One of my favorite parts of my job as a photographer is working with families over and over through the years. It starts to feel like an annual tradition that I get to be a part of! And especially when there are small children involved, it’s fun to watch how they grow and change, and how their personalities develop over time. Honestly, I feel the same way about the parents! I know for myself, as my own kids have aged, I’ve changed as a mother. When they were babies, I was a little bit more (for lack of a better word) stressed. These days when we do family photos for ourselves, I tend to be laid back, but that’s probably because I’m no longer worried if someone is going to pee their pants or throw a massive temper tantrum. Granted, there are challenges with older kids as well, but I’ll save that for another post. Because today I’m sharing a beautiful session I did with the Stephenson Family!
This past spring I offered a great deal on booking a photo session for Mother’s Day, and Niki (in the green dress) thought it would make a perfect gift for her mother-in-law, Melinda! I’ve shot images of Niki’s sweet family before (remember the hot air balloons?!), but this was my first time working with her extended family. We decided to hold the session at Kansas City’s Union Station, because the weather in Kansas City has been increasingly hot and humid, and with all the kids and grandkids involved, we thought a climate controlled location might work best. Union Station is a gorgeous spot, which provides some deep colors and traditional backgrounds that would look perfect in photographs printed and hung on the walls of their homes.
We decided that to make this the best possible gift, we would shoot more posed portraits instead of focusing on lifestyle images. I love all the big family shots, which include parents, kids and grandkids! It was quite the fun crew! It was so lovely to see such a close, caring family and how they all came together to make this beautiful gift happen for the family matriarch. My favorite part was watching the uncles chase around their nephews as they tried to escape and explore…uncles are the best!
If you’d like to celebrate your family or surprise a family member with a unique gift, consider booking a family photo session! Email me at megan@crazybananas.com for more info.
http://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016-09-07_0006.jpg533800Meganhttp://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Crazy_Banans_Logo_WebsiteBanner.pngMegan2016-09-07 14:01:562016-09-07 14:01:56Extended Family Session : Stephenson Family
Okay, friends…it’s been a hard, long, exhausting few weeks around here. When things get hard, that’s when I used to reach for unhealthy solutions to make all the bad feelings go away, but in the last few years I’ve made it my MISSION to find better ways to cope. Some of these things have been ongoing (exercise, eating better, watching dumb TV, therapy, recovery meetings, etc.), but since the last few months have provided new and unique challenges, I’ve found myself more mindful of things that are making me happy. It’s just how things work, isn’t it? When life is all happy frappy, you don’t necessarily notice the little things that make you smile. But when life is a bit darker, the things that light up your day, even if it’s just a little bit, make all the difference.
So here are a few things that have been making me happy lately:
1. Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton – I have shared my love of Glennon, the brilliant mind behind the Momastery blog, before (remember when I met her and cried and she hugged me?!), so I was more than excited when I heard about her upcoming book Love Warrior. I preordered a signed copy last Spring, and while the official release date is September 6th, I was pleasantly surprised to find it in my mailbox yesterday! I’ve only read a few pages so far, but I’m already engrossed in this memoir. You should absolutely order yours so you can get it next week when it comes out everywhere!
2. My Fake Candy – You guys, I’m a bit of a sweet tooth. I may or may not have bought an entire cherry pie the other day because I was feeling low. And while I definitely think it’s okay to treat yourself and ice cream can help when you’re sad (and it’s a much better choice than alcohol or drugs!), I know myself, and treating feelings with food isn’t usually a good choice (note: USUALLY…there are always ice cream exceptions). So I’ve been looking for a few healthier options for when my sweet tooth is raging, but I know I don’t want to eat a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. These chocolate chip cookie dough Larabars legitimately taste like candy to me, and are my favorite substitute when I am craving sugar. I’m also a huge fan of these wolfberry crisp bars from Young Living, which curb my chocolate craving.
3. LUSH Dream Time Temple Balm – My sweet husband LOVES giving gifts, so he always finds the kids and I little presents when he goes on work trips. When he returned from Las Vegas a few weeks ago, he brought me back a kit of fun bath products and beauty items from the brand LUSH, and this Dream Time Balm is my favorite. You rub a little on your temples right before bed, and all of a sudden your bedroom feels like spa!
4. Mai Tai Spritzer from Drybar – Okay, I’m not gonna lie…the other day I was feeling depressed and decided to go wander the mall. Is this healthy? Probably not, but I am not much of a shopper, so I figured it would be alright to do it once. Anyway, I found myself in Sephora with the goal of “finding something that makes me happy.” This sea salt spray for my hair was the winner! It smells like summer and heaven, and every time I put it on my mood elevates. #worthit
What’s making you happy right now? I need a few more things to add to my arsenal! All suggestions are welcome! If you need me, I’ll be over here eating ice cream Larabars…
http://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016-09-02_0001.jpg600800Meganhttp://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Crazy_Banans_Logo_WebsiteBanner.pngMegan2016-09-02 13:49:162016-09-02 13:49:16A Few Happy Things
Summer weather in Kansas City is pretty unpredictable! So the day of the Miller Family’s session was full of constant weather updates and minute by minute decisions. Even though it rained most of the afternoon, by evening, the rain moved out of the area for about an hour, so we took that time and ran with it! We were shooting at one of my favorite Kansas City locations, The Overland Park Arboretum. I love the arboretum because within the park there are so many different types of foliage and backgrounds. From the kids area, to the miniature train park, to the incredible colors within the different gardens, it really is all-around gorgeous!
These guys were total troopers, as about 20 minutes into our session the famous Kansas humidity took hold and we were all dripping with sweat! But their fun attitudes were a godsend, and I felt pretty lucky to be working with such an easygoing family, especially with the weather being so crazy. The boys teased each other, chased each other around the grounds and made their parents laugh with their antics. One of my favorite things to do with older kids is to ask them to stand behind me while I take photos of their parents, and have them make their goofiest faces to make their mom and dad laugh. It’s a foolproof way to get the BEST smiles!
Thanks to the Miller’s for an awesome evening! If you’d like to book your own family session this fall, send me an email at megan@crazybananas.com. I love working with families of all shapes and sizes, and finding the perfect location that will showcase your beautiful family. These sessions book up quickly in the fall, so make sure to schedule yours ASAP!
http://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2016-08-31_0008.jpg1069800Meganhttp://www.crazybananas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Crazy_Banans_Logo_WebsiteBanner.pngMegan2016-08-31 13:26:232016-08-31 13:26:23Family Session at the Overland Park Arboretum: The Miller Family
Extended Family Session : Stephenson Family
/0 Comments/in Crazybananas Photography /by MeganOne of my favorite parts of my job as a photographer is working with families over and over through the years. It starts to feel like an annual tradition that I get to be a part of! And especially when there are small children involved, it’s fun to watch how they grow and change, and how their personalities develop over time. Honestly, I feel the same way about the parents! I know for myself, as my own kids have aged, I’ve changed as a mother. When they were babies, I was a little bit more (for lack of a better word) stressed. These days when we do family photos for ourselves, I tend to be laid back, but that’s probably because I’m no longer worried if someone is going to pee their pants or throw a massive temper tantrum. Granted, there are challenges with older kids as well, but I’ll save that for another post. Because today I’m sharing a beautiful session I did with the Stephenson Family!
This past spring I offered a great deal on booking a photo session for Mother’s Day, and Niki (in the green dress) thought it would make a perfect gift for her mother-in-law, Melinda! I’ve shot images of Niki’s sweet family before (remember the hot air balloons?!), but this was my first time working with her extended family. We decided to hold the session at Kansas City’s Union Station, because the weather in Kansas City has been increasingly hot and humid, and with all the kids and grandkids involved, we thought a climate controlled location might work best. Union Station is a gorgeous spot, which provides some deep colors and traditional backgrounds that would look perfect in photographs printed and hung on the walls of their homes.
We decided that to make this the best possible gift, we would shoot more posed portraits instead of focusing on lifestyle images. I love all the big family shots, which include parents, kids and grandkids! It was quite the fun crew! It was so lovely to see such a close, caring family and how they all came together to make this beautiful gift happen for the family matriarch. My favorite part was watching the uncles chase around their nephews as they tried to escape and explore…uncles are the best!
If you’d like to celebrate your family or surprise a family member with a unique gift, consider booking a family photo session! Email me at megan@crazybananas.com for more info.
A Few Happy Things
/0 Comments/in Blond, Gimme, Happiness, Heath + Wellness, Reading /by MeganOkay, friends…it’s been a hard, long, exhausting few weeks around here. When things get hard, that’s when I used to reach for unhealthy solutions to make all the bad feelings go away, but in the last few years I’ve made it my MISSION to find better ways to cope. Some of these things have been ongoing (exercise, eating better, watching dumb TV, therapy, recovery meetings, etc.), but since the last few months have provided new and unique challenges, I’ve found myself more mindful of things that are making me happy. It’s just how things work, isn’t it? When life is all happy frappy, you don’t necessarily notice the little things that make you smile. But when life is a bit darker, the things that light up your day, even if it’s just a little bit, make all the difference.
So here are a few things that have been making me happy lately:
1. Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton – I have shared my love of Glennon, the brilliant mind behind the Momastery blog, before (remember when I met her and cried and she hugged me?!), so I was more than excited when I heard about her upcoming book Love Warrior. I preordered a signed copy last Spring, and while the official release date is September 6th, I was pleasantly surprised to find it in my mailbox yesterday! I’ve only read a few pages so far, but I’m already engrossed in this memoir. You should absolutely order yours so you can get it next week when it comes out everywhere!
2. My Fake Candy – You guys, I’m a bit of a sweet tooth. I may or may not have bought an entire cherry pie the other day because I was feeling low. And while I definitely think it’s okay to treat yourself and ice cream can help when you’re sad (and it’s a much better choice than alcohol or drugs!), I know myself, and treating feelings with food isn’t usually a good choice (note: USUALLY…there are always ice cream exceptions). So I’ve been looking for a few healthier options for when my sweet tooth is raging, but I know I don’t want to eat a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. These chocolate chip cookie dough Larabars legitimately taste like candy to me, and are my favorite substitute when I am craving sugar. I’m also a huge fan of these wolfberry crisp bars from Young Living, which curb my chocolate craving.
3. LUSH Dream Time Temple Balm – My sweet husband LOVES giving gifts, so he always finds the kids and I little presents when he goes on work trips. When he returned from Las Vegas a few weeks ago, he brought me back a kit of fun bath products and beauty items from the brand LUSH, and this Dream Time Balm is my favorite. You rub a little on your temples right before bed, and all of a sudden your bedroom feels like spa!
4. Mai Tai Spritzer from Drybar – Okay, I’m not gonna lie…the other day I was feeling depressed and decided to go wander the mall. Is this healthy? Probably not, but I am not much of a shopper, so I figured it would be alright to do it once. Anyway, I found myself in Sephora with the goal of “finding something that makes me happy.” This sea salt spray for my hair was the winner! It smells like summer and heaven, and every time I put it on my mood elevates. #worthit
What’s making you happy right now? I need a few more things to add to my arsenal! All suggestions are welcome! If you need me, I’ll be over here eating
ice creamLarabars…Family Session at the Overland Park Arboretum: The Miller Family
/0 Comments/in Crazybananas Photography /by MeganSummer weather in Kansas City is pretty unpredictable! So the day of the Miller Family’s session was full of constant weather updates and minute by minute decisions. Even though it rained most of the afternoon, by evening, the rain moved out of the area for about an hour, so we took that time and ran with it! We were shooting at one of my favorite Kansas City locations, The Overland Park Arboretum. I love the arboretum because within the park there are so many different types of foliage and backgrounds. From the kids area, to the miniature train park, to the incredible colors within the different gardens, it really is all-around gorgeous!
These guys were total troopers, as about 20 minutes into our session the famous Kansas humidity took hold and we were all dripping with sweat! But their fun attitudes were a godsend, and I felt pretty lucky to be working with such an easygoing family, especially with the weather being so crazy. The boys teased each other, chased each other around the grounds and made their parents laugh with their antics. One of my favorite things to do with older kids is to ask them to stand behind me while I take photos of their parents, and have them make their goofiest faces to make their mom and dad laugh. It’s a foolproof way to get the BEST smiles!
Thanks to the Miller’s for an awesome evening! If you’d like to book your own family session this fall, send me an email at megan@crazybananas.com. I love working with families of all shapes and sizes, and finding the perfect location that will showcase your beautiful family. These sessions book up quickly in the fall, so make sure to schedule yours ASAP!