I'm Karen Hendrix, owner of FireFly Images. I'm a child and wedding photographer located in St Louis, MO. I live there with my fun and crazy family you see over to the right, including Andrew (the husband), Emma (kid #1), Clyde (kid #2), and Nolan (kid #3). Together, they keep me busy, keep me laughing, and keep me from working all the time.
This is FireFly Images Blog, where you can see images from both my professional and personal ventures. I also post the latest happenings and announcements here, as well as some random ramblings and information that I find interesting, so keep me bookmarked and stay tuned.
Feel free to browse the current posts below or explore the archives for previous posts. Links to the main website and other information can be found at the top. And be sure to leave a comment to let me know you've been here (don't be shy).
~Karen
Jackson treated me so well at his 8-month session. He reminds me of what my boys were both like at that age - active and charming. He didn’t want to sit still for very long, but when I did get his attention he gave me the sweetest smile.
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I had a wonderful chance to photograph baby Sadie with her parents in their loft downtown. Great light and relaxed parents always make for a great session.
I got there right as Sadie was finishing up her nap. Although overall the loft had great light, Sadie’s room had absolutely NONE. Not a problem - bump up the ISO, shoot wide open, hold ‘er steady.
Sadie had such the personality for a 4-week old. And she was just as in love with her parents as they were in love with her.
She absolutely loved looking out the big windows in her loft.
I love incorporating colorful artwork into the session. It gives it such a pop of color, variety in the image selection, and a personal touch. This is why I try to bring very little to a session - things that belong to my clients mean much more to them than what I can bring.
I often meet babies who love looking at the camera (I’m not sure why other than it is making a peculiar noise). But usually babies this young can’t track it as well as Sadie did.
Yeah, she’s spoiled with love and attention.
Do you ever wonder exactly what’s going on in a baby’s head when they seem so entranced by their mother?
Sadie has this wide-eyed stare that I thought was so cute. Like she’s looking at her world saying “Whoa, what is all this?”
The yellow wall treated me well - it looked great in color and B&W.
Towards the end of the session, Sadie was tired. It only lasts about 70 minutes, but babies really start to feel the excitement and different routine quickly. I almost put away my camera while Jill was wrapping her up, but I’m so glad that I didn’t because the last few images I captured were so real and natural.
It’s like Sadie realized that mom had her and the world was right again.
I wish, wish, wish I had a picture of me holding one of my babies like this. Totally unscripted. The very last frame that I took. I almost didn’t catch it before the moment was over.
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Every once a while in life, you come across a personality that seems like its own force of nature. A personality that contains too much for one little body to hold. I’ve been granted the opportunity to have two of those personalities in my kids - a pretty high percentage of 2 out of 3. The nice thing about such a personality is that they seem to have a never-ending source of creativity and imagination.
So, Clyde - er, I mean Captain Clyde - embarked on an adventure to a far away land in a boat that looked alike like our bathtub. Forget spending a lot of money on pretend play items - this kid can create a world using just his mind. Well, and his goggles because along with an incredible personality he also has sensory issues that makes him HATE water near his eyes:)
I just got this in the mail this week and just had to share. One of my bride & groom couples from October sent this to me to thank me for their wedding pictures. It was a beautiful card of course, but then I realized that 1) it was handmade! and 2) it was customized for a photographer! (see the cameras:). I loved it!!!
Thanks Candice & James - it was so nice to be a part of your wonderful day. And I felt very special getting this in the mail:)
Baby Layla with her beautiful blue eyes!!!!
Thank you to everybody who voted. I think Layla had quite the cheerleader leading her votes which is great! Layla will be receiving her print within a couple of weeks. And all the rest of the images will also be receiving a smaller print or other gift as well.
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There really is something about how in love parents are with their babies. And how in love those babies are with their parents. Often times, they are so enthralled with whatever their baby is doing that it is so easy for me to be a fly on the wall and just do what I do best - which is document. Babies aren’t shy and their candidness is often contagious to the whole family. Which is just a few of the reasons that I fell in love with baby photography.
So, I always go through my images at the end of the year and pick my favorite ones. After a whole year of self-criticism on what I can do better as a business person and an artist, it’s nice to focus on things I’ve done right. So….here are the
TOP 5 BABY IMAGES FROM 2009
Vote for your favorite by leaving a comment below. The one that wins the most votes will be printed as an 11×14 and be given as a gift to the client. All voters can receive a $5 credit towards your next session fee, order, wedding, etc. You can invite your family and friends to vote as well. One one vote per day will be accepted from each voter.
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#5
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If your biological clock is ticking, do not look at these pictures and certainly don’t ever go around this baby. Because he WILL make you want another. I almost didn’t want to leave. He was so loveable and happy and just could not get enough of the camera. It was almost difficult to get any pictures where he wasn’t looking directly at the camera. This was such a last-minute session, but I was so happy that it worked out and that I was able to connect to this wonderful family.
Okay, can I say it again? 7-9 months is the PERFECT time to photograph a baby.
This one below makes me happy and smiley every single time I look at it.
Michael’s favorite book:)
Yes, once we brought the book out, it had to be read to Michael over and over again.
Apparently, it never gets old. In fact, I think it became funnier and funnier each time.
I love the connections between pets and children. It’s like they each think that the other was brought home for their own personal entertainment.
Thanks again to Michael’s family for this wonderful session.
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I had a great time with baby Ellie at her session this past weekend. Her mom called me right before the session, saying that Ellie missed her morning nap and she wasn’t sure how the session would go. Babies are so unpredictable - you can plan as much as you want for the session, but they will probably do completely opposite what you want them to do. My best advice to moms is to just try the session. If it goes badly, then we reshoot. But most often, babies seem to perk up when I get there (it must be my charm;). Sure enough, baby Ellie did fabulous for her session. Here’s a little sneak peek for her mom:)
I should also note that ellie is 8-9 months old, which is a PERFECT time to have your baby photographed. This is my absolutely favorite age to photograph babies at.
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Some more great images from Corissa & Eric wedding day. Enjoy!
The new Mr. & Mrs. Zumwalt!
Eric and Corissa were able to borrow a very old 1930s roadster (I think that’s what they said - but I don’t know much about cars of any age, so don’t flog me if I’m wrong!) for their departure from the ceremony.
This thing had a great engine - 3 groomsmen-power worth (he he). Of course, it was easier to push once Eric took the brake off. I thought Heath was going to burst a blood vessel. Cole, my model-man for the day (on the right) didn’t seem to be too concerned with exerting himself:)
I love Corissa’s expression here - she’s usually fairly serious, but every once in awhile she would break out in a huge smile like this one.
Part 3 of their wedding will be coming up later this week after I blog some adorable babies I’ve gotten to photograph lately.
Coming up later tonight - Baby Ellie!
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One of the best things about having photographed weddings for a few years is that I have the chance to photograph the family and friends of some of my favorite past brides and grooms. Even though I tend to connect to the family and bridal party fairly quickly even if I don’t know any of them - it’s always nice to photograph a wedding knowing that I’ll know and enjoy the time I get to spend with all the people involved.
Corissa is the sister of Stacy, whose wedding I photographed here in st louis just a couple of years ago. Eric was also in the wedding party, one of Heath’s groomsmen. I was already excited about their wedding before their engagement session, but once I saw how loving and easy-going they were, I was definitely thankful that they chose me to be their wedding photographer.
The little flower girl was just too cute - I think she used the entire tube of lip gloss that morning:)
Out of all the wedding flowers that I love to photograph, calla lillies are my favorite. There is something about their form and the way the light falls on them that just make them beautiful.
Can’t forget about groom and the extensive efforts that he has to go through to get ready:) Yes, he has to button his vest AND tie his tuxedo tie.
Not only am I the wedding photographer, but I am also great at wedding dress issues. Got a bustling problem? Can’t figure out how to fasten the button or the hook? Don’t worry - I’m here to save the day. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve helped out with dresses for one reason or another. I can’t do hair or makeup to save my life, but dresses I’ve got.
Love this one of Pat looking at her daughter in her wedding gown.
I love getting to spend just 5 minutes or so photographing the bride before the wedding to create some gorgeous natural light bridal portraits with minimal effort.
This one below is most definitely my favorite image out of all the getting ready photographs from their wedding day. I also created it in color because I couldn’t decide which one was better.
There’s nothing better than a happy and relaxed bride on her wedding day. I’m so glad that I could be a part of it.
Coming up on Friday - Corissa + Eric Part II
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