Family Portrait Sessions at the Nelson

These are all from three sessions I had on Sunday at the Nelson Gallery - it was cold, it was windy, but my clients were brave and we got some nice portraits. I'll have your galleries ready soon; and we are adding new holiday card designs to our collection this week.

Waiting for Santa

Tanya wanted both studio and outdoor portraits for her family portrait session - and we managed to complete the studio portion this evening even though the pouring rain this week; and allergy issues last week have kept us from being able to do the outdoor portraits. I promised Tanya a sneak peak tonight - here's my favorite! I'll try to post more later, but I think this one is just the sweetest! It looks like they fell asleep waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Awwww! Even the Nutcracker doll went night-night.

Tanya - here's hoping for beautiful weather next week!

Happy 10th birthday to my baby girl!

I can't believe that as of tomorrow morning, I will have been a mom for a decade. Ten years ago this evening, when I thought I might be in labor, I thought I knew what it meant to be a mother - after all, I had my own mom and grandmothers as wonderful role models. But really, looking back, I had no clue what I was getting into! But goodness, we were about to embark on the greatest adventure of our lives.

I am so incredibly proud of this beautiful creature I call my daughter - she's got so much going for her - smart, funny, kind, talented and beautiful. Sometimes when I look at her I wonder just how in the world did she come from Todd and me?

Paige is a dancer - so passionate and eager to learn and improve. But more so, Paige is a performer. She loves to entertain and be the center of attention - and we love every second of it.

I recently did a portrait session with her - she's admired the dancer sessions I've done recently and wanted one of her own. And we did some fashion-y portraits, too. (Of course, she's already asking for a new session even though I just did this one in August!). So here she is, my baby girl, who will turn 10 in a few short hours.

I love you, Dolly! (the picture immediately below was taking on her second birthday).

(If your monitor's resolution makes them look pixel-y, just click on them to see them better).

The Beauty of Dance - Kacico Dancers

I thought I'd post individual portraits of the beautiful dancers from Kacico Dance, who are patiently awaiting their galleries (sorry ladies - still catching up with other sessions... ) They are performing this weekend and next weekend at their studio in midtown. Please go support them - they are so worth it! That's Julie Delancey-Rudolph above, and immediately below.

And Katie Cowan:
Holly Noel Harmison:

Lindsey Stroot:

Lindsey Tate and Shandi Miller:

Lindsey Spilker Tate:

Shandi Miller:

And you will remember Allison Kaut from August:

Special Family Session

On Saturday I had a really special family portrait session with my friend and frequent portrait client, Krystin Quilty-Sanford. Her husband, Steve, who has been serving in Kuwait was back for a brief visit, and the evening before he was to return, we met in Olathe for an outdoor portrait session with Krystin, Steve, their little boy, and their extended families. I am so honored to have been able to do this session for them. At first I didn't think I could work it into my schedule and was going to refer them to another photographer...but the thought of someone else doing the session upset me, so I found a way (and I'm so glad I did!).

Here's a few from their session. Krystin - you don't have long to wait - give me a few days.

Senior Portraits - Brett

I had the good fortune to get to photograph Brett again last week for his "real" senior session. He is one of my senior models so we had a session in the early spring in Westport. But for his real session, we stayed in nature - in a park and on a golf course. Brett is a senior at Mill Valley High School - friends of Brett can come to me for portraits and get a discount on their session. Ask his mom, Lisa, for details.

Thank you for choosing me, Lisa, to photograph your "baby" boy - I know how important this session was to you. Maybe we can get some with those forgotten golf clubs soon! (remember, that on some monitors these portraits may look fuzzy - so you can click on them to see them better).

The Beauty of Dance - Kacico Dance company

I have no business working on these portraits as I've got several sessions ahead of them... but I couldn't help myself - I allowed myself to edit a few group portraits and decided to post some tonight. I had an amazing opportunity today - I photographed the beautiful women of the Kacico Dance company - a contemporary dance company here in town. Each of these women are just amazing - strong, beautiful, passionate, graceful. I can't believe I get to do things like this. I loved it so much I am already thinking of a spring session outdoors.

(if the portrait looks unclear on your monitor, just click on it to see it better).



Kacico begins its fall performance series this week - you really need to go to one (or more) of their performances. I hope to go next weekend myself. Check out their schedule and ticket info on their web site: Kacico Dance

Ladies! I had so much fun with you all. Check back over the next few days to see some individual portraits.

Busy week!

I've had such a busy week - editing ballerina portraits, meeting with clients, newborn session, senior session (whose preview will follow in a few days), family session (whose preview I will post in a few days); today Nutcracker cast portraits for the Academy of the Arts dance studio; and tomorrow portraits for the Kacico Dance company.

I thought I'd post a portrait of my own daughter, who will be turning 10 soon - as Dew Drop from the Waltz of the Flowers.

Nutcracker families - your portraits will be online in a couple of weeks.

The rest of the Shawnee ballerinas

Here you go! What pretty things I get to photograph! Thank you all for bringing me your daughters - and a few sons - to photograph for this event. I have two sister sessions left to edit and get online - so if you were close to the end of the day on Sunday, please check back in a couple of days - I hope to have everyone's galleries online by the end of Sunday.

Maximum cuteness!

It was so special to meet this baby boy today. I had gotten to photograph his mommy and daddy several months ago for their engagement portraits, and I really like Elece and Shane so much. Max is lucky to have these two - so in love with their baby, proud and amazed at what their lives have become over the course of the last year.

Elece and Shane - I'm so happy for you! Your son is just so sweet and cuddly. It was a pleasure photographing him - and you - today. Enjoy the preview! Your gallery will be ready in about a week.