Photographing newborns is one of the highlights about my job that I just love. Granted I love almost all of it anyway (except for that figuring out that taxes part!). But I could cuddle with tiny babies all day! If they could bottle up that delicious newborn smell I’d walk around all day sniffing it. Umm.. it’s probably a good thing they haven’t because people would wonder who the weirdo was sniffing the bottle, oh well.

Little Logan was a perfect model during his session.

Expecting a little one in your family? You can schedule your newborn baby photos by either emailing me at audrey at kentiga dot com or you can pick up the phone and call me at (913) 735-6749.

If you aren’t familiar with my life stories series it’s a personal monthly project with a great group of photographers focusing on monthly lifestyle images. Each month you’ll have a chance to see into our lives as we share stories of our own loved ones. At the end of each story is a link to another photographer and they chain around as a circle. Be sure to follow the links and check everyone in the circle out. If you want to catch up on my previous life stories you can do so here

Play dough is always a big hit in our house! We love it and will play with it for hours and hours.

I promise I feed them! Now make sure to check out the next photographer in the chain the sweet – Taryn Lisan and see her life story this month!

Little Audrey was such fun to hang out with. This little girl was so much fun and was 7 weeks old when I met her. I try and schedule newborn sessions within the babe’s first 2 weeks because they’re much so much sleepier. However Audrey was a total rockstar and I wouldn’t have guessed she was almost 2 months old with as much as she slept.

In October I started a year long project with a great group of photographers focusing on monthly lifestyle images. Each month you’ll have a chance to see into our lives as we share stories of our own loved ones. At the end of each story is a link to another photographer and they chain around as a circle. Be sure to follow the links and check everyone in the circle out. If you want to catch up on my previous life stories you can do so here

We love to travel and our kids do as well. This month’s life story is the story of….dinosaurs. A few weeks ago there was a dinosaur exhibit in town. My son being your typical boy absolutely loves dinosaurs. He has 5 words he says daily: momma, dadda, doggy, ball, and DINO. So yes they rank in his world as being very important. He doesn’t even say his sister’s name yet but he’ll say dino. Poor big sis. Discover the Dinosaurs might be coming to your town so check it out. We had a lot of fun.

Now make sure to check out the next amazing photographer in the chain – the wonderful Heather Wilson and see her life story of coming home!

In October I started a year long project with a great group of photographers focusing on monthly lifestyle images. Each month you’ll have a chance to see into our lives as we share stories of our own loved ones. At the end of each story is a link to another photographer and they chain around as a circle. Be sure to follow the links and check everyone in the circle out. If you want to catch up on my previous life stories you can do so here

We love to travel and our kids do as well. This month’s life story is the story of….vacation.

…of necessary entertainment

…of yogurt

…of front row seats

…of jungle rides

…of rock n roll

…of BEST. DAY. EVER!

…of carousels

…of sharks

…of gooey things

…of beach sunsets

…of good friends who happen to be related

Now make sure to check out the next amazing photographer in the chain – the sweet Beth Lofgren and see her story this month about toddlers!

When I was a senior in high school I didn’t realize how important senior pictures are. When you’re homeschooled there are no year books you need a picture for. In fact I almost didn’t get any special senior pictures done, however, I am eternally grateful that my aunt dragged me into a well known chain studio, insisted I do them and generously paid for all of them. Growing up as the oldest of five children I saw it as another expense that my parents shouldn’t pay for when they had such a hard time just providing for the essentials. That’s probably the main reason I’m so glad I’ve started specializing in senior pictures.

Don’t worry I’ll still be doing newborn and family sessions! However, seniors offer a completely different challenge that I love. Many times senior pictures are the last formal pictures one has done before their engagement and wedding day. Capturing young adults as they go through this phase of their life is a pleasure.

I recently had the chance to meet Jonathan and photograph his 2012 high school senior pictures. Congrats Jonathan!!

I loved meeting this little adorable baby boy. He was perfect to work with and made my job way too easy when you get to snuggle such an adorable little baby.

And to the patient momma your gallery will be up tonight.

The only man I ever fell in love with at first sight was you. We met a year ago today. Actually I loved you before I even met you, just don’t tell daddy that you’re cuter.

From the very start you let everyone knew you weren’t going to be walked all over.

(The above 4 images are courtesy of Aimee Geis Photography) Side note, if you are ever uncertain about having a birth photographer just do it, you’ll thank yourself later.

To this day it takes a lot to get you worked up. Give you food, and a lot of it and you’re typically good.

These above 4 images courtesy of Petra at Bella Vida Photography and yes if you’re keeping track I didn’t have just one but two photographers there on your birthday. No one can argue the value I place on photography.

Your big sister has loved you from the start, sometimes I wished she wouldn’t love on you quite so much all at once. Ofcourse everyone loves you but you’re her baby first and foremost. The first word out of her mouth every morning for weeks after you joined us was ‘baby’.

You’ve never once complained when your sister plays dress up with you. It takes a strong man to wear pink necklaces after all. Always be who you are, those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.

You love everyone you meet, keep it that way. The heart is the strongest muscle in the body. Use it.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s acting in spite of it.

You are all boy, fear is not in your vocabulary and although it makes me hold my breath sometimes – your fearlessness is the very thing that will take you far dear. If you don’t stand for what you believe in you’ll fall for anything.

Remember though, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

You are definitely a momma’s boy, those eyes get me everytime. The sad part is you already know it. Just promise me no flirting with any other girls until you’re at least 2 right?

366 days ago I thought when moms told me how boys were so much fun I figured they were somewhat delusional. How can a baby with no bows or ruffles be that much fun? Guess they were right. Apparently I was the delusional one and didn’t realize how much I was missing out.

You might be classified as a toddler now but you’ll always be my baby. Happy birthday baby boy.

In some parts of the US early September means one last chance at going to the lake or beach. Here in landlocked Kansas City it means carnivals and fairs. Two weekends ago we went to Santa-Cali-Gon days in Independance and last weekend we went to Old Settlers Days in Olathe.

Gabby loves the carousel, she could ride that all day long. I made the horrible decision since we had extra tickets to let her ride something else by herself for a change. Some purple whale that went around in circles, she was fine for about 3 times around until she realized she hated it plus she was by herself and suddenly she became that kid crying horribly on the ride. I included more pics from that ride than I normally would just to show you how quickly things can change when you’re two.

Old Settlers days for us is always a lot of fun. Our church – Life Church – always has a booth giving away balloons, face painting for the kids. On Saturday the whole church will show up and walk in the parade. We give out several thousand bottles of water and candy. It’s known as the orange parade and is a lot of fun. I’m glad that our church participates in a lot of community activities and one reason I love it

I loved this session, we had so much fun and they were game for all of my suggestions even when I said, ‘just trust me on this spot I know it doesn’t look like much’ I love when people trust me creatively to do my job.