lake of the ozarks photographer – Kansas City Photography

When Did She Grow Up?! A Senior Shoot 18 Years In The Making

August 9, 2018August 9, 2018 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Photoshoots

I’ve known Maryn since she was born. Literally. So, before we get into it, let me show you how I still pictured her in my head before we started this Senior photoshoot (she’s in the middle):

Fast forward to today … Maryn is 18 years old, and about to go to UCM to major in Theatre Technology/Design.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?! Kim, Ike, anyone?! Tell me how!

And it’s not even her height. She has been taller than me since she was, like, 8 … it’s that she is old enough to go to college … like in a few weeks!!! :O

Maryn, who was active in theatre throughout her high school career, wants to work as a costume designer in a professional theatre setting.

And she’s already well on her way. She hand-beaded this vest! She said she worked on it for several years. You can tell by the detail!

I also want to point out that the little alien on there was a trinket that I gave to her older sister, Sadie (one of my BFFs), when we were younger! I was touched it was still being put to good use!

Every year, Maryn goes to the White Hart Renaissance Faire. She’s also been known to frequent the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, and the St. Louis Renaissance Festival! It was an obvious choice for her to wear one of her handmade outfits for her senior photos!

And, of course, we had to whip out the fan she brought for a prop! I spent more time than I care to admit editing this one! And we also spent a while looking for it in the grass after the photoshoot! Hahaha.

For another outfit, Maryn rocked this vintage dress she found in a thrift store. She said it was only a few bucks — #winning!

Maryn was such a good sport about all of the crazy things I asked her to do (thankfully, my clients already know I am a little out there, they know what’s coming!).

“Maryn, lean against that tree … backwards!”

“Maryn, I really love how the moss looks on these logs!! Sit down in front of them … then look backwards … but then look at me with your eyes!”

“Maryn! I am going to lay down in the grass upside down to get this shot … try to look normal!”

But, hey! That’s how you get the shot! Thanks for putting up with me and my crazy antics, Mare!

In closing, Maryn had a message for her parents: “Thank you guys so my for putting me on the path to my future! I couldn’t have done it without you, and I can’t wait to see what the future will bring. Love you!”

Isn’t she the sweetest?!

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Their House Has A Water Slide! A Dullard Family Reunion

July 11, 2018July 11, 2018 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Photoshoots

Before she flew in from Florida last week, Kaitlin called me to make sure I could make it down to Lake of the Ozarks for family photos. I jumped at the chance to catch up with her, her family, and that sweet water slide.

I needed to be down there by the 4th to make sure I could get everyone (Kaitlin has two sisters) before they scattered off back into the world.

Lindsay lives in Chicago with her hubs, Alex.

Mickey is currently a flight attendant (maybe she’ll find that plus one while on her travels)! 😉

While Kaitlin, Michael, and Mia live in Florida!

Their parents, Dana & Rob, usually only come to the Lake for a couple weeks a year. They travel around to some of their other properties during the rest of the summer/winter months.

There was a small window of opportunity to capture them all together. Success!

Plus, we got a lot of other shots. Like the obligatory mama and her girls shot (hey, and a 3-generation photo!):

And, of course, while I had all three sisters there — we had to recreate this gem!

Glorious, right? Next time, I will make Lindsay and Kaitlin rock those pony tails again.

Next up, we had to convince 10-month-old Mia that it was a good idea to smile for photos.

She could be swayed. There was a lot of jumping, funny faces, and weird baby toy noises going on in front of her, though. #WorthIt

The blanket you see in this photo below is one that Mia’s Great-Grandma had made for Kaitlin when she was a baby!

But Mia wasn’t all smiles and sunshine. She gave mom and dad a peek of what she’s gonna look like come age 13 or so:

So, adore those smiles while you still can!

Thanks, Dullard clan, for letting me capture your beautiful family! Hope to see you next year!

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A Surprise Pregnancy Reveal!

January 22, 2018 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Photoshoots

I was raised at the Lake of the Ozarks, so going back is always a treat for me. Last weekend, I went down for a very special reason — for a surprise pregnancy reveal photoshoot with the Shackelford family!

They are beyond excited to welcome baby number 4 into their family! No word on the name or gender yet, though! 😉

Poor Ayden and Jordon are outnumbered, so I am personally #teamgirl over here!

I loved Jordon’s chalkboard! “This is the last one we swear.” And I could tell Jordon and Ethan were beyond excited for their newest edition!

We also snuck in some family photos after the reveal!

I saw the Shackelfords this summer at their family reunion — and Ayden already looks more mature!! Stop growing, kiddo! The first photo is from this summer. The second is one from this shoot last weekend!

And it has only been a few months!! She’s rockin’ some fun blue hair right now, too! She is also entering a pageant this summer!

Now, Cameron … I can usually only get a few smiles out of him before he decides he’s just done. So, we took the reveal photos first when we could get a good cheeser. Then, we moved onto our usual —

We can add it to the gallery, though!

Holden, however, was all about those grins!

He’s gotten a lot bigger since this summer, too! I have a feeling he’s gonna be a good smiler for me during our photoshoots!

Congratulations, Shackelford family!

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

July 27, 2017July 11, 2018 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Photoshoots

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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)!

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!”

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!

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!

Although, some things never change —

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

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!

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

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.

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