Sweet girl

Isn't she sweet? This 3-month-old was the latest visitor to my studio (along with her mom and her very doting Grammie). Thanks, Charlene and Wendee, for choosing Center Stage Photography.

Portraits are for teens, too!

This girl turned 13 this past weekend, and to commemorate her daughter's entrance into teenhood, Angela made an appointment for "R" to have a portrait session at my studio. Working with a teenager is so much fun, and I am positive that R had a great time, too. Thirteen is such an interesting age - as the Britney Spears song says, "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman" and R is definitely in that middle ground. In the proofs I've looked at so far, in some portraits there's a girlie sweetness; and in others I can see that a more mature beauty is starting to emerge.

I hope these inspire you out there with teenagers to get their portraits done! I think R proves that portraits aren't just for babies, or small children, or seniors in high school. Thirteen is a perfect age for portraits. Thank you, Angela, for seeing it my way!

(Remember you can click on an image to see it more clearly).

This is why I love what I do!

I received the most amazing email last night - one of my Aspire ballerina portrait clients. This right here is why I love what I do. Jennifer K. wrote:

"I am in love with my children all over again looking at the beautiful pictures."

I remember Jennifer's little girl, walking into the dance rooom where all 30 or so tutus were hanging from the barre. The look on her face was sweet enough, but then she turned to her mom and said, in awe: "Mommy! It's just like in the movies!" Awwwww!

Thank you so much for writing, Jennifer. Your email truly touched me, and it reminds me why I love being a portrait photograper. I am looking foward to our ordering session next week.

Ballerinas online!

Here's something to do on this snowy Sunday - look at your portraits!
They are ready and online. If you have trouble getting to your gallery, first please make sure that you are typing your password correctly - passwords are *case sensitive* which means that if your last name is Jones, you must type: Jones, with a capital J.

If you have trouble getting to your gallery, please email me right away.

Remember, your gallery will be online through March 9, and you have two ways to order:

1. Directly from your online proofing site. To reach the proofing site, when you are watching your slideshow, simply click on the little white shopping cart icon on the bottom, left side of your slideshow. Enter your password again, and you will be taken to your proofing gallery. Purchase portraits by adding them to your cart, and then check out using any credit card. Please note that you can crop your own portraits within the shopping cart. The prints will be sent directly to you. IMPORTANT: If you would like to buy a black and white portrait, if you plan to buy online, you must email me prior to placing your order, and ask me to convert the portrait to black and white. I can't do that if you let me know after you have placed your order.

2. Or, you can make an appointment with me at my Shawnee studio space (all of my regular private portrait clients do this), located inside the Academy of the Arts dance studio. We can go over your portraits together and I can take your order. I highly suggest this method:
-- if you are placing a larger order
-- if you plan on ordering portraits 11x14 or larger (so that you have the option of getting them mounted for stability and longevity)
-- so that we can go over cropping issues (an 8x10 looks very different than a 4x6, for example)
-- and if you plan on ordering custom products, such as portrait purses, art canvas prints, portrait tile jewelry, mini session albums, etc. View some custom products on my Web site by clicking here: Center Stage Boutique Products

To make an appointment, send me an email at lori@centerstagephotography.net

Enjoy your portraits! I really enjoyed working with you all!

I'm thinking ... Sunday!

Check the blog on Sunday for an update - but I think I will have the Overland Park ballerina proofs online and ready for you on Sunday. Are you excited??? I am!

Ballerinas: Running Ahead of Schedule

Good news to all you eagerly awaiting your ballerina portrait proofs - I am running ahead of schedule and will be able to get your proofs online a few days early! Watch the blog for updates - I'll post here when I have them all ready for you to view.

I also want to urge you to "think big." By that I mean - there are some stunning images of our children coming your way - when considering your order, please consider prints larger than 8x10. An 8x10 is not a large portrait - in general it is not suitable for hanging on walls unless part of a grouping. Wall portraits are considered 11x14 and over - and many portraits look best when displayed at a 16x20 or larger. Those of you who plan to make an appointment with me at my studio to view your proofs and order will see a comparison between an 8x10 and a 16x20 - many people express surprise at how small an 8x10 is when hanging next to a 16x20, and how much better the portrait looks in the larger size.

I also urge you to order enlargements sized 16x20 and over directly from me (not from the web site) so that they can be mounted on a hard substance called "masonite" to provide stability and longevity.

Also consider art canvas - it's a beautiful alternative to a traditional print, and comes ready to hang, so no framing is necessary. We have one hanging above our mantle of our children and visitors always remark on how eye-catching it is.

I personally think the beautiful portrait below of the lovely teen-aged ballerina would look perfect as a large canvas!

If you would like more information about art canvas prints, or enlargements, please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Dramatic, Beautiful, Emotive

I participated in a very illuminating exercise today on a private message board for child portrait photographers. We were to look at the work of the photographer who posted above us, and describe his/her work in three words. The wonderful Merav Schwartz in Atlanta posted just after me. Merav is a amazing photographer so it was a real treat to see what she came up to describe my work:

dramatic, beautiful, emotive

Can we say flattering? I'd like to think she knows what she's talking about. Thank you, Merav!

Couture Line Portrait Tile Jewelry

I've blogged about this before, but so many of you have been asking me about this boutique offering in the last two weeks (five of you at the studio this evening!) that I think another blog post is in order.

I just recently introduced a new line of portrait jewelry - each piece is one of a kind! The tiles are made of large pieces of mother of pearl; the beading on the necklace is made of precious and semi-precious stones, organic materials, Czech glass, Swarovski crystals and top-of-the-line Beadlion wire with Sterling silver components. The artisan who makes these pieces chooses each bead with care - she does not buy in lots.

The price is $195. They are available to all of my clients. If you prefer, you may choose to buy only the tile charm for $100.

If I have created portraits for you since April 2007 and you would like to order one of these necklaces with one of your portraits on it, please contact me. I will be happy to go over the choices with you:

-Necklaces are available in several color combinations, or can be custom-designed to match the portrait on the tile. The artisan just debuted her new "Center Stage Couture" necklace that she designed with my own unique work in mind. Ask me to see my sample of the Center Stage Couture necklace. I also own a necklace of jet beads (her "Midnight Couture") to go with a black-and-white tile of my own children - I will be happy to show you that necklace, too.

- The tiles can be ordered in three sizes.

- The necklaces come in three lengths (or extended lengths for a small additional charge).

See more examples on our Web site:

http://centerstage.smugmug.com/gallery/2444803#241822195