North Louisiana Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer

Tag: louisiana family photographer

Flower Field Portriats | North Louisiana Photographer

My sweet girls

We live out in the country in North Louisiana on 10 acres of land. We have a large open field and each year in the fall and the spring, we have wildflowers growing in the field. It is a photographers dream. I always try to make it a point to photograph my girls in the annuals wildflowers we have. Typically in the spring it is the Wisteria. However, this year was weird. Everything bloomed nearly a month early (some things were a whole month early) which lead to a frost killing them before I could photograph them. Hence the reason I do not have Wisteria portraits this year. WAHHHHH

Instead, we have yellow wildflowers. Hey, they are cute too.

My girls were outside playing. I ran inside, grabbed my camera (with only minutes of light left) and captured these seasonal flowers with them. Was is the best lighting? No. Were they in cute clothing? No. But I will cherish these forever. I love my sweet girls.

Possibly the best set of photos

Thank you so much for being here! If you’re interested in a session with us, please stop by here

April 3, 2023
Barksdale Family Session | O’Hart Family | Shreveport Louisiana Family Photographer

This family session was a challenge simply because of the harsh light that we were faced with. It was a breeze because of the stunning family I was able to work with. Haritha and Brian were some of the sweetest people and their kiddos are absolutely adorable! Photographing them was a dream!!

This session posed some challenges I had never experience in a family session before. We had very harsh light but thankfully we have a B-52(!!!) to help shield us from the sun. The only down side was that there were people everywhere. That was a little tricky!

Overall, these images are some of my absolute favorite images I have taken. The love and connection between this family is seriously the sweetest. Sweet little girl was a big fan of her daddy and I so loved capturing that connection.

Sometimes it can be tricky with littles and stressful, even, for parents. Worrying if their little ones will cooperate for pictures. I always strive to make these family sessions toddler-led. I give lots of grace, and have lots of patience. I don’t force any poses on them. I just let them lead and I document them. Most of the time they begin to trust me and warm up. That’s when I can truly capture who they are as their own little selves. I just love and adore that process. I know poses where everyone is looking at the camera are important, so we get those too. But your family, simply being your family, is something that is just as equally important.

Thank you so much for being here! If you’d like to book your session with us, click here

March 30, 2023
Glover Family | North Louisiana Family Photographer | Lake Claiborne Family Session

The Glover family

This session has been talked about between Mariah and myself for a while now. We hoped fro maternity portraits when she was expecting this precious baby, we talked about portraits after he was born. Neither of those worked out with our schedules. They live in Virginia and I live in Louisiana so it isn’t just moving something from one weekend to the next. When they came to Louisiana this past time we knew we had to make it work. My calendar was open so we snuck in this session and even with location change and time changes, we made it happen. I couldn’t be more pleased and in love with these images. Sweet Malachi was such a little smiler. I love his precious dimples.

I love being able to capture these precious times with families. Preserving forever these moments with their littles. They grow so very fast. I’m so thankful for each and every single family I get to document.

March 28, 2023
Seth is ONE | North Louisiana Photographer

I can’t believe little Seth has graduated his first year portrait plan. Oh how fast time flies.

It is such a joy to get to photograph these precious growing babies. Preserving these memories for mamas makes my heart sing. It is a joy that never gets old. Babies change so much in their first year, it’s just crazy. Having special portraits at each big milestone is so very, very special.

I was so blessed to be able to capture their maternity portraits, newborn portraits, and 6 month portraits.

When Seth was still in his mommy’s belly, we met at SAU campus for their maternity portraits. One year later, we are back again for his first birthday portraits. I just love the way this worked out.

We were initially going to meet at a baseball field for his first birthday portraits but with the rain that we have constantly been having, everything was so wet. Last minute we made the call to switch to SAU campus and I’m honestly so glad we did. These images are so precious.

Little Seth, you’re a sweetheart. The many faces you make are so stinking adorable. You are the sweetest baby boy. Happy first birthday, little man.

February 21, 2023
Why is it so important to BE IN photos and not just take them? | Shreveport, Louisiana Family Photographer

As a photographer in the Shreveport Louisiana area, I have taken my fair share of portraits. I get to capture moments and memories for growing families that could be so easily forgotten if it weren’t for the photographs to remember the details.

I not only find value in taking portraits for others, I also realize the value to be IN the photos too.

You see, as a mom, we are always the ones taking the photos. We have cute photos of the kiddos and dad but so few of us with them. Or even more so few of just us and the hubs. Why? Well, who’s going to take it??? Or maybe we don’t like the way our bodies look after having kids. Maybe we just don’t even think about it.

The beautiful thing about family photography is that you don’t even have to think about it! I will direct every single moment of your session.

But why is it so important to actually be in photos?

Well, let’s think about when you were growing up. Do you remember what your parents looked like when you were 3? I sure don’t. But I can look back at the countless images my mom has taken and printed and I can see what they looked like.

I can see moments of them with me on my birthdays, helping me put together my new toys. I can see the joy on my face in one photo where my dad is helping me with a fishing pole.

It is so important for our children to have a legacy to look back on and see these special times in their lives that maybe they wouldn’t remember if it hadn’t been documented. But what’s even more special is that if in those same photos they can see mom and dad, loving them and loving each other.

This is what family photography is all about.

Book your family or newborn session here

February 1, 2023
Top 6 poses for in home newborn photography | Shreveport Louisiana newborn photographer

As a newborn photographer in the Shreveport Louisiana area, I’ve learned my top 6 favorite poses for in home newborn sessions. These work for all family sizes and are so sweet and special.

I love to capture connection more so than everyone looking at the camera while smiling. While those are important, they are a little too staged to have a gallery full of them. Don’t worry, we always get several of those traditional poses!

However, my favorite ones are always when there is a deep connection that is documented. Even if it’s as simple as siblings touching. We need connection. Our eyes are drawn to connection. Connection pulls on our heart strings.

Here are some of my favorite poses that capture connection as well as a few that feature your beautiful baby.

Mama rocking baby

Family cuddle

Mama and daddy admiring baby

Baby wrapped, side profile

Details

Mom and dad share a kiss

I hope you love these as much as I do and that they are helpful for you at your next newborn session!

Mamas, if you’re looking for a newborn photographer for your precious new baby, you can learn all about session with CDP here

January 19, 2023
Moriah turns 8 | Shreveport Louisiana Photographer

Sweet Moriah turned 8 and that calls for birthday portraits! We went with downtown Shreveport as our location because her mama wanted more architecture. Moriah wanted a Japan themed party so we made sure to include some of that in her outfit selections.

Moriah is such a sweet, quiet girl. She wouldn’t hurt a soul and she’s friends with everyone. She’s one of those girls that’s easy to love and she loves you right back. She’s more on the reserved side and maybe won’t show her emotions as strongly as others, but she is truly a sweetheart.

We love you sweet Moriah and wish you he happiest birthday party this weekend.

January 17, 2023
Now offering fresh 48 sessions | Ruston Louisiana newborn photographer

As a newborn photographer in the Ruston Louisiana area, I knew it was time to begin offering fresh 48 sessions. These precious sessions are done in the hospital, up to 48 hours after your baby’s birth.

These are so special and incredible. Your baby changes so much within the first year and even more so within just the first few days.

To me, the hospital stay can feel like a blur. You don’t hardly remember the details. Documenting this special time will forever keep those special details close to your memory.

Contact us to book your fresh 48 today!

January 6, 2023
Wade Family | North Louisiana Photographer

Meet the Wade family! They are such a sweet family. And what adorable kiddos!

I’m sure you recognize a few members of this family from past sessions. I can’t express how thankful I am for repeat clients. It means so much to me!!

This session took place on the coldest day ever. Ok, maybe not.. snowpocalypse of 2020- shudders… Anyways, this day was cold. You get the idea. We raced through this session in record time because these babies did not need to be out longer than necessary. I knew I could get what I needed, I just had to move quick. And hey, moving quick keeps you warm. Haha!!

Everyone handled the cold so well! I was so proud of the kiddos. Little Easton was having a hard time warming up to me so I decided to let him throw leaves at me. Boy was that a good idea! He loved every second of that! Haha!! It’s so fun to figure out ways to get little ones interested in photos. It almost never fails that games are the way to do it. Make it fun and they will like you. That’s my motto anyways.

I hope you enjoy this session! It was a good one!!

https://courtneydexterphotography.pixieset.com/booking/

December 23, 2022
2022 Recap | Shreveport Louisiana Photographer

The 2022 family and newborn portrait season has come to an end. It was CDP’s best year and I can’t tell you how thankful I am for that. You’ve all been so very supportive and loving. Trusting me with your most precious moments is such an incredible honor.

From anniversary portraits, newborn portraits, weddings, and more; 2022 was one I will never forget!

I believe my ability to serve you and your incredible families has grown and developed even more in this year.

I dove into off camera flash to incorporate in lifestyle newborn sessions and learned it’s not as hard as I thought it was.

I was able to invest more into my business by upgrading my gear (that’s been needed for a long time!) and I can say that was a great decision.

I was able to travel for sessions and bring my family along to enjoy a little get away together.

I set a goal for the amount of income I wanted to reach for the year and because of your unfailing support I nearly doubled that goal. I am humbled and honored by each and every one of you. I can’t tell you how much this year has meant to my family.

I am trusting God for the year ahead, knowing that if I follow where he leads, I can’t fail. No matter what happens in 2023, I trust in Him. May God richly bless each and every one of you for the love that you have so graciously shown me.

To book your session in 2023, start here

December 22, 2022