North Louisiana Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer

Category: portraits

The Williams Wedding | Carriage House at Big Oak Hill Ranch

April 30th I had the incredible priviledge of helping Misty Swilley Photography by being a second shooter for the Williams wedding at the Carriage House at Big Oak Hill Ranch. It was an honor to assist in capturing such a lovely day! The florals were arranged by Brianna Belton Design. She did an outstanding job! Everything was so gorgerous and I just loved the venue. All the white shiplap, brick elements, the windows, the pond. It was all beautiful.

Our day started around 2:30. Here we began photographing detials, getting ready images, bride and bridesmaids as well as the groom and groomsmen. This was my first time to work with Misty and, actually, my first time to meet her. She is the sweetest soul you’ll meet.

The day started out nice and hot with the chance of rain just as the ceremony would be starting. We lucked out and all we had was clouds covering the sun and a really nice breeze. It made the outdoor ceremony so nice!

You never know what events may take place on a wedding day that could cause stress, but I would say this wedding day flowed together seemlessly with a great team of vendors.

The bride and groom were surrounded by their friends and family as they celebrated such a momentous time in their lives. They couldn’t have asked for a better day. I pray all the happines in the world for them.

Xoxo,

Courtney

Book your wedding here

June 13, 2022
Joshua | Minden Louisiana Hihg school Senior Photographer

Meet Joshua,

High school senior in Minden Louisiana, guitarist, all around cool kid with a good heart. I’ve known Joshua his whole life and it has been a priviedge watching him grow into the young man he has become. He has a heart to serve the Lord and he is always willing to offer a helping hand. You won’t find many other young guys like him. He always has a smile on his face and he is as friendly and welcoming as they come.

We met for his senior session in Downtown Minden. I always love finding new ways to make Minden’s downtown different than the last time I shot there and I always find a way. There is so much character in the old buildings and the brickstreet as well. So many historic homes and beautifu trees that line the streets. With a stunning amount of sunshine at golden hour, you just can’t helping getting shots you love.

Joshua was so open to all my weird ideas I had for him and he pulled them all off so well. I later leared it was easy for him to smile because it was a windy day and my hair looked hilarious. Hey, anything to make it easy to smile. haha!! Thankfully I was behind the camera and not the one being photographed.

I know you see more senior girls being photographed than guys, but guys deserve their chance in the spotlight too.. even if it’s not their most favortie thing in the whole world. It’s not really as bad as it seems. Ask Joshua. I think he had at least a little bit of a good time. 😉

Thanks agian, Josh, for hanging out and putting up with me for an hour. Ya did good.

Thank you so much for being here! If you enjoyed this please leave some love below.

~Courtney

May 4, 2022
A testament of love | Minden Louisiana Photographer

This session was one of the most special sessions I have had the opportunity to photograph. This sweet couple has been through many toils and trials but God has been with them thtough it all. They are now walking through another dark trial as Ruth has been diagnosed wtih cancer. She bagan chemo tratments this past week. Just before her chemo began she reached out to me asking if I could photograph her and her husband before she gets so sick. Of course it was an absolute yes! Yes, of course I will.

I met them at their home and photographed them doing the things they would do together on a normal day. Reading their bible together at the table, waking through the garden, etc. It was one of the most special experiences. After our session, we sat talked for hours of how God has brought them through so many storms in life. It was wonderful to see their stand as they are now walking through another storm. They stand firm that God is more than able to carry them through. We are standing with them in faith that God wil bring a mighty healing to her body.

We have seen God in battle many times in our walk with Him. A few years ago, a sister in our church was diagnosed with stage 4 hodgkins lymphoma. She began chemo and only 2 months later was pronounced cancer free! It wasn’t the chemo that did it. It hadn’t had the time to work like that. It was our mighty God! This is a day I will never forget. The faith that stirred within my heart after hearing of this mighty move of God. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is impossible for God.

If you would like to see this testimony video, you can do so here.

Enjoy these images of this sweet couple…

Thank you so much for being here!! If you enjoyed this post, please leave some love.

Much love,

Courtney

April 4, 2022
Tushner Maternity | Shreveport Louisiana Photographer

This day is one Andrew and Candace have waited for for many years. A day they have longed for and prayed for. A day where prayers are answered and their sweet baby is on the way. We are beyond thirlled and excited at what God is doing for them. There is truly nothing like bringing children into the world and we thank God daily for allowing them to experience this blessing.

This day started out as a hard for us as we realized our little puppy Duke who had been fighting parvo did not make it through the night. I almost called the session off, but decided it would be good to get my mind off of our situation. The day was absolutely beautiful! In North Louisiana, you never know what type of weather you will get. The sun was shining without a cloud in the sky and the temperature was just right. Knowing there were cold days on the horizon, we headed to Centenary to take advantage of what we had- a beautiful Feburary day in Shreveport Louisiana.

David and I left early to snag a coffee at Moore Coffee only a few minutes away from Centenary College. This is one of our favorite coffee shops!

We met Andrew and Candace on the campus and thus began our session. The gorgeous buldings and stunning trees make this campus so incredible! I hadn’t been there very often, but I knew it was good! We walked around campus stopping at different places I had scouted out and then walked around one of the building and found a Tulip Tree in bloom. In Feburary. You better believe we stopped there!!

There were so many different elements that had all the characteristics to make a great location that we ended up shooting for an hour and a half. HA!! They got way too many images to count but how can you not with such great subjects and a great location.

I know I could continue chatting on about these images and all the details of the location but isn’t it more fun to see them? Yeah, that’s what I am thinking, too. So, without further ado….

Oh, Tulip tree, thank you for being in bloom!

That gazebo was so beautiful

Signs of spring!!

Just love this one

Thank you so much for being here! If you enjoyed this please leave some love.

Xoxo,

Courtney

March 1, 2022
Michelle and Mark | South Arkansas Maternity Photographer

Michelle and Mark are some of my good friends. Mark and I grew up going to church together in North Louisiana. We were in Sunday school and youth group together. Basically we have known each other our whole lives.

I met Michelle either at a youth camp our church puts together or on a family vacation to Florida where she lived. Michelle, you’ll have to remind me which it was. I feel like it was youth camp. I can’t believe I can’t remember!! Either way, we met as teens and stayed friends. We would see each other either at youth camp each year and then if we got lucky we would see each other again in the Summer while on our family vacation.

Michelle was a bridesmaid in my wedding and I photographed her wedding. That was a fun trip.

I still vivdly remember the day I got a call from Michelle asking me about Mark. She knew that we went to the same church so she wanted all the details. We chatted for a while and the next thing we knew she was visiting us in Louisiana and then he was visiting her in Florida. Yep, it was a done deal.

Now they are soon to welcome their sweet baby boy into the world and I can’t wait to see them as parents. There is nothing lilke it in the world! I know you two wil be the best of parents.

We had their session in Magnolia Arkansas where they live. We grabbed lunch together after church and then went on to SAU- the college in Magnolia where Mark actually went. It’s a lovely college campus with so much character. It was easy to find great spots here and I am sure it won’t be my last time to visit.

It was such a perfect day for a maternity session, too! Warm sunshine graced us with it’s presence. This was such a happy welcome with all the cold we have had.

I can’t wait for you to see these images!! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

So fun

Trying something new with double exposure here

Love love love this one

Having too much fun with double exposure, ha!!

This is a favorite too

Thank you so much for being here! If you enjoy this please leave some love

xoxo,
Courtney

February 1, 2022
Justin and Lilian | Louisiana Anniversary Portrait Photographer

It is soon to be Justin and Lillian’s second wedding anniversary. I photographed their anniversary portraits for their first anniversary and I loved those images! Here we are on the second anniversary and I love these even more! Both sets of images were taken in downtown Minden Louisiana, yet they look so different! I love the variety they got.

Downtown Minden is one of those locations you can shoot in over and over and not feel like you are just shooting the same thing. For this session we decided to start at the Minden Louisiana library. If you have come through Minden then you know how amazing the library is! I do not know the history of it, I’m sure it is a good story.. but I do know that it is an amazinbg building that I have been eyeing for months now. I knew it would photograph incredibly well, i just needed the perfect couple for it. Cue Justin and Lillian.

When we first planned our session together, we were going to go into Bossier City, Louisiana. When rain was forecasted we decided to reschedule. Being unsure of dates we could make it work, we decieded to stick closer to home. They live in Minden and we are only about 20 mintues from Minden.

Once again, our date was rained out so we had to reschedule. But this time we decided to move it up one day. So instead of Saturday we chose Friday. The sun was shining beautifully, even though it was quite chilly. It was a wonderful day over all.

It seemed like all of Minden decided to come out the same evening we were doing photos. It got a little interesting ( comical ) as I was trying to yell over the loud vehicles driving by. But it made for some good laughs. We had the best time together! Justin is such a hoot! You can’t be around him long without hurting from the laughter.

I am so thankful for this opportunity to work with you two again! Happy two years!! Have a good trip in San Antonio, you two!!

So cute

Love, love, love

Isn’t this place stunning?!

Lillian, you’re so beautiful

Some of my faves

I’ve been imagining this shot in my head for a while now!

Thank you so much for being here!! If you enjoyed this please leave some love.

XOXO,
Courtney

January 11, 2022
Best of 2021 | North Louisiana Family and Newborn Photographer

Welcome to the best of 2021 blog post!! These are all the best from sessions we had as a north Louisiana family and newborn photographer in 2021. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, 2021 was our best year yet!

I am so very thankful for each one that entrusted us with the task of documenting their family in the here and now. We treasure images taken of our family and I know each one of you do too.

The season that you are currently in may be tough and leaving you feeling overwhelmed, but just now it’s only a season. Before you know it this season will be gone and you’ll be longing for it again.

In 2022, let’s pledge to cherish where we are at now and look forward to what’s to come. Let’s be more present with you families and friends. Let’s live our very best lives and not worry about what so and so is doing.

I’m so thankful and honored to have been able to photograph and meet such special people this year and I look forward to all that God has in store for this little business endeavor in the coming year.

2021 was a year of growth for me. I invested back into my business through education and truly learned so much! From the ins and outs of lighting, composition and posing, to client interaction and making them feel comfortable in front of the camera. I don’t regret a single investment I made. And it’s because of each of you that I was able to do this.

I trust each of you had a Merry Christmas and that your new year is blessed and full of all God’s many blessings.

Now, let’s look back on 2021!!

A true highlight of my year- love this sweet family!

This session was so fun!!

Still a favorite

Show stopper

This one is so dreamy

Thank you so so much for being here!! If you enjoyed this please leave some love.

Xoxo,

Courtney

December 27, 2021
Jeff and Esther | Lake Claiborne Louisiana Photographer

Jeff and Esther are such a sweet couple. I have known them most of my life and I have always looked up to them.

They have gone through a lot and I just had it on my heart to do something special for them. I reached out to Esther and offered them a session of just the two of them together.. A little moment in time where they could forget about everthing that is going on around them and just focus on them.

We decided to do their sesion out at the lake house their family owns on Lake Claiborne. This place holds alot of speical value to them and it’s just a place they can go and realx. Not to mention it is so beautiful!

We met on a windy, chilly day. It seems with sessions in December in North Louisiana you never know just what you will get. It could be nice and warm or it could be cold. The sun could shine or there could be threats of rain.

Thankfully the rain that was predicted held off and the sun was shinning! It was lovely weather even with the wind.

We had a wonderful time together and these images are some of my very favorite I have taken.

These are some very special people and I am so thankful I could do this for them.

Can you see why these are some of my very favorite?

Love this

Ah, soo stunning!

Thank you so much for being here! If you enjoyed this, please leave some love.

Xoxo,

Courtney

December 17, 2021
Castor High School Senior Christian Conly | Lake Bistineau State Park Photographer

Everyone, meet Christian. He is a high school senior at Castor high in North Louisiana.

During our pre-sesion conversations, I was told that he was a country boy and that they lived close to Lake Bistineau. I knew right then that Lake Bistineau was the place we needed to do his sesoin. There is so much variety you can get from there and it is definitely the country feel. I have loved every session I have ever done out there and this was not an exception.

When we arrvied we said our hellos, I met his mom, and we got started with our session. It was the perfect time of year to go out there because the entrance has beautiful trees that were dropping their orange and yellow leaves everywhere. You could hardly see the road! This is the first time I have seen it like this. It was stunning!!

We grabbed several shots there and then moved along the park. Oddly enough, we had the park ALL TO OURSELVES! This has never happened! I was in shock and also wondering if there was something I didn’t know. haha!!

A spot I have been eyeing each time I come out was this huge fallen pine tree. It was HUGE! And I knew I wanted to take Christian over to it. When the light was just right we went over there and it was GOOD!!! The light filtering through the tree looked amazing!!

You’ll have to see for yourself, but man! We got so much variety for his gallery! He did great and we al had a good time! It was so good to meet them and capture this special time in his life!

Thanks so much for being here!! If you enjoyed this post, please leave some love!

Xoxo,

Courtney

November 30, 2021
Brandon and Melissa | Lake Bistineau Maternity Portraits

Lake Bistineau in Doyline Louisiana is truly one of the prettiest locations in North Louisiana. It looks like something that came out of a fairy tale! It’s a bit of a drive if you live closer to Homer, La like I do, but it is always worth it every. single. time.

For Melissa’s maternity session we decided the drive would, again, be worth it-and it was!! It was such a nice evening with a cool breeze here and there that just made it soooo peaceful!! We had the best time!

Melissa is having a sweet baby girl in November and we are so excited to add another little girl to the family. Yes, I know, girls are all we have as far as the grandkids in my family. But they are all so sweet. Each of us, my sister, myself and now my brother, have all wanted a boy but we wouldn’t trade the sweet little girls God has given us for anything in the world!

It’s funny how that works. You get your heart set on something and when it isn’t exactly the way you wanted you get a little disappointed. But in the end when you see that sweet face, you don’t care that you didn’t get exactly what you wanted. You got what you needed. And truly you find out, you needed them exactly as they are and you woudn’t trade them for all the boys (or girls if the shoe fits) in all the world.

I have a feeling this is exactly how Brandon and Melissa are going to feel when they look at their sweet baby girl for the first time. I know she is going to be so perfect! I can’t wait to meet her. I know y’all are going to make the best parents! Some days may be hard, but it is the best challenge in the world. It’s crazy how much love you’ll have for this precious little life.

Alright, alright. Are you ready for these gorgeous portraits?! I know you are!

Love this one!

Sweetest tiny bump

One of my favorites!

Melissa, you’re so gorgeous!

October 4, 2021