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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
You may remember Jaylyn and Brian from a few months ago when we "cooked" up a little celebration for their engagement
cheesecake style.
Just to jog your memory you can see the deliciousness here.
Jaylyn is one of my very bestest friends and has been such a vital and beautiful part of my college experience, my Baton Rouge experience, my friendship/ hardship/ sanctification experience...and oh so much more!
Jaylyn has taught me to be organized!!
She has been in massive support and on the front lines with Claire Elyse Photography and my dreams for it literally since day one.
Some of you may know her as my assistant at your wedding.
Others may know her as that girl with the stunning blue eyes.
I know her as work buddy, roommate, prayer warrior, amazing cook, dreamer, road trip-the-country companion, and so so much more.
Has anyone ever been able to put into words how special being in someone's wedding is?
If so, I'd like to read that article.
Sometimes words don't do excitement justice.
I get to stand in Jaylyn and Brian's wedding one month from today. (This is quite surreal because they've been engaged for
F.O.R.E.V.E.R.
I can say this because..well...I can. It's been forever.)
But what a worthwhile wait.
Brian and Jaylyn are one of those couples that just make sense together. And they have from the very beginning. One of my favorite things about their engagement was how meticulous Brian was about the ring. He and I would secretly meet up at the same restaurant every time there was a new development and discuss every detail of each ring he was thinking about getting because he wanted her to absolutely love it.
Just as special as being in someone's wedding is knowing that it's right..
I'm honored to stand next to them in one month and show my support and belief that this one is good and oh so blessed by our gracious and loving God.
Love you friends,
*Claire
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.
More on that later.
I shot Allie and Ben's engagements a few days before I left.
Which was quite appropriate because Allie is a fellow photographer!!!
A lot of photographers get a little extra nervous when they shoot fellow photographers...and that's understandable.
But I find it quite a joy to get to shoot artists. It just makes the whole experience a different kind of special.
Allie & Ben are adorable together.
you'll see.
Ben is an artist as well with a voice and a guitar..and their dogs make every day a little more exciting:)
More on their story in the fall after their amazing wedding.
Can't wait!
Never been so happy and energized to be back in the office
seriously
worst. flight. ever.
just trust me
Happy Thursday!
*Claire
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.
Happy...
(what day is it?)
to all!
*Claire
This couple is soo
a. dor. a. ble.
These two have a special place in my heart.
Some shoots are just stamped in my memory because they're not work at all...it's just plain fun.
Rachel and Brandon know what they're getting in to.
Their relationship is about so much more than themselves.
Knowing this makes all the difference.
I'm thankful that God is at work in marriages before they even begin.
And that it's just evident in some people
like Rachel and Brandon
Rachel and Brandon will be getting married at the Audubon Tea Room in July.
Can't Wait!
*Claire
I really can't wait for Danielle and Jerry's wedding.
A January wedding in my hometown!!
This was a first!!
We got to explore the cotton fields in Danielle's backyard right before it was picked...
literally...right before.
I may or may not have taken a chunk out of my foot whilst getting way too excited jumping around in the fields..
but it comes with the job...and who really minds awesome battle scars!?
oh no wait... who wears sandals in a cotton field??
amateur
(points at self)
Be on the lookout for these guys in January 2012:)
Cheers and a happy week to all!
*Claire
Morning folks!
Hope this Wednesday finds you well.
remember this maid of honor??
That's right..she caught that bouquet with no shame!
And not even a full 5 months later she got engaged...
If that doesn't put some excitement in the bouquet toss I don't know what does.
Lea and Kiel will be getting married in May 2012
be on the lookout for their creative Covington wedding
next summer!!
Can't wait for May 12, 12!
*Claire