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? =)

The Finals! Vote for your favorite ballerina portrait!

Here it is! The final round!
All of these portraits won their preliminary round of my "vote for your favorite ballerina portrait" blog contest. The winner will get a set of Moo cards! These are the cutest things - everyone who sees mine wants some of their own. (Please note that only those portraits that you have ordered will be on your cards).

So, here they are - the winners of the preliminary rounds. Have fun voting! The contest will end in one week.
(remember - if an image does not look clear, simply click on it to see it better)

By the way - there's still time to order Christmas cards. Please send me email for information or stop by the studio Monday-Wednesday evenings.

EDITED Nov. 23 - We have a winner! Congratulations to ballerina #5 for winning the Favorite Ballerina Portrait contest! A set of mini Moo cards will be coming your way! Thanks for everyone who voted!

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The Center of Their World

Monday night I photographed a family of adults... and then that one tiny little man who is at the center of their universe. It was really sweet to see how captivated each member of the family is with their 18-pound little prince. They had not had family portraits taken for some time. I like to think I made it an enjoyable experience for them. It was nice meeting you all! Your proofs will be ready in a few days.

I love faces!

Sure, environmental portraits are nice. But I love faces. Always have. Now that I'm a portrait photographer I love to get rid of all of the extraneous and focus on the face. Tonight I had some great faces to work with. Yes, Shelly, I have some portraits that are not this much face, but these are certainly among my favorites. Thanks for choosing me -- your proofs will be ready in about a week.

Loving those seniors!

I photographed another senior today - it's quite a difference to photograph a senior after a month of creating portraits of little people. Maranda didn't run away from me, refuse to smile, or scream during her session! Can you tell I spend a lot of time photographing the under 4 set? When I was in high school, we always had our senior portraits done in the late summer so that we could meet our yearbook deadlines. I'm quickly learning things have changed a lot since the... ahem... late '80s. Thanks for choosing Center Stage Photography for your senior portraits, Maranda! Here's a few for a sneak peak - it's always very difficult choosing but these three caught my eye. (click on the image to see it better)

Old Friends

Becky and I worked together longer ago than I care to calculate and have stayed friends despite distance and job changes. I've been wanting to photograph her family for a while now and today I got my chance. We used the grounds of the Nelson-Atkins Gallery and it made for a great backdrop, despite the gray skies. Great seeing you all today!

(if you can't see the portrait clearly, click on it).

Ballerina Portrait Contest - Semifinal #5

We've finally reached our last semi-final round of our "favorite ballerina portrait" Center Stage Photography blog contest. Remember, the winner of the final contest next week will get a set of Moo cards (see www.moo.com) made with portraits from their session (the portraits from your order).

Also, if anyone missed the ballerina portrait event, you may schedule a private session with me at any time to get them done - and you can take advantage of my December special and get your session for $35, and with special ballerina portrait event print pricing if you schedule it on a weeknight. My regular session fee is $65 on weeknights, so this is a great time to get your portraits done, and we would still have time to get portraits by Christmas.

Here's the entries this week - vote for your favorite portrait! This contest will end next Friday morning. Have fun! (remember, if an image does not look clear, click on it to see it better).

EDITED NOV. !6 - Congratulations to portrait #6 who won and will go to the final contest!

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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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