Happy 8th Birthday!

This pretty little thing graced my studio yesterday evening for her birthday portrait session. She loved being photographed last night and you should have seen the sad look in her face when I told her we had taken enough photos and the session was over. Awwww! Lucky for her that her mom is one of my best clients so she won't have to wait long before it's portrait time again (family session, that is!)

This little girl has two sisters and a brother and they all get "Birthday Club" sessions every year. My Birthday Club sessions offer a way for you to avoid those stressful chain portrait stores and still have all the benefits that custom photography can offer. Why stress about those rushed sessions, and be disappointed in the results, when you can come to me instead? One important note: because of the discount involved, these sessions are offered only to those who have been to me for portraits before - it's a special perk I offer those who love and are loyal to The Lori Style! =)

If you want more information about my Birthday Club sessions, please send me an email - I would love to hear from you.

Senior Portraits - Brett

This handsome guy is Brett, one of my senior reps at Mill Valley High School in western Shawnee. Brett is proof that all the cool kids come to Center Stage Photography! =)

You will see more of Brett's senior portraits at a later date, but I wanted to show off some of the portraits I've already taken of him. If any of you attend Mill Valley, see Brett for one of his rep cards for my studio - there's a special discount on the card for you to use when you book your appointment.

Statuesque Maternity

I photographed this six-foot beauty today for her maternity session. Holly has no idea how truly beautiful she is - but the camera sure loves her, don't you think?

I really enjoy pre-natal sessions - there's something so beautifully mysterious about pregnancy. I am so lucky to be able to document this incredible time in women's lives.

Thank you, Holly, for trusting me with your maternity portraits. Your gallery will be ready soon.
She wanted some portraits with her son - isn't he a cutie?

Senior Portraits-Elaine

I photographed Elaine today for the studio portion of her senior portrait session; and soon we will have an outdoor photographic adventure at some of her favorite places. Elaine was at first a little shy but it didn't take her long to warm up to the whole thing - by the end I thought I might have to place a call to Tyra Banks and tell her I've found someone for her modeling show =)

I think of this session as "The many faces of Elaine" because one minute she can look all-American-girl and the next minute sophisticated and chic.

Here's a sneak peak for you, Elaine - I'm looking forward to taking you and that fabulous prom dress of yours out to the pasture for some sunset portraits (among others).

(remember, if a portrait looks pixelated, just click on it to see it better -
Blogger sometimes does strange things to images).

Full session available for viewing

I have added Gwen's full session to my web site so that you can see these images. I love what is called "low key" lighting - lots of shadows, emotional, dramatic - and use it all of the time for my maternity and newborn portrait sessions. I've been wanting to try out this type of lighting for a dance session and Gwen gave me the chance to experiment. Goodness do I love the results. I cannot wait to do this again - I envision this type of session for teen-aged and adult dancers. If you are interested, please contact me.

To see Gwen's entire session go to:
www.centerstagephotography.net
Click on Portrait Site
Click on Dancer Portraits
Click on Gwen
Enjoy!

Stunning Dancer

Gwen came in today for a dance portraits - I'm working on a type of dance session for older dancers to showcase their amazing beauty (this type of session could also be a component for senior portraits - she's one of my senior reps at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee). I'll write more to this entry later but before I head home from the studio I just had to post one for Gwen -- enjoy!

OK - here are more - I just love this session so much. Kansas City dancers - if you love these images like I do, and I know Gwen will - give me a call or send me an email! I would love to do similar portraits for you! This session was incredibly fun - Gwen, you rock, girlfriend. Seriously, photographing you is a dream.

Little Miss Photogenic x 2

We just returned from Branson where my daughter's dance studio was competing at a national dance competition. One of the awards they give there is a photogenic award, and I'm happy to tell you that my daughter won 4th place in the 12 and under division; and my business partner's daughter won 6th - which is wonderful, as I'm told that there were probably 50-60 entries. They are beautiful girls, I agree! And as my sweet 9-year-old told me this weekend, "Mommy! That is a great compliment to your photography!" I like to think that in Paige's case, my DNA had something to do with it too! =)

Congratulations to Paige and Ashley - just two of the many beautiful girls I have been priviledged to photograph, and very kind girls, too!

If you are interested in entering your daughter in the Photogenic category at dance competitions give me a call.

Paige's 4th place portrait started off this blog entry; and below is Ashley's 6th place portrait (they both won first place at the regional Photogenic competition with these same portraits.) You can click on them to see them larger.

Let Her Eat Cake!

Happy first birthday to this sweet, sweet little girl, who will be turning one in the next few days. I can hardly believe a year has passed already. Her mom, Dana, is one of my best clients - I photographed her for maternity portraits (and I really think that session is when The Lori Style was born); and the baby's newborn, 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month portraits - just look over the blog and you will see this little redhead's face everywhere!

Today we had her first birthday portrait session - which Dana and I have been looking forward to for so long! We did a "cake smash" session - which means, Dana brought a cake and I photographed the baby while she talked to it, smashed it, tasted it (a little bit); and generally had a ball! So did we - it was a very entertaining sight. This session was so fun - I can't wait to do another one - so come on Kansas City - bring me your babies! Let the cake smashing begin! :)

Thank you so much, Dana, for your loyalty (and referrals!) in the past year - I'm looking forward to your outdoor family session this fall. Enjoy the preview!

So, what is this thing?
I don't know... but I shall smash it!
Uh oh. I've made a terrible mess!
Maybe if I quietly sneak away, Lori won't notice.
Uh... can someone get me a towel?
Here she is before the cake carnage began .

Magical Light

I photographed Brenda's family this weekend in this beautiful spot with magical light. Don't you just love it?

Thanks, Brenda, for choosing me for your family portraits. I promised you your gallery before I headed out of town ... so your proofs will be ready soon! (If the portrait looks pixely, just click on it to see it better).

Fresh Baked Mama!

I've recently started working with a darling little maternity boutique in Lenexa called About Nine Months. Yesterday I photographed owner Jenea Schmidt's new line of shirts, a brand she's named "Fresh Baked Mama," which I think it such a great name! The model is store employee Jessica Birdsong.

I'm very excited to tell you that starting next week you can visit the boutique to see some of my work - I will be exhibiting a rotating collection of some of my favorite maternity portraits -- first up is Christina, Julia and Mary - so everyone go check them out at the About Nine Months store at 12012 W.87th St., just west of the 87th and Quivira intersection.


Jenea also sells some really beautiful cocktail dresses for those special occasions we all have from time to time - I photographed Jessica in one of my favorites last night - if I were pregnant again I would so buy this dress! Isn't Jessica a beauty?