North Louisiana Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer

Tag: north louisiana child photographer

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
Addie turns 4 | Birthday Photographer Minden Louisiana

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

Thank you so much for being here!! If you enjoyed this post please leave some love. It means the world to us.

Xoxo,

Courtney

March 14, 2022
Best Friends | Birthday Photographer Minden Louisiana

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

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

Xoxo,

Courtney

March 8, 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
Recap of the Minden St Jude Race | Minden Louisiana Photorapher

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!

February 14, 2022
Tushner Baby Shower | Minden Louisiana Photographer

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.

February 6, 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
Michelle’s Baby Shower | North Louisiana Photographer

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!

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

January 25, 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
Favorite locations of 2021 | North Louisiana Photographer

As I have already said before, 2021 was full of beautiful sessions that I just adored! And I know I have already showed those to you. However!! 2021 was also full of some great locations around North Louisiana.

As a photographer in North Louisiana, it can be tricky to find great spots because North Louisiana is really not that glamorous. Like at all. In fact, it is frustrating how non-glamorous North Louisiana is. There are no mountains, no epic gardens, no super awesome historic locations. We do have historic locations, but not a ton.

However, there are a few great spots that I have found in 2021 and I’m hopeful to find even better ones in 2022!

Here are my top favs

The peach orchard in Shreveport

Lake Claiborne

My parents land in Shongaloo

Our land in Homer

Lake Bistineau in Doyline

The Square in Homer

LA TECH campus

Caney Lake in Minden

These are just a few great spots in case you need ideas for your next session.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Please leave some love.

Xoxo,

Courtney

January 3, 2022