Shreveport Couple's Photographer - Gilda and Larenzo - Leslie Whitaker Photography

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Shreveport Newborn Photographer - Georgia's Lifestyle Newborn Session, by Leslie Whitaker Photography

The studio has the most beautiful natural light, I’m really obsessed with it. I’ve been specializing in newborn photos for more than 5 years and I’ve always done a lifestyle style of family photos, and I’m so excited to announce that I am now able to offer a Lifestyle Newborn Session all of the time.

These sessions take less time, because baby is wrapped for most of the session. Baby is also able to be in a natural environment and we capture natural posing as well. She might have always stuck her left hand up in the womb, she’ll probably do that during the session too and I’ll get to capture that. How special will it be to look back on that as she gets older, maybe show it in the slideshow at her rehearsal dinner.

We will still get detail images of lips, lashes, toes and fingers along with gorgeous images of your family with the new addition.

I do my best to make sure the entire experience is as easy as possible for my parents. We have a toy area for older siblings with books, coloring activities and toys for all ages. We even have a stocked fridge with drinks, snacks and treats. Mom can even add on hair and makeup styling by our licensed stylist. Let us handle the fuss, you just show up and relax while we capture your memories.

You’ll be in studio about an hour and then we will meet in person 3-5 days later for an image reveal appointment; we can also do this over zoom. If you’d prefer an online gallery so that you can view in your own time, an additional fee is required. I can also promise you that you’ll LOVE more than 8 images, so just prepare yourself. :)

Check out Georgia’s sweet gallery below. Her parents have been trying for many years to have a baby, had given up and then Georgia appeared. She really is a blessing, and is such a sweet baby. I’m so glad Marti allowed me to capture these sweet images for her.

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

Mommy and Me - Britney, Eli +Beaux - Shreveport Motherhood Photographer - Leslie Whitaker Photography

Mommin’ is hard, a lot of the time. We lay down at night and think about all the things that we didn’t finish, didn’t do right or certainly could have done better. The laundry is never completely done, and most of the time their are dishes in the sink ( at least at my house). Regardless of all of the shortcomings we think we have, our babies don’t see any of that. Give yourself some grace, take photos with your babies. It won’t be this way for long.

Mommy and Me - Dana + Noah - Shreveport Photographer - Leslie Whitaker Photography

Our babies are going to grow up so quickly. We’ll wake up, and they’ll be off to college, married and having kids of their own. We’ll be celebrating their dream jobs, or their first home purchase. We will barely remember them this little. Take the time to document your babies, and make sure you’re in the photos too!

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.

Declan - Quarantine Babies - Shreveport Newborn Photographer, Leslie Whitaker Photography-

Morgan, Dakota and Declan are such a beautiful family! Declan is a perfect little boy with an olive tone complexion and what look to be blue eyes. On the day of his session he was a complete gentleman and went right to sleep once I swaddled him! He was six weeks old the day of our session, and chunky already. I love working with older newborns, I find that they actually do better than most younger babies and settle into positions with less fuss. I’ve already gotten to see Declan and his parents again, at the sunflower fields - but read below to hear more about Morgan’s final weeks of pregnancy, their session from her perspective and how Covid-19 affected her and her family during Declan’s birth, before and after.

Covid-19 has changed many of the ways we live our life. I'd love to hear from you how it has directly affected your pregnancy. Do you feel like you've missed out on anything during your pregnancy with Declan that you looking forward to? Do you recall any emotional differences related to the changes you faced towards the end of your pregnancy or postpartum experience?

Luckily, I was well into my 3rd trimester before Covid-19 related restrictions set in, but my husband wasn't able to attend my last few doctor's appointments. We even ended up going to a different hospital for Declan's birth because my original hospital was only going to allow my husband to stay for the "Golden Hour" before being asked to leave while I stayed another 48 hours. It was very stressful to think that my husband wouldn't be with me or be able to spend the first couple days with his first newborn. I definitely cried in the doctor's office when I found that out, but thankfully it all worked out.

How was your hospital stay? Do you recall any differences in what you had imagined your birth experience to be like? How did those differences make you feel?

So, we solved the problem of my husband not being able to be with me, but there was no getting past the 1 visitor rule! Our family had to wait until we were all home. It was definitely much different than I imagined. Part of me is very thankful that it was quiet and my husband could spend that time meeting our new little one, but it also would have been great to have family there for extra support and to meet their first grand baby.

Where was Declan born and at how many weeks gestation? How old was your baby on the date of his newborn session?

Declan was born at Willis Knighton in Bossier and was 40 weeks (born 1 day before his due date)! He was 6 weeks during our session.

What were you nervous about going into your session?

I wasn't worried about much. I had heard great things about Leslie, but with Covid-19 still lingering in our community, I did feel a little anxious about the possibility of exposing him to anything.

What was your favorite part of your newborn session experience?

It was very relaxed! Leslie was great & coached us non-models into family positions that made for such sweet photos.

How do you feel now that you have completed your newborn session and received your images?

Great! Wouldn't change it for the world. The pictures are beautiful and are a wonderful presentation of us as a new family.

Would you recommend Leslie to other parents looking to document their newborn with a professional newborn photographer? Why would you recommend Leslie as a photographer in Shreveport, Louisiana?

Of course, Leslie has a fantastic selection of props to use. She's very personable and easy-going. Plus her editing skills are A++. Can't wait to get more pictures made with her in the future!

Jenna + Weston / A Motherhood Session / Leslie Whitaker Photography/ Shreveport Motherhood Photographer

What were you nervous about going into your motherhood session?

After 9 months of pregnancy, clothes don’t fit the same anymore. I didn’t really have anything to wear. With the Covid-19 pandemic, I couldn’t go into stores to purchase a new outfit. I was honest with Leslie about this upon arrival and she worked with me throughout the session which allowed me to feel comfortable and I knew she had an eye for what looked good on camera.

How old was your baby on the date of your session?

Weston turned 6 months old four days after our session.

What was your favorite part of your session experience?

Weston is the happiest baby who always has a smile on his face. Well, unless you put a clicking camera in front of him! I could not get him to smile or giggle! He was infatuated with Leslie and her camera. I laugh when I think about it!

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

I am so excited to be able to post our images and send them to family and friends!

Would you recommend Leslie to other mothers looking to document their relationship with their babies? Why would you recommend Leslie?

Leslie is incredibly professional, personable, and passionate about her job. Even though we didn’t get a lot of smiles out of my baby, she still captured wonderful photos that I will cherish forever. I highly recommend her!