Maternity Portraits

I was so excited to get to do maternity portraits for Allison. You all know how I love to photograph dancers, and you all know how I love my maternity sessions, so this session was off the charts for me! Allison is a professional contemporary dancer (see some from a previous dance session here) as well as a dance teacher, and every time I photograph her, it's such a pleasure because she really understands body positions and what looks beautiful on camera.

Here are a few - I must say, choosing a few for the blog has been hard!

Congratulations Allison and Aaron!

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.

Little Miss Sunshine - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

This little girl's face is like sunshine to me - when she smiles her face lights up any room. I have photographed her so many times and each time is just a special experience. Happy 6th birthday, sweet pea!