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/

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!

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.

Berry - Summer Family Sesh - Leslie Whitaker Photography

Sometimes summer seams even busier than the school year.  Slow down and savor those babies, they do not keep.  Spend a little time with me on a summer evening and have keepsakes of your family, soon this summer will only be a memory.

The Berry's have been a part of LWP for almost a year now.  Katie contacted me when she was pregnant with number three and I love taking photos of the Berrys.  BJ is a good sport and sometimes that is hard to find!  Check out my favorites from their summer family session in North Bossier!