Shreveport Maternity Photographer | Charde's Mommy and Me | Motherhood by Leslie

Motherhood is special. Motherhood is hard too. Pregnancy isn’t always rainbows, though it can be. The best part is you forget all of the hard stuff after baby is born, why else would we do it again?

I’ve know Charde’ for a long time, well at least 5 years. I first met her when she hired me to take her headshots. She was starting a wedding planning business and needed some marketing maternity. That seems like a 100 years ago. Since then I’ve been her engagement, wedding and now maternity photographer. I was so excited when her husband, Andy, texted me to set something up as a surprise for Charde’.

This will be Charde’s second baby, a sweet boy. And, he doens’t have a name yet! If i’m honest we didn’t name our third baby until a couple of hours before we left the hospital. In Louisiana you can leave the hospital without a name, and you have 30 days to figure it out and file for the birth certificate, but I DID NOT want to deal with all that! So, I texted my husband while he was gone to pick up the older kids and told him to send me 3 names, and I’d choose one. LOL

Hopefully Charde’ wont have to deal with that, it’s not any fun not having a thing with your baby’s name on it for his birth day. I can’t wait to meet her sweet boy, and I hope he’s as sweet as Amilia. She’s a complete doll, every time I see her.

If you’re looking for a maternity photographer in Shreveport, Louisiana I’d love to talk with you! All of my maternity clients receive a complimentary newborn petite session, as a gift from me! I take care of all the details, so you don’t have to take on any more stress. You have enough to deal with.

What made you choose Leslie Whitaker for your Motherhood session?

I admire the simplicity and beauty of her photography. She is always kind and yet super professional!

• What were you nervous about going into your session?

  That I wouldn't like my pictures because I just wasn't feeling very confident in my appearance at my appointment.

• What was your favorite part of your session experience?

  Leslie always makes the atmosphere very relaxing. The session was stress free.

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

  I love the images! I didn't feel like I was at my best during the session but the images captured were simply gorgeous.

• Would you recommend Leslie to other ladies looking to book a maternity session? Why?

  Absolutely! She is professional, down to earth, and passionate about her projects. She has never disappointed me after hiring her multiple times so of course I would highly recommend based on my personal experiences.

https://dreadonphotography.com/how-to-look-great-in-photos/

Maternity photos, they really are important. - Shreveport Maternity Photographer- Leslie Whitaker Photography

I regret not getting maternity photos with my first baby. I know, you feel so not like yourself. BUT, with hair and makeup and a dress that makes you feel like a princess… I bet we can help you feel better.

I provide everything but your undergarments, Mama. Tell me your favorite color and let me handle the rest. We can do your session at the studio, outside or both!

I even offer special pricing when you book your newborn and maternity session at the same time, so make sure to check out my Pick 2, Pick 4 and Pick 6 packages.

If you’re looking for a maternity photographer near Shreveport I hope that you’ll take the time to consider working with me. I love working with expectant Mamas. :)

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https://www.vkeophotography.com/post/maternity

Katie's Maternity Session Experience - Leslie Whitaker, Maternity Photographer - Shreveport Maternity Photographer

I met Katie a few years ago, through a mutual friend. She’s a teacher in Shreveport, she is a Mama to exchange students and a wife to her adorable husband Seth. She’s seriously the cutest thing ever, and now she’s a Mama to a perfect little girl. We got together in February, before both our babies were born, for her maternity photos in Shreveport. Britt did her hair and makeup and we both struggled to breathe, both hugely pregnant. I LOVE maternity photos in my studio. The light is gorgeous in there! Check out the gorgeous Katie, she’s beautiful pregnant. :)

Let's get fancy! - Shreveport Maternity Photographer - Leslie Whitaker Photography -

Maria wanted to focus on herself for this maternity session. Her second baby, and Mama wanted to be pampered. She deserved it! Mama brought her own gowns for her session, and I am obsessed with them.

The white gown is actually a wedding gown, and I think I need one or two in my client closet. Then we went a little ‘Mardi Gras’ with the purple gown, and it fit perfectly.

Maria’s hair and makeup is by ‘Beauty by Britney’. Britney is one of my on staff artist, and she rocked this session. :)

What were you nervous about going into your session?

How comfortable I would be with Leslie.

What was your favorite part of your session experience?

My favorite part of my session was the relax environment.

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

I feel great! I will recommend Leslie to all my friends and family!

Would you recommend Leslie to other ladies looking to book a maternity session? Why?

Yes! Leslie is very affordable, comfortable , easy going and friendly.

Britney's Studio Maternity Session - Shreveport Maternity Photographer - Leslie Whitaker Photography

I am having my fourth baby. I know the struggles that most women have when their pregnant, you know.. the ones where you just do not feel beautiful. Most of the time you feel swollen or nauseated, overly tired and completely unprepared. Sure, you forget most of the bad stuff once your sweet baby arrives, but those feelings still happened. Neglecting to have beautiful maternity photos taken can be a huge regret. Maybe you don’t do it because you think you won’t like the outcome. I challenge you to do it anyway!

Britney is my makeup artist and she gets to work with my maternity clients, new mom’s and boudoir clients. She is SO good at her job, and I love working with her. She had some ideas for her maternity photos, and I am SO glad she picked me to be her maternity photographer. :)

Hair and Makeup - ‘Beauty by Britney’. You can find her on Facebook.

Bralette- part of my client closet.

Green Maternity Dress - Baltic Born and in my client closet.

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!

Ashley // Shreveport Maternity Photographer // Leslie Whitaker Photography

Ashley is such a joy to work with. We chatted for months before her maternity session, and just like most first time Moms she was worried about ALL the things. On the day of her session Ashley and Nicole first met with my on staff makeup artist, Dana. Dana spent about an hour with Ashley at the studio making sure that she loved her look and then Ashley and Nicole drove to meet me at my bayou, in North Bossier.

The bayou is lined with Pecan trees, and can look completely different from one session to the next. Sometimes the grass is tall, sometimes its just be cut. Sometimes the bayou water is high, and sometimes (like during Ashley’s fall session) the water was low and we got to see all the cypress knees. I just love it there.

Ashley pops in all the photographs I take of her, but she looks especially beautiful in red. You can tell by the first photo below, that she believed she was beautiful this day. Ash brought her own jewelry, her Mama made sure of that, and I provided the gown ( and wiiiiiiings). I just love how Nicole gazes at Ashley, you can’t just about FEEL the love radiating in the photographs below.

Shay's Maternity Session - Shreveport Maternity Photographer - Leslie Whitaker Photography

I first met Shay when she was my little girls K-3 teacher at First Bossier in Bossier City, Louisiana. My daughter is smitten with her, and I can see why. Shay is a strong willed woman, with a sweet disposition. I love spending time with her and I’m so glad I was able to be the one to take her maternity photographs.

What made you choose Leslie Whitaker for your Maternity Boudoir session?

I picked Leslie for my maternity photos because her pictures are really good and her style seamed perfect to celebrate my pregnancy.

What were you nervous about going into your session?

I was nervous about looking really bad in my pictures.

What was your favorite part of your session experience?

Actually stepping out of my comfort zone.

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

I feel Amazing!

Would you recommend Leslie to other ladies looking to book a maternity or boudoir session? Why?

Yes and I have. People may want to have some done that way she dose them rather than outside.

Shreveport, Louisiana Maternity Photographer // Rhonda's Maternity Session

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? How are you feeling emotionally? Etc.

I do feel like it has impacted my pregnancy. Not being able to get together with family and friends. Not being able to have my husband at the doctor appointments and not being able to have my other children at the hospital when we bring our daughter into the world. It saddens me really. I feel like I have missed out on a lot of moments that I was able to capture in my previous pregnancies. Breaks my heart really. Moments that I will never experience again as this is my last child. Having Leslie do my maternity shoot definitely took some sting away. Helped me feel more normal outside of the Covid-19.

What were you nervous about going into your session?

I don't recall being nervous. I was excited to be able to have the opportunity to have the pictures done during this covid-19 pandemic.

What was your favorite part of your session experience?

The way I felt so comfortable. Just talking and feeling like I wasn't just a stranger I’d just met.

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

I feel even more beautiful than I did before.

Would you recommend Leslie to other ladies looking to book a maternity session? Why?

Absolutely! Leslie is very laid-back and gentle. Most photographers seem demanding but she was soft spoken and just overall gentle.

So many parts of life have been impacted, and I know that my way of thinking has changed a lot. A certain level of fear is healthy, enough to keep you safe. Sometimes you need to leave the fear in the background and enjoy your season of life. I’m happy to have been able to give Rhonda a sense of normalcy as she gets ready to welcome Presley into her sweet family. I can’t wait to get to capture this beautiful baby girl as she grows.

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Jacie is "berry sweet" // Shreveport First Birthday Photographer // Leslie Whitaker Photography

Why did you choose Leslie to capture your child's first birthday portraits?

After looking at her work, I loved the white background! It focused more on my child, Jacie, than an actual themed background.

Were you nervous about anything going into your child's session? Please explain.

I was nervous because my child always seems to be sleepy or cranky when it’s time for pictures.

What was your favorite part of the session experience?

My favorite part had to be trying to get her to eat the cake and strawberries. Although, she gave us a hard time (inserts eye roll). Leslie was very patient and you could tell she had experience dealing with children my daughter’s age.

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

I feel great! I just knew none of her pictures were going to be good. She got some great shots of Jacie.

Would you recommend Leslie to other parents looking to book a first birthday session for their child? Why?

Yes! Highly recommend. She definitely has experience with dealing with children and her patience is just unheard of! She’s very professional and answers in a timely manner, always!

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