Meet Alyisa Owen of Lees Summit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyisa Owen.

Hi Alyisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my photography business after becoming a mother. My first son was born in November 2009, and as a stay-at-home mom, I was eager to capture every milestone and special moment. I bought my first camera and began documenting his early days, quickly falling in love with photography. That passion grew as I explored the technical side of photography.

Before motherhood, I had spent years working with children—first as an assistant director, then as the director of a local daycare. My connection with children, combined with my experience as a new mom, became the driving force behind starting my own photography business.

I began by photographing friends and family, teaching myself how to use a DSLR and build a client experience from the ground up. I am largely self-taught and found my niche in family and newborn photography. As a mother, I understand how fleeting those early moments are, and I’m passionate about helping families preserve them.

Over the years, it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch families grow and to play a small part in telling their stories through images that last a lifetime.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road… What’s that? Owning a business is so rewarding however it has come with challenges and setbacks. The industry is always changing and sometimes you lose motivation when better equipment hits the shelves or when AI starts creating whimsical & unreal images.

I do however, always seem to find a spark again. After covid settled down, I began consistently working side by side with my friend and studio-mate, Bernadette Emerson. She is also a newborn photographer and we have been working on more projects together. This has been exciting for both of us and we have learned that we are better, when working together. We do almost all of our newborn sessions together and we have also recently taken on a handful of local preschools together. We both have lots of goals for the future of Third Street Studio.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a family photographer specializing in newborns, and I often begin working with families as they prepare to welcome their first baby. My sessions are designed to be stress-free and fully supported—I provide all props and accessories for newborn shoots, along with a curated client closet offering a selection of dresses for mothers. This not only makes the experience easier for my clients but also helps maintain a consistent look that reflects my brand.

My studio is located in Downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and I proudly serve families from surrounding communities as well. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is the lasting relationships I’ve built. I have a handful of families who have been working with me since the very beginning, some with 4-5 children and they continue to return for repeat family sessions. It’s an incredible honor to grow alongside them.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Being a leader and mother helps with my success. I absolutely love being able to relate in the hardships and fulfillment that parenthood brings. When I can talk to my clients about the chaos and silliness that goes on, it truly helps to bring a sense of calmness to our sessions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thirdstreetstudiokc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdstreetstudiokc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityNewbornPhotographerAlyMarie

Image Credits
The photo of me is by Melissa Loren.