Ashley and Cooper....Baton Rouge Engagements

In many ways I don’t do near as many photography sessions as I used to. We are much more selective now in the weddings, engagements, and family sessions we do because our work serving nonprofit organizations has grown over the years and become our main focus.

But it’s mornings spent with folks like Ashley and Cooper that keep me in the photography business and remind me why I still love to serve couples after all of these years.

There’s nothing quite like getting to commemorate such a special occasion for someone you’ve known since they were a child. I met the twins when they were just little girls and have watched them grow over years of trips and visits for most of their life. I had the honor of doing the photos for Ashley’s sister’s engagements which you can see here and I’ve photographed Ashley’s family over more than a decade. It’s been a special privilege in my life to be able to capture these kinds of moments in time for loved ones.

Ashley and Cooper, I’m so excited for you too and the journey you’re starting in marriage. I can see that God has brought y’all together and what a joy to get to celebrate your wedding soon.

Congratulations you two, we’re so thrilled for y’all!

French Quarter New Orleans Engagement Session- Allison & Cameron

What an engagement session to jump off with after a bit of a break from wedding photography. We recently returned to South Louisiana after a few years in Washington DC, and we are so glad to be back home! We’ve had fun picking up where we left off with photographing the most important moments of people’s lives.

The older I get the more I understand the unique honor I’ve had over so many years to be part of such big moments for loved ones. This one is a special joy: I met the twins when they were just little girls. Over the years watching them grow up we had awesome adventures from Port au Prince to Cape Town to New Orleans to sleepovers in mine and my friend, Kate’s, tiny Baton Rouge apartment. Now, Allison is getting married and I’m honored to have been asked to capture her engagement photos in New Orleans. These two know how to make each other laugh.

I told Allison that New Orleans was an excellent choice. Being from the Houston area, it’s one of her family’s favorite spots to visit and if these photos don’t convince you to have your wedding or engagement photos in the beautiful New Orleans French Quarter I’m not sure what will. There’s no city like New Orleans from beautiful parks like Lafayette Square in the middle of the action to of course none other than the iconic French Quarter. We even got to do some photos on the rooftop of the historic Roosevelt Hotel near Canal Street. What a blast.

Congratulations you two, we’re so thrilled for y’all!

Mollie & Toby's Engagements....Baton Rouge, Louisiana

In times like these, it’s important…dare I say, vital…to fight for the smiles.

I find it very appropriate that Toby and Mollie’s photos are the ones we’ve got scheduled to post on this very week. These two are masters at making each other crack up and that made our time with them such a joy.

As we grieve with friends and family that events and weddings are having to be postponed or canceled and as some of you reading may be faced with those very decisions right now, we look forward to a day when we all will get to gather again. Whether it’s sooner or later, whether you’re postponing your wedding, engagement, or many other things we are looking forward, expectantly, to a day when we’ll see all of our couples smiling together and celebrating with your people.

We know that day will come.

Until then stay safe, well, and check out these smiles from friends of ours whose wedding this year will be a celebration of hope in the midst of waiting!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Claire

Harry and Susan

What a treat when I get to take photos of such cute couples. These two were so giggly throughout our shoot and really what could be better than making each other laugh for an hour? 

Harry and Susan will have a wedding next year, so we did these photos in New Orleans City Park (one of my fave locations) in January. Harry was deployed a week after these were taken. 

What a joy to be a part of this moment for them.

Wishing you two all the best in this year apart as you look forward to forever together! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

*Claire

JP & Lindsey, New Orleans Engagements.

Lindsey and JP met me at City Park the week we thought a hurricane might be coming for New Orleans. The day before a potential hurricane turned out to be some solid photoshoot weather and even provided a little wind effect I didn't hate. 

JP and Lindsey will be getting married in March and will have folks coming from all over to see New Orleans for the first time! I had a blast finally meeting these two. What a pair!

Congrats you guys. 

John & Jennifer...Audubon Park New Orleans Engagements

I love it when the forecast looks grim only to surprise with the most glorious of days! 

John and Jennifer's engagement session was set for Audubon Park months in advance...and on a  day that the two could make it since they are long distance right now. John lives in DC while Jennifer is in Nola. The threat of rain is never fun for a steamy Louisiana day...especially when it hadn't stopped raining for weeks! 

But...the rain held off...literally until the last minute when we all got in our cars to leave and the bottom fell out. So thankful for that timing and for such a wonderful morning getting to know these two. 

Jennifer and John, I can't wait for the wedding day! You two are too cute. Thanks friends. 

Tanner & Stephanie - Baton Rouge Engagements

Tanner and Stephanie are getting married in July and thankfully we got to sneak in some engagements before the Louisiana heat began it's annual overnight set-in! 

We took these out at Tanner's family land in Slaughter, LA. If even for an afternoon, it's good for the soul to get out of the city and head out into the country. 

Congrats to Stephanie and Tanner! Can't wait for the wedding day:)

Spencer + Rachel...My brother & his Baton Rouge Engagements.

I’ve known Spencer since the day I was brought to the hospital after he was born on May 21, 1992. I can’t tell you what my first impression of my little brother was at 4 years old….but I can try…

with words that will inevitably fail to do it justice…

to express my impressions of him almost 22 years later.

Spencer was a blonde-haired blue-eyed boy my Mom had always wanted. She literally had dreams of having a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes and I think she probably would have kept trying until God granted her wish. Well he did for the third one.… and Spencer became the baby of the family. With two strong-willed older sisters, Spencer rarely got a word in at the dinner table growing up…but when he did we all knew it would be good. With a rich sense of humor, strong convictions ingrained in the very heart of who he is, and the passion, sensitivity, and wit he got straight from our Father, Spencer captivates his audience when he speaks. He is strong. but he will be moved to heartache when confronted with the injustice of others. Spencer has the sensitivity, passion, drive, and steadiness of both our parents combined. I think I didn’t really realize most of my childhood that Spencer wasn’t really my age. He was my closest companion especially in summers when all there was to do was build another fort, ride our bikes around the cul-de-sac, and wrestle to the point of scaring my mom convinced we would break something or each other in the process. I can’t think of anything Spencer hasn’t been able to do when he sets out to do it. From the time he first learned to throw a baseball to deciding to be the sports editor at the Reveille, LSU’s student newspaper, Spencer decides he wants to do something, he commits, and he sticks with it.

This steady loyalty has played out the most in two areas of his life so far…sports…and the woman he loves. Spencer and Rachel have been together for over 7 years. They are highschool sweethearts, but first met as children in church together. On May 31^st this year…almost exactly 22 years after the day I met him, Spencer and Rachel will get married in Baton Rouge where they’ve spent the last 4 years attending LSU together. After that they will move to Dallas to no doubt accomplish much more than they already have..together. Spencer and Rachel’s relationship, from an older sister’s point of view, fits exactly who Spencer is. He is committed to the people and the things he loves..for life. He will fight for those he loves and he’s done that for Rachel and I know he will continue to.

Spencer, you make me proud, bud. Always have…always will. I love you

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Spencer + Rachel...My brother & his Baton Rouge Engagements.

I’ve known Spencer since the day I was brought to the hospital after he was born on May 21, 1992. I can’t tell you what my first impression of my little brother was at 4 years old….but I can try…

with words that will inevitably fail to do it justice…

to express my impressions of him almost 22 years later.

Spencer was a blonde-haired blue-eyed boy my Mom had always wanted. She literally had dreams of having a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes and I think she probably would have kept trying until God granted her wish. Well he did for the third one.… and Spencer became the baby of the family. With two strong-willed older sisters, Spencer rarely got a word in at the dinner table growing up…but when he did we all knew it would be good. With a rich sense of humor, strong convictions ingrained in the very heart of who he is, and the passion, sensitivity, and wit he got straight from our Father, Spencer captivates his audience when he speaks. He is strong. but he will be moved to heartache when confronted with the injustice of others. Spencer has the sensitivity, passion, drive, and steadiness of both our parents combined. I think I didn’t really realize most of my childhood that Spencer wasn’t really my age. He was my closest companion especially in summers when all there was to do was build another fort, ride our bikes around the cul-de-sac, and wrestle to the point of scaring my mom convinced we would break something or each other in the process. I can’t think of anything Spencer hasn’t been able to do when he sets out to do it. From the time he first learned to throw a baseball to deciding to be the sports editor at the Reveille, LSU’s student newspaper, Spencer decides he wants to do something, he commits, and he sticks with it.

This steady loyalty has played out the most in two areas of his life so far…sports…and the woman he loves. Spencer and Rachel have been together for over 7 years. They are highschool sweethearts, but first met as children in church together. On May 31^st this year…almost exactly 22 years after the day I met him, Spencer and Rachel will get married in Baton Rouge where they’ve spent the last 4 years attending LSU together. After that they will move to Dallas to no doubt accomplish much more than they already have..together. Spencer and Rachel’s relationship, from an older sister’s point of view, fits exactly who Spencer is. He is committed to the people and the things he loves..for life. He will fight for those he loves and he’s done that for Rachel and I know he will continue to.

Spencer, you make me proud, bud. Always have…always will. I love you

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Jacob & Jessica...Baton Rouge Anniversary Portraits [Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer]

Jacob and Jessica were married two years ago after meeting each other when they were both involved in Teach For America.

They wanted to celebrate their 2 years with a photo shoot in Baton Rouge to commemorate their time here.

I have to say, I love the idea of anniversary shoots. For a couple like Jacob and Jessica, they're not sure they will be staying in Baton Rouge for the long run so what a cool way to stop time and have keepsakes and heirlooms from this time in their marriage! So be thinking about an anniversary shoot for your spouse. No matter what year it is or what season you're in, it can be a really neat way to celebrate!

Jacob and Jessica were pros at this photo shoot thing too because they've already had their engagement and wedding photography done. We had a ton of fun at some iconic Baton Rouge staples that will hopefully serve as wonderful memories for these two wherever they go from here:)

Congratulations Jacob and Jessica! You guys are a blast:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Jacob & Jessica...Baton Rouge Anniversary Portraits [Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer]

Jacob and Jessica were married two years ago after meeting each other when they were both involved in Teach For America.

They wanted to celebrate their 2 years with a photo shoot in Baton Rouge to commemorate their time here.

I have to say, I love the idea of anniversary shoots. For a couple like Jacob and Jessica, they're not sure they will be staying in Baton Rouge for the long run so what a cool way to stop time and have keepsakes and heirlooms from this time in their marriage! So be thinking about an anniversary shoot for your spouse. No matter what year it is or what season you're in, it can be a really neat way to celebrate!

Jacob and Jessica were pros at this photo shoot thing too because they've already had their engagement and wedding photography done. We had a ton of fun at some iconic Baton Rouge staples that will hopefully serve as wonderful memories for these two wherever they go from here:)

Congratulations Jacob and Jessica! You guys are a blast:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Jacob & Jessica...Baton Rouge Anniversary Portraits [Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer]

Jacob and Jessica were married two years ago after meeting each other when they were both involved in Teach For America.

They wanted to celebrate their 2 years with a photo shoot in Baton Rouge to commemorate their time here.

I have to say, I love the idea of anniversary shoots. For a couple like Jacob and Jessica, they're not sure they will be staying in Baton Rouge for the long run so what a cool way to stop time and have keepsakes and heirlooms from this time in their marriage! So be thinking about an anniversary shoot for your spouse. No matter what year it is or what season you're in, it can be a really neat way to celebrate!

Jacob and Jessica were pros at this photo shoot thing too because they've already had their engagement and wedding photography done. We had a ton of fun at some iconic Baton Rouge staples that will hopefully serve as wonderful memories for these two wherever they go from here:)

Congratulations Jacob and Jessica! You guys are a blast:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Jacob & Jessica...Baton Rouge Anniversary Portraits [Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer]

Jacob and Jessica were married two years ago after meeting each other when they were both involved in Teach For America.

They wanted to celebrate their 2 years with a photo shoot in Baton Rouge to commemorate their time here.

I have to say, I love the idea of anniversary shoots. For a couple like Jacob and Jessica, they're not sure they will be staying in Baton Rouge for the long run so what a cool way to stop time and have keepsakes and heirlooms from this time in their marriage! So be thinking about an anniversary shoot for your spouse. No matter what year it is or what season you're in, it can be a really neat way to celebrate!

Jacob and Jessica were pros at this photo shoot thing too because they've already had their engagement and wedding photography done. We had a ton of fun at some iconic Baton Rouge staples that will hopefully serve as wonderful memories for these two wherever they go from here:)

Congratulations Jacob and Jessica! You guys are a blast:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Jacob & Jessica...Baton Rouge Anniversary Portraits [Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer]

Jacob and Jessica were married two years ago after meeting each other when they were both involved in Teach For America.

They wanted to celebrate their 2 years with a photo shoot in Baton Rouge to commemorate their time here.

I have to say, I love the idea of anniversary shoots. For a couple like Jacob and Jessica, they're not sure they will be staying in Baton Rouge for the long run so what a cool way to stop time and have keepsakes and heirlooms from this time in their marriage! So be thinking about an anniversary shoot for your spouse. No matter what year it is or what season you're in, it can be a really neat way to celebrate!

Jacob and Jessica were pros at this photo shoot thing too because they've already had their engagement and wedding photography done. We had a ton of fun at some iconic Baton Rouge staples that will hopefully serve as wonderful memories for these two wherever they go from here:)

Congratulations Jacob and Jessica! You guys are a blast:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Brad + Desiree...Baton Rouge Engagements

Brad & Desiree will be getting married in February in New Orleans.

We thought we'd explore downtown Baton Rouge since Brad has lots of memories here.

Congratulations to Brad &Desiree! Can't wait for February 8!

Thanks for stopping by!

*Claire

Brad + Desiree...Baton Rouge Engagements

Brad & Desiree will be getting married in February in New Orleans.

We thought we'd explore downtown Baton Rouge since Brad has lots of memories here.

Congratulations to Brad &Desiree! Can't wait for February 8!

Thanks for stopping by!

*Claire

Lindsay & Matt Engagements

Lindsay and Matt had their first date on the levee of the Mississippi River.

Matt proposed on that levee a year later.

And so we had some fun with the camera on none other than..

the levee.

Can't wait for this wedding in October...you guys are too much fun!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Lindsay & Matt Engagements

Lindsay and Matt had their first date on the levee of the Mississippi River.

Matt proposed on that levee a year later.

And so we had some fun with the camera on none other than..

the levee.

Can't wait for this wedding in October...you guys are too much fun!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Matt and Kelsi...Monroe, Louisiana Engagements

We had so much fun with Matt and Kelsi back in Monroe... across the river from my hometown:)

Kelsi and Matt met at Neville High School in Monroe and are getting married in February!!

They love their dogs.. (and so do we!)

Can't wait for the wedding, y'all!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

The weekend, Bess & Julian

Happy Friday Morning!

I am back from travels...briefly. It's been a crazy summer and I'm not at all interested in complaining about that because we have had some funnnn trips and weddings this season. Of course moving home and office in the midst of it has made things very interesting to say the least, but it all seems worth it when I can sit down with my morning cup of coffee in a place that finally feels like home and enjoy my favorite part of the day.

We will be leaving town a little over a week from now to document some ministries and stories in Haiti. I will post more details about it next week, but in the meantime please be praying for our time there, safe travels, and the people we'll be serving and photographing. I'm absolutely thrilled at the opportunity, and just wanting to be open to however God will use our time there.

For now I'll leave you on this weekend with a fun engagement/post-nuptial session of some friends of mine. These two go to my church here in Baton Rouge. They've been here over a year now and have been married just a little longer than that. Bess and Julian never had engagements made so we hung out downtown and fixed them up with some engagement/post-nuptial goodness.

Check these out...wishing a happy and restful weekend to all!

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire