Parigo Studios Photography

The Winklers | Kansas City

parigo studios — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:38:58 +0000

A few weeks ago we took some shots of our friends the Winklers somewhere that is personal to them — Metro North Mall. We all grew up in and around Metro North Mall and although it is a shadow of what it once was, The Winklers enjoy taking their active boys there regularly to play and run. Eric even did a short piece on Metro North recently in the Star. Thanks again Winklers for letting us spend some time documenting your lively family.

Kelsey | Graduating

parigo studios — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:33:34 +0000

Brandon took a few of his niece Kelsey a few weeks ago. I couldn’t help but share a few. I have to say I definitely see more than a little Parigo in her. :)

The Patels | Kansas City Portrait Photography

parigo studios — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:33:12 +0000

One of our biggest joys as photographers is shooting the same family again and again. We have had the pleasure of documenting the Patels a number of times over the years, most recently right before the holidays. In addition to enjoying the controlled chaos that is the Patels, we had the pleasure of meeting their beloved family in town for the holidays. Even little Laxman, 5 months old, joined in on the fun. Lots of singing, laughing, jumping, flying, attacking, tickling and goofing off. Just like we like it. Thank you so much for letting us into your lives, again and again.

Welcoming Liam | A Birth Story

parigo studios — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:39:12 +0000

I know we have been a bit quiet around here this year. We have been focusing on our wedding films, as well as simply taking on less to better focus on what is important to us. Which brings me to this project. Billy and Joyce were one of our beloved wedding couples a few years ago. When Joyce approached me earlier this year to photograph the birth of their child, I jumped at the chance. I had never documented a birth before. Weddings are wonderful and such an important moment in a person’s life, but mostly organized and predictable. Births are not so much organized or predictable. Now that I have experienced what it is to give birth myself; it’s just an entirely new world after that. The opportunity to document that moment in the lives of those dear to us.. it wasn’t even a question.

Liam had an exciting delivery as he was scheduled to arrive at the New Birth Company in Overland Park. He had other plans however, and we ended up at Shawnee Mission Medical Center many, many hours later. After a long day and night, Billy and Joyce welcomed their healthy son at 3:39am. For the first time ever, I wept a little behind my lens. The energy and emotion in the room at the birth of a new person is overwhelming. So much joy. To have the opportunity to document that, amazing. Here are a few of my favorites.

Joyce calls her loved ones after arriving at the birth center.

Enjoying a smoothie

The midwives enjoy a peek at Joyce’s pregnancy album

Joyce was a trooper. She endured nearly 24 hours of laboring before meeting her son.

Something that stuck with me the entire day — the image of Billy and Joyce as a couple, a team. They depended on one another and were such a beautiful example of strength.

Then, at 3:39am after nearly 24 hours of labor, Liam joined us.

My favorite image of the day – the embrace of newly anointed parents.

I cannot express how honored I am to have been given witness to these moments. Welcome, Liam, to the universe.

Normal days

parigo studios — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:00:10 +0000

Some of you may be aware, but we have a personal project that has been going on for more than year. We wish we had started it at her birth, but a few months after she was born we began taking at least a photo a day of our daughter. Sometimes a hurried cell phone pic, sometimes a slurry of images from an afternoon at the zoo, or a dance party in the living room. As visual artists, every day is filled with moments. Some extraordinary, some not. All important. This quote I feel says it best–

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are… Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect Tomorrow. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in my pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.
- Mary Jean Iron

Here are a few normal day images of our daughter (and us) over the last few months. Hold those normal days close and cherish them.

The Millens

parigo studios — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:57:18 +0000

Having the opportunity to document a family at different seasons in their lives is one of the best things about being a photographer. Last year, I photographed Patrick, the almost 2 year old with boundless energy. This year, they added another to their clan: Alex. Just a few from our morning at Loose Park.