Kalinka family - Topeka, KS Professional Family Portrait Photographers

 Recently, just as the weather was getting perfect and the flowers were in full bloom at Gage Park we did a super fun family session with the Kalinkas right around sunset. These guys were super fun and kept the session enjoyable. Lots of laughs and super great expressions! These are some of their favorites they picked out from their session. I love em all!! Enjoy!












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

Savana and Victor's amazingly special day - Beautiful wedding at The Mint - Lenexa, KS Wedding Photography

Image
Savana and Victor Mercado’s wedding at The Mint in Lenexa, Kansas, was an absolute dream to photograph. The venue used to be a bank, and every corner of it is just stunning—posh, modern, and beautiful from every angle. They put so much work into decorating the space, and it showed. I was thrilled to be part of their day and capture all the moments that made it special. From the guys and ladies getting ready to the final events of the evening, the excitement was in the air from start to finish. Savana and Victor met while serving in the Army, and you can see their connection instantly. There’s a comfort and chemistry between them that just feels effortless. Even though they told me during their consultation that they’re both a little shy and not big fans of being the center of attention, you’d never know it from how natural they were together. Savana looked absolutely breathtaking—I was genuinely in awe when I saw her—and Victor was his upbeat, easygoing self the entire time. Their fr...
Read more

Interview with Austin Ditch - Washburn Rural Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
I was so excited to photograph Austin for his senior session! I’ve had the pleasure of photographing him and his family for many years, and it was such a joy to see him step into this milestone. Just like his older brother and sister, we started on the family property, capturing beautiful images by the pond and around the barns. Austin is incredibly photogenic, and his easygoing personality made every shot feel natural. I especially loved the sunrise photos at the pond—the light coming over the trees created such a magical, peaceful mood that really made the session stand out. We also made sure to capture Austin doing what he loves, so we headed to his football and baseball fields at school. It was awesome to see his passion shine through in the photos, whether he was posing with his gear or just showing his love for the game. Austin has a great smile and a really fun energy, which made photographing him a total blast. Sessions like this are why I love what I do—getting to celebrate s...
Read more

Rory's Newborn Session - Interview with Mom - Topeka's Best Newborn Photographers

Image
Rory is such a beautiful baby, and we’ve had the joy of photographing her family many times. She came in with her eyes wide open and gave us the cutest expressions from the very beginning. She was calm, curious, and so easy to work with. Her mom, dad, and big sister adore her, and you could feel all that love in the room. Babies grow so quickly, and being able to capture these tiny details and sweet moments felt really special. We also got some of the sweetest photos of Rory with her big sister, Ari. Watching them together was adorable, and those little sister moments are something their parents will cherish forever. From soft snuggles to curious looks, the connection between them showed in every image. I’m so thankful we were able to capture this milestone for their family and give them photos they’ll love for years to come. T.H. Peterson: What did you think when you first saw Aurora? Brooke: We thought she was absolutely precious and prayed she would do well. T.H. P.: How did you c...
Read more

Interview with Cash Bowlby - Topeka High Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
I had the pleasure of photographing Cash, a senior at Topeka High. We met in front of the school and started his session with some dramatic shots in front of the building, as well as some really cool photos with the Trojan statue. Cash is part of the Drumline, and you can see his confidence and personality in every photo. I especially loved the awesome track suits that the drumline gets to use. It inspired me to make some like that for our business! He’s very photogenic and personable, and we had a lot of fun capturing his session. His mom was there, too, and she was a blast to hang out with. Some of the highlights from Cash’s session were the amazing fall colors—we were lucky to catch the peak of the foliage. We also got some shots with his car, which he’s really proud of. In talking with him, I learned that he’s knowledgeable about fixing cars, and he seems like a very smart, capable young man who is set up for success. It was truly an honor to meet him and photograph him on such a ...
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

Interview with Ayden Crosswhite - Washburn Rural Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
I had the chance to photograph Ayden, a Washburn Rural senior, and even though this was a shorter session than usual, we captured some truly amazing images. We started at Washburn Rural, where we highlighted his passion for football. Ayden was relaxed, easygoing, and brought a great smile to every shot. Right from the beginning, it felt like everything came together naturally. After that, we headed downtown to one of my favorite grungy spots, and Ayden was up for anything. The time flew by, and before we knew it, the session was over. His personality really shines through these portraits — confident, genuine, and full of life. I’m excited about how these turned out. Thanks for checking it out! T.H. Peterson: What are your plans after graduation? Ayden: I’m undecided. I’m very passionate about football, but I don’t know where I will ultimately end up. T.H. P.:   Something you liked about your session with us? Ayden:   It felt natural, like I had done a hundred shoo...
Read more

Abby and Tanner's Wedding Reception - Beautiful fall wedding - Reynold's Lodge - Shawnee Lake - Topeka Wedding Photography

Image
Abby and Tanner’s celebration at Reynolds Lodge was such a beautiful day. Even though they were already married in Tennessee, it was clear how much it meant to them to gather everyone here in Kansas for a special reception. We truly hit the peak of fall—those bright red trees behind the family photos were unbelievable. The whole place felt warm, colorful, and full of joy. Their friends and family were so happy for them, and you could just feel that everyone was excited to finally celebrate the newlyweds together. The reception itself was so much fun. Once the DJ started playing, the dance floor never slowed down—everyone was laughing, dancing, and having the best time. And the food… I seriously couldn’t believe it was all homemade. You could taste the love that went into it. What stood out most to me was how close everyone seemed to Abby and Tanner. You could tell they’re surrounded by people who truly love and support them. It was such an honor to capture all of it.   Now for the...
Read more

Interview with Raven Hinck - SFT Class of 2026 - Topeka's Best Senior Portraits

Image
Raven’s senior session was such a blast! We met up in Topeka and explored a few different locations that showed off the gorgeous fall colors. The leaves, the light, and Raven’s energy all came together perfectly. She’s one of those people who instantly makes you feel comfortable — so outgoing, so easy to talk to, and just full of personality. Every pose, every smile felt natural with her, and it made the whole session fly by way too fast. When it came time to show her photos, I couldn’t wait. There were just so many great shots of her! Raven has this expressive, genuine smile that lights up every image, and honestly, I don’t think she has a bad angle. I left the session feeling thankful I got to meet her and excited to see where life takes her next — especially as she heads off to K-State to pursue nursing and work in the NICU. She’s going to do amazing things! T.H. P.:   What are your plans after high school? Raven:   I want to go to K-State for nursing and go into the NICU....
Read more

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

Image
T.H. Peterson:   What are your plans after high school? Spencer:   My plans after high school are to get a better job and then find a sugar mommy. T.H. P:   Something you liked about your session with us? Spencer:   I liked the spots we went to. T.H. P:   Favorite YouTube channel? Spencer:   CboysTV. T.H. P:   What makes you feel confident? Spencer:   My hair. T.H. P:   What is your dream job? Spencer:   YouTuber. T.H. P:   Favorite thing mom cooks? Spencer:   Mummy Smoky wraps. T.H. P:   Favorite teacher and why? Spencer:   Mrs. Granado. She’s a great person to talk to, helps me figure out my plans after high school, and gives me snacks all the time. T.H. P:   What is your super power? Spencer:   Not waking up for school in the morning. T.H. P:   What song could you listen to over and over? Spencer:   Wonderwall. T.H. P:   Favorite time of year? Spencer:   Fall.  To book your own se...
Read more

Blake's Newborn Session - Interview with Mom - Topeka's Best Newborn Photography

Image
Getting to photograph baby Blake was such a joy. I’ve worked with this sweet family before, and they are always so kind, relaxed, and incredibly photogenic. It’s such an important milestone, welcoming a new little one, and I felt truly honored to help them capture memories they’ll treasure forever. Blake immediately impressed me with his full head of hair and the cutest little expressions. He was calm, easygoing, and gave us some really sweet smiles that made the whole session feel extra special. We also captured some beautiful family photos, and Blake fit right in like a little model. The love and connection in this family is so natural, and it shines through in every image. Sessions like this remind me why I love what I do—getting to freeze these heartfelt moments and give families something they can look back on for years to come. Enjoy a few of our favorites from this adorable session! T.H. Peterson: What does big sis think? Alison: Riley was excited for baby brother to come. S...
Read more