10+ Unconventional Things I Bring When Photographing a Wedding
You can never have too many backup plans for the things that inevitably go awry.
The Best Disney World Vacation Ever
taylormadephotokc
May 25, 2023
Welcome to one of my favorite kinds of posts to make – one that is purely about my family and our memories because it’s my blog and I can…
Are These all MUST-Haves? No, But I Love Them.
taylormadephotokc
April 27, 2023
Once you get the right camera body and lens(es), you’re all set, right? No. Of course not! Because once photography has its hook in you,…
Welcoming Baby Brother
taylormadephotokc
March 30, 2023
I only have one kiddo, but I hear OFTEN that the transition from no kids to 1 is not nearly as hard as the transition from 1-2 kids. So…
A Mini Engagement Session
taylormadephotokc
March 22, 2023
I love including engagement sessions in my wedding packages! Engagement sessions are a great time for me to get to know the couple, know…
An Artsy Proposal Deserves an Artsy Engagement Session
taylormadephotokc
March 6, 2023
As soon as I started talking to Emma and Andrew as they were looking for a wedding photographer, I immediately knew they were ‘artsy.’…
In-Home Newborn and Everyone Else
taylormadephotokc
March 5, 2023
I LOVE in-home newborn sessions. And I always tell my clients that during a newborn session, we (obviously) get photos of your newborn by…
The Most BEAUTIFUL November Iowa Wedding
taylormadephotokc
February 10, 2023
Here’s the deal. I literally have the most beautiful couples. I don’t know how I get so lucky, so don’t ask for a tutorial on that. But…
How to go from Auto Mode to Manual Mode to Make the Most of your Camera
taylormadephotokc
January 15, 2023
As a photo educator, I’ve heard it all: I got a nice camera awhile back, but it was really overwhelming, so it’s still sitting in the…
What to Post on Social Media as a Photographer During Slow Season
taylormadephotokc
January 5, 2023
When we, as photographers, are in our busiest seasons, it’s hard to keep up on posting everything we’re doing. We’re so busy answering…
Christmas Tree Farm Mini Photo Sessions
taylormadephotokc
November 8, 2022
I’m going to be honest…every year I have a moment of hesitation when I head out to do Christmas Minis. This is undoubtably because at…
Why I Don’t Niche Down, Despite Popular Advice
taylormadephotokc
September 27, 2022
Anyone involved in social media marketing/planning/strategy right now will tell you that whatever your content area is, you need to niche…
How to Make Extended Family Photos Go Smoothly
taylormadephotokc
September 23, 2022
Let’s say there’s an occasion to get the whole family together – a wedding, a significant anniversary, a big birthday, a family reunion -…
Why Fresh 48 Sessions Are Simply The Best
taylormadephotokc
September 17, 2022
This month, September of 2022, I finally got to do a Fresh 48 after most hospitals not allowing non-family visitors for over 2.5 years…
Sunflower Mini Photo Sessions
taylormadephotokc
September 11, 2022
We Kansans are lucky to live in the Sunflower State, and for good reason. While other states might have sunflowers, we have The Sunflower…
Christmas Mini Photo Sessions
taylormadephotokc
September 9, 2022
For families that don’t want to send fall photos out on their holiday cards, or families who just want something different this year,…
The Most Beautiful Indiana Wedding
taylormadephotokc
August 27, 2022
Last year, I got an email inquiry about a wedding in Indiana that basically said, ‘I love your photos, I have no idea where you are…
A Photo Session Idea for Miserably Hot Days
taylormadephotokc
August 6, 2022
Do you live in a place that’s miserably hot in the summer months like I do? Sometimes families come to visit during these unbearably warm…
Hot Summer Night, Mid-July [Wedding]
taylormadephotokc
July 30, 2022
Devan has an incredibly special relationship with her parents. They are all so close, and she is so lucky that her parents have been a…
Tips for a Stress-Free Newborn Photo Session
taylormadephotokc
July 14, 2022
A newborn session by its nature happens at a super chaotic point in your life. Whether you gave birth, adopted a newborn, or made the…
When You Write Your First Novel and Have a Release/Signing Party
taylormadephotokc
July 10, 2022
My client’s email to me after receiving her gallery of her Novel Release Party: “Consider hiring a photographer for the event.” -some…
3 Summer Days to Spend in Wichita With a Kiddo – In the Best Way!
taylormadephotokc
July 5, 2022
*Upfront: NOTHING in this post is sponsored. I’m not cool enough to get affiliate links or commission or whatever. If you click the…
Family Photos When It’s HOTTER THAN HADES
taylormadephotokc
June 25, 2022
I know that family photos in June, July, and August are not as popular as some of the other milder months. And that’s totally…
A Beautiful Kansas City Courthouse Wedding Filled with Love
taylormadephotokc
June 24, 2022
Courthouse weddings can take all kinds of forms, and they’re all great. If you end your day married to your person, then your day was a…
Des Moines Engagement Session: This is What Love Looks Like
taylormadephotokc
June 14, 2022
As a photographer, it is always my goal to tell a story with photos, to capture emotion, to put love into a frame. And I feel fairly…
Is Your Photographer Cool Doing These Things? Find Out Before You Book Them.
taylormadephotokc
June 13, 2022
As photographers, we are small business owners and service providers. And as such, we very much want to make our clients happy by doing…
Non-Wall Print Ways to Display Photos
taylormadephotokc
June 12, 2022
As a photographer, it is super important to me that you put your photos in some form of a print product to get the photos off your phone,…
Unique Photo Sessions You’ll Love
taylormadephotokc
June 11, 2022
I get it. Not everyone is into photos. And as important as they might be to you, it can be hard to get everyone on board. So instead of…
What are Branding Photos, and What Can They Do For You?
taylormadephotokc
June 9, 2022
Branding photos can mean a variety of things depending on what you do. But whether you’re an influencer, a small business owner, an…
My 4th Business Birthday
taylormadephotokc
June 7, 2022
Four years ago today, I had my first paid photo session. I was SO nervous. I had watched all kinds of photography videos. Looked up tips,…
#ExistInPhotos Part 2
taylormadephotokc
June 4, 2022
This series is all about celebrating the people who are usually behind the camera who make the choice to be in front of the camera, if…
My Must-Have Camera Gear (at the moment)
taylormadephotokc
May 23, 2022
This is my non-comprehensive list of the photo/camera gear I’m loving right now! I’m skipping the very basics of which camera and which…
My Favorite Giveaway I’ve Ever Done
taylormadephotokc
May 22, 2022
I used to be a teacher. I taught 7th grade English/Language Arts. I was an elementary school librarian. And I truly loved the years I…
Your Kids Won’t Stand Still for Photos – AHH! (But without the AHH)
taylormadephotokc
May 22, 2022
I’m a mother of a four-year-old. I’m a former elementary and middle school teacher. I’ve worked with kids and adults of all ages as a…
#ExistInPhotos Part 1
taylormadephotokc
May 20, 2022
Here’s Part 1 of a series I’m really passionate about. It is so easy for us as parents, grown-ups, humans who are critical of ourselves,…
Promoting and Growing Your Business With Photos and More
taylormadephotokc
May 12, 2022
I love doing branding photos. I don’t love super traditional corporate headshots with 20 employees back-to-back in the same pose against…
Some of My Favorite Wedding Images
taylormadephotokc
May 10, 2022
Here’s the deal: having the job of capturing people’s wedding day memories is seriously the coolest thing I could ever imagine I would…
How to be LGBTQIA+ Inclusive As a Wedding Vendor
taylormadephotokc
May 6, 2022
It’s 2022. It’s time to make sure our language and actions reflect the inclusivity that we owe all marginalized communities. There are…
Newborn Photos: Posed or Lifestyle
taylormadephotokc
April 23, 2022
Let’s start with the most important fact about newborn photos – it’s important to do them. Whatever your preference for the style of…
Why You Should Let Your Kiddo Pick Out an Element of Their Photo Outfit
taylormadephotokc
April 20, 2022
I know that as parents (usually moms, but not always), we put so much effort into coordinating outfits and making sure all the details…
Bribes I’ve Heard Parents Offer Their Kids at Photo Sessions
taylormadephotokc
April 20, 2022
Okay, first off, this post is meant to be funny and lighthearted! NO ONE knows your kid better than you do, so whatever incentive (bribe)…
How to Successfully Photograph Kids (elementary and younger)
taylormadephotokc
April 18, 2022
What to Bring blanket – to lay on, to have parents swing them on, to wear as a cape, etc. bubbles – always a hit; have kiddos chase them,…
How to Prepare for a Newborn Session
taylormadephotokc
April 17, 2022
Newborn sessions can be really stressful at a time when you are already feeling tired and stressed and overwhelmed. But they shouldn’t…
Maternity Milk Bath Photos
taylormadephotokc
April 17, 2022
Maternity milk bath photos are admittedly not for everyone. And that’s cool. But if you are interested in them, they can be so beautiful!…
Why You’ll Regret Not Doing Maternity Photos
taylormadephotokc
April 16, 2022
Full disclosure upfront: I have been and will only be pregnant once, I did not do maternity photos, and I truly regret it. So here’s a…
Should You Do a First Look or Not?
taylormadephotokc
April 15, 2022
Whether the first look between two people getting married happens at the beginning of the day so they can get ready together, after…
How to Make Formal Family Photos Quick and Painless on Wedding Day
taylormadephotokc
April 10, 2022
The formal family photos portion of a wedding day is rarely anyone’s favorite memory of the day, but it often results in photos that mean…
What to Consider When Deciding Whether or Not to Have an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony
taylormadephotokc
April 10, 2022
I’m going to preface the whole post by stating first and foremost that at YOUR wedding, you should do exactly what and only what you and…
Intermediate Guide to Photography
taylormadephotokc
April 8, 2022
Why You’re Here Okay, so if you’re looking at this INTERMEDIATE guide to photography, that means you have a basic understanding of the…
Amy + Peggy’s Beautiful Day
taylormadephotokc
April 7, 2022
These two were sent to me by a previous couple of mine, and I feel so lucky when one couple I love sends me another couple to love. Amy…
Your Beginner’s Guide to Shooting in Manual
taylormadephotokc
April 1, 2022
If you’re here, one of the following most likely applies to you: you just got a new camera and you’re totally intimidated by how to use…
Snowy Vow Renewal
taylormadephotokc
March 28, 2022
Megan and Dan are two of my first clients as well as two of my most loyal clients. I have gotten to know them well over the years of…
A Kansas City Engagement Session
taylormadephotokc
March 27, 2022
When we were first discussing locations for Devin and Kelby’s engagement session, we tossed around the idea of the Nelson Atkins,…
The Best Prompts for Natural Couples Photos
taylormadephotokc
March 25, 2022
Here are some of my favorite go-to prompts to get couples to relax and be themselves in front of my camera so I can really show off their…
The Best First Look. Fight Me.
taylormadephotokc
March 25, 2022
This is the best first look in the history of weddings. It just is. But the rest of the wedding was pretty cool, too. I just can’t get…
A Dreamy Desert Session
taylormadephotokc
March 23, 2022
If you’ve followed TMPKC for any amount of time, you know Arizona is one of my favorite places to travel to, and whenever I get to go, I…
Winter Weddings are Wonderful
taylormadephotokc
February 22, 2022
Everyone has their reasons for choosing a certain time of year for their wedding, but I feel like winter weddings have gotten a bad name,…
These are the reasons you will LOVE an in-home session
taylormadephotokc
February 9, 2022
Listen. I have loved in-home sessions for awhile. I don’t need to go on and on about why I love them. But YOU need to know why YOU need…
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer – BEFORE Booking!
taylormadephotokc
December 31, 2021
If you’re here, that likely means you’re wedding planning, hope to be wedding planning soon, or you love someone who is currently wedding…
Why You Should Do Something With Your Photos
taylormadephotokc
December 26, 2021
We take photos to remember a moment, right? Remember a feeling, an experience with a special person, a big event, a time we felt our…
How to be the Best Parent at Family Photos
taylormadephotokc
December 23, 2021
Okay, so you (hopefully) read the last post about how to help your kiddo be successful at family photos even when they’re not in the best…
So your kid is in a bad mood for photos.
taylormadephotokc
December 15, 2021
Here are some things that kids and weather in the Midwest have in common: unpredictable subject to change on a dime we need them to…
Travel and Landscape Wall Art
taylormadephotokc
March 24, 2021
I’ve mentioned this before, but landscape, nature, and travel photography were my original loves that eventually branched out into…
My Dream Desert Photo Shoot
taylormadephotokc
March 24, 2021
Did you guys know I have a Photo Bucket List, and if you help me cross off one of the items on my list, you get a discount? Well, I got…
20 Hours (each way) in a Car With a Toddler
taylormadephotokc
March 24, 2021
[DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be instructive for how to have a successful long-haul road trip with a toddler. It is meant to…