Kira Derryberry Photography | Tallahassee Modern Lifestyle Family Photography

Lisa Mergel, Owner of Kanvas Beauty Essentials | Tallahassee Glamour Photography

Kira — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:00:56 +0000

How fun is it when you get to photograph your friends??? This is Lisa and many of you know her from her beautiful spa and make up studio, Kanvas Luxury Beauty Essentials in Midtown. And if you’ve ever had a boudoir or glamour sessions with me you know her as my go to make up gal! Lisa is one of the wonderful people that make my Couture by Kira and She Boudoir sessions happen with her amazing talents. We were talking recently about how it’s weird that I’ve never done pictures of HER and came to the conclusion that it was high time for Lisa to get some new head shots. It’s too frequent that people in our industries are behind the scenes and rarely get to step in front of the camera. Well my friends, this is Lisa and she is GORGEOUS. It’s a thrill to work with her and now to have photographed her!

Hair: Lacey Buehler, Lacey May Salon
Make Up: Lisa Mergel, Kanvas Luxury Beauty Essentials

Mackenzie – Seniors 2012 | Tallahassee Senior Photography

Kira — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:43:27 +0000

Mackenzie is another one of my senior girls who is just inches away from graduation and college. Knowing that we’d be heading out to Maclay Gardens for another senior session, I wanted to be sure that hers was different. Once again we found a couple of lesser photographed areas off the beaten path to make her photo session unique and special. I also met with Mackenzie prior to her session to discuss clothing, accessories, etc and asked if she had one thing she wanted to bring that really symbolized her right now in her life. The answer seemed obvious – her gorgeous, sky blue Mustang! So I made the case for bringing it along! I told her that if there was one thing I wish I had a picture of from high school, it would be me in front of my 91 Volkswagon Cabriolet so this was something she’d definitely want to remember down the road.

Mackenzie’s shoot was too easy! She’s is such a beauty and mastered the direction I gave her so effortlessly. It felt like we were just out there hanging out in the gardens rather than out on a shoot! One of my favorite things about her images are that even when she is holding a serious gaze, she’s still smiling the smallest little grin. Her resulting images are warm and inviting and make you feel like you’ve known her for years.

Good luck to you, Mackenzie! Enjoy these last few days of childhood! College is going to be amazing!

Evan + Quan | Tallahassee Engagement Photography

Kira — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:33:40 +0000

Since I’m not a wedding photographer, I don’t get the opportunity for a lot of engagement gigs. But when I do, I go all out, so get ready for a big picture share! Evan and Quan are set to tie the knot in about 6 weeks. Evan suggested having the session at their home and it was absolutely a perfect idea. They’ve only been in Tallahassee 6 months and already they’ve made their home into something you might see in a magazine! And don’t get me started on the floor to ceiling windows. I was in natural light photography heaven! I hung around until dusk to get our final images and got to know them each a little better. Quan shared his knowledge of fine wine, travel, and his love for fancy lawn grass. Evan and I swapped stories about our adventurous younger brothers and our separate experiences living in Tuscaloosa where her and Quan lived for a short time and also where Kevin and I went to school. In fact, Quan is from my hometown, Huntsville! It was eerie how our paths had seemed to intertwine but we’d only just met. Just by spending an afternoon with the two of them, you could see how at ease they make each other feel. I loved hanging out with these two and I wish them joy and happiness. But above all this, I wish them love! (I’ve really got to scale back the Whitney Houston on Pandora.) Congratulations Evan and Quan! Thanks for the laughs and the wine.

Danger is a Big Bro | Tallahassee Toddler Photography

Kira — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:52:27 +0000

Here’s a big share from my recent session with Danger. (Yes, that’s his nickname, given to him by his daddy before he was even born!) We recently all learned that Danger is about to be a big brother so it was definitely time for what may be his last solo photo shoot. This kid is the funniest and seriously all over the place. I decided after a few attempts to get him to sit still that it would work best just to chase him around and see what he wanted to get into. I mean, what 2 1/2 year old boy wants to sit still at a big, beautiful, and open place like Goodwood Plantation? You can’t blame him.

It was hard picking some favorites to post, as usual. Danger has so many funny expressions, I felt like I needed a caption for every one. In fact, I ended up posting a little caption contest over on Facebook for one of his images. (Go submit a caption, nudge nudge.) In the end I went with these favorites…

Natural Beauty – Juliana | Tallahassee Senior Pictures

Kira — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:14:21 +0000

Though I know she was wearing just a little, Juliana is the kind of beauty that could go her whole life and never wear make up. She is so unbelievably naturally gorgeous! Maclay Gardens was the obvious location choice for her for sure. With graduation only weeks away, we had to get her session in fast before it was too late! I’ve literally spent the last hour trying to narrow down which images to show on the blog because it was so hard to choose my favorites. Flashing her winning smile or striking a super serious fashion pose, Juliana completely owned this Senior Session. I hope these help her to remember this time in her life because everything is going to change so much from this point on! Good luck, Juliana!

This Mother’s Day, Celebrate Her Beauty | Tallahassee Glamour Photography

Kira — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:13:19 +0000

Cards, coffee mugs, and pedicures, Mother’s Day gifts are about as original as Dane Cook. This year why not treat her to something special? Our new Couture by Kira line offers a beautiful and glamorous photo session complete with professional hair and make up. She can bring anyone she’d like to be made over and photographed WITH her. Maybe she’d love to get her sisters together for a fun girls day out. Or perhaps she’d love to spend a day with her daughter getting made over and taking some beautiful magazine style portraits. Or maybe this is an experience she’d like to enjoy all by herself. This year, show her how much you appreciate all that she’s done for you and how beautiful you know she is on the inside and out.

Weekend sessions now booking for May and June. Call us today for details and a gift certificate, 850.583.1644!

Carmen | Tallahassee Senior & Kids Photography

Kira — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:35:36 +0000

Carmen just got her braces off and can’t stop smiling! I met her and her mother for another Railroad Square session just last week. I know, I know, I’ve been shooting there a lot lately, but it’s just so great out there! Check out a few pictures from my little mini session with Carmen below. She’s just got one of those infectious smiles. It’s hard not to be happy when I look through her images!

Glamour is Back! | Couture by Kira

Kira — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:00:25 +0000

When I was first getting into photography as a teenager, I used to love to give my friends makeovers and put together little photo shoots. Using bedsheets for backdrops, floor lamps with the shade removed for lights, and a box fan, I tried my hardest to make my images look like they did in magazines. I still like to give my friends makeovers and take their photos. The difference is, now I actually know how to do it. So without further delay, I’m introducing Couture by Kira – fashion inspired, beautiful portraits for women. This is glamour photography, friends. I know, I know, that’s dirty word in the portraiture world. But take all of the early 90s stigma out of the word and what does it mean to a photograph? An image that shows off a women’s allure, her uniqueness, her beauty. All while getting dolled up to her best possible self! What’s not to love?

For our sessions we provide professional hair and make up to get our clients looking their best. We’ve even teamed up with the style guru at The Hot Frock as a complimentary service to our gals. After they’ve been glamourized, we start shooting. I tell everyone to be prepared for lots of wind blow hair and arched backs! Hey, I didn’t say modeling was going to be easy! Afterwards I always encourage clients to put work on hold, get a sitter, and plan that evening out. Hotness this good cannot be contained!

I could go on and on but the reality is, you need to come try this for yourself. When was the last time you loved a picture of yourself? Call me today to book your session. You are never too old to play dress up.

More Beautiful Smiles | Tallahassee Teen Photography

Kira — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:51:14 +0000

More referrals from Dr. Burch are coming in! Here are a few new faces to the blog! Keep ‘em coming!

Zoe | Tallahassee Teen and Senior Photography

Kira — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:00:38 +0000

Here’s another Tampa Session from my time helping out at Launch Workshop. I met the gorgeous Zoe and her friend Ebay and together they helped me show the attendees how to work with a little back lighting and motion. The more time we spent with the two of these girls the more we asked ourselves – were we ever THIS beautiful when we were 17?? Ha! Thank you again, ladies! It was lovely to work with you!