You Don't Have to Figure Any of This Out. That's My Job.
Fully guided senior portraits and women's Beauty Loft sessions in Iola and Southeast Kansas. Planned, directed, and taken care of by a Certified Master Photographer with 30 years of experience.
Senior Portraits
A senior came to me wanting to be photographed at Graceland. On the replica sound stage from the movie Elvis. His mom wasn't sure I'd say yes.
I said yes before she finished the sentence.
That's what a senior session at AKP looks like. We build it around your senior. Their interests, their personality, the things that make them exactly who they are right now. Not a template. Not whatever's trending. Them.
And I guide every single step. Outfits, locations, posing. So they walk in a little nervous and walk out feeling like themselves, just better.
The Beauty Loft
She'd lost 100 pounds after bariatric surgery. She knew she needed to do this. She just wasn't sure she was ready.
She cried at her reveal. Not because the images were beautiful, though they were. Because she saw the woman she'd been working so hard to find her way back to.
That's the Beauty Loft. A fully guided women's portrait experience for every age, every size, every season of life. Built around your story, whatever that looks like.
You don't need to lose weight first. You don't need to feel ready. You've just never had a session with me before.
30 Years. A Darkroom Education. And I Still Love This Work.
I picked up a camera at 12 for a 4-H project. Developed my own film. Shot on fully manual cameras before auto-focus was a given. Studied photography and graphic design at Pittsburg State.
That was the foundation. What came after was 30 years of showing up for people. Seniors who didn't know how to pose. Women who hadn't been photographed in a decade. Families who thought their kids wouldn't cooperate. Every single one of them walked away with images they love.
I'm a Certified Master Photographer and a Photographic Craftsman through the Professional Photographers of America. A credential held by fewer than 2% of photographers in the country. I'm also the only nationally recognized Hot 100 Senior Photographer in Southeast Kansas.
But the credential I'm most proud of? Two girls joined my Creator Team as sophomores. Their moms pulled me aside a year later to tell me how differently their daughters carried themselves. One of them is planning her senior session in London. I'm going with her.
That's the work.
"My family and I met April in Florida during SYNC'25, a top photography conference geared toward high school seniors and Athletes' photography. Since my teens were traveling with me, April asked if she could 'borrow' one of them to put some of that knowledge to work right away. My son said, "Sure," and April got some great photos of him. It makes a difference to have a professional photographer take portraits of your children, even when you're a photographer yourself! I couldn't be happier with those photos!"
Heike C. O'Day
"I really enjoyed the entire process of taking my senior pictures!
I felt comfortable and had a lot of fun during the shoot. The pictures themselves were wonderful & filled me with confidence!"
HANNAH JONES, Yates Center Senior
"April was amazing and made you feel so comfortable. I usually don't do things for myself, but once I saw the pics, my hubs and I agreed it was so worth it. Highly recommend her."
Nati Lynch
Here's What Happens When You Book
No guesswork. No "just show up and hope for the best." Every session at AKP is planned in advance, so by the time you walk in, the only thing left to do is enjoy it.
Step 1: We plan it together. Outfits, locations, your vision. Your favorite drink and snack are waiting for you mid-session. Every detail is handled before your session day.
Step 2: I guide everything. Posing, expression, where to stand, and what to do with your hands. I'll physically mold you into the pose. You don't have to know what you're doing. I do.
Step 3: You see your images with support. No scrolling alone through hundreds of photos, wondering what to pick. Your reveal appointment is guided, personal, and designed to make the whole experience feel exciting rather than overwhelming.
What We offer
Senior Portraits
Custom, fully guided sessions built around your senior's story. Not a template. Serving Iola, Chanute, Parsons, Pittsburg, Humboldt, Fort Scott, Garnett, and all of Southeast Kansas.
Destination Senior Sessions
For the senior who wants something bigger. Kansas City. Memphis. London. Every detail planned. Every moment guided.
The Beauty Loft
A luxury women's portrait experience unlike anything else in Southeast Kansas. Fully guided and built around your story. Honoring of exactly where you are right now.
FAQ
When should we book?
Most families book 3 to 6 months ahead, especially for summer and fall dates. If the idea is in your head, now is the right time to reach out.
What should my senior wear?
You'll get personalized wardrobe guidance before your session. Specific to your senior, your locations, and what will photograph beautifully together. Nothing is left to "figure it out the day of."
Do you help with posing?
Every step of the way. I'll guide you through every pose, physically if that helps. You don't have to be photogenic. You just have to show up.
What is the Beauty Loft experience?
The Beauty Loft is a fully guided women's portrait session, planned down to the last detail, including your favorite drink waiting for you mid-session. It's for every woman who has been putting herself last, waiting to feel ready, or saying "someday." I photograph your story, whatever that looks like. You just have to show up.
Do you include digital files?
Yes. Digital images are included with every collection, matched to your image count. Printed wall art and heirloom products are also available, and we'll walk through everything together at your reveal appointment.
Do you serve areas outside of Iola?
Absolutely. I serve all of Southeast Kansas: Iola, Chanute, Parsons, Pittsburg, Humboldt, Fort Scott, Garnett, and everywhere in between. Destination sessions are available well beyond Kansas.
Ready When You Are.
I take a limited number of sessions each season, so every client gets my full attention. If a date or experience has been on your mind, this is your sign to reach out.
Serving seniors and women throughout Southeast Kansas: Iola, Chanute, Parsons, Pittsburg, Humboldt, Fort Scott, Garnett, and beyond.
April Kroenke Photography is a Certified Master Photographer & Photographic Craftsman studio in Iola, Kansas, serving Southeast Kansas for over 30 years. Specializing in fully guided high school senior portraits, women's Beauty Loft portrait sessions, sports photography, and destination senior sessions. PPA member. Nationally recognized Hot 100 Senior Photographer. Serving Allen, Neosho, Crawford, Bourbon, and Woodson counties.