Why Printing Is SO Important

Why order a PRINT?

• Because your prints are for today, tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that.
• Because prints remind us what love really feels like.
• Because they're only young once.
• Because the place to save money is not in the most important purchases.
• Because in a fire what is the first thing you grab (aside from family and pets).
• Because so many photos get lost or even worse, deleted off of old hard drives.
• Because you can touch and feel your memories.
• Because you put too much into your family not to show them off.
• Because technology comes and goes.
• Because photography is best enjoyed in print.
• Because a memory stick in a drawer is pointless.
• Because a hard drive does not trigger a smile.
• Because memories are tied to touch.
• Because there is nothing like sitting by a fire and flipping through a family photo album.
• Because your parents and grandparents will not be around forever. 
• Because there are memories you can not get back and print can make you feel them again.

Technology comes and goes. Don’t let your precious family memories get lost on old drives or extinct disks. It is through PRINT photography that your family’s story memories will be handed down from one generation to the other.

Explore and ask us about all of our amazing options for creating beautiful, tangible, and long-lasting quality images.

Proud member of and post courtesy of PPA.com

Telling the Story: India

They say that travel changes a person. For me, travel confirmed for me what was in my heart and opened a world of possibility -- pun not intended. In 2015 I was lucky enough to go to India with school. India is an extraordinary country and a photographer's dream with all the vibrant colors and textures. I brought my trusty camera with me and couldn't help but want to capture with my lens everything my eyes were seeing. I wanted to freeze everything I saw in the moment. I wanted to keep the experience forever.

One of the many things my class got to see was the Taj Mahal. In person, it's far more majestic than it is in pictures or reference books. When you are standing in its shadow the details are far more intricate and the size so much larger than you could possibly imagine. At some point, it all began to overwhelm me in a good way. I slipped away from my group and went to sit outside, getting some air and just processing the wonders around me. As I was sitting a group of women excitedly approached me. They wanted to take a picture with me. I happily obliged and took their photos, too. It was then, there in the shadow of this legendary building in this rich tapestry of a country so far from home that everything just made sense to me. Even halfway around the world in culture different from my own, people want to be seen. They want their image captured. To share with others. To make a mark. To exist, forever, a moment frozen in time.

In that moment, everything made sense to me and I found myself committed to my passion of taking photos and freezing time for people. These women had no way of knowing it, but they completely changed my life.

The trip to India was life-changing for me in other ways, too. You see, I don't have very many of the photos that I took while there anymore. I took hundreds of pictures. There was so much richness and so much story that I wanted to see everything and never forget. In my down time while in country I edited a few images, the ones that had spoken to my heart and were fresh in my mind. Those edited photos are the only ones I have left. My other images, the ones stored on my hard drive, are lost forever. Technology, as wonderful as it is, fails. When my hard drive failed, I lost the precious moments that even a return to India will never recapture. Because of that I've learned to print the photos that mean the most and I encourage others to do the same. It's why I offer my clients beautiful, heirloom quality prints to be cherished for generations. A photo can only speak the words that will change your life if it’s able to be seen.

Print your images. Stop time. Tell your story.

The One Resolution You Should Keep in 2017

2016 sure was something. Can you believe it's already 2017? Whether you're in the good riddance 2016 camp or not the one thing that's certain is that with the turning of the calendar comes something of a clean slate. Yep, that means resolution time. It's time to decide to eat better and exercise more, at least until the shine wears off and sometime in February the new year feels a little worn in and those resolutions are long forgotten.

What if this year could be different, though? Now, eating better and losing weight are fantastic resolutions, but taking care of yourself isn't just about what you put in your body. It's also about how you frame your life. If 2016 taught us anything it's that life moves and changes in a blink so this year, why not resolve to cherish the moment?

Think about it. When is the last time you stopped and really just enjoyed the moment? Coming out of the holidays, most of us are a little tired, more than a little worn out, and probably spent more time in the last couple of months doing things rather than enjoying them. We've all probably gained a couple of pounds (there are just too many good foods to resist during the holidays!) and that resolution to lose weight is looking pretty good, but it's easy to get caught up in everything else we have to do now in the new year. Taking the time to cherish the moment, to pause even just briefly, can help us keep track of what's important to us. It can keep us on track for our goals.

A moment to cherish forever

That isn't to say you need a massive life change to take time to enjoy the little things. Cherishing the moment can take a lot of small forms. It can mean taking just a couple of minutes to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning without distraction. It can mean calling a friend instead of just texting. It can also mean making and preserving memories with the people we love. And what better way to cherish moments and preserve memories than with beautiful photographs? This year, why not take the time to have professional portraits taken? After all, you can't be in the picture if you're taking it. You'll have beautiful pictures to treasure long after your session has ended. You can even enjoy them during those other moments you're taking the time to cherish through 2017 and beyond. Time moves so fast. It will be 2018 before we know it. Be kind to yourself and hold on to now just a little longer with photos. You'll thank yourself.

Keep the resolution to cherish the moment. Contact me to book your photo session today.

Top 15 Netflix Watchlist - Fall 2016

The 15 Must Watch Shows on Netflix, 2016

Since a majority of my job, involves me creating, networking, marketing, website building and editing, all on my computer, I find myself going through a list of different routines. I get into my music listening routine where I pick a genre and have it play nonstop. Then, I go through times where I listen to podcasts all of the time. I also listen to audiobooks and Lastly, I binge watch Netflix. Because my current mode is Netflix I will share my must watch series, in no real order because I loved them each very much.

1. New Girl - It's a comedy that is super silly, yet intelligent. The show makes me laugh really loud and there are some very attractive and adorable people on the show. :) Thank you, Tay Diggs *wink wink*

2. Mad Men - I knew this show had won a ton of awards, but I didn't want to try something based off of awards shows. I was probably not ready for it, but I am super glad I watched it. It is not child-friendly because of its adult content but it is very beautifully done and I near cried when it ended.

 3. White Collar - This silly show was one I was super hesitant but I LOVED it. I did not want it to ever end and I loved the brilliance of it, even with its tad bit of cheesiness.

 4. Revenge - I did not love the opening credits of this show, but I did love the show. I wanted things to end differently but I was hooked for the whole thing. 

5. The Midwife - A completely different theme but it is so very perfect, minus all of the birthing scenes. A scene I don't mind, but sometimes I could pass on it. 

6. Breaking Bad - This is my ALL time favorite show, ever. I can not say anything bad about it. I don't quite understand people who don't like it. 

7. House of Cards - I really love this show and wish I had not watched it so fast. 

8. Sherlock - I really love this show, again, I wish there had been more episodes. 

9. Orange is the New Black - I didn't need to rush into this one because it's pretty popular and often said. 

10. Stranger Things - another favorite show for people, if you can, wait until another season is uploaded because it would be good to have more listening time with it. 

11. Person of Interest - I recently ended this one and it was pretty flawless as well. 

12. The Blacklist - I am super excited for the next season to upload to Netflix.

13. House - I believe I cried at the end of this. I did not want it to end.

14. Wentworth - This was way better than I gave it credit for. It is the dirty version of Orange is the New Black. 

15. The Get Down - I adore this show. It is pretty friggen amazing. I wish it got more credit. 

What are your must watch shows? 

Five Tips to Prepare For Your Photo Session

Capturing special moments should be stress free.

These 5 tips are sure to set your session up for success

#1 - Let your photographer know if you have a theme in mind for your session. During the consultation with your photographer, share your ideas with them. If you have been dreaming of an outcome for your session, the consultation phase is the best time to inform your photographer of them. I love themed sessions and I strive to go all out to create a special look for my clients who share their concept with me.

Over the summer, one of my clients scheduled her adorable twins 2nd birthday session and told me that their birthday theme was going to be based on Nursery Rhymes. At the end of our conversation, we decided to do a Jack and Jill session. I hunted down an adorable little grassy hill and after scouring Kansas City, I found the perfect metal pail and wooden wishing well. 

#2 - Start planning out your wardrobe for your session. When taking family photos, think of coordinating outfits instead of wearing exactly matching outfits. A general rule of thumb is to keep your colors in a complementary color scheme. Add color by wearing a beautiful scarf, jewelry, fun shoes (not tennis shoes, unless it is a sports theme and they are clean. No Dirty Tennis Shoes), a jacket or vest in the wintertime. 

One thing I have found to be helpful for my clients is a wardrobe consultation. These consultations can be done over the phone or by scheduling an in-home wardrobe consultation. Gone are the days where you have to stress over what to wear. Simply send me a picture of what you have in mind and I will collaborate with you so you can relax and focus on yourself.

#3 - The night before your photography session, make sure you get enough rest, and make sure to put the kids to bed at a decent bedtime. If you are a little anxious in front of the camera, catching an extra hour of shuteye will help you feel more relaxed and confident in being the center of attention. 

A benefit of having my own photography studio is being able to offer extended sessions. Having the freedom to take a break from snapping photos gives little ones a chance to get used to the environment before we start our session. I have had several sessions last longer than an hour because little kiddos have decided to have a meltdown during photographing. I'm a mom, I have kids, so I am fully aware that rigid schedules and children do not mix well. Most of the time when parents have heeded my suggestion on getting good rest the night before their session, kids seem happier. 

#4 - Put together a bribe bag. After you get your kiddos to bed, pack a goodie bag with some of your child's favorite snacks and their favorite lovey. Keep in mind that your child will likely grasp on to these goodies and not let go, so keep them hidden until they are needed. A good idea is to bring a cute teddy bear or a blanket that grandma made. 

I primarily work with families who have younger children and meltdowns are almost inevitable. Most kids have their own agenda and would rather not smile on command. I have created an environment that is conducive for children to get comfortable and relax. I offer snacks and water to rescue the session from a full-blown tantrum, but I can not always be sure to have your child's favorite treat. For children who are persuaded by their Lovey, having that on hand is always helpful. If Lovey is looking a tad ragged, you might want to bring something cute and snuggly that will be a great addition to the photos. Think about what will work for your theme or concept. Is a Woody Doll from Toy Story going to make or break your vision? Some of my favorite sessions have been when kids have snatched on to their teddy bear, it will create a truly memorable moment. 

#5 - Let your photographer know how you want to showcase your prints. One of the most important things for photographers to know is how to orientate your photos. If you know you want a 32X45 landscape oriented image of your family above your couch. Your photographer needs to be sure to photograph accordingly. 

My favorite part of my job is seeing my work in print. What is the purpose in doing a photo session if no one will ever see your images? Technology is always changing. Only having them on a CD or flash drive is not a guaranteed way to access your images for generations to come. Another thing that has become far too common, is clients never printing images. We take all of this time to prepare for a session, complete the session, pay for the session but we do not print the images to enjoy them. Studies have shown that children who are raised in households that showcase them in photos have higher self-esteem and self-worth. Ordering archival prints from your photographer is a wonderful way to update your living space, create healthy self-esteem within your children and these images will last many generations to come. I always want to make sure my client receives images they are going to be proud to display, knowing how the images will be displayed is a huge part in how will shoot their session.  

One of my favorite products to create for my clients are portrait videos. Watch your session come to life with a beautiful customized video that you can share with your friends and family in a unique way. To honor my favorite product, I am sharing my own customized video with you and I would love to hear what you think about it.

Also, what tips do you for preparing for a successful photo session?