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.

Ballerina Preview - some of Sunday

I know you are all anxiously awaiting previews - here's part of Sunday! More to follow in the next day or two. Enjoy! (You can click on them to see them a bit better.)

Tagged!

I was tagged by fellow photographer, Melissa Mullinax, who does beautiful work in southeast Kansas.
“7 Things About Me”
The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 7 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag.
1. My personal motto, which I've had for many years is, "It's not a party unless there's little pieces of cheese!" So... word to the wise... if you ever invite me to a party, get that cheese ready! Special recognition goes to my friend and client Michelle Thomas, who had an excellent cheese dish at her birthday party last winter.
2. My twin sister and I were born in Okinawa. Dad was in the Army and stationed there as an air traffic controller - our mom went with him. My sister and I were 10 months old when mom returned home to the farm in Kansas, bringing us with her but leaving Dad in Okinawa for a few more months.
3. I used to hold the junior high girls' high jump record in my school district (maybe I still do... I have no idea!)
4. I have a degree in magazine journalism from the University of Kansas, but have never worked for a magazine.
5. Twice in my life I've broken my dad's favorite coffee cup - once, oddly, just minutes after reminiscing about having broken his favorite coffee cup!
6. I lost my marriage license the night we were married and it was found a couple of weeks later on the lawn of the Iola, Kan., funeral home.
7. I once talked my way out of a speeding ticket and then went and bought myself an expensive purse equal in value to what the ticket would have cost me, because I felt I had earned it.

*Thanks to my twin sister who helped me compile this list, and NOT to my mom, who wanted every random item to be about her! LOL (You know I love you, Mommy, especially because you make great tutus, the best peach pie in the world and you serve me wonderful pot roast when I'm editing portraits like a mad woman).

OK... I tag: Merav, Kim, Becky, Lori L, Andrea, Tara, and Jen

The emotion of pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most emotional times in a couple's life and I work very hard during my maternity portrait sessions to make sure that the portraits reflect that emotion, and one way I do that is through my devotion to shadows and light. Today I photographed Lindsey and David - their baby girl will be born in a month, and I could feel their excitement, joy and anticipation. Thank you both for making that long drive to my studio. I am honored that you looked at other photographers and ultimately chose me to photograph you at this beautiful time in your life. I look forward to meeting your baby very soon.

Ballerina Preview - Saturday

Here you go - a preview from Saturday sessions. Enjoy! (you can click on them to see the horizontal ones better).




And the baby cousins got quite unruly, refused to wear their tutus, and instead stood on the furniture!

Ballerina Preview - Friday!

OK, several of you accosted me at the dance studio tonight, eager to see a preview from the portrait event this past weekend - so I figured I had better get home and make this post!

So, here is one from each session on Friday (Saturday's to follow later this week). The horizontal ones look sort of small but click on them to see them bigger.

Another little angel

Another little angel has graced my studio this week - this time a baby boy - almost 3 weeks old but still very tiny. He was so calm during his session - probably the most calm awake baby I've photographed. His mom and dad, Tessa and Jason, say that's just the way the little guy is! Lucky them - unless of course he's saving it all up for later =D

I'm not much of a prop photographer when it comes to baby portraits (no big flower pots for me, but Anne Geddes sure does them well), but mom asked about wings and I do happen to have a pair donated to me by a client - so on went the wings, and the result is pure magic!

Here's a preview - enjoy!
I love the symbolism of this last portrait - the idea that his baby's parents will support him through his whole life. And besides that, I also love his little round tummy and the way his feet are "praying"!