model search {Kansas City Children's Photographer}

EDIT: BOTH spots filled now...THANKS!
EDIT: Baby girl model found. Still need a toddler/kid girl!

I've got a collection of fun new toys and I'm in need of several little girls who would like to come and play. If you live in the area and would like a FREE SESSION to help me with some promotional material please see below!

I wish I still had one of these little things at my house...how do they get so big so quick?


I need the following models:
1. BABY GIRL age 6-18 months (must be sitting on her own)
2. TODDLER/KID GIRL with long hair (shoulder length or longer)

I will book sessions on a first come, first serve basis. Please email me at info@jcooperphotography.com if you are interested!

What's included?

1. Free session fee - please keep in mind this will be a mini session with the express purpose of capturing several images for promotional materials. It will not be a full session with multiple outfit changes or poses. Sessions will be held in my natural light studio.

2. One free 8x10 in your favorite image. 50% off any print images you would like to order through my online shopping cart (excluding gallery wrapped images, custom cards, and economy packages).

3. A chance to capture a couple of fun images of your sweet little one for Valentine's Day!

ALSO...did you see my little TEASER at the top right of my blog....some FUN NEWS coming VERY SOON!!

Cheerio {Kansas City Children's Photographer}

I fell in love with an idea I found in a recent issue of Better Holmes and Gardens magazine. It was a simple Valentine's Day craft project that included photos of your favorite people. And since we have such a shortage of fun photos of the kids around the house (insert snicker here) I decided it was time for a little "share the love" photo shoot of the kids. I recently placed a wholesale order with Oopsie Daisy Baby for a set of pettiskirts. Their website is total eye candy...and I was very impressed with the quality and fullness of the skirts once they arrived! I also must give a shout out to Amy of My Bella Bows on etsy. I ordered a rainbow of hats and flowers from her shop and was thrilled with the quality (and customer service!) Ok...onto the shots!

I was squeezing in mini photo shoots throughout the day as different kids became available :) And of course by the time this silly kindergartner made it home from school I had barely enough light left! But for once...she was such a good sport (I think it had something to do with wearing the frilly tutu and the promise of a lollipop larger than her head).

This one is usually a more eager model. I can usually get a big 'ol cheesy grin out her...it's that serious face she hasn't quite mastered yet. In this shot I actually told her to just look into the camera and be sweet....she immediately burst out laughing....I guess she saw the irony ;)


And this little guy...wondering why he's sitting naked on our wood floor...wondering if his mommy knows it's the end of January and more than a bit cold outside. I LOVED this shot when I saw it in camera...loved how he is giving me that "I'll break your heart if you aren't careful" look. Until I realized I did the cardinal sin of photography...and lopped off his toes. Ooops.

This is the un-amputated version which is still cute and the only other shot I got before he promptly peed all over my husband's tie. Sorry about that honey.

I'll share the finished result of my little craft project in a week or two. I'm going to take similar pictures for a friend's brood so we can have a "craft the night away" girl's night next week!

On another completely unrelated note (and the reason for my title...were you wondering when I was getting to that?!?) Two new things for which I am extremely grateful. Sam can drink from a cup all on his own. And...


Feed himself a cheerio! I know to many of you this seems utterly ridiculous that I would even mention this on my blog (let alone get excited about it!) But if you knew the heart ache my first born gave us with her lack of self feeding abilities (until she was THREE!) you would be doing the happy dance with us. My second born could use a spoon and a fork by about 10 months and I'm praying this little guy will follow that path and save the "eating psychosis" for his older sister :)

That's all for now! Cheerio!

getting down to business

Just sharing some recent propaganda for my business. I'm so excited to be compiling some of my favorite images! I've donated a free session and basic package for the silent auction at our neighborhood elementary school...hoping that will generate some traffic and get the word out "in the hood". If you live in the area...don't forget to place a bid!

These are my new 5x7 postcards! I've been trying to hand out lots of business cards...but really wanted something more to try to grab people's attention...hoping these will be just the ticket :)

One the back is my logo and business info. Just placed my order...can't wait to see them in person!

old school {Kansas City Baby Photographer}

Before having my little guy I'll admit to a wee bit of panic. After having two girls...it was hard to imagine doing anything "boy". I worried that I'd have an uncontrollable urge to dress him in pink and put clippies in his hair. I worried that dressing him would be boring. I worried in vain.

And I'll admit. Boys are pretty fun. Before we had Sam my mother-in-law asked if I would dress him "all boutique-y". And although I'm pretty sure he'll never don a twirl skirt or wear the aforementioned clippies...I can't really make that promise.

Right now I draw the line at a cute hat and some old school plaid pants.

And I think he's darn cute don't you?

Even without the tutu!

lucky {Kansas City Family Photographer}

It doesn't happen often in life...but sometimes you just get lucky and find a friend with whom you connect with on a completely different level. Someone you trust. Someone who knows the "real" you. Someone who anticipates your laugh...knows when you need time to get something off your chest...or will take you shopping for jeans.

I'm lucky because this someone is my sister. Even better...I have two of them.

Between this beautiful girl and my mom...I learned to sew. Her creative spirit fanned my fire for design....and she has been a constant source of encouragement along the way. Her four teenage children (I know it doesn't look possible) are some of the neatest "kids" you will ever meet...genuine, fun, mature, and full of life.

She's "The Librarian". But she's not the geek you would expect. She's passionate, creative, organized, hip, loads of fun, and most of all....one of my best friends.

And before you ask. Yes her curls are natural. And yes my other sister has them. And yes. yes. yes. I DID have those beautiful curls once upon a day too....only mine died a slow, sad, death after my last pregnancy and now only masquerade as a bit of wave. I know...useless information.

Thank you for the extra cookies at the mall...for not freaking out when I spilled ketchup on your appliqued teddy bear sweatshirt...for rescuing me from pants with one fat leg....and for spending an unseasonable warm January day with me...love ya sis!

sleepy {Kansas City Newborn Photographer}

This little one started out awake...but it didn't take much to get her off to la-la-land. A warm bottle and a cozy blanket and she was like putty in our hands!





She's a beautiful little thing. And at 5 weeks she only weighs in at 8 pounds. She had a rocky start but has been such a little trooper...she totally melted my heart!

And she wasn't the only one...check out big brother and his sparkling blue eyes. He was such fun. He made me work for it...but we managed to get a couple shots of him with his "magic hat" that made him disappear!

Thanks to this sweet family for allowing me capture your little ones! I should have your gallery ready soon!

Thanks for the sweet well wishes yesterday too! I spent the day getting spoiled in bed and I'm feeling much better today!

Oh...and one of my photos has been showcased on the Matilda Jane blog...so fun!

nostalgia {Kansas City Children's Photographer}

I recently took advantage of the Matilda Jane winter clearance sale....bought some goodies for the kids...or for me depending on how you look at it. I am usually fairly well behaved in the boutique world. I have an unspoken rule that I generally don't buy anything I could make myself. But when the price gets low enough (and my time gets limited enough)...I bite. So I snatched up a few dresses for the girls and these vintage-y overalls for little man. And then because we had the clothes I thought we probably better have a little photo shoot, right? OK. I'm going to be brutally honest here. I love my children. I DO NOT love taking photos of them (ok...just one of them in particular...can you guess which one?) Her relationship with the camera has been a lifelong struggle...but we shall overcome! I took 54 shots of this ONE pose...and although it isn't perfect (you know how a Mom knows when the smile is genuine...) it will have to do.

I've been wanting to get this shot of little man....but was waiting for an assistant. I think I need to get a remote trigger so I can set shots up all on my lonesome. But then how do you get the baby to look at the camera and not you?

Here it is in color...

The baby bed was a find out one of my local antique stores. I found SO many treasures there...had to limit my purchases that day...but I will be heading back! I had an upcoming baby session that week and wanted something sweet for her session. I made a little mattress with a removable cover so I can change out the color.

Do you like the color version...or sepia? I've fallen back in love with sepia in the past few weeks.

Love his little expression here...kind of timeless. I love how this is my own sweet little man...but could easily be a photo of my grandpa.

Thanks for letting me share our fun!

On a side note. Heading in for outpatient surgery tomorrow. My sweet husband has taken the day off work to coral the kids...kind of looking at it as a mini-vacation....I'll get to read a book...take a nice long nap...and lounge in bed :) I might be missing for a couple of days but I'll be back soon. I have some fun baby pictures to share too!

take a bow....for baby!

My latest ebay listing as part of THIS LAUNCH.


I have to admit I had a hard time parting with this one. I so adore all these fabrics together...little bits and pieces from sets I have offered over the years. I love that mismatched look. I hope this comfy quilt finds its way to a home with a sweet baby girl!

watch out world...

Here I come!

xoxo,
Sam

a little somethin' on ebay

Many of you know Patty. It has been so fun to watch her grow as a clothing designer turned fabric designer over this past year. We had a chance to meet in Houston at Quilt Market where she debuted her fabric line "Andalucia" to the fabric world! She is a ball of energy...and has more creative spirit packed into her little body than most!

To celebrate and support our friend...a group of ebay designers have banded together to showcase her fabrics! I've got one listing up and running and hope to contribute a few more items before the launch is officially over.

Here's a little sneak peek at my listing. Curious what the rest looks like? Stop by HERE to see my listing!

There are hundreds of items showcasing this fun, vibrant fabric. Click HERE to see all that ebay has to offer this week! The launch runs for 2 weeks so be sure to stop back to see it all!

And to tempt you a bit further...a few must haves from some of my favorite gals:
From Nic of Sweetteaboutique

See it HERE!
From Laurie of kandy*kisses*

See it HERE!
And from Leslie of giggles-n-grinz

See if HERE!

There are of course MANY other fab items...what are you waiting for?? Hop on over and check it out!

little man

This little guy is growing up.

At 7 months he is such a hoot. I love so many things about this little man. I love that he always wants to be the center of attention...he'll work the crowd from across the room so he can flash you one of his giant gummy grins. I love his chubby fingers waving "bye-bye" and that determined wrinkled brow that comes out when he tries to say "mama". I love that he'll leap out of my arms when he sees all the grandmas at church...he knows just when someone needs a bit of baby love.

I love him in these little vintage-y overalls...barefoot...with chubby rolls. I love his unruly hair that never seems to lay quite right. I love those little chapped cheeks that are rosy red from all the drooling, blowing raspberries, and chewing.

I love his curiosity....how he log rolls from spot to spot to check out the world around him. I love his big brown eyes that seem to look straight through you...and melt your heart.

I love you little man...every little part.

a fresh coat of paint

I disappeared for a few days...took a nice weekend trip "home" to see my parents. The kids always seem to enjoy a weekend away and since we stayed close to home during the holidays, we thought it would be a nice diversion from all the wet, cold, winter weather.

So now we're back...and I thought I'd share my latest completed project. I found this old store display case on craigslist. It is gigantic (over 7' long and 5' high) and barely fit down our basement stairs. Nor did it fit in our van. I really need to stop browsing craigslist...I am forever finding things I MUST have. Somewhere, though, in the process of renting a U-haul and inviting all the strong men in the neighborhood over for a night of heavy lifting, my husband almost disowned me. So I'll behave. I promise.

The cabinet was a bit of a mess. It had nasty glue all over the base (from the store linoleum I'm guessing) and needed some trim work in places. It is solid wood (mahogany I think) and took six jillion coats of paint (oh ok...three to be exact). But it's fantastic for fabrics. And some day when I finally get my way and we live in a crickety old house...it will be divine in our family room or office.

I've been busy sorting and folding, and stacking and throwing out. I've paired down my collection and organized it by color and/or season...with all the wovens to the left and the knits to the right. I can honestly say it was quite the fun afternoon for my OCD personality. I'm sure it will be a disaster in no time...but for now I am enjoying staring at the pretty piles of color.

I'd like to add in some decorative pretties as well. Need to rumage through my storage room and find a few lost treasures to incorporate!

Here's to starting the New Year off spiffy clean and ready to roll!

baby blues {Kansas City Baby Photographer}

This little guy is pretty special...he belongs to a great friend. We hope that our little guys will grow to be the best of friends over the years. And since he's just a few doors down, I get the privilege of documenting his growth....and has he grown! He is one chunky little monkey...as squishy and sweet as they come...and I love him to death!

He has a big tuft of auburn hair and crystal blue eyes....more wrinkles than my post-holiday thighs, and the biggest smile for his mama...

We were able to capture several sweet grins in our quick mini session!

Thanks for spending the morning with me you little hunk of love. Big squishy hugs!