My friend Lauren recently asked if I would take pictures of her and her sister Jennifer as a gift of their mom on Mother's Day. I said, sure, no problem! Then she added on that they wanted a pictures with all the grand-pups as well. Still no problem! These ladies, and dogs, are total pros in front of the camera!
Jennifer, Lauren, Zoey, Max, Rocco, and Hunter make for a great crew and are very easy to photograph, especially if there is a squeaky toy nearby!
Happy Mother's Day!
Three years ago when I was just starting grad school at UH I had no idea what to expect. I had no plans for my work, I knew no one in Houston, and I did not know what it meant to be in an MFA program. Thankfully, on the day of orientation I happen to sit down next to someone special who would come to mean so much to me and would make all these new changes and worries easier to bear. This person is Lauren Christlieb.
Lauren Christleib is a talented MFArtist. Lauren Chirstlieb is great friend.
Lauren is graduating this year with her Masters of Fine Arts. She asked me to do her graduating portraits and I am beyond honored. When other photographers want you to photograph them it means a lot. We had a lot of fun during this session with some great light and colorful walls! Lauren even brought her dog Zoey!
During the session Lauren said that I was making her look good, however, I can't capture what isn't there. Lauren, you always look that good, inside and out.
Love you and so thankful for you!
Welcome to the world Bennett Hirschfeld!
When I met Bennett he was 10 days old and a really cool little dude. The easiest newborn sessions are the ones where the baby sleeps though the whole session. Bennett seemed to know this right away and once he had some breakfast he nodded off and let us rock and roll with the session. His parents Jake and Rosie are fun folks who are sure to have a great time raising their little one.
I learned that Bennett is the 7th grandchild (!!), so he is bound to have a fun time running around with all his cousins when he grows up. Bennett, you keep being you, and Jake and Rosie, enjoy the adventure!
My dear friend Rosemary got married this past weekend! It was a beautiful ceremony and great time with friends and family. Rosemary tutored me in high school and college and I could not have asked for anyone more patient or kind to explain math to me.
When she asked if I had time to photograph her bridals of course I jumped at chance to do something for her. I'm very honored that Rosie describes our session together as one of the funnest parts of planning her wedding! We had a great time exploring the Michabelle Inn in Hammond, Louisiana. I love when I have my friends in front of my camera. I wish Rosemary and Ben all the best as they start their new life together and I hope to see them next time I'm in town!
You can see more from Rosemary's Bridals here: Rosie Bride!
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I was stoked to get an email from Mike asking if I would be around over Thanksgiving to do some portraits of his beautiful family. When I last photographed the Machado family we scheduled a morning session to beat the heat and it turned out to be in the low 90s, but this time we could not have had better weather, cool and crisp for a post Thanksgiving session!
Mike and Heather's girls, Scarlett and Annabelle, were just as fun as I remember and better dressed than I could hope to be. (Personal note: Heather, do their boots come in adult sizes??) We had fun exploring the fountains and bridges and train tracks that City Park has to offer. This was a great time with the Machado family and I look forward to sessions with them in the years to come!
You can see more of the Machado's session in the Galleries: Machado Family 2015
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WELCOME TO THE WORLD RUBY LOUISE MENOU!
I was so excited to get a call from Sydnee asking if I had time to photograph her new daughter. Of course I have time for this, I'll always have time!! My favorite thing about newborn portraits is that the baby calls the shots and we are just along for the ride. Ruby did wonderfully and is clearly a natural in front of the camera. She may have her daddy wrapped around her finger, but I have no doubt she will have her momma's good spirits!
There were times when Ruby would throw her arms open wide and I would think of the theme song from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
UNBREAKABLE!
You can see more of Ruby's session in the Galleries: Ruby Louise
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I was back in Baton Rouge for a visit and I got to see my favorite Breaux family in front of my camera again! I don't know how time flies but Harrison is already FOUR YEARS OLD (!?!?) and Lightsey just turned ONE YEAR OLD!! Harrison continues to delight me with imagination as he battled the "geysers" in front of the Shaw Center. Lightsey has grown so much in the past year and is just the happiest girl in world. I know these kids get their great attitudes from their parents and I love seeing them grow throughout the years.
You can see more of The Breaux Family session in the Galleries: Breaux Family 2015
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The Breaux's are back in front of my camera! I was so excited to hear from Courtney because that meant some portrait time with some pretty cool kids! Lightesy has grown so much in 6 months and Harrison is just the coolest little dude. Harrison and I had a fun time running though leaves and watching trains. Lightsey has proven herself to be daddy's little girl and just as beautiful as her momma!
I'm so glad I was able to schedule back to back sessions with Courtney and Carlie and their families!
You can see more of The Breaux Family session in the Galleries: Breaux Family Fall 2014
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Katie Boone is two years old! I don't know who said she could grow up, but here she is a year later and even cuter than I remember! It was so good to see the whole Boone family. Katie's big sister Shelby was great trooper and wonderful helper at making Katie laugh. It was a perfect day for these portraits and with our beautiful fall weather we all had a great time with beautiful piles of leaves.
I'm so glad the Boone's and I were able to get together while I was in town for Thanksgiving break. It was a great time and I look forward to photographing this family for years to come!
You can see more of Katie's session in the Galleries: Katie Boone - 2 years
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My best friend Janae recently moved to New York. I had the pleasure of going with her for a few days and acting as a buffer of some sort. A kind of touch stone from the past to support her towards the future. Maybe that's giving myself too much credit, but I know that I got to spend 4 days in NYC with Janae and it was a blast. Between her starting work and my starting grad school, it might be a while before we get to see each other again. Thankfully we have texting, and skpye, and Facebook messages, and Google talk, and carrier pigeons if needed.
Janae and I have known each other since we were 15 years old. Bonded by sarcasm and a low bullshit tolerance we've been constants in each other's lives ever since.
Dear Janae,
Firstly, I love you so much. You say that every one needs a crazy bitch friend, well, you are mine. And you are so much more.
Over the past 11 years I have seen you grow and take risks and always always always try. You've almost seemed fearless at times and I've wondered if you were even a mere mortal like the rest of us, but we'd talk and I'd remember that you are wonderfully human. You have chosen to keep me in your life and I am so thankful.
I say wonderfully human because you are. You can be loud and brash. You are bold. You make mistakes. You are flawed and that's ok, because aren't we all? I've seen you work on bettering yourself in every aspect: mentally, emotionally, and professionally. You are an inspiration to me. Watching you makes me want to kick my own ass and make things happen. There's something about watching you pursue your dreams that encourages me to pursue mine. "If Janae can do it, then I can do it". Even though we aren't going down the same path I know that you are by my side just as I am beside yours.
You are the wine to my pizza on a Saturday night.
Lastly, be safe. Have fun. Kick ass.
Love you.
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"Before you get famous…." is how Amy started off her message to me to discuss doing some family portraits. Talk about an opening line! I had the honor of photographing Amy's family on a warm and beautiful Saturday morning. Between three kids and two dogs there was never a dull moment and everything went off without a hitch!
Amy's grandparents, Frank and Carole, are the kindest and their backyard was the perfect setting for our session! Brittany and Rick's three kids are naturals in front of the camera and I wish the whole family best of luck in their next adventure as they move to Hawaii. Dave and Amy will soon have their own Baby Craig, but right now they have some sweet doggies, Lucy and Beans.
You can see more of Amy's Family session in the Galleries: Amy's Family
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On June 3rd my good friends Courtney and Bryan Breaux welcomed their third child to the world. Lightsey Elenore Breaux was born healthy and happy at 6 lbs and 10 oz. I have been photographing the Breaux family and their son Harrison annually for years now and I am so very honored to photograph Lightsey.
Lightsey wasn't too happy with me when we started, but she soon calmed down and turned out to be a natural in front of the camera. I can't wait to watch her grow!
You can see more of Lightsey's session in the Galleries: Lightsey Breaux
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The Machado family was a blast! With two B-E-A-UTIFUL girls, Scarlett, 2, and Annabelle, 8 months, I know Mike and Heather will have their hands full for years to come!
After a week of rainy days and on what was supposed to be an overcast day, we had bright blue skies and warm temperatures. I've never had a portrait rain out on me yet! Audubon Park provided the perfect backdrop of shady trees and a lake to tour in a Rider Flyer Wagon. You can always have a fun time with a little red wagon!
You can see more of the Machado's session in the Galleries: Machado Family
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I look forward to Harrison's session every year. The older he gets the more he cracks me up! I've been photographing Harrison for his annual birthday session every year. It is a true blessing to be his photographer. With all of our sessions taking place in downtown Baton Rouge he knows me as "Ms. Lauren from downtown", which will never get old. Also, let us never forget how much fun a blanket and a grassy field can provide. It's the little things in life.
You can see more of Harrison's session in the Galleries: Harrison - 3 years
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I have had the delightful honor of photographing Clara Abadie since before she was even born and now she has turned one! Clara is a joy to have in front of my camera. She is always smiling and happy and loves cake almost as much as I do! Clara's GLAM-ma didn't even mind us getting her counter tops covered in cake and icing. After all it's not everyday you turn 1. I can't wait to document Clara though her milestones.
You can see more of Clara's session in the Galleries: Clara turns 1!
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