When Brea reached out about doing some fall family photos in Springfield MO with her family and her sister's family, she originally thought about doing some fun spooky ghost looks, as well as combination with their whole extended family. As the date got closer, the shoot evolved into just the sisters two families and the ghost looks went by the wayside. But as I was editing, I knew there would be some room to play to bring some ghosts back into the equation as a fun surprise. 

When you book any time of family session with me, all combinations of family members, as well as individual portraits are included. As with all my shoots, we shoot until we feel like we have lots of good shots to choose from. I edit all the usable ones (usually over a 100) and email you the link to two albums, one optimized for printing and one for sharing online. You can then print any of them you like, wherever you want, in any size. 

As mentioned earlier, I included some fun creative edits as a surprise for this client, since they didn't end up getting to do their fun ghost shots.

If you are looking for a creative family photographer in Springfield MO, who you gonna call? Ghost shooters! Just kiddin' - call me. 

Call or Text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

Denae's mom reached out looking for Springfield MO Senior Photos that were creative and editorial. Denae's sent me a pinterest board with their idea's of what kind of looks they wanted to do and from that we agreed on 3 looks/locations: 

1. A studio set with a color backdrop
2. A dreamy forrest/water look
3. A downtown city look at night

For the first look, we decided on a color that would contrast with the white top she choose. I brought my studio set up, backdrop and lights to their house and set up in their living room (for studio sets, I can come to you, or you can come to my house). As we shot we brought in some  various props and set pieces from around the house like their Mom's aloe plant, their white couch, and even did some with their artwork. I love finding ways to include personal, sentimental pieces that reflect life at that moment. 

For the second look, we went out to Valley Water Mill and frolicked in the creek near golden hour. The lighting was magical, and I love how these turned out with the fall colors.

For the last look, after the sun went down, we met up downtown to grab some shots featuring neon and city light bokeh from the ground level and top of the parking garage. Denae absolutely killed all three looks. Which is your favorite?

I always like to include some black and white photos for every session - as much as I LOVE color, there is just always something so timeless and classic about black and white photos and sometimes images just pop a little more in black and white. 

If you are looking for a creative, editorial photographer for your Senior Photos in Springfield, MO (or surrounding areas) don't hesitate to reach out!

My pricing is $150 per look/location, and you can do as many as you want. We shoot until we both feel like we have a lot of great options. I edit all the photos (usually over 100) and email them to you in both Print optimized and Web optimized sizes so you can print any of them in any size you want from wherever you want, and can post them on social media. My turnaround time from the shoot date to delivery date is usually 1 week. 

Call or Text: (417) 848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

This Creative Senior Picture session with three looks was so epic! We started with a brunch brainstorm session, Chelsea shared some pinterest inspo photos, then we hit up some thrift stores to source what we needed to complete the looks. This shoot had it all - rats, cats, and ladybugs, oh my! We had luck on our side. 

Which is your favorite look?

If you are looking for creative senior pictures for you or your senior, don't hesitate to reach out! Of if you just want some creative editorial portraits, reach out! I'm a big believer that these sessions are for everyone, at any stage in life. Dress up! Play! Let's create art together. 

Text or Call: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

Emily was looking for Senior Portraits in Springfield MO and reached out to do a session at two of her favorite place: a Farmers Market and a Bookstore. We bonded over our shared love of 90's RomComs and this shoot had me dreaming of buying "a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils."

If you are looking for a Springfield MO Senior Portrait photographer, don't hesitate to reach out.

Call or Text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

This past weekend I had the pleasure of doing some professional headshots and marketing photos for the gorgeous ladies of The Cleaning Ritual. If you need some help cleaning your home that is Non-Toxic • Eco-Friendly • Low Waste • Inclusive... you should check them out!

If you are in need of headshots, branding shots, or photos to share on your business social media, don't hesitate to reach out!

Call or Text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

As a Springfield Family Photographer, one of the ways I use my business to give back to the Springfield Community is by providing Adoption Day Photos for free. I've had a lot of great adoption day sessions, but this one was extra cute. I mean, look at that face! This girl had giggles, rawrs, and smiles for days. You can feel the love and happiness through the photos like a dose of serotonin.  

If you or someone you know is looking for someone to capture your adoption day, don't hesitate to reach out. Don't have an adoption but just want to update your family photos? My family sessions currently start at $250 and include up to 2 locations. No time limit - we shoot until we feel good about our options and can do all combinations of family members, including individual portaits. I edit them and deliver within a week digitally in both Web and Print sized albums.

Call or text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

This lovely family session in Rountree was a real treat. I mean, look how well that pup poses for the camera! The Rountree neighborhood in Springfield, MO is so idyllic - the tree covered streets provided a nice backdrop for our first set up. As with all family session, we did all combinations of family members (including Grandma and the pup) and some individual shots. Family Sessions include up to two locations, so we did some photos in their neighborhood and then some at their favorite park. 

If you are looking for a Springfield Family Photographer, don't hesitate to reach out!

Call or Text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com

As a Springfield Senior Photographer, I love when my worlds cross and I get to capture seniors who love theatre and Jaxson was no exception. I got to experience the new home of Springfield Contemporary Theatre at the historic Fox Theatre for the first time. I love old theaters - the smells, the magic, the history of storytelling fills the air. 

Jaxson was such a lovely young man to capture and get to know. We started our session at the Fox Theatre, and then wandered downtown finding cool spots and good lighting. 

As a digital illustrator, I loved the idea of incorporating a little of that into one of his photos. What do you think? 

If you're looking for Springfield Senior Photographer, don't hesitate to reach out! 

Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com
​Call or Text: 417-848-0932

I was honored when the Springfield Daily Citizen reached out to ask me to do editorial illustrations for a 4 part series on Domestic Violence in Springfield, MO. My first job with them was earlier this year when I illustrated a story they did on working from home. In this blog, I'll take you behind the scenes of my editorial illustration process for this Springfield Daily Citizen job. 
 
​For the first illustration, they wanted to subject featured and wanted to be able to have a version with the title of the series "Living in Fear" and without, as well as a version they could use as the logo for the series. 

Below are my first two mock-up sketches for the concept based on their requests, and above is the final version in full color. Some time after creating this illustration, I nearly spat out my water as I was driving home from a doctor's appointment and saw my illustration on a billboard! Pretty cool--unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of it. 

The second illustration in this series was intended to illustrate the things most women in domestic violence situations feel make it harder for them to leave: kids and pets. In this illustration, we see our main character in a dark whole or pit with their cherished loved ones, the kids and the pets, surrounding them--money and keys also appearing signifying the opportunity (or lack thereof) to flee. The sketch of the main character appears more feminine presenting, but the newspaper requested a more gender neutral character for this one, as men, women, and non-binary individuals may all be the victim of domestic violence.  

The third illustration in this series was to depict the ways the justice system in America is often bent towards the perpetrator and against the victim, thereby re-victimizing and further traumatizing the victim. For this, we see a court scene with the scales of justice leaning in favor towards the perpetrator, while the victim takes the stand. 

In the final illustration in this series, the newspaper requested we see all the people who are in the victim's corner, helping them to safety, to heal, to get justice, and shine a light on what has been happening in the shadows and behind closed doors. Each of the people surrounding our main character here are actual, real local people in Springfield, MO who work to help victims of domestic abuse. 

Check out the incredible reporting done for this series Living in Fear by the Springfield Daily Citizen. 

If you are looking for editorial illustrations to help bring your story to live, or custom illustrations to give as a gift, don't hesitate to reach out!

Call or Text: 417-848-0932
Email: DesigningIndie@gmail.com