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.

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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.