Lauren Bee

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.

Filtering by Tag: Scottsboro lifestyle photographer

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.


Falling For The Freyenhagens -- Huntsville & Hampton Cove Alabama Family Lifestyle Photographer

I really love the Freyenhagens -- and you will too, once you peruse through their delightful family photos, taken at Huntsville's own Hayes Nature Preserve in the Owens Crossroads/Hampton Cove area.  Not only are they a crew of fun-loving goofballs, they really, really love each other.  I'm talking tight-knit family love of the supreme kind.  This is a bunch of uber delicious saps, and I wanna stick 'em in my pocket and take them everywhere with me!

Okay, that was a little over the top, I know.  But seriously, this family, y'all.  I mean just look at them smile and laugh and have a wonderful time together!

This little mister is his daddy made over!

This little mister is his daddy made over!

The Autumn color in Huntsville, Alabama was absolute perfection!

The Autumn color in Huntsville, Alabama was absolute perfection!

Leaves hold endless fascination apparently

Leaves hold endless fascination apparently

These two were so much fun -- and clearly smitten with each other.

These two were so much fun -- and clearly smitten with each other.

I'm a sucker for daddy-daughter photographs.

I'm a sucker for daddy-daughter photographs.

This mommy and son bond.... I can't even take it.  So precious.

This mommy and son bond.... I can't even take it.  So precious.

Want to book your very own family lifestyle photography session?  I'd love to see you in the Spring -- or Fall!  I'd love to hear from you -- let's plan your very special moment as a family.

Scottsboro & Huntsville AL Fine Art Portrait Photographer - "With Brave Wings She Flies"

Meet Jan: a brave, beautiful woman with a heart for God and for people.  Jan lost her husband a little over a year ago, and as with any loss, the grieving process has been an uphill climb.  But climb she does, and with such strength, reaching out as she does to other widows and souls experiencing unimaginable pain.

Jan requested a celebratory photography session for herself and for her daughter, Maria -- and I was so pleased she came to me.  The lighting was beautiful, the two women were gorgeous, and the Autumn air couldn't have been more perfect, there at the overlook in Section, Alabama.  Mother and daughter talked to me of heart things, shared their ups and downs, and enjoyed the discovery of common interests (traveling to Ireland and India -- and Doctor Who).  In between clicks of my shutter, we spoke of books, of faith, and I believe cake was also mentioned.  I know I had a lovely time photographing these two stunning ladies, and I couldn't be more pleased with the end result:  fine art portraiture highlighting love, light, and a feminine spirit.

Maria's ink is the loveliest thing:  a sweet message in her dad's handwriting.

Maria's ink is the loveliest thing:  a sweet message in her dad's handwriting.

The love they share was so apparent.  Jan is obviously an amazing mother -- and Maria is a pretty terrific daughter.

The love they share was so apparent.  Jan is obviously an amazing mother -- and Maria is a pretty terrific daughter.

Isn't Jan's watercolor tattoo the most gorgeous thing?

Isn't Jan's watercolor tattoo the most gorgeous thing?

"With brave wings, she flies."

"With brave wings, she flies."

Let Them Eat Cake, in Fort Payne AL -- Scottsboro Alabama Adult Cake Smash Photographer

Amanda needed the release of celebration -- and her 40th birthday seemed the most perfect reason to do just that.  

Amanda has had a rich life -- full of extreme highs and devastating lows.  "My oldest daughter, Marlowe, was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome when she was 4 yrs old," she writes.  "Sanfilippo is a very rare genetic disorder caused by a missing enzyme.  As a younger child, she was very, very active, but as the disease progressed, she lost her ability to speak and walk and spent her last 7 years of life confined to a wheelchair and dependent on a feeding tube. 

"My husband, David, and I met when Marlowe was about 14;  he's the only dad she ever had.  I had been divorced for over 10 yrs, after a brief marriage, and didn't care if I ever remarried.  We met because his youngest son has Gaucher, the same type of enzyme deficiency, just a different enzyme ... David and I married in May 2008, and combined had 4 teenagers in the house. Can you say hormone heaven?

"When David and I married, I decided to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, so in my insanity chose to go to nursing school, and graduated in May 2012. 

"For Marlowe's 17th birthday I wrote her a poem, because I had a verse given to me: 'you are a precious caterpillar, wrapped in a sweet cocoon, who'll emerge a beautiful butterfly in Heaven way too soon'.  

"The words 'sweet cocoon' stayed stuck in my head for a solid year, until in the Spring of 2012, when God told me that The Sweet Cocoon was supposed to be a house, and I'm supposed to build it.  My first thought was, 'great I don't have anything else to do!'.  I was in my final semester of nursing school, terminally ill child at home that was in and out of the hospital, three other teenagers at home, continuing to work while in school, and a husband that was working multiple jobs to keep the bills paid so I could finish school.

"I graduated in May, and in August, Marlowe was on a date with David and I.  We had dinner and then were at the drive inn in Centre, Alabama, when, as the movie was ending, Marlowe began having a seizure.  I gave emergency meds, though this was not her typical kind of seizure.  When the ambulance arrived she went into cardiac arrest.  We were flown via airplane to Scottish Rite in Atlanta where is was discovered that Marlowe had suffered a massive brain bleed.  God and I had played tug of war with this child for years and he knew that unless he did something quick, and left me with no other option, that I would continue to fight. 

"I knew it was time to let her go.  We gathered as a family and I told her nurse that when my pastor had finished praying to please turn all the machines off and unhook her from everything and just let me hold her.  Marlowe always had a way of doing things her way, and as our pastor said amen, Marlowe left.  Nothing had been turned off;  she took that decision away from me.  It was her way of saying, 'hey mom, I got this'.

"After her passing  The Sweet Cocoon was kicked into high gear.  We incorportated in October 2012, board of directors formed.  We are now a 501c3 nonprofit foundation and working hard to raise money to build The Sweet Cocoon.  Families that have disabled or seriously ill children, just seldom are able to catch their breath, much less relax.  They live in a constant state of exhaustion and stress, and I get it. Our home will be a respite and a retreat. We want our visiting families to feel like they are on a little vacation and be able to at least temporarily forget about their daily stresses.  The house has been designed, [and] we are hoping that within the next year to be able to purchase the property. "

Amanda's is a gut-wrenching story -- and very relatable for anyone who has experienced devastating loss.  But as grief begins to ebb away from the periphery of a human heart, one emerges from the cocoon and grasps the tendrils of life.  Amanda requested of me an Adult Cake Smash Photography Session and (with the help of the ever luscious Susie's Cupcakes), I aimed to please.  We talked of Heart Things, laughed at the Important Things, and created beautiful art together.  

Choosing joy is such a brave thing, and I couldn't be prouder of Amanda.

If you feel led to, please consider making a donation (HERE) to help the funding The Sweet Cocoon.  You can also find them on Facebook.