She is a volleyball player and on the dance team so she keeps herself busy. We managed to incorporate that into her session also.

We trekked to the Governor's Mansion and then over to Ward Meade Park for her session on a chilly day, and believe me, the sun in these photos was deceiving! We wrapped her up in a blanket in between photos!

She is so genuine and I think that comes through. Classic and classy. I hope that in 30 years, she will look back with her kids and think "I still love these photos."

Chayt opted for a sorter session because he was kinda in the middle. He wanted photos done, but not a full senior session with 2-hours worth of photos. Enough to make both him and his sweet mom, Jen, happy.

We spent an afternoon session on the main street of Overbrook and then down at Pomona Lake to give a little variety. Both turned out beautifully.

Afterward, his mom sent me such a sweet message about how the session sent and how comfortable he felt once we got started. The ultimate compliment, really. And it was so heartfelt and very much appreciated on my end.

Even if you don't want to get crazy with senior photos, we can still make them fun!

You might remember her as my Little Miss Wheelchair Kansas 2015 when I was crowned in March 2015. Our families have been close so when her mom reached out about her senior photos, I wasn't too surprised. Excited but not surprised. 

We rolled the dice on the weather, and even though it was C O L D that day, we made it work. We went to South Park in Lawrence, Kansas and then down the street to Mass Street Music where they let us set up and shoot.

Delaney loves her pictures. I've never seen a 17-year-old so excited about high school and life and just everything. Delaney is a gem.

This family picked a BEAUTIFUL spot in Heritage Park just a little bit of drive from my house. That sun was worth it.

Would you like to see more of these? I personally am intrigued by this - it really shows the art of shooting vs editing!

Jessica and I weren't so sure we could get many photos on this day because it was windy, but we were both pleasantly surprised! It turns out that the faster we move with these 3 girls, the better they turn out!

Just look at how sweet this family is.

We went to a small cabin at Pomona Lake where they had their 50th wedding anniversary celebration, and it was a gorgeous evening. it turned out to be pretty warm for late fall, and the sunset was perfect.

When I sent these to Joanne, she was thrilled. Besides knowing that it had been a good day for Jerry, I don't know if she knew quite what to expect. She said that it was like she was seeing the Jerry from 10 years ago, which of course, is the biggest compliment I could get. 

It will always been one of my favorites.

She and her family couldn't have been nicer and more open to my suggestions for posing and prompts. They played along when I asked them to dance or run toward me through the pretty tunnel at the Capitol Building. And my favorite Ring-Around-The-Rosy. 

The weather was great - just a little windy - and I couldn't have been happier with these.

I have known Logan since we were young, like 10 years old. We went to the same schools until we were teenagers.

Now 25 years later, I am shooting his wedding.

Their ceremony was held at Snyder’s Cabin at Gage Park on one of the windiest days of the year, it feels like. But we managed to make it work. 

Weddings are always emotional, and of course, this was no different.

Heather looked gorgeous. Logan was trying to hold it together as he watched her walk down the aisle, and I think I spent more time watching my old friend watch his bride come to him while most everyone else was watching her. 

He was so happy and so in love. 

They had a beautiful evening with their families and friends.

Going into March already, I want to be a little more “Carrie” and a little less “Carrie the Photographer.” Meaning that I want you all to get to know ME, my family, the goofy stuff we like and the things that make us happy. I want you to feel like you are going to see a friend when we are planning your shoot. To me, it is important that you trust me. And to trust me, you have to know me, right? 

So here are a few quirky little things:

• I am a Disney mom. I love all things Disney. The movies, the merch, Disney World. It all just makes me happy. Also, fun fact! The air at Magic Kingdom smells like sugar, for real. It’s a thing they do, and I am not crazy. My husband thought I was though.
• I like planners. No, let me correct that. I LOVE planners. Give me a stationery store and a big wad of cash, and we are in trouble. 
• My house is full of plants, and the cat has probably chewed on every single one. It drives me crazy, but I guess I know what I am getting into when I bring a new one home (plant, not cat). I do make sure they aren’t poisonous to him - my daughter would have me by the neck if anything happened to get barncat-turned-pet.
• My daughter (pictured below) is my favorite subject to photograph, especially since I found so many good spots round Overbrook to shoot. Of course. I mean, look at her.

What are some of YOUR fun things about you? Or your family? Let’s get to know each other better!

Laura and her family was just a dream to work with, and I just love that their photos turned out just like I dreamed they would.

This past year was the busiest and full of the most growth.

I can't say how much I appreciate you all. Here are a few (these are absolutely not all of them) favorites from the year.

Lauren and I had such a hard time scheduling their engagement photos. There was weather and weird weekends, and then a car crash on their way to my house a week earlier! 

Once we did get them shot, wow. It was a little chilly on the day we finally got to meet up, but the sun was fabulous. And Lauren looked so pretty! She’s been busy growing a person, and she didn’t look one wink tired. Yet. :)

I managed to get these edited in a flash for them because, well, they were pretty flawless.

I can’t wait for their wedding next year!

Laura is the sweetest. She found me out of sheer luck, and we had never met before the day that I shot their 2021 family portraits at their weekend house just outside of Burlingame. She and her husband were just so nice and trusting of me, and I always appreciate that. Family photos are a big deal.

The kids were styled to perfection, and they were so well-behaved and into their photos too! Let’s be honest - usually brothers and sisters at this age are throwing punches and insults, not posing for family photos with genuine smiles on their faces.

I loved that their family often takes their photos here - to watch how their kids grow and just enjoy their home away from home. Even their pup, Snickers, joined in a few photos!

Kayla contacted me after hearing about my sessions through a mutual friend, Mindy (you’ve seen her on here before with her family). We met at Heritage Park in Olathe, a place I’ve shot at a few different times and always loved. But this spot. Well, it’s my favorite, hands down. 

I mean, look at that light. We managed to get a session at just the right time to capture a beautiful sunset behind the trees

The girls were both a bit shy at first, but they warmed up right away, playing peek-a-boo and ring-around-the-rosy for me. 

Soak in all this cuteness!

Jessica was the coach for Reagan’s softball team over the summer, and since our girls are the same age and so similar all around, we became fast friends. Our husbands are volunteer firefighters. We both work in the financial world (although different arenas). I feel like we clicked right away. 

So when she asked me to take their family photos during my fall sessions, I was so excited.

Lilly, Addie, and Evie are all so different, and I think I was able to capture that too. Along with some photos of Charles and Jessica all by themselves. I love grabbing photos of moms and dads alone because - let’s face it - it is so hard to get photos of parents together throughout the year.

Enjoy the smiles!

One of my favorite things about shooting senior portraits for girls is that I am able to make them feel like they are having fun doing it. Most come to their session a little stressed, unsure of what to expect and hoping that their photos are beautiful. If I am being honest, I, as their photographer, am always feeling that at first too! 

After some of the first shots at the Capitol Building in Topeka, I showed some of the photos on the back of my camera to Brilea and her mom and dad. And bingo, she loved them. I feel like it always puts my seniors at ease KNOWING that they are getting what they want.

The rest of Brilea’s session in downtown alleyways and at the Governor's Mansion trails were flawless, and dare I say some of my favorite ever.

The first thing she said when she got out of the car was “I have no idea what I’m doing.” Little did she know, she was going to rock the entire thing!

Warn him that the kids will probably be crazy or freak out and that he should prepare himself for that. Let him know that it will still be fine and to try not to get overwhelmed or worried.

Let him know that the more helpful he is in getting himself and the kids ready, the less stressed you will be and the less chance of an argument between you arising.

Remind him that the session is only one to two hours and then it will all be over. This way, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel and can stick it out.
If your husband is being difficult, bribe him to cooperate during the session as well. If it works for the kiddos, it may very well work for him!

And most importantly - remind him that you love him (and that he loves you, and that’s why he’s cooperating with this). Tell him how much you appreciate his support and cooperation in this, and how pleased you are going to be with the finished photos.

 

Sometimes it's hard to schedule those family photos because you don't feel quite yourself, quite thin enough or pretty enough or together enough. We, as a people, put so much pressure on ourselves to look perfect, especially in photos that people are going to look at for years to come, that we avoid it altogether. As a family photographer, I see it a lot.

I believe that every woman (and man too) should love their body, but let's face it, we are all guilty of being critical of ourselves at some point. I read this article on a while back that discusses using affirmations to boost self-confidence. Lucky for you, if you don't come in to your session feeling sky high about yourself, there are ways to get around it with posing too.

Hip bone to belly button.

I know how self conscious we can be about our weight or how "wide" we might appear. Turning toward your partner,  so that your belly button is close to his hip bone will create dimension and flatter your waistline with the angle. It also feels more relaxed than shooting straight on to your squared shoulders. There are so many ways to change it up too, so that it doesn't feel that you are posing exactly the same way for every location.

Arm out and away.

Whenever I am doing portraits, I ask my clients to have at least one shot from every pose with their hand on their hip. Not because I want them to look sassy (though I love a good sass), but because it slims the upper arm, unlike poses that make the arm appear wider because it is pressed against her body. I have learned that the arms are the first thing a woman criticizes about herself.

Bend those legs!

Straight legs are boring and flat and look uncomfortable too. Put a little bend in that knee. Pop that hip. Give you some curves, and it makes the photo 10x better, I promise. it may feel awkward (doesn't posing always feel a little weird anyway?) but it will make the end result looks fab.

Be below the camera.

Looking up thins your neck and elongates your eyelashes too. It's such a simple way to pose and get a beautiful portrait that will be timeless and classy. I always think that portraits shot from above are a little flirty too (must be the eyelash thing), which makes them so fun too!

The goal of a portrait session, whether alone, with a partner or your family, is to create images that you can be proud of and love. The better you feel about yourself combined with posing that you know will bring out the best parts of you can make all the difference.

Wear clothes you are comfortable in! 

I know that we want to look good, but you leave that up to me. You need to feel good too. My advice is to wear something comfortable but flattering. Usually long, flowy dresses check all the boxes. I know a lot of moms who are not into dresses, but isn't a family photo shoot a perfect time to dress up and pamper yourself a little bit?  I think so!

What other tips do you have to help others feel good about themselves during a photo shoot?

And these quick, relaxed sessions with my girl are usually my favorites of all time.

Here's to always having a sidekick willing to drop everything for a mini shoot in the front yard.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret I have learned: the more you push a kid to behave to get the photos you think you want, the more they are going to misbehave. It seems to happen every time.

It's okay if they are in a mood. It's okay. It's my job to try to grab their attention and ultimately, make them comfortable enough to get them to smile or laugh or give me their silliest face. Sometimes it works best if I am the one doing the heavy work with their mood, not you Mom and Dad.

Another secret: sometimes the kids that ARE in a mood take the most beautiful portraits. We really don't NEED a smile at all. I always ask my parents if they would rather have a fake smile or a picture that makes them really feel something.

Shake it off. Trust that it is going to go fine, and it actually makes the experience more enjoyable for you and your kids!

For her birthday, Amanda surprised her with a girls day. She got new clothes, her hair and makeup done, and then a photo shoot all for her birthday! I thought that it was a really fun (and safe) way to make it special for her, even if it was different.

It turned out beautifully. If there is one thing that I LOVE about shooting for young ladies, especially high school girls, is that I have a chance to help them feel beautiful. Sometimes, that feeling doesn't come easy for young women, so I always reassure them that their photos are going to be great - and they always are.

We're all making the best of a situation that none of us have ever been in before, and so to ease her nerves, and mine a little bit too, we had a fun little back to school session with the school buses.

Sass-a-frass!

She is one of those babies that you wish you could bottle all of her enthusiasm and energy and laughter up for a long rainy day, when you need a bit of sunshine. She is adventurous and funny and, obviously, loves strawberries and her momma.

And now she is ONE. I have photographed Alice once before with her cousins, and I imagine we are going to see each other plenty over the next few years!

He was so stinking sweet and funny the whole time. Well-behaved and smiley.

I get a whole session with his whole family in October, and I can only hope for half the smiles we got on this day.

This tomgirl got dressed up and looked beautiful for her session, and she even let her sister put makeup on her.

I warned her that it would feel weird to do some of the prompts and poses, but as usual, she was not disappointed!

But anyway, Jake's mom gifted this session to them before she knew she was pregnant, but it worked out beautifully for everyone. And if you've ever wondered if I ever realllllly wanted to shoot in a pasture with cows, the answer would be YES. I have seen some gorgeous photos of families in large pastures with their cows and always thought it was neat. So when Melissa mentioned she wanted the cows, I tried to hide my excitement. I really love when clients want to incorporate what makes them feel like home, and this is what the Sands do, who they are.

I have known Hailey for oh, probably, six years. When we moved here, I already knew her uncle from my job and became friends with her mom pretty soon after.  I took their first family photos that year, and here we are all this time later.

We will be shooting more throughout the year since she is my sole senior rep for Santa Fe Trail High School seniors this season (Thanks, Covid. NOT). She had an idea of what she wanted for this session, and then we just kinda winged it.

Sometimes not having a concrete plan turns out beautifully too.

I have taken Amber and Ethan's photos before, and when she contacted me about new updated photos, I couldn't wait. Jackson is just at that age where he is adventurous and curious - which usually translate into the cutest portraits.

Of course, when we met at the spot we would shoot near the lake, it was full of people. Like, full. I knew of another spot that didn't look quite as appealing, but we figured we would try it. I know Amber and Ethan were both probably thinking I was legit crazy when we pulled into what looked like a dried-out swamp. Even I wasn't sure how it was going to go because I knew it wasn't exactly their vision.

But, look at these photos. It was gorgeous. They were gorgeous. It turned out perfectly.

And I think I earned their trust as a photographer, which for me, is a big thing. Enjoy!

If you've ever had me as a photographer, you know I talk baby talk. I chase toddlers (not to be scary, I swear). I make silly faces and make bad jokes that teenagers cringe at. I show them how to do poses that feel so awkward that they think I am bonkers.

At almost every single photo shoot, I can make one promise. We're gonna get weird. You can almost count on me saying, "I know it feels super weird, but it's gonna look great!" And I haven't had a client tell me any  different yet.

I do what I have to to get those smiles and laughs and weird questioning looks that 3-year-olds often give me. It's worth it, and I don't mind if people think I'm a little goofy. If we're being honest, that's probably true anyway.

When families come to me and see me be totally relatable and goofy, I feel like it opens things up, and they feel comfortable more easily. Maybe my clients can attest to whether that is true for them, but I feel it from my side.

Are you nervous when you show up to shoot your family portraits? Or senior portraits? Any tips you can give ME to make the situation more comfortable for YOU?? Let me know your thoughts!

1. A leash. This will help you keep your pet near to you and where you want him or her for photos. (They aren’t just for dogs, you know. I've seen cats with leashes too!)
2. A friend. Having someone come with you specifically to take care of your pet is ideal, but not a requirement. This will help so that your pet is not running around all over the place or alone in the car, should you wish to take some photos without them.
3. Treats. Treats are great bribery for your animal. It will help keep your pet still and focused on the camera. It's so funny how bribery works with dogs/cats and kids.
4. A favorite toy. The noisier the better. This is also a great tool to help keep your pet’s attention on me. We can also use it for a fun game and get some fun interaction shots.

Kids are completely unpredictable. They can be so adorable and easy going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off completely

Here are some things you can do:

1. Make a list of things that your child thinks are funny and send it to us prior to the session. This way, we can be prepared and add these things into our bag of tricks.
2. Also give us a list of icebreakers for your child. Tell us the kinds of shows they watch, music they listen to, friends’ names, favorite story, etc. This will give us something to talk to them about, and will help them to forget that they are in front of the camera.
3. Practice phrases at home to see which ones that evoke the best smiles from your child. (Please, oh please, avoid “Say cheese!” unless that really works for you child. It always give us TOO MUCH cheese.)
4. Try out a couple of jokes with them. During the session, we can ask them to tell us a joke and this will typically loosen them up as they tell it to us.
5. If there is a song that your child loves, load it up to your phone and bring it along with you, or be prepared to sing it for them during the session.
6. Prepare a bribe and show it to them, or remind them of it, during the session. A trip to the zoo or the park or an ice cream date. Whatever works.

Alley is the spitting image of Ashlee. No joke; she looks exactly like her. She's gorgeous. I mean check out those eyes and those cheekbones! And she is funny yet reserved. It was a great afternoon with them both.

She is full of ideas, and when she told me she wanted a quick shoot in each season instead of just 2 full time sessions, I was all in. Throw in her prom dress into each season, and Kenzie was a magic Overbrook senior.

We started in her junior year actually, in the snow on one of the coldest days of 2019. It could not have been more beautiful. And that red prom dress was phenomenal against that stark white snow. It is still one of my most liked and talked about posts ever.

Then spring rolled around, and we shot on the very flooded gravel road that runs between our homes. Again, it was perfect.

For summer, we went to the capitol building then headed to Lake Shawnee in Topeka and played on the docks. Sunshine all the way!

For fall, we went to South Park in Lawrence then hit Mass street.

Each session was so different, yet so Kenzie. Enjoy!

Owen is so funny. Half of the session was laughing (mostly at myself), and him trying to figure out what to do with his hands. It's a senior guy thing. :) Here's to a great rest of the year for him!

When she and her husband and their little boy, Cylas, came to do their session in our front field of our house, I knew it was going to be a good one. Cylas was immediately so cheerful and curious about me, which seems to be the norm among little boys. My wheelchair is usually an overgrown remote control car to them.

Anyway, in the 15 minutes that we shot, we got so many photos that I know Emily loves.

And that’s all I want from any session, but especially this one, because it was their first session in a few years. Here’s to seeing them again soon!

I made the trip to Wichita for this shoot, and I always love finding new places to photograph. The Keeper of the Plains was a first for me, and I just love the way that the photos turned out.

After we trekked around the park at the Keeper for a bit, we made our way down to Douglas Street and spent some time finding little gems to use as backdrops also.

This little art alleyway was such a unique place, and I feel like it suited Kelsie’s personality well. Bubbly and bright with a lot of spectacular light.

I can't wait to see where she goes in the next few years!

I love that each season is so different so far. Winter was snow. Spring was the flooded road. Summer was the Capitol building and the lake docks in Topeka. I can't wait for fall!

Summer is almost over & here we are, looking for school clothes and making sure your sleep schedule is working. Next week, we start a whole new routine. You are going to have so much fun in kindergarten. You love to learn, and you are curious about things that most kids probably wouldn’t be. The other night, we had a whole conversation about daytime and nighttime at home and in China & how they are opposites. You were so fascinated. I love watching you absorb information. Here's to our next big adventure.

I once had a client who had a mini session on a chilly April morning. She wanted photos with her two children for Mother's Day, and since it was growing close, we decided to go ahead with it. Her little boy, then 5 years old, was not having it. He would not smile for me, and he definitely wouldn't laugh no matter how big of a fool I made of myself. Nothing worked. I talked to her about a reshoot when it was warmer if I wasn't happy with the images.

But later, when I was culling images, I found three of him alone that I knew needed to be included for her on top of almost 35 other great images. She later wrote me and said that one of those three was her absolute favorite from the whole shoot. I caught him at just the right time to get him looking at the camera. There was no smile, but she said that it was him perfectly, just how he always is.

So when Jill called me about getting Courtney’s senior portraits done, I wasn’t too surprised. Her sister Kelley always sends her family and friends to me, and I am forever grateful.

Courtney is here for the summer and will return to England to start her last year of high school. She wanted to make sure that she got to do senior portraits in Lawrence before she left. A quiet morning at South Park and on Mass Street was perfect for her session. We managed to find deserted alleyways that worked so well for her and her quiet and sweet demeanor.

It also reminds me to document our adventures. It might seem like just another afternoon of playing or swimming or whatever it is, but it won't be lost to memory if I can capture the little moments.

I keep a copy of it right on my phone and share occasionally on social media. We checked off the first one this week with a trip to the Kansas City zoo for Reagan's birthday.

What are some of your bucket list items this summer?

1.         Wear Something Comfortable

If you are uncomfortable, it shows. On your face, in your eyes, in the way you hold yourself. This goes for kids too. Let them wear something that they won’t want to rip off halfway through.

2.       Plan Layers

Weather can be unpredictable in Kansas. We all know that one minute it could be beautiful outside, and half an hour later, it is pouring rain and windy. Since my shoots are booked pretty far in advance, it could be tricky to know what the temperature will be. My biggest advice for this is to plan layers. Grab a sweater or scarf that coordinates with your outfit. It will help you from rushing around at the last minute if it suddenly is 20 degree cooler than we originally thought it would be.

3.       Think classic and simple.

Solid colors are my favorite because they are not distracting from you in the photos. But simple prints are gorgeous too, especially in family shoots where it can set everyone apart. Just don’t go overboard. If you are looking for timeless, classy looking family portraits, you want your outfits to coordinate but not be too matchy-matchy. 

And as much as your kiddo loves that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle t-shirt, persuade him to wear something different. You’ll thank yourself later, I promise.

4.       Feel confident.

Confidence shows in your face when taking photos, even when you might be nervous as heck. Finding clothes that make you feel good about yourself can be key. Or even an accessory that really shows off our eyes. Or whatever it is. Women especially, are so hard on themselves, and finding that something that gives you a little sass can mean the difference between ordinary photos and beautiful photos that show you at your best. But remember tip 1. Be comfortable too.

5.       Show us your talents/hobbies/sports.

This one is for seniors. While family sessions usually only have one outfit, seniors go through a few. The above tips go for seniors also, but this one is especially for them. What do you like? What sports do you play? How would people describe you? Talk with your photographer, and incorporate as much of your personality into your photos.

Trust your photographer. Be open to asking if you need help picking out outfits for your family. I promise that they want you to look as good as you do!

I try to shoot a little dark (underexposed) and then lighten in editing. I also added some warmth and contrast so that her beautiful hair would pop.

Here's to sessions in random parking lots.

It's hard with everything else going on to remember to pull my camera out at those mundane moments that I want to capture.

Til I get caught up, enjoy this crazy girl's face.

They were actually married in Vegas a few weeks before this beautiful reception, and you can see that they are still floating from their big day.

Sometimes I go into shoots where I don't know anyone & feel a little awkward, but their families were both so helpful and accommodating and friendly. It felt like they had known me for years, and that is the best ever.

And Baby Jay crashed the party! Jennifer pulled off a heck of a surprise for all the huge KU fans that she loves.

They live not far from us too – so when the roads flooded from the gazillion gallons of rain that it feels spring had dumped on us already this year, she called me to ask about doing her spring senior session in the flood waters on our main road. Um, yeah!!

Kenzie is not a girl who wants the typical senior photos at a park or downtown between large buildings that engulf her. She has really good, creative and fun ideas. You might remember her first senior session that was in the snow and 10 degree weather in her beautiful red prom dress.

I can hardly wait to round out her senior year next year with her summer and fall sessions! You guys will be in for a treat!

There are a few things that both of these types of moms think about though. Let’s discuss so that the next time you want to book a photo session, your mind can be at ease.

What will we wear?

I try to advise my clients that first, you want to be comfortable. Your kids should be comfortable. It really reflects in photos sometimes if clothes are too stiff or itchy or tight.

Coordinate colors, but don’t be too matchy matchy.

Try mixing solid colors with simple patterns.  No graphic tees, unless you have a very specific type of look you are going for. In twenty years, are you going to love that your kid wore a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle t-shirt? Probably not. 

Lastly, don’t let your clothes distract you from the feeling of the session.  Clothing is important, of course, but the goal of each session is to capture your family’s love, not focus on your brand new dress or your little guy’s new shoes.

Will my kids behave? What if they don’t?

Guess what. Kids sometimes misbehave. It happens more than you think at sessions, and guess what else? I always manage to get good photos of them! Let me worry about their cooperation – and you worry about loving on them. I got it.

Will my HUSBAND behave?

Husbands misbehaving also happens sometimes, believe it or not. Fellas, it’s an hour of your life to give your wife what she wants. To give your kids family photos to hang on to after you’re gone. Suck it up and get it done. And give me a smile, for crying out loud.

What if the weather is bad?

We reschedule. I am booked out for months ahead of time sometimes, and there is no predicting the weather.  There’s ALWAYS a chance that it will be cold or rainy or snowy, but we just move things around and schedule for a different day or time. Don't stress about it - we will make this happen one way or the other.

What if I hate the way I look?

This one is a big one. Unfortunately, I have never met a mom who doesn’t have at least some insecurity. But, I try to ask my moms up front what it is. It’s a powerful thing to say it out loud and then allow me to reassure you that – we got this. We are going to get beautiful photos of you and your family.  We are going to make this fun, and you won’t even be thinking about it.

I am sure there are a dozen other things that are worrisome because that’s what we do as moms. Worry. These are five of the big ones.

Just remember – trust your photographer. Take their advice. And let them make you feel beautiful.

So we watercolored and then glued alphabet pasta onto the paper. Kids are so simple. They just want your time and attention, a piece of paper and some macaroni. That's it. Being a parent is the hardest thing ever, but being if you're gonna be one, you might as well try to be good at it.

Maybe I am the only one, but I cannot hardly wait. With spring right around the corner, I am craving green trees and grass. And iced coffee. And light jackets. And sun-kissed skin on my little girl's cheeks. Winter felt eternal, but slowly, the light is showing at the end of the tunnel!

Until then, here are some of my favorites to hold me over until the 90 degree weather hits.

For now, we make bracelets and rings with pop beads.

Kansas has had so much snow this year - pretty much snowing at least one day a week for the past few weeks - and I have made no secret that I am tired of it. The dark and gloom of snow sneaks up pretty quick after the initial beautiful blanket part. It turns to mud & muck. Ugh. But that red dress changed my mind for a little while.

Thankfully, we did this the day after a really good snowfall, and it was still untouched except for where we had footprints and tire tracks. It was 20 degrees and worth every shiver.

Ariel, her dream come true.

If there is one thing I have learned about being  a business owner, it is that self-discipline is one of the biggest traits. It’s one of those things that needs flexed all the time to make it strong. For me sometimes the best way to really hunker down and get batch-working or big projects done is to change my scenery. Not that I can’t get work done at home, in my home office, but there can be a lot of distractions also. Those dishes need done. The floor needs vacuumed. The list is never-ending, and it’s not conducive to a real focused work session for me all the time.

So occasionally, you’ll find me at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library blogging away or scheduling social media posts for the following three months all in one afternoon. Sometimes, I’ll grab a coffee at Blackbird Café and sit, earbuds in, world out. A change of environment really does my bossbabe heart well.

Creativity often comes from such planning and work sessions too.  Last year, I offered Unicorn sessions. The year before it was Lace, Pearls & Little Girls. This year I am dreaming up something new. This off season, when it too cold to barely breathe outside, let alone shoot an entire session, is good for prepping for the seasons that will be busy & make my head spin.

What are some of your favorite places to work? Places that really let you focus? I’m always up for new places to try.

Sometimes the photos that have the most feeling are not of someone's face. Our crumby counter, her little belly, my constantly-used pink water bottle. This is home.

And that bubble that Miss Dana taught you. I love it.

Reagan has been sick with a cough and cold and congestion. She is finally feeling better and is back to her witty, sweet little self.

And I am ready.

I have grown so much in 2018, had the busiest year yet in my business, and truthfully I am ready to crush it this coming year.

You’ll notice that pricing is going up this year, but believe me, it is worth it for me to give you a great and meaningful experience and deliver the images and products that YOU all have asked for. I am still figuring this whole being-a-business-owner thing out, but I am thankful that you—my clients and friends—have helped me through it.

One of my big intentions for this year are to really hone in on my client experience. I want you all to feel welcomed and comfortable about all aspects of your time with me, before, during and after the shoot! I want you to feel okay about asking questions. As a photographer, there are things that I probably assume clients might already know that they probably don’t—like that Walgreens is not a professional lab. And I want to help guide you so that you can receive the very best. I want you to ask me those things.

I want to spend time getting to know you and your kids and their likes and dislikes. I will probably be asking you questions too—because the more I know about your family, the better I can portray your relationship through the camera.

It’s going to be a great 2019. Let’s get it!

I’ve been slacking a little bit on these letters, haven’t I? I am sorry I have been working so much, but thankfully we are done with the big stuff for this year at work. I’m all yours little lady!

This Christmas will be the best one yet. You are thoroughly enthralled in all things Santa and magic and cheer and glitter. Always glitter. I cannot wait to see your face on Christmas morning when you open your gifts.  I remember when I was a kid, how excited I was to know that Santa brought so much stuff that I loved, that I didn’t even ask for. I hope we have done the same for you. I think I am far more excited about your “big gift” than you will be at first.

I love your leadership, even when it gets you into sticky situations at school. I love how caring you are, always looking out for others and concerned for them. And even though you are a fierce little thing, I love that you argue for what you feel/believe is right. I love that you call peppermint “spicy” and call me Mommy still. I love, love, love that you love learning. You can sit for hours tracing letters and sounding them out. You remind me of me in that way. The stubbornness, that is all your dad!

Love you pretty girl.

I was going through photos to print for my big blank wall in my office, and I need help.

Color or black and white?

Madison is one of those people. I can't even remember the first time we actually met. Probably through Greg and Derrick, her husband, because they are in the same line of work. But Madison is a gem. She's sweet and reliable. and here's a big one--I would trust her with my kid. Yep, her name is on my very short list of people I trust with Reagan.

We met at Ted Ensley Gardens one afternoon in October, and their family was so fun. The kids got in on some of the fun prompts, and Natalie threw out some ideas of her own too. I love it when the kids show real interest in having fun and getting family photos.

Now, to pick which ones to print big and put in their new home!

She wouldn't get out of the car. No Reagan, no pictures. Eventually, Karen coaxed her out with the promise of a play date.

This is the third year that I have done her fall photos, and I looked back the other day at our 2016 photos. She was so small! And had long hair! it amazing to watch kids grow through photos.

I can only imagine what changes next year's will bring.

Robby knew that he wanted some sort of railroad tracks in his photos, and since the law doesn't allow us to actually shoot ON the tracks (major safety issue that has been enforced recently), we did the next best thing and went to the Amtrack station in downtown Topeka. It was definitely a different vibe, and I think that Robby, and his mom Laura were pleasantly surprised that it was unique to him.

Then we downtown for a photo in front of the Capitol building and finally to NOTO. It fit right with Robby's personality, and we even found a few gems that were new to Robby and Laura.

Here's to 2019 seniors!

Eden, Gabe's younger sister, is just as pretty as ever, and again, hilarious. I don't meet many kids with such a good sense of humor.

Anyway, we met at Ted Ensley Gardens in Topeka. It's one of my favorite places because when the sun hits just right, it pops the color beautifully. You'll see, just look at these.

We met in downtown Topeka to shoot her senior pictures, and it fit just about everything I had envisioned for her. The black stairway was the main reason I wanted to go there, but the alleyways are my new favorites. Thankfully it wasn't too crazy cold, and we were able to get a ton of shots. Her sister Jayme, got in a few too!

We went to Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee next, and Jordyn wore the cutest fall outfit ever. That mustard sweater was perfect. Ted Ensley is one of my favorite places to shoot because there are so many different spots to shoot that look so different from one another. I think you'll like them in the photos below too.

I tend to underexpose most of my images in camera, mostly because for me, it is easier to lighten a dark-ish image than darken a super bright one. I did the same for Brittany and Ryan's couple/family session at Cedar Lake in Olathe.

Here is one of my favorite shots. Before and after editing.

 

Lately, I was just feeling like I was giving half of myself to everything. My day job, being a mom, this photography business, my clients, communication, being a good wife. I was stretched too thin, and usually when that happens, I just give up.

Then I listened to Rachel Hollis’ podcast about the #last90days Challenge. Basically it’s about putting as much effort and enthusiasm into the last 90 days of the year as I do the first 90 days. You can read more at this link. I always tend to be onto the next thing, and I caught myself quiet frequently making plans for 2019, just waiting for January to start. And that’s not helping me or my life or my business in any way.

Here’s to the last 90 days, or 80, whatever is left of 2018!

He has that very serious, very intelligent look about him, and all of his photos came out so great. I am not sure how his mom is going to pick her favorite. And his little sister, Eden, is a hoot.

We have another session scheduled for next week to finish out his senior experience, and I am excited. I might even be able to get lots of smiles out of him this time too.

This year, Brittany made sure she booked before crazy-busy-fall-portrait season hit for her little family. Ryan, Molly, and Tex came along, and even though it was an early morning session at Cedar Lake in Olathe, KS, it was fun and energetic for all of us. Especially after the dogs had their shining moments in front of the camera and ran off to get dirty in the water.

Ryan and Brittany are one of those couples that always seems to be laughing. Ryan is quiet, and Brittany is unapologetically just herself, and I love that about her. I knew she and Ryan would be perfect to test some of my new and quirky prompts on! And they were worked perfectly. These may be some of my favorite couples photos I have ever had the pleasure of shooting. And that light. That is 8am fall morning light. Isn't it gorgeous?!

Now Marik is turning two, and Alicia wanted to get birthday photos done again. He is a little harder to keep up with this time around, but he is still as sweet as ever. And he takes the best photos without even knowing it. I really wish we could have seen the fish in the newly renovated pond at Ted Ensley Gardens, but the water was a little too murky. Maybe next time.

With my transition into shooting photos with more movement and feeling and connection, Alicia and Marik did not disappoint. Even though she hadn’t really planned on being in so many of his shots, the photos of Alicia took with Marik are some of my favorite. You can just see the love there. These two are a team.

I can’t wait until next year to see how much he has grown again!

Check out his last session here! Look how little he was!

When her mom contacted me about senior photos months ago, I knew it was going to be a good time and that she would be beautiful. Turns out I was right on both accounts. I mean, just look at her.

She had her hair and makeup done as a part of her package, and you would never know this girly girl is also a tomboy. She is a enthusiastic softball player and has sass for days.

We are scheduling a night to get her in her softball uniform and on the field so be on the lookout for that.

I met Courtney and Corey and their kids Lane and Addison at Ted Ensley Gardens on very pretty, warm Saturday afternoon.  Right away, I knew Addison, the shy one of the bunch, would be the hardest to crack, but we got there eventually. Her blonde hair and beautiful eyes made her blue dress pop so I couldn't help but snap 5 million photos of her.

And Lane. He tried to be shy and coy at first, but by the end of the session, he was jumping off of big rocks and dabbing mid-air.

As a photographer, sometimes it's hard to send out sneak peeks or full galleries and wonder if the clients will fall in love like we hope they do.  When Courtney immediately shared her photos, I breathed a sigh of relief. I always want the photos to be loved. I really think the ones below are.

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We met on a Saturday afternoon at Ted Ensley Gardens in Topeka, and even though the kids were only half enthused, we made it happen!

Family sessions, especially the ones that don't quite go as planned, are my favorite.  Because when kids are running around, screaming, and doing their thing, it is so real. I know parents think their kids are just being difficult, but it's fine. I promise, it's fine.

It will make for a funny story in 20 years when you want to embarrass them in front of their boyfriend or girlfriend. Stack those stories up, and learn to love the times that don't quite seem perfect.

Now 15 years later, I am taking their family photos. Life is funny like that.

I met Cory, Katrina and their daughter, Kyra, at the Rocking V Ranch where Kyra's horse, Penny, is boarded. It's only the second time I have been asked to do photos with a horse, and it was fun again. I am looking forward to more!

But for some women, maternity photos are one of the first ways that they really own their belly and its fullness. Below are a few tips for having a great maternity session!

Take them between 7 and 8 months.

This is usually the prime time because your belly is full and swollen, but not SO big that it is uncomfortable or hard for you to maneuver around. Some women can wait until into the ninth month, but it might not be worth it to chance having a super uncomfortable and miserable time taking photos.

Wear clothes/dresses/gowns that you are comfortable with and feel beautiful in.

You want to feel beautiful for your photos. And your photographer is going to show you that are with the photos. Wearing a gown that makes you enjoy your body and your belly will show all across your photos, I promise. Try a few. Pick the one that most suits you and go with it.

Make your belly the center of focus. Choose a simple location without distractions.

This baby is about to be your whole world, so why not get a jump start and make the belly the whole attraction. Talk with your photographer about choosing a simple location that won’t take away attention in the photos from you and the reason you are there in the first place. Make the belly the star of the show. If you are shooting with your significant other, it will also help showcase the relationship you two have.

Communicate with your photographer.

Be open to what you are comfortable with and what you are not. I promise that if your photographer is a woman who has ever been pregnant, she will understand. And if you have a male photographer, he maybe watched his girlfriend or wife go through it too. Don’t feel forced to pose a certain way if you are physically not into it.

Relax.

I know it’s hard, and people are probably telling you all the time to enjoy the time you have left being pregnant and relax and “Oh, just wait.” This shoot should be really special to you (obviously you want to document it), and nerves might cause you to feel stiff. Breathe it out, girlfriend. Wiggle, jiggle, whatever you gotta do. Tell yourself that your photographer is going to capture perfect images for you. It is going to be fine. Just fine.

Here is a fun one.

We shot this session in Topeka at the Gage Park rose garden a few days before her fourth birthday. And let me just say that it is not easy trying to get great photos of your own kid sometimes. She really wasn't into this shoot no matter how cute I knew it could be. Thankfully, she gave me this gem of a fake laugh & it was perfect.

I shot it dark by pure accident because I was trying to keep up with her, which can sometimes be a challenge. I managed to salvage it in post-processing though.

I believe that every woman (and man too) should love their body, but let's face it, we are all guilty of being critical of ourselves at some point. I read this article on a while back that discusses using affirmations to boost self-confidence. Lucky for you, if you don't come in to your session feeling sky high about yourself, there are ways to get around it with posing too.

Hip bone to belly button.

I know how self conscious we can be about our weight or how "wide" we might appear. Turning toward your partner,  so that your belly button is close to his hip bone will create dimension and flatter your waistline with the angle. It also feels more relaxed than shooting straight on to your squared shoulders. There are so many ways to change it up too, so that it doesn't feel that you are posing exactly the same way for every location.

Arm out and away.

Whenever I am doing portraits, I ask my clients to have at least one shot from every pose with their hand on their hip. Not because I want them to look sassy (though I love a good sass), but because it slims the upper arm, unlike poses that make the arm appear wider because it is pressed against her body. I have learned that the arms are the first thing a woman criticizes about herself.

Bend those legs!

Straight legs are boring and flat and look uncomfortable too. Put a little bend in that knee. Pop that hip. Give you some curves, and it makes the photo 10x better, I promise. it may feel awkward (doesn't posing always feel a little weird anyway?) but it will make the end result looks fab.

Be below the camera.

Looking up thins your neck and elongates your eyelashes too. It's such a simple way to pose and get a beautiful portrait that will be timeless and classy. I always think that portraits shot from above are a little flirty too (must be the eyelash thing), which makes them so fun too!

The goal of a portrait session, whether alone, with a partner or your family, is to create images that you can be proud of and love. The better you feel about yourself combined with posing that you know will bring out the best parts of you can make all the difference.

Communicate with your photographer about posing and flow of the session beforehand.

Planning is always good, and your photographer is probably prepared and already knows the flow of how normal summer sessions go. But you, as a client, might not. Ask questions so that you know what to expect. This will make it go faster without sacrificing the number of photos taken because you'll have an idea of what is coming up.

Practice posing.

Figure out what makes you feel good. Not only does this boost your confidence, which will show tenfold in your photos, you won't have to have quite as much direction. Some people are natural at posing. Some aren't. And practice never hurt anyone. Here are some examples to give you inspiration.

Hydrate.

Seriously. This one might seem silly, but you don't want to get too hot. I just shot a family session yesterday evening at 7pm, and it was still 93 degrees out. It doesn't take long to get hot and sticky and cranky too. Plus, being hydrated makes you look better and more refreshed.

Bring snacks/drinks.

On more than one occasion, I have toted a small cooler on my wheelchair just to make sure that I have something cool with me. The car isn't always at a reasonable distance to go back during a shoot so just bring it with you. I usually keep a few snacks in my camera bag in case a kiddo needs some bribing too. 

Schedule early morning shoots if possible.

Like I mentioned above, 93 degrees at 7pm. I am one of those weird people who love and thrive in warm spaces, (I use a space heater in my office in the summer even!) but it was hot at that shoot. Like my-nose-is-running and sweat-is-in-my-eyes kind of hot. I got some great shots, but sometimes the heat can make it hard to concentrate on much else. I like to schedule summer sessions in the morning too. The light is still gorgeous, and it is usually 15 degrees cooler.

It’s hard, especially when they are staring at images of people that they love. They want them all. They want to display them all.

And they should. The first thing that should happen to help them decide what they want is to ask them before you even shoot the session. Talk to them. Help them decide where in their home they are thinking of displaying photos or who will be receiving them if they are a gift. Go into the session knowing what you should be shooting to give them those types of images.

Next, cull. Cull. Cull. Do not give them 5 images that are identical except for one person’s smile or slight turn of their head. I have been guilty of this before because they all seem so unique. Now I know, it makes the process harder. Go with your gut and pick and edit the best photo of that pose. They’ll never know the difference and will have an easier time loving one image of that pose instead of five.

Give your honest advice and opinion. They will trust you because you are the expert, and they are looking for your guidance anyway. Your client wants you to help them!

And this is where I tell them, sometimes less is more. Pick the absolute favorite, the one they cannot possibly live without, and make it the biggest. A single canvas or framed print is so strong. It will draw their visitors’ eyes, unlike a group of 10 smaller images that will feel distracting and overwhelming.  One or two images on their walls will feel simple and make those images the most important.

Lastly, reassure them that they made the right choice. This goes with the trust thing again. They probably know they did, but it never hurts to reinforce it.

Hailey, Kenzie, and Courtney are so fun and quirky. They always joke that they know when they are done with a pose because I say "Alriiiight." They giggle after I say it, and it took me a while to catch on. It's a weird habit I have, I guess.

This session was for the 4th, and I think that the colors are pretty perfect for them anyway. Bright and cheery and bubbly.

Until next time, enjoy!

Graduation weekend(s) are upon us! 2018 seniors are still coming in, and that still makes my heart happy.

We went out to Heritage Park in Olathe for this shoot, and the green-filled trails are great! You would never guess that there are super busy baseball diamonds just behind this.

I love it when seniors infuse their personality into their photos, and now I can say that one of my seniors brought BOOKS along! I love it.

Have fun in California, Mackenzie!

My favorite thing about family portrait sessions is watching the kids grow and change and come into their own personality. There is no shortage of great personality in these pictures, that's for sure, and absolutely no one is shy. I love that!

Here's to many more family sessions with them!

But yes, she is a successful nurse and now, a WIFE. She and Alan were married on a Friday afternoon in front of the sweetest and most genuine judge in Topeka. I know at least four of us were crying almost the entire ceremony. Her mom, his mom, Chelsea, and me.

It never ceases to amaze the power and intensity of those words and vows when a couple recites them to each other.  They are strong words to say aloud and then be accountable for. Gets me every time.

Chelsea and Alan have a happy future; it's apparent in the way they look at each other. And really, that's all anyone can ask for. 

I have watched her date a couple of guys who were at first, nice, then disastrously bad. Then she met Neil.

I won't go too much into their love story because they are both very private people, but let me just say that if you have ever wanted to watch a romantic comedy play out in front of you, their story is it. Serendipitous and sweet and nerve-wracking to watch, too.  They worked for this relationship in ways that most couples don't have to. They have each taken chances and traveled thousands of miles to get to where they are.

And now they are married.

Of course, Kansas decided to trick us with its weather on their wedding day. We expected cool but mild temperatures. What we got was cold and windy! Sheri was a champ though. Everyone was.

The ceremony was not too long, but not too short and the details were simply perfect.

My great aunt, Thelma, is very sick, and she gave these socks to Reagan a few weeks ago. She has worn them probably 5 days of every week since. They are definitely getting their use.

I once had a client who had a mini session on a chilly April morning. She wanted photos with her two children for Mother's Day, and since it was growing close, we decided to go ahead with it. Her little boy, then 5 years old, was not having it. He would not smile for me, and he definitely wouldn't laugh no matter how big of a fool I made of myself. Nothing worked. I talked to her about a reshoot when it was warmer if I wasn't happy with the images.

But later, when I was culling images, I found three of him alone that I knew needed to be included for her on top of almost 35 other great images. She later wrote me and said that one of those three was her absolute favorite from the whole shoot. I caught him at just the right time to get him looking at the camera. There was no smile, but she said that it was him perfectly, just how he always is.

After donuts for breakfast, we made a big pot of chili and are hanging around the house now, still in our pajamas. With the ice hitting the sky lights in the kitchen, it isn't worth getting dressed anyway.

I hope you all are having a great Easter! And hopefully it is far warmer than ours!

Picture day can be a very, very stressful time if you have children. Finding the right outfit and a date that everyone is available already causes you a headache. Once you have that down, though, everything is smooth sailing. You have prepared everything to be perfect, and then your worst nightmare happens – your child won’t cooperate. Even after you’ve coached him or her for the past two weeks and the entire car ride leading up to the session, your kiddo still just isn't having it. You’ve tried all of the usual tricks and nothing is working. Sounds terrible, right?

Well, I’m here today to save you from this nightmare, and help you prevent this from even happening. Behold the power of bribery. I know some people frown upon this, however, they probably haven’t tried to get a four-year-old to sit in one position together, look at the camera, and smile. It’s no easy task! As a photographer, I’m going to give you the green light and tell you that it’s totally okay to bribe your kids for the sake of good photos.

We have a very limited amount of time to get all of the photos that you need, and I don’t want you to be stressed out or crunched for time because little Timmy is having a meltdown, or is hiding behind his hands the entire session, or sticking his tongue out at me. So, I welcome bribery with arms wide open.

Every child is different when it comes to bribery. They all have different personalities and like different things. Some children are motivated by candy, others cash. You just have to find out what works best for your child.

Here are some suggestions that we’ve noticed have worked.

• Candy or fruit snacks
• Dinner at their favorite restaurant after the session
• Later bedtime
• That awesome toy they’ve been drooling over
• Extra time
• A sleepover with a friend
• Extended play time
• They don’t have to eat their vegetables that night at dinner
• They don’t have to do chores the next day
• Give them back a privilege that’s been taken away the last time they were in trouble

While these aren’t the only options, we thought we’d give you a starting point to brainstorm your own ideas to help get your child to cooperate.

She didn't crack a smile and wasn't impressed with the shampooing (the best part!). I don't think she will have any problem going back, but it won't be her favorite thing. Kinda like the dentist. We dread going but always feel better afterwards.

1. Wear layers. Spring can be finicky in the sense that you can go from frigid to over heated in a matter of minutes. We suggest wearing layers -- tank top, tee shirt, cardigan, scarf, etc. That way each family member can peel off, or add, a layer as they see fit and remain comfortable throughout the session.

2. Location is a big deal. You better believe we're going to take advantage of the fresh, warm air and all those bud popping up from the ground and in the trees. If you have any favorite locations, let us know. We have a nice list on hand, ourselves.

3. Play into the colors of the season when choosing your family's outfits. Fresh pops of green, blue, pink and yellow are always a hit in the springtime. We recommend choosing a color theme for the whole gang, then slightly deviating from that with accessories to keep things interesting.

4. Speaking of accessories: wear them! Choose jewelry, scarves, or prints that play into the spring theme. Butterflies, flowers, insects, etc, can make for some super adorable family pictures.

5. Time it right. Book a session too early and you may miss out on those spring buds. Book too late and you've already wandered into summer territory. Keep an eye on the weather and give your photographer a call when the time is right.

6. Incorporate props. Spring offers some beautiful backdrops where props blend in perfectly. For example, old wooden chairs look stunning in a sea of blooming rose bushes, and a quilted blanket is lovely on the fresh, green grass.

7. Really think about your footwear. Spring can often mean a soggy ground, so flip-flops or heels are not the best choice. Instead, wear something that's comfortable and spring appropriate, like loafers, flats or boots.

Your giggles make the mess worth every splash.

• Mini Session – 20-30 minutes – A mini session is ideal if you just want to document what your child looks like at the age he or she is right now. For example, doing a session for 7- year- old photos, or 4th grade photos, etc. These sessions are short and are best suited for older children (post-toddler) who are able to follow directions rather quickly. There will be some variation in the photos, but we don’t change locations or outfits.

• Standard Session – 1 hour – This is our most popular session length. This session caters to younger children and allows us to get more creative shots of younger children as long as they don't tire too quickly. We can go for one outfit change and a change of scenery. An hour gives us more time to get the younger children to warm up and cooperate, which the mini session doesn’t allow for.

• Extended Session – 1-2 hours – We suggest this session if you are doing a sibling session with three or more children. This allows me enough time to take photos of them together, as well as individually. It will also give us more time to pose them together and to get good, genuine smiles. Depending on how many children you have and their ages, this session can allow up to two outfit changes for siblings and 3-4 for individual children. We can also choose two locations as well.

 The colors, the patterns, what will look best. It's slightly overwhelming because you want these photos to be perfect. Believe me, I do too! But it doesn't have to be hard! I can almost promise that if you are happy and laughing and having a genuinely good time during the session, people won't even notice what you have on. Their eyes are drawn to faces, mostly the emotion of those faces.

Here are a few tips on how to pick outfits that will keep the process quick and painless and pull together outfits that will look great!

Keep It Simple.

Solids are normally a photographer's best friend. They don't take away the focus from the person wearing it, and they make a photo look very clean and sleek against the right backdrops. If you do want a patterned shirt, find solids for the other members of your family. A little bit of pattern can be a good thing. Too much pattern, not so much. You don't want to look back in 20 years and cringe at whatever the fad is. Simple and clean is your best bet.

Pick coordinating colors, not matchy-matchy.

I have to say that I have done family portraits where the girls all wore the same patterned outfit and the boys all wore solid shirts. They matched exactly. It worked, BUT only because their family dynamic made it work. On other occasions, the matching didn't work at all because the kids HATED the fact that they had the same shirt on. Sibling rivalry, maybe?

I recommend picking outfits that coordinate with each other, but do not match exactly.

Use Layers

One hour can feel like forever for a portrait session. For others, it flies by. Throw in an outfit change, and things can get tight. This is where layers and accessories can come in so handy. Taking a layer off or throwing on one takes less than a minute, and wah-la, it can look like a whole new outfit! Accessories do the same. A scarf can change your outfit entirely. No need to buy a bunch of new stuff either. Use whatcha got!

Make It Comfortable.

Don't wear anything that you are not going to be comfortable in. This is so important! When you aren't comfortable, the camera can see it. And when you see the photos, you're going to remember how tight those pants were or that your shirt wouldn't stay put. I truly think it takes away from the fun (and sometimes nerve-wracking) experience of having family portraits taken.

1. Take some deep breaths. Deep breathing is a common relaxation method. It can quickly calm your stress level and you can do it anywhere. Breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth, counting slowly in your head while letting it all out.  

2. Laugh. Laughter is a great way to release tension. It will also help your family relax to get some genuine smiles. Have everyone pretend to laugh and they will feel so ridiculous that they will actually laugh. This will ease everyone into relaxation mode. I, as the photographer, will do whatever I can to make you laugh. Yes, I will make farting jokes.

3. Count down slowly (in your head) from 10. Take a deep breath between each number. If you’re still feeling super stressed, start the process over, back at 10.

4. Distract yourself. If your family isn’t cooperating and you are getting stressed, suggest that we play a game or take a walk. This will let some of the energy out and also give us some good interacting photos. Prior to your session, think of a short game that your family would enjoy – it could be something like duck, duck, goose, or dancing to head, shoulders, knees, and toes, etc.

You can also distract yourself by going to your ‘happy place.’ Try to take yourself out of the situation you’re in and let your mind wander.

5. Trace your hand. Take your finger and trace a figure eight on the palm of your opposite hand. This helps relieve stress and muscle tension.

6.  Give lots of XOXOs. Not only will these make for cute poses, but one of the most effective ways to relieve stress is to hug someone or to kiss them. Gather your family in a big group hug, or give your husband a kiss and let your worries melt away.

But the smile that shone across your face when you hollered "I'm STICKER GIRL!" with a fist in the air made it worth it.

1. A leash. This will help you keep your pet near to you and where you want him or her for photos. (They aren’t just for dogs, you know.) Be sure to bring a thinner leash, as they are easier to hide or edit out if necessary.
2. A friend. Having someone come with you specifically to take care of your pet is ideal. This will help so that your pet is not running around all over the place or alone in the car, should you wish to take some photos without Fido.
3. Treats are great bribery for your animal. It will help keep your pet still and focused on the camera.
4. A favorite toy. The noisier the better. This is also a great tool to help keep your pet’s attention on me. We can also use it for a fun game and get some fun interaction shots.

The photo was actually Monday, the first day of the year. And Reagan was a hot mess the way everyone else who partied hard the night before was.  In her fancy dress and silly leggings, sneaking Cheetos off the messy, cluttered counters.

• Especially if this is your first session together with the family now that the kids are mobile, let him know how the session will go and discuss your expectations. Also, if you have to bribe the kids, communicate this with him so he can help remind them of the bribery.
• Warn him that the kids will probably be crazy or freak out and that he should prepare himself for that. Let him know that it will still be fine and to try not to get overwhelmed or worried.
• Let him know that the more helpful he is in getting himself and the kids ready, the less stressed you will be and the less chance of an argument between you arising.
• Remind him that the session is only one to two hours and then it will all be over. This way, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel and can stick it out.
• If your husband is being difficult, bribe him to cooperate during the session as well. If it works for the kiddos, it may very well work for him!
• And most importantly - remind him that you love him (and that he loves you, and that’s why he’s cooperating with this). Tell him how much you appreciate his support and cooperation in this, and how pleased you are going to be with the finished photos.

So of course, we had to reshoot. We waited until fall so that they would have updated photos for their Christmas cards, and it couldn't have turned out any better than it did.

The boys are a little older. They like me a little more, and their attention span is way better. And it made for such great photos of those two!

We might have picked the windiest chilliest day of the month to finally shoot Ashlyn's mini session, but we got it done! And let me tell you, it was worth it.

The sun was hitting her blonde hair just right to give her that halo, and it didn't look cold at all! She's such a sweetheart and didn't complain one time.

It had rained the night before, and I think we were all a little bit nervous that the mud would ruin our shoot. Luckily, for all of us, Grant only had to help me out of the mud 3 times. I like to off-road, but mud and a wheelchair don't mix very well.

We drove from his house in Lansing to his grandfather's house further out in the country, and as I was following him and his mom in his truck, I couldn't help but watch the light. Photographers know good light, and this light was pretty much perfect. I knew that this shoot would be golden, and not just because of the light.

Grant is such a good kid. Always respectful and quiet and when he does talk, it is usually something hilarious. And look at him, he could be a model.

He will be 18 this week too! Even though I have *only* been in his family for about 6 years, it has been fun to watch him grow and change. And now he's gonna be an adult!

I am so happy that we did. Right away, he was a flirt. It's so cute when a baby's personality is so evident, and his definitely was. He is a momma's boy, that much is true. We did photos with her, and then we planned on a cake smash. He had fun for about 2 minutes, then he just wanted to crawl all around.

Let's be honest. One-year-olds are basically tiny bosses for us adults.

I look forward to more sessions with Marik and Alicia in the future!

I love watching kiddos grow from year to year, and I have to say that Olivia has grown so much and matured so much. It seems like she was just a little bitty thing last year, and this year, she's a six-year-old, losing teeth and giggling when we teased her about a boyfriend.

Time can slow down any time now.

Being a professional photographer can be draining. Don't get me wrong - I love what I do - but being a creative entrepreneur can be ten times harder than being an employee for someone else's dream.

One way I keep my creative spark alive with all the other stuff that need to be done alongside shooting my clients is to have a personal project. You've probably seen my 52 Weeks project up on the blog. I choose one photo of my daughter every week to post. Sometimes I have 10 to choose from, and sometimes I have to remind myself that I need one to post on Sunday!

At the end of the year, I am going to put together an album. 52 photos of Reagan throughout the year, doing the things she loves (coloring, running outside in rain boots, lounging, etc). It's really become a memory keeping thing for me too.

If you decide to do a personal project - or get back to an old one - here are a few things to think about.

1. Choose something that you care about, not only what you think people will want to see. You want to keep your interest and creativity peaked and feel that connection so that you don't become bored.

2. Carve out time to make it a priority. I am guilty of getting lost in the busy-ness of life, and it drains me. Personal projects often serve as a project to fill us up too.

3. Be prepared. Know what you need, if anything, how you'll execute it, who you might need help from, etc. The better the plan, the better your project will be.

4. Put a timeline on it. Intervals, deadlines, whatever works best for you. I do mine once a week, and I post on my blog on Sundays. Normally during naptime. It works pretty well most of the time (don't mind that I post 4 today because I lost my SD card....).

5. Keep your enthusiasm. Tell your friends & family about it, and let them enjoy the project too. They can also serve as accountability partners if you fall behind!

I am guilty of it myself. This year will be the first year my husband, daughter, and myself will have family portraits taken. We have never done it before, and my daughter is 3 years old!

I put together a few tips of things I am going to follow myself to gear up for our own session.

• 1.  Be yourself. If your client can sense that you are comfortable, it will help ease their own nerves. Laugh, joke, be yourself. Be goofy if you're goofy. Tell them little snippets of your life so that they can have a sense of who you are. And even if you have only just met them, act like you have known them for years and years.

• 2. Give posing directions.  I can tell you that when some client don't know how to stand, or which leg to put their weight on or where they should put their hands, it freaks them out. They want to look good and feel good about their photos before they see them. They are relying on you as their photographer to give them that direction. You have to remember that you do this all. the. time. But they don't. Clients like direction.

• 3. Ask questions. If a client feels that you are interested in their life, and you should be to build a good relationship, they are going to be more open than if you just stood in silence and showed no interest whatsoever in their kids, their jobs, their values, etc.

• 4. Be prepared. Take extra batteries, extra memory cards, whatever you need as back up. JUST IN CASE. If something should ever go wrong (knock on wood), your stress will become their stress. And then the whole session could be a bust.  Just do what you need to make sure that it's as smooth as it could be. The experience is just as important as the photos.

• 5. Incorporate their interests. If they are huge football nuts, maybe encourage them to take some portraits in their jerseys.  Bring along their family dog. Oh, they play guitar? Bring it too! Whatever they like/love to do, encourage portraits that include or convey that. Portraits that show their family's personality are usually a big hit.

• 6. Give compliments. If you like their outfits, tell Mom she did a great job. If the pose is great, let them you it looks great! Tell Mom her hair looks fantastic. Tell Dad that his shirt is really nice. Giggle with the kids and let them know their smile is your favorite. Little compliments can make a big difference. It amps up their confidence, and we all know that confidence comes across their face. It can make all the difference in a average oh-that's-pretty photo and a SUPER-GORGEOUS OH-MY-GOD-I-HAVE-TO-HAVE-IT photo.

• 7. Reassure them. At the end of the session, I take a quick peek at some of the photos on my camera (while they are gathering up their stuff and getting ready to head for the car) and just reassure them that you captured great shots, and that you are so excited to show them when you're done editing. It leaves the session on a high note and builds excitement that brews in them until the reveal session.

There you go. I hope these help even just a little bit. The more comfortable your client is, the better your portraits will be!

We met when she was a contestant last year in the Ms. Wheelchair Kansas competition, and even though she wasn't selected, she continues to do so much good advocacy work around the KC area. She has always been a very vocal supporter of my photography business, and she added my business to her database of businesses that are owned and operated by people with disabilities. She is doing such good work.

So when she asked me about a shoot for her and her husband, Miguel, I jumped at the chance. Reagan and I spent last Saturday afternoon with them. It was a warm day, but the breeze helped us as we sped down the street to the Heatherstone Park in Overland Park.

Reagan, my daughter, is always a little shy around people she doesn't know well, but by the end of the shoot, she climbed on Magda's chair for a big hug. And my momma heart melted all at the same time. Pretty sure that Magda's did too.

Diane works at the Circle S Ranch, and I am so happy that she chose it as her location choice. It's where she and Jeff were married, and it's evident that Sophie was so comfortable there too. It made the entire session so much smoother.

I love the property there, and it seemed to fit their family perfectly. The light, the colors. It was great.

I found Priscilla, Gia's mom, that way. We were each bridesmaids in a wedding for our best friend, Maria, along with Maria's sister and friend Ashleigh. We hadn't known much about each other except that Maria was important to us, but we quickly became friends over that short amount of time together too.

Priscilla asked me to take Gia's photos to use on her quinceaera invites, and really, I was so flattered. Quinceaeras are a big deal, and so I wanted this whole session to be perfect. Lucky for me, Gia is easy-going and gorgeous. Priscilla left us to it while we were at Ted Ensley Gardens. I think she expected Gia to be nervous, but the nerves played to her advantage.

I also loved that Priscilla didn't *really* have any clue what the photos might look like, so the surprise of revealing them was extra fun.

I am so happy that they both loved them. And I hope you do too.

Until about a year ago when he left for a different, more fulfilling job, we were office neighbors. He told me before he left that he would be calling me for Andy's senior pictures, and he did.

Andy is in JROTC, and he is very serious about it. And he looks pretty dapper in his uniform.

Reagan and I made cookies this afternoon. She managed to sneak a few licks of the batter while I was snapping photos.

She loves helping me cook and bake. Such a good little helper.

I am cheating a bit this week by using a photo from 3 weeks ago, but I just love it so much. And I have been to damn busy to get any interesting shots of my girl this week. I will be better next week.

I don't know how I got so lucky to be this little girl's mommy, but I don't ask too many questions. I just soak up the goodness.

We had originally planned on getting to the sunflower field around sunset to capture their family photos, BUUUUT when I showed up, the sunflowers were dead. Like dead, dead. It looked like a field of black with sporadic spots of yellow. I am guessing that the storm on Tuesday evening just broke them all down far enough to end their season short. With some quick thinking Wade suggested we go to his friend's farm, which is literally just a mile away down the road. It turned out to be pretty perfect in the end.

We managed to capture far more portraits than we would have at the sunflower field. And it seemed to really fit with the personality of their family.

Summer skies are the best also. Just look.

When Sharla contacted me about a Lace, Pearls & Little Girls session for her daughters, I knew that she looked so familiar right away. And of course, she was. She was a year younger than me through middle school and high school years. We had mutual friends, but somehow never really became friends ourselves.

Her girls, Jane, Jessi, and Hunter, were dolls to work with. Their personalities were so different from one another, but they all had a quiet smile like their mom. We met at Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee, and we were able to get so many great portraits of all three of them. Hunter was all too happy to jump in the water in her lace, and her big sisters were there to make sure she didn’t fall. We watched butterflies, chased each other, and saw squirrels. It was a great and energetic shoot!

So, of course, it canbe used as a way to curate images that you are drawn to as inspiration for a portrait session of your own.

I always give my clients the opportunity to share their images with me on Pinterest that really like on a shared board. They can pin images, and so can I. I don't try to recreate the images that they pin, but I do try to understand what my clients were drawn to. The poses, the lighting, the setting. It can all give me an understanding of what style they like.

What if your client pins only images that are completely out of your style and comfort zone and something that you couldn't possibly deliver without going far out of your normal shooting style? Your client should understand your style prior to booking and starting a Pinterest board, but maybe they haven't.  Seeing what they like gives you that open communication channel to say "Hey, I might not be the photographer for you."

It's good for everyone!

Pin away, friends!

So one evening after we both left our workplace, we met at Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee in Topeka, and I could not have asked for better light for these two girls.

Molly wore Sara's dress first, and the little squeal that she gave was just what I wanted. Molly was excited, and Sara was too. It took some ingenuity to keep the dress on Livy's little bitty frame, but we did it. They just look so sweet.

After we finished with the wedding dress, we did some "sister pictures," and I have to say that I don't think I have ever seen two kids as perfectly excited as these two. They had poses they wanted and ideas of where. And again, that light.

I am looking forward so much to their full family session in October!

It has been both busy and relaxing around here. It was fair week around here, and it is always so much fun. There's always a little buzz of small town pride when it is fair week.

My husband is a volunteer firefighter, and the fire station always hosts an open house the Saturday morning/afternoon of the fair. Over the past year, our family has gotten close to the other families who also have volunteer firefighters, and it made the day much more fun.

Reagan latched onto Courtney, who you may have seen in some of my other blogs. Her momma loves to have their photos taken, and Courtney is so good with Reagan. They blew bubbles and played in the fire truck and ambulance. They both got wet when they got the fire hoses out. They skipped down the sidewalk holding hands. It was just so cute.

I am thankful to be a part of a small community where my kid can have such friends.

Bella was shy with me in the beginning, but she quickly came around and gave me high fives after her shots. She looked so adorable in her lace and boots.

Chloe and her fiery red hair. I love it. I always think that things that set us apart from others are our greatest attributes, and at first glance, it's Chloe's hair. Then you hear how sweet and confident she is. It comes across her face.

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Kloe is just the sweetest. Thankfully the evening that we shot these photos in Loose Park, it was nice. Not necessarily cool, but definitely not as hot as it could have been in late July.

Here is wishing a safe and easy delivery for her soon!

Kaytlynn, Hailey, Kenzie, and Courtney, of course, were a hoot.

I can't wait to do their family photos again this fall!