SNEAK PEEK! Do you speak Mooish? {Kansas City Family Photographer}

These three little lovies were a barrel of fun. Their mom won a session with me through a contest on my Facebook page and we found the perfect day to do the session on Halloween just after I came back from Texas. These are a little overdue but thankfully mom is a photographer too and understood that I had oh, 15 sessions ahead of hers. Not so bad because it only took me a month to get these out (Kansas clients, I can normally do it in about a week to 10 days when not in mini-session mode). We met up at Loose Park and it was fun getting to know this family! Avary is the oldest of the three with twins Garrett and Claire a couple years after her. Mom warned me that Garrett was fast, but hey, I've dealt with fast kids before! And he really wasn't that fast, after all, I had Daniel to do impressions of every animal in the barn. He's quite good and he speaks Mooish fluently much to the kiddos delight!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com for more information on a session with me! Please view my portfolio on my main website at www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook! Become a fan of Jessica Strom Photography on Facebook page to find out about contests and casting calls for free sessions!!

VIDEO: Adoption Homecoming 2009 {Kansas City Adoption Photographer} {Olathe Adoption Photographer}

This time of year is always my busiest. I just finished up my Texas mini sessions and will be sending those out this week and next as the orders come in. I'm so excited for Thanksgiving on Thursday! Daniel and I have been invited to spend it with our favorite family and extended family, approx 30 people! It's going to be an awesome time! I've never had Thanksgiving with that many people before, so I'm hoping it SNOWS so we can go sledding!

I will be showing some new sneak peeks tomorrow for a family with twins and a too cute for words big sister, a family of 3 with the hippest little 18 month old boy you have ever seen, another family of 3 along with a pair of cousins! Oh so much fun!! In the meantime, since I haven't blogged in a week, here is one more video to share with you. This is a very special Adoption Homecoming that I photographed in July. David is a 16 (now 17) year old young man from Uganda who was adopted by his sponsor family after 7 years of sponsoring him! David had been to Kansas twice to visit before and his new parents had made the trip 3 times to Uganda to finalize everything. This was a total journery of Faith and complete dependence on God's unfailing timing and grace. I snuck around their house while they were at the lake one weekend when we were housesitting and got some shots of David's presence in the home even before he arrived there permanently to convey a certain emotion in the video. Every other item in the video that is not a picture of someone are little things I found in their house and they didn't even know I had done it until I showed the video. So sneaky! =0)

If you're celebrating an Adoption homecoming in the greater Kansas City area or you know of someone who is, please contact me and let's get together! My email address is photosbystrom@yahoo.com, and my website is www.jessicastrom.net. I would be absolutely honored to photograph your incredible moment!

VIDEO: Candid Play Session {Kansas City Child Photographer} {Central Texas Child Photographer}

Since I'm working hard to get out all of my Texas mini-sessions as soon as possible, I thought I would post another video for you to enjoy. This was a Candid Play session in Central Texas consisting of 4 little boys who were cousins and their moms (3 sisters) hadn't had any luck getting a single shot of all 4 of them looking at the camera. The year before this session they had gone to a studio and it didn't turn out so well. With 4 active little boys, the studio is the wrong place to be! So this year when they invited me out, I knew I had to bring something different. This session took 4 hours because I told their moms to just let them play and be themselves. We did very little herding, what you see is just them playing over the course of the afternoon. Because I shot over 500 frames, we had a lot of photos to choose from and I wanted to convey the feeling of the afternoon. So I opted to create a Home Video (as you will see on my blog this is my favorite way to present a large amount of images) and both of them that I made turned out just wonderful! This is the one in color. While we didn't get that single shot of all 4 of them looking at me, it really would have just been a bonus.

If you're interested in arranging a Candid Play session for a small group of children, contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com, you can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

VIDEO: McBee Wedding {Kansas City Small Wedding Photographer} {Tulsa Small Wedding Photographer}

I have been swamped with trying to get Texas sessions wrapped up for their 3 week deadline, but to let you know I'm still very much here, here's a throwback to my favorite session last year! I personally prefer to do smaller weddings, they are much more intimate and less chaotic than a huge wedding. Those can be fun, and I'm very excited for the big one I have coming up in May in Canada, but my heart truly lays in the small little weddings. There just seems to be a little extra magic in the smaller ones. Makes me want to dance to Norah Jones. Ahh.

My wonderful Grandpa, an incredible man of God, found love and happiness again at the young age of 87 last year and married Dorothy, a woman who is sweeter than any little old lady I have ever met! And I've met quite a few! You know how sweet little old ladies can be! They got married last year in Tulsa and I had the honor of being able to drive up from Texas for the wedding. I'm so thrilled to have moved to Kansas and only be about 3 hours away from them. I want to see you guys more often! Miss you!!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com and see my portfolio at www.jessicastrom.net, or find me on Facebook!

SNEAK PEEK! Casually Cool {Kansas City Family Photographer} {Olathe Family Photographer}

My 5 totally awesome nieces and nephews (not by blood but of my heart!) All I asked them to do was go torment the ducks by running at them to chase them away. If you know these kids, you know they had absolutely no problem obliging. The result couldn't have been better and they didn't even know I was still shooting... More of this gem of a session to come soon! Much much more!!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! Sweet Caroline {Kansas City Family Photographer} {Central Texas Family Photographer}

Sweet Caroline. I wonder if that phrase will ever get old on her as she grows up. But she is so stinking sweet! It just is so Caroline. This was also session #3 of Caroline, her first being when she was just days old in her home and the second amongst the gorgeous bluebonnets last spring (which I never got the photos posted). These guys were my last session after a long weekend of shooting and it was a sweet final bow to my sessions in Texas (I’m never saying never, but not returning anytime soon in the foreseeable future). Mom Nina came prepared with toys from home that make Caroline laugh, but I think what got the best laughs were when Daniel pulled out “The Duck” trick that gets everyone every time. However this particular time, I think Andrew thought The Duck was funnier than Caroline did! Much more to come!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! Catch Me If You Can {Kansas City Family Photographer} {Central Texas Family Photographer}

This weekend was all about finding out my clients were expecting babies! Julianne is going to be a big sister in the spring! This session almost didn’t happen due to trying to find a time in both our schedules but I am sooo glad that it did! The first time I met this beautiful family was last year at the mini-sessions when Julianne was just learning how to walk. She was, still is, and always will be such a happy little girl! Her giggles just melt you! So the first time I photographed this family (almost one year ago to the day), Julianne was relatively easy to capture as she wasn’t completely walking. The second time was a little more challenging as she was in full sprint exploring the world. And this time, well, I think she just ran away because it was fun to have me chase her. The majority of her session is in candid and classic black & white with no further processing needed, but there are some in color that are too stunning of her to put in black & white.

She reminds me of Shirley Temple in this photo above!!

This photo was taken during our tutu photos, however it was such a sweet moment between mom and daughter that I had to share!

And to show you what a difference exactly one year can make...

2009

and 2008...

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! Let's Play! {Kansas City Family Photographer} {Central Texas Family Photographer}

I love when a family has two older boys and the baby is a girl. Reminds me of one part of my loads of nephews and nieces, where my niece Sarah has two older brothers. There’s just something about the little girl having her entire family wrapped around their cute little fingers and that is how I saw it with MaKenzie and her adoring family. (Maybe I’m biased being the youngest of 4 girls…) This was our very first session together and the family’s first family portraits done in a very long time so I’m tickled pink they came out for the session. We had a lot of fun being silly with the kiddos, and have some cute little photos to share with Mom & Dad in your gallery. I had a great time and I hope you enjoy your photos! Can’t wait to show you your gallery here very soon!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! And Baby Makes 4... Soon! {Kansas City Family Photographer} {Central Texas Family Photographer}

Last spring I was asked to do an engagement session for Carla & Adam with daughter Isabelle, which we did out at Summer’s Mill in April. Since then, they got married in Vegas in July and now have a baby on the way! I’m telling you, life happens fast when I don’t see clients for a few months! Isabelle’s cuteness and smiles are just contagious and I never have to ask her to smile, she just does. All the time. I love it!! More cuteness coming soon to a gallery near you! Will email details when everyone's are ready!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! 3 Little Monkeys {Kansas City Family Photographer} {Central Texas Family Photographer}

Here is another family who came out last year for the first time for fall mini-sessions and decided to come out again this year. So much had changed! The boys Beau & Kadin had grown even more handsome, baby sister Skyler wasn’t a baby anymore and there’s one more baby boy on the way! I’m sad I won’t be able to photograph the new baby when he’s born, but I hope to see some pictures through email!

    3 Little Monkeys

    1 More Monkey on the way...

  
    And because I couldn't resist posting this one, because of last year...

So much more cuteness to come in your gallery very soon!! Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! Brown Eyed Beauties {Kansas City Family Photographer} {Central Texas Family Photographer}

Here is another pair of sisters who I have photographed for the past year and a half. My first session with them was while Aileen was still pregnant with Miri two Springs ago. I have enjoyed a great friendship with Aileen that started through scrapbooking together at church with her and her sister Jackie. Those two sisters are just awesome!! Miss you girls! This session a couple weeks ago marks my 7^th time photographing for Aileen’s family. It’s hard to be so far away! Move up here, it’s not so hot! As for Eve & Miri, well I think their cuteness speaks for themselves!

Like the bows? Aileen is the creative genius behind Lillian Layne Creations in Temple, TX! Check her out, she’s fantastic!! And she ships anywhere!

The ONLY shot of the two of them looking at me out of over 150 frames!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

AND THE WINNER OF ROCK THE TUTU 2009 is....

CONGRATULATIONS JULIANNE!!

It was a very close race!! The votes were duked out for Julianne and Caroline yesterday mostly here on the blog but also on Facebook as well. The vote numbers came in at:

203 for Julianne

176 for Caroline

118 for Campbell

87 for Skyler

66 for Elise

56 for Miri

37 for MaKenzie

As I wrote last night, the numbers seen under each contestants comments will not reflect the actual number of countable votes. Factors that affected the number of votes were multiple anonymous votes without the name of the voter or the entry they were voting for, votes with inappropriate names entered, excessive votes from the same computer IP address as everyone was only allowed to vote for themselves or members of their household, and adding in the votes from Facebook. I am VERY proud of each of these little ones who entered and excited to send their mommas a beautiful 8x10 of their entry photo. To our winner Julianne, Tutus 4 Tots will be contacting you for your custom designed tutu and you will receive your custom float wrap wall hanging from me in the next few weeks!

Please give a warm congratulations to Julianne and to all our contestants in the comments below! You all were wonderful!!

Stay tuned over the next week to see the Rock The Tutu OUTTAKES Video!!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

ROCK THE TUTU 2009 Photo Contest Now Closed

Thank you so much to everyone who voted!! This has been such a fun week!! As of 8pm CST, the contest has ended. It is now time to tally the votes and announce the winner tomorrow, November 7th.

Please note that the total number of comments you see under each contestant will not reflect the actual votes counted for the entries. Votes came in on Facebook which will be counted, but I will also be matching votes with IP addresses under which they were cast here on the blog. Two big things will determine if a vote cast is a countable vote:

The first will be any anonymous votes that did not include a name attached will not be counted. Each contestant was given the allotment of 1 anonymous vote a day and any additional anonymous votes are not counted as I do not know who cast the votes. Votes cast under the Rules & Guidelines post with no mention of the contestant they were voting for will not count.

Secondly, as excitement for the contest grew, there were (and still are that will be deleted) votes cast in which went against the rules of the contest, being one computer was used for entries in excess of normal household numbers as well as votes were cast with inappropriate names. Each individual had to vote for themselves. This will affect the final tally for the votes.

I look forward to announcing the winner tomorrow! Stay tuned! This has been a blast!!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! Turning the Frown Upside Down {Kansas City Child Photographer} {Central Texas Child Photographer}

Oh Madison, she is a ham. This was the third time I had photographed her but if you saw her mood that morning, you’d never believe that she actually knew me. Mom & Dad were out of town so I think she was missing them. I wasn’t sure how the photos would turn out when I saw how unhappy and shy she was when we arrived, but that little stinker, you bring a camera in front of her and she just works it! Camera goes up, big smiles. Camera goes down, not so impressed. Camera goes up, more big smiles. Camera goes down, she’s so outta here! This kid just cracks me up! Hope you feel better with Mom & Dad home Madison!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! A Blessed Life {Kansas City Family Photographer} {Central Texas Family Photographer}

I first met Crystal just over 2 years ago through my friend Rena at one of her scrapbook retreats there in Temple. For those of you who know Crystal, you’ll agree with me that she is just an incredible and fun woman to be around and you can’t help but just love being around her! I first photograped her family during last year’s fall mini-sessions while hubby Bill was in Iraq and was excited to photograph the family again this year, this time with Bill home safe and sound. It’s been a long but victorious year and I’m so privileged to know this family!

Crystal is also a Stampin’ Up consultant for the Harker Heights, Temple, and Killeen areas so if you need some help getting those creative juices going, email Crystal and she’ll hook you up!

This one is one we did for fun since the kids did it last year too!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.

SNEAK PEEK! Roses Taste Yummy {Kansas City Baby Photographer} {Central Texas Baby Photographer}

This little princess is no stranger to my camera. Her mom contacted me when she was still pregnant to arrange a newborn session back in January, which I was so excited for! So Elise won my heart at 5 days old, then again at 3 months and 4 months old. Since her daddy is fighting for our country overseas, her mom has been keeping up a wonderful blog with all of Elise's lastest achievements, so I knew she'd of course grown so much since the last time I saw her last May, but when I saw her again a couple weeks ago in Texas, my heart just melted! So big!!


Daniel had found a rose the perfect color of pink to give to Elise to hold, however she thought that not only did it smell good and look good, but it tasted pretty good too! Her first rose!

And I just had to add this final pic, because I think that as photogenic as Elise is, this was the funniest photo I have ever taken of her!

Contact me at photosbystrom@yahoo.com to set up your session! You can also see my portfolio on my website www.jessicastrom.net or find me on Facebook.