New Home + Anticipating Baby #2 | Hammond Family Photography

I’ve said this before, but truly, watching friends raise babies, whom I knew in adolescence, college, or any other era of life prior to the current is such a fun experience. Heidi and I had literature classes together throughout our college careers. After college, Heidi travelled and worked teaching ESL abroad for several years. I always enjoyed keeping up with her adventures on social media and was particularly flattered when she booked a family session with me. Watching the ways my friends put their heart and soul into the little humans they bring into the world and the ways they cultivate their flourishing personalities is incredibly interesting to me.

This past summer, Heidi and Austen eloped for an intimate wedding ceremony in Costa Rica. They’ve also had an exciting year of a new home purchase and the anticipation of baby #2, Leif. We decided to do this shoot in their empty new home that they had not yet moved into. I look at these photographs and think about the nostalgia they’ll bring to Heidi as she looks back on this time of firsts for their little family.

River is at such a fun age, and what a memory to capture his last months as an only child. Documenting pre-baby lifestyle sessions for both expecting couples and expanding families is something I’ve done quite a bit more of lately, and I truly love the meaning and authenticity behind the moments we capture in these shoots. There’s just something about having visual snapshots of those days before lives and hearts forever shift, mold, and expand in new ways…

Life moves + changes ever-so-quickly and documenting truly authentic and personal parts of it for my clients forever feeds my souuuuuuul. Heidi and Austen, I cannot wait to document many more exciting firsts for your family.

Layrisson Family Generational Session | Northshore, Louisiana Family Photographer

"There are only two lasting things we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other wings."

- Henry Ward Beecher

I've been photographing Brandie + Parker's growing family for a while now.  Brandie's thoughtfulness for capturing intentional moments, ages, and seasons in her children's lives always leaves me with that gooey heart-in-a-puddle-on-the-floor feeling in the ways that I soak in something new and lovely about life, love, or family from each time I spend with them. 

After the births of both of her boys, Brandie had me over to photograph generational sessions with the littles, their parents, and grandparents. This year, we did a photojournalistic generational session at Parker's parents' house, where we gardened, laughed, had the best morning kicking off the beginning days of Summer and soaking in the best homegrown memories with family.

If you're reading this far down in the post, you probably know my writing style enough by now to know that it's sentimental all over the place up in here. If that's not your jam so much, just keep scrollin' on through to the pretty photographs. No offense taken!

Growing up, my grandfather always had a lush garden in which he carefully tended. This morning session made me think of the memories with my own grandparents of picking, cooking, and serving all of that homegrown goodness that was cultivated with love and patience. 

I know I say it enough to sound like a broken record, but documenting the tiny littles of my clients interactively as they grow, develop, and change is a job that constantly leaves me gaining wisdom and insight that I'd never even known I'd needed.  Essentially, some days my job description involves playing with toddlers, and let's just say, I never leave those days without their innocent, engaging minds unintentionally teaching me a thing or two. 

These are the types of moments that make me feel inherently blessed to be able to make a living cultivating + capturing the things that make us feel.

After time in the garden, Parker's mother Mrs. Celeste showed me her serene studio where she creates artwork.  Mrs. Celeste has such a warm persona and an impressive eye for beautiful things, but seeing the space where she relaxes, engages her creative mind, and creates meaningful artwork was such a wonderful way to end that morning.  I left dreaming of my next home and working from the sun porch with warm sunshine beating in. 

Until then, I'll keep it real and inform you that my current workspace is much less glamorous than that sounds, looking more like dirty hair and a "makeshift" desk located in the same location on my bed. All just humbly reminding me to soak in the transition, messy, and the now, because those seasons contribute to the pretty in life just the same.

Blain + Gantt | Bright Eyes and Chubby Cheeks: Baton Rouge Children and Family Photographer

Fall and Spring may not be the longest seasons here in Louisiana, but they leave me so smitten with their pops of color and fresh aromas. But what leaves me even more smitten is seeing the babies I photograph from the start grow. You may remember Blain from his session last year, or Gantt from his breathtaking newborn session with momma. So sweet, these babies. The intense level of perfection in Gantt's dimples and little baby rolls left my ovaries kiiiiind of aching, in the best way.

Look at these sweet babies. I know Taylor will always look back and remember this sweet, innocent time in her boys' life with so much love.

Babies can pull off rolls and cellulite like it's cool. Meanwhile, adults are over here like...

Long eyelashes, pouty baby lips, sweet dimples--oh Gantt, I know just how you steal your momma's heart every day. Taylor and Blain, thank you so much for always entrusting me to document your beautiful, ever-growing family.

Sketchler Family | Louisiana Family Photographer

Treasured occurrences to tragic ones, it's sometimes so easy to forget that life can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye. On the way to her sister's rehearsal dinner last April, Erin, Owen, and their precious Ollie were hit head-on on the interstate by an 18-wheeler. The next day, as I photographed her sister Lauren's wedding, there was so much fear and disillusionment in everyone's eyes. Sifting through emotions of fear and shock that day, going through months of physical rehab afterwards, it's a beautiful life that the three of them are now healthy, happy, and thriving.  So, to say that I had the opportunity to photograph their beautiful, healing family recently is an enormous understatement. To see the smiles and to witness a beautiful, growing baby boy just fills my heart to the brim.

Ollie has mad style for a one-year-old--all credit to his super talented parents. Speaking of talent, Erin has quite the nifty little Etsy Shop. You can check it out, here.

Those eyes. Ollie, you are going to melt some hearts.

Erin and Owen, thank you so much for entrusting me with documenting your beautiful family.

Pennington Family | Louisiana Family Photographer

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the cutest little blonde baby model I ever did see. I'm so grateful to have watched each era of Amanda and Andrew's life unfold over the past few years. I met the both of them in college and have watched their relationship evolve from the first dates through the wedding, and to first baby, Miles--and what a treat it has been. This was my first time meeting Miles and my did he steal my heart with those blonde locks and warm brown eyes. I just adore every bit of Miles, Amanda, and Andrew in this session.

It took Miles a while to warm up to me, but after searching for acorns together, we were basically BFF.

I just cannot get enough of these three...and will happily welcome more little Andrews and/or Amandas in front of my camera. (:

Seriously, can we talk about this baby model? I'm not surprised one bit that he was chosen to be a Drooly Scrumptious brand rep.

Amanda and Pnut, thank you for entrusting me with documenting the evolution of your sweet little family. I cannot wait to continue to watch it grow.

Ducote Family | Louisiana Family Photographer

I cannot even believe that my sweet Isla is almost two--and spunky as ever. So very independent--I absolutely adore how her cute little personality is molding into one all her own. If there's anything I love, it's an independent little lady--even at two years old.  Did I mention that I have an adult version of her outfit? Oops. We all find it really funny how spunky Isla is, given that her momma is the quietest, most mild mannered person on the planet. But she certainly keeps everyone laughing and on their toes. She was a daddy's girl all the way for their session--but I don't think Seth was complaining.

These last ones are some of my absolute favorites of her. They just capture her two-year-old spunk like nothing else. I hope you enjoyed my spicy godchild as much as I do. Happy Tuesday, friends!

Rodriguez Family | Louisiana Family Photographer

You probably remember this captivating little face from her session this Spring. It was absolutely my pleasure when Rhyan's momma Tracee contacted me for a full family session this Fall. I've known Tracee since I was younger and seeing her beautiful family grow over the past year has been an immense treat. Speaking of treats, Rhyan's wardrobe is full of the cutest mini pieces I ever did see. Just look at her plaid puffer vest. I mean...

This is such a beautiful age. I love when littles are so reliant and enthralled with momma and daddy's love. 

Seriously, I've considered contacting Baby Gap with the inundation of perfect babies I've had the pleasure of watching grow this year. Tracee and Bobby are both very interactive with Rhyan--such sweet little quirks in their family of three.

Tracee, Bobby, and Rhyan, thank you once again for the utmost pleasure you've given me in documenting your beautiful family. I just adore all of you.