Phillips Barker Family on the blog! Amazing family generation - Go Royals! Topeka's Best Family Photographers

We had such a fun evening with this amazing family at Shawnee Lake! They wore their Royals gear and looked great in the warm sunset light. We took a mix of posed and candid photos, and they made the session so easy with their laughter and close bond. It was clear how much they enjoy being together, and that always makes for the best photos.

To end the night, they brought out sparklers and fireworks as the sun was setting behind the lake. It was such a cool way to wrap up the session, and it made for some really special pictures. I had a great time with them and loved capturing these moments. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed taking them!



























To book your own session, please call Tommy or Holly at 785.793.2492 or 785.213.0812 or email tommy@thpetersonphoto.com
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nova Lea's Newborn Session - Interview with Mom - Topeka's Best Newborn Portraits

Image
Nova was an absolute joy to photograph! From the moment I walked in, I couldn’t help but joke that her hair must be a wig—she had so much on top of her head! She was just amazing to work with. At first, she was a little fussy, but she quickly relaxed and settled in, making it easy to capture her sweet personality. It’s always such a special experience to photograph a newborn, and Nova did not disappoint. Tori and Hunter are completely in love with her, and it really shows. You could see the pure joy and happiness in every glance and gentle touch between them. Photographing this little family together was such a treat, and the images we captured truly reflect this special moment in their lives. It’s sessions like this that make me love what I do—getting to preserve these early memories for families forever. T.H. Peterson: How did you come up with Nova’s name? Tori: I had seen the name Nova online and thought it was really pretty. I also knew that Hunter’s uncle, who he was very clos...
Read more

Interview with Brody Haas - Washburn Rural Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Brody’s senior session was such a great time. We started downtown Topeka at sunset, and right away he had the best smile. He’s got such a friendly look that makes him easy to be around, and we laughed a lot as we went. The light that evening was perfect, and it felt like everything lined up for his pictures to turn out amazing. After downtown, we went over to Kaw River Park and got some shots by the water. The sun was shining through just right, and those ended up being some of my favorite photos. Brody was so easy to work with, and his pictures are some of the best senior photos I’ve taken this year. T.H. Peterson: What are your plans after high school? Brody: My Plans after high school are still undecided but I want to attend college for forensic science. T.H. P:   What classes are you glad to be done with? Brody:   I'm glad I finished most of my math and english classes as they were super hard. T.H. P:   A teacher you like at Rural? Brody:   I really ...
Read more

Interview with Skyler Tolin - Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Skylar’s senior session was an absolute blast! We headed downtown and made the most of a parking garage and the alleys behind it, and wow—what a perfect setting for her personality to shine. Skylar is such a sweet young lady, so smart and photogenic, and she brought her beautiful smile and infectious laugh to every shot. From the very beginning, we just clicked, and it made the whole session flow so naturally. She was completely engaged and excited about the process, which made capturing her true self so easy and so much fun! We really wanted to highlight what she loves, so we focused on her sports—basketball and volleyball—and those images turned out stunning. And let’s talk about her hair for a second—it was like it had its own glam team! Every time the wind hit just right, it gave us those perfect fashion-shoot vibes, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Skylar, you crushed this session, and I can’t wait for you to see how amazing these photos turned out! T.H. Peterson: What are your p...
Read more

Interview with Jordy Heim - Washburn Rural Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Jordy’s senior session was such a great time! He’s a football player for Washburn Rural High School, and honestly, every picture we took of him looked amazing. He’s super photogenic, has great hair, and an easygoing personality that made the whole afternoon a breeze. A couple years ago, I photographed his twin brothers, and they set the bar high. But I told his mom—Jordy’s right up there with them… maybe even better, to be honest! We had perfect weather, a gorgeous sunset, and visited a few different locations that suited him perfectly. Jordy fit the scene everywhere we went, and his relaxed, laid-back nature made it all so much fun. Before we knew it, the session was over, but we had so many great shots that captured who he is right now. I’m thrilled we were able to create these images for him and his family. I hope Jordy has an awesome senior year—he seems like someone who values the important things in life, enjoys the moment, and still puts in the hard work. That’s a winning combi...
Read more

Interview with Kolby Fagan - Osage City High Class of 2026 - Topeka and Osage County's Best Senior Portraits

Image
I’ve known Kolby for over 10 years, so getting to do his senior session was really special for me. I’ve been photographing him since he was little, and it’s crazy how fast time flies! We started out at the ball fields in Osage, then headed over to the football field for some great sports shots. After that, we wrapped things up on their property with an amazing sunset. The whole session was packed with personality—we did burnouts in the road, posed on old trucks and tires, and even included his little brother, Bentley, who was a blast to hang out with. Kolby is such a great guy with a good head on his shoulders. He’s hardworking, responsible, and really pours himself into the things he loves. It was awesome seeing him so confident and relaxed during the shoot, and I think these photos really capture who he is. I’m so glad I got to do this session for him and his family, and I know he’s going to go far in life! T.H. Peterson: What are your plans after high school? Kolby: To continue ...
Read more

Interview with Cash - Shawnee Heights Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Cash’s senior session was such a fun one! We started downtown and captured some great shots with the city vibe, then wrapped things up in a beautiful country setting near the Governor’s Mansion. The evening light was perfect, and it really brought out the warm, natural feel of the photos. Cash is incredibly photogenic, which made my job easy, and every shot seemed to come together effortlessly. I’ve had the privilege of photographing Cash and his family for several years, so it was really special to see him again for such an important milestone. I was impressed with his athleticism and could tell he’s been putting in a lot of hard work at the gym. Through all his accomplishments, he’s still the same friendly and respectful young man I’ve always known. I truly enjoyed spending time with him and his family, and I’m excited to share some of my favorite images from his session. T.H. Peterson: What are your plans after high school? Cash: I am still exploring all of my options and I have...
Read more

Interview with Trinity Brandt - Topeka High Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
I just had the pleasure of photographing Trinity at the Governor’s Mansion, and even though our session was short, it was such a great experience. The skies were beautiful that early afternoon, and Trinity looked amazing—her outfit, makeup, and hair all came together perfectly. We had a good conversation, and I could tell she’s not only confident and stylish but also a smart young lady with big ambitions. It was just a really enjoyable session, and I loved getting to capture her personality in such a stunning setting. T.H. Peterson: What classes are you glad to be done with? Trinity: Math and English T.H. P:   What are your plans after high school? Trinity:   Own my own salon. T.H. P:   Where would you like visit one day? Trinity:   Dominican Republic T.H. P:   Something you liked about your session with us? Trinity:   Positive and the connection T.H. P:   When it comes to skin care, what is a product or method everyone should be doing or use? Trini...
Read more

How to Prepare for a Photo Session - Topeka's Best Family Portrait Photographers

Image
Select outfits that will make for a timeless portrait. Choose practical clothing items, and keep the location and time of year in mind.  Select clothing items and accessories that are not too distracting or that you will have to adjust often during the session (think long necklaces or ruffled tops on a windy day).  Keep in mind the weather, wind speed, and humidity/chance of rain.  If you have littles, bring them some snacks to help give them incentives during the session.  This can help us to get kids to cooperate and make or break a session.  If it is windy, wear your hair up.  Trimming your bangs/hair slightly to keep them out of your eyes is a great idea, too! Use product like mousse, gel, pomade, and hairspray to tame your mane!    Pick shoes that will be easy to walk in at the location of the session.  For example, high heels are not recommended for sunflower shoots, but would look great in an urban/downtown ...
Read more

Happy birthday Mia!! Beautiful Milestone session at Ward Meade Park - Topeka's Best Children's Portrait Photographer

Image
Today we celebrated Mia’s 5th birthday with a photo session at Ward-Mead Park, and it was the perfect setting. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph this sweet girl since she was just 2 years old, and watching her grow has been such a joy. Every session with Mia is fun and full of laughter. She is so photogenic and knows exactly how to share those adorable smiles and giggles that make everyone’s heart melt. Mia has such a natural charm in front of the camera, and she makes my job so easy. Each year, I’m reminded how special it is to capture these milestones for her and her family. These photos are not just pictures — they’re little treasures of her personality at each stage of life. I’m so thankful to have Mia and her family as clients, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for this amazing little girl.  To book your own session, please call Tommy or Holly at 785.793.2492 or 785.213.0812 or email tommy@thpetersonphoto.com
Read more

Interview with Macey Dempewolf - Seaman High Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
We had such an amazing time with Macey during her senior session at Gage Park! Even though it was a shorter session, the time just flew by because she was so much fun to be around. We started at the Carousel, then moved to the Rose Garden and the pond, and every spot was perfect for her. She has such a happy and positive energy—it really made the session so easy and enjoyable. Macey is such a beautiful young lady, inside and out. You can tell she’s smart, grounded, and full of life. Her personality just shines through in every photo. Honestly, we didn’t want the session to end because we were having such a great time! T.H. Peterson: What are your plans after high school? Macey: My plans after high school are to attend college at Washburn University and graduate with a degree in nursing. T.H. P:   Classes you're glad to be done with? Macey:   I will be really glad to be done with math and history! T.H. P:   Dream job? Macey:   Labor & Delivery Nurse T...
Read more