Kansas City Child Photography , Kansas City Family Photographer , Sneak Peeks
Love for the big kids l Kansas City child photographer
It’s so easy to oooh and aaaah over the newborn and first year photos as a parent and a photographer. But, as our kids get older, life gets busier … more chaotic … and, before we know it, our tiny ones have become big ones seemingly right before our eyes. And the 6-year birthday pics have now become the “I’ll get it scheduled in a few months” pics which then become the “7-year birthday pics” before we know it. I’ve heard this one enough to know it’s pretty commonplace.
There are a whole host of reasons I love shooting “older” children and these two sets of siblings are great examples of just how much personality, interaction and variety we can capture in a single session. Plus, I can put them into a composition or spot and not worry about them taking off like a toddler. I think it’s a great opportunity for every “big kid” to take their place in the spotlight, laughing, clowning around and even giving me their “serious” looks (which typically result in laughter anyway.)
Some favorites from two late fall sessions that I’ve been meaning to share. I guess it’s true that “3 is the new 2.”
And this one was a surprise session orchestrated by a very clever Dad for his wife. After the big Christmas morning unveiling, I received the following email:
“Suffice it to say that the pictures were the biggest hit in twenty years of trying to surprise my wife with gifts. She was and is mesmerized by the quality pictures, floored by the outfits and effort in pulling this off without her noticing it and truly stunned at how you pulled the beauty out of each of our kids through your work … My wife never cries, never, not even at funerals. Never until the moment she unwrapped the first gift … It was nothing short of the perfect Christmas morning and the pictures already adorn the walls in our living room, the grandparents homes and soon our respective offices. I want to thank you again for everything you did to effect this gift on such short notice and in such an amazing fashion.”
Kansas City Family Photographer , Kansas City Newborn and Baby Photography , Sneak Peeks
Eddie is one l Shawnee, KS child portrait photographer
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than two years since we captured his older brother at the same age, but it has. And wow, if ever there was a career that reminds you how quickly time passes and little ones become big ones, this is it. Now it’s younger brother Eddie’s turn to celebrate the end of the first year milestone and the beginning of full-on todder-hood. Just as we did with that session two years ago, we shot this one at their home. They have the most beautiful natural light streaming into their family room, and with all of the snow on the ground at the time, we knew this would be an indoor session. I shot most of these with my 35/1.4L lens, swapping out for my 24-70 here and there.
These are some of my favorites from their in-home session, especially the last one …
Spring Special:
If you’re thinking about your own child or family session, be sure to take advantage of my Spring/Summer promotion – a great savings and just in time for warmer weather outdoor photos!
Kansas City Family Photographer , Sneak Peeks
A family affair {Kansas City family photographer}
So many colors. So many textures. So many connections. So many families this past fall and winter came into my life and in front of the lens.
Yes, it was often cold and windy. There were more red, runny noses than I can count. And even a few meltdowns. Anyone who’s ever attempted to dress an entire family for a photo shoot and get out the door on time with everyone well-rested and well-fed (and completely unscathed) will attest to that one. But, in the end, we were able to capture not only custom images for holiday cards, gifts and home displays, but lasting memories.
So, I pose this question (especially to the moms out there reading this): When was the last time you stepped into an image with your children? If it took you more than five seconds to answer that question, it’s time, people. I promise, beyond a shred of a doubt, that there never will be a perfect, perfect moment (you know the one that dangles like a carrot in front of each of us … when we lose those last few pounds … when we grow our hair out … etc.) And, not surprisingly, those aren’t the things our children will see years from now when they’re looking through the albums. Instead, they’ll smile at the laughter, the hugs, the kisses and all of the things that make us a family.
Here are some of my favorites from several recent family sessions (starting with my own quickie family session thanks to the work of my good friend, Carmen Carver). Seriously, we shot all of this in my studio in about 10 minutes before we left for a company holiday party.
Don’t worry, if you don’t yet see yours here, I’ve got several more blog posts to go before I’m caught up, but I’m making progress! And, excuse the odd sizing variances. I’m working on a new blog site/rebranding so time is valuable right now and my main focus is simply sharing recent work so I don’t get even further behind here on the blog as the 2011 sessions are now in full swing.
And then there’s this gorgeous family and a sunset session on one of our last “not as cold as it could be, but still chilly” December days.
And this fun “urban” family session downtown where, I swear, we got the BEST shots of our entire session in the first 10 minutes (gotta love when that happens):
And a late afternoon session to capture the fall colors and this terrific family in the most beautiful light:
More fall/winter families to come, so stay tuned!
Kami
Kansas City Child Photography , Kansas City Newborn and Baby Photography , Sneak Peeks
Somewhere in the Virgin Islands ….
lies my brain and overall “giddy up.” I’d be a big fat liar if I said coming back from nearly three weeks of vacation (one of those spent at the fabulous Imaging USA conference in San Antonio) was easy after running nearly into the ground before Christmas. Given the amount of sleep I’ve gotten over the past month, which – added up – I’m certain, would total more sleep than I’ve gotten in the past five years with a newborn and a new business, I also had an interesting (sad, perhaps?) realization: I’ve started dreaming again at night. Real, adventuresome dreams. The kind that only happen when you get far enough into a deep sleep state. The kind that you wake up and actually remember having. So, the net, net from all of this was a valuable reminder to keep things in check for 2011 while continuing to grow this business. I am ever grateful for my clients and “being busy”, but as any business owner can attest, if you don’t watch it, it can quickly consume your every waking – and sleeping – moment.
I am currently back at work and digging myself out of the Caribbean haze that had weekdays rolling into weekends without a care in the world of what exact day it was (or what time, actually). And I’m truly excited about the things I learned at Imaging USA, the new products I saw and a host of new session ideas rolling around my head. There’s also a new blog+site (yes, a blog and website all in one) and shopping cart system in the works. And that backlog of fall/winter sessions I haven’t blogged (keep reading down to see some!).
But first, a few images that just make me smile (and I know Grandma Gail will, too). We left this in January:
For 16 glorious days of this:
And, while it would be terrific to have stayed longer, I have to admit, it was great coming home to our own house and our own routine. Even if home had 12 inches of snow.
Speaking of routine … I’ve prepared several posts to get the blog going again. First up, Miss Adi Morgan with her shiny new teeth who had just begun sitting up like the true little diva she is:
Kansas City Newborn and Baby Photography , Sneak Peeks
Baby it’s cold outside (Kansas City newborn photographer)
…. but we’re in full bloom here at the studio.
Meet Karsyn, a scrumptious little stocking stuffer who made her appearance just a week before Santa made his. A truly special delivery!
Below are some of my favorites from her session. Once they have a chance to mail out birth announcements, I’ll share those as well.
It’s not too soon to get on the calendar for a session this February through Summer. I only take a set number of newborns per month to ensure my schedule is flexible enough to photograph them during the first 5-10 days after birth. It’s best to schedule your Signature Newborn or Baby’s First Year Package during the second or third trimester to ensure a spot on the calendar.
I have a host of new creative ideas and compositions ready for the next set of newborns as well!
SPECIAL BONUS: If you’ve read this far, are pregnant and considering custom newborn photography, then mention this blog post when you call to schedule your session and receive two complementary, custom-designed accordian wallet books with your reserved (and paid) creative session fee. While the actual session will take place 5-10 days after birth, to take advantage of this special bonus, your session must be booked and creative session fee received no later than midnight Central time, January 14, 2011. Newborn photography sessions make wonderful baby shower gifts as well – ask me about gift certificates or a gift registry.
Kansas City Child Photography , Kansas City Family Photographer , Sneak Peeks
Upon seeing her gallery, she wrote …
“Wow. I can’t believe these little people are really mine. I feel so lucky.”
And I couldn’t have summed up the power of photography any better. In a single image, we can freeze a moment and bottle the joy and love we feel as brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers — families.
Yes, exposure, color, contrast, composition and post-processing are all incredibly important elements of a great photograph, but ultimately, I think it’s about this: Did the image make you feel like laughing? Crying? Could you almost ‘smell’ the newborn skin? Did you want to jump right into the shot and share your own belly laugh?
Did the image make you feel something?
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