Charlotte Rose: Christmas Edition

I’ve taken Christmas portraits of our children off and on through the years. I’m not a die-hard traditionalist; rather, I do what serves the occasion. And since the kids never did sleep through the night until they were three; and the fourth quarter of the year is always the craziest for the studio… SOMEtimes the kids were photographed for Christmas, SOMEtimes I just went home and ate cinnamon rolls.

I was looking back over some older photographs and realized I didn’t have any Christmas-themed ones of Charlotte. She loves Christmas, and I wanted her to have something special and hopeful. I filmed the Portrait Session live on Instagram- you can watch it here.

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Here are the results:

I like to call this one, “Nightmare Before Christmas.”

The candle wasn’t really lit- the flame was photoshopped. Here she is, pretending to blow it out.

Which one is your favorite? Do you like Christmas portraits of your kids? You can always email your comments and questions to me!

Winter Engagement Session

Even though I don’t do weddings, I still photograph couples for their engagement portraits. This particular day was extremely cold and rainy, leaving us unable to go outdoors for portraits like this couple had originally planned. They decided to go ahead with indoor portraits.

These first two were photographed just inside the studio foyer, where our window display faces Main Street. The windows were foggy and the street lights were on, giving a sweet romantic feel. The reminder were done inside the camera room, and the back lounge. Do you like the color images or black and white? Please feel free to email with comments or questions!

Family of Six In the Studio: Winter/Dressy

This family has waited a long time for family portraits. Why do you think they waited?

1. Couldn’t find coordinating outfits in everyone’s sizes…

2. Dad works every evening and kids have school in the daytime so there was no time for an appointment…

3. The youngest cut her bangs down to the root and unless she wore a sock hat, there were NO FAMILY PICTURES taking place until the hair grew out…

Of course, it’s number three!!

The hair is growing out, and this family went with dressy clothes for portraits. Scroll down close to the end- NOBODY was as proud to wear his suit as child #3… can you tell by looking??

Doesn’t every man feel like this when he knows he’s looking fine? :)

Dancing to a tune only she can hear… (This pose is her idea, FYI)

You can watch this Portrait Session on IGTV on Instagram. This is my sister-in-law’s family and they graciously allowed me to film the whole session, unedited and as-is, so others can get an idea what a Family Portrait Session in the studio might be like. Enjoy!

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Extended Family In The Park/Late Fall, Early Stages of Winter

Are you wanting to get the family together for outdoor portraits, but concerned how it will look now that leaves are off the trees?

This family was photographed on November 16th. The previous weekend, Neosho experienced a cold, heavy rain storm that stripped the final fall leaves from trees. No matter- there’s a beautiful bluff in Big Spring Park that never changes. Its deep gray/brown colors look great with skin tones and clothing. Plus- when the finished pieces of wall art hang on the client’s walls, the natural gray backdrop will blend well with most current home color schemes.

At Big Spring, there’s frequently an occasional duck that wanders by. Can you find it?

Nine-Month-Old Baby Boy/Christmas Portraits

DON’T MISS baby’s first Christmas!

These images provide solid support to the theory that the six/nine month range is a WONDERFUL stage for professional portraits. This age looks great in all the outfits- and they can’t go anywhere yet so they HAVE to stay there and grin at you. Merry Christmas!

Extended Family In The Studio

The holidays are a natural time for people to gather for family portraits. This family of ten wanted a Portrait Session of the whole clan (Grandma + Grandpa, two sons and respective wives, and four grandchildren) plus some updated portraits of the individual families.

As with most Family Portrait Sessions, we started with the whole family together.

We photographed the grandkids together…

and the siblings together.

We did breakdowns of each family.

Would you like professional family portraits of your crew together? Calotype will be open until Dec. 22nd, and opening back up after Christmas on the 28th. Take advantage of the time and schedule your family portrait while everyone is home! Call me and let’s plan something! 417-658-8865

How Do I Order?

Photography is an art form, and when your children are in front of my camera, my inspiration never runs dry. Could there be any subjects more wonderful? Wait until you SEE the results of our Portrait Sessions!

At Calotype, you’ll see your images for the first time in our specially designed viewing room. This is where we show you all your options, and you decide what images you want to purchase. Watch this quick video I grabbed of these happy children seeing their images for the first time. There’s a silly one they didn’t expect.

Four Siblings in the Park/Fall Portraits

Did you know I rarely tell my subjects to smile? I tell them to think about something that makes them really happy. Then the smiles come on their own.

What do you think these four siblings are thinking about?

Don’t forget to sign up for our occasional email newsletter! I share info about the best times for fall portraits and what to do if you miss peak color time.

Two Year Old Girl in Park

These fall photos were created the first week of November, at Morse Park in Neosho. As long as we don’t have rainy, windy weather that strips the trees, we usually have plenty of fall color until the second week of November.

The first outfit was specifically chosen because of the color harmony with Ozark fall leaves, and the other was an optional second outfit that mom had just tossed in the diaper bag in case we needed it.

For the second outfit (neutral coat), we moved to a less vibrant background to better match the muted tones of the dress and coat.

Which ones are your favorite? Can you tell that having a cake pop made a tired little girl suddenly happy? If you’re planning a Portrait Session with a small child- cake pops are a photogenic and way to reward your child for their hard work. :) Feel free to email me your feedback and ideas.

Senior Guy Pictures With Motorcycle + Studio Portraits

Here’s a question- are senior pictures for the senior, or for the mom?

What do you think? Email me and let me know.

In the meantime, here’s a senior boy, class of 2021.

Charlotte Rose “I Like It Like This.”

Have you ever met a woman with a plan- and everyone else needs to get out of the way while she makes it happen? Meet Charlotte Rose.

Charlotte is the baby of our family. Although she’s small, the soul of a strong woman is wriggling away inside of her! Unlike her older brother, Bruce (the previous baby of the family and always agreeable to the day’s plans), Charlotte has clear expectations and assumes that life will align with her ideas.

Since she’s the baby, who can resist those giant blue eyes and bouncy, wriggly walk? Jack and Clara and Bruce and Daddy usually give the lady what she wants.

There’s only one Non-Conformist in Miss Charlotte’s perfect little life- the person with different plans.

Any guesses? It’s me.

You see, I am also a woman who also has specific outcomes in my mind, and I daily find myself in conflict with this much younger, smaller Version of Me.

However, the little me has more energy and, in God’s special way, He designed her with an extra scoop of legendary Stephens stubbornness to make things a little more exciting. (The Richardsons aren’t stubborn- we see resistance and quickly dart down a different trail before it makes eye contact). Not the Stephens family! They sink their boots into the dirt, cross their arms and calmly prepare to resist. While this is a truly lovely quality in matters of national security and theology, in matters of wardrobe- ehh, not so much.

Charlotte insists on dressing herself every day. Usually I let her, because she’s the fourth kid and life is short and I have no desire to waste it arguing with a toddler. I only intervene when she’s not dressed appropriately for the weather.

Fortunately for me, today’s outfit was pleasantly photogenic. A black t-shirt that used to be Clara’s, black leggings, and a trench coat that’s been handed down through every kid since firstborn Jack. Pus her favorite green boots.

She does this ONE THING, every time, to her leggings. She pulls them up to her knees! Without fail. Even if it’s 30° outside. I’ve asked her they itch, if they’re too tight; and she won’t reply other than, “I like it like this.”

So here’s Miss I-Like-It-Like-This, in her knee-length leggings, hanging out at work with her momma. Two women and we both have plans.

Like reading about moments like this in my studio? Sign up for our occasional email newsletter!

Girl Senior Pictures/Class of 2021

Looking for fall senior pictures? I can do both outdoor and studio senior portraits, especially on a beautiful fall day in the Ozarks.

**NOTE: My subject may be smiling in these senior pictures, but the first time we met she was NOT happy. Scroll to the end to see. **

Her outdoor senior portraits were taken in a parking lot near the studio; by the creek that runs through Morse Park to the northeast of the studio; and beside the courthouse in the square across from Calotype. I chose the locations based on her clothing colors.

Her mom’s favorites were the last images- in the studio on the olive plaster wall. Which ones do you like? Feel free to email me and comment!

Because you scrolled to then end so diligently- here is the first image from the first time I photographed this young lady. I took these in 2007 when her mom brought her to the studio for a spring portrait special. She may not look excited to be there, but thirteen years later… I know her mama’s glad she made time for professional photography.

First Birthday/Family Portraits In Studio

This mom combined a first birthday Portrait Session with family portraits. We were initially scheduled for outdoor fall portraits, but an unexpected all-day rain and 33° temperature changed our minds. In the warm studio, this little guy’s eyes were full large and full of light. Which one is your favorite?

Family of Six in Studio With Multiple Age Children: Dressy

When I discussed clothing options with this family, the starting point was the neutral color scheme of their living room. The end goal was to replace their large wall portrait above the sofa with an updated family picture (the last one only had three kids!)

“Neutral” could mean different things to different people. In this case, as mom started sorting through their clothes, black or gray became the shared color that everyone owned. Black is always classic! We kept the background neutral and the family stands out- but not too much.

As my new standard procedure, I created several different family poses. How long has it been since you’ve had a family portrait? Do you need an update? You can still book and have portraits back by Christmas! Send me an email and I’ll let you know what times we currently have available!

Dad and daughter

Mother and sons

Picture-perfect! :)

High School Senior Girl Outside With Horse

For this class of 2021 senior girl, I went to her farm for the portrait session. Three outfits- the prom dress with her horse, jeans and a sweater, then a similar sweater but with a color change to better match the surroundings. These were photographed at 9 AM in the middle of October. Do you like the idea of pets in senior portraits? Your comments are always welcome- feel free to email me.

Family of Five Photographed in the Studio- Three Boys/Muted Colors

If you’re looking for ideas on how to dress three boys for fall portraits, glance through these portraits. Their mom chose simple neutrals- cream sweaters and jeans. It keeps the focus on the eyes- keep scrolling until you see their closeups.

Note: I don’t recommend cream/white/ivory or anything light colored for grownups because it’s much larger splash of white- proclaiming “Look at this!” Most adults don’t want their chest or belly to be the first thing you see when you look at their family portrait!

But for small children, little highlights of cream/white/light colors can be pleasing.

What do you think about these colors? Send me an email with comments or questions!

Family of Five in Studio/Fall Colors

When weather turns bad, we always have the studio as an option. Full of sets and backdrops, it’s fun to piece together a family portrait with props, stools, backgrounds… just like working a puzzle. Who fits where? Can we see your eyes full of light when I put you there? Do you look natural or uncomfortable? Sometimes I arrange and change a few times before it feels right.

Lately, I’ve made it a point to spend most of the session time on family groups, so moms have plenty of options to choose from when they come back to order. If people have gone to significant effort to get ready for family portraits, it’s my responsibility to make the most of their time and make sure they have great choices for wall portraits.

Edited 11-9-20 to add this thoughtful review from the dad: “We are so pleased with the pictures.  Even our 15 year old commented on how talented you are, not only in the pictures but how you engage and make people comfortable with your requests to change posture, position, etc.  Thank you for making it a great experience and for amazing photos.”

Fall Couples/Engagement Portrait Session

Even though Calotype no longer photographs weddings or live events, we still offer portrait sessions for couples!

Here’s Audrey and Caleb, photographed near the studio and in Morse Park, followed by a second outfit change with images taken in the character-filled Northwood Art & Event Center in Neosho.

First Birthday Fall Outdoor Portraits

These were taken at Morse Park here in Neosho. The first baseball images are inside the dugout, and the second set is down by the creek. For future reference (if you’re eyeing leaf color and wondering when they change) these were taken the second week of October. Fall color is slightly different every year and varies by location, but I keep my eye out for patches of good light and good color during the whole fall season. Do you like the baseball or creek portraits better? Feel free to comment by emailing me!

Props provided by the client.

One Month Baby Girl Fall Portraits (In Studio)

Looking for fall baby photo ideas? What about something simple and timeless, with muted colors but textured layers to create visual interest?

These are simple colors, but baby’s textured outfit and the complimenting color of her hat make the above picture look cozy. Which one is your favorite? Email with any questions or comments!