Vote for Me on the Kansas City A*List!!!

Hey everybody! I am SOOO excited because Striking Photography is competing for the BEST Kansas City wedding photographer... please vote for me by clicking on the tag below:



It would be a great honor to win this award, so I hope you will go and vote for me today! Please spread the word... thanks!!! :-)

Sneak Peek: Business Portrait!

Donna is a professional in the healthcare industry and wanted a business portrait that was polished, sophisticated but not overly serious and stuffy. In a couple of beautiful suits and with some cool lighting techniques - mission accomplished!

In this information age, I can't emphasize enough the value that a professional business portrait or corporate headshot brings to you. Whether you are an individual on the job market, looking to promote yourself within your company, or a small business owner with several employees, the first impression you make is important - and more often than not, these days that impression is made virtually via your website, or LinkedIn, Facebook or other social networking profile. Ask yourself: what does your picture say about you?

At Striking Photography, each business portrait is carefully created and I discuss in detail your clothing and what your personal or company brand represents. I work with you to craft an image that conveys the core values your brand represents.

Call me today at 913.602.8061 to discuss updating your business portrait. Or visit the Striking Photography website for more examples of my work. It's a great investment in your most important asset - YOU!

Sneak Peek: Enagement Session!

Tara and Steve are getting married in a little over a month! (Yep, you guessed it - I am also their wedding photographer :-) ) My higher end wedding packages not only offer wedding day coverage, but an additional shoot of your choice - an engagement session, a boudoir session, or a "Rock the Dress" session after you come back from your honeymoon. Check out the descriptions on the site, http://www.strikingphotography.org/!

We had a great time, wandering around a nearby park and shooting wherever it struck our fancy. Although we had agreed on the time and general location, the park was quite busy that evening and it occurred to me that we might miss each other. So in a flash of insight, I put my camera tripod up on top of my car, figuring I would definitely stand out from the crowd that way! So if you see a car around Overland Park with a tripod and a crazy photog nearby, you'll know you were seeing me in action! LOL

We were also blessed with an absolutely gorgeous sunset that created beautiful reflections off the water. Congratulations, Tara and Steve! Check back to see some sneak peeks of their wedding in a couple months!

Sneak Peek: Baby Session!

How's this for some cuteness?!? This adorable little 7 month old, Sebastian, is the first grandbaby of a very cool woman - the CNM who attended the birth my own child!
So, feeling a little bit of full-circle coming around, I felt honored to capture some special moments of her with her special little guy (and Grandpa) as well as some new family portraits - Mom with her gorgeous long hair, proud Daddy and the little guy himself.

Sebastian was so cute during the shoot, crawling around and pulling himself up. He was fascinated by the grass outside and spent a lot of time exploring that new texture.

For those of you with new babies, around seven months is a wonderful time to get a portrait taken... the baby can usually sit up, is interested in lots of things, smiles and looks incredibly cute!

Sneak Peek: Engagement Session!

Matt and Tiffanie are a wonderful couple who are getting married in July. (Yup, I will have the honor of photographing the nuptials also :-) ) We shot these engagement photos in an hour-long session one beautiful Sunday morning. It was so sweet to see how in love these two are, and capture these moments between them!

The prints are actually going to be used in their wedding reception as a unique backdrop behind their cake table... they are mounting the images to a summery white garden lattice and I thought that was such a creative idea I wanted to share it with everyone out there in cyberspace. (Since I'll be shooting the wedding, you can be sure I will post a pic of it, too! ;-) )

Decorating with photographs is a great idea, not only for a wedding but also within your home as well. Nothing quite expresses who you and your family are as well as collections of beautiful photographs. Be sure to check back and see a sneak peek of Tiffanie and Matt's wedding later this summer!

Be Striking. What does that mean?

I haven't done a personal philosophy post in a while, but I wanted to share this true story that has led me to embrace what it means to Be Striking.

My best friend from high school, Jessica, is absolutely beautiful inside and out. Of course, being beautiful on the inside was what made us BFFs, because she was always there for me, laughed with me, cried with me, got crazy with me (but kept me from going TOO crazy iykwim) :-)

But Jess was also a hottie. Really cute figure, fantastic glossy thick hair and - pay attention- lovely full lips that are just made for bright red lipstick. Angelina Jolie ain't got nuthin' on my friend Jess.

Now here's the thing... I cannot wear red lipstick to save my life. Seriously.

Oh, how I wanted to wear red lipstick the way Jess did! When Jess wore red lipstick, she looked polished and sexy and sophisticated. When I wore red lipstick, I just looked ridiculous and slightly creepy, like Heath Ledger's Joker.

I tried all the different shades but it didn't matter - red lipstick just looks awful on me. I was rather depressed about this until one day out of the blue Jess said to me, "Oh, I wish I could do that glowing natural look the way you do! When I try to do that, I just end up looking pale and washed out."

BOING! And that's when it dawned on me - all the time I'd been wishing I could wear red lipstick, Jessica was wishing that she could do natural. Neither style is 'better' than the other - we both had plenty of dates and boyfriends. When we went out clubbing, we had no shortage of guys wanting to dance with us.

So the moral of this story is to embrace who you are and how you look. Don't try to copy someone else's style, especially for your pictures. Find your own look, dress that way and do your makeup in a way that makes you feel like your most beautiful incredible self.

If you do that, I absolutely guarantee that you will truly...

Be Striking!

Sneak Peek: Dostals' Family Portrait!

It's been busy both personally and professionally here at Striking Photography! School ended for my children and summer activities began, my youngest had his birthday, and I've had several shoots over the last couple weeks. Hasn't left me much time for blogging! Happily, I am back to it and have fabulous sneak peeks of the sessions I've been shooting! Shooting this family portrait out in the beautiful gardens of the Arboretum last week was a real treat. The day dawned warm but cloudy, which actually is wonderful, flattering shooting light.

This shoot was a birthday gift for Joan from her family. (Hint-hint dear readers: most moms would totally dig a family portrait as a gift!) Sometimes family portraits can be a drag (we still did get up a bit on the early side - 8:30am for you later birds *wink*) but we just had fun wandering around the gardens and capturing poses wherever the mood seemed to fit!

No stress and no stiff awkward poses - one of the reasons I enjoy family shoots is that there are so many opportunities to capture genuine interaction between all the family members. My philosophy is that there definitely is a time and place for more 'formal' poses, but there is an equally important place for more candid and fun shots as well. I like to mix it up! :-)

The timing of our session ended perfectly too - not more than 5 minutes after we wrapped the shoot and said our goodbyes, the rain started POURING! Beautiful work, Dostal Family! :-)

If you are interested in having your family's portraits taken, feel free to call Striking Photography at 913.602.8061 or visit our website: http://www.strikingphotography.org/!

Hope to see you soon!

Senior Special - Get your wallets for FREE!

Welcome, Class of 2010!

In honor of your new senior status, Striking is running its 2010 Senior Special from now until August 31st, 2009.

Refer your friends to Striking Photography, and if they book a session*, you'll receive 16 wallets for FREE - your choice of pose!

And to show my appreciation for those who go above and beyond, get five of your friends to book and you not only get the free wallets, but a truly striking ;-) FREE 12x24 storyboard collage - makes an awesome display at your graduation party!

Striking Photography offers a wide range of packages that can suit any budget, so contact me today at 913.602.8061, or via the website: http://www.strikingphotography.org/.

*booking a session requires a nonrefundable 50% deposit to hold your date

Scenes from Sanibel

I went on a destination shoot last weekend and it was WONDERFUL! Sanibel Island, FL is simply gorgeous. The beach is literally covered with thousands of beautiful sea shells. The island itself has no restaurant chains (no Mickey D's, Taco Bell, etc.) and so every single place I ate was divine. If you are ever visiting Sanibel, cruise on over the causeway to the neighboring island of Captiva, and eat at the Bubble Room. Their famous 'Bubble Bread' is scrumptious! I seriously have dreams about this bread, that's how good it was! LOL

Of course, when I'm in a beautiful location such as that, I also make some time to take a few scenic landscapes :-)








Sitting on the beach basking in the sun was just what I needed to recharge...I'm ready for summer!

An Unstuffy Corporate Headshot :-)

This corporate headshot session went great! Who says 'corporate' has to mean 'stuffy'! I've worked with Anne before (shot her beautiful wedding last fall), and had a wonderful time, so I was so pleased that we teamed up again to create her new business portrait.


Anne is a lawyer (see her firm here) and she needed to update her headshot because she is going to be featured as one of a panel of experts in a fantastic Kansas City business women's publication called flourish.


Flourish is specifically geared towards savvy business women on the edge, which definitely describes Anne. I was reading the recent issue and really enjoyed it because it has lots of useful content, as opposed to just ads.

Be sure to pick up your own issue of flourish later this summer to see Anne's new headshot in print, and to read her excellent advice as she answers questions from readers!

A New Look Coming Soon...

To a website near you!

At Striking Photography, I make it a point to stay on top of the current styles and trends shaping digital imagery today. In fact, it's one of the reasons I love my job -- it never gets boring! :-) I am always challenging myself to grow and learn as a professional.

For me, there is nothing more discouraging than going to a website a few times and finding exactly the same images and content, every time. Where is the current work? How is the photographer staying fresh? My truth: Strive for excellence always, and create new images that you are excited about!

In honor of this truth, Striking's website will be getting a brand new look next Monday, May 18th, 2009!

The new site will include:
Fresh new colors and photos
A shopping cart, to make your proof selection easier
Updated package and pricing info
and MORE!

Go to www.StrikingPhotography.org and check it out!

Sneak Peek: Boudoir Session!

This gorgeous woman wanted a special and personal wedding anniversary present. Her and her hubby are celebrating one year of wedded bliss together - congratulations! I think he is going to be very happy with these beautiful photos... ;-) She works at a profession where you don't get to dress up much, so this photo shoot was a chance to doll it up and work what she got! And boy, she has got IT - see for yourself!!

The outfits were SO cool, playful and sassy just like the model. The shoot was fun, we were both laughing and she was great at flirting with the camera! I really had a great time photographing her.

Fantastic Affordable Mother's Day Gifts

This year, give her what's really in her heart - a beautiful portrait of the ones she loves. Whether it's a cool black and white of yourself, or a group portrait of you and the kids, she will adore a framed, matted photograph of the people she loves best!

And guys, getting a portrait done at Striking Photography is soooo easy. Let me break it down for you:

1. Call me to schedule your session at (913) 602-8061. You can come to the studio, or to make it even easier, I can come to you!

2. Smile! We take the photographs.

3. Pick your favorites. Preview your photos online, from the comfort of your own computer. I'll take it from there and include the framing, matting, and even the gift-wrapping for you!

4. Bask in the adoration from your wife as you score the best Mother's Day gift ever.

Look guys, who better to know what a wife and mother would want for Mother's Day than a wife and mother herself? Hmmm... that would be ME :-) Ten years of wedded happiness and three kiddos under my belt. I consider myself an expert in this matter!

So book it now at (913) 602-8061. Don't get caught with some lame-o thing you picked up at the Qwik-E-Mart on the way home from work. Trust me, she'll know.

(And by the way... you can get extra mileage out of this one by choosing some prints for your own mother, or your mother-in-law! SCORE!)

Senior Special - Open House cards 25% off!

Attention Seniors!

From now until March 31st, order your Senior Open House cards and receive 25% off!

Striking offers an incredible amount of choice so that you can order cards that reflect your style. Three sizes (4x6, 5x5, 5x7) with Gloss, Linen or Pearl finish and rounded or square corners. Envelopes optional.

Mention this blog post when you order...

Striking Photography is an official member of the Professional Photographers of America!

Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the world’s largest nonprofit association for professional photographers, with more than 20,000 members in 54 countries.

Part of PPA's mission and vision statements is to "...define and maintain the industry’s standards of excellence", as well as "...to create a global perspective that promotes... creativity foremost and excellence always."

How cool is that?!?

Seriously though, PPA membership means a lot to me, and hopefully means a lot to you as a potential or returning client. It's an indication of commitment and expertise on my part that many other photographers simply have not made, for whatever reason.

If you are considering hiring me as your photographer for your wedding, family portrait, headshot, whatever... rest assured that Striking Photography is a professional studio that takes photography seriously, not simply as a hobby.

Now let's take some awesome photos!!!! :-)

Sneak Peek: Lynn's Senior Session!

Lynn is the sweetest senior! We had great fun switching from "serious" to playful poses. She's got a lot going for her what with being creative AND smart (she's debating between going into medicine or a more creative field). Now that's a hot combo! :-)




Congratulations Lynn, and to the entire class of 2009!

Sneak Peek! Modeling Headshots

This beautiful young woman is an aspiring print model and was a joy to shoot! She was fun and easy to talk to, and also very game to try lots of poses. She had a great intuitive understanding that a simple movement - of the eyes, the mouth or head - can totally change the emotion of a shot. I loved how she was completely fearless when she looked into the camera!

The COOLEST senior/wedding picture albums. Period!

I am soooo excited about the new offerings we've got for the upcoming summer season! If you are in the class of 2010, or getting married this summer, wait til you see these!

The albums I am just drooling over have covers made of exotic leathers! Or an image printed on canvas! Or even a cover made of brushed aluminum! See the thumbnails below to get a feel for some of the awesome color choices:






And there's more where that came from :-) Imagine opening a gorgeous album with a cover of exotic leather, and paging through all the memories within... It's such a fresh way to design an album. Really so cool IMO, and I've seen a lot of albums in my life LOL

We're offering 18 different choices of album covers now, so it truly is a customized experience. Other colors include brushed aluminum, brushed copper, spearmint and emerald, pewter, ice, rain... You can display your beautiful photos in a way that suits your unique style and tastes.

LOVE that!

Be sure to check out Striking's website here and view the online calendar. You can get a feel for whether the date you want is available. Or give me a call at 913.602.8061. TTYL :-)