North Louisiana Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer

Tag: north louisiana newborn photographer

Three pieces of advice for a new mama | Ruston Louisiana Newborn Photographer

Being a new mama is hard, I know! There is so much that changes- your body, your sleep, your eating; literally everything changes. I don’t ever pretend to think that I have it all together or that I know more than anyone else; trust me when I say, I don’t.

Hey, sweet friend! I’m a mama and a newborn photographer in the Ruston Louisiana area. I specialize in in-home newborn photography with a lifestyle approach. This type of photography absolutely fills my cup and brings me so much joy. I have had the amazing privilege to work with some amazing mamas in the surrounding north Louisiana areas and if there was any piece of advice I could give them, this is what I would say:

The first thing I could ever tell a new mama is to give yourself grace, upon grace. I heard this before and it stuck with me- you have never been this mama before. You may have been a mom of one or two, but you have never been a mom of three. This is all new.
This applies to even if this is your first baby. No matter how many times you bring a new baby into the world, it’s always going to be a new experience. Give yourself grace.

The second thing I would say is to see a pelvic floor PT. You will thank me later if you follow this advice. Bringing babies into the world bring a lot of trauma to your body. Working with someone specialized in the areas of diastases recti and pelvic floor will help with all things recovery! Learning to use your core again after having a baby is SO empowering!

The last thing I would say, or recommend, would be to enjoy every minute. Now, I know, I know, every minute isn’t enjoyable. Trust me, I know. I have been there. There are a lot of moments that you are just wishing you could get some sleep, wishing the crying or fussing or whining would stop. But also trust me when I say, it goes by so fast!! Like, unfairly fast. When you are in the think of the newborn and baby raising, it feels like you will be in this stage forever. But before you know it, they are off to school and not needing their mama anymore. I think we can all do better at enjoying the moments a little bit better. The baby sleeping on your chest, the snuggles and cuddles, how you can fix everything with a little kiss. The innocence of babies.

If I could leave you with some final words, I would say that you’re doing an amazing job. And I really, really mean that!

January 23, 2023
When is the best time to schedule your newborn session? | newborn photographer in Ruston Louisiana

Deciding when to schedule your newborn session can be a little challenging. You don’t know when baby will arrive so how will you know when to book your session?? This is a great question!

As a newborn photographer in Ruston Louisiana I’ve got the answer for you.

The very best way to know you’ll get on our calendar for your precious newborn session is to being the booking process as early on in your pregnancy as possible.

Yes, you don’t know exactly when baby will be here. But we have an estimated date. It’s best to schedule roughly 10 days after your estimated due date. Once baby arrives, we will determine if that date is still the best. If you go over your due date we can make adjustments. If baby came early, we can make adjustments.

Our calendar fills up fast, therefore it is always best to book your session early!

However, if your baby is already here and within the 2-3 weeks of age window we can try our best to work you in.

We are so happy for you and this precious life you are bringing into the world and can’t wait to serve you in this amazing way.

Congrats, mama.

Book your in home newborn session today!

January 4, 2023
Christy | Shreveport Louisiana Maternity Photographer

Beautiful Christy expecting her first baby. This session is pulled from the archives.

Christy is so beautiful and just glowing during this pregnancy. I think that’s something that can be said of so many lovely mamas during their pregnancy. Pregnancy is such a beautiful, wonderful thing. Each time I think it such a miracle. The miracle of a life growing inside you. It always makes me think of how amazing God is. You can see Him so clearly and plainly.

We met for this session out in Rural North Louisiana on a beautiful day and had the most wonderful time together. It is such a privilege to be able to document such incredible times for such amazing people. I never take this time for granted.

December 7, 2022
Weston | North Louisiana Newborn Photographer

Sweet baby Weston. Have I told you I love to photograph newborns? Oh I have, good..

As a newborn photographer in north Louisiana I think it is no secret that this is my favorite part of photography. These precious newborns. The time with them so little goes by so very, very fast. It is so hard, but it is so wonderful all at the same time. God entrusts us with these precious lives and through Him we are able to raise them into wonderful people. There is nothing more amazing than that. It takes a lot of grace. A lot of patience. A lot of hard work. But it is so beer, very worth it.

This sweet session is from the archives but it is definitely a favorite. Seeing the love these siblings have for their new baby brother is just so very sweet. I hope you enjoy it.

December 5, 2022
Zoe | Newborn Photographer in Ruston Louisiana

This precious in-home newborn session took place about 30 minutes outside of Ruston, Louisiana. The gorgeous nursery was so easy to photograph and see baby Zoe did so good! These times with precious newborns is so very fleeting. It it so special to me to be able to photograph them and document this incredible time.

Each time I walk away from a newborn session, my heart feels so full. I can’t believe this is my job. This is what I get to do. It is such an incredible honor.

We swaddled little Zoe in a sweet blanket and began her session in the nursery. One thing I love to capture in the nursery is images that portray real life with a newborn. Mama checking on her baby in the crib, rocking her in the rocking chair. Anything that feels like real like just makes me so happy. The posed photos are always nice, but the ones that just tug on my heart are the real life, every day ones.

This in-home newborn session is hand down, one of my absolute favorites and I am so thrilled to share it with you!!

Book your in-home newborn session here

November 23, 2022
Frequently asked questions about newborn sessions answered | Ruston Louisiana newborn photographer

As a newborn photographer in the Ruston Louisiana area, I’ve been asked a few questions about our newborn sessions! Here is a place for all of them to be answered!!

First of all, I want to let you know that 2023 due dates are open for booking!! Secure your date before your precious baby comes to guarantee that you’re on our calendar!! You can do that here

DO WE NEED TO BRING PROPS?

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!

DO WE NEED TO FIND A LOCATION?

This one is easy! Newborn sessions are done in the comfort of your very own home.

HOW CAN WE PREPARE OUR KIDS FOR OUR SESSION?

In my opinion, there isn’t much preparing you can do other than letting them know they will meet someone knew 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.

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

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.

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!

WHAT IS YOUR TURNAROUND TIME?

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!

Book your newborn session here

November 16, 2022
What to do if your toddler acts up during your family session | Shreveport family and newborn photographer

It’s no secret, little ones don’t always just love to be in front of the camera. I get it. It can be scary to have someone you don’t know all up in your personal space. But as a family photographer in the shreveport Louisiana area, I have worked with numerous little ones and almost always end up with a smile.

What is the secret? Let me tell you!

It can be very difficult to get a little one to be still, look at the camera and smile. In fact, it can be hard for adults to do that. Sitting still for long periods of time and smiling is boring!

Instead of asking that of kiddos, and really anyone, I like to encourage play. Playing is what kids do best. I don’t push them to do anything they don’t want to do. During your session, they are the boss. The best advice I have is to let go of the correcting for the photos and just let them be. Let them play.

If you’re worried I won’t get a portrait of all of you looking at the camera and smiling, don’t worry! I always do. But we make it quick and then we play. We explore. We do things that are interring to the little ones.

So if you’re worried, don’t be! We will have a great time together and get wonderful images!

Book your session here

November 14, 2022
Smith Twins | North Louisiana Newborn Photographer

I had the incredible privilege to fulfill a dream of mine; photograph newborn twins this past October. Newborn portraits are my absolute favorite thing to photograph. The sweet cuddly babies. The incredibly special time as brand new parents. There is just nothing like it to me. Of all the types of sessions I do and have done, newborn portraits are hands down my very favorite.

When I first started working with these sweet babies I have to admit, I felt a little overwhelmed. What poses am I going to do with two babies? How am I going to get the right light on both of their faces? How am I going to keep them both calm? I think it is completely normal for these types of overwhelming thoughts to happen when you are attempting something new. The thing is, you have to get past the fear of failure and just try, Try your very, very best. This is what I did and I have to say, I am so incredibly thrilled with how these turned out. It took some work, some knowledge, and patience. None of these adorable images happened on accident. Well, the smiles weren’t planned. Those were happy surprises that these precious babies gave me. Well, their mama, really.

I met the Smith family at their home for their newborn session. Typically these sessions take place between Ruston and Shreveport, Louisiana but this one was an exception. I traveled all the way to Florida for these precious babies!! Was it worth the trip? Every. Single. Second. Not only did I fulfill a dream of mine. I also got some of my very best newborn images to date. No joke. At least in my opinion.

These precious boys were born at 36 weeks and so healthy and strong. They are doing so wonderful and their parents are so incredible to with these little guys. I could keep going on and on about how precious and adorable, and all the adjectives to describe the cuteness of these guys and how excited I am to share these with y’all but if I do that you’ll never see the images. So let’s get to the good part.

If you look closely you can see two baby boys in their cribs

They loved being together

To book your in-home newborn session, start here

November 4, 2022
How to prepare your home for an in-home newborn session | Ruston Louisiana family and newborn photographer

When you schedule you’re in-home newborn session, I’m sure the first thing you worry about is if your home is clean enough, decorated well enough, etc. I want to help you ease those fears today!

As a lifestyle newborn photographer in Ruston Louisiana, I’m going to share my best tips on how to prepare your home for your session!!

First of all I want to say, please don’t stress about this! It’s actually pretty simple.

The main thing I need when I come into a home is a window with some pretty light and an area near that window that is clutter free.

We’ll typically focus a lot on being in sweet baby’s nursery for the images so we’ll want to remove any diaper boxes or totes from that room.

The last thing I want any new mama and daddy to do is stress about their home before I come to photograph them. I always say not to worry about the mess. I know this season is hard! If there is anything that I feel needs to be moved for the photos when I get there, I’ll simply move it out of the way and then when I’m done I’ll put it back.

Another area I like to photograph your brand new family is either in the living room or in your bedroom; depending on which has the best light.

I never, ever care if you have dishes in your sink or laundry piled up. I understand!

So what am I getting at here? Please don’t stress! Do your best (or even hire someone to come in and clean for you) and trust us to capture your precious family in your beautiful home.

Book your in-home newborn session here

September 7, 2022
My favorite sibling portraits | North Louisiana newborn photographer

As a lifestyle newborn photographer in north Louisiana, I’ve had the privilege to photograph some precious babies with their siblings. These images are always so sweet and just heart melting.

Is it just me or do you also love to see the connection between siblings and their fresh new baby brother/sister? I didn’t think it was just me

Lifestyle newborn sessions are something that I absolutely love because they are so much more of a documentation of real life. You’re in the comfort of your home, with the people you love most. There is nothing quite like it.

I know this one includes mama, but look at the love from big sister- I just love it!!

I love this so much it hurts

To book your in-home newborn session, head here

August 17, 2022