Ela's Newborn Session by Leslie Whitaker, Shreveport Newborn Photographer

Ela is such a sweet blessing. Her parents, Lauren and Eli, are SMITTEN with her. Eli has the biggest smile when he looks at her, and when he looks at Lauren too.

I get so many parents who are having their second baby who regret not getting newborn images for their first baby, and they are determined to have the works the second time. We do maternity photos and newborn and sometimes even an extra family session, or in home fresh 48 session too! Don’t regret missing out on documenting these milestones. You can’t go back and do them, so make sure to get them done right the first time.

Don’t you just LOVE her hair?! I seem to have had a ton of sweet newborns in for newborn sessions lately with hair, and I am here for it!

All of my babies arrive pre-dressed in a white cotton onesie. Every single baby is documented in this timeless way, and parents always choose at least one of these images, but most of the time three of four. There is something about the focus being directly on baby that every one loves, especially me! Doesn’t Ela look so perfect, just like this?

I love documenting details! Ela’s profile, her sweet little hand and her toes! So precious, and things that deserve to be captured during every newborn session in my studio.

Parent images are so special too! I don’t think I’ve had any parents skip this part in a LONNNNNNG time. My newborn sessions come with COMPLIMENTARY professional hair and makeup services, so why skip it? Hailey did Lauren’s hair and makeup for her session and she looks so dang pretty, don’t you think? She has a snow white vibe! :)

I’d love to talk with you if you’re looking for a newborn photographer in Shreveport, Louisiana. My studio is stocked with everything needed to execute your dream newborn session! Fill out my contact form and let’s start planning!

-XOXO, Leslie

Check out my friend Vanessa’s blog about why digital images are not enough when investing in professional photography: https://www.vkeophotography.com/post/10-reasons-why-digitals-are-not-enough

The Real Fear of Raising a Child of Color // Ashley + Ashton // Leslie Whitaker Photography

I’ve been taking photos of Ashley and Ashton for a little over a year now. She and Ashton came by recently for motherhood photos. The photos are beautiful, but most importantly I hope you’ll take the time to read her words below.

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Please tell me about your childhood. Where did you grow up, do you have siblings, etc?

I grew up in the small town of Grand Cane, Louisiana; in a neighborhood referred to as Ranchland Acres (predominantly white). I was the only child for 14 years until my younger brother was born.

As a child: Do you remember your parents ever talking to you about race?

On a few occasions my parents told me stories of some of our older neighbors and how they were labeled racist. I remember my dad having an encounter with one neighbor in particular. Firewood fell off my dad’s trailer in the ditch, in front of the neighbors home. The neighbor was outside, and as my father was turning onto the next street the neighbor literally flagged him down to come back and remove a couple pieces of firewood from the ditch in front of his home.

Please tell me about a time you feel you judged based on the color of your skin. This could be at any point in your life, or something more current.

Working in retail I’ve witnessed first hand experience. One time in particular, myself and another employee were referred to as the colored girl/woman in reference to a mistake that was made.

During your pregnancy with Ashton, do you ever remember having fears in relation to racism?

Yes, after all of the incidents related to officers killing African American men and women and getting away with it. I myself have only had a few encounters with law enforcement during traffic stops . When I found out I was having a son I feared that one day he would miss an opportunity based off the color of his skin. I then knew i would choose a name for him that if he filled out a job application they wouldn’t automatically assume he was a person of color.

People are talking more openly now ( in the past few months) about race and their understanding ( or lack of) how their actions make others feel. What fears do you have, in relation to racism, for Ashton?

I fear that one day he will be wrongful accused or even killed based off the color of his skin. I refuse to teach him to dislike or judge anyone based on how they look different from him.

Like all mothers do, I'm sure you sit up thinking at night about the things you hope for your children. What hopes and dreams do you have for Ashton?

I have no doubt that he will encounter racism, but my hope for Ashton is that he can grow up in this cruel world and be any and everything he wants to be.

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I have three children of my own. Landry is 6, Cadiana is 5 and Cameron is 1. I can honestly say that when naming my children I never worried about them being discriminated against based on their name, I’ve never worried about them be wrongly accused because of the color of their skin and I’ve never worried about any of them being passed over for a job just because of the color skin they were born with.

Racism is real. All mothers worry about their children, but NO MOTHER should have to worry about their child’s safety because they weren’t born white. I hope that when you read Ashley’s words you take the time to look inside your heart. I hope that you’ll take the time for self reflection and you’ll move forward actively thinking about how you act towards all people, and you’ll change if need to.

Ashton is a beautiful baby. Ashton deserves all the things that my children deserve. Ashley is a wonderful mother. Ashley deserves to raise her child in a world that treats both her and her child with love, respect and forward thinking. It’s 2020, let’s do better.

Brooklynn's Senior Session / Leslie Whitaker Photographer, Senior Photographer - Louisiana Photographer

First, Brooklynn is stinkin’ gorgeous. When she told me she wanted to be a doctor I thought to myself, “ go on with yo bad self.” Brooklynn was so easy to work with too! Her smile would seriously light up a room, and I can’t wait to see how much she loves Millsaps. Located in Jackson, Mississippi (my old stomping ground, I grew up in Vicksburg and Jackson), Millsaps boast 100 acres, but enrolls less than 1,000 students total. The campus is beautiful, the staff is small and I know that Brooklynn will have the chance to flourish in her chosen path. I hope she chooses to go to medical school at UMC, but wherever she goes I know that she is going to do so well. :)

Covid-19 has changed many of the ways we live our life. I'd love to hear from you how it has directly affected Brooklynn's senior year. Did she miss out on anything that she'd planned? Did she struggle with finishing out the school year remotely?

Yes Covid-19 did affect Brooklynn during her Senior Year. This is the year every student looks forward to and plan for. She missed her last prom, her gymnastics meets, senior picnic and last moments with her Senior friends. She will even miss out on having a graduation ceremony where she can invite all her family and friends. But overall, she counts it all joy in knowing the Class of 2020 will ALWAYS be remembered. With them surviving this, it has definitely prepared them to handle hard(er) roads ahead.

Where will Brooklynn attend college and what will she study? Has she received any honors or scholarships?

Brooklynn will attend Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi where she will study Neuroscience with plans of becoming a Neurosurgeon. She has received $156,000 in scholarship awards and was accepted into seven (7) universities/colleges.

What were you or Brooklynn nervous about going into your session?

We were not nervous one bit, we were both excited.

What were your and Brooklynn's favorite part of your session experience?

The best part was taking the pictures, you made us feel so comfortable with how much you love your craft.

How do you feel now that you have completed your session and received Brooklynn's images?

We love them!!

Would you recommend Leslie to other parents looking to document their child's senior year? Why would you recommend Leslie?

Of course. Leslie has a passion for what she does and she makes the session fun, and she follows up with her clients.