Bentley’s 8-Month Family Shoot!

Today, we’re featuring Tatiana’s old friend Stephanie, her fiance, Ryan, and their adorable little man, Bentley!

Steph Fam 1.jpg

Before Bentley could make his photogenic debut, he had a hidden role in another photoshoot we did last fall for Stephanie’s maternity photos.

Stephanie 25

Fast forward to this past Sunday, and Bentley was exactly 8 months old to the day! His parents celebrated with getting some family photos at Unity Village.

Steph Fam 3

Look at this precious face! He definitely knows how to work the camera. 😉

Steph Fam 2

And those baby blues are gonna be dangerous when he gets older!

Bentley was particularly fond of the fountains at Unity. When we told him he couldn’t get in the water, he began to create his own fountain — of drool. HAPPY EIGHT MONTHS!

Steph Fam 7.jpg

We were able to distract the drool machine for just enough time to get some shots of mom and dad.

Stephanie and Ryan have been together for almost three years and met through work. It’s so wonderful to see the love in their eyes!

Steph Fam 8.jpg

So other than drooling and smiling, Bentley’s other favorite activity is eating his fingers. He fits in pretty well with the other 8-monthers in town.

Steph Fam 13

But he has a heart of gold and doesn’t mind sharing!

Steph Fam 11.jpg

We can’t wait to see Bentley and his parents again! Their smiles are contagious!

Steph Fam 12

Thank you so much for booking with us and sharing all the smiles!

And make sure to follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook!

She FELL OFF The Slide — A Hilarious Photoshoot With The Fordemwalts!

BAM! That was the sound of Mackenzie hitting the ground while I was in the middle of posing her mom, Michelle. But don’t worry — no one was hurt … except from all the laughing we did.

World, meet the Fordemwalts!

Fordemwalt (1)

Christian, Nick, Michelle, Mackenzie, and I went to John Nowlin Elementary School to take some fun family photos at the playground. Mackenzie had the brilliant idea of doing a family pose on the slide — but what she didn’t realize was that her plan was going to … make her hurt herself.

Fordemwalt (6)

Here’s Mackenzie climbing on … I feel like we should have realized this was a bad idea right here. Michelle already looks like she’s expecting the worst. Orrrr Nick is just pulling her hair. Not sure which!

Fordemwalt (7)

This is what the shot was supposed to look like —

Fordemwalt (8)

Annnnd then that BOOM I mentioned. Here’s the aftermath …

Fordemwalt (9)Fordemwalt (10)

I think my favorite part is Michelle pointing and laughing at her daughter.

I always tell my clients when they climb something, or if we’re walking over a body of water — that if they fall, or fall in, I promise to take photos. I never thought I’d see the day where I could make good on that promise!

(I also tell people that if I fall in the water, they need to save my camera, not me!)

Fordemwalt (3)Fordemwalt (2)

But hey — at least she didn’t fall out of this:

Fordemwalt (20)

I first met the Fordemwalts when we moved in next door to them in 2013. My friend and I were in the midst of building a playset, when we realized we really, really needed an electric drill.

My friend, Lei’La’, went over to knock on the door — and little did I know that would be the start of a glorious friendship!

Fordemwalt (15)

My favorite thing about Nick and Michelle is how they make each other laugh. Just look — I had them posed all cute, and then Nick threatened to lick Michelle. Annnd the smiles ensued.

Fordemwalt (4)Fordemwalt (5)

My oldest daughter, Lily, really took to Mackenzie and Christian. She is thrilled every time we get to visit!

They’re all just getting so big!!!

*mom sobs*

IMG_9193Fordemwalt (17)

This next photo was Michelle’s idea. She wanted it to look like she and her husband, Nick, were having the times of their lives — while their kids looked more than annoyed.

It’s a good analogy! They spent years raising them — and now it’s their turn for some fun!

Fordemwalt (11)

Now, I am a sucker for candid shots — so I asked the Fordemwalts to go play some tetherball.

Nothing like a little family challenge!! I would post some photos of Nick playing, too, but his faces were all pretty hilarious. There’s one where he’s missing the ball, but I wanted to cut him some slack. 😉

Fordemwalt (13)Fordemwalt (12)Fordemwalt (14)

Kenzie and Christian have your typical brother-sister relationship. They love each other, pick on each other, and protect each other!

Fordemwalt (19)

Mackenzie is 15, and Christian is 13. Michelle and Nick officially have two teenagers under the same roof!

But, they should be really proud of them. They’re really, really good kiddos. I’m so happy Lily has such positive influences in her life!

Fordemwalt (18)I’m so glad I was able to come back to KC to capture these amazing photos of the Fordemwalts. I send you all of my love!!

Make sure to follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook!

I Crashed Into This Family’s Car — And Then Booked Their Photoshoot

WHAM!

That was Courtney’s first impression of me. Accidentally ramming into the back of her car with my own.

There I was, driving along Clayton Road in Chesterfield when my oldest, Lily, complained from the backseat: “I’m hottttt!”

I looked down to turn on the A/C. I look back up, and it turns out I missed the memo that everyone was slowing down.

I hit my brakes as hard as I could, buuuut I knew it was gonna happen: CRUNCH!

We pulled over, and Courtney was just the sweetest as I walked toward her apologetically. “They call it an accident for a reason!” she assured me.

But hey, a jumbled Prius turned out to be a blessing in a really ridiculous disguise.

World, meet Courtney — and her adorable family:

Hubbard Family (1)

Somehow, me rear-ending this complete, but so, so sweet stranger — led to me taking her family photos!

We met this Saturday at Castlewood State Park. Courtney brought her crew — her husband Ryan, her son Chase, and her daughter Ella.

Amazingly, our children are literally the same ages! I foresee playdates in our future!

Hubbard Family (4)

Ella was such a good smiler! She’s 2 — and loves Skittles. I know because that was her reward when she would give a big ol’ cheeser for the camera!

One trick I always do is ask what the kiddos favorite shows are. If there’s a character that has a name that makes you smile when you say it — welllll, have them say it! Ella loves Minnie Mouse. So, when she was so over me asking her to say “cheeese,” I asked her to say “Miniiiiiie!” It has the same effect, and makes them smile when saying the word!

You said the words out loud, didn’t you? 😉

I’m pretty sure Miss Ella models at home — how perfect is her cute little self?

 

Hubbard Family (3)

And then there’s older brother, Chase. He’s 6 and a big ol’ first grader.

Chase is really into sharks and any kind of ocean life. He actually loves to watch ocean documentaries! He also digs race cars and basketball. Actually, the same day as the shoot, the Hubbard family was headin’ to the races that evening!

Chase had this really cool ring he wore on his thumb. I wanted to make sure we showed it off!

Hubbard Family (5)

And then the lovebirds (and former high school sweethearts) themselves — Courtney and Ryan!

They dated for a little while in high school, and then re-connected a few years later. Can it get cuter?! 

Hubbard Family (6)

As for this photo below — there’s a fun story. We were walking along one of the trails at Castlewood. As soon as you enter (before you even park your car), there are signs that say: “THIS RIVER KILLS! DANGEROUS WATER!”

Then, as we walked farther on a trail that actually led down to the water, there was a big gate that blocked off the beach. The same “IF YOU GO HERE, YOU’RE PROBABLY GONNA DIE” signs were posted in both English and Spanish outside of the gate.

Since we didn’t have any plans on actually swimming in the Meramec River that the fence was guarding, we thought it would be ok to … go around the sign … and the gate.

So, we did.

#outlaws

I knew I liked them.

Hubbard Family (2)

On our way back up the trail, Chase spotted this huge tree in the picture below. He was pumped, and went right off the gravel and into the grass to get over to it.

We definitely needed to get a shot of him in front of it — he went off-roading to get to it he thought it was so cool!

Hubbard Family (8)

Toward the end of the shoot, Ella had decided her modeling fee was more than a few Skittles and asking her to say “Minnie Mouse.” But she hung in there for this precious shot with her dad and brother.

Hubbard Family (7)

I am just tickled pink I was able to connect with this cool family in a much more positive setting. ‘Cause you knoooow, my first impression was … in the back part of their car. A literal impression.

Hubbard Family (9)Hubbard Family (10)

Thanks again, Courtney, for being so chill about everything!

Make sure to follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook! I promise I won’t hit your car, too!

Lily Is Starting First Grade! NO WAY!

Well, it was a rough time emotionally last week. I took a much needed break, but I am back. I am going to blog every day this week (M-F), so hold me accountable!

Today, I’m writing about Lily. Our oldest princess is starting first grade this Wednesday. I just can’t believe it!

Here she is on her first day of Kindergarten:

IMG_5183.JPG

And here she is today, on her first day of 1st Grade!

IMG_8549

Below, Tatiana did a mini photoshoot with Miss Lily right before I did her photos at the same location!

Christine Fam 2

Trading photoshoots is a perk of being a professional photographer! <3

Currently, Lily’s favorite colors are purple and pink. I have been re-finishing a dresser for her in the same purple and pink colors as her room. It’s still in the garage, but hey! I am workin’ on it!

Her favorite food is vanilla ice cream (I just asked her, lol). Her favorite sport gymnastics. Her favorite sports team is the Kansas City Royals (she lived in KC the first 5 years of her life! Sorry, Cardinals!).

Christine Fam 3

She recently went with me to the salon and got some purple streaks put in her hair. Her hair is light enough that my gal Hannah could just put the dye right on her hair, and we didn’t have to do bleach it at all (I probably wouldn’t have let her do it otherwise).

Christine Fam 5

During the shoot, there was some road construction going on. Lily has never been a fan of loud noises, so we got this gem of a picture when a particularly loud drill turned on:

Christine Fam 4

Lily is social, lovable, smart, kind, and spunky. She has the attitude of a 16-year-old, and the wit to back up that sass. Everyone always tells us to get out our shotguns since she’s so beautiful, buuuut … she can hold her own. No guns needed.

Christine Fam 1

If there are any photography-related blog ideas you’ve been wanting, just shoot us a comment below!

Make sure to follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook!

 

23 People + 105-Degree Weather = 1 Sweaty Photographer!

Months ago, Della Miller reached out to me about doing a family photoshoot in my hometown, Lake of the Ozarks. She warned me there would be a lot of people.

IMG_8111

I don’t flinch at crowds, especially since I’ve done a loooot of weddings, and I always jump at the chance to go visit home!

Plus, I love visiting with repeat clients and seeing how much their families have grown! The top photo is baby Holden earlier this year, and the second one is him from this Saturday!

IMG_2129IMG_8170

This Saturday, Missouri cities broke heat records across the state. And it just so happened to be the Saturday Della and I had planned!

IMG_8210.jpg

We couldn’t do a morning shoot because there were people traveling in from out of town — so instead we set it as late as we could where we’d still have sunlight, but also before the kiddos bedtimes.

IMG_8148

When I arrived, it was 105 degrees. At least it was 2 degrees cooler from that afternoon, but golly! ONE. HUNDRED. FIVE.

But we were all troopers!

IMG_8179.jpg

Since we met at Della’s home, everyone with kids could stay in the A/C until it was their turn for photos (we broke off into smaller family units after the big group shots)!

IMG_8238

I also LOVE how they color coordinated everything!! And it made it easy to say “it’s the purple family’s turn!” Instead of, you know, “Clay, Karen, Eren, Brooklyn — please stand over here!”

IMG_8138bw

I thought it was a family get together, but it turns out everyone drove in just for the family photos! It’s always so great when that happens — and I love it when people make it a priority to have photos with their families!

IMG_8244.jpg

The best part of it all — like I mentioned earlier, I have worked with some of these families individually before. I love watching the kiddos get bigger & bigger!

IMG_4609IMG_8140

Although, some things never change —

IMG_2073IMG_8158

Just kidding! We got one of him smiling, too (a little, at least)! Practice makes perfect.

IMG_8156

Despite having worked with some of this family on an individual basis, this was the first time I had gotten them all together like this!

IMG_8181 (1)

Della told me the family added two babies in 2017, and there’s one more on the way for the end of the year. What a great time to be a grandparent! <3

IMG_8201.jpgIMG_8205.jpg

It was great to see them all as a big family unit! I “threatened” no one could go inside until we did one, final silly photo — worked like a charm! Kinda.

IMG_8252.jpg

Make sure to follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook!

 

 

Oh, Brother! – A Tribute to Max

Hey there, shutterbugs and onlookers! Kansas City Photography‘s other half, Tatiana, here for another sentimental blog about family and life!

Meet Maximilian, my baby bro!

Maxie 2

Max is a HUGE royals fan(I mean, who isn’t in KCMO? #foreverroyal)! He collects baseballs cards and loves to watch his favorite team win.

Maxie 1

With that baseball bat, he looks like he’s ready to hit the field!

He has never been a social butterfly, but once you have the privilege of getting to know him, he is truly an amazing friend who will always have your back!

Maxie 4

Here, I told him to pick whatever pose he wanted and he decided to be Superman!

He may not know this about himself, but he truly is a superhero (without the laser vision  … or the flying). He inspires everyone around him to be their best selves and achieve their goals. He is extremely special to everyone in his life and uses his own unique character to see the world in ways we cannot. Yeah, I’m doing the sappy big sister thing — I’ll only embarrass him a bit longer. 😉

Recently, he has been a part of a UMKC group called A.C.E.D., which “offers adults the opportunity to attend non-credit classes in an educational and social environment.”

Max 4

He recently graduated from one of those classes in fishing! My mom, and my boyfriend Eric, also went fishing with him and wanted to say a few words:

“Fishing class was so wonderful with my son! He had such a great time, heightened by the support of the whole family! He even made new friends along the way.”

Sadly, I don’t have any photos of my mom and my brother (cough-cough-read-this-blog- post-cough), but hopefully I will be able to get some soon!

Max 5

What Eric said was so touching, and hit me right in the feels:

“He’s a very kind and genuine young man! He’s always wanting to learn more and more about his interests, and boy, does he have many! I love being a positive male figure for him.”

Max’s other hobbies include playing pool at our local pool hall, building models, and now, thanks to this class — fishing!

Max 3

It was so cool to see Eric literally “pass the rod” over to Max when he completed his lessons, since fishing is a big part of Eric’s interests! Through this program, now they have something new to share together (I guess I’ll go out there with them too — once I bathe in bug spray >.< )!

Max 6.jpg

He even got a certificate for his awesome new fisherman skills! I have dropped the ball on framing it for him. But I was busy doing other… big sister… things… erm… LOOK, HE CAUGHT A FISH!

Max 1.jpg

Max has so many talents and he just keeps adding to them, seeing all that life has to offer! I can’t wait to see him conquer all the battles he has yet to face, as well as see more of that pretty smile of his!

OK — deactivating sappy big sister mode now.  Where’s my cereal box!? (Inside jokes are fun).

Make sure to follow us on Facebook!

 

 

Playing Dinosaur To Get The 3-Year-Old To Smile — A Photoshoot In The Woods

Have you ever tried to get a toddler to smile when they didn’t feel like it? May as well try to turn a banana into an orange while you’re at it.

That’s where creativity comes in! I met with Savannah, Darin, and Cruz on Sunday at the Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Conservation Area in Eureka.

Savannah _ Darin (1)

Savannah told me Cruz is notorious for not smiling in photos. I asked her what shows he likes, and she told me “Dino Cars.” I asked him to say “T-Rex,” since it has the same effect as “cheeeese!” He didn’t feel like it.

Savannah _ Darin (3)

So, I asked him if there was a dinosaur behind me. Without skipping a beat, he goes, “Yup!”

I told him the only way to scare away the dinosaur behind me was to say “cheeese!” He has a heart, because he didn’t want the dinosaur to eat me, and therefore said what I asked him to.

Savannah _ Darin.jpg

Sometimes it’s just about playin’ along and being creative.

Savannah _ Darin (8).jpg

Although, Darin wasn’t helpful. He told Cruz to “ROAR!” at the dinosaur. This is what happened:

Savannah _ Darin (4).jpg

Thanks, Darin! Hahaha.

Cruz was also very much into showing me sticks.

Savannah _ Darin (6).jpg

All the sticks.

Savannah _ Darin (9).jpg

I am happy I was able to capture this mom and her family on Mother’s Day. It was a beautiful day for a walk in the park — and to play dinosaurs!

 

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*

Dawn Family 5Dawn Family 15

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!

Dawn Family 16

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.

Dawn Family 11

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!

Dawn Family 17

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*

Dawn Family 12

Dawn Family 4

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!

Dawn Family 6

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!

Dawn Family 8Dawn Family 3

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!

Dawn Family 2Dawn Family 14

Follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook!

One Of My Most Important Photography Lessons: Shoot ‘Through’ Things

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri. Broadcast works a lot with the camera —  and one of the most important lessons I ever learned was to shoot “through” things.

IMG_0939

It completely changed my perspective behind the lens. It was one of those “ah-ha!” moments. Shoot “through” things. Things other people may not look at — it completely changed how I view the world.

Apply it to photography. See a cool shape? Shoot through it.

A fence or netting? Shoot through it.

IMG_1079

A bride’s veil? Shoot through it.

IMG_4845

How about a beautiful blooming flower? Find a space between the leaves and shoot through it to the subjects in the background.

Melissa Richard 3

And it can be subtle. I was squatting down in some tall grass to get this shot!

IMG_5711

It’s not that every shot needs this “shoot through” treatment, but it should be a component to think about at every shoot. If you see your photographer squatting in the grass, or rolling around on the ground … they’re likely using this technique!

IMG_8814

IMG_7722bw

Make sure to follow us on Facebook!

Want more photography tips? Follow the “How-To” series!

Photo Fixing / Restoration Services? Yup!

The phone rang last week. It was a Kansas number, so I went ahead and answered it since it wasn’t a random number from Florida or Connecticut (anyone else feel like their cell has been extra spammed lately?!). It was a woman asking if Kansas City Photography does photo restoration services. Yes, we sure do! It’s quite the specialty!

side

But don’t take our word for it. Let’s show you some more examples! I had a friend come to me a couple of years ago. She said she had no photos of her mom and dad together (her mom passed away years ago), but she did manage to find a photo of them in the same picture … just not standing by each other.

IMG_6457

I did do some digital restoration on the original, but what I ended up doing was more than that with Photoshop magic. I removed the person in the middle, and then cleaned up the rest, added in some fun clouds, brightened the colors (the photo was taken in the 80s I believe), etc.

MichelleNewPhoto

I’ve also had several people come to me to “fix” their photos. Not necessarily restore, but fix the coloring, make it look better, etc. Or, in Emily’s case … fix that nail polish! 😉

auneditIMG_0453

Another time, I had a friend reach out to me about a bride who was just devastated with how her wedding photos turned out (I’m telling you, going with the cheapest option for a photographer is a big mistake … there’s a reason they’re cheap) — I took them and edited a handful for her. Once I reached out to the bride with the edited photos, she said she nearly started crying from joy after seeing them.

(Keep in mind, I don’t own these wedding photos. I did not take them. I just fixed them.)

Another time, I had a friend message me on Facebook to ask me to remove her bra strap that was showing in a fun picture of her from a wedding. I get these requests all the time, but until that phone call last week, it never occurred to me to advertise it as a service Kansas City Photography can do.

I recently had an old friend reach out to me. This was the last picture ever taken with her grandma before she died. She really wanted the shot of just her and her sister:

Duck1duck2

If you’re looking for photo restoration, or fixes to your photos, make sure to contact us!