Monday, September 29, 2008

Hot Off the Presses

I am very proud to announce Striking Photography's first foray into the world of print advertising!

Mother and Child Reunion is a great little family publication that circulates in the Kansas City area. It's available at numerous convenient locations, such as preschools, Babies R Us, libraries and it is chock full of information for families.

And best of all, IT'S FREE!

So pick one up and check out our ad in there...

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Session Sneak-Peek!

And who is this amazing woman? She is an incredible opera singer! She was fantastic in the world premier of the opera 'John Brown' at the Lyric in downtown KC. She just got back from an intensive summer stint and wanted some new headshots.

Bravo!!!



Tuesday, September 16, 2008

And Here I Am!

A few people have wondered, "What the heck do you look like?"

To satisfy their curiosity, here ya go!



(I was pretty stoked because I took this one with my cell phone camera!)

Monday, September 15, 2008

How to Get the Most Out of Your Portrait Sessions

A Quick Style Guide

Clients frequently ask me about how they can prepare for their session. Here are some quick and easy guidelines to help you get gorgeous photos.

First and foremost - be comfortable! If you are not wearing something that makes you feel good, your pictures will show it. Have you ever seen the face of a woman in painful high heels? For location shoots, clothing that isn't too precious to get dirty (by sitting on an old tree trunk for example) is best, since a great photo sometimes requires a unique perspective. Weddings, of course, are the obvious exception.

Make-up can be applied somewhat heavier than for usual wear. The bright lights of a studio strobe minimize the effects of makeup and so it ends up looking more natural in the photo. For men, having a recent haircut and shave creates a sharp and handsome look.

You are welcome to bring a few meaningful props to your session! A child's special toy or equipment from a favorite hobby can add an incredibly personal touch to your photos.

If you are having a group session done, we recommend everyone wear a similar color. For example, everyone can wear different shirts, but all are blue. Perfectly matching clothing is not necessary unless you would like a more formal look to the portrait. Busy patterns should generally be avoided or used only in small doses.

Sessions are generally relaxed and informal. Children's sessions are kept short, an hour or less. Kids are so naturally beautiful and genuine that I will often have the children walk around in a picturesque area while I photograph them simply being themselves. For larger or mixed-age groups, I do some gentle directing and placement to ensure that everyone looks their best in the shot.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

8x10s on sale until 9/20

Every so often, my lab offers deals on prints. Sometimes it's a certain finish, sometimes it's a certain size... I never know and they come and go at random. When they do pop up, I try to pass along those savings to my clients.

This time it is a fantastic deal on one of the most popular sizes, 8x10s. (This size makes a great gift portrait for grandparents or other family members - hint, hint!)

8x10s in any finish are 20% off on orders placed between now and Sept. 20th!!!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Pretty.Funny. Comedy is Hilarious!


I've had the privilege of taking the promotional and program photos for the Kansas City comedy group Pretty.Funny. And they are more than Pretty.Funny., they are hilarious!

The all-female cast puts on a show that's like the Carol Burnett show meets the New Millennium. I seriously had to be careful not to shake my camera and blur the pictures, they had me cracking up so badly!

One of the hazards of being a professional photographer :-)

Because I enjoyed their show so much, I wanted to share their latest performance with you. They've got completely fresh material and are ready to serve up the laughter and fun! Definitely check them out, tickets are going fast!

Pretty.Funny. comedy show
Sept. 25, 2008
7:30 pm
KU Edwards Campus (127th & Quivira, Overland Park KS)
Email pearl@clevercaboose.com for tix!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Business Portraits - What Does Your Photo Say About You?



There's an old saying in business: "It's not who you are, it's who you know..."

But do you know what your photograph on LinkedIn, Facebook or MySpace says about you? What image are you projecting to prospective clients, coworkers, employers?

In today's competitive and technically savvy world, more and more clients and employers are using the internet to network. They screen suppliers, research service providers, obtain references, and Google potential employees - all before they even talk to you on the phone.

So let Striking Photography help you convey the professional image that inspires confidence in your work with a PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PORTRAIT. Affordable, quick and easy, a business portrait instantly polishes your image online.

And after all, you're going to need that business portrait when they announce your promotion in the company newsletter... :-)

Monday, September 1, 2008

Our Fresh New Look!

Here it is!!!

We've got new slideshows, new galleries, fresh colors... while still keeping the best of the old site. Our new web presence includes better synthesis between the blog and the website, as well as a Facebook and MySpace presence!

Check Striking's Facebook page HERE!