Thoughts on Pizza and Portraits from a Kansas City Newborn and Baby Photographer

My family loves pizza. My kids have developed this knack for knowing when I am in over my head, and picking that moment to ask for pizza for dinner. (For the record, that happens a lot during September, October and November – what we photographers like to call “the busy season”!) Late last fall our pizza-loving-minds were blown though, and it was enough to alter how often we eat the delicious stuff.

Pizza and Portraits, thoughts from a Kansas City Newborn Photographer | facesyoulove.com

This mind-blowingly good place has amazing smells, great atmosphere, and a display case of pizza-by-the-slice that makes you drool the minute you see it.

We fell in love. Instantly.

By the taste of things, it is clear they use the best ingredients and really have taken the time to perfect their craft. You can pull up a stool and watch them actually toss the dough in the air, “just like on TV!” as my kids like to say. They also make some killer in-house root beer. The staff is friendly, and they make it a place we want to be.

Here’s the thing though – their pizza costs more than the national chains. For our family of 6, it can be almost double what we spend when I find a deal from regular chains. So we’ve made a decision – we’re willing to eat pizza half as often, if it means on more of those pizza nights we can get pizza from our new favorite place.

When you find something that good, you’re willing to sacrifice a bit to make it happen!

So that brings me to the portraits part of this post….

While I am far from the most expensive newborn and baby photographer in Kansas City, I still get a lot of “I love your work, but you’re more than we wanted to spend” or “I love your work, but we found someone who would do it for half”. What’s really crushing is when I hear “I wanted to use you, but went with someone cheaper, and now I regret that”.

There will always be photographers out there that are more expensive than me, and those that charge less than me. Always. That’s ok though, because I’m focusing on what I offer, not what others do or don’t offer.

My goal is to give an experience you love, from the moment you first inquire about my services, to the day you pick up your prints. I want you to so enjoy your experience from beginning to end that you don’t hesitate a single second when a friend mentions she’s looking for a photographer.

I take time each year to improve my photography skills, and when I look back over my portfolio it really shows. Whether I’m working on new shooting techniques, new lighting options, new poses, or new ways to simplify my business, you benefit!

I like to offer my clients amazing ways to display and enjoy their session images, because pictures should be enjoyed immediately, not living on a flash drive or CD in a desk drawer. If you’re going to take the time to hire a professional photographer, you should get professional grade products, in addition to those highly coveted digitals!

I like to take the time to get to know my clients. Many who come every year (or were on a Watch Me Grow plan) have become friends! Chatting during a session and learning all about you is one of my favorite parts of my job. My very favorite times are when we eventually discover we both know so-and-so, or we both attend the same church, or we both have a similar “how we got to Kansas City” story.

So yes, you could still go to a studio chain, spend 10 minutes on a wrinkled background, and call it good. It would be inexpensive, and you’d end up with a million tiny prints of one pose. Maybe that’s what you want…. or maybe you want an amazing, relaxed experience, where you get beautiful pictures, and order exactly what you need and want.

Sometimes it’s ok to order the cheaper pizza, but there are times that just call for the good stuff. Birthdays, special celebrations, just a serious craving…

Sometimes it’s ok to rely on your cell phone pictures, chain studios, or asking friend with a camera for a favor, because it’s better than nothing. However, there are times you need something better, something more personal, beautiful, and longer lasting. Make sure you plan for some of those times too – your future grandchildren and great grandchildren will thank you for it!

For those of you who are as pizza-obsessed as we are, I’m sure you’re dying to know what this magical place is – it’s Providence Pizzeria, in Grandview, and wherever you’re coming from it is well worth the drive! Here is their Facebook Page too.

If you’re expecting or just had a baby, I would love to be your photographer! Send me a message via the “Contact” button, and we’ll chat. I’d even be happy to set up a little tour of my Waldo studio, just for you!