It’s family session season and we are thrilled! Photographing lovely families and creating amazing memories they can hold on to forever is what keeps me going.
Today we have an extended family session live on our YouTube channel! You can view that here
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Over labor day we took a family vacation to Virginia. This was our first time to visit this area and to say we had a wonderful time would be an understatement. We thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to go back. Here’s a little recap of our trip for you to enjoy.
We stopped by here for lunch in Bristol, TN. SOOOO good!!
Gorgeous views in VA
Checkin out Natural Bridge State Park in VA
Emma didn’t want photos at this point. haha
Checking out our airbnb
Luray Caverns was a hit!
More time enjoying our AirBnb.. We stayed on a farm and it was gorgeous!
Of course Elaine found a pupy to befriend
I hope you enjoyed this little recap.. back to regular prgramming next week
My sweet girl is 7. Wow, time flies. I remeber the day we brought her home, I was so paranoid that night that I jercked awake all hours of the night to make sure she was breathing. Seven years later, we all survived.
Brining her into this world was no easy task (hello 47 1/2 hour labor) but it’s something I would do over and over again to have this beautiful girl in my life.
Elaine is a special one. She loves people and loves to make people feel loved. She loves giving out hugs and always smiles from ear to ear. She’s a sweetheart that cares deeply. She’s not one that will like you one day but not the next. Once you have her love, you’re stuck with her.
She loves animals and babies. She melts to the floor when she thinks something is cute. One thing is for sure, you will get a reaction out of her.
She’s smart beyond her years and loves to learn. To know her is to love her.
Happy birthday, Elaine! ( on September 6th) We love you so very much!
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Have you ever been curious to what a full session gallery looks like? As a family photographer in north Louisiana, I know this can be really important in selecting what photographer you work with to capture your most precious memories.
Today on our YouTube channel we released a video showing you a gallery scroll of a gorgeous family session from here in North Louisiana!
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Remember sweet Seth from his newborn session earlier this year?! This precious baby boy is 6 months old and I can hardly believe it!
Seth is such a sweetheart and one loved boy. He was full of faces for his six month milestone session in North Louisiana and I just loved it!!!
He was a little unsure of me and the new surroundings at first, but within no time he warmed up and was squirming to get down and play in the grass. So that’s what this sweet boy got to do! He was so happy.
It’s the most fun to watch these babies grow and to get to photograph such milestones in their first year. A lot changes within a year and documenting it is so special. I love this work.
Enjoy the precious photos of the sweetest little family you ever did see
To book your baby’s very own milestone session or a family session, head over here
Milestone portraits can totally be for kiddos as well as infants. How does that work? Birthday portraits each year!
Each year, I make it a point to take my girls out and do a full session of portraits for their birthday. Yes, just a few iphone snapshots could do the job at remembering how they looked at this age, but as a photographer in the Shreveport Louisiana area, I try to make it a point to grab my big camera and capture my own kids. In all reality, I’m just like you. I want my memories preserved too!
These sessions are so fun and can be done at any time of year- whenever their birthday is! They are so great for giving your kiddos that moment in the spotlight and focusing all on them.
For Elaine, this year, I took her out in our mini orchard on our land and we captured all the sweet features of her personality and I will cherish these forever.
I can’t believe my girl is almost 7!
Book your child’s birthday session here
It’s time to start planning your fall family session!! I know here in North Louisiana it’s hard to think of that when we are still in blistering temps, but trust me, fall is coming!!
Here’s a list of frequently asked questions that just might be a help as you’re planning your fall family session.
My photography style doesn’t incorporate many props. Quilts and a few chairs every now and then is about as far as that goes. If you have any special items to your family, we are more than happy to incorporate them.
For newborn portraits, we like to keep it simple and really focus on those sweet babies. Swaddle blankets, little outfits ( sleepers, gowns, headbands, hats, etc) are welcome. Items that are special to your family can also be incorporated as well!
We have locations that we love photographing at but we are always open to locations that are special to our clients.
Newborn sessions are done in-home.
In my opinion, there isn’t much preparing you can do other than letting them know they will meet someone new and that they will be taking their pictures. Let them know that we will have a great time together and that we will become friends before the night is over.
I make it a point to introduce myself to the little ones and really get down on their level to make them feel comfortable. I know that little ones can be really unpredictable and that having patience with them is key. No bribery needed.
When planning your session, selecting your outfits can be hard! What I like to recommend is to stick with neutral colors or earth tones and simple patterns such as dainty florals. Avoid everyone matching exactly and instead try to coordinate colors. Look on Pinterest for color pallets that pair well together or pull from the colors in your home.
Dresses photograph the best on mamas, they are just so flattering! Accessories and layers photograph really well and, almost always, the dressier the better. Once you book your session you will have access to our style guide where we give more advice and even share places to shop!
We promise a two week turn around time! Your images will be delivered in a lovely online gallery! From there you can download and print your images. We even have an online store for printing right within your gallery!
We are so thrilled to capture this special time with your beautiful family!! Too book your session, start here
Hey mama! You’ve just booked a family session and you’re wondering how you’re going to get your kiddos to cooperate. This is such a valid concern! As a family and newborn photographer in the Ruston Louisiana area, I’ve got some tips that just might help!
1. Instead of bribing with treats and candy, instead bribe with play. “Let’s do this really quick and then we can play Simon says” A fun trick is to play Simon says by telling them “Simon says look at the camera”, “Simon says give mommy a kiss”, etc.
2. Don’t come hungry. Get some food in everyone’s tummies before your session. No one photographs well hangry.
3. Be a little more lenient than usual. It’s totally ok if kiddos are hyper or grumpy. Sometimes forcing them to do things will make matters worse. When it comes to these sessions, a lot of times, they are in charge. This may sound crazy, but it always works out best.
4. Schedule your session for when they are their happiest. Some kids are happiest in the morning. If so, schedule a sunrise session. Yes, sunrise is EARLY, but you won’t regret it if your littles are their happiest.
5. Remember to have fun and trust your photographer to capture moments that you and your family will adore
Fall family sessions with CDP are officially open for booking!! Be sure to snag your spot here
Let’s a start a new series, Monthly personal blog posts just of our day to day life. Documenting my sweet kids and sharing that with y’all. I know I don’t take photos of my kids enough. Do any of us? Even as a family photographer here in Ruston Louisiana, it’s hard! Life is so busy. This is why mamas hire photographers. hehe
Here is little random tidbits from July 2022. I hope you enjoy!
It’s family photo season and as a family photographer in the Ruston, Louisiana area, I know every mama wants to look amazing in her photos. So here are my best tips to help with just that!
Tip number one is wear a dress. Dresses are always more flattering that shorts or pants. But here’s a few tips on dress selection. Avoid anything super light and flowy or else any gust of wind will have your dress over your head. Look for something with a little more structure. Avoid knit materials as they like to cling in the worst of places. Steer away from empire waist dresses and look for something with more structure in the waist.
Have your hair professionally done.
This takes the stress off of mama and lets you feel pampered.
Relax and have fun! Trust your photographer to make you look your very best. These images are something you’ll cherish forever. It’s ok if you haven’t lost the weight. It’s ok if you’re tired. This time goes by so very fast. Don’t put off documenting these precious moments because you feel insecure. You and your family deserve incredible images and you are absolutely stunning just the way you are.
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North Louisiana Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer 