A Family Photoshoot In A Thrift Store!

I had the great pleasure of photographing Danyelle and her adorable family in my store last week. It was all for Mickalie’s 2nd birthday!

This wall was just perfect because her favorite color is also purple!

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Her shirt that her mom Danyelle made was also so cute. But don’t take my word for it — just look:

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And for anyone who had ever been a parent to a 2-year-old … this is so true!! They do have a blast while we pull our hair out! Haha!

We had dreams of finding an ice cream parlor, but it was sooo cold outside we moved it to my store, Kaleidoscope.  I am completely obsessed with the exposed brick wall (and Mickalie’s cuteness)!

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I also want to delve into Mickalie’s name, which is so unique! Her dad’s name is Mick, so the name Mickalie is a tribute to him! How adorable, right?!

But wait — there’s more!

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Mickalie’s middle name is Danyelle after her mom. Then, her mom’s name is Danyelle Kimberly. Danyelle’s mom’s name is Kimberly Susan. And then, Kimberly’s mother’s name is Susan! Danyelle told me she wanted to keep the middle name chain going. I just thought that was the coolest thing!

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Danyelle and Mick have been together for 9 years and married for 5. Awwwww!

So, in this shot, we originally wanted to hang Mickalie upside down and let them kiss in the middle, buuuut she really wanted up on Daddy’s shoulders — so we went with that instead! Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches! 🙂

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Mickalie loves anything to do with horses. She loves My Little Pony and Spirit! She even did a trick for me at the store with one of the toy riding horses there. It’s a trick from Spirit that involves her standing on the horse and picking up one of her legs! It’s super cute!

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I can also tell you this little girl loves Oreos! But at least she shared with me, too!

I am excited to keep watching her get bigger and bigger! She and my youngest daughter, Luna, are friends. I see some cute photoshoots in their future!

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Top 3 Reasons To Take Family Photos Every Year

We have our regular clients who make sure they get family photos every year. We are also big advocates of this ourselves — here are our top 3 reasons why it’s such an amazing idea!

  1. SO much changes is such little time.

Especially if you have kiddos! In just one year, kids can change so much. But you don’t have to take our word for it – let’s just show you! These pictures were taken only one year apart!

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Every year they get a little taller. Those chubby baby cheeks suddenly go away. Your little babies are growing up before your eyes! These photos were all taken only one year apart!

And it’s not just kiddos who change. We adults look different every time, too! Maybe it’s a different hair color. Maybe you look more mature this year.

Plus, having photos with your family is so important!

2. Everyone deserves to be in the photo.

You probably have that family member who is always taking the photos. This means they’re hardly ever actually in the photos. My mom is like this — she takes photos, so I hardly have any of her!

Setting up a time for family photos means everyone important gets to be in the pictures!

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3. Update your walls!

Seriously. I want you to take a look around you right now. How long have those photos you have hanging up been on the walls? Keep them fresh! Updating your picture frames can make the entire room feel different, even if all you did was swap out that 1985 college portrait with one from 2018. 🙂

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A Leaky Ceiling Led To This Family Photoshoot!

Even though he literally lives across the street from me, I probably would have never met Jason if it weren’t for a sudden leak in my ceiling a few months ago.

I went onto this app called Nextdoor that connects you to your neighbors. I was in need of someone who could fix our sudden leak in the ceiling above our fridge. Neighbors recommended him, so I gave him a cold call.

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He came by and looked at the leak, and that’s when I realized it wasn’t just a slow drip like I had thought. He cut out a hole in the top of the ceiling and it sounded like a miniature waterfall. Once he got all the water out, he replaced the leaky pipe! Our hero!

He told me he only does small jobs like this for neighbors, so I really lucked out!

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When Jason had come over to the house, he noticed my huge wall covered in canvases. I told him I was a photographer, and gave him a business card (I have no shame in my photo game!).

This week, Jason told me his wife Hollie had mentioned needing some family photos taken. He remembered me, or maybe remembered the canvas wall (haha), and shot me over an email. And that’s how I met Jason’s crew yesterday!

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Jason told me his family really likes barns and rustic things, so he picked out Faust Park for their shoot location from our Top 8 List of Photoshoot Locations in St. Louis blog!

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12-year-old Trey just had surgery on his ear this week. He was a total champion during the photoshoot — I would have never been able to tell if I hadn’t known ahead of time!

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18-year-old Tyler has spent the last year in Colorado for college. Hollie told me they were thrilled to have him home for the Thanksgiving holiday. And then, Christmas is right around the corner, so they’re going to have even more family time here soon!

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I asked the two brothers some of their favorite things to do together. They answered “wrestling.” I asked Trey who usually wins, and he was super honest: “Tyler does.”

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Hahaha! I thought he was gonna talk smack, but he just up and told me he usually loses at wrestling. One day you’ll get him, Trey!

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I also noticed Trey has red and green on his braces right now, which is super perfect for Christmas!! I really love how you can customize the colors!

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I’m really glad I was able to meet the adorable Hanneke family — when I didn’t have a ceiling crisis! It’s always nice to get to know your neighbors! You never know when you’re going to need a plumber, a photographer, or borrow some butter! Haha.

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Kansas City’s Own Little Love Locks Bridge — An Adorable Hays Family Photoshoot

My dear friend Britton introduced me to Julie through LuLaRoe. It became a total obsession of mine!! And, thankfully, through this obsession, I was finally able to take Julie and her adorable family’s photos!

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She picked the Love Locks Bridge, Kansas City’s own miniature version of the one in Paris, from our Top 10 List of Photoshoot locations in Kansas City! You can even buy your own love lock to put on the bridge (gotta include “I LOVE KC Parks!” in the notes section when you order)!

According to the city website, the first red bridge was built in 1859 “by Colonel George N. Todd, a 50-year old Scottish stonemason. … It was painted red, hence the origin of ‘Red Bridge.'” Cool, huh? The bridge we see and enjoy today is actually the third one that has been built there!

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There’s also a secret past the bridge. If you walk through the brush straight back, you’ll see train tracks! Photographers are suckers for train tracks. You can put that in the “things that make all photographers swoon” handbook.

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While I’ve interacted with Julie a lot (and … bought like all of her LuLaRoe … lol), this was the first time I had the pleasure of meeting her hubs, Andrew, and their kiddos Lincoln and Beau!

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Beau, who is 9, races Go Karts and plays baseball. I didn’t even know racing Go Karts was a thing! How awesome is that?! I am gonna have to go to a race of his one day!

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Lincoln, who is 4, likes Mario Kart and plays soccer. Now, at the mention of Mario Kart, I lit up. I asked Julie which version he likes — and it was the Wii. I am encouraging her to introduce him to the N64! We can be Mario Kart buddies, Lincoln!!!

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At this shoot, Julie and her family got to meet my handy, dandy step stool (short girl problems) — named Juanita. She’s sassy, but she does a good job. I’ll make sure to take a photo of her when I get her all dolled up in purple leopard duct tape (I have a vision!).

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This shoot was so fun — thanks, Julie!! I thought it was adorable that when they were holding hands together across the tracks, they could keep their balance. However, when they let go — they had trouble balancing! They need each other to keep balance!!!

*cue the awwwwws!!*

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I look forward to many more photoshoots — and LuLaRoe purchases! 😉 They’re coming out with DISNEY VILLAINS!!! My poor husband

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Water Under The Bridge – Literally! A Fun Photoshoot With The Morales Family

I just adore the Morales clan. I’ve been seeing them since their now 5-year-old, Bella, was just a teeny, tiny newborn.

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Then came Mr. Ben – who just gets bigger every time I see him!

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I love it when I have shoots with my regulars!

Although, with my regulars comes an entirely new challenge. I have been doing photoshoots with the Morales family for years and years – so we’ve hit up most of the regular places. We usually have to get creative! This time, Britton suggested a small park right behind Coldstone Creamery in Independence.

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It’s great catching up, seeing how their families have grown, and just givin’ out all of those hugs!

Speaking of hugs … this little montage below makes me smile. I asked Bella and Ben to hug – then Bella snuck in a smooch. You can see what Ben thought of that! 🙂

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We walked along the Little Blue Trace trail, and we spotted a bridge. We walked toward it and realized the Little Blue River went right underneath! Jackpot!

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The best part – at the end was a playground! The kiddos loved it, so of course we had to get a shot in front of the “castle.”

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Love to you all!!!

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Denver Takeover: A Romantic Photoshoot By Sunset

Tatiana here — and I just got back from a week long journey in Colorado!

I originally planned this trip because my best friend, Ashley Fields, is getting married and she scheduled a dress fitting. Obvs I had to be there when she said “YES!” to the dress!

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Above is  where she surprise “proposed” to me during her engagement shoot and asked me to be her Maid of Honor! Since I am in the wedding, she totally booked Christine to take the photos! 😉

Then, I thought, “Hey! Since I’ll be in Denver for a week, why not also do what I love and take some photos?” Because I’m a crazy person who can’t just NOT work, if you can even count what I get to do as work!

My first client of the week, which I booked literally less than an hour after my 9 hour drive (again, I’m a crazy person), was another bridesmaid and mutual friend, Ashlee Hatcher. I also had the pleasure of photographing her adoring husband, Craig.

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Ashlee and Craig first met on MySpace in 2006, but officially met in person in 2009. Ashlee had just gotten laid off due to the economy, so Craig picked her up and made her Rice Krispies treats to make her feel better. How gallant!

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They have been together ever since —  for almost eight years, and married for two!

Craig still can’t get over how pretty, fun and smart she is. He’s sweet like those Krispies Treats!

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Now, the location was tricky because I’m from out-of-state. Although, I can tell you some fantastic places for photoshoots in KC, it was a little more tricky to pick somewhere in Denver!

Thankfully, this cute couple had some ideas! They chose Adams County Fairgrounds. This location is amazing! It has everything a photographer dreams about — and all in one location! It’s equipped with a lake, multiple bridges, docks, and beautiful wild flowers.

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I had to run to claim this bridge from another photographer trying to beat the sunset. I would have thrown fists for this shot! Thankfully it didn’t come to that. Tee hee.

Ashlee and Craig aren’t without funny moments in their marriage, and we had our share of laughs during the photoshoot. When I direct people how to pose, sometimes things can get lost in translation:

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No, Ashlee! Put your arms around his neck, not your hands!

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Craig, don’t throw your wife in the lake — we still need more photos!

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They are seriously a fun bunch to be around — and to discuss “Game of Thrones” theories with!

You can see things through the camera lens, I swear. Things that are unseen unless you’re the photographer. Ashlee and Craig had these little touching, sincere moments. They’re so in love, and it’s so adorable (and evident)!

They have been through so much, and through it all they hold each other up from all the challenges life has given them.

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When I asked Ashlee if she had anything she wanted to add, here’s what she said:

“He’s my best friend, he makes me a better person. He always makes me laugh especially when I’m upset.”

It was a pleasure to work with them, as well as get to know them as friends! They are planning to bring another Hatcher into the world in 2019 — I’m ready for those maternity and newborn shots!

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A Creepy Car & Playing Around At West Bottoms: Dawn’s Family Photoshoot!

Tatiana here! It was a real pleasure to capture one of my dearest friends being so in love with someone who is also so in love with her! It’s been a long time coming and it just warms my heart that she has reached her “relationship goals.”

 

Dawn Family 18.jpgDawn’ son, Aidan, was the explorer for sure. He is so full of energy and kept wandering off, climbing on things and I just let him do his thing! He just started jumping on things and I was like, “WELP! Since you’re already there…” *snaps photos*

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This one below makes it seem like Lilly and Aidan are about to drop the next hot album in KC. And Aidan plays the drums, so who knows? Maybe this will be a thing!

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In this below, I specifically asked them to do a funny pose. I think the quote was, “act like you guys are in a street gang!” This is a perfect depiction of the Vieux clan ready to rumble! And also proof they could never be in an actual street gang.

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It took Miss Lilly a little bit to loosen up, but I think she enjoyed the pictures! She really liked the ones of just her, which is great, ’cause I would love to rock a senior shoot with her! Hint, Dawn, hint!

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Lilly was just standing on this rock trying to stay away from everyone, but me, being totally impervious just went, “Joke’s on you, ’cause you look cool on that rock!!!” *snaps photo*

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This is my favorite picture of Dawn and her kiddos! It also shows off some hidden treasures of this area known as “West Bottoms.” We just happened upon this hobbit door, it was super random!

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But you never know what you’re going to run into here, which is why we love this location! It even made it in our Top 10 Photoshoot Locations in KC list!

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Although, there was one bizarre incident — there was a black car at the end of the bridge with tinted windows. When we started to take pics, the driver revved the engine and opened the driver’s door … but no one got out! Later, the driver shut the door, and turned the car sideways. This is when I began thinking, “Am I gonna die?!” And Dawn is just like “what poses should we do next?!”

Anyway, no one died … so here we are!

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A Nature Trail Family Photoshoot

Burr Oak Woods in Blue Springs is such a lovely place — it’s full of trails, nature, and perfect photo spots. We love it so much, it made our Top 10 Photoshoot Locations in KC list!

I met with Kody & Kate this Sunday at said nature center. I’ve known Kate for years — it started way back when she came to a Halloween special I was doing in 2012 (I’ve come a long way since then):

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But Mr. Konner is much bigger now!

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Since that very first photoshoot, Kate discovered I am also a Scentsy consultant and fell in love with the Havana Cabana scent. Now, here we are, years later — still friends, Scentsy companions, and photoshoot pals.

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Kate’s family has grown by one since we first met — meet Miss Kaylee.

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Kaylee loves “Hello Kitty” and anything musical! She took a tumble off the bed just a few hours before the shoot and had a nice, big bruise under eye. That’s what Photoshop is for, right? Bruise removal. 🙂

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Kaylee just loves her big brother. She likes to follow him around and do what he is doing! Konner certainly doesn’t mind!

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Konner is so full of energy and fun! He loves to run, climb, find random sticks … 🙂

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He informed me at the shoot he’s having a “Harry Potter” birthday party and I’m invited. He also loves “Power Rangers” and dinosaurs.

I wanted to make sure to get some great pictures of Kate and Kody. These high school sweethearts have been together for 10 years this November — Kate’s nickname for him is “pookie.”

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Right after the shot above, I yelled, “Quick! Kate! Do something ornery!” She didn’t even skip a beat. BOOM. Tongue by his face. This was Kody’s genuine reaction, it wasn’t posed at all.

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Glad to have these two as inspiration in my life — they keep the fun in their marriage, and are so in love!

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A 3-year-old, a 5-year-old, & A WWI Museum

I love the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. Not only does it have a rockin’ view of the downtown KC skyline, but also lets Kansas City boast it has the nation’s official WWI Museum. We love doing shoots here — so much so, it made our list of the Top 10 photoshoot locations in KC!

I met up with some of our amazing regulars, Nic and Britton. They wanted to do a birthday shoot for their adorable kiddos, Bella and Ben. Now, when Bella was a little girl, she didn’t ever want to smile for the camera. Ever.

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We got the hang of it by the time she was 2, and the smiles continued from there!

Now, here we are, and I can’t believe it — but Miss Bella is now five! She has so many things coming this year, like Kindergarten! Bella is stoked, especially after going to see her future school!

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Bella loves the color purple, soccer, “Hotel Transylvania,” and “Moana.”

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She wants to be a police officer when she grows up!

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And then we have Mr. Ben. He’s 3, and a total toddler stud! Look at this:

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He gave me the same “no smile for you!” treatment as Bella, but he held out a little longer. 🙂

But now that he’s 3, he’s an old pro!!

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Ben loves dark blue (he’s specific), “Paw Patrol,” Mickey Mouse, planes, and trains!

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It was so windy this last Sunday during the shoot, that if you stood at the base of the tower and looked up and saw the clouds flying by, it looked like it was going to fall on you!! It was tripping me out, so I shot a video of it!

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After the shoot, Britton tells me the kiddos talked about it the rest of the day. It was neat for them to have a shoot, and then see WWI stuff! It was a fun, breezy, warm day!

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