We have been planning this session for over a year now. I’m so glad it finally worked out!
We met on our land in North Louisiana – in between Minden and Homer- to get images in the beautiful wisteria that was in full bloom. I wish you could smell these images so you could know just how amazingly fragrant this stuff is! Oh man, does it smell good! We open our front door and just breath in the wonderful smell every day. The wisteria in bloom is my favorite, favorite time of year!
It was a blistery, windy day all that day on the date of their session. I was really hoping and praying the wind would settle down. Thankfully, it did settle down and we were able to get great images without having to worry about the wind blowing hair all over the place.
We had such a fun time with all the kiddos. The two youngets wer loving having the spotlight on them when it was their turn for pictures of just them. They are so cute.
I always love to incporporate games into our family session to loosen up the feel and get genuine smiles. It works almost every time.
Thank you again, Pruitt family. I greatly enjoyed our time together!
If you live anywhere around North Louisiana, you know this time of year is special. Wisteria has just bloomed, fields of red clover are popping up everywhere, azalea bushes are bursting. It’s such a lovely time of year.
We live in between Minden, Louisiana and Homer, Louisiana on 10 acres of land. At the bottom of our field we have a huge, huge wisteria patch that blooms each year with stunning color. You can open the front door and smell them. It’s amazing!
Ever since Elaine was 18 months old I have made it a point to take her (and now Emma, too) down to the wisteria for photos. It is always my favorite thing to do. We love looking back and comparing each year. My, how much they change in a year. You don’t even realize it until you look back at pictures. Then your eyes gets all watery as you wonder where on earth your baby went. Oh time, you’re a thief!
This is why I do what I do. This is why family and newborn photography is such a huge importance. Because time is a thief. You want to remember every little detail about your kids, but it’s easy to forget.
I love capturing details so that we can always, always remember them.
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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…
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Some of my most favorite sessions to do are these sweet lifestyle newborn sessions. Photographing these sweet babies and their parents in their home is something that never, ever gets old.
I photographed little Seth a few weeks ago in his home in South Arkansas. It’s a little bit of a drive for me, living near Minden, Louisiana, but it’s always worth the drive. Something I have learned is that families are most comfortable in thier home. It’s their safe place.
When I arrived for this newborn session, I got to meet little Seth for the first time. What a cutie! I went in to different rooms to find the room with the best natural light. I can typically work with just about any light that is available but I do always prefer natural light. Big windows letting in glorious light is my favorite thing to find in an in-home session.
I prepared the room and began taking images of the sweet little nursery. This is something I have always loved doing. Things will change so much over time and these babies grow. It’s always good to have photos to help you remember what it looked like then. I know myself enough to know I would forget all the tiny details as time goes on.
Seth was wide awake for most of his session, but he was happily awake. He was just looking around, admiring what he was seeing. And, no, I don’t mean me. HA!! He didn’t make much eye contact with me. But that’s ok! We can still get great images of awake babies. I have actually found that a lot of mom and grandparents really like the awake images best. I don’t blame them. You get to see their sweet, little eyes.
We had a few feeding breaks and then photographed little Seth with his mom and dad. The outfit he is wearing was made by his grandma for his daddy. How special is that to have that treasure passed down! I just love it!!
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Sweet little Addie is turning 4 in just a few weeks! We met at thier home in Minden Louisiana to photograph her birthday session at their home. Addie was ful of spunk and character that made getting a variety of images easy! She is so funny.
I’ve photographed Addie since she was a newborn and it has been such a joy to watch her grow. Although, I can’t believe how fast she is growing! She is turning to a beautiful little girl and my heart can’t stand it.
Addie loves all things girly. Sparkling, glittery, pink, purple, rainbows, unicorns, you better believe she loves all of those things! She’s so smart and witty. She’s easy to love. She’s the youngest of the family and knows right well that she can get almost anything if she makes her “cute face” or just simply by saying “but I’m the baby”. Haha! How can you say no?? You can’t, that’s how.
We all love Addie and we are so thankful to thave her in our lives!
So cute!!
My personal favorite
Of course we need glitter details
Ballerina? I think so
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Haven and Sarah Kate are best friends wuth birthdays only a few weeks apart. So really, it only makes sense for them to get to have a BFF birthday party. Right?! Right.
These two are so cute and it is nothing but giggles when they are together. As you can tell, their sesion was nothing but laughs and giggles. I’m gald, too, because it made my job easy!
We photographed Haven and Sarah Kate in Minden Louisiana at Sarah Kate’s home and around downtown Minden. What started out as a decently warm morning ended in a FREEZING cold, crazy windy afternoon. It was awful, really, and none of us were prepared. but Sarah Kate and Haven were absolute champs. They didn’t complain about it being cold. They just laughed and giggled through the pain. Ha!
These two little girls have been in front of my camera many times and each time they are so good! There’s nothing like little girls who are comfortable in front of the camera.
I love seeing the characteristics of thes girls blossom. They both have a heart of gold.
I hope you both have the best year as 9 year olds!!
Best buds
I just love these
So many giggles
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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
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If you have followed us along on social media then you know we ran in the Minden St Jude 5k this past weekend. This was my first ever race and it was an absolute blast!! No doubt, I will be doing it again next year.
We went to bed nice and early the night before and work up before the sun. I woke up at 4:50 and tried to go back to sleep, but i couldn’t. I eventually got out of bed at 5:20.
I started to coffee pot, made a bagel and sat down to eat. By that time, Elaine comes shuffling out of bed. Followed soon by Emma. All of us awake before the sun. This is a rare occasion for sure.
We finished getting ready and headed out the door by 6:40. We arrived just in time to use the bathrooms and get some color bags to toss in the air. Right after the 1/2 marathoners left out we headed for the color toss. Meeting our nephews William and Drew with their Dad.
3, 2, 1 – throw your color!!! We were covered in a rainbow of color powder. It was so fun, and messy. But fun!
Not long after the color toss the kids lined up for their fun run. Off they went as fast as they could!! Running one mile before darting through the finish line to receive their medal. Oh what fun they had!
These two finished neck in neck
Once all the kids returned the 10k group lined up and off they went. Another color toss for the 5k group commenced.
Now comes the 5k runners turn. We began to line up and wait for our call to go out. Oh the nerves. 3, 2, 1- off we go! It was chaos getting out of the start line but once I got around everyone I was off! I started out faster than I planned but the adrenaline kicked in. Passing folks right and left. Dodging dogs and strollers. That felt crazy. Haha!
I realized I started off too fast so I began to try and pace myself so that I would have the energy to finish strong.
During the race I came up on a few racers in their 80s. Running non stop. They may not have been fast, but the kept going. It was such an inspiration to not give up! I couldn’t help but feel so proud of them, even though I did not know them. There they were, maybe not the fastest runners on the course but that didn’t stop them.
At the half way point we stopped for a quick sip of water. I waved at different ones I knew waiting there to cheer us on. This was so fun!
Just tossed my water cup
We started to make our way back towards the finish line. Tired, but not stopping. Little did I know, when I crossed the finish line I was 7 seconds away from coming in third place for my age group. What?!?
This was my very first race and I came SO close to getting a medal. Let me tell you, this out a fire in me to make AT LEAST third next time. Ha!
So close!
We had the absolute best time and I can’t wait for another run!! I’m hooked y’all. Hooked line and sinker!
So proud of these girls They got their medals! Our group, minus a few Eeek!
Thank you to everyone who made this day possible!! The race alone raised $98,000 for st Jude! Amazing!! I’m so proud of everyone that came and raced. It was the best time!
This post is a very special one- one celebrating a miracle that has been prayed for time and time again. This sweet couple attends that same church that we do and are our friends. They have been waiting on a bay for years and the time has finally come! Many prayers around the world moved God on the scene and He showed up. Isn’t it amazing how He does that?! He never fails us, no matter how long the wait is, He never fails. We are so thankful to be witnessing this miracle before our eyes.
Andrew and Candace are no stranger here at CDP. They are featured in my portfolio and on my social media accounts. They are so easy to photograph and I just love the images i have taken of them. However, I have the feeling that these ones coming up over the next few weeks will be my favorite.
Every baby shower is a very specail occasion that is celebrating the miracle of life- whether there has been a struggle to produce this life or not. Every baby is special. However, when there is a struggle to prodcue this little life, once that time arrives it’s something that you can’t help but shed some happy tears about. Tears in awe at how amazing God is that His power is very much alive. Tears of joy that your prayers are being answered, that people you admire are being blessed with the joy that children bring into your life. Tears of renewed faith for those you are still praying and believing for that if God can do it once, He can do it again and again and again. I feel as though the list could just continue to go on and on.
Everyone that played a part in pulling off this beautiful baby shower did just a fantastic job. From the food to the decor. It was all just wonderful! The cake, cupcakes and cookies were made by my sister in law. She has just recently started making cakes and cokies and, wow! She has such an incredible talent! I have been blown away! Should she start a business? I think yes! Can you just picture all the gorgeous cakes she could make? I can!
Another amazing element that you will see are these beautiful smocked dresses. Andrew’s mom MADE them! WHAT?!? Yes, it’s true. And not only that, one of the gifts is frim Amndrew’s sister, these are hand knitted items- that SHE knitted. Ok, why can’t some of this talent in this family be shared? Am I right?
It was an honor to capture these precious memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. Each time I do things like this I am always honored to know that the images that I take will be looked back on year after year and cherished. I know that photos are something that the true value can’t be expressed. It’s just something you have to experience for yourself.
I hope y’all enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them and editing them.
My dear friend Michelle is having her first baby in just a few weeks. This past Saturday we had a baby shower for her at our church in Minden Louisiana. It was such a joy to celebrate this new little life that is soon to come. We are all anxiously awaiting his arrival.
If you know my family, you know we have all girls. My mom had four kids, three girls and a boy. My sister has three girls. I have two girls, my brother has one girl. The numbers in our church aren’t much better. So many baby girls have been born latley with a few boys. So to have a friend having a little boy is so fun! It’s nice to change the vibe and see decorations and outfits for a boy.
Fun little backstory, Michelle and I have been friends since we were both teenagers. I photographed their wedding and now seeing her go through pregnancy and soon to be motherhood is such a joy. I know she will be a wonderful mother to this sweet baby boy.
Everyone put so much effort into making this shower so lovely and each one that came to support made it so special. I am so thankul to be able to capture this for them! Having this look back on over the years will be so fun!
I hope you enjoy this little peek into Michelle’s baby shower!
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xoxo,
Courtney
North Louisiana Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer 