North Louisiana Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer

Tag: homer LA photographer

Reesby Family | Shreveport Louisiana Family Photogrpaher

Meet the Reesby family. They were such a sweet group of people! We snuck this session in real quick before Christmas came and I hurried to get them back to them. The Christmas season can seems to sneak up on you sometimes. I was so glad that I was able to work this session in!

We met at the Red River Wildlife Refuge in Shreveport on cool evening in December. I had just been there a few short weeks ago and there were still lots of leaves on the trees. When I arrived, to my dismay, all the leaves were gone. WAHH!!! This makes it a little tricky to find diffused light, which is vital to my style, but with the help of some tree branches I was able to block the sun from hitting my lens and we still got great images that I am proud of.

Photographing families with older children can be a little tricky sometimes because there’s a little less than you can do than with little, little kids. I like to have littles play games and such to keep them interested in the photos. But that means I am working HARD!! With the older kids, it is easier in that you get in and get it done with hardly any fuss. Haha!! I love photographing families with all ages of kiddos, though! All stages of families are important and need to documented.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year! I know I am looking forward to all that 2024 has in store!

January 9, 2024
Katie | Lake Bistineau Louisiana Photographer

The beautiful Katie graced my lens I tell you, I can’t wait for you to see these.

Not only is Katie gorgeous but she is the sweetest little thing. She’s always wearing a smile.

We decided to do her session out on Lake Bistineau, because who doesn’t LOVE Lake Bistineau?! I know I love it. It is gorgeous at every seaon.

Katie is amazing with hair, and HAS amazing hair too! She has an instagram account where she shares hair tutorials so we knew we wanted to get some up close images of her hair. We came in with a plan and I would say we got some amazing images that I just love.

Typically I am a family and newborn photographer but I just love the change of scenery every now and then by doing a portrait session. They are so fun and I love the personality I get to capture one-on-one.

I hope you enjoy this gorgeous session

Book your session here

September 20, 2022
Five ways to set your family up for a successful family session | Ruston Louisiana family and newborn photographer

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

August 12, 2022
Back to school breakfast ideas | Shreveport Louisiana family and newborn photographer

Back to school is soon approaching and I’m sure you’re wondering what you can do to make the first day fun. As a busy mom in north Louisiana, I know all the super time intensive crafts aren’t going to cut it.

If you’re anything like me, you love breakfast foods so anything revolving around breakfast is sure to make you happy.

Here’s some fun breakfast ideas to make back to school morning fun!!

Donut worry printable

First day of school banner

First day of school baggie

Breakfast pencils

Hope these fave you some fun ideas!! Happy first day of school kiddos!!

Book your family or newborn sessions here

August 3, 2022
Mary and Larry | A Downtown Homer Louisiana Engagement Session

Mary and Larry’s engagement session took place in downton Homer, Louisiana. This small town in North Louisiana has much to offer as far as photography goes because of the beautiful courthouse and the lovely buildings that surround the square. This historic town is marked with character and charm.

Mary and Larry are getting married July 16th in Magnolia Arkansas at the Big Barn at Oak Hill Ranch. We are so thrilled to be able to capture this incredible day for them and know they are going to make the most lovely bride and groom.

We started their engagment session at the courthouse in downtown Homer and worked our way across town stopping at unique places that we felt would help to create a gorgeous images for them. One location in particular was my personal favorite. While scouting out the area I found a crepe myrtle tree, on the side of the road, near an abandonded house. This wasn’t ideal, but I felt the tree had the potential to be epic. And let me tell you, it was! This set of images are my favorite of their entire session and I am just so thrilled we stopped!

The gorgeous architechture, the lovely couple, the amazing light we got at the end made this one of my top favorite couples sessions to date. I love the images we got and I am so proud of us all!

Now let’s get you two married!!!

Contact us to book your wedding or session

July 11, 2022
Seth Nehemiah Mitchell | South Arkansas Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

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!!

Thank you so much for being here!! If you enjoyed this post, please leave some love and check out our other posts.

Much love,

Courtney

April 1, 2022
Selah Grace | Louisiana Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

Little baby Selah.. Oh I am so happy finally share these here!!

This session at their home in North Louisiana went so great! In home lifestyle newborn sessions are my absolute favorite! There is nothing at all like having sweet photographs in a location that you are so comfotable in.

Little Selah did so good for me, too!! After being swaddled, and a little bit of persuasion, she went right to sleep. She was a little on the older side because my girls weren’t feeling well when she was younger, but she still did so wonderful!

I always like to let mama feed baby and get them nice and sleepy while I photograph the details of the nursery. Even if there are not alot of details, I still find it very important to capture all the tiny details that make up all the story of your newborn’s life. This time goes by so, so fast! One day you’re staying up all hours of the night with a fussy baby and in the blink of an eye you’re starting them in school. It’s crasy how fast it goes!

Sadie had the sweetest little bassinet for Selah that I just adored. There were so many elements that made this sesion so good. The window seat, the colors in the room, all of it was just so good! She had special outfits made by family members. Smocked dresses, knitted bonnets and sweater, it was just so special! It’s easy to say that newborn sessions are my favorite.

I know things are getting repetitive here but what can I say?? It was just that good!! Are you ready for me to stop talking and show you the images? I know you are!!

These were made by her sweet cousin

Jeremy’s aunt made this dress!!

This one is so beautiful!!

Little sweetie

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

December 30, 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
Esther Mason | Homer Louisiana Senior Portrait Photographer

Meet Highscool Graduate, Esther!!

We met for Esther’s senior session on the Square in Homer, Louisina. It was such a nice afternoon for a Summer in Louisiana. If you’re from around here, then I’m sure you can attest to how mild this Summer has been. It’s been so nice!! The weather for this senior session was no exception. Not too hot and a nice little breeze. The dream for your portrait session!

Esther graduated from Abeka Christian Academy and even took a trip to Pensecola, Florida to walk on stage with all the others graduating with her. How awesome is that!?! Pretty awesome if you ask me!!!

I scoped around the Square a little bit before Esther arrived and found this awesome wall that displays an art school. I knew this would be the perfect location for a few images because Esther is an artist! She’s so talented and such a sweetheart. I loved every second of our time together.

We breezed through our time at the Homer Louisiana Square and then headed out to a nice remote location that had the wildflowers she wanted. I say remote, but it was really on the side of the road. HA!! But, it was actually quite remote. I suppose. It was smack dab in the middle of nowheresville! I’m sure Esther was wondering what on earth we were doing out here, but the flowers were so pretty!! And it totally looks like a flower field! You’ll have to see for yourself below!

I’m so thankful for the wonderful opportunity to capture such special moments like these for Esther! One of the specific things she asked for was a throwing her cap in the air shot, and as you can see, we did just that! I think it is so important to make the shots that are requested a priority in getting!

Best of luck with all you do, Esther!!

See? Prefect for her, right?!

She got her cap throw!!

Can you even tell this was on the side of the road? I think not!!

Thank you so much for being here and viewing our blog!! If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment below.

Here are a few others you may enjoy:

How to plan your outfits

Now booking Fall 2021 and 2021-2022 newborn portraits

Abshire and Murphee families

July 15, 2021
Abshire and Murphee Family | Homer Louisiana Family Photographer

Meet the Abshire and Murphee families!!

We met over the July 4th weekend for this sweet session in small town Homer, Louisiana with Micah’s family while they were in town and I can’t express what a joy it was to meet them all! When we first arrived we were greeted by some warm hellos and cute little boys peeking at us behind the bushes. They were nonstop fun!

It was a perfect July evening in North Louisiana. In fact, it was really unusually nice for this area. Typically July is so hot and humid that you’re miserable, but this evening was perfect. We couldn’t have asked for better temps!

Micah and her family were some of the sweetest people that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting! Her boys were the cutest little things. I couldn’t get over the curls! Maybe it’s because I have curly hair, myself, but I just love seeing curls on little kids. It’s just the cutest thing! And that little smiley Sully Baby. Oh my word!!

I had the pleasure of meeting Micah’s brother and his family along with her mom and dad, as well. They had the most precious little southern baby girls. One of which, being the same age as my Emma. Two is a fun age that comes with lots of unpredictability, but she did good! And those eyes. Goodness, she had the cutest big brown eyes!

I think it’s safe to say that by now you know just how much I loved this session and this wonderful family. It was an absoulte dream!!

Are you ready to see these sweet images?? I know you are!!

Thank you so much for being here and viewing our blog! If you enjoyed these images, please leave a comment below!

Here are some other blog posts you might enjoy:

Brooke’s 18 Month Milestone Session

Anna Claire- Lifestyle Newborn

Abigail and Kimberly – LA Tech Grads

Xoxo,

Courtney

July 7, 2021