Betsy Davis Photography: Blog

The Jokhi Family | Kansas City MO Family Photo Session

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:00:50 GMT

Each year, it seem that I have the special opportunity to photograph other photographers, and I'm telling you, it NEVER gets old! What an honor!! We photographers almost NEVER get in the frame, so I know how special it is to get to BE in the photos with the ones you love most! This session was extra special to me, because Firoz is part of a photography mentoring community that I manage, and getting to meet his family was so much fun! Enjoy these fun highlights of their session!

The Phillips Family | Kansas City MO Family Photographer

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 16:57:42 GMT

Every year, I have so much fun with this sweet family! One of the best parts of my job is getting to document families from year to year. I just loved this fun downtown session we had!

The Potter Family | Kansas City & Liberty MO Family Photos

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:54:38 GMT

Every session with the Potters is a fun and gorgeous one!!! This is what I've come to learn :) I love photographing is stunning family because not only are do they make my job easy work, but they are just so FUN and laid back! Their Fall session this year was no different!

The Cobb Family | Kansas City Northland Family Photographer

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 02:49:00 GMT

I always LOVE getting to catch up with the Cobbs! Our kids are similar ages, so it makes our sessions so fun for me! And I LOVE that Megan is just like me - we both love that dreamy October light!!!!! We sure did get it this time around!!! Enjoy some highlights from their gorgeous session!

The Lambert Family | Kansas City Liberty Memorial Family Photos

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 18:25:13 GMT

When Kelsey contacted me about family photos at the Liberty Memorial, I just KNEW we were in for an awesome session! There was plenty of room for Miss Audrey to explore and play, and every way you turned, there was gorgeous light. And this was the same spot where Kelsey and Nathan took wedding pictures years ago! I love capturing new memories in places that mean something to us!! It was a great night! THANK YOU, Lambert family, for spending this evening with me!

Meet Kim, Scott + Emma | Kansas City Family Photography

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 18:35:57 GMT

This session gave me alllllllll kinds of heart eyes!! Kim, Scott and Emma were just SO fun and easy to work with, and we had gorgeous light in a stunning little hidden away spot... it was fabulous. Here is a small sneak peek into their photos! I'm loving every single one of them!

Meet Easton: Kansas City Newborn Lifestyle Photography

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:23:15 GMT

One of my favorite things about my job is getting to watch and document as my client's families grow! It was so fun to meet sweet little Easton. Two things are certain: this little boy is already SO loved by not just mom and dad, but by his adoring big sister too! And, I'm pretty sure his hair is going to be every bit as beautiful as his sister's!

Welcome Mason! Kansas City Newborn Lifestyle Photography

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 15:14:00 GMT

Oh Mason, you are SUCH a sweetheart! I had the honor of being one of the photographers at Jen & Steve's wedding, and it's so fun to watch their family grow! I had the best time with little Mason!

Hello, Brooklyn! Kansas City Newborn Lifestyle Photography

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 15:14:00 GMT

This newborn session was just PERFECT. There is nothing sweeter than a fresh sweet baby, and I'm telling you, Miss Brooklyn was a gem! She has the sweetest face and loved to sleep! Here is a little peek into her in-home lifestyle session!

Rowan turns One | Kansas City & Liberty MO Photographer

Sat, 07 Jul 2018 14:18:46 GMT

It never fails to blow me away how fast time flies between a newborn session and these one year sessions! And I'm not even the mama!!! Rowan has been a gem to photograph this entire year, and this family session where we also captured some 1-year photos was no different. I loved everything about this evening!

The Anderson Family | Family Photographer in the Kansas City Northland

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 04:34:15 GMT

This was such a fun night! I love getting to see my friends and clients while getting to document their family! We had some HOT weather for this one, but I'm so glad we braved the heat... These photos were definitely worth it!!

The Jones Family | Family Photography for St. Joseph & Kansas City, MO

Mon, 14 May 2018 14:15:29 GMT

This session was just perfect! I seriously have the best job in the world! Every family is so different, and yet there is such a common thread in all of the families I get to photograph: LOVE. Getting to photograph the relationships, fun, and connection between families is so priceless to me! And the Jones family was no exception! We had such a great time!!! And seriously, check out Miss Genevieve.... she is the CUTEST!!! Thanks for a great night, Cathy and JW!

The Creedy Family | St. Joseph & North Kansas City Family Photography

Mon, 07 May 2018 15:43:02 GMT

What a special treat to spend an evening with this family!! We have been waiting for the spring weather to cooperate, and we finally had a fantastic day for pictures! The Creedy's have been on quite a journey as a family, and documenting this special time in their lives was such an honor for me! Thank you so much for trusting me with your sweet memories, Erin and Ben!!

Meet Baby Miles | Kansas City Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

Mon, 07 May 2018 14:53:56 GMT

I just love when my clients' families grow and I get to meet their sweet new additions!!! I have photographed this adorable family so many times as a family of three, and it was SO fun to get to capture them now as a family of FOUR!!! Meet baby Miles.... He is such a doll!!!

3 Reasons to Print Your Photos!

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 16:18:37 GMT

It typically goes down something like this:

Child: "Mom! I need a picture of our family to take to school for a project!" or "Mom! I'm Star of the Week and I need a picture of me to put on our board!"

Me: "Ummmmmmmm............"

I have a confession: I don't print my photos nearly as often as I should. But the reality is that I WANT to get better at this! If you're like me, and feeling a little wistful that you have hundreds and hundreds of photos sitting on your digital devices, but NOT on your walls, take heart. Let me share with you my top 3 reasons why you and I both should be printing our photos.

Reason 1: Our families make the most beautiful and valuable artwork.

I don't think you'd disagree that there is absolutely nothing more meaningful to us than our own families! So, sure, we can spend our time adorning our walls with the latest and greatest from Magnolia Market (because WHY wouldn't we???), but what if we ALSO decorated our walls with artwork that could never be replaced: photos of the people we love most.

Reason 2: We have the opportunity to create our very own "Memory Lane."

Some of my very favorite memories involve sitting around boxes and boxes of old photographs and taking a trip down memory lane. Maybe it's an afternoon of reminiscing for fun, or maybe it's poring through photographs after a loved one has passed away, looking for pieces of their history and story. Think about it: in a digital world, how exactly will our own kids go down memory lane? Every single day, hard drives fail, computers crash, and phones get replaced. I want to give my kids something tangible to pass down; I want them to have the same experience of revisiting old memories and reliving history the way that I have loved so much.

Reason 3: I want to show my kids how loved and valued they are.

What better way to display my love and adoration of my kids than to plaster their faces on my walls! Every time I hang a new photo of my kids or of our family, the response from my kids is the same: pure joy and excitement. They feel special and treasured when we proudly put them on display! I want my kids to know that they matter and that they have a place and purpose in our family and in our home.

These reasons are certainly more than enough to motivate me to print and display more of my photos! How about you?

As parents, we come to understand in a very tangible way just how quickly time goes. I love the way photos can freeze moments in time for us to hang onto and revisit forever! Booking a family session is the perfect way to document your family and capture these fleeting moments that you can never get back. I would love to be a part of telling your family's story! Contact me here for more info!

The Harlan Family | Family Session in Marian Bear Park, San Diego

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 15:42:55 GMT

By now, you've probably heard me talk about CC Pro Live, a photography workshop I was able to teach at in San Diego. This weekend was jammed packed full of learning, both in the classroom, and out in the field.

We had a couple of families lined up to model for us on shooting day, and got to spend the afternoon with the Harlan family at Marian Bear Park. It was PERFECT! Katie, Mark and Cooper were SUCH great sports and handled having us teach AND having a total of 40+ photographers taking photos of them over the course of a couple hours!

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The Butcher Family | Family Session in Balboa Park, San Diego

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 15:37:22 GMT

The Butcher family was so gracious to model for us for our shooting day, and let me tell you... they were BRAVE! If you think having family photos done is a lot of work, try having 40 photographers photographing you! We went all kinds of paparazzi on this gorgeous family, but really- look at them! Can you blame us??? We had a great morning in San Diego's gorgeous Balboa Park!

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Melissa + Jason | a Fun Couple's Session at Torrey Pines, San Diego

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 18:41:27 GMT

Let me just tell you... getting to photograph your favorite people is AWESOME. While I was in San Diego teaching at CC Pro Live, Melissa asked me to do a quick session for her and her hubby, Jason, and you guys- it was SO fun. Melissa and I actually work together as photography mentors, and we taught alongside one another at the workshop.

Mel is an AMAZING wedding photographer, so getting to do a session for her was admittedly a teensy bit intimidating, but oh so fun. She is such an inspiring, down to earth, life giving friend, and I was thrilled to spend this time with them! Aren't they adorable?!?

CC Pro Live 2017 | a San Diego Photography Workshop

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 18:31:09 GMT

November was SUCH a cool month around here! I wrapped up my busiest Fall season yet, AND I had the opportunity to teach at CC Pro Live, a photography workshop in San Diego. We had a BLAST! Not only was I able to teach alongside some of my favorite photographers (Melissa McClure Photography, Lauren Nygard Photography, Katelyn James, and Cole Joseph Photography), but we had photographers come in from literally all around the WORLD for this event.

There is nothing I love more than to share about my passion and see the "lights come on" for other photographers. And this workshop was jammed packed FULL of ah-ha moments both in the classroom and out shooting on location. I can't wait to do it again!! Here are a few of my favorite behind the scenes photos!

**You can see some other sessions I shot while I was in San Diego here and here! And to see some highlights of photos taken of our model families on our shooting day, you can click here and here!

The Cary Family | Fall Family Photos in St. Joseph MO

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:33:17 GMT

This session marked the end of my Fall rush, and boy was it a good one to end with!! You aren't going to need to look very far to see why! I just loved photographing these sweet little ones!!!! And they made my job so easy, too. Thank you so much for a great evening, Cary family! I loved each minute!

Welcome, Tyler | Saint Joseph MO Newborn Photographer

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:23:33 GMT

Meet Tyler, the most recent newborn to visit me at my studio! This boy was just a DREAM! I absolutely love being able to snuggle these sweet babies to sleep and then capture sweet, fleeting moments like this! Newborn photos are SO priceless... they change so fast, and what better way to remember each little detail of a fresh new baby than in photos? Congrats on the addition of your third boy, Matt & Kristina! He is just as handsome as his brothers!!!

The White Family | Saint Joseph MO Fall Family Session

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:58:16 GMT

We had some gorgeous fall light for the White family's session! It was a chilly fall day, but the kids did so great and we got some gorgeous photos!! I just love this time of year and getting to photograph families knowing that these sweet moments are so fleeting, and that next year the kids will have grown a little more, and then a little more after that. I'm so thankful that you trusted me to capture this moment in life for you, Ashlee and Adam!!

The Ingersoll Family | Family Photos in Savannah, MO

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:53:39 GMT

This session was SO fun for me! We took the Ingersoll's photos near the lake adjacent to their brand new home, and you could just tell that they were right where they love to be! And as we wrapped up, we decided to take a few shots at home, too. Sweet Eddie had been waiting SO patiently the entire session to take a photo with his beloved fire truck, and man was he proud when the time finally came!! Thanks for a great time, Ingersolls! I can't wait to meet your new addition!!

MacKoy | 6 month photos in St. Joseph MO

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:47:36 GMT

Little Miss MacKoy is 6 months old, and BOY IS SHE CUTE! We had the best time in my studio! I'm telling you, I could have photographed her for hours!!! I just love getting to capture milestones like this for my families! And while we were at it, we snuck in some photos of the whole family, too ;) MacKoy, you have a GREAT family who loves you to much! I can't wait to continue watching you grow!!!

Meghan + Family | Family Session in Iconic Balboa Park, San Diego

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 22:16:16 GMT

Last week was ahhhhhh-mazing you guys! I was able to travel to San Diego to teach at the CC Pro Live photography workshop (more on this here!), and one of the members of our mentoring group asked me to do a family session for her while I was in town. Meghan is a fantastic photographer in San Diego, and is an all around sassy, sarcastic, witty and hilarious human being. Not only was it fun to meet her in person, but after her session, she and Toby spoiled Jason and I with dinner looking over the water and San Diego skyline too! This night was a huge welcome to SD! Thank you so much for trusting me with your gorgeous family, Meghan! What an honor!!

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The Phillips Family | Saint Joseph MO Family Photos

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 18:16:13 GMT

It was another chilly fall day, but we had some gorgeous sunshine for the Phillips' family session!! I could not believe how much the girls had grown since their session last year!! They were AWESOME in the chilly wind and did amazing for their photos! I just love all of the sweet, snuggly moments we captured! Because let's be real, everyone loves a "Christmas card shot," but the REALLY special moments are the ones that capture the affection families have for each other!

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The Springfield Family | Fall Family Photos in St. Joseph, MO

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 01:29:43 GMT

Several times this Fall, I have had the opportunity to photograph other photographers, and I'm telling you, it NEVER gets old! What an honor!! We photographers almost NEVER get in the frame, so I know how special it is to get to BE in the photos with the ones you love most!

I had the best time meeting Kylie and her adorable family. The girls were so fun to work with, and even Dad was a champ!! (Maybe because he's been trained by his photographer wife??) Sessions like this make my heart sing... I love what I get to do! And to do it for other photographers is just icing on the cake!! Thanks for such a fun night, Springfield family!

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The Gerken Family | Fall Family Photos with St. Joseph MO Photographer

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 01:29:25 GMT

Well, Fall was in full force for this session! We got wind and we got chilly weather, but that didn't stop us from getting some fantastic photos! These dear friends are just precious to me, and I'm so thankful for their support of what I love AND that I get their gorgeousness in front of my lens!!! Who could ask for more?!? Thanks for braving the cold wind with me, Tiff & Chris!! You guys are troopers!

The Eichelberger Family | Fall Family Photos in St. Joseph MO

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 00:45:27 GMT

The wind threatened to knock us over, but we managed to get some awesome pictures during Jay and Mary Beth's session! I am so in love with all of the turning leaves here! We moved quick to spare sweet Madelyn from freezing to death, but about mid way through our session, the sun just came glowing in through the trees... It was gorgeous!! Thanks for braving the wind with me, Mary Beth & Jay! I just love these pictures!

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The Wachtel Family | Fall Family Session in Saint Joseph, MO

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 00:45:16 GMT

Fall is my favorite season for my business because I get to see so many of my families from years past! It was so fun to see Danielle and John again this year, and I couldn't believe how much the boys had grown since just a year ago! It was perfect fall weather, full of sunshine and those gorgeous sunsets you know I love! I couldn't help but share some highlights here!!

The Fiammetta Family | a Fall Photo Session in Saint Joseph MO

Sat, 21 Oct 2017 16:43:42 GMT

The privilege of photographing other photographers is never lost on me... Nicole & Michael drove all the way from Overland Park to spend the evening with me, and we had such a great time! The girls and I had fun goofing off, planning secret ways to trick mommy & daddy into smiling for the camera, and we even had an impromptu dance party! Now THAT is my kind of session!!! I just loved getting to capture these sweet moments- just them being them. Sessions like that are the best!

The Potter Family | Fall Family Session in Historic Saint Joseph, MO

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 02:51:41 GMT

Let me say: The Potters sure know how to dress to impress! Mr. Max was looking SO dapper in his suspenders and bow tie for this session, and not to be outdone, the girls were just as stunning in their gorgeous lace dresses! I loved getting to capture each of the kid's unique personalities during this family session, and even a bit of the chaos that is inevitable with 3 kids under age 6! We had a blast! Thanks for playing, Potters!!!

The Shipley Family | Outdoor Fall Family Session in St.Joseph, MO

Sun, 15 Oct 2017 19:11:46 GMT

I just love getting to catch up with clients from years past! Last fall, I got to take the most fun 1 year old photos for Annabella, and this year, we did a session with the whole family! I loved the relaxed, laid back vibe of hanging out with the Shipley family, and we had SUCH a nice evening for photos! Couldn't have asked for a better night!!

The Brooks Family | Saint Joseph MO Family Photos

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 02:35:24 GMT

This session with the Brooks family was a STUNNER! And not only did they show up looking gorgeous, we had such a great time too! I first met Cory when he was kind enough to spend hours late at night putting his awesome dentistry skills to work on my husband's teeth (or ahem, lack there of) after he'd had a pretty rough bike accident. Since then, the Brooks have become friends, and more recently, our neighbors! They are such a great family, and I'm proud to call them friends. Thanks so much for letting me capture your gorgeous family, Cory & Taylor!

The Moore Family | Historic Downtown St. Joseph MO Family Session

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 02:54:36 GMT

I had so much fun with the Moore family for their session! We were watching rain clouds all day and evening, but we ended up nice and dry for their session and had a great time! Hudson and Felicity are just SO sweet to work with, and we had all kinds of fun being silly and playing games! Because who says picture taking has to be boring??? Not me! I just love it when families play together, and I get to capture it!! Thanks Amanda-Fay and Rustin for a great time!

The Swords Family | Family of Three Fall Family Photos

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 18:07:40 GMT

I absolutely love getting to see my clients each year! The last time I was with the Swords family, little Casey was just a few months old, and I just can't believe how much he as GROWN since then!! The weather was perfect for going on a walk, and letting little man strut his stuff and play. We had a great time!! I loved getting to see you again, Scott and Elizabeth! Thanks for such a fun night!!

The May Family | Outdoor Fall Family Session in St. Joseph, MO

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 18:55:43 GMT

This session was a really special one for me! Not only is Jen a photographer herself, she is also part of an online photography education group where I am a mentor. So after interacting with her online for quite some time, I was REALLY excited when she recently moved to Kansas City AND asked me to do family photos for her. I loved getting to capture their entire family, and since she and her husband haven't had any photos taken together since their wedding, we spent some time on just the two of them, too! It was a perfect night. I loved meeting you, Jen! Can't wait to get together to chat photography soon!!

Rowan | 3 months old

Sun, 01 Oct 2017 17:08:50 GMT

I can't believe Rowan is already 3 months old! It feels like just yesterday that she was in my studio for her newborn session! She has grown so much, and it was so fun to see her rolling around and showing off those gorgeous deep blue eyes! What a beauty!

The Winkelbauers | Saint Joseph, MO Parkway Family Session

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 17:51:15 GMT

This family is just the best to work with!! We had to wait out quite a bit of rain for their session, and even relocated for drier ground, but it was well worth it! One of my favorite parts of photographing the Winkelbauers is how sweet Jake and Kate are together. You can just tell how much Kate looks up to her big brother! And Jake is so sweet with her! Liz and Jeremy, you have such a sweet family. Thank you for a great time!!!

Emma | Downtown Saint Joseph, MO Photo Session

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 18:15:12 GMT

I just love the way these pictures from Emma's session turned out! I've had the opportunity to take photos of Emma in a few different locations, but I have to say, I think this downtown spot is my favorite so far!! We did lots of exploring, collecting of leaves (and chunks of asphalt, because why not?), and even picked a flower or two (or three, or four...). We had a great time!!

Cobb Family Session | Family Photos in Historic Saint Joseph, MO

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 02:14:20 GMT

I always love being with the Cobb family! It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since we did photos last time!!! It is always so fun for me to see my client's kids grow from year to year. And thankfully, I get to call Megan a friend, and with our kids being the same age, it has been perfect for play dates and summer swim buddies, and I get to hang out with these cool cats even between photo sessions! :)

You have a gorgeous family, Megan and Matthew! Thank you for spending the evening with me!!!

Hayden, Chillicothe Class of 2018

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 02:21:54 GMT

I just LOVED getting to meet Hayden and his family last weekend! We had such an awesome night for pictures, and it was so fun to get to know Hayden more as the night went on. Not only is he a great athlete, but he is a fun, kind young man with a great family that supports him and are his biggest cheerleaders! What a gift!

Enjoy this year, Hayden! You are already making such an impact on those around you, and you're destined for even more!

Cassie + Jordan | a Sweet 3rd Anniversary Session in Saint Joseph, MO

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 14:37:55 GMT

What a special treat to take photos for Cassie and Jordan as they celebrate their 3rd Anniversary!! I just love photos that document a special season or milestone in our lives. Cassie & Jordan, I hope these pictures are ones you look back on for many years to remember this sweet time in your lives and marriage! Congrats on 3 years, and hears to many, many more!!

A Dreamy Styled Session | Saint Joseph, MO Child Photograper

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 01:28:27 GMT

When I had the opportunity to partner with Simply Stardust for this adorable session, I was ecstatic! I fell in LOVE with this dress, and couldn't wait! But if you thought I was excited, you should have seen my sweet girl... I wasn't sure I'd ever get this dress off of her! Thank you for this stunning gown, Simply Stardust! It was perfect for daydreaming of princesses and endless twirling!

If you're interested in a styled session like this one, contact me here!

Sivils Family Session | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photograper

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:58:07 GMT

I LOVE it when families come together for a photo session, even after all of the "kids" are grown and have families of their own. There is just something so special about these photos... knowing that they will be treasured and passed down for so many years. What a joy to get to capture photos like this! Kim and Tommy, you have a gorgeous family!! Thanks so much for braving the heat with me! I'd say it was well worth every minute and drop of sweat!

The Schoeberl Family | Downtown Saint Joseph MO Family Session

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 03:29:10 GMT

I am telling you, sometimes it is WORTH IT to brave this Missouri summer heat! And this session proves it! I had so much fun meeting Jennifer and Dave and their kids for their family photos. It was a hot, humid night, but you'd never guess it! I absolutely love getting to meet new families and having the honor of documenting moments for them that they can treasure for years and years. The Schoeberls didn't disappoint! Jennifer and David, it was such a joy to capture these fun pictures for you!!!

Introducing Rowan | Saint Joseph, MO Newborn Photographer

Sun, 09 Jul 2017 00:57:14 GMT

I just could NOT have asked for a more willing subject!! Miss Rowan was just a dream for her session!!! And seriously, can you just look at those sweet rosebud lips? I enjoyed every minute of this one! Kyle and Whitney, welcome to parenthood! THANK YOU for sharing Rowan with me for a couple of hours... She is just precious!

Krug Park Extended Family Session | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 18:18:45 GMT

I don't know that we could have had a more beautiful evening for this family session! Extended family sessions are so much fun for me! So when Alison scheduled this session for their entire family, I was thrilled to do it! My hope is always that these are photos that will be cherished and passed down for a long, long time!!

Meet Benjamin | Saint Joseph MO Newborn Photography

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 03:01:57 GMT

This newborn session was an extra special one! Benjamin was my very first client to be photographed in my brand new studio space! I loved having him and his family with me this week, and just love all of these special photos we were able to capture. I'm always so amazed at how quickly a newborn changes... and capturing their littlest details at their tiniest is so special! Welcome to the world, Benjamin!

The Culp Family | Saint Joseph MO Outdoor Family Session

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 15:26:43 GMT

This family session was amazing! The "beautiful factor" was off the charts for this one.... gorgeous family, gorgeous light, gorgeous outfits... they even had gorgeous hair! But what's more, this family is as beautiful inside as they are out. We had the best time, and I couldn't believe how fast our time together went. This is the stuff dreams are made of, folks! I'm just loving these photos!

Emma | Saint Joseph MO Outdoor Child Session

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 01:29:48 GMT

I think every time I get to take photos of Emma, we have more and more fun! I was so glad we waited out the rain for her session, we ended up having the most gorgeous night!

The bulk of our time together was split between two activities: picking berries ("strawberries" according to Emma, which filled her pockets before the night was over!), and riding on my "magic carpet" (more commonly known to us boring adults as a blanket). Not a bad way to spend an evening if you ask me!! Thanks for a fun night, Emma! I left grinning ear to ear after playing and dancing with you!

The Sickel Family | Saint Joseph MO Outdoor Family Session

Thu, 25 May 2017 15:10:25 GMT

This family's session last year was one of my all time favorites, and to be honest, I wasn't sure we could top it. But, then we did! I just fell in love with this gorgeous location, and we had the most perfect weather, too. Top it off with this stunning family, and WOW. What a treat! Thank you for such a gorgeous evening, Samantha & Ryann!! I always love being with your family!

Brylen is ONE! | Saint Joseph MO Outdoor Child Photo Session

Tue, 23 May 2017 13:22:42 GMT

I cannot even believe it's been a whole year since I took this sweet boy's newborn photos! Brylen was the perfect little model for his one year session! He was full of smiles and giggles for us! (And really, who wouldn't laugh at this crazy girl behind a snappy black box with a toy rooster on her head?)

Happy, happy 1st birthday, Mr. Brylen!! I love watching you grow, and you just light up your mommy & daddy's eyes! It was so fun to play with you!!

Calvin, 5 Days New | Saint Joseph MO Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

Fri, 19 May 2017 02:31:48 GMT

Oh what a special treat this day was!! Every newborn is such a miracle, but I'm telling you, when you know how long your friends have prayed and waited for their baby, it makes their arrival just that much more sweet! And handsome Calvin did not disappoint. I just loved getting to spend an afternoon with them to get these photos. They change so very fast in these early days... what a gift we have to be able to stop time in photos! Happy birthday, Calvin! We've all been waiting for you...

The Jones + Gillies + Johnston + Johnson Extended Family Session | Saint Joseph MO Photographer

Wed, 17 May 2017 16:51:46 GMT

This session couldn't have been more fun. These Jones' truly are worth keeping up with! There was a lot of laughing, a lot of crazy squealing, and a fair amount of quick action to get these shots, but I'm telling you it was great fun in the process. I just love this family. You can just see the love and the joy that they have with each other and it radiates.

So this is what happens when you say, "Hey everyone, quick! Imitate Darrell!"

I'd say some of them have him down!!!

And last, but certainly not least, how special to photograph these three before their big move. Best of luck, Royce & Nikki!!!

Darrell and Tammie, you truly do have a unique and special family, and I hope that these are photos you will treasure over the coming years!!!

Meet MacKoy | Saint Joseph MO Outdoor Newborn Session

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 19:11:31 GMT

Meet sweet, darling MacKoy. This sweet little nugget is one month old! I loved getting to capture some sweet moments with proud big sister and brother!! Mallory and Madden are such amazing kids, Miss MacKoy is one lucky little sister!!! Here are a few highlights from our time together this week!

The Millers | Saint Joseph, MO Outdoor Family Photo Session

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 18:56:51 GMT

This session had me smiling the whole time! I just loved that Meika was my little chatting buddy... We had some great chats about pizza, puppies, and very specific ages and names of all of our family members... all the essentials. And Kaia was just a sweet as can be. Her sweet spirit is just so gentle and fun, and I loved watching her tenderness with her sister and mom and dad. But I'd have to say that the best part of the session was when I asked the girls if they could help me get mommy and daddy to smile for their pictures... I asked the girls what we should do if they didn't smile, and without any hesitation, Meika said "CONSEQUENCES!" Hahaha! (Luckily, we didn't have to resort to that... Mommy & Daddy must have heard our plan... they did great!)

Thank you so much for letting me spend these moments capturing your awesome family, James and Andi. I enjoyed it SO very much!

Everett | Saint Joseph, MO Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 02:52:44 GMT

I remember the day I met Everett's mama... While he was still growing strong in his mama's belly, she was busy making a new home in an old farmhouse just outside of town. I had stopped after admiring their property, and (very unlike me) knocked on her door to ask if I might take photos there that week. I'm so grateful I knocked on Lynn's door that day... I had no idea that I would meet such a dear, sweet soul who would become a friend.

Getting to meet Everett for the first time was just as sweet. He truly is SUCH a beautiful baby! Welcome to the world, sweet Everett! I know you are just so very loved!

Samuel is THREE | Saint Joseph, MO Child Photographer

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:44:10 GMT

When Mr. Samuel showed up to his photo session as a triceratops, I KNEW we were going to have a blast! He is a huge fan of dinosaurs, and I loved that mom decided to incorporate them into his 3 year old session! What a FUN way to remember this stage... these seasons pass so quickly!

We had a great time tromping around and even got big brother Solomon in the frame, too. These boys are so sweet! And they sure know how to have a good time!! Happy 3rd Birthday, Samuel!!!!

Rocco is TWO! | Saint Joseph, MO Outdoor Child Photo Session

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 16:09:40 GMT

Ohmygoodness, was Rocco just a BLAST! Rocco just turned two on St. Patrick's Day, and he is such a cutie! I loved how he just chatted away with me right from the get-go. And I am telling you... this boy knows some football! At approximately four times Rocco's height, I thought for sure I had something on him when it came to running... but I was so wrong. This boy is FAST.

I had so much fun with you, Mr. Rocco! Happy, happy Birthday little man!

Emma is turning 3!! | Saint Joseph, MO Child Photographer

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 03:47:32 GMT

I just had so much fun with Emma for her 3 year pictures! We have been having remarkably warm "winter" weather, and we lucked out and got a nice sunny evening before another round of snow and cold moved in. Emma has a personality to match this warm, glowing sunshine, and we had lots of fun!

Kelsie | I Am... Portrait Project

Sun, 19 Feb 2017 04:40:00 GMT

Goodness, it was such a joy to meet Kelsie! I am so glad she was part of the I AM... Portrait Project with me! Kelsie has such a sweet, kind spirit. I loved seeing her eyes light up when she talked about her horses and her family. This girl couldn't have picked a better word... I AM loved.

Want more info on this project? You can find the "Dear Mom of a Tween Girl" blog post here, and the I AM... Portrait Project info page here!

Las Vegas Styled & Model Shoot | Saint Joseph, MO Model & Senior Photographer

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 19:11:00 GMT

Last week I got to attend the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference in Las Vegas, and it was a total blast! It was amazing getting to learn from some of the best industry leaders, and I was able to meet up with some of the people from an online photography group that I'm a mentor for too! We had such a great time, and there were just so many takeaways that I know will make me a better photographer, mentor and business person. I can't wait to go back next year!

On the first night in Vegas, we teamed up with some girls who had arranged a styled bridal shoot that afternoon, and I invited some of the girls from our mentoring group along to try our hand at night photography with the Vegas lights.

Later in the week, I wanted to take some of the girls from the mentoring group out to work on shooting in full sun, so we hit Red Rock Canyon and did a model shoot for Megan! It was amazing! Not only was Megan a dream to work with, all of us had so much fun together and got some great images while working on building our skill level.

I'd say WPPI was a huge success this year! Can't wait to see what next year brings!

Seri | I AM... Portrait Project

Sat, 04 Feb 2017 17:59:00 GMT

I was just thrilled to have Seri as part of the I AM... Portrait Project with me! Seri is one of the most kind hearted, humble and sweet girls I have ever met! It's easy to see her outer beauty at first glance, but what I love most about her is the way her inner beauty just radiates.

Seri loves to figure skate (I'm hoping maybe one day she'll give me lessons!!), and her faith as a Jehovah Witness is very important to her. When I asked her what one word she would use to describe herself, she said: "I am loving." What an amazing trait to have, and when you meet her, you can see it's truth right away!

Thank you so much for being a part of the I AM... Project with me, Seri. I know your mom and dad are SO proud of you!

Want more info on this project? You can find the "Dear Mom of a Tween Girl" blog post here, and the I AM... Portrait Project info page here!

Alyssa | Saint Joseph, MO Photographer

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:59:00 GMT

When Alyssa's mom Joan reached out to me about getting some updated photos for her gallery wall, I just knew this was going to be a great session! Alyssa is like a ray of sunshine! She is warm, kind and and has a heart of gold.... Plus that stunning, bright smile! The day turned out to be one of winter's finest: bitterly cold and windy, but we didn't mind. We tucked ourselves away indoors and got some amazing photos!

Dear Mom of a Tween Girl...

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 15:21:29 GMT

Dear Mom of a “Tween” girl,

This is such a powerful and vulnerable time for your daughter. I can only imagine what it's like for you to watch her as she navigates this pivotal point in her childhood. I remember when I was that age… The growing up, and the trying to answer the question “Who am I?” The pressure to fit in threatening daily to rob me of my own sense of self…

I remember all too clearly the murky waters of that time in life… In fact, that is what prompted me to write to you.

You remember it too, don’t you?

The searching… hoping you had it right… the wistful looks in the mirror, wondering if you fit in, if you were beautiful, if you were enough.

Stop for a minute, and imagine the impact of being able to help your daughter see TODAY that who she is is indeed enough.

The I AM… Portrait Project was created to empower young girls in a season of life where they often feel vulnerable, insecure, and unseen.

Together with your daughter, you will identify a word that describes the best of who she is, and I will capture this trait in a series of honest, real, fine art portraits of her, highlighting her true beauty and giving her a tangible and visual reminder of the very best she has to offer: Herself.

No glam, no fuss.

Just her… As she already is.

I know you already see it in her… NOW is your opportunity to help her see it in herself:

I am beautiful. I am strong. I am unique. Smart. Funny. Fearless. Curious.

I am…… The possibilities are endless.

Don’t wait. Let’s start a movement… a tribe of young girls who look no further than their own reflection to find the identity they are searching for.

Will you join me? Click below to learn more.

Click Here to Learn More About the I AM... Portrait Project

Christine + Theron | Saint Joseph, MO Photographer

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 14:58:34 GMT

I just loved getting to do this session for Christine + Theron! I first met Christine at a birthday party a few months ago, and she mentioned she might be needing a photographer soon, because she and her boyfriend were hoping to get married. I was so excited when she called and said "We're married!!!" and that they were ready for some photos as newlyweds. They got married earlier this month by a Justice of the Peace, and we were all excited to get some fun pictures of them as a Just-Married couple!

Congratulations Christine + Theron!!! I know you will have many, many years of happiness!!!

Emma: a Christmas Tree Farm Session | Saint Joseph, MO Child Photographer

Fri, 09 Dec 2016 06:11:00 GMT

Emma and I had so much fun exploring at the Christmas tree farm! It was a little bit chilly, but that was nothing a few snuggle breaks with mom couldn't fix! Thank you so much for playing with me, Emma! Your smile is just contagious!!

The Riggert Family | Saint Joseph, MO Fall Family Session

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 15:08:46 GMT

This session with Dave and Breann and their boys was SUCH a great way to wrap up the rush of my Fall season! As the brisk breezes of late fall started to move in on us, it was the perfect opportunity for lots of snuggles and the sweet "in-between" moments that I just love to capture. When Breann saw one of her sneak peeks on Facebook, she said "This. Is. So. Us." I'm telling you, nothing makes me happier! That is exactly what I want families to feel when they see their photos! Breann and Dave, I hope you treasure these for many, many years. I hope these photos continue to take you down the path of sweet memories to moments that fly by way too fast!

Emma | Saint Joseph, MO Child Photography

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 01:18:20 GMT

We had a gorgeous day to take Miss Emma's pictures this Fall! And really, how often is it that you can wear a sleeveless dress in the middle of NOVEMBER here in Missouri?!? I'd say we got pretty lucky with this gorgeous fall weather, and I'm loving it! Thanks for playing, sweet Emma!!

The Roth Family | Saint Joseph Country Club Family Session

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 15:21:15 GMT

It was a fabulous night to hop in a golf cart and ride around the golf course for this family session! I had such a good time with the Roth family, and loved their choice of location. I love when families choose a spot that is a personal favorite. It gives the perfect personal touch to family photos, and will always carry a special meaning and memories! Thank you so much for a fun night, Julie and Blake! You have such a beautiful family!

The Landers Family & Dorothy Turns 2! | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 19:09:31 GMT

One of my favorite parts of my job is all of the great people I get to meet! I was so happy to meet Shannon and Jeff and their family! We took advantage of this AMAZING weather and got some awesome family pictures, AND we took some photos of Miss Dorothy for her 2nd birthday. Dorothy was so much fun to photograph. She has such a bubbly personality, and was so happy! Thanks so much, Shannon and Jeff for a great evening!

The Shadwick Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 16:02:08 GMT

We wanted something different and unique for Jordan and Shawn's family session... and this amazing rooftop at sunset fit the bill perfectly! We had a gorgeous night, a beautiful glowing sunset, and!!!!! Don't they look great?! Thank you so much to Jordan, Shawn and Evelyn for a fun evening. Thanks for braving scary ladders and for pretending my crazy antics are totally normal :) I always love being with you guys and I count it an honor to not only call you friends, but to have captured these pictures for you!!

The Wilcox Family | Top Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 15:40:32 GMT

Spending the evening with the Wilcox family made my heart so happy! When a family shows up and says "We don't want to pose, we just want you to capture us as we are," I know it's going to be an awesome session. I enjoyed being with this family so much, their love for each other is contagious. They just have so much fun with each other. Thank you so much Tricia and Regan for giving me the chance to capture these awesome moments for your family! I loved every minute!

The Gerken Family & Teagen Turns 5! | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Sat, 05 Nov 2016 17:12:36 GMT

I had so much fun at the Gerken's house for this session! We took some family pictures, and then we took some photos of Miss Teagen for her 5th birthday! Teagan is such a joy to be around. She is so full of life, always has a smile, and is so tenderhearted and fun. We had such a great time, and I love how these pictures capture the love and sweetness of this awesome family. And to make these pictures even more exciting, the next time I photograph them, they will be a family of FOUR! Tiffany, Chris and Teagen, thank you so much for the honor of capturing these sweet moments with you!

The Habiger Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 02:48:45 GMT

This beautiful family puts such a big smile on my face! You don't have to know the Habigers very long to know that they are beautiful inside and out. We had a break in the warm weather, and ended up with a cool, true fall evening! There's just something about the soft light from a cloudy day to give the perfect "fall" feeling to these photos. Chris and Karri, thank you so much for a great night, I hope you love these photos as much as I do!

The Jackson Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:14:56 GMT

Jeff and Hilary... What a blast! We had an awesome night for photos, and little Mr. Leo was such a champ! I had so much fun getting Leo to laugh and giggle, though I'm not sure if my silly antics worked better on Leo or on Dad.... Hey whatever works right?! Thank you so much to the Jackson family for letting me take these pictures for you. I love spending the time with you, and I hope you'll treasure these for many years!

The Moore Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 16:00:16 GMT

I am seriously so lucky to have such sweet, gorgeous clients! And this weather has been AMAZING! The Moore family looked fabulous and we got some great pictures! I love when families trust me enough to just be themselves and let me capture them doing what they do best: loving each other. This session made me so happy!! A big thank you to Amanda-Fay and Rustin for taking time out of their Friday night to be with me... I hope you love these as much as I do!

Megan + Bobby | Saint Joseph, MO Photographer

Mon, 31 Oct 2016 14:40:12 GMT

This session with Megan and Bobby was perfect in every way. When Megan suggested doing their photos on their property, I was thrilled! I just love the personal touch of being in their space... Just take a look around here. It was AMAZING! When Megan told me they have never had professional pictures taken, ever, I knew I wanted these to be special for them. Megan and Bobby, I couldn't be happier, and I hope you enjoy these for years and years!!

The Hammond Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Sun, 30 Oct 2016 13:20:23 GMT

The last time I got to photograph this beautiful family, it was freezing cold and windy out, so the gorgeous fall weather that we had for this session was a perfect treat! I just love photographing the Hammonds! They make my job so easy and fun! It's hard to believe how much the kids have grown since last year! I hope you enjoy these sweet moments, Jackie and Chad. I can't wait to do it again!

The Winkelbauer Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 13:23:40 GMT

The Winkelbauer session was a lot of fun! The kids kept me so entertained, especially Kate with her silly posing and fun personality! It's always so much fun to see the personalities of the families that I get to photograph, and the Winklebauers did not disappoint. Liz and Jeremy, I'm so thankful you let me take these photos for your family this fall! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The Michael Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 14:21:06 GMT

It was a lot of fun going with Jason and Destiny to the place where they first met for their family pictures. Only this time they had a special addition, sweet Elowen. It was a gorgeous night with beautiful sunshine. They even brought along their fur babies, Albert & Olive. Thank you so much, Destiny and Jason for spending a gorgeous evening with me. I hope you love these sweet pictures as much as I do!

The Shaffer-Jackson Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 17:17:15 GMT

You are going to LOVE these pictures of Kelly, Jimmy, Jameson and Everly... What a sweet family! We headed off near downtown for some awesome photos had a great time. I just love how relaxed and loving this family was. Everly was so sweet and had so much fun playing in the leaves. And Jameson was a great sport, hanging in there with all of our crazy ideas and silliness. Thank you so much to this awesome family for a fun night!!

How to Capture the Best Halloween Photos of Your Kids

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 03:01:05 GMT

Halloween is such a fun time to take pictures of our kids! They are all dressed up, excited, and ready for some fun. I love documenting my kid’s fun costume choices each year. It’s fun to look back and remember what they were into at each age. I always make sure I make time for a couple of pictures every Halloween. Besides, the fun nature of dressing up is a great way to capture their true personalities! Here are a few tips to help you take the best photos of your kids this Halloween.

Start Early

The absolute best thing you can do to capture great photos on Halloween is to start early. If you’re in a rush and pressed for time, you will be stressed. And when you’re stressed, the kids are stressed. Give yourself some margin when getting costumes on, and plan to have a few extra minutes to grab some photos before the trick-or-treating begins!

Daylight

If you can, taking photos while you still have daylight will improve your results dramatically! One of the biggest factors in taking great pictures is lighting. And nothing beats the natural light of the sun. We tend to get an early start for trick-or-treating at our house, so the photos of our kids tend to be early in the evening when there is still a nice amount of daylight. But if you start later, you could consider other times for pictures, too: Are the kids wearing their costumes for any other events? A class party? A community trunk-or-treat, or costume parade? If your kids will be wearing their costumes on other days besides Halloween, look for daylight hours to get the photos you want.

Communicate

It’s also a good idea to tell your kids ahead of time that you’ll be taking a few photos before the trick-or-treating starts. Nothing can spark a bad attitude like the excitement of running out the door to gather treats with friends only for mom to side-swipe you with her camera, delaying the fun (ask me how I know). So remove the element of surprise, and let them know the plan ahead of time. You can even offer a reward if they bear with you! Maybe their first treat gets to be one from your own candy bowl once they allow you to take a few pictures!

Let Them Be Silly

Halloween is fun! Let them be goofy, and use this time to showcase the silliness that IS Halloween. Don’t worry about getting the “perfect picture.” They are going to be ready for fun, so use this time to capture their true personalities.

Get the Details

Now that you’ve spent all that time picking out and creating the perfect costume, don’t forget to document it! Whether it’s the face paint or the little accessories, don’t forget to zoom in a little closer and document those fun details.

Print Your Photos!

If there are any photos kids love to look at, it’s photos of themselves all dressed up! By all means, PRINT your photos! Not only will you enjoy going back through it, but your kids will love it, too! So whether you make a whole photo book, or just print off a few 4x6s and throw them in an album, keep those memories where you can see and enjoy them beyond October 31^st!

Annabella Turns One | Saint Joseph, MO Child Photographer

Mon, 24 Oct 2016 16:05:31 GMT

Annabella was just a perfect little gem for her one-year old session. I just love those sweet cheeks! Just check out her fancy tutu and that sweet little hair bow! She gave us lots of smiles, and how could you not fall in love with those big baby blues? Happy birthday Annabella! You are a sweetie!

Sidney | Saint Joseph, MO Senior Photographer

Sun, 23 Oct 2016 13:58:59 GMT

This senior session was So. Much. Fun. Sidney and her mama were up for anything, and we had a blast together. We did a lot of laughing, a little sassing, a little bit of dare-deviling, and a whole lot of picture taking. Sidney, it was great to spend this time with you! Thank you so much for giving me the pleasure of taking your Senior pictures! You are gorgeous inside and out!

The Eichelberger Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 02:06:32 GMT

This evening out in the country was just perfect. Madeline stayed quietly entertained watching the dirt trucks and combines go by, while we sat in the field and snapped pictures. And it was another gorgeous fall sunset, too! I've had the pleasure of photographing this sweet family a few times this year, and I always love my time with them! I'm so thankful to have done it again!

The Cobb Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Sat, 08 Oct 2016 00:05:02 GMT

There is much that says FALL more than an apple orchard, and that's exactly where we found ourselves for the Cobb's family session! What a gorgeous setting! The kids loved gathering tiny apples that had fallen to the ground, and Margaret of course found some flowers to keep! We had all been looking forward to this session for a couple of months now, and I'm so thankful for the beautiful evening we had! Thank you so much, Megan and Matthew!

Thanks so much, Cobb family! I can't WAIT to do it again!!!

The White + Hill + Williams Familes | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 13:43:50 GMT

I enjoyed this family session so much. I love when families come together to do a photo session with their parents and their siblings and choose to capture memories together. These are the types of sessions that no one will ever regret investing in. I love knowing that these are moments they will be so glad to have for years down the road. We had a great time laughing, enjoying a beautiful sunset, and even singing some Christmas carols! I had so much fun with this beautiful family and I couldn't be more grateful. I can't wait to do it again!

The Byrd Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 21:19:24 GMT

It was another gorgeous night for the Byrd family's photo session! The boys brought their football and had a great time tossing it back and forth as we are walking from spot to spot. I love to watch these brothers play together and have fun with your mom and dad. We have some gorgeous shots together, and at the end mom an dad rewarded the boys with a little game of catch! Thank you Alison and Ben for such an awesome evening him for allowing me to capture these family pictures for you!

The Thompson Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:59:49 GMT

Goodness, I am just over the moon with all these gorgeous evenings we are having! And add my fun, gorgeous clients, and I have to pinch myself to believe that THIS is my job. The Thompson family made our time together so fun! Eric kept us all chuckling, and every single one of them was so laid back and just went with the flow. Eric and Hallie, you have a beautiful family! What a treat it was to capture these pictures for you!!!

Maleah | Saint Joseph, MO Senior Photographer

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 20:48:29 GMT

Oh get ready for this one, friends! Maleah was such a natural in front of the camera. Her natural poise made her senior session a real stunner. We took a little time to explore a bit, and we got some really great pictures! Maleah's sweet but strong disposition is going to make her a fantastic emergency room nurse someday, I just know it. Maleah, thank you for letting me take these awesome photos for you. You are beautiful inside and out!

Megan | Saint Joseph, MO Child Photographer

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:03:49 GMT

Oh, this was a fun one! These are Megan's 6th Grade pictures, and I just LOVED doing them for her! We had such a gorgeous evening for pictures - truly perfect weather. And Megan is just the most fun, beautiful girl. I loved the personal touch that she brought for her session: mom's wedding earrings, her great-grandmother's suitcase and quilt... She was so full of fun ideas for her session, and her personality just shined. I truly hope she sees just how beautiful she is when she looks at these photos. Her beauty is so much more than that gorgeous face.

Megan, your heart is gold. I am so honored to have captured these for you!

The Phillips Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:59:09 GMT

I'm so excited to share the Phillips family's session with you! I am just loving this location near downtown, with the gorgeous brick paved streets, the overarching trees, and the historic homes everywhere. This was a great backdrop for this gorgeous family! I know Lindsey from a Bible study we are both a part of, and it was so fun to meet her whole family. Violet and Ella were just too cute for words, and I mean come on, LOOK at those boots! This stylish family was so great!!!

Your Next Family Photo Session: What NOT to Worry About

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 16:08:50 GMT

If you’re anything like me, your nerves get a little hijacked before having family pictures done. Even for me, a photographer, family pictures can get me a little frazzled if I let them. But I’m here to let you in on a little secret that I hope will help relieve a LOT of your anxiety….

Let’s have an honest chat for a minute. If you were here in my living room, I’d offer you some hot coffee and the coziest spot on my couch to curl your legs up. Lean in, because I really want you to hear this…

It is completely ok if your kids don’t have perfect behavior during your photo session.

THERE. Whew, I said it.

You can LET. IT. GO. Please.

I’m so serious.

As a photographer, one of the things I see getting parents the most stressed out during their photo sessions is the behavior or cooperation of their kids. But I am here to tell you: it is our JOBS as photographers to document your family, and this type of thing is not new to us or unexpected. I know you feel like your kids must be the only ones who aren’t listening, not paying attention to the camera…… but please believe me. This. Is Normal. I know it’s tempting to feel frustrated or embarrassed that your kids may not be doing exactly what you ask, but I will say it again. This. Is. Normal.

You don’t believe me? Here is an outtake from my own family’s recent photo session. I know all the tricks in the bag, my kids know the drill better than anyone, and still… We had THIS:

Photo courtesy of Simple Joy Portraits.
Photo courtesy of Simple Joy Portraits

Feel better? :)

So take a deep breath, and know that it’s all going to be completely ok. If you get stressed, it will naturally trickle down to your kids, and they will feel the pressure of your stress, only compounding the issue. But if you have hired a competent photographer, you can know that they are capturing great moments no matter what the circumstances are.

There ARE some things you can do to set yourself up for success at your next photo session! These tips will help you and your kids to get the best experience and photos.

Tips to Make Your Session a Success:

Let the photographer guide them and give direction. Too many voices and directions from different people can overwhelm kids and make it harder for them to focus.
Let them be little. Let them be silly. This is the best way to let their true personality shine through, and those make the best pictures anyway! Let them get bored, and don’t panic when they do. It’s OK. It really is.
It’s ok to walk away. Sometimes having so many eyes on them makes kids feel nervous and overstimulated. By stepping back and letting your photographer take charge, you can remove some of the pressure for your child to “perform.” It’s not uncommon for me to take a little one to the side and giggle with them and get them relaxed, and then get some great shots.

I know that you have invested a great deal of time (and money!) into your photo session. And I know that they are important to you—These are moments that you will pass down for generations! By removing the pressure of needing “perfect” behavior from your kids, you free them up to be themselves, and that is the best thing you can do! You will end up with photos that reflect who they really are that you will cherish forever!

What gets you the most stressed about your family photos? Let me know in the comments!

The Wachtel Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 15:32:24 GMT

Danielle and John braved this crazy heat for their "fall" photo session, and I'm so glad they did! The boys were perfect charmers, and made for a great time together! I'm not really that funny, but I got these two to laugh and chuckle - they made my day! I truly am so grateful to have such awesome clients who let me capture such sweet stories and moments for them. It makes me SO happy to do what I do!

Danielle and John, I hope you cherish these sweet moments forever. I sure do love every single one of them!

The Wieners Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 15:15:03 GMT

I enjoyed this session so much! Not only are Matt and Kristina so laid back and fun to be with, but their boys are just the sweetest! Camden has the brightest, biggest eyes, and Jacob was amazing for the camera! He has such a contagious smile, and was so easy to photograph. We had so much fun!!!

Thank you for such a fun time, Matt and Kristina! Your boys are SO precious, and you were all a joy to spend my evening with!! I can't wait to do it again!

Kelsey | Saint Joseph, MO Senior Photographer

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:01:00 GMT

There are some sessions that you just don't want to end. Like this one. You're about to see why.

Not only is Kelsey gorgeous, she is so kind and fun. She has such a sweet spirit! I have no doubt that she is going to excel big time after graduation. Kelsey, you're the kind of girl that people WANT to be around. You are going to have so much opportunity to influence and be an encouragement to others, simply because of who you are.

We started our session at a beautiful farm just outside of town. I knew that Kelsey and her mom had a gorgeous country setting in mind, and had mentioned "maybe even an old barn," so when I drove past this property, I couldn't help but stop and as the owners if we could come back for photos! Out of the kindness of their hearts, they were SO welcoming and gracious (Thank you, Lynn!). I just love the photos we shot there!

Then we made our way to a local vineyard, and, OH. I just love it. It was the perfect setting to wrap up this sweet girl's awesome session! Take a look!

Kelsey, I hope you have an AMAZING year! Thank you for letting me document this special time for you!!! I loved it so much!

Duncan Family Sunflower Session | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 15:53:12 GMT

Chanda and Steve were such troopers for our sunset sunflower session! We made our way all the way over to Grinter Farms, and boy was it worth it! Grandpa and Steve carried two rockers all the way up the hill to the back of the field, and I didn't hear them complain once! What gems! We had a great time admiring the sunflower field and enjoying the beautiful flowers. Siri, as expected, was a natural in front of the camera. This girl's beauty just can't be contained. It is always such a pleasure to photograph her. Sadie wasn't as thrilled with the flowers as the rest of us, but she sure made up for it with her infectious smile and spunky personality. When she discovered that she could destroy the destroy the flowers and make us all laugh, she was all into it!

Thank you Duncan family for letting me capture such special moments with you. I hope you will treasure these for many years!

The Graff Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 13:29:43 GMT

Fall is in the AIR, folks! And that means Fall sessions are about to be in full swing! Mikala and Travis picked a gorgeous night for our photos. We had a great time visiting a historic neighborhood, and then making our way to one of my favorite open and airy sunset locations. And Miss Nora was a hoot! She stayed entertained by all the friendly dogs who walked by on our outing, and by the end, she was ready to take over as photographer. She was a great helper! :)

Mikala and Travis, it was such a pleasure to meet your family and to spend such a fun evening capture these sweet moments. I hope they hang on your walls for many years to come, and I can't wait to do it again!!

The Duncan Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Sat, 03 Sep 2016 17:03:11 GMT

I'm telling you, there isn't much more that makes my job a dream than a gorgeous location and stunning light. And the super big bonus? I have gorgeous clients!!! I am so in love with this fun session with the Duncan family. Jason and Dyann wanted to capture some photos of the family before their oldest headed off to Nashville for college (and to become a STAR!), and we had a gorgeous night for it. I just love the way their photos turned out, and I love that I got to capture some of their fun, playful side, too!

Jason and Dyann, THANK YOU for letting me capture this special time for your family! I hope you treasure these for years to come!!

Welcome, Brylen! | Saint Joseph MO Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 13:30:00 GMT

It was SO exciting to meet this sweet little one! I know how long his mommy & daddy have been praying for him, and what a sweet, sweet answer to prayer he is! There is something so special and unique about having the honor of capturing these first moments in photos for a family... and it's even more touching when they are your friends! Congratulations, Eric & Miranda!! Brylen is just PERFECT.

Photographing Christmas Morning: How to Get in the Frame!

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 18:44:17 GMT

Because my heart for photography started with my desire to document everyday memories, it's no surprise that I LOVE taking Christmas morning photos! But since we have had kids, I have found myself more and more aware of the fact that, most of the time, I am not in the frame with my family. For a while, I felt totally ok with this... Us women are terribly self-critical, and not being in the photos meant not scrutinizing myself IN photos! Win, right?!?

NOT SO FAST.

The more I thought about this, the more I couldn't stop thinking that these photos are not just for me. They are for my children. And their children. I want them to have photos WITH me long after I am gone someday. So when Christmas rolled around two years ago, I began thinking about how I could be in the photos with my family while we enjoyed one of the most special days of the year to us. I was determined to ENJOY the morning instead of fiddling with my camera the whole time. I was thrilled to find a way to document our Christmas morning while being FULLY PRESENT with my family, and was able to be IN the photos and paid virtually no attention to my camera! I would love to share with you how I did it! You won't believe how easy this was!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

A camera that has an interval timer, or one that is compatible with remote shutter release
A cheap wireless remote if you do not have an interval timer (like this one for Canon cameras), or an external interval timer (like this one)
A tripod, stack of books, or some other (preferable steady) contraption to set your camera on
Some comfy PJs
A piping hot cup of coffee to help you wake up and look your best in those photos! ;)

HOW TO DO IT:

PLAN AHEAD. Christmas morning is not the time to get this all set up! Plan to get everything set up and ready to go the night before, so all you have to do is power on as the fun begins on Christmas morning. Your excited children will thank you!!!
Find a spot to set up where your camera is out of the way and has a good view of the action!
If you are shooting in Manual mode, it's a good idea to close down your aperture more than you normally would. This will give you a reasonable depth of field for all of the movement and activity of the morning. (My images here were shot at f/6.3).
Get your focus set. The night before, I got my camera set up and had my husband sit in front of the Christmas tree in the general area where I knew we'd be opening gifts. I set my focus and then switched into Manual Focus so that the focus would stay put.
If you have early risers in your house (I raise my coffee to you, fellow mamas of littles!!!), chances are it will be dark when Christmas Morning begins. Don't be afraid to crank up that ISO! If you're comfortable with flash, go that route. Whatever you choose, you want to have good exposure. I knew it would be dark as night when my early risers jumped out of bed, so I actually tested my settings out the morning before.
Pick your spot before everyone rushes in (I mean, YOU worked so hard to get this all set up, you deserve to at least have your good side showing in these photos, right?!?)
If you have an interval timer, set your timer to take a photo every 30 seconds or so for the duration of the morning, and don't touch that camera again until the mess of the morning is cleaned up! If you're using a remote, keep it nearby and click a photo every so often while all the action is happening. Even when using a remote, the involvement with your camera is so minimal that you can still focus on your family and get some great candid shots of your morning together!
Enjoy the photos of your ENTIRE family together on Christmas Morning! It is so much fun to look back at all of the expressions, the mounding pile of wrapping paper that begins to fill the room, Daddy disappearing to find scissors, then again for batteries... And best of all, everyone is there and accounted for in your photos.

This Christmas, I encourage you to GET IN THE FRAME! Be present with your family, and still have wonderful photos to document all of those fun details and moments. You won't regret it! You will treasure these photos for years to come!

The Montgomery Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:48:25 GMT

Brandon, Hannah and Amelia are the most adorable little family! I just loved taking these photos! We nearly got rained out, as storms were moving though on either side of this session, but we managed to get an hour in of dry weather, and even got some really fun and dramatic skies to work with! The fall colors were just gorgeous this day, too. I loved everything about this night!

Thank you so much, Montgomery family, for braving those stormy skies with me! I just love these images, and hope you treasure them for many, many years!!!

The Robertson Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 16:20:02 GMT

I just loved doing these photos for Chad and Nicki! We got some typical fall rain on our original date, so we rescheduled and LUCKED OUT with some absolutely beautiful weather and sunshine! It couldn't have been nicer! I just love all of these golden, dreamy shots we got!

What a privilege to capture such sweet moments like these! Thank you, Chad and Nicki, for letting me take these for you!

The Garrett Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 20:59:24 GMT

A couple of months ago, I was so excited to meet Shannon, especially when I learned that, like us, her family had also just relocated to our area! And THEN I learned she was ALSO a photographer, and I knew right away that we needed to be friends! The two of us decided to do a family session swap, and I couldn't be happier we did so. Shannon is so talented, and I am honored that she asked me to capture her gorgeous family this fall. Here's to a new friendship, plenty more friend and photographer talks over coffee, and many more swapped sessions!

Welcome to Saint Joe, Garrett family! I am so glad you are here!!!!

Ian | Saint Joseph, MO Senior Photographer

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 17:14:57 GMT

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking Senior photos for my nephew, Ian. I can hardly believe this guy is a senior already! Wasn't it just yesterday that he was a blond headed, roly-poly, sweet-cheeked baby?!? Now he's a tall, dark and handsome Senior, making plans for studying film at college.

And while we were at it, we just had to get some great family shots of all the Whitsitts! I love this family!

The Cover Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Sun, 01 Nov 2015 20:11:44 GMT

I was thrilled when Kira reached out to me about doing their family photos this fall! The weather has been PERFECT for all of these fall sessions, and their session was no different! We nestled ourselves into a golden wooded park, with plenty of leaf cover already on the ground, and had a beautiful session!

Those leaves were amazing! Avery needed to find a leaf as big as her hand to take to school, and instead she found one bigger than her face!!

We emerged from the woods into a gorgeous sunset. You know I just love that golden, hazy light!

Jeremy and Kira, thank you for the opportunity to photograph your beautiful family! You were just so much fun to be with!

The Smith Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:25:51 GMT

Soon after we moved to Saint Joseph this summer, we met Tiffany, Cory and their two boys in a local (favorite!) pizza place, and learned that our oldest boys would be in the same kindergarten class. It wasn't long before we realized that each of our youngest were also in the same preschool! It was a lot of fun to spend time outside of the school zone with this sweet family, and they were just so EASY to be with!

We got some fantastic family photos, but my favorites are these fun shots of them playing as we wound up the session. It was a great night, and just look at the breathtaking sunset we had!!

This session goes down in the books as one of my favorites! Thanks for a great time, Smith family! I can't wait to do it again!

The O'Brien Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:49:04 GMT

I can't even tell you how much I am LOVING all of these sunset sessions! This is the prettiest time of year, and I have the most gorgeous clients! I am so thankful that Jodie and Lee asked me to capture these family photos for them. I am thrilled to call them friends, and thankful that they let me spend an evening doing what I love by photographing their sweet family!
I just love this sweet moment! "Pardon us, kids. We'll be with you in a moment…"

Just look at these beautiful kids!!! (Ok, I can't EVEN with the sweetness and the diva-ness…)

"Everyone smile……. Now, everyone WORK IT!"

Jodie and Lee, you and your family are beautiful, inside and out! Thank you for sharing this time with me!

The Arnold Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:28:58 GMT

Meet the Arnold Family! Aren't they just the CUTEST?!? I auctioned off a photo session as part of a fundraiser at my son's elementary school, and Sarah and Kyle "won" the session! We had a gorgeous fall evening for photos, and this bunch was SO photogenic. Also? Those outfits!!! We had a great time!

Every single one of them have such a beautiful, natural smile. They were quick to laugh and so easy to be with. Just look at these kids! Mom and Dad make pretty babies! Thank you for a perfect evening, Arnold family! You made this session so much fun!

Conner Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:13:38 GMT

Alexis and Brett just have the cutest family! I was so glad they let me capture these photos for them! It ended up being unusually warm for a late-September evening, but we had a great time. The kids did a GREAT job, and Miss Olivia had even practiced her sweet smiles!

It was a beautiful evening! Alexis and Brett, you have such a sweet family, and I loved watching the four of you interact! Your love is evident and was a joy to capture!!

Summer Fun!

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 18:03:00 GMT

It has been a wild and crazy summer for our family! We moved, Daddy started a new job, the five year old played baseball for the first time, one started kindergarten, one preschool, and another started Grad School. And throw in first ballet class for fun! In all of our "spare time," we've also been doing all kinds of home renovations and projects.... Here and there, I've managed to snap a few pictures of our fun summer!

Groseclose Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:48:47 GMT

You know those friends that feel like family? The ones that know (all of) your junk, and love you anyway?! I just love those kinds of friends. They're a hard find. We are SO grateful for ours.

Aaron and Christa drove all the way from Georgia to see us in our new home this summer, and we are SO grateful they did! After a summer of transition, changes, new schedules, new demands, and new community, we could use some time with old, worn in friends. It was such a breath of fresh air!

I also got to photograph their gorgeous girls while they were here. We took off to a gorgeous field just before sunset, and did our best to beat the mosquitoes! Look at how darling these girls are.

And while we were out, we just had to grab a couple of the whole family, and mom & dad!

We love you, Groseclose family! You are such a special part of our lives!!!

Sarah + Brian: a gorgeous Kansas City wedding

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:41:47 GMT

Do you remember Sarah and Brian's super fun engagement session? We had such a great time sneaking photos in the library, having ice cream, and strolling in the park. I was sure their wedding day would be just as unique and fun, and it did not disappoint!

Sarah and Brian are so joyful, creative and laid back. I had such a great day capturing them! The day started off with a little rain, but that didn't stop them from enjoying every moment. And before we knew it, the day was as full of light and sunshine as the love between the two of them. It was perfect!

Sarah and Brian, you have a truly special love! I am so happy for you as you start this new life together!!!

The Montgomery Family | Saint Joseph, MO Family Photographer

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:10:07 GMT

When our family first made the move to Missouri, I was thrilled that Sarah reached out to me about doing family photos at their home during their 4th of July family gathering. The Montgomery family is so special- I was honored to spend the evening with them, putting this moment in time into photographic memories for them! Sarah and Dave have four sons, four daughters-in-law, and a smattering of adorable grandchildren. The entire family comes "home" from their various lives around the mid-west every fourth of July, and this year, photos were in order, because there had been a new grandbaby since their last photos! Just look at this beautiful bunch!

Sarah and Dave, you are truly blessed! I had so much fun with your awesome family!

Sarah & Brian: an adorable engagement session!

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 00:55:01 GMT

Meet Sarah & Brian. They are just the sweetest. This engagement session was SO MUCH FUN. There is something about taking a session and crafting it around your subjects, just to capture who they are in a unique way. I love it!

Sarah and Brian both love to read, so we started our session at a local library. The librarians LOVED it! And so did we!

After our quiet start, we decided to tackle another one of Brian and Sarah's loves: ICE CREAM. It was a HOT evening, so this was definitely a welcome treat!

Once we were feeling a little refreshed, we headed to the park to catch some gorgeous evening golden light. We did, of course, have to stop for a quick shot in the alley.

What a fantastic evening! Sarah and Brian, I am so excited for your wedding!!!

O'Brien Family Session

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:39:23 GMT

Before our family moved to Missouri, I had the fun opportunity to do a family session for another Chicago area local photographer, Roxanne O'Brien of New Leaf Photography! Roxanne photographed my family one weekend, and I did hers the next. We had so much fun! Roxanne has two handsome and super sweet boys, Mikey and Logan. And her husband, Dave, is a true champ when it comes to photos! You can tell he's married to a photographer! He let me move him, twist him, sit him on the wet ground, without some much as a complaint! We had a fabulous evening at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, one of the places I will miss shooting at the most!

These are some CUTE boys!!!

Look at these two!! Aren't they adorable?!

This forest preserve has the prettiest old schoolhouse on the property. The boys were exploring and thought it would be fun to see if it the building was open... We were pleasantly surprised to see that it was!

I'm so glad we did this Roxanne! You are such a gem!