What a joy and honor to relive this day and to have been a part of it. This wedding was special to me for so many reasons.
Congratulations to Kyle & Elizabeth.
Much more to come:)
Thanks for stopping by!
Claire
Jeff + Margaret...Audubon Zoo, New Orleans Wedding
I have shot in and around Audubon Park and Zoo before and everyone knows it's a classic New Orleans favorite.
I had never shot a wedding at the Sea Lion exhibit at Audubon before though.
Let me tell you...this spot shot straight to the top of my list. I was stunned at how beautiful it was.
This was partly also due to the fact that the day of Jeff and Margaret's wedding, the weather was incredible!!!
The weather could not have been more perfect...seriously.
And I honestly have to give credit where credit is due. Jeff & Margaret are a stunningly beautiful couple. In every way. These two live in New York but knew that New Orleans would be a perfect fit for a stunning wedding and they were of course quite correct.
What was my favorite thing about this wedding you ask? Well, besides how unbelievably gorgeous the entire day was...these two and pretty much most of their guests can really...truly...dance!!!!!
In fact...I believe the groom's dancing skills are one of many reasons these two ended up together!
This was definitely one for the books.
Jeff and Margaret, you two are stunning and it was a joy to spend such a beautiful day with you guys. I hope these photos will always serve as sweet reminders of an unforgettable day!
Ceremony: Sea Lion Exhibit at the Audubon Nature Institute
Reception: Tea Room at the Audubon Nature Institute
Florist Design: Bee's Wedding & Event Floral Designs
Coordinator: Carolyn Fredricks with Bee's Wedding & Event Floral Designs
Band: Louisiana Spice Band
Cake: Melissa's Fine Pastries
The Dress: Saks 5th Avenue (designed by Austin Scarlet)
Hair & Makeup: Flawless Bride
Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew
Groom's Tux: Paul Smith
Custom Printing: Leslie Evans, Seadog Press Watertown, MA
Chamber Music: Harry Hardin
Limo Service: Audubon Limousine
Catering: Audubon Nature Institute
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Thanks for stopping by!
*Claire
Jeff & Margaret Sneak Peek.. New Orleans Wedding Photographer
Congratulations to Jeff & Margaret!!
More to come:)
Thanks for stopping by!
*Claire
A week in Kigali, Rwanda...{Baton Rouge Photographer}
Back again from photographing in Kigali.
I have to be honest, the hardest part of doing this kind of work is coming back to the states. This is not because I don’t miss people or am not ready for my own bed….because believe me….I miss both equally! This is partly because I never feel like it's quite long enough and partly due to what I can only describe as culture shock. This is something I can remember experiencing for the first time when I came back from a trip to Mexico my first year of college. I was only there a week. I spent time in huts with people who had diseases that would likely never be healed. My job was to assist the doctors there by taking vitals. The doctors did what they could to make these folks “comfortable” and occasionally provided the necessary medicine or procedure that would take them out of the state they were living in each day. After a week of working with these doctors, sleeping on the floor, and showering outside, I remember riding back to LSU trying to process what I had seen and realizing I didn't have many answers to the questions I was asking. I had only seen or heard of mud huts on t.v. with images of malnourished kids. I had only imagined such living conditions as I had seen that one week and didn’t like to think that life like that existed out there. I remember our van pulling up to LSU’s campus and through exhausted eyes, I turned and looked at something I had seen day in and day out but this time it looked very different. All of a sudden, the clock tower on campus seemed so huge to me. I remember thinking “that tower is so big!” and then I remember having a legitimately confusing thought…”Is it necessary to have such big buildings? Everything is so tall here!”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not knocking large buildings and anyone who knows me knows I wouldn’t knock just about anything on LSU’s campus as it quickly became a second home to me during my time there. (Not to mention it’s the most wonderful campus and school there is but I digress).
The point is….when I go to other countries... developing, third world countries….when I see how, honestly, the majority of the world outside of America lives...when I experience the immediate slowing of time, priorities, values, and status... when I see hurting or see the effective way that other cultures live…I have a hard time coming back to the states. The states and western culture are fast-paced in a way I can’t really describe. The emphasis on success, money, fame and finding oneself is so overwhelmingly preached in every aspect of our culture that I have to be honest and say that it takes quite a few days to jump back in..and to fight a confusing cynicism.
Last week I spent a few days in Africa. I spent time with a group of 12 women at a little co-op in its own corner of Kigali, Rwanda. I saw a work ethic much like, yet so different from ours in the states in order to provide for families that had been ripped apart by war-torn nearby countries and by Rwanda’s own experience with genocide 20 years ago. I experienced confusion in trying to not only communicate with those in the culture, but understand the differences in them and in our life experiences. I spent the day with women in mud huts who live off the land, have no idea what time it is throughout the day, and who I could bet have never seen a building as tall as LSU’s Memorial Tower.
I experienced all these things and how do I feel now?...more confused than when I left! I feel more closely now the frustrations that there are millions out there who suffer every day. More than ever I am angry that poverty exists, uncertain why God put me where I am with what I have, and more joyful than I could have expected that he truly does comfort and care for his people. I could sit here and write about all the things that I learned…and I will :)….or act like I understand why cultures are the way they are and what goes into them…or even pretend to define one as better than the other. The truth is…it’s times like this that the only definition or label I can put on any of it is that I only know a tiny fraction of how God is at work in this world, what he’s doing to “make all things new,” and the way that sin has complicated all of it. I don’t have all or even many of the answers and I so easily feel the effects of that when I try to jump back into our culture or as I attempt to answer others’ questions about my trip and time in these places. I don’t know how to answer many questions…but I am going to attempt to tell whatever stories God has for me to tell through my time there and anywhere else he takes me. Hopefully throughout the process whoever reads this will learn a few things about what God is doing in their own lives, understand the world a little better, and maybe even purchase some items made by folks on the other side of the world who because of reasons we can't know will never know life like we experience here.
For the next couple of weeks I will post once a week on our time in Africa, the people we met, the stories we heard, the joys and struggles that I or those I love experience there, and how you can help. This is not to pretend I have answers or to condemn our own culture or where God has each of us. It’s in order to answer the call to speak about the only one who has the answers and what he’s, for whatever reason, sent me in the world to do for such a time as this. So if you think to, please stay tuned and return to see photos and stories. This as always is a process full of uncertainty and more questions asked with every perceived answer.
What a joy to have been given the freedom and invitation to ask.
More to come.Be sure to check out Noonday Collection and Azizi Life
Thanks for reading and thanks for stopping by,
Claire
Brad & Kristin...Laffayette, Louisiana {Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer}
Brad & Kristin were married on February 15, 2014 at La Chapelle des AttakapasVermilionville Historic Village in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Let me just say...I LOVE this girl's style!
This venue is such a wonderfully quaint and intimate, truly authentic South Louisiana cajun experience! Kristin's details at the wedding even down to the dress, flowers, and incredible cajun band complimented the entire theme of the day.
It was genuine and thoughtful just as Brad and Kristin themselves are and have been toward us!
It was an honor to be a part of this joyful celebration with you two and I pray that joy will extend into many years together of growth in marriage!
Ceremony & Reception: La Chapelle des Attakapas Vermilionville Historic Village
Coordinator: Casey Leblanc
Band: T'Monde
Hair & Makeup: Hellianna Verret
The Dress: BHLDN, veil from Veil Artistry
Bridesmaids Dresses: Lemon Drop
Tuxes: Joseph A. Bank
Paper goods design: Bride's brother!
Thanks for stopping by!
Claire
Daniel & Monika...Roatan, Honduras Destination Wedding
I met Daniel years ago through Reformed University Fellowship when we both were studying at LSU. Daniel is from Honduras and was studying in Baton Rouge for his Master's at the time.
I met Monika a few months later when she came to Baton Rouge to visit Daniel. Monika is from Germany.
Now... You're probably wondering how these two met:)
After high school, Monika moved to Honduras for a year to volunteer at an orphanage. She met Daniel randomly through mutual friends during her time there.
More than 5 countries, countless Skype dates, and many international flights later, these two were married on January 5, 2014 in an incredibly beautiful ceremony in Roatan, Honduras.
Friends and family members traveled from all over to support Daniel and Monika on their wedding day, making this ceremony and reception an unforgettable experience for all involved. The ceremony was in Spanish and German with some Polish and English mixed in there:). Several countries, 4 languages, and cities all over the world were represented at this wedding.
To give you an idea of how many miles/kilometers were traveled by guests, Daniel and Monika had it represented at the reception in just about the coolest way possible. This detail was one of my many favorites from the wedding
It was such an honor to have the privilege of being present at Daniel and Monika's wedding and the days leading up to it. It was an extremely restful week of celebration on the island!
Daniel and Monika have become so dear to me in the last few years of getting to know them and some of the best news of all is that they've now moved to Baton Rouge to continue studying! We are so blessed to have them in our church and a part of our community.
Daniel and Monika, what joy you both bring to my life and those around you! Thank you for your love and friendship. We are so glad y'all are here to stay for a little while:)
I'll leave you with an excerpt from Daniel and Monika's Wedding Program.
"If marriage is God's idea, why is it sometimes hard?
-The Bible says in Genesis 3 that man and women sinned. 'Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths (Genesis 3:7)
-Sin has distorted our relationships, damaged our lives and our family's lives. Sin has destroyed our intimate place and has filled it with shame. It has turned us to selfishness and this was seen clearly in Adam's family and son's after sin.
-There is good news in the Bible that says: 'She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' (Matthew 1:21)
-In Jesus we have the opportunity to receive pardon from our sins and even more, liberty from them to have a marriage like Adam and Eve had in Eden.
-If Jesus is the center of our home, therefore our home will be a piece of paradise.
Thanks for stopping by!
Claire
Tasha...Avery Island Bridal Portraits.. [Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer]
Tasha was married to Jon-Erik last Saturday.
They had an incredible Lafayette Wedding with a super fun party to follow. (More on that to come)
I got together with Tasha and her awesome, very sweet and very helpful best friend, Tiffany, a few weeks ago at Avery Island! I had never been to Avery Island and let me tell you...anyone visiting Louisiana and especially those who are from here should experience it. It's quintessential Louisiana in every way from the bayou to the airboats to the birds to the Tobasco sauce. Even the gift shop at this place made me feel like I was coming home!
This was one of the coolest places I've ever had the privilege to shoot.
AND one of the most gorgeous.
Add in there a completely stunning bride and you have a photographer's dream!!
Thanks for stopping by!
*Claire
Tasha...Avery Island Bridal Portraits.. [Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer]
Tasha was married to Jon-Erik last Saturday.
They had an incredible Lafayette Wedding with a super fun party to follow. (More on that to come)
I got together with Tasha and her awesome, very sweet and very helpful best friend, Tiffany, a few weeks ago at Avery Island! I had never been to Avery Island and let me tell you...anyone visiting Louisiana and especially those who are from here should experience it. It's quintessential Louisiana in every way from the bayou to the airboats to the birds to the Tobasco sauce. Even the gift shop at this place made me feel like I was coming home!
This was one of the coolest places I've ever had the privilege to shoot.
AND one of the most gorgeous.
Add in there a completely stunning bride and you have a photographer's dream!!
Thanks for stopping by!
*Claire
Matt + Lindsay...Baton Rouge Wedding
I met Lindsay a few years ago when we both were in college. We knew each other through a mutual dear friend, Meredith, who was in Lindsay's sorority and whose engagements were the very first engagement shoot I ever did! I remember after I finished Meredith's photos, Lindsay came to me and said
"one day you're going to shoot my wedding."
A couple of weeks ago..I had the honor of doing just that.
That conversation was long before Lindsay first met Matt over coffee talking about mutual friends and experiences. Matt and Lindsay both spent time in Africa doing mission work with the same group...but at different times. This is what ultimately brought them together and God has provided a way for them to return...together..in just a few months.
To Matt & Lindsay...I pray the joy you experienced on your wedding is just a glimpse of what God provides and has for you two in the future. It was truly an honor to be a part of your engagement and your day:)
Ceremony: Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church
Reception: White Oak Plantation
Coordinator: Allie Wester
Videography: The Loupe Theory
Florist: Fleur Du Jour
Cake Artist: Baum's Fine Pastries
Makeup: Mallory Babin, Paris Parker Salon
Hair: Shauna Avants, Paris Parker Salon
Bridesmaid Dresses: AnnTaylor
Tuxes: Squire's
Caterer: John Folse, White Oak Plantation
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
Grayson is 1 year old!
I love this time of year!
Consistent Christmas music listening officially started this week.
Thanksgiving is next week...which for me means several days in the mountains with the family.
And kids look cuter than ever this time of year!
It's the time when I get to hang out with so many families and celebrate with them what giving thanks, giving gifts, and getting older really means.
Happy Belated Birthday to Grayson.
And Happy early Thanksgiving to everyone!!
Thanks for stopping by,
*Claire
Lori & Corey are Engaged!...Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Happy Friday!!
Big things going on lately.
Let's just say I'm going to buy several paint cans today...grabbing friends and extra hands...and spending the weekend painting walls and building furniture because....
We got an office!!!!!!
This is has been the most exciting AND scary move I've made since I started this thing....by farrr!
But I'm excited. And I've already learned so much.
More on the office to come. We'll be doing some renovations and set up will take some time, but I'm looking forward to making the official announcement when it's all done!
In the meantime...check out Lori and Corey and their amazing vintage style. They wanted to jump into the past downtown and at Cheeburger Cheeburger (a diner here in Baton Rouge and beyond).
The diner idea was genius on their part! I couldn't get enough of these two.
Congratulations to Lori and Corey!!!
Thanks for stopping by,
Claire
Jacquelyn and Patrick
Back in the swing and so happy to be.
The weather has been amazing and it's a perfect time for exploring and photo taking!
Jacquelyn is one of my wonderful friends from college.
She has continually been an encouragement and light-hearted, gospel-centered buddy of mine.
I remember having lunch with Jacquelyn at Zoe's (our date place:)) a couple years ago...and we had girl talk about the future and getting married one day. I remember her talking about how much she trusted God with that detail of her life, knowing it will happen and in his perfect timing. It was a refreshing and encouraging conversation.
And now I have the unbelievable privilege and joy of shooting her wedding in a few weeks!
To Jacquelyn and Patrick...you two are bunch of cuties!!
I'm so so excited and happy for you and ready to celebrate this awesome beginning:)
Thanks for stopping by,
*Claire
Brandee & Rhett...Baton Rouge, Louisiana
What an off season it was!
With Hurricane Isaac...football season kickoff...and most brides back in school, starting a new job, or just having to power through past the summer in adulthood...it has been quite a whirlwind of a few weeks even without shooting weddings!
But let's be real...it's so nice to be back in the swing of things...wedding season is back
and I am pumped!
Brandee is an artist..and a dang good one at that. She's an art major at LSU and as I've said before...doing shoots for artists is always so fun and entertaining.
This girl came ready with awesome ideas for her and Rhett's Save the Dates and engagement photos!
Every photo..set up...and object in these photos has a purpose and plays a role.
Brandee loves sunflowers...old furniture...painting...crafts....and picnics.
Rhett proposed to Brandee with all of her family and friends there...but hidden;)...and in front of an antique door he re-painted and built a frame around.
We knew we had to incorporate this unique detail in the shoot along with crafts they love to do together...a painting of course:)...and much more!
Brandee and Rhett...you guys were so fun to hang out with! I wish you the very best as you continue to plan and get hitched so soon!
May God bless your marriage in every exciting, humbling, and joyful way!!
Enjoy:)
Thanks for stopping by,
Claire
Alicia & Ryan...Baton Rouge Engagements
I started this little thing I call my business, I sought out to learn everything there was to know about photography & running a business. As weeks of excitement turned into months of steady learning, I quickly discovered that learning everything there is to know about photography only goes so far...
but learning everything there is to business...well there's no end to that.
In each conference, seminar, online tutorial, and class I've ever been a part of from the beginning of this somehow the discussion always comes around to making sure you get the "right kind of clients."
There are strategies and pointers galore out there to teach said inquisitor about such unknown territory, but I've found there's one rule that never fails...
picking the clients that aren't clients at all...they're friends...or they become friends.
Ryan and Alicia have been nothing short of amazing "clients" and honestly at this point I'm so charmed by who they are and what they are together that getting to shoot their wedding is just icing on the cake.
Kate and I had dinner with these two the other night at one of their favorite sushi restaurants here in town
(Must. Try. Rock.N.Sake.)
and it was a little teaser and taste of what this wedding will be like...so awesome!
Alicia and Ryan had their first date at what was once the Wine Loft in Downtown Baton Rouge. Though the loft has a new name, I met Alicia and Ryan there and we had an amazing...(once again almost torrential down pour)...journey through downtown Baton Rouge for their engagement session.
Alicia and Ryan...I'm ready to close the gap between now and your wedding day:)
You guys are awesome and have been such a blast already.
Here's to you
Thanks for stopping by,
*Claire
Sara & Patrick...New Orleans, Louisiana
Parts of New Orleans are simply timeless...
I seem to think it's the trees.
You really can't get more timeless than those trees!!
Add in a super stylish beautiful gal and a handsome man who loves her a lot
and you have a good ole time.
Another timeless South Louisiana element?...
RAIN
This shoot was one of several this time of year that had a big fat "?" on whether it would happen when it was originally planned.
Sara, Patrick, and I all ended up driving through crazy scattered thunderstorms to make it to downtown Nola where there wasn't a drop to be found.
It was exciting to try to beat the rain....
which we did quite successfully.
The bottom fell out as we walked back to our cars.
Sara and Patrick are getting married next year at The Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas!
To Sara and Patrick...thanks for sticking out through the rain. You guys are stunning! Here's to an amazing destination wedding:)
These were taken at the Piazza de Italia in downtown Nola and City Park in Mid City Nola
Thanks for stopping by,
*Claire
Ben...Baton Rouge Child Portraits, Louisiana
This little man knows how to do it all.
He cooks, he cleans, he fixes things...
Ben is 2.5 years old and even knows how to swim!!
Better than me!
So glad I got to spend a morning with this guy...
Happy Thursday All!
Thanks for stopping by,
Claire
Published: Pocketful of Dreams
I'm excited to share that Pocketful of Dreams, a UK based International Wedding Blog has featured Rachel and Brandon's engagement photos this morning!! (UK time of course)
Many thanks to Pocketful of Dreams for sharing Rachel and Brandon's story as well as these photos with the world!
(If the picture link doesn't work click here to view the post!)
Happy Tuesday.
Thanks for stopping by,
Claire
Kelsey & Patton
I met the couple you're about to see in probably the coolest way I've ever met "clients" before.
Kelsey and Patton are actually my neighbors.
We first met Kelsey as Kate and I were frantically moving in to our new apartment in the middle of October.
Kelsey was scooting by us on our shared balcony about to head to New Orleans and mentioned she and Patton were engaged.
My sweet friend Allison, who you've met here a few times, of course being the wonderful friend that she is suggested to Kelsey that she should most certainly allow me to shoot her wedding:)
And a few months later here we are!
I've said it before many times, but the most rewarding part of all of this is when clients are so much more...they're friends. Kelsey, Patton, Kate, and I live in, what is in my opinion, one of the best areas to live in Baton Rouge.
Spanishtown is right next to Louisiana's capitol building, a pleasant walk to all things downtown, and about 2 seconds from the river.
It is a place where you run into sweet neighbors at dinner on the town, walking down our tree-covered street, and when running the Tuesday night Happy's 5K's.
(which by the way, Kate and I did for the first time randomly last night and it reminded me that I don't care what anyone says...Baton Rouge is so fun!!)
Kelsey and Patton,
I can honestly say I can't stinking wait for your wedding next year! We're going to have a blast:)
Thanks for stopping by,
Claire