family | rik andes photography

fall portrait specials, going on now!

Hey everyone out there in Internetland! I just wanted to pop in and let you know that we’re running some portrait session specials over on our Facebook page.

What’s that? You didn’t know we had one? We do. It’s here. Come on over and join the fun! We post more images of more recent work over there, so check out what we’ve been up to!

Also, while you’re there, check out the daily portrait session special. Every day this week (9/12-9/17), we’ll be offering a different discount or incentive to a limited number of sessions that book that day. Check back every morning to see the new deal and get on it! Now is the time to plan your holiday portrait session in order to get images and cards back in time to send them out.

See you over on the Book!

(and, just because posts are prettier with pictures, here’s a couple from last fall)

my own – manhattan, ks child photographer

It’s not very often that I go to a wedding as a guest. Being in this business, the odds are just against me. So this past weekend, I found myself in a rather rare position: I was at a wedding, I didn’t have to work it, I had my camera, and my oldest daughter was the flower girl. That last one meant that she was all dressed up and at the wedding venue (the Holiday Inn in Manhattan, KS) early.

While we were waiting for the wedding photographer to finish doing the bride and groom portraits, I asked her if she wouldn’t mind me making a few portraits of her. Amazingly, she agreed! I was so happy that she was willing, because the Holiday Inn has some amazing light and great locations. I’ve shot some wedding receptions there before and have never been disappointed.

We spent all of 13 minutes, and I made less than 70 frames, but am so happy with the results. I don’t normally share personal images on here, but since these were not your run-of-the-mill family snapshots, I figured it was okay. So, if you’ll indulge me, my daughter:

My very favorite ones of her from this mini-session (plus my other two kiddos), after the break.

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miss zoey – manhattan ks child photographer

Earlier this month, I had the chance to go hang out with little miss Zoey and her parents at their Manhattan, KS home. I had met them the month before while photographing their adorable home (already sold!), and as we were talking about their upcoming move out of state, Zoey’s mom mentioned that they needed to get Zoey’s portraits made.

Two weeks later, and I got to hang out with Zoey at her home and at nearby Anneberg Park. I spent nearly the whole time laughing and playing with this adorable, energetic, Wiggle-loving little girl.

Everyone, meet Zoey:

Zoey is the typical 2.5-year-old toddler: shy at first, but curious enough about the rabbit on the top of your camera that she will eventually come out of her shell and play.

Besides, she loves her little pink sunglasses.

To see more, check out the full post:

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charlie – manhattan, ks child photographer

One of the greatest thing about photography is getting the chance to work with a family on several occasions over the course of time. Last year, I shot the wedding of a great couple at the KSU Botanical Gardens and clicked with the bride’s family. Later that year, I got to work with the whole family again when they wanted to create some family portraits on the campus of their favorite university: Kansas State. Last month, I got to work with the bride’s sister and her family to capture their little boy, Charlie, as he neared his second birthday. Once again, we met on the KSU campus, but in a part of campus I had never used before for portraits. I love that there are endless locations for portraits on campus!

Charlie is as precocious as any adorable two-year-old boy, but just before we met for our session, he had been sick for a couple of days and had had to stay inside. I think this was his first day of really feeling better and getting outside. You know how much energy every two-year old typically has? You know what happens when they have to save 3 days’ worth of it while hanging out inside sick?

The photographer gets to run a lot, too. It’s okay–it’s all a game, right?

Like peek-a-boo.

Or hide-and-seek.

Ok, Charlie, enough games. Come on out and meet everyone!

Everyone, Charlie. Charlie, everyone.

More of the handsome little guy (and his monkey!) after the jump.

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kelli and jay – manhattan photographer

I love my job. I get to meet all kinds of incredible people that let me into their lives for a time. There are so many different kinds of beautiful relationships that I get to share, so much love and passion that I get to witness, and so many people in love that I get to work with to create portraits for them to treasure.

Recently, I got to meet Kelli and Jay. They got married a couple of years ago, but at the time, didn’t get any engagement pictures taken. Luckily for me, they came to me to help them create some portraits of the two of them together along with their little girl.

We got together at Anneberg Park in Manhattan, KS, during spring break on a slightly chilly and fairly breezy afternoon. First, we started with Jay in uniform.

kelli and jay

jay in uniform

Kelli had brought along something that she wanted to use in her portraits, which is such a great idea! Who knows a couple better than themselves?

kelli and jay with american flag

After getting a few of them together in uniform, they changed and we set off to a few different parts of the park. They also got their little girl out of the car for a couple of pictures. No worries–their little girl was fine waiting in the car.

Everyone, meet Ada.

kelli, jay, and ada

kelli and jay walking ada

ada playing frisbee

kelli and jay with ada

While Jay took Ada back to the car, Kelli and I took advantage of the time to create a few quick portraits of her.

kelli in color

kelli in black and white

kelli in color 2

When Jay returned, we got back to making magic happen. =]

jay holding kelli

kelli and jay

kelli and jay, opposite views

My absolute favorite of the session. Maybe of the year so far.

kelli and jay warm laughing together

I’ve always thought the playhouses in the playground would make for a good session location–so much color!

kelli and jay in the green doorway

kelli and the green house

Finally, Kelli and Jay had gotten a matching set of necklaces to wear while Jay is away, and they wanted to incorporate them somehow in the shoot. Ok…done!

kelli and jay and their necklaces