Photos published

Last year I had the honor of having one of my photos on Flickr found & seleted for publishing in an area travel guide for Kansas City. This was the photo:

Then just this week, I had another request from this same company to publish another of my photos. This time it's for their Jacksonville, FL area guide. I took this photo in St. Augustine FL, which is just south of Jax. It's called the Castillo de San Marcos & is a popular sight to see. It's the oldest fort in the US. This is also one of my favorite photos I took when I lived in FL.

Saturday Designing Fun!

This afternoon, instead of taking pictures (a Trash the Dress session post-ponement which I will most certainly post up when I do get to do it next month), I have been playing in Photoshop putting my design education to good use and having tons of fun putting together an event card for an upcoming wedding in North Carolina.

For all my wedding clients: You hear me talk about Event Cards, well, I thought it was time for an example so you can see how cool they are! Usually when I do your engagement photos I'll use those in the design. But, since this happy couple is quite a long distance away from me and I never got to do their engagement pics, I just used a photo I took in Eureka Springs, Arkansas last Fall instead. I like to stay with the theme and colors of each couple's wedding (this makes every design unique!) so when they're given to your guests they also become a wedding keepsake, especially when they have your engagement photo on them. ;o)

Here's how I spent my afternoon (click image to see it a bit larger):

October Outlook

I am getting SO excited this week because next Thursday we leave for Nantahala Village Resort in Western North Carolina for Stacey and Justin's wedding on the 29th. They were given the task 5 weeks before their wedding of having to find a completely new location to have their ceremony and reception because the original place burned to the ground! Talk about wedding jitters! But, always handling things gracefully, Stacey and Justin went straight away to the mountains that following weekend to scout out new locations. I just know that everything will turn out gorgeous and you just can't go wrong with the mountains for a backdrop for their special day. :o)

This will be a very fun wedding for us as Justin and Stacey are not only great friends but this is the first destination wedding I've done so lots to look forward to. My family and I will also be heading on family vacation after the wedding to Savannah GA and Central FL. Get ready for some great vacation pics too! :oD

During the month of October I will be a very busy woman! I just booked the last date I had open for October yesterday, so if anyone is interested in wedding, baby, maternity, or family sessions I still have some dates open in November, but October is now booked solid. Fall dates have filled up even faster than I anticipated so for those interested in photos this fall or in time for Christmas cards/gifts (yes, that's right, I said Christmas!) now is the time to reserve your date!

Also, I have been waiting for just the right people to take me up on having a photo session in the snow this winter! Just because there's snow on the ground doesn't mean pictures have to stop! So come on out when the snow is right and have some fun for the camera - make snow angels or have a snow ball fight! Winter is fun!!

To all my September and October people: All album orders must be placed by November 1st in order to guarantee delivery by December 25th.

In the meantime, I will keep posting between all the editing I'll be doing next month and give you all lots of fresh things to look at.

Andy + Lynnell's Bio Pics

Before I got so busy getting ready for the Kids Fest, my good friend Lynnell Hayes (friend's since 7th grade!) and her husband Andy and I got together to swap photography for each other's bio pics as we both have our own photography businesses. They are in the process of putting up a new site and needed pics of themselves and I have never put a pic up of myself on my own site either. It took all summer to get together as they are from Columbia MO, but we finally did it and here's what I got of them!

They are such a great couple and this little photo safari around Kansas City was long overdue. We had so much fun swapping ideas and working off each other's styles. We left saying to each other, "We should have done this a long time ago!" :o) Why we didn't is a mystery!

To get a look at what they took of me, check out their sister blog post here: http://www.hayesphoto.blogspot.com/.

On the grounds of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Fine Art...

At the Liberty Memorial...

On the Country Club Plaza... I love this Spanish tile!

My personal favorite! ;o)

Perspective shots

Working with other photographers, they know just how to pose. ;o) Andy's got the model look down!

Spur of the moment shots at Latte Land...

This spot on the Plaza was so windy but also really pretty. It has great blue tile and I just love the colors! Aren't they cute together?!! :o)

Link

To view pictures from the 3 Cutest Kids contests on Sunday please visit http://www.pictage.com/355743.

Please check back in a few days for the rest of the pictures of all the fun at Kids Fest! The link above will be updated with all the rest of the pictures if you are looking to view or order.

There has been a great response from the Kids Fest and fall portrait dates are filling up quickly so email or call me soon to get a spot before the weather turns cold. I know, it's kind of hard to think about it getting cold when it's still well in the 90's! :oP But, the leaves will change and fall will be over before we know it!

Midwest Kids Fest...the day after

Wow! What a weekend! I'm exhausted to say the least, but it was so much fun meeting everyone at the Fest and all the great kids and parents who came out for a good time! There was a lot to see and do for kids and parents alike...and enough to wear everyone completely out by the day's end. :o) The parachute and bubbles with the Gymboree play time were a huge hit, as well as the large crowd that gathered around for the Swing performance by some really talented kids! KC Wolf was his silly self, strutting his stuff. He always cracks me up. :o)

Sunday I was proud to sponsor the Cutest Kids contests for three different age groups. The judging was done by Wilhelmina I & I Agency and I was there taking pictures of all the great babies and kids. The proud winners of each age group received a free portrait session for their cutest kids!

Here are some highlights and the winners of the contests!

This little cutie got up and showed off for the judges. Then was a brave little soul and sang for them too!

Future model...

This little baby in pink is the winner of the Under 2 contest.

And receiving the gift certificate! It looks like Brielle is ready to eat it she's so excited! ;o)

Future Miss America is practicing her wave...

And her acceptance speech!

I love her shirt (I'm a nature lover myself!) and look at that gorgeous auburn hair!

The girls really stole this show & the judges hearts!

Thanks to everyone who participated! It was such fun and I know the judges had some tough decisions to make with so many CUTE KIDS! :o)

Kids Fest Update -- Bigger & Better!

As I posted a couple posts ago, I'll be exhibiting at the Midwest Kids Fest in Overland Park this weekend. And, I was just asked today to also be the event photographer along with another photographer also exhibiting there, so this will be lots of fun! I'll be sure to post pics of all the fun stuff next week.

I have been so busy planning for the Fest I haven't thought of much else the last couple weeks! If you are in the area & stop in for some fun with your little ones, be sure to come by my booth and enter your name into a drawing for a FREE Family Session!! How cool is that?! You certainly can't beat FREE. :o)


There will also be 3 Cutest Kid contests each day for 3 different age groups so get there in time to enter your cuties! Each winner will receive a FREE Child Portrait Session!