BEHIND THE LENS
Hello!
I'm Robyn Tholen - proud founder and owner of KC Kids Photo.
I’m a wife of 23 years, a mom of three teenagers and someone who truly loves getting to make kids laugh and smile for a living. With over 25 years of experience photographing children, my passion has always been capturing genuine expressions and joyful moments - the kind that reflect who a child truly is and become keepsakes families cherish for years to come.
Motherhood has been my greatest teacher. Raising my own children has taught me patience, flexibility, empathy and how to handle just about any situation that comes my way - from sleepy newborn moments to energetic toddlers, growing elementary students and confident high schoolers finding their stride. Because of this, I feel completely at home working with children of all ages and personalities, and I strive to make every child feel comfortable, seen and celebrated in front of the camera.
Outside of work, I love soaking up time with my family and finding little moments of joy in everyday life. You’ll often find me out on the lake enjoying a peaceful boat ride, exploring a new workout class, or spending an afternoon shopping and laughing with my daughter. I also enjoy being outdoors, connecting with friends, and diving into a good self-help book to recharge and grow - both personally and professionally.
At the heart of KC Kids Photo is a deep commitment to people. I’m passionate about building a company that reflects the same love and compassion I have for my own family. That means caring for our employees as whole individuals - making sure they feel supported, valued, and equipped to succeed not just at work, but in life outside of it as well. When our team feels cared for, it shows in the way we serve others.
That love and compassion naturally extend to the communities we work with. We approach every school, organization and family with respect, gratitude and heart. From staff and educators to students and parents, our goal is to create an experience that feels personal, uplifting and stress-free. We’re not your typical school photography company - we offer multiple poses, allow parents to preview images before purchasing, and focus on creating images that feel authentic, joyful and true to each child.
Creating meaningful memories is at the core of everything we do at KC Kids Photo. It’s an honor to capture moments that families will look back on for years to come and we’re grateful to be a small part of so many stories along the way.