Tony, Laura & Ruby

Claire May 1, 2012

So it's 7:00 am..

The things I say today may make no sense.

Did anyone realize May was coming up?

(Happy Birthday Jaylyn by the way:))

With the craziest wedding season I've ever experienced...

and multiple..multiple shoots a week and month...

and so many weddings coming up

(I promise I'm not complaining:))

there has been this fear in me...and sometimes it's not just been a fear....that I'll burn out. That I am burnt out.

In college while taking multiple photography classes a semester I promised myself time and time again that I wouldn't get burnt out on photography. "I love it too much" I would think.

And it's so true...I love it. But God has reminded me that work here on earth is not perfect and will at the end of some days still be work.

But THEN...

I get to do a Friday afternoon shoot with a trio like this one.

Tony, Laura, and Ruby were a gasp of fresh air in the midst of a crazy crazy week and month.

I'm so thankful God does use work...work that we love...maybe for you work that you don't love so much...to be our blessings in disguise at times and to bring us back to what matters...and hopefully in your case, even if you hate your job...to bring you back to thanksgiving knowing that you're provided for.

It may sound crazy, but I think my favorite part of this job is when a couple, a family, a grandmother, a ring bearer...whoever it is knows how to play...with each other and with those around them!

Sadly, I won't be able to shoot Tony and Laura's wedding...I'll be rocking out at Jaylyn's!...they got engaged at this park back in August and will be married this month!

Tony, Laura, and Ruby...you guys are rockstars. Thanks for a beautiful ending to a crazy week. Thanks for being so fun!

I wish you all the best in your marriage and life together!!

Thanks for letting me be a part of it:)

Thanks for stopping by,

*Claire

Rebecca & Daniel, Books A Million, and the month of March

Claire March 14, 2012

Why do big things happen all at once?

February left much to be desired in the realm of exciting..ness.

But March, oh March, how it never fails me.

March has always somehow seemed like a busy month.

Now don't think I'm complaining...because I'm definitely not.

With March there have already been countless shoots, my first ever real life fruit growing in my first ever real life garden, brand new sunshine that hasn't graced us with its presence in what seems like several months, reflection and revamping of my business... post-WPPI, and not to mention a huge East Baton Rouge Teacher protest...today...that I got to be on the front lines of.

I like doing different things.

I looooveee shooting different things.

It's inspiring.

With all that said there's much to talk about in the near future.

Whether I'll have time to do so is still up in the air:)

But for now I'll post a few from another precious couple of their engagements.

Rebecca and Daniel will be getting married this summer in LaPlace, Louisiana.

Their first date and several after took place at Books A Million in Monroe, Louisiana. So it was only appropriate to capture them there after the ever so reliable Baton Rouge rain graced us with its presence in the middle of our shoot.

Here's the lovely couple....and stay tuned for teacher protest pics coming hopefully sooner rather than later.

thanks for stopping by,

*Claire

Rebekah, Read, & Hwy 61

Claire March 1, 2012

Every time I go home....home home that is....I take Hwy 61.

I'm convinced...and not many people agree with me...that the drive between right outside of Zachary to Natchez, Mississippi is some of the most beautiful in the South.

Some people are turning their nose up. But I have driven alllll over the South. trust me.

Now I'm not claiming the entire country. I'll be the first to admit, driving in North Carolina, Maine, or even Arizona is 10 times more beautiful than what most of Louisiana has to offer...it's true. God just held out a little from Louisiana, but it's cause He knew we could be happy enough with our 90 degree Leap Days and pockets of Magnolias/lakes to give us a taste of what the rest of the world gets on a daily basis.

The other thing Louisiana has going for it is that it's home...and North Carolina or Maine or Arizona can't compete with that!

So anyway...agree or disagree, but I think 61 is beautiful. And tucked behind the trees all along this little stretch of Heaven is St. Francisville.

Rebekah and Read had been dating for about 4 years before they got engaged.

Rebekah is a sweet friend of mine from college and such an extremely talented artist!

Which everyone knows I love shooting artists.....

with a camera.

I actually just realized I'm drinking out of one of her ceramics cups as I write!!!!!!!

I didn't even plan that.

So we went and played in St. Francisville for their engagements. Rebekah did an amazing job of picking what is one of the most beautiful spots I've ever had the joy of shooting.

These two will be getting married at the end of March here in Baton Rouge..

God's country:)

Hope everyone used their extra day wisely.

Happy Thursday,

*Claire

Allie, Ben, Jack & Isaac

Claire February 23, 2012

So we made it back from Vegas in one piece...which due to the most eventful flight of my entire life, I didn't know I would be able to say today.

no I'm not just being dramatic.

I mean I am being dramatic, but I promise I have good reason.

Just trust me.

Vegas was awesome though! I learned so so much.

for those who don't know, Kate and I skipped off to Vegas this week for the biggest photographer's conference there is!

and I learned a ton!

It was all the opposite of what I expected to learn though.

Caroline & Dave...Mardi Gras World, New Orleans

Claire February 15, 2012

People used to ask me if I was planning to move for my photography business.

There were many reasons people one would ask such

(one being that I often dream of owning a sailboat and spending every afternoon on the water

and well...there aren't a whole lot of sailboats in Lousiana)

Another is because I started this business during my last year of college and who doesn't dream of moving to some exotic location like

San Francisco, Seattle, or...Georgia?

I'll admit that these are the "sexy" places to live as a wedding photographer.

(You can't be mistaken when every. single. wedding blog highlights the "Most charming Seattle romance with the perfect amount of sparkle" )

Don't get me wrong...Seattle and San Francisco and New York and...Georgia are all wonderful places with charming weddings!

But there's one they underestimate...

Only in South Louisiana....New Orleans to be exact...does a couple insist on having their engagement photos at none other than

Mardi Gras World!!

For those who don't know...Mardi Gras World is where all the floats for every Mardi Gras parade are designed, constructed, painted, and sent out to grace the streets of Nola every year:)

Both Caroline and Dave are South Louisiana born and raised.

I'll keep my cajun-french-crazy-fun lovin-cultured couples any day.