Tween Beauty - Kansas City Portraits

Saying I had a tough time choosing images for this blog post is an understatement. I've photographed this beautiful kid a few times in the past, and it's always such a great session. Doesn't she have amazing eyes?

I actually photographed her three years ago when I was just developing the idea of a portrait photography business. I knew her family from my daughter's dance studio so called them one day and asked mom Angela if I could practice on her daughters. See one of my favorites from that session, below (no comments on the funky editing, please! LOL!)

Angela - you might be interested to know that I looked at the photo info on that image and it says it was taken on Dec. 30, 2006! Exactly three years to the day prior to our most recent session.

Amazing Family - Kansas City Portraits

I just absolutely love this family! If you read my blog often you will recognize them all - I do a family session for them every fall; and birthday sessions for all of the kids every year. They are great clients but even better friends. This year the little guy was a "bit" of a problem - you all will never know what all we went through to get these portraits! (The story involves "Connor's truck," a lollipop I found at the bottom of my purse, maracas, and lots of silliness).

Thank you, Shelly, for your continued support of Center Stage!

Beautiful Kids - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

Pam brought her kids for holiday portraits and I'm so happy she did - they are darling! And her son wasn't that unhappy about having to sit for me (boys usually think they are way too cool for portraits). I just had to share a few.

The Fabulous Paperis - Kansas City Family Portraits

Nancy recently brought her four kids for holiday portraits at the Center Stage studio. I have known her dancing daughter for a few years now but had not yet met all of her sons. What a treat - aren't they all so attractive? They were really fun to photograph, too.

Thank you, Nancy, I enjoyed our session.

Birthday Portraits for J - Kansas City Children's Portraits

I've photographed this girl for years and each time is such a pleasure. So sweet and kind - and you can totally see that in her face. Thanks, Shelley - photographing your children is always a joy!

Holiday Studio Mini - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

Lisa has asked me to photograph her little girl several times and she's generally pretty outgoing in front of my camera. But this is the first time her brother has come for a session; and he does not share his sister's sentiments about portraits. Let's just say he was a tough case - but in the end, softened up to my witty charm!

Lisa - thank you! Expect your gallery shortly.

The family who laughs together... - Kansas City Family Portraits

A few days before their session, this mom emailed me to tell me a little about her children which I not only appreciated very much because it gave me insight into the family. The picture I got from her email is that this is a very strong, close family, and they enjoy spending time together. Creating these portraits for them was a good experience for me, and I am so happy that Michelle found Center Stage.

Here are a few previews - enjoy!

(The portrait below is just amazing to me! This type of image is a specialty of mine and I was thrilled with this one - the difference in hair color is amazing! And you can certainly see characteristics of each parent reflected in each child's face.)

They made me cookies! - Kansas City Family Portraits

Yes, you read that right. This adorable family made cookies for me and brought them to my session. The mom, Shelley, knew I had turned 40 the previous weekend so thought I could use a treat - how sweet is that? Maybe I'll start giving an incentive - $10 off your session fee if you bring me cookies! Ha!

Anyway, Shelley and Dale's youngest was so shy and very against having her portraits taken - but in the end I am very pleased! I know Shelly will be very surprised! They are yet another family who I have worked with during one of my many ballerina portrait events - it feels good when these families keep coming back to Center Stage.

I'll have your gallery ready soon - perhaps today!

Beautiful family, beautiful day - Kansas City Family Portraits

This family wanted to be photographed in places meaningful to them. I just love that. To me, those emotional connections make the most enduring images. For this family, it was the Longview Farm area in Lee's Summit. It was so nice to photograph this family. I first met them in February when the girls came for a "ballerina" session. What a shock when I met them again this past weekend - the oldest daughter has grown 7 inches since I last saw her - and what a beauty, too.

Thanks Megan and Mark for choosing me for your portraits this fall. I appreciate you so much!

Finally, A Beautiful Fall Day - Kansas City Family Portraits

I loved photographing this family. They are returning clients, which means a lot to me; the weather had finally turned nice; the 2-year-old was amazingly easy to work with (when does that ever happen?); and it was the mom's birthday! I just love the portrait above - Lisa suggested she and their little girl both sit on Daddy - and I love the results!

I'm really enjoying these fall sessions this year - no wonder fall is the most popular time of year for family portraits. What a gorgeous backdrop the park makes. Of course, we had to work around about every other photographer in Kansas City who also happened to be in the park at the same time as us - it was a bit surreal! I'm now convinced that every third person in the metro calls themselves a photographer.

Thank you Lisa and Sam, for choosing me, again, to photograph your family - enjoy your preview.

Another Chilly Morning With Cute Kids - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

This October's weather has not been kind for we portrait photographers who do a lot of outdoor sessions in the fall. I photographed these two cute kids this past weekend when the temperature was about 48, and a cold wind was blowing. The sunshine sure did help, though! These cuties came for a birthday session - 4 years for the little girl and 1 year for the baby boy. They were a lot of fun. We walked pretty far into Shawnee Mission Park to find a pretty, more secluded location. I just love how the light looked that morning on the bridge. It's funny, when you become a photographer, you see light differently - I'm always noticing "pretty light" where before, in my life, it wasn't something I paid much attention to.

Anyway! Thanks, Tanya - your gallery will be ready soon.

Happy Birthday, S! - Kansas City Baby Portraits

This little sweetie has a special place in my heart. I photographed her mom and dad for a maternity session that still ranks among my favorites; she's the baby hanging in my studio on the large black and white gallery mount; we had a great 10-month session and now she's turning 1. They live in St. Joseph and with Daddy's job, scheduling can be difficult, so it was pretty gloomy (and cold!) outside for the session - but that just makes the colors all the more beautiful, I think.

Thanks, Lindsey, for being such a loyal client. That means a lot to me. Happy birthday to your baby girl.

Fire and Ice - Kansas City Portrait Photograher

I photographed this little beauty a couple of days ago. She had been sick for her "ballerina portrait" session the week prior so her mom brought her in to the studio for her make-up session and we had a great time. I even convinced her mom to let me work on a different backdrop for some, and I know she will love what she sees :)
I like to think of these as the "fire and ice" portraits. I'm sure you can figure out why. But when she came in, I told her, with her blond hair and blue eyes she reminded me of an "ice princess" but later, when she was in the fall colored tutu and in front of the warm backdrop, there was nothing cold about it!

Thanks, Jill, for bringing her in and for loving my work - I appreciate that so much!

Cold But Worth It - Kansas City Portrait Photographer

The session could have been miserable. Yesterday was so cold and dark. But when I get to photograph two little girls who love the camera, add in two wonderful and helpful and involved parents, a cute dog and an amazing environment, the session was anything but miserable. Sure it was only 40 degrees, but we all had fun and I am so looking forward to showing Shelly her gallery. Choosing ones for the blog has not been easy - I love them all! (FYI - click on the images to see them bigger/more clearly).

I have give a special compliment to the girls' dad, Clint. He's just the type of dad I like in my line of business. Instead of acting bored, or hiding out in their SUV, Clint was encouraging to the girls, drove us around all over the West Bottoms, never once looked bored, and he even carried around my antique yellow sofa.

Thank you, Shelly and Clint, for choosing me, yet again, to photograph your girls - it was a pleasure.