10 YEARS LATER | FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER | RICHMOND VIRGINIA

Over 10 years ago Jeremy and I met with the cutest couple at the Starbucks in Dumfries VA for their client meeting. We were brand new to photographing weddings and only had a few under our belt. But when we met Grissel and Josue it was an instant friendship. Their love story was clearly headed for great things and we were thrilled to have been hired to shoot their wedding. I cannot remember all the little details from that special day, but what I do remember is the venue being filled with so much love and support from their family and friends and it was undeniable how perfect these 2 were for one another.

But that was just the beginning of a special friendship. I have watched these 2 welcome 2 beautiful girls into their family and I have been SO incredibly blessed to have captured milestone after milestone for them. I went and looked back and I have captured 13 sessions with them. 13! I cannot even begin to tell you how much this relationship has meant to me. To have witnessed every milestone for the last decade is truly the most generous thank you a photographer can recieve. These 4 have had my back and watched me grow, and build, and work my booty off for my business and have supported me every step of the way. Every new idea, every price increase, every crazy location, they were there and trusted me! I love these 4 so much and cannot wait see what the next 10 years brings their way. Grissel and Josue, THANK YOU! Thank you for being so supportive and kind over the years. Thank you for seeing something in me and trusting us when we were just starting out. And thank you for welcoming me into your home and your lives and building a friendship with us over the years. You are both so special and those amazing girls are truly the result of such a beautiful love story. It has been such an honor to capture your family the last 10 years and am SO happy with these special photos for your big day! SO thankful we lucked out with weather and could capture these when we did!! HAPPY 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! WE LOVE YOU!!

TURVILLE FAMILY | FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER | FREDERICKSBURG VA

The absolute best part of my job is meeting clients that you have an instant connection with! When I first talked to Jen we hit it off immediately and she has been one of my favorite people to work with! Our first session was in the creek and this time we went in the opposite direction with a very formal look in downtown Fredericksburg. Our original date was rained out and ended up pushing our session into the middle of HOT July. July in Virginia is not a pleasant time, but these 3 were absolute troopers! Being our second session together I already knew I could really get creative and they would be all for it! We also got to celebrate their daughter’s 4th birthday and she came ready to shine! She is a natural little model and such a sweetheart!!!<3

We explored several spots throughout the city and took advantage of the amazing textures, the gorgeous buildings, and the glowy golden light. Everything about this session was magical and we captured SO much. Literally every photo was incredible and impossible to narrow down! I adore these 3 so much and am always looking forward to our next adventure together!! Here are some of my favorites from their session.

If you are interested in a session with me shoot me a message! I would love to capture your family!!

TALK TO ME ABOUT THE FALL!!

Hello everyone and happy Wednesday!! I am feeling rejuvenated after a long holiday weekend and wanted to quickly introduce myself to any new followers! Im Laura, the face behind Laura Lou Photography. I am portrait photographer who specializes in newborn, maternity, and family photography. Im in my 10th year of business and am based in Stafford county Virginia. I am married to Jeremy, my hubby of 12 years and we have a 6 year old daughter named Finley and a 15 year old pup named Layla. Thanks so much for everyone taking the time to read my fall update and for following along as I TRY to blog more!!

SO lets talk about the FALL!! We may be having a heat advisory today but that is NOT going to stop me from getting SUPER PUMPED about fall being ALMOST HERE!!! As far as Im concerned September is the green light to decorate for halloween and celebrate ALL the fun things that the crisp fall weather brings! It is by far my favorite season and also the time of year that I get the most creative energy. There is just something about the fall light, blaring music with your windows down and sunroof open, watching scary movies and the smell of pumpkin and apple pie. GAH I love it ALL!! BUT with all of the fun comes LOTS and LOTS of incredible sessions and is another reason why I love the season so much.

I know I have had a lot of people reach out about my fall sessions and I wanted to give a little update and a peak into the amazing families I got to photograph last year! This season flies by and books fast and with a kiddo in school and activities my availability has gotten a little slimmer. Here is a little recap of the questions I’ve been getting:

Where are you located? I am based in Stafford, Virginia BUT I travel all over from Fredericksburg to Northern Virginia. I also travel out of state to the outer banks frequently and other areas in Virginia. If you are unsure if I will come your way email me! Im always looking for a new adventure!

Do you offer mini session? YES! This is the most asked question especially since I know our wallets are getting a little bit tighter these days! I do offer mini sessions and am offering 3 weekends of minis during peak fall colors. I only have a few spots left so if you are interested make sure you reach out ASAP!

Whats the difference between a mini and a full session? Minis are quick 15 minute sessions that are great for families who want multiple sessions throughout the year or for families who just want to grab a few updated family photos for their Christmas cards! Minis are only offered a few times a year and always sell out!

Full sessions are about 45 minutes and are a great way to really capture your family’s personality in a fun, laid back way! I grab those yearly photos but I also make sure we really freeze this moment in time and where your family is in the season of life. We will laugh, play, run around, throw some leaves, and have a great time.

Do you still have fall availability? YES! But the dates I have are getting slimmer each week! SO if you are wanting fall colors this year GRAB your date ASAP because these dates won’t last long!

The Olive Family’s Beach Family Session | Beach Family Photography | Fun Family Portraits

The Olive family reached out to me to be their beach family photographer, and I’m so happy that I finally got to meet them in person! They purchased a maternity session for a friend several years ago, and I’ve talked to them through emails. Now we had the chance to meet face to face for a lovely family photography session! 

Great Weather and Great Fashion Sense

This photoshoot was one of my favorite beach family photography sessions this year! The beach was still, with no crazy winds throwing up sand or waves, the water was super blue, and the sky was clear as glass! Usually, June and July in Virginia give us some weather that’s hard to stay outside for, but not for these photos!

The Olive’s chose some beautiful outfits that complemented the location perfectly! The two girls had on little sleeveless seafoam green and cream white dresses, respectively, and they both looked super cute! Mom had a pastel floral dress, and dad had a blue button-down short-sleeved shirt with khaki shorts, all summer vacation vibes! 

With Beach Family Photography, You Gotta Get Into the Water

Anytime I get to shoot beach family photography, I encourage my clients to get in for some pictures! If they don’t want to, that’s always okay, but the Olive family was all in! The girls got into the shallows, and I got some fantastic photos of the whole family in a big group hug in the surf! 

The girls were very cooperative and sweet, and they loved having their pictures taken. The parents were naturals in front of the camera as well! The whole family showed each other so much love and affection, and capturing that in their smiles, hugs, and kisses was so satisfying and rewarding!

This session was so much fun. I’m grateful to the Olive family for letting me share a great beach day with excellent weather for pictures! 
If you need someone to capture beach family photography for you, please contact me, and I’d be happy to chat with you!

The Smith Family Session in Northern Virginia | Northern Virginia Family Photographer

The Smith family reached out and picked me to be their Northern Virginia Family Photographer for their session. And they were absolute troopers during this session, in spite of the humidity! The session took place in early June, and the weather meant business! Regardless, we had such a fun time taking photos, and the kids were so cute!

The Boys in the Creek

We started the session like I normally would, with all of the posed family pictures. I got some of just the parents, and then with the two boys and each parent, all of my normal family photo fare.

After that, we got into the fun stuff! Images of the boys snuggling up to mom and dad and playing around. Family being close to each other and having a good time! These are my favorite things to capture! 

There was a small creek at the location, and of course, if you have boys and water, they have to jump into it! I snapped quite a few memorable pictures of the boys playing and splashing around; they were so adorable! 

Sunset in the Field

By the time the sun started to set, I had gotten most of the photos that I wanted, but I knew about a field down the road a bit where the Golden Hour light would be perfect! So we took a short drive and got out into a large field to get some last minute images.

The sun coming down through the grass in the field gave the whole place an ethereal, almost fantastical beauty! The pictures I got there were phenomenal, and it was the perfect end to a fun and productive family photoshoot! 

The Smiths did so well during the session, and I’m so grateful that we got to share this awesome time getting some great photos and sharing the sunset together! 

A Northern Virginia Family Photographer To Serve You!

If you need someone to be your Northern Virginia family photographer, please contact me, I’d love to have a chat with you! 

What’s The Difference Between A Mini Session And A Full Session | Photographer in Virginia

With fall just around the corner, things are beginning to get busy again, so if you’re thinking of hiring a photographer in Virginia, now’s the time to do it! School is in session and schedules are filling up fast. With limited time and very busy days, some people may want to look into minis versus a full photography session. But what exactly are minis and how are they different from a normal session? I'll outline the major differences between the two in this blog! 

Mini Sessions

Mini sessions usually last about fifteen minutes and are done in a marathon format. I'll select a great, central location that I love from one of the many locations I’ve found over the years being a photographer in Virginia. It should also work for different times of day, not just at Golden Hour before sunset. I book each 15 minute mini session ten minutes apart. These sessions are fast!

I schedule my mini sessions twice a year, in the spring and the fall. I always try to schedule them during the best parts of spring or early summer and during the peak times for fall colors.

Just the Basics

Each mini has three main poses and anything extra I'm able to capture is a great bonus! I focus on the full family landscape portrait, just the kids, and then each individual kid. If I have time, I'll also try to snap a few photos of mom and dad with the kids. I don't usually focus on individual shots of the parents with each of their children, but I will try if the parents only have one or two children.

For each mini my main goal is to photograph the standard photos that a family would want for things like Christmas cards! These sessions are not often full of many candid shots, or playful photos, so please consider booking a full session if you want more of those kinds of photos for your albums! A mini can be a great option for families with older kids who just want some updated family photos for their walls or to send in their Christmas cards!

Full Sessions for a photographer in Virginia

As a photographer in Virginia, I also offer Full Sessions. These usually last about forty-five minutes and I take over the task of finding a place to shoot for my clients based on their location. I always start these sessions with posed photos, the whole family, the couple, their kids and all of the normal, expected photos. I really try to crank those out to get to the fun stuff!

My full sessions give me the opportunity to capture the more casual, candid, and lovey-dovey type pictures that you may see on some of my social media posts, or on my blog! These photography sessions are the ones where I get photos of the kids playing around, or the parents lifting their kids in the air with all the smiles and laughter that come along with those things!

During a full session I have the time to photograph all of the little moments that showcase a family's dynamic. Everyones personalities have a chance to come out while they hang out, and just do what they do! Not every family is comfortable with those kinds of photos, or just want more traditional photos taken, and I am sensitive to that and will gauge that during the session and adjust based on the family.

I recommend full sessions for maternity and senior photos, as well as extended family , and for families with little kiddos.

Forming Bonds

My full length sessions are especially great for families with many kiddos and small kiddos. The extra time gives time for the littles to warm up to me and get comfortable with their new surroundings.

Creating a good rapport with each family I work with is so crucial to get those special and memorable moments.

I hope this eliminates any confusion surrounding how I do both my full and mini sessions! If you need someone to capture these special moments for you, whether in short form, or long, please contact me for more information, I'd love to chat with you!

Beach Family Pictures With The Rao Family At King George VA Beach

The Rao family and I had a great time getting beach family pictures of their extended family! I've worked with Brittany and David, and their little one Lillian, since she was a newborn! This session gave me a wonderful opportunity to see Lillian with her grandparents, especially since I had the privilege of capturing many of her first milestones. Both sets of grandparents were present - mom and dad's side together for one photography session!

King George VA Beach Family Pictures

We photographed the session on a small beach in King George. The day was windy but the weather was still beautiful, not too hot for an outdoor session. We hung out on the beach while I took pictures of all of the different family groups. I wanted to ensure that everyone had memorable beach family pictures, especially with little Lillian!

We wanted to get as many different photos of the different groupings as possible: grandparents, parents, siblings, and kids. No easy feat with three families together, but well worth it to capture these sweet beach family pictures for them!

Brittany and David Get In The Water

Brittany and David gave me my favorite part of this session! During their couple photos, David was messing around and pulled his wife into the water, and then pretended to be injured to get her back into the surf! After a minute Brittany fell for it and he pulled her back in and they went under and came up laughing. It was a wonderful family moment, and I know that it will be something that Lillian will remember when she gets older!

One of my favorite things is getting to know the families I work with, and watching them grow as we grow together! Thank you Rao family for allowing me to capture these cherished family moments! As Lillian grows up I hope that we can capture more of her milestones together. 

If you need someone to capture these truly special beach family pictures, please contact me for more information!

Vollbrecht Family Photos | Family Photographer | Stafford VA

The Vollbrecht family have been with me since close to the beginning of my photography business. It's always a pleasure to be the family photographer for some of my favorite people, and we did the session at one of my favorite places too, Government Island in Stafford VA!

Jeremy, my husband, met Marlar Vollbrecht when they were both in diapers, and they basically grew up together! I've personally known them since I got married. She's been like another aunt to our daughter as well! The Vollbrechts have three kids, Evelyn, Brendon, and Danny.

The first time we met these three kiddos they were all pretty young. Their family's session was one of the first photography sessions I did when I started my business! I love it when my clients come back for more, and it's even more amazing when someone has stayed with me since the beginning. As I've grown as a photographer and as a photography business, they've been right here with me, and that's so special!

The session was over Easter Weekend, and they traveled up from North Carolina. We went to Government Island near me for the photoshoot. I scheduled the session an hour earlier than I normally would so that they could come over for dinner afterwards. We all wanted to hang out!

The weather was warm and it was a full, sunny day. Since we started earlier in the day the light was a little different than I normally shoot, but am really trying to push myself creatively and stylistically. And I LOVE how their photos came outl!

We started with some family shots and then did some with the parents and the kids. My favorite part of any photography session I do here are the creek photos. Not all of my clients want to get into the water, but the Vollbrecht girls were all about it! We got some mommy-daughter shots in the creek and then some of just the girls, it was awesome!

We were just about done, but Brendon, their middle son, wanted to get up on this log over the creek. I've wanted to get someone on this log since I've used this location, but getting to it is no easy feat! It was a bit of a climb and though I wouldn't let little kids try to get out onto it, Brendon was able to get there. The pictures I got were amazing! I'm shooting through the trees framing the creek and soon the girls got involved too!

I got some of the coolest photos I think I've ever shot at this location! From about 300 yards away I got a few pictures of the siblings snuggled up together on this log with the creek reflecting them below. They may not know how much this log has intrigued me, but I finally got a client out on it for some fantastic pictures!

The session went great and even though we started earlier in the day the lighting still worked amazing. We shot some great photos of these wonderful friends!

If you need a family photographer near Stafford VA (or other parts of North VA) please contact me, and check out other posts on my blog!