A Change of Scenery

“The only constant is change.”  – Heraclitus

Recently, I noticed that even though I love my fabulous loft-like studio in downtown Manhattan, I would find myself dreaming of the next space… maybe a cozy cottage with lots of light and color and easy access for moms & their little ones to visit me instead of the steep stairs they use now.  Perhaps a place with its own garden and playhouse out back, a playful environment that would help bring out natural, relaxed smiles.  Then my studio mate decided to leave Manhattan for greener pastures, and –that was that- I decided to end my lease and move my studio back home for now.  The view from my window has gone from rooftop air conditioners to a huge sycamore. I aspire to create colorful, unexpected, playful images with my new light-filled, groovy space.

In the midst of my studio move, serendipity stepped in.  The perfect job came along.  Let me explain:  I’m a photographer by trade, but my heart’s desire lies in creating opportunities for people to make and enjoy art of all kinds.  I adore galleries, art classes, and people coming together to create and share their creations.  A vibrant arts community is my passion.  So when an opportunity to work at the Manhattan Arts Center came along, I couldn’t help myself.  I’m so pleased to tell you that I’m now working as the Director of Education and Marketing at the MAC!  It couldn’t be a more perfect fit!  It’s a part-time position, so I will still have time for photography (and yoga and coffee and of course, my amazing kids).  My view here is of plays and exhibits and press releases and students… and all of it, for art.

Change is exhilarating, but exhausting.

Happy New Year, kim b

Holiday Prairie Mini-Sessions

You are invited to our Holiday Mini-Sessions on the Prairie!!  Saturdays November 17 and 24th, from 3-5:00pm at a beautiful spot in the tallgrass, for families, children, singles or couples, pets or roommates… whoever wants to get amazing portraits on the prairie!  Here’s what you get from your session:  A 30 minute mini-session outside in the beautiful tallgrass, 50 Artistry Holiday cards (double-sided, 5×7 in fancy shapes like the one in the photo above), 10-15 images in a gallery, and a $50 print credit… all for only $225.  To reserve your limited session, click HERE.

As a special holiday treat, I will be offering a CD for $150 (in addition to the session fee of all your images).  This includes the reproduction rights so you can print willy-nilly.  (This deal is once a year, folks! The CD is regularly $800.)  Other holiday items available for purchase are: 3×3 mini albums, sterling silver photo frame necklaces, iPhone covers, and Bamboo standout mounts.  Stocking stuffers, anyone?

Here are the important details:

• Saturdays (November 17 & 24) from 3-5:00, every half hour (rain dates are the following Sundays, Nov 18 & 25)
• Cost is $225.  Payment can be accepted online with Paypal or Credit Card by clicking here.
• If you don’t want the holiday cards, I’ll substitute 48 wallets or a 16×20 print
• Sessions are for up to 5 people and 1 dog (to add a person or animal, it’s $25 each)
• You will return to the studio about a week later to order your cards & prints
• Cards & prints ordered by Dec 1 will be ready for pickup by December 17
• Please Facebook or email me if you have any questions!  (kimbphoto@gmail.com)

I look forward to making beautiful portraits of your family in this magical autumnal light!

Cheers ~kim b.

Lily & Jake

I was a lucky girl when I got to photograph these sweeties this summer.  Lily gets the prize for being the youngest newborn I’ve photographed at 2 days old!  I first met her brother Jake when he was a baby at a Hey Baby Valentine’s session, and he’s been a frequent visitor at my mini-sessions through the years.  He was so sweet with his baby sister, but also thoughtful enough to look at me so I could get some shots of those amazing brown eyes!  And I adore the photo of Mama nursing her baby… it tugs at my heartstrings and reminds me of when my babies were little!

I’ll miss their beautiful family as this was our last portrait session before they moved away from Kansas.  I’m so happy we got these newbie photos before the moving van pulled out!

Jungle Book album preview

Families from the Jungle Book theatre cast:  the design of the souvenir album is complete and ready for ordering!  To preview the album go to: http://www.myproimages.com/bookpreview.aspx?orderid=T508037 to see it in it’s entirety.  To order, go to http://kimbphoto.zenfolio.com/junglebook and order from the thumbnail image.  Cost is only $30 for an 8×8 softcover, press-printed album (bound like a softcover book).  More details are listed on zenfolio, or you can email me if you have any questions.  This is a perfect souvenir for your kids to show their family and friends just how amazing their summer was!  For everyone who orders by Friday at noon, the book will be ready for pick-up by early next week.

Here are a few pages to tempt you:

Catch-up & popsicles

We’re deep into summer here at the “b” house… theatre camp just ended, pool passes are half gone, popsicle sticks are piling up, the VW is itching for a roadtrip, and my computer has grown dusty from neglect.  I thought I’d play a little catch-up for anyone wondering “just where has Kim gone?”  I’m still here,  working a bit when the kids aren’t looking.  But mostly playing and reading and loving my 2 amazing kiddos.  Life is short, and I want to enjoy every minute of their sweet childhood.  I’ll be back behind the camera once school starts, gearing up for seniors and the family holiday season.  But only after a roadtrip, a few pool visits, and lots more popsicles.

Here’s a little eye candy of some things I worked on & should have posted here months ago… enjoy!

Urban family portraits

Once in a while I get to step away from my computer and play outside my studio.  In this case, this little man was turning one and we celebrated with Varsity donuts and family photos in the nearby alley (about as urban as we get here in Manhattan).  An alley in the college bar district isn’t the cleanest place for a baby, I know, but the amazing light and textures definitely made up for it.  This may be one of my favorite family sessions ever.  Enjoy the results!

Valentine Mini Sweethearts

Valentine’s Day photos are my new favorite.  All the bright color, bold hearts, and happy kids are absolutely delicious!  Reminds me of a red velvet cupcake with rainbow sprinkles.  These little sweeties came to visit me this weekend for my Valentine’s Day Mini-Session and I couldn’t stop myself from taking way too many shots of each of them.  Sorry, parents, but you’re going to have some tough choices!  Here’s a little taste-test collage I made of some of my favorites from the day:

There are lots more, but I need to get to designing their Valentines, which I will post here later this week.  I have one more family coming in for Valentine’s photos this Friday, so if anyone sees these and absolutely must have some colorful, lovey Valentine’s photos, email me.  You could have a delicious little treat of your own.  Mmmm… is anyone else craving red velvet cake now? (Bluestem Bistro, here I come!)

Enjoy ~Kim

Tutus & Ties Valentine Mini-Session

You are invited to the kim b Tutus & Ties Valentine Mini-Sessions!  I’m joining forces with two local moms who make the most adorable tutus and little boy’s ties.  I know, I know… it’s almost February.  I should have done this weeks ago… well, this will be another quick turnaround to get you what you need in time for the holiday.  In case you’re new around here, let me share with you that the mini-sessions are short & sweet sessions that result in a choice of amazing photos to capture the best images of your kiddos because they don’t have time to get bored!

• When:   Saturday February 4 from 12-4:00
• Where:  the kim b photography studio, 403d Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, KS
• Why:  who doesn’t love a little girl in a tutu or boy in a tie like daddy’s?  (and because your valentines will be the BEST ones in preschool!)

Here are some of my favorites from the last Valentine’s session…  (see below for the session details)

Session details are:  cost is $75 for 1-3 kids, and includes either 25 Valentines (customized with your favorite photo from the day and delivered before Feb 14) -or- one 8×10, and you get to keep the tutu!   (you even get to choose the color if you sign up before Wednesday Feb 1) Length is 20 minutes each, with no time for outfit changes.  Please come dressed in simple tee, leotard, and leggings or bloomers for girls, and solid shirt or tee and jeans/pants for boys!  You will also receive an online proof gallery of approximately 10 images and an in-person ordering session at which time you can order prints.

To schedule your session, click HERE to reserve your spot with a credit card or paypal payment.

Hope to see you there  ~kim b.

Modern Holiday Mini-Sessions

It’s December… Do you have your cards done?  Do you know what you’re buying the grandparents this year?  Let me help you!

Come down to Boxlab tonight and tomorrow for our Modern Holiday Mini-Sessions.  You’ll get some fabulous photos of your family or just the kiddos, a set of holiday cards customized with your fancy photos (that will be ready in a week), and the chance to buy some prints for your family gifts.  And the whole event will benefit TR Elementary’s PTO!  Photos are first come, first served, or you can book your session by clicking here.  Several families already have, so they’ll get first dibs on their preferred time!  Boxlab is located at 407 Poyntz Ave, right downtown Manhattan.

Stick around tonight at Boxlab after the Holiday Parade for some free hot chocolate and cookies from our own holiday elves.  Our kids will be wearing their new aprons and serving up goodies and they couldn’t be happier!  See you tonight ~kim b.

“be festive” modern mini-sessions!

You are invited to the “be festive” modern holiday mini-sessions!!  This weekend, Boxlab and I will be teaming up for Theodore Roosevelt Elementary school’s downtown shopping days.  10% of the proceeds from Friday and Saturday will go to the school!  Please come down and check out the amazing modern furniture and home accessories they have in store, and get your family holiday photos at the same time!!  I will be holding a holiday mini-session in Boxlab’s showroom, on one of their fabulous couches (my favorite- the red one), with some holiday bling thrown in for some funky color.  Why should you do it?  Three reasons….

1. You’ll get your Christmas cards done! (and they’ll be amazing.)
2. You can stop wondering what you’re getting Aunt Edna because you’ll have unique photos to gift your family! (Along with the funky toothpick holder that I know you’ll buy from Boxlab.)
3. You’ll feel all warm and fuzzy about the whole thing because you’re also giving to a great cause… our kids at TR.  (ok, my kids go to Lee, but I’ll do something for them for Valentine’s Day, ok Ms. PTO Prez?)

So now that you know you want to get in on the fun, here are the important details:

• Friday (Dec 2) from 4-6pm and Saturday (Dec 3) from 10-3 at Boxlab’s showroom, 407 Poyntz Ave
• Cost is $75  (10% of this goes to TR)
• You get the choice either of a set of 25 Christmas cards -OR- one 5×7 and four wallets
• Sessions are first come, first served OR you can book your appointment to know you’ll get the exact time you want by clicking here.

And finally, here are the not-so important details, just because I know you’ll have questions (aka the fine print):

• Session cost is for one family grouping- not your cousins & friends & pets.  No pets please!
• Additional cards & prints are available for purchase in collections (starting at $89) or a la carte (starting at $25)
• The cards are 5×7 press-printed cardstock, flat with envelopes.  You get to choose the design!
• Cards & prints will be ready for pickup one week after ordering.  If your design & image are selected at our session, your cards will be ready by Monday Dec. 12
• Payment can be accepted online with Paypal or Credit Card (if you use the link for the appointment here), or by cash, check, or credit at the session.
• Sorry, but the red VW bus won’t be in the store like in the example above!  (that was from my holiday prairie session that I’ll show you shortly!)
• Please Facebook or email me if you have any questions!  (kimbphoto@gmail.com)

If you’re feeling non-committal or just want to soak up the fun, come on down and check us out before or after the Holiday Lights Parade, Friday at 6pm!  You can warm up inside with some holiday spirit and hot chocolate served up by our kiddos.   Cheers ~kim b.