Huntsville Lifestyle Family Photographer - Campbell Family

I've said it before, and I'll say again:  I have the best clients (my "people", as I prefer to call them because they're really like family).  When someone gives the Lauren Bee website a good looking over, and then contacts me for a family portrait session, we get to know each other really well, fairly quickly -- and sometimes (okay, I admit almost every single time) within just a few sentences or e-mails bounced back and forth, we're laughing and making jokes and being generally hilarious together (because my people are just that awesome, I'm telling you).

Janet is totally one of those clients.  She's my people.  She's quirky and funny and smart -- and upon meeting her for the first time, I realized, also beautiful.  Know what else she is?  An amazing mom.  I'm a big "heart on sleeve" kind of gal, so I won't beat around the bush:  watching Janet with her boys deeply touched me;  we're talking right to the heart and turning on the waterworks just a smidge.  Her sons adore her!  And it's no surprise why.  She's so laid back and so .... cool.

("Cool" is still a hip word, right?  Right?)

Basically, Janet is the mom every kid wants.  I am not even kidding.

Our lifestyle photography session started out at the most perfect "golden hour" time, where the summer trees were all lit up with dappled fire.  I snapped a few shots of Janet, one or two with her boys, a few of her boys being silly together .... but dang it gets hot in July in Alabama.  So we headed on over to Plamore Lanes in Huntsville -- where I was afforded a rare glimpse of a family done right, a la bowling balls and ketchup-drenched fries that are, apparently, the best fries in the world

I couldn't be more thrilled to now count Janet and her fellas as some of Lauren Bee's own.  Welcome to the family, y'all!

Huntsville Alabama Portrait Photographer - Sandy's Sunshine Session

I love Sandy.  She's a true old soul, nurturing and giving, with an aura of golden beauty that follows her wherever she goes.  But she's also a touch sassy;  clever and strong, with a penchant for Fireball whisky.

When Sandy approached me to do a HERstory fine art portrait session for her, I positively leaped with joy.  And when she told me during her session -- located in a gorgeous, sun-saturated Madison county field, replete with cool pond and tall, mature trees -- that she envisioned herself as a bit of a dragon, but "didn't think anyone could pull that off," I thought to myself --

Challenge accepted!

I thoroughly enjoyed photographing Sandy in her natural habitat:  all golden sunshine with deep, mysterious shadows.  She's a remarkably beautiful woman, and I am blessed to know her.

Pratt-Rann Retro-Vintage Engagement Session -- Fort Payne Alabama Fine Art Portrait Photographer

Photographing Anna is always a treat.  Not only is she gorgeous -- all feminine curves and stunning blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty -- but she's fun.  And Kind.  And sassy and sweet and pretty much all things wonderful about a human being.

Josh is one lucky man.  And he knows it.  Seeing a fella as smitten with his fiancée as Josh is with Anna... well, theirs is a fantastic marriage just waiting to happen!  (Lucky for me, I get to photograph their wedding this coming May -- I can't wait!  *squee*)

Oh, and have I mentioned these two have style?  We're talking a classic, classy, retro-vintage vibe that evokes a 1950's flair the likes of which Frank Sinatra wishes he could have capitalized on.  These two were born just a few decades too late -- but I won't complain.  I'm so thankful I was privileged to photograph their engagement session, located at Big Mill Co. Artisans & Antiques in Fort Payne, Alabama -- replete with Harley Davidson, victory curls, and sexy red lipstick.  ;)

If you're looking for a photographer to celebrate your special relationship -- your engagement, upcoming wedding, or an anniversary -- I specialize in portraiture for couples.  Check out my Connection Sessions!  And when you're ready to book, give me a ring.  I'd love to work with you to plan truly unique photography for the ages!

Let's chat!

Autumn's Journey -- Huntsville Alabama Portrait Photography HerStory

Autumn is my friend.  She's been my friend for ages and ages.  We played together as children, then when we both grew up a bit we played together as college students, working side-by-side as interns for our church's youth program.  Through the years we've drifted in and out of each others' lives, never straying very far from our shared history and soul sisterhood.

Autumn is now a newly single mom to the most wonderful little boy.  I watched from afar with such joy when she was made a mother.  And I wept for her when her marriage crumbled.  I could say so much about this strong, gentle, and wise woman, but I wanted her to speak for herself.  So here are Autumn's words -- such rich, beautiful words:

"My journey... I was actually just telling my therapist yesterday I can see where I've been and how far I have come.  I feel the strength in that.  But so much of my identity was tied to being a wife that I don't know who I am anymore.  So when I lost that I lost everything I thought I was."

"All I ever wanted was to be married and have a family.  I remember telling my friends after the adoption, if something happened to me, they should know I died happy [because] I finally had everything I ever wanted.  [Eight] months later it all fell apart.  I still have a family but not a family in the traditional sense."

"Single mom is what I use to describe myself now.  And it's sad and depressing some days no matter how far you come.  But I get to find out who I am.  It's been hidden for years. I can't even tell you my favorite color other than soft pink."

"If where I've been helps someone else see that in this moment, it isn't the end of the world, then sharing my story was worth it.  It hurts.  Some days it hurts to breathe.  Some days you literally have to get through 1 minute at a time."

"But today, three years later, I KNOW I'm in a better place.  I KNOW God has something amazing planned for me that I just can't see yet.  I KNOW that life goes on.

"[I want] my story [to] encourage someone else.  I'm not a saint.  I'm not amazing. I simply made it to the other side -- and we have to do that together."

Scott Family -- Huntsville Alabama Documentary Lifestyle Photographer

I am always so amazed -- so humbled -- when a family invites me into their holy space.  To watch their bond be woven before me, to see the life in eyes and witness laughter like sparkles on the air.  This is the most beautiful, most magical thing, and I feel so honored to be allowed to capture it for them, forever, through a Magical Mundane session.

I couldn't have been more thrilled to meet the Scott family.  Genuinely warm and relaxed, I could tell right away that their home was one full of love and laughter, filled as it was with games, casual meals together, and music.  Not only are Lee and Lindsey a most beautiful couple, they clearly parent their daughters with extreme love and care.  Even their handsome puppy, Leo, was a welcome delight, loving on his little girls with protective sweetness -- such a gift to be in the midst of.

Would you like to capture your own family's just as they are, that perfect blend of fierce love and gorgeous joy?  I'd love to create for you a photographic time-capsule, something you can enjoy and look back on, in years come, as a warm and happy memory.  Reach out and we'll plan the perfect time together, to make memories that last through generations.