PhotoBella photographyNewborn & Baby Photographer in Baton Rouge, LA

When I was in college every time I moved apartments I would go down to the Hobby Lobby or a similar store and buy prints of generic art to decorate my new apartment with.  They were just whatever prints I found that day that looked better than the others.  When I was done I always felt like my apartment just didn’t look as stylish as I imagined it would be.  I was never very happy with the results.

As I got older, and the apartments turned into a home, the stores I shopped at might have stepped up from Hobby Lobby and were a little more stylish and chic, but I was still never completely pleased with my walls.  I was trying to achieve the look in stylish design magazines, but it never happened… there was always something lacking.

When my daughter was 6 months old I bought my first set of canvases, and it changed my home design forever!  I have to tell you that when I started hanging my own family on my walls instead of art that had little meaning to me, it changed my home and how I feel about my home.I now have a collection of a metallic photo, various framed images of my bella and my family, and framed art created by bella in my living room.  This art collection displays everything I love.  It is special and meaningful to me.  When I look at this wall, I cannot help but smile :)

I also have square canvases in my hall of bella.  The thing I love about square canvases is that they make for an easy add on collection.  I have two canvases now, but as she grows I will add on more squares to show off every cute stage that I love.

I also have a 4 canvas collection in my office.  These are of bella when she was six months old.  She has grown so much since these photos were taken, they really show off her baby-hood.  I look at these and think, I can’t believe she didn’t have hair, look how long it is now!  Every now and then I have parents say that aren’t sure if they should buy a big canvas or photo of their baby because they don’t know what they will do with it when she grows.

I say that beautiful artwork of my baby is all the more special to me as she grows.  I’ll always have these cute, nearly bald, images hanging on my wall.  When she is 18 years old, I’ll bring her dates into my office and show them her cute face, her tiny hairs, and those big blue eyes!

Hanging photos of what I love, my family, on my walls has made my home warmer and my heart happier.  I’d love if you share your favorite artwork in your home below.

This summer, I will be offering Shore Sessions again.  Scheduled June 6th-8th, 2013 in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, Alabama, these sessions take place on and around the beach and are a fabulous opportunity to have an extra-unique photo setting.

A Shore Session can be for your family, baby, child, or maternity – whichever you prefer.   These sessions last about an hour in the evening and include playtime in the sand, lots of laughs, and a guaranteed fun time!

Shore Sessions are limited edition!  There are only four Shore Sessions available.  Once these slots are filled, you won’t have another opportunity for a Shore Session until 2014!

The Session Fee is $150.  Please call 225-341-1550 to reserve your slot now.

View the Shore Sessions Gallery to see more images from previous years.

I can still remember sitting at my dining room table about 3 years ago, and talking to Sarah about how cool it would be if I was a photographer.  How awesome it would be if I would eventually photograph her wedding….

How things have changed in three years!  I now AM a photographer.  I have a new studio (eek!).  AND Sarah is getting married!  Yet, some things never changed…  Sarah is still one of my best cheerleaders and best friends :)  And I am thrilled that I have the honor of photographing her wedding this April!  Just like we dreamed one day :)

Here are some images from Sarah’s Shower last weekend.  It was a beautiful shabby-chic affair that was perfect in every way!

Now that you’ve seen all the yummy food at Sarah’s shower, check out a another delicious food post over at  Las Vegas, NV Family Photographer | Lisa J Photography.

This round of Momtography 101 is starting February 6th, 2013.  Starting Feb 6th, we will meet every Wednesday for 4 weeks in person at my studio.  I will teach you the basics of using your camera and taking better photos with a hands-on experience.  Then, after the 4 weeks of in person training, we will continue our lessons and assignments for another 4 weeks on line (for a total of 8 weeks).  During the 4 weeks of online training, I will give you specific exercises to try with your camer and your kids.  You will post your photos and I will personally help you improve with compassionate critiques and hints for getting better photos.

During Momtography 101 you will learn:

- What equipment you need and don’t need. (hint: it’ll cost less than you think!)
- What the all those crazy buttons on your camera really mean.
- How to take your camera off “auto” and get better photos in the process.
- How to find the best natural lighting that gives you beautiful photos.
- How to capture the essence of childhood or babyhood in a photo.
- How to compose images that will impress your friends (and even your husband!)

What other Moms are saying about Momtography 101:

“It was awesome learning how to use my camera settings. The pictures I have taken recently are so much prettier–color, background, etc.–then the ones I took on auto. I switch my camera back to auto every now and then, and I can definitely see the difference.”

“While the camera instruction booklet tries to explain a setting to you in very technical terms, the instructor simplifies that explanation and allow you to understand the concepts better. What I have learned in the class has also helped me figure out how to fix a problem (how to get rid of blur, how to add light, etc)”

“I thought [Momtography 101]  was great for a beginner.  I would definitely recommend this class to a friend”

I am so happy to announce that our Holiday Photos for Charity was a huge success and we raised $575 for the Baton Rouge General Neonatal Unit.  The entire proceeds from this event will go toward purchasing a Giraffe Omni Bed for premature babies.

The great thing about this event was that we not only raised money for Charity,  but we also got some adorable photos of the cutest kids and babies!  I felt so blessed to meet so many cool kids and adorable babies that Saturday :)  Here are just a few of the great images we got from the event.  (It was SO hard to pick just a few…)

Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter so that you are first to hear about it next time we do a Charity event like this one :)