Kansas City Senior Photos: Marissa at the Nelson-Atkins September 17, 2009

I love getting to meet seniors as they start (or finish) their senior year of high school. It’s such an exciting time for them, as they begin to explore what they can do after this school year. It’s so much fun to hear about plans and dreams and what they’re looking forward to this year.

Marissa wanted a fun senior session that had some different styles and combined all of her loves — including soccer, her dog, and clothes! We met up at the Nelson-Atkins museum for the different styles that the one location offers — old and new, classic and modern.

Here are some of the shots from her session this week:

Marissa and her soccer uniform!

She brought along her golden retriever, who was SO sweet (and who wore a K-State bandana — Go Cats!).

These are some of my favorites. I love this color on Marissa. Note to seniors — wear colors that complement your eyes. Marissa has such pretty eyes!

We stayed later so it was dusk and the Bloch Building would start glowing — I love it at night! It made for a fun change in the middle of Marissa’s senior photos!

A few black and whites:

And… one more in front of the old (and awesome) part of the museum. 

Marissa, have an awesome senior year! And I hope K-State ends up at the top of your list. :)

Kansas City Engagement Photos: Amanda and Chris, Nelson-Atkins April 28, 2009

Amanda and Chris are just one of those couples. One of those couples that you can’t help but like instantly. One of those couples who know — like, really know — each other so well. One of those couples who is dedicated to encouraging each other’s pursuits and growing together. One of those couples who spots a big red kickball in a field during their engagement shoot… and who want to take a break to go give it a big kick. :)

Amanda and Chris are just one of those couples who have the kind of love that I love. The kind of love that makes for great photos. And the kind of love that lasts.

I’m so excited to share these images of their engagement session at the Nelson-Atkins museum with you. I hope the photos do Amanda and Chris’ beauty — and their love — justice. :)

I love this little set…

Amanda and Chris have this great mix of being super playful and fun… and then being so sweet and cuddly. I love it!

After we visited the Nelson, Amanda mentioned that they love to drink coffee and go all the time. So we headed to the Plaza to Latte Land for some coffee and more photos.

Amanda and Chris, you both are awesome. I can’t wait for your wedding in October.

To see all of their engagement photos (and get an e-mail when they’re all ready), click here to sign the online guestbook.

#44: My photography hero August 13, 2008

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” — Dorothea Lange

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A few months ago, Jeff and I visited the Nelson-Atkins and checked out their photography exhibit. It is fantastic, for anyone in the Kansas City area. I’m pretty sure I had chills the whole time. Anyway, while we were there, I saw a print of Dorothea Lange’s famous portrait, Migrant Mother, from 1936 (pictured below). Since then, her images of the Great Depression have been seared in my mind.

So I’ve researched Dorothea’s life (1895-1965). What an amazing woman, who chose to spend her life bringing awareness to the plight of migrant workers, poor families and destitute farmers during the Great Depression. Her images are chilling and moving and capture life. The tough life – with its scars, pains, worries and hardships. Dorothea Lange was commissioned by the FSA to capture images of life during this time — and capture it, she did. Some of her subjects are now the face of the entire period in American history.

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“One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you’d be stricken blind.” — Dorothea Lange

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The photographs of Dorothea Lange are so revealing of human nature and the spirit of people that you can’t help but feel it. Really feel it. Looking at her images online is stirring enough, but seeing those black and white prints in person is amazing. I am really looking forward to diving into some biographies about her life, her work and the pivotal times in which she photographed human life.

I didn’t want to post her work here without having permission, so PLEASE check some out on your own. You will be glad you did. For an online resource with a sample of Lange’s remarkable work, check out this feature on The History Place. The site contains all of the original captions for her photos as they appeared in print.

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“While there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see.” – Dorothea Lange

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