Thursday, June 26, 2014

Army Homecoming | Manhattan , Kansas Photographer

A Homecoming story where True Love Abounds!

As previously written, probably more than once, I love homecomings! This particular one was a young married couple here at Fort Riley.  From the many messages and text messages received coming up to the event, it was obvious that this young lady was counting minutes until her husband returned.  When I arrived at the ceremony site the excitement was radiating from her; you could see it from miles away.  You couldn't help but be as excited as she was!  I have done so many homecomings lately and loved every one of them, but this one stood out from the pack.  I imagine you will see what I mean as you look through a few shots from the event.  As always, I thank this family and every family that continues to make sacrifices for this country; it is always an honor to get to share it with you! God Bless all of you always.

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - http://staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com/ - info@staceyzphotography.com
















Cake Smash Time! | Manhattan, Kansas Photographer

Did someone say, CAKE!??

Ok, seriously.. who wouldn't enjoy watching a child experience something as awesome as a messy cake for the first time? It's like watching a food fight except (usually) you don't have to get covered in food as well.  You get to sit back, relax (or take pictures in my case) and enjoy the show!  First you have to convince them that it is okay to stick their hands in it and make a mess, which is probably quite confusing for a lot of one-year-olds that are used to being told NOT to do that at home.  Once you get past that step, you have to get them to actually put it in their mouth because it does, in fact, taste as good as it looks.  After that, the party is on and things get fun! I absolutely love shooting a child's Cake Smash.  The faces they make as they go through the previously mentioned process are so fun, and I love capturing that so parents can paste them all over yearbook announcements in 17 years when they graduate high school ;) .

Miss Lydia was no exception! She actually was not too happy with me that day, but once she got rolling, she realized that maybe things weren't quite as bad as she thought..for now!  (I understand Lydia.. cake has that effect on me too!)  Which is fine with me!  At one point, actually..make that two, she decided to dump the whole cake off the stand and onto the floor.. might as well, right!?  It was quite hilarious actually.  After all was said and done, her photos are colorful and adorable, and will be great memories for Mom & Dad!

P.S. Feel free to bring a cupcake for the photographer to your next cake smash session..it keeps us from having to lick the floor after you leave.  Just kidding!! (or am I?)

Is your child turning one this year? If so, check out my website for more information on my All-inclusive Cake Smash sessions so we can document the occasion beautifully!

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - http://staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com/ - info@staceyzphotography.com

















Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Calling All High School Seniors , Class of 2015! It's that time again! | Manhattan , Kansas Photographer

High School Senior Photography

It's that time of year again for the sun to blaze, the kids to swim, and the high school seniors say "Cheese!" (Don't worry.. I don't actually tell you to cheese, unless it works ;) .  Senior photos are typically done over the summer and a bit into the Fall to make sure that you have what you need back in time to submit to yearbook.

I personally love working with high school seniors.  I love the youthfulness of them, but at the same time showing how much you have grown as you get ready to take the "real world" by storm.  I believe senior photos should reflect who you are and where you are in life.  I want you to look and feel awesome, but I don't want to portray you as someone older than you are as is becoming "trendy" in some of the more fashionable photography markets.  Grandma and Grandpa want a picture of you that they can show what a wonderful young adult their grandchild has grown to be, and your parents want to hang you up on the wall and reminisce about the last 18 years.

So on that note, lets have some fun and take some photos!  My home studio is currently not large enough for a full adult session, but I can do some indoor headshots if you would like both.  My senior sessions take place outdoors at a setting of your choosing so we can capture a more realistic you =) .  I am currently offering discounted senior sessions, so make sure to check out the packages I offer on my website at http://staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com/highschoolseniorportraits and just click on "Info & Pricing"!

I look forward to working with you and helping close this chapter of your life in a fun, real, and beautiful way!

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com - info@staceyzphotography.com




Friday, June 13, 2014

Engagement / Save the Date | Manhattan , Kansas Photographer

A Military Marriage to Be!

A few weeks ago this couple and I headed out to snap some photos of them and their engagement for their Save the Date cards.  The sun was blaring even though it was nearly 8pm as the summer sun likes to do!  Mr. Man was a quiet personality and agreed to do his best for his excited fiance.  He is normally not a fan of pictures, but I went easy on him and tried to make it as fun and relaxed as I could.  We kept it short and sweet (just how the guys like it!) and got some awesome images for them to remember this time.  The Mrs. was very happy with the results, which makes me a happy photographer!  Their Save the Date cards should arrive any day now and they are adorable!

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com - info@staceyzphotography.com









Friday, June 6, 2014

Newborn & Sibling Photography Session | Manhattan , Kansas , Stacey Zoll Photography

Sister & Brother Newborn Love

This session produced some of the sweetest sibling photos I have done yet! (Though I will warn you.. I am not liking the quality of the pics that is below! The blog is making them look quite different for some reason?!?)  Anyhoo..! Baby Girl's Mom wanted a simple, natural setup so we went with plain white and cream.  I had little man take off his shirt to help us to focus on the two of them and not distract from the serene colors.  He was actually terrified of the bean bag so more than once I found myself lounging across it in hopes of assuring him that he would be nice and safe! He honestly did Not believe me for the first few times so we went ahead with photos of Baby Girl by herself and let her brother do his own thing, and hopefully observe that she did not get swallowed up by the bean bag =) .  I honestly don't know what I would do with myself at sessions sometimes if I didn't have Littles to explain, plead, and bargain with.. LOL.  The good news is, we DID get him on that bean bag! Mom had her hands on him at all times to help comfort him AND try to keep him in one spot.  The result was some adorably precious sibling photos that Mom & Dad can cherish for a lifetime to come.  After all, they are only this little once!

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com - info@staceyzphotography.com


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Sibling Portraits for Easter | Manhattan , Kansas Photographer , Stacey Zoll Photography

Two..Four...Wait, Where'd They Go?! The Fun of Young Sibling Portraits

The following session was a bit more unique than the others as they were done at the family's local home for Easter per Mom's request.  Photographing at a client's home is always fun as it offers a new location and requires me to "think outside the box" in regards to good backdrops, particularly when there is difficult lighting involved.  This particular session ended up taking place during the heat of the day as that was the only time we could coordinate schedules.  The kids, ages two and four, were excited (as you will see below!), particularly little man who doesn't want to sit still for more than 5 seconds at a time (naturally, what two year old does?)!  So there was lots of chasing and bribes involved, but that's ok!  Mom decided to step away and using my mad skills, I managed to get him to sit AND look at me AND even give me a smile or two!  (I hate to brag.. but this was no easy feat and is TOTALLY worth bragging about, haha).  The interactions between brother & sister were sooo adorable once I got them engaging with one another, and I found a nice little patio to shoot on during the heat of the day at the neighbors house that offered some nice lighting and a bit of depth (don't worry, I think the property was vacant).  Score!!

I know Mom was pleased with the results, as this session also ended up with a nice big 20x24" Canvas of her little two year old ball of fire, documenting this day, and in a way, my victory! =)

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com - info@staceyzphotography.com







Two Year Portrait Session | Manhattan , Kansas Photographer Stacey Zoll Photography

Two Year Portraits.. Challenge Accepted!

I do not get nearly as many two year portrait sessions as I do other ages, but when I do, it is always a welcomed challenge =) .  As many of us parents (and observers!) know, the two year milestone also comes with the two year mindset, aka "the terrible twos".  Upon scheduling this session I was asked "my husband was wondering how you get the kids to cooperate and smile?"  I explained that I have a few tricks up my sleeve that work out 98% of the time, and this was no exception (luckily!).  This little man came was pretty upset and soon as he arrived, so we spent a few minutes relaxing and letting him look around until we felt he was calm enough to bring into the studio.  Once in the studio we used a couple of toys, some of his and some of mine, to distract him long enough to forget that he was upset.  We then quickly removed the toys and interacted with him just long enough to snap some awesome photos, and then he was over it.  The wonderful thing, is you would never know by looking at his photos! His Mom was so pleased that we got "his look" even in the midst of the chaos, and now has a GORGEOUS 20x24" Canvas hanging on the wall in her home.  I absolutely Love capturing a child's true personality, and I know I did a good job when they are ready to proudly display it on their wall.  It is my ultimate goal to provide you with photos that you love so dearly you are ready to hang them on your wall.  As I tell many customers that are concerned with "committing" to a print or print credit that comes with my packages.. if you don't have at LEAST one image that you can't wait to display on your wall, then I did not do my job.  I am confident in my ability provide you with photos that you are itching to show the world!  And I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to do just that every time you book a session with me!

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com - info@staceyzphotography.com