-New Beginnings-

I am apart of many new beginnings :)  Seniors are beginnings for young people starting a new chapter in their lives.  Engagements are beginnings for couples in their growing relationships together.  Weddings are beginnings of a couples married life together.  Then there are newborns which is the beginning of not only life, but a family <3 

Brian and Abby are my clients that I have had the opportunity to be apart of so many beginnings.  I did Brian and Abby's engagements and then their wedding.  Now just a little over a year later I am doing their first baby. 

Easton was a perfect mix of the two of them.  I really enjoy seeing the love on these parents faces for this little guy.  Both mom and dad were present for the almost 3 hour photo shoot.  They were very patient with me and allowed me to handle their precious little one and mold him into some crazy positions at times.  They were also a big help to me when I needed a hand :) 

When I started this business I never thought about the relationships I would have with my clients for years to come.  Hopefully one day I will do Eastons senior photos (scary thought!)  I love my job, and am so thank full that I am able to do what I do :) 

The Zieman Story

 

 

 



 

This Is Just The Beginning!

- Repeat Customers -

Every job that I am hired for I do my absolute best.  I always give 120% to every client.  It is an absolute joy when I have repeat customers.  They put their trust in me one time and now continue to return for years to come.  Some of my clients refer to me as "their photographer" :)  At first when people started to even call me a photographer I was embarrassed.  I guess it had not sunk in that I was no longer just Laurie or mommy.  I now owned something that could be GREAT!  Sometimes I lack the confidence in myself to do the job.  After years of doing this you would think I would get over that and not be nervouse.  But I think that if I got cocky I would also get sloppy.  I absolutely respect people who do photography for a living.  It is not easy by any means.  If you are not a people person you might as well forget about it!  

When you start a business and build it up from nothing, it is a great accomplishment.  I am very proud that I am able to help support my family.  I definitely feel like a Proverbs 31 woman.

From the Message Bible
Proverbs 31

A good woman is hard to find,
    and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
    and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
    all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
    and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
    and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
    for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
    then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
    rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
    is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
    diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
    reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
    their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
    and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
    when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
    brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
    and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
    and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
    and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
    her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
    but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
    The woman to be admired and praised
    is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
    Festoon her life with praises! 

Years ago I never thought I could ever be that for my family.  But I see it coming true for me lately.  Don't get me wrong, I am not saying this in a pride full way.  I think every woman should strive to be a proverbs 31 woman.  I am not all the way there yet.  I have many flaws, but this is what I am striving for.

The Davison Family <3

Newborn Session

Christmas Cards

 

6 month photos

- Old Fashion -

Yes, I would describe myself as old fashioned in a way.  I do not answer my phone when I am with a friend.  I try to stay true to my word.  If I said I was going to do something, I will try my absolute best to see it through!  If I know I am wrong I will apologize.  I believe you should work hard for what you have.  I could go on and on.....  I really don't know why I am this way :) 

So when I meet clients that show the same Old Fashioned qualities that I have, it is just a joy to work with them.  My clients Amber and Brent are just these kind of people.  They are a joy to be around.  Very positive, gentle, courteous, encouraging, thank full and so on...  They make my job so easy :)

I am very happy when I meet people like them.  I seem to connect with them.  Every time I see them it is like we are old friends catching up.  When I first started my business I was very cautious and did not get to close to my clients in fear of getting hurt.  These days though I find that when I open up more and have a connection with my clients, everything I do with and for them is more meaningful.  Life is not all about work and money.  It is about the people you meet and making every moment count.  I am so glad I met Amber, Brent and their little family.  I am excited for the opportunity in the future to meet more people like them.

The Svejda Family

-Newborns-


I just love doing newborn babies.  This little guy clay was the cutest.  Newborns are hard work!  They can take up to 4 hours to photograph.  But when I come home and start to edit and see the end result it is just so worth every minute.  Personally I am no longer able to have any more babies.  So when a new mom and dad come in with their little one, I guess I get my baby fix :) 

At the very end of the session with Abby and her newborn Clay.  I had told them we were finished for the day and she just sat on the bean bag and cuddled with little clay.  At that moment I could see the love that Abby had for this little guy.  It just absolutely melted my heart and to be honest I almost cried!   Of course I wouldn't cry in front of my clients, but I really had to hold it back.  All of a sudden I could remember there was a time when I held my little boys that same way, and I missed that feeling for a moment.  The embrace that a new mom gives to her newborn.  My boys are 9 and 6 now and they are not as cuddly :(  It made me realize that time in my life was soooooo precious to me.  Don't get me wrong is was major tough at the time.  I did not get much sleep and I felt alone in my struggle with this little creature that demanded all my attention.  But oh it was worth every tear that I shed, every labor pain, every sleepless night, every puked on shirt.  I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

That time in my life has passed and now I own a business and work full time.  In life there are times and seasons.  So cherish every moment!  My boys have grown up so fast.  Before I know it I will be doing their Senior photos, and then their weddings, and then their babies.  YIKES!!!!!  (Now I am crying again!)

Enjoy your children, they are a gift from God!

Abby, Kevin, and Clay

    

- The Beginning -

I had the great honor of shooting Jamie's new baby girl Poppy.  By the way Poppy is the cutest name EVER!  The reason why this was a special photo shoot for me is because Jamie was a very important part of my business getting it's start. 

I am going to be really real now!  When I first started shooting I only used film.  I did not even own a computer (YIKES!)  When I took a photo it had to be right the first time.  There was NO editing for me.  Special effects included Vaseline on a filter to create a hazy vignette.  That time of my career was actually a good learning time for me.  It forced me to be very precise and take my time.  Now in the digital world it is so easy to take 10 shots of the same photo and then delete the ones that did not turn out.  Film cost money and so I was very careful. 

So that's where Jamie came in.  She had a computer!  So I asked her to come up with a LOGO for my new business venture that I was about to embark on.  She even came up the name LC Photography.  I quickly threw together some print prices and off we went.  I never thanked her for doing that for me.  She kinda gave me that kick start into the business world. 

I have wanted to do something special for her for a long time, but never really made it a priority.  Then she became pregnant with a little girl.  So this was the perfect opportunity to do something special for her as a thank you :) 

I am so glad for friends that help you out in a time of need.  I really hope they enjoy these photos for many years to come.  Thank you again Jamie <3

The Williams Family with newborn Poppy

-Children-

Since opening our studio a year ago this April, we have had a flood of babies and children.  I started my photography career doing weddings.  So children are very new to me and I am just crazy enough to take on this challenge.  Those photographers out there who photograph children are Rock Stars!  It is a lot more challenging then any other kind of photography in my opinion. 

A child meets you for the first time the day of the photo shoot.  We tell our children to be ware of strangers, yet when they come to us they are expected to act like they have known me forever and smile.  It is a tough and confusing job for those little ones. 

Sometimes it goes so smoothly and you have a child like this little girl Willow.  She was AMAZING!  She smiled for me all the time.  Had the cutest personality and was just a dream to work with. 

Then there are other times when the kid does not like me from the minute they walk in my door.  They wont look at me or they are scared and cry.  I feel really bad for them and their parents.  I know the parents have great expectations for their little guy and they want the cutest photos ever, so they can brag them up to family and friends.  But the reality is that most of the time it is really tough!  I try to encourage the parents and let them know it happens all the time.  Because it does!  If a child is under 5 years old it could go either way.  We could have the best experience or the worst experience. 

But that does not mean we should give up and not do children photo shoots.  We will try and try again to get the cutest little smiles. 

My husband Reggie always thinks he is the one who scares the kids.  He says "the kid probably is scared of that big bearded guy!" , but that is not true.  It makes me laugh though when he says it LOL.

So I have said all that to say this.  Kids are tough little people and I am gonna beat them at their game!

- Willow -