I had the honor to shoot the Adorn Style Show and Brunch presented by Harvest Ball Society as the primary photographer. Founded in 1987, the Harvest Ball Society has become the largest not-for-profit organization devoted to raising funds for charities serving causes primarily in the Kansas City Northland. Proceeds from the Society’s events benefit programs and services that enrich, stabilize, and strengthen the lives of adults and children within our community. Each year, the Harvest Ball Society designates 25% of its net proceeds to be set aside, reserved for future major needs. In its 26-year history, the Harvest Ball Society has contributed to more than 60 charities.
The 2013 HBS Adorn Style Show & Brunch was held in the Grand Ballroom at Bartle Hall in Kansas City Convention Center on Sat Sept 7. Over 700 guests enjoyed unique shopping at the Avenue of Shops, the creatively designed tablescapes, a delicious brunch, and a style show presented by professional runway models! It was such a great experience for me. I started talking to vendors and taking a few pictures for their booth, and then I moved to take some backstage pictures while the models were getting their hair and makeup done. 
I absolutely love capture little details of backstage because makeup and hair are so important to any fashion photo shoot. The makeup artist and hair stylist for this fashion show are from Eclektica Salon at Briarcliff Village. 
This girl was wearing a super cute balloon dress. She stood at the entrance of the event to greet guest. We exchanged contact info and became friends on Facebook! Later I found out that she was Miss Czech-Slovak Kansas, and Miss Czech-Slovak United States pageants. One thing I love about shooting events like this is the ability to meet new people and grow my professional network. I am constantly looking for beautiful subjects to shoot and it was great to see so many pretty faces all in one event! 
I was placed at a table with a local florist and I actually live 5 minutes away from them. The food was so delicious and I had to take a picture of my entree. Long before I became a portrait photographer, I was taking pictures of food every day. I mean every day! I still love taking food pictures. My husband is such a great cook. He said that he has over 200 recipes in his head. Once he tasted something, he could try to make the dish taste exactly the same! His dream is to open a unique restaurant one day. Photography on some level is similar to cooking. At the beginning, we are trying to look at a photo and try to achieve the same results when we take our own photos. This is true especially in studio lighting. By looking at a photo, can you tell how the lights are set up? My husband Billy has already achieved that level, he could cook a dish and mimic the exact taste. The next level would be create your own unique menu. I am still finding my way in photography. I have been exploring different types of portraits, and so far I enjoy all of them, but I will find my niche one day.
Right after I took the first bite of my food, I heard music playing and I saw models walking out of the runway! I grabbed my camera and rushed to my position. I couldn’t get the best position because the videographer was shooting on a platform at the end of the runway. I could only shoot from the side. By standing on top of a chair the entire time shooting hand held, both my arms were so sore and my index finger on my right hand was dumb after pressing the shutter thousands of times. Shooting a fashion show indeed is a tough job. I did not use any flash and just used the ambient light. The models keep walking towards you and sometimes a few of them walk out together. Which one should I focus and shoot? That’s why events like this would have at least 2 photographers shooting from different positions. The key for shooting a fashion show is to capture the clothes on the models. Usually starting with taking a full body shot when the model is walking closer to me. Then take a 2/3 body shot. When the models reach the end of the runway, that’s when they pose and turn, I would take a few closeup shots. Finally when they walk back to the backstage, take another shot of their back. It is to capture the complete design of an outfit from different angles.
I did invest a $1.5K wide angle lens for shooting this fashion show. It is totally worth it. My next lens would be a telephoto lens. Can you guess which one?
Tagged with: Adorn Style Show • bokeh story • bokeh story photos • charity • designer • downtown • events • Fashion Show • gorgeous • hair stylist • HarvestBall Society • Kansas City • Kansas City Life Style Photographer • landscape • make up artist • makeup • makeup artist • model • photo session • Photographer • portrait • Portraits • Portraits Photographer • prop • reflector • runway • session • styling • summer • wardrobe
What an amazing opportunity – it looks like a really fun event and your images are awesome. Great work!
Thank you Dana! It was a really fun event and I met lots of cool people.
Great images! Looks like you had a lot of fun & even got a new lens 🙂
What a great event! Love how you captured it!
Great images. Feels like I am there when I look at them. Detail of your experiences is wonderful.
Thanks Tawnee! It was a great experience.
Amazing job. Your photos tell a story and like another said, it feels almost like I was there. I love how you included the getting ready shots.
Thank you Roslynd. I hope this post gives you a better idea of shooting a runway fashion show.