Hannah and Matthew Cowin: Bella Vista, AR

Hannah and Matthew had previously been photographed by Calotype, around Christmas time, with the extended Armstrong family. Their mom, Cheri, brought the kids back for casual portraits by the creek and we had a great time, playing in the sun and the water!

Hannah and Matthew are the children of Daniel and Cheri Cowin. Thanks, Cowins, for your continued business with Calotype Photography.

Little Models: A Special Kid's Session from Calotype Photography

Booking now and until June 27th— Little Models!

Yes, we all love those sweet little timeless images of children— sepia and hand-colored and antique toys and flowers— but for a long time I've wanted to do a children's session that is more like a high-school senior Session - fun outfits, cool poses and a chance to really show each child's personality. We've decided to offer these Sessions for a very special price, just until the end of June.

Here's the scoop:

1. $25 for one child, but bring a variety of outfits. Remember, they're a model!

2. Must be photographed by 6-27-08. Sessions are available Weds-Fri, 10-5.

3. Limited to one child per Session. More than one kid? Just book an additional Little Models Session for them, too.

4. Your "Little Model" must be old enough to pose and follow directions. We suggest anywhere from the ages of 5-16.

5. Pay in advance to book your Session. We can take all major credit cards over the phone.

6. Kids love the experience of being pampered, too! If you've got a little girl, go all out and make it special by getting their hair and nails done beforehand. (Go easy on the make-up. A little light lipgloss is all they'll need).

7. Bring a variety of outfits for us to choose from. Make it colorful, make it fun! You can also bring any special items that your kids choose, like a guitar or an umbrella, or decorative pillows from their bedroom— whatever! Make it unique.

8. After your Session, we'll book a separate preview appointment for you to return to our studio and view and choose the images you'd like to order. If you'd like Children's Portrait Pricing information, email me at julie@calotype-photography.com

Because we're Calotype, every image will be retouched and enhanced (bye-bye, bumps, bruises and bites!), and we'll make a special slideshow presentation just for you, complete with our complimentary design services. (Because we know your child is really that special!)

Paige Owens: Sulphur Springs, AR

Paige celebrated her first birthday with a portrait Session at Calotype Photography. We celebrated, too, because she's not quite walking! (Makes a photographer's job so much easier when you're not chasing them around the camera room!) She was just absolutely too cute, in her red sundress and matching hat.

Paige is the lovely granddaughter of Cheryl Smith and the daughter of Casey Smith.

Kim and Ava Enderle: Bentonville, AR

Kim brought her two-year-old daughter, Ava, to Calotype for a special mother/daughter Session. Ava was full of energy and laughs! We captured some beautiful moments between mom and daughter— see the highlights from the Session below.

Thanks for choosing Calotype, Kim and Ava (and Jonathon— can't forget about Dad, behind the scenes!) Kim is the editor of Peek-A-Boo magazine in Northwest Arkansas.

Wallain Family: Anderson, MO

Elisha and Lyn Wallain brought their three children, Brandon, Rylan and Layla to Calotype for a family portrait Session. If you recognize Layla's dark shock of hair, that's because she was here earlier in the year with just mommy. Amazingly, she just keeps getting cuter!

After some studio work, we went outside to Indian Creek for some family togetherness. What a great day for portraits! Thanks, Wallain family, for choosing Calotype Photography to capture your family.

Baby Stephens: 15 Weeks

It's our baby's first photograph! Okay, I probably would have turned his head to the light a little more... (haha) but he was a little hard to pose....

Baby Stephens (untitled as of yet because we're not going to find out the sex) is due to enter the world sometime around November 9th. You can bet, if things go well, that sometime around November 10th we'll be taking his pictures at Calotype.... :)

Riddle Family: Seneca, MO

Cortney, Dewain and daughter Avery came to Calotype for family portraits. We started inside the studio, but then it was such a nice day outside we migrated out to the park for some outdoor portraits. ("Nice day" was only temporary.... later that afternoon was the series of violent tornadoes that struck the four-state area on May 10).

My favorite image from this Session is Avery as she relishes her lollipop (last image). Thanks for choosing Calotype, Riddle family!

Paige and Peri Reagan: Neosho, MO

These portraits were taken at the Reagans' home in Neosho. We had photographed the family last Christmas, but this time just the girls were being photographed. The dogwoods, the redbuds and all sorts of other spring flora and fauna provided the perfect background for these beautiful images. Gorgeous!

Paige and Peri are the daughters of Dr. Jon and Shelia Reagan.

John and Casey Poynor: Noel, MO

John and Casey are a young married couple from Noel that wanted something "different" as far as portraits go. They came to the right place! We had a great time (and they photographed awesome, which sure helps!) Thanks, Poynors, for coming to Calotype for Portrait Photography.

Carlie Martin: Anderson, MO

What's cooler than this hot chick, in her bathing suit and sunglasses?? Not much! Carlie celebrates her first birthday with a Session at Calotype. The timeless, childlike look is always classic (bottom two images) but we'll always love bright colors and fun photography. Everybody needs to lie on a lime green rug at least once in their life. :)

Carlie is the daughter of Nick and Ashlie Martin. Thanks, Martin family, for choosing Calotype Photography in Anderson, MO.

Kendra Carlson: Bentonville, AR

Kendra recently celebrated her 29th birthday with a Portrait Session at Calotype Photography. It was a warm day, so we ended up at Dabbs Greer by the water. Well, actually in the water. What's a good Session without getting a little wet at the end?

Kendra is the director of marketing for the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce. Thanks for coming to Calotype, Kendra!

Client Buzz: check out our latest gossip!

First Place:
Kye Perez of Noel was entered in the America's Fabulous Faces competition (his categories were swimwear, most photogenic, and overall beauty) and he won FIRST PLACE IN ALL THREE DIVISIONS!! Yay, Kye! He advances to the nationals, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida, this summer. Needless to say, he won Most Photogenic with a Calotype Portrait, of course. It was published on the inside cover of their program. Congratulations, little guy!



Prom Queen:
More congratulations go out to Brianna Jordan, a senior at McDonald County High, for being chosen as the 2008 Prom Queen. We saw Brianna that night (we opened the studio on prom night for couples to come in for classy, Calotype portraits) and she looked absolutely beautiful. Brianna is the daughter of Bob and Alicia Jordan of Anderson. And no, that's not her prom dress (below). :)






















Open for Business:
You remember us talking about Belly Buttons, the new children's boutique opening at Macadoodle's Plaza in Jane. It's finally open! Shop till you drop, Tuesday through Friday, 10-6, and Saturdays 11-7. Check out Calotype's work while you're there— our portraits are featured in the boutique. Grace and Bella Epperson model clothing from Belly Buttons, below.



Expecting a Baby:
Jonathan and Julie Stephens! Okay, okay, so we work at Calotype and we're not technically clients. But I can still gossip about myself! Baby Stephens is due November the 9th, and MY GOODNESS, we are EXCITED. We're not going to find out the sex. Can we stand the suspense?!?! We'll let you know. Prepare to meet the most photographed child in America, outside of those Brangelina tots. :)

May is for Mothers-To-Be

Calotype is offering a very special incentive for expecting mothers during the month of May: call and book your Session sometime during the month of May and take $75 off your portrait order!

You don't have to be photographed in May— we want that baby bump to be at 28-34 weeks, so we know the month of May may not fall during those times for you— but as long as you call and book, paying your Session fee in advance to secure your appointment, you'll get a credit of $75 toward any Calotype prints or products you choose to order!

If you're a first time mother, or a second-or-third-timer that's never had the opportunity to have maternity portraits taken, here's some information you may enjoy knowing.

Why have maternity portraits taken?

A woman's changing body is a beautiful, fascinating subject for a photographer. You may not feel like it, but an inspired, professional portrait photographer can use light, shadow and color to sculpt and create a beautiful image of your pregnancy that you'll cherish forever. It's such an exciting, special time: a professional portrait lets you remember it, vividly, forever.

My hormones are playing havoc on my skin... I can't have my portraits taken like this!

Don't worry about all of pregnancy's little side effects. Bumps, discoloration, stretch marks— you won't even see them. One of Calotype's signatures is that we retouch every image before you see it. Don't worry— you'll look great.

I like the idea of having maternity portraits, but I don't have any ideas on what to do....

Don't worry. We have all sorts of ideas! We'd love to hear yours, of course, but if you're creatively stumped, we have all sorts of neat ideas for beautiful, personal portraits that are far and above just typical "belly shots". Here's a few, for starters:

Clean and simple: Wear a white button-down, open over your belly. We'll photograph you against our solid, clean pool-blue wall. Understated, but not stark.

Fun and bright: If you're a primary-colored girl, wear a bright, solid tank in vivid red or deep pink or leaf green. We'll catch you smiling and laughing in front of bright-hued backgrounds.

Natural mama: Wear a loose and flowy dress, and we'll go outside. Walk barefoot into the late afternoon sun and let the wind toss your hair.

Renaissance Madonna: Wrap yourself in our rich fabrics and tapestries, looking down at your swelling belly as light falls gently in from the windows. Your creamy skin and wavy hair will be complimented by deep, warm colors.

Mommy and Daddy: Daddy's big hands on your belly is always such an emotional photograph. Even if Dad's a bit camera shy, just his arms wrapped around you can make a beautiful relationship series of portraits. Look at each other, unaware of the camera, as you reflect on your Little Miracle.

Make it special: Bring the teddy bear you've already bought for your little baby, or his first blanket. If you already have his name, spell it out in wooden blocks you can hold in front of your belly.

We have all these ideas, and more! You'll feel comfortable and relaxed. (Julie, the photographer, writing here). Pregnancy is such a special time, and even though I have years of experience in photography, nothing prepares you for photographing expectant mothers quite like the actual experience of pregnancy. We're finding this out... my husband Jon and I are expecting our first child in November!

Our way of celebrating our joy is to invite you to experience a Maternity Session at Calotype. Call by May 31 and save $75 off your portrait order.

417.845.1151

Shawnee Wood: Anderson, MO

Shawnee first came to our studio last fall to sell us a yearbook ad. Now's she back for senior portraits. I posted some highlights from her Session below.

Thanks for choosing Calotype, Shawnee and mom, Betty. I guess our ad really worked! :)

Drew Christerson: Anderson, MO

Drew's a senior at McDonald County. He brought his paintball gun (you know how we love props!) My favorite of all Drew's images is the second-to-the last of the images featured below. It's my newly discovered alleyway in downtown Anderson. Who knew such treasures existed in our humble little town?? :)

Thanks, Drew, and mom Lisa, for coming to Calotype.