2023 RECAP!!!

What a year!! 2023 feels like the longest and shortest year of ALL time. It tested me in ways and opened my eyes to SO MANY THINGS and I have learned ALOT about myself over the last 12 months. With that being said it was also one of the most difficult years for me professionally and personally. Funny thing is nothing really significant happened but more a slew of little things finally pushing me to what felt like a late 30’s crisis LOL! As a mom we wear SO many hats throughout the day but with years and years of trying to balance everything eventually you start to let those hats drop one by one. And for me I think they all fell this year. I can laugh about it now because while I felt like I was falling apart there was also so many good things this year brought that kind of got lost in the shuffle. SO today I am sharing some positives of 2023 and also sharing the AMAZING clients who helped me survive this tough year!! You are what got me through!! <3

2023 kicked off with a bang and I celebrated my 10th year in business! A huge milestone that I still cannot believe is real!! A decade dedicated to serving clients and creating beautiful artwork and memories has been such a blessing. But my biggest achievement is seeing all of the returning faces of clients I have been photographing that entire time. Some clients have let me into their lives for over a decade! I have had multiple brides celebrate their 10 year anniversary, families welcome their 2nd and 3rd baby, kids I photographed in their mom’s belly start school, brides texting me they're pregnant, the list goes on. The overwhelming support from returning clients really lifted me up this year and I am forever thankful for the relationships that I have been built over the last 10+ years. I truly cannot thank you enough.

This year alone I have photographed 136 sessions plus more for my own kiddo. I have met 55 new AMAZING families who have all welcomed me into their lives with open arms and shared their excitement about their photos. This year certainly was one of the most rewarding. It was knowing that these incredible faces believed in me during a time I felt so unworthy. Their support allowed me to keep growing as an artist and photographed some of my favorite sessions of all time. THANK YOU to every single one of you for walking alongside me during a tough season. Your support will never be forgotten <3

Another huge perk of 2023 was that I offered tulip, sunflower, creek, cherry blossom, and tree farm minis in addition to my spring and fall. And I LOVED every second of these sessions. Because these are sessions I can’t shoot all year round they have become some of my favorites. I WILL be offering ALL of these again and cannot wait to see what families will join in on the fun!! This year I will be changing things up a bit with how I book to continue to give me time to be creative and recharge.

My goal for 2024 is to make this year about savoring every last moment! I did a terrible job of capturing my own family this year and I am super sad that I let my negativity and self-esteem stop me from capturing more moments with my family. I will NOT make that mistake this year!! So if you are feeling blah email me! Lets chat and make your session this year extra special! I cannot wait to meet new faces and catch up with returning faces!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! To everyone who supported my business this year! You rock!! <3 ~Laura

Abby 6 Month Session | Milestone Photographer | Stafford, Virginia

Meet Abby!!! This adorable blue eyed girl is the baby of one of my dear friends. It was such an honor to photograph both of her little girls as newborns but even more special to follow along with their first year and beyond! For Abby’s 6 month session I pulled a few bonnets that I used for her big sisters 6 month session so mama could do side by sides of her girls. I love keeping sitter sessions simple with just a few fun props to really capture this fun stage. Six to eight months is one of my favorites because kiddos are starting to sit unassisted and their personalities really start to come out. Abby was SO smiley and fun to photograph and honestly such a sweetie pie. I cannot wait to see her again and capture her first birthday with a cake smash in just a few short months!! Here are some of my favorites.

Tips and tricks for scheduling your newborn session | Newborn Photographers Northern Virginia

So you just discovered you’re about to have a baby! This is so exciting! This is one of the most wonderful times in your life that you’ll ever experience. And this time deserves to be captured and celebrated! Newborn photographers are here to help you out and give you a newborn session that is special and unique. And in northern Virginia, that’s what I do! So, now you’re wondering, “is there anything I need to know about scheduling a newborn session?” Well, read along, and I’ll give you a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way!

Book your session early

First of all, I recommend waiting until the end of your first trimester before scheduling. But once you’re there, you should start researching for your photographer around weeks twelves/thirteen. BY the time you reach week twenty, you really want to have your session locked in. Why so early? Well, there are many reasons, but one is that the first few weeks of your pregnancy will be slow, full of waiting and anticipation, but the longer time goes on, excitement and stress builds and builds daily! Also many clients who want a newborn session wind up desiring a maternity session as well! And the time frame for these two sessions are fairly specific. So by booking early, you have time to make decisions and have everything planned out before your little one’s arrival.

Ask the hard questions

Secondly, don’t be afraid to ask your photographer questions. You want to create a dialog with your photographer and get to know their work. Knowing this information can inform you about your photographer’s personality and there photography style. What’s their training? How long have the been photographing newborns, etc. Answering this will tell you if your photographer knows how to accommodate different situations that can occur.

Safety Safety Safety!

Lastly, safety protocol is super important. Does your photographer have a strict sick policy? Do they wear masks? Your newborn is young, and their immune system, is not quite developed yet. You want to know how seriously your photographer takes health and safety! I consider your and your newborn’s health my top priority!

Laura Gooch with Laura Lou photography is one of the Newborn Photographers in Northern Virginia serving clients and their babies! If you’re interested in your own photos, come get some of your own!

Why you should book your newborn photography session early | Stafford VA

So, you found out you’re pregnant. CONGRATULATIONS! In all the scrambling and figuring out what to do and getting all the info and all the appointments lined up around Stafford VA, you decide that you want newborn photography! Awesome! But, you have no idea what to say or what to do. So, the biggest piece of advice I can give you is - Book Your Session Early! When your baby is born, there is a very short window of time, usually less than one month, where he or she changes very quickly. That first month is the perfect time to capture the innocence and beauty of your baby!

Availability

Newborn photography is very beautiful and exciting! So, it’s a popular choice for many new and expecting mothers. This means, unfortunately, that I cannot promise availability. All newborn photographers fill up fast, and while last minute availability is something that can happen, it doesn’t mean that it will. Getting your session locked on early in your second trimester is super important, so that we can adjust as needed and make sure that you don’t have to worry about finding an available date last minute.

Avoiding Stress

Avoiding stress is one of the biggest reasons why you should book your newborn session early. The first trimester will feel like it's taking forever, filled with anxiety and nervousness, but as time goes on, your life will feel like it's speeding up - faster and faster until you have your baby! So, it’s super important to secure that session before time feels like it’s speeding up! Also, once you have your baby, those first few weeks, no one wants to have to take time away from just enjoying and being with your newest family member. Making phone calls and searching for photographers while trying to do this would be difficult for anyone!

It’s an Investment

Lastly, newborn photography is an investment. After giving birth to a baby, there’s often medical bills and stress. Even with the best insurance, there’s still the fact that you will be seeing a lot of money change hands. So, by booking your session early, it’s easier to pay and forget about it for months, or even break up those payments over a several month span if you need. The point is, no one wants to have to shell out even more money when they’re already paying a hospital so much already! So, booking early gives you that peace of mind as well as some financial peace!

Lou photography does Newborn Photography in Woodbridge VA and beyond, serving clients and their babies! If you’re interested in your own photos, come get some of your own!