Lady in Blue - Kanas City Maternity - Center Stage Photography

I am so excited to give Jenn this preview of her maternity portraits. I have photographed Jenn's kids a few times and was so happy to hear she was expecting #3 and wanted me to document her pregnancy for her. It's been a rough one for her, and she and her husband really wanted portraits to remember, also, the beauty of this time. I'm pretty sure I was able to deliver on the "beauty" part.
(I have to show off the "hands" image - we worked so hard for this! Their 2-year-old gave us fits - it's a bit of a miracle that we managed to get this image, I think.)

Absolute Doll - Kansas City Baby Portraits - Center Stage Photography

When her mom sent me snapshots of this baby recently, I was so excited about doing her 6-month session because she's such a beauty. I couldn't wait until our session. And boy was I not disappointed! Look at her! She's so beautiful. I can't stop looking at that first portrait in this blog post.

I was lucky enough to have done her newborn portraits as well, and her parents are just so in love with her.

I can't believe sometimes that I get to do this for a job...

Rural Engagement

I really enjoy engagement portrait sessions - each one is so different, dependent on the personalities of the couple as well as the location of choice. This one was as sweet as can be, because Crystal and Austin are just that - two sweet kids in love. I enjoy photographing this family - I did family portraits for Crystal's family two years ago when I was first getting started; then it was Holly's newborn portraits; then Elaine's senior portraits, maternity portraits for Holly's second pregnancy; and now engagement portraits for Crystal. I love that part of my job - being a part of a family's life.

(Thanks to my sister, who served as my photo assistant - now I want you to come to every session!)

Thanks Crystal for choosing me for your engagement portraits - I enjoyed it!

High Key Dancer

Over spring break I had a chance to work on some high-key dance portraits. "High Key" is a photographic term for portraits that consist of mainly light tones. I don't often create high key portraits, but have been wanting to work on that for a while. One of my favorite dancers, Marquette Shannon, served as my model - we had such fun! I also used gels on my white backdrop to create some interesting silhouettes and different shades in the backdrop -- all very interesting - I am looking forward to working more with gels. I also photographed my 10-year-old, but she's forbidden me to put any of her on my blog (oh, wait, she okayed just one - and she chose it).

Thanks, Marky! I hope you are enjoying New York.
Gels:
Silhouette with gels:

Mother's Day Portrait Sessions - offered in April and May

Last weekend, in my parents' living room, I found myself staring at an old photograph displayed on a small easel - it shows my Grandma Mil hugging her own mother, my great-grandma Maggie, outside their farmhouse. My grandma is probably 30 or so in the portrait, and my great-grandma in her 60s. The image is grainy and a bit dark, but it's special to us nonetheless, as it is the only picture we have of them together.

I want to create images like that for you (minus the grainy and dark part, of course!).
How long has it been since you've had portraits done with your own mother?
Do you have portraits of you and your children together?
I know many of us put off getting portraits of ourselves done for various reasons - life is busy, or we aren't happy with how we look right now, and want to wait until we loose a few pounds. But time moves quickly and before we know it, the moment is lost. I encourage you not to keep putting it off.

To encourage you to get portraits done with your mother, your grandmothers, your sisters, or your children, I am offering you a special Mother's Day portrait session. Make it a gift to yourself for Mother's Day, or a gift to your own mother. The details:
-- These mini sessions are offered in April and May.
-- Discounted session fee: $60 in my studio; $95 outdoors.
-- Collections start at $149.
-- 10 percent off any session album after the purchase of any collection.
-- You qualify for this special pricing as long as a mom is included in the portrait session (maternity & newborn sessions excluded).
-- These are mini sessions (30 minute session, one backdrop, one outfit, 10-15 proofs presented).
See more examples of my mom portraits on my web site - go to "Galleries" and click on "Moms."

Contact me to schedule your session.

Lady in Red - Kansas City Maternity - Center Stage Photography

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful woman this evening and when looking through proofs for portraits to edit and put on my blog, I couldn't stop looking at a series of portraits I took of her in my crimson wrap. Doesn't she look amazing?

Mindy - I so appreciate your choosing me for this long-awaited maternity session. I'm so happy you decided to finally have maternity portraits, and I know you are as well.

Two more cute kids!

This morning I photographed two 18-month-olds for my Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep fundraiser sessions. Did I already say how much I'm loving these sessions? I've photographed both of these kids before. Hadley for 6 month and 1-year sessions; but Jackson I haven't seen since he was a tiny newborn who slept through his entire session. It occurred to me that this is the first time I've seen him with his eyes open - and what beautiful eyes they are.

Aren't these two just full of personality? Both little people were very loving towards me today - toddler cuddles have a way of brightening any day.

If you would like your own "Center Stage Model Kids" session, contact me soon!

Thanks Sibyl and Christian; and Sara and Jesse - it was such a treat to see you all today.