Would you like a family Portrait Session of everyone- the married kids, the grandkids, the kids still at home? We can do that in our studio! Here are some highlights of this extended family. Which one is your favorite?
The Weird Child (There's One in Every Family)
It was late in the evening on a Wednesday night. I had just finished cleaning up from dinner and the kids were playing quietly with Legos and reading books. Apparently, the self-destructive part of my psyche decided that this Peace Should Be Interrupted and I should drag one of the kids to the studio to test another lighting idea that had been running through my brain.
Bruce happened to be the cleanest (surprisingly) so I grabbed some fall hand-me-downs from big brother Jack and off we trotted to the studio.
Bruce wanted to know if he would get paid.
Once I agreed to his terms (payment as soon as we arrived back home), I set up against the olive wall to see how many different looks I could get with a five-minute attention span (normal for a five-year-old). You can see the progression of his interest in these image. Serious and ready to work for a few minutes- then his native weirdness takes over… then he’s done. The last smile was only because I said the word “poop.”
All poses are Bruce’s own. I told him the general vicinity in which to stand; he supplied the rest. Do you have a child that brings his own life to the party?
Bathing Outdoors and Other Things We Do To Babies
What better to do on a warm September evening than to lay back and enjoy life?
Almost everything is new when you’re six months old, but you can tell from her expression this is QUITE UNEXPECTED. Props and idea provided by the client.
Family portrait time!
Ahh. Daddy knows just what to say.
Guess she didn’t want the smooching to end.
That face you make when you see dinner close by
And so begins a long life of instruction from Mom
What's the number one thing you look for when searching for the perfect photographer? Is it location, style, how easy it is to get something scheduled…?
If you’ve been thinking about having family portraits, then you've probably realized the thought process can be a little overwhelming at times. Let me break it down into four easy steps:
Call me! We’ll chat to see what you need and if I can meet your expectations.
Pick the time that works best for you. I’ll plan the rest.
Show up to your Session with pretty hair. (Did you expect me to say that?) Hey, it makes the picture when mom looks her best! If kids have short pants, mismatched shoes and chocolate milk mustaches, I can hide it/clean it/photoshop it. But nothing can replace the confidence a woman feels when she knows she has great hair!
Get ready to cry tears of joy when you see the portraits. Ahh. You’ve done it. You’re a great mom!
I hope these little tips help. If you'd love to talk more about hiring me as your photographer, please call the studio at 417-658-8865. No chat bots here! I love to talk to real people and I hope you do, too.
Classic Black and White (B&W) Portraits In Studio
Here’s Clara and Charlotte, my two little ladies, modeling patiently for mama while I do a lighting assessment in the studio. If I give them enough ice cream, they’re usually willing to help me out.
Side note: black is always a classic color to wear for portraits. It keeps the focus on the face and eyes and never looks dated.
No matter how “classic” their mama dresses them… they will always do this. 😬😛
Family of Seven: Fall Portraits in the Studio
Do you have a big family and you’re wondering what to wear for portraits? This family wore black, white, and shades of rust and brown.
Baby Shark Interlude!
Do you like the color scheme? What will you wear for family portraits? Email me with comments or questions about booking!
Family of Three at Big Spring Park (or... Following the Toddler)
When mom booked this Session, she told me she had four requests:
the family of three together
baby girl with daddy
baby girl with mommy
baby girl by herself
No problem. But baby girl had other plans. 😬 Here’s one of our first images.
After a while, she decided she could get into this.
What do you think? Did we get the four requests that mom had? It may not have been exactly what she envisioned, but she loved them all.
I’d like to do this for your family, too! Kids love the attention they get during a Family Session. Please email me (Julie) with questions or ideas you may have about scheduling your Family Portrait Session!
Family of Three (Baby Girl) In Studio
Have you heard you shouldn’t wear stripes for family pictures? That rule of thumb does NOT apply when you’re five months old with nice chunky legs.
Enjoy these late summer/early fall portraits of a young family in the studio.
Here’s some info about Family Portrait Sessions you might want to know:
I love to know what you’re wearing in advance, if we’re going to be in the studio. A secret ingredient of professional photography is color harmony. It doesn’t just happen- I plan for it. If you text or email me a picture or description of your outfit, I have plenty of time to pull out backgrounds/sets that suit your clothing color.
In this case, I knew ahead what baby was wearing so I dug out this hand-painted canvas backdrop I hadn’t used in a while. For portrait art that will be displayed on a client’s wall, I currently like a neutral background that draws attention to the eyes and skin tones. How can someone not be charmed by this face?
Six Month Baby Boy (Studio)
Six/nine-month-olds are in a picture-perfect stage. A six-month-old usually:
smiles constantly
looks great in their outfits
can’t crawl away from me
See for yourself.
Eleven Year Old Boy (Annual Portrait Session) With Parents (and Thunderstorm)
I’ve been photographing this young man for eleven years now. Every year his parents bring him for a Portrait Session and an updated Wall Portrait, so I get to build on what we did the previous year and my goal (as always) is to make it even better. He likes to be outside for portraits, but just as he arrived for his Session that morning, dark clouds were gathering in the west and the wind was gusting impatiently. We decided to risk it, and ended up with some of the (fastest) most distinctive images we’ve ever taken of him.
Eventually the wind made it dangerous to stay outside, so we went back inside the studio for the last few minutes. We included family- because moms and dads are the glue that hold the family together! Happy birthday to this young man- I look forward to seeing what we’ll create next year!
Highlights from the Annual School Picture Event
We just finished our yearly School Picture Event at the studio. It started over a decade ago when I saw someone post some truly TERRIBLE back-to-school photos 🙈and I thought- “That poor child deserves a better picture than that!”
It’s probably a rite of passage to have some cringy school pictures to look back on, but shouldn’t there also be quality portraits in a child’s life to mark these milestones for them?
As parents, we are the historians for our child. We document their shot records, put their social security cards in a safe place, and save their construction paper artwork. I want to help parents add yearly professional photos to this growing timeline of their lives. That’s why we’ve consistently offered this event- - - so parents can update their photos annually with physical and digital images.
This year we had the largest turnout we’ve ever had, and I thank every parent who participated. 2020 will definitely hold some crazy memories, but you can bet these kids are going to look back at their photos from this event and smile!
If you’re not on our email list to hear about events like this, email me and I’ll add you.
Please enjoy some of my favorites from the event!
Family of Five (Teen Children) In Studio
The Spencer family is from California, but they were traveling through the midwest and made an appointment with Calotype because they wanted to have family portraits taken before their children grow and leave the nest. The teen years slip by so fast- but photographs keep forever!
The end goal was a large family canvas above their mantle, preferably horizontal or square, so we created several images with that in mind.
We created photographs of the kids together, and separately.
This family is very talented, musically. You can hear them sing on their YouTube channel, their website, or by following them on Instagram. Their sweet family harmony will lift your spirits!
Family of Four (In Studio) With Older Children
If you have very young children, it may seem hard to get everyone together for a family portrait. But parents with adult children tell me it’s even more challenging to schedule a Portrait Session with older kids.
As increasing responsibilities tighten everyone’s schedule, the feeling of overwhelm can make you want to push off family pictures until a more convenient time. But “when things slow down” is a catchphrase for wishing thinking, and the best time is always the time you have right now in your hands.
When Covid-19 brought these grown daughters home for the summer, they asked their parents to schedule family pictures at Calotype. I have been photographing their family since the girls were very small- here are a few of the earlier images we created for them, starting in 2008:
Now the girls are grown. Here is the family in 2020, photographed in the studio.
High School Graduate + Dog (Studio)
Just a girl
and her dog
who love each other very much
Have you ever thought about portraits of your pet? Do you think your pet would like the studio? Send me an email and let me know your thoughts or ideas!
Extended Family Summer Portraits at Big Spring Park
Looking for summer photo ideas for a large family? Try Big Spring Park. It was hot, but a breeze from the water helped greatly.
When we photograph a large family, we take different poses to choose from.
This was their favorite and will be a Signature Canvas wall portrait.
We also photograph smaller breakdowns. Here are the grandparents with grandbabies:
A sweet photograph of the granddaughters together:
Now for the siblings- all together, then boys and girls.
In the meantime- the youngest was climbing on the wall behind me. Photo opportunity!
One last image of the parents together:
When is the last time you had family portraits taken? Would you brave the heat during summer, or come inside the studio? Let me know your thoughts by sending me an email. You can also schedule your own Family Session by email. The Session fee is 175.00 and prints/files are purchased separately, starting at 40.00- read more on the pricing page.
Three Month Baby (Studio)
Baby Mack is part of our Baby Club, which includes Portrait Sessions for newborn, six week, three months, six months, nine months and one year. He’s on his Three Month Session, and these were taken in the studio like all Sessions included in the Baby Club. Here are a few highlights:
The expression you see (above) is because he’s looking at Mama.
Three month old babies really like to see their mommy’s dear face!
Fortunately for Calotype, mommies like to see their baby’s faces just as dearly. ♡
Mom and Sons at Big Spring Park (Summer)
Back again to Big Spring Park in Neosho, this time with Lisha and her two sons for another 9 AM Session. Can you tell it’s early to be photographing on a weekend? What gives it away?
This was mom’s favorite- it ended up being an 18x24 Signature Canvas for the wall.
Lisha had a good idea for putting images together. She chose these favorites for a Canvas Collage for her wall.
Can you tell the younger son is sticking out his tongue in the top right photo of the two boys together? When I photographed the boys, I told them to look over at their mom mom. Of course, that expression naturally popped up and Mom loved it just enough to include it in the Collage. That’s the perfect place for images like that- ones you want to keep, but don’t necessarily want as your focal image on the wall.
Here are more of Lisha’s favorites:
Do you think moms should be in photographs more? If you had portraits taken with your children, would you want outdoors or something in studio? Do you have any ideas you’d like to share? Email me and let me know!
Two Year Birthday Portraits in the Studio (Girl)
Vivienne is turning two, and her Mimi booked a Portrait Session to celebrate.
As you know, a two-year-old will not be still. How do you keep them in the same place, long enough to create a few photographs?
The solution: a ladder! This age loves to climb, so a ladder positioned just right keeps them in the sweet spot of lighting and sets me up for a series of great shots while they climb around. (Mom and Mimi were inches away on either side for safety).
It was pouring down rain that morning, and Mimi had brought in an umbrella that Vivi kept wanting to play with. Rather than discourage her, I thought it would be cute if she played with it. This unplanned photograph ended up being one of Mimi’s favorites in her Collage (scroll down to see).
For a moment, Vivi grew tired and wanted her momma. Momma ended up choosing this sweet photograph as a favorite in her Collage.
With so many good photographs to choose from, Mimi and Momma decided to go with a Signature Canvas Collage. Mimi chose her favorite images:
And Momma chose her favorites:
Displaying photographs of your children in your home helps children feel loved and valued. Being two is such a sweet stage, and these Signature Canvas Collages will only grow more precious to Mom and Mimi over the years.
What do you think about Vivi’s Birthday Portraits? Email me and let me know.
Mom, Dad & Daughter at Big Spring Park (Summer)
Neosho is known as the City of Springs. In the heart is Big Spring Park, at least 150 years old. It has a large, cold spring that runs throughout the park. A popular attraction in the park was Big Spring Inn, which served trout fresh from the stream beginning in 1928. Sadly, the inn burned in 1966 and was never rebuilt.
These family portraits are taken almost exactly where the inn stood.
This is the inn before it burned. The creek runs under it!
More old photos of Big Spring Park. If you love local history, follow the Big Spring Park page on Facebook. They post interesting tidbits and old photos as they surface. (You can also join Friends of the Parks Neosho and help keep these beautiful places thriving into the future!)
Date unknown
This image of the stone bridge was taken in the 1940’s
The stone bridge still stands, well-worn and with some stones so smooth it’s hard to keep your footing. It’s the perfect spot for little girls to sit in the sun and watch the water.
St. John’s Episcopal Church is in the background.
The park has more than one lovely spot for photographs. What location I use depends on time of day, since I like to keep the sun behind the subject but keep soft, open light on their faces. These were taken close to the stone bridge.
On the north side of the park, there are a few wide open spaces that allow the light to come through the trees for photographs like these:
This Session took about an hour, compared to a Studio Session which would take about 30 minutes for the same amount of people and images. Working with the variables of changing outdoor light, wind and people always takes longer.
Here are the images the customers viewed when they returned to the studio. If you watch the slideshow carefully, you’ll see the daughter playing near the water in the background while I photographed mom and dad. From all of these, which one do you think was their favorite?
Did you guess this one? It’s now a 30x30 Signature Canvas in their home, with a few other Canvases sprinkled throughout. But this one captured their heart, and if you’ve ever had a six-year-old girl that still loves to be snuggled- you know why. They won’t always fit so tightly within your arms, so make sure you have photographs while they still do!
What do you think about Big Spring Park? Do you have memories there that you’d like to share? If you want to have your own family or children’s portraits created there, email me with your thoughts or questions!
Tween Siblings in Studio
A closer look at two kids photographed in the studio for classical children’s portraits.
Read moreThis is Julie's Journal
I’m a portrait artist at a real, brick-and-mortar studio on the square in Neosho, MO.
My husband and I have four children- Jack, Clara, Bruce Michael and Charlotte Rose. (The first two kids have middle names, too, but we hardly ever use them because they’re so well-behaved).
In addition to being a children’s photographer at Calotype, I’m also a classical home educator. I teach my children to pursue beauty, goodness and truth.
Pictured: Photographer Julie Stephens (that’s me) with Jack, Clara, Bruce Michael and Charlotte Rose. My husband, Jonathan, took this picture after I set it up and bribed the kids with promises of ice cream and Candy Crush on the laptop. Since Mommy is anti-screen time, this produced BIG SMILES and BRISK COOPERATION.
The truth about life is that is doesn’t stop.
One minute you’re sixteen and wondering who’ll you marry, the next minute you’re looking in the mirror, wondering why your mother is staring back at you.
There have been times, especially when my children were tiny babies, that time seemed to stand still. The nights, specifically, dragged on endlessly. But we made it through, and looking back from the other side I can see how fast it went. Once after a particularly rough night with Clara, who wouldn’t sleep unless she was wedged between me and Jon with all four limbs touching some part of our bodies, I woke up to see her dreamily studying my face and patting my cheek. Mommy may not have been comfortable, but little Clara was highly satisfied with the Humans who ran her world. That realization helped the long night fade away and gave me the energy to go again.
There is so much sweetness in childhood, but too much of it is forgotten. Professional photography is my way to document and preserve the time we’ll never get back. Every Portrait Session I do at the studio is a victory for preserving someone’s family history. I can’t make your nights any better, but I can create a piece of art that helps you constantly remember the purpose behind those sleepless nights.
Like any good thing, there’s resistance when it comes to booking a Session. Here are some recurring concerns I’ve heard:
The kids need haircuts/kids’ pants are too short/nothing matches
I don’t know what to wear
What if I spend all this time planning it and the pictures don’t turn out?
I’m not creative- I don’t have any ideas
I’ve gained too much weight, I don’t want to be in pictures
I will address those questions for you in some of my posts. We started Calotype in 2005, but I began this journal fifteen years later in 2020 so our clients can look into the creative process and learn more about what’s involved in a Portrait Session, whether it’s personal headshots or family photos. It doesn’t have to be hard, it doesn’t have to be Pinterest perfect. My clients are ordinary people with extra-ordinary love for their children, and they know photography is one way to stop the crawl of time.
Follow this journal, and you’ll see how we resolve problems and turn them into happy memories. Keep in mind, some of our Calotype clients are very private so we don’t share any of their images. But the people you see in this journal, on Instagram, YouTube (or our displays around town) have graciously allowed us to share the artwork we’ve created for them so you can learn from their experience. I hope to do this for you, someday!
Feel free to email me and let me know your thoughts!