A gorgeous, autumn-hued evening with the Sink Family | Charlottesville Family Photographer9/18/2019 While we wait for their stunning heirloom album and matted prints to arrive, I couldn't resist sharing some highlights from the Sink family's lovely session. I knew their images would be gorgeous (cute family + amazing style + all the love), but I didn't expect our 88-degree, early-September session to look like such an autumn dream. The leaves around us had already crisped and fallen, and the glowy sunset had cast the trees in the background the perfect shade of golden yellow. I love when Mother Nature pulls through for me! It was such an honor to spend time with this family and witness just how much they adore their sweet, beautiful girl (who, by the way, was SO sweet during our session, even though it was past her bedtime!). Rose and Caley, thank you so much for trusting me to document this moment in your lives and create an album worthy to pass down to your daughter one day. Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity fine art photographer in Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photography that tells "the story of you" for generations. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
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The Saul Family: A Dreamy Summer Session at Carvins Cove | Charlottesville Family Photographer6/30/2019 Cotton-candy skies, rippling blue water, and the most fun family of four — if I were ever to dream about photographing a session, I know this is what it would look like. Admittedly, it's been a while since I've photographed a family with older children. But it was such a refreshing change of pace. Families go through so many stages, and lately it feels like the newborn and baby stages are the only ones that get professionally photographed. I'm so happy that Brooke and Adam chose to treasure and document this stage in their lives — I mean, when else will a teenage boy spend a Saturday evening giving hugs and kisses to his momma?! (Just kidding — Kaiden was very sweet about it, and it melted my boy-mom heart.) My favorite part about my time with the Saul family, though, was actually a few weeks after their session, when I delivered their gorgeous print art — a Glass Memory Box with prints and a Linen Folio displaying three of their favorite photos. They were just finishing up a birthday celebration, and had several guests over. Watching them open each piece and share their photos with their family was an absolute joy and 100 percent the reason why I do what I do. Brooke and Adam, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your beautiful family. It was an honor. Most important, though, thank you for being yourselves around me (and for sticking your feet into the water illegally with me). You guys are the best! Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity fine art photographer serving Charlottesville and Roanoke, Virginia. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photography that tells "the story of you" for generations. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
When I first approached Lee Robison, owner of the Golden Shoestring in Roanoke, about collaborating, I had lots of ideas running through my head. But I was most excited about the possibility of a styled shoot. I was eager to feature some pieces from the store's curated selection of high-end consignment clothing, and show off how beautiful they can look in a relaxed photo session. I had so much fun shopping the store and picking out the embroidered top (TINY by Anthropologie), embroidered dress (Umgee), and sandals (Talbots). My model JoAnn looked amazing in everything! When I met with JoAnn before the session, I told her that in addition to featuring some great clothes, I also wanted the images to really reflect the relationship she has with her daughter. I wanted her to be able to look at the photos years from now and hear her daughter's sweet giggle and feel the warmth of her hugs and kisses. I'm proud to say we accomplished just that! I absolutely loved getting to watch them laugh and play. JoAnn and Lee — thank you both so much for spending time with me and helping me create some magic! Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity fine art photographer serving Charlottesville and the Roanoke Valley in Virginia. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photography that tells "the story of you" for generations. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
The Newcomb Family's at-home family newborn session | Charlottesville Newborn Photographer5/13/2019 There are so many things that make me smile about this at-home newborn session. First, the family dynamic. I love when older siblings are very involved. It really does provide a complete family picture. When I look through these photos, I see moments that will be so treasured decades and generations from now — by both brothers. Second, baby's facial expressions. They're incredible! He has such a deep stare, and his eyes already tell a story. He was such an active part of his session, and I absolutely love it (that may sound weird, but once you look at the highlights, you'll see what I mean!). Third, I see a lot of personal and artistic growth. Of course, I grow with every session, but for this one, I had recently invested in a wider lens, in the hopes that it would help me better tell my clients' stories. And it has. As I made photos during this session, I finally felt like my images could breathe. The Newcombs chose to preserve their newborn session images in a Handmade Glass Memory Box, which is delicately engraved with their son's name and birth date. It's a stunning heirloom that also stores newborn keepsakes, like the hospital hat, bracelet, and notes from loved ones. Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity fine art photographer serving Charlottesville and Roanoke, Virginia. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photography that tells "the story of you" for generations. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
I always worry a little that outdoor winter sessions will look kind of bland or that my clients will look cold in their photos. This was not one of those winter sessions. We lucked out on a gorgeous winter evening, with warmer temperatures and the most magical sunset glow. Our little spot just off the Roanoke Greenway was the perfect backdrop for laughing, spinning around, jumping and playing. I have so many favorites from this family maternity session — like momma's stunning maternity portraits — but I think I'm most drawn to the images of their sweet little boy, who's soon to be a great big brother. These images radiate everything that is good and simple about childhood, like the joy of a favorite stuffed animal, stomping in the mud, and playing with your mom and dad. I'm so excited to share these highlights — but I'm even more excited about documenting their new baby soon! Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity photographer serving Charlottesville and the Roanoke Valley. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photographer that tells "the story of you" for decades. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
I can feel it — 2019 is going to be LRP's best year yet. But you know what would make it even better? If I could cross off everything on my photography wish list! Do you know anyone who would be interested in one of the five sessions below? 1. Family documentary sessionsI'm a journalist at heart, so I have such a passion for documentary photography. For me, there's nothing more exhilarating than turning everyday moments with my family into storytelling photographs. Each one is like a small love letter to your children and grandchildren. Whenever I document my own family, I always think these will be some of Tucker's favorite photos one day. 2. An at-home maternity sessionMy husband and I did this for our own maternity session in 2017, and I absolutely love the story they tell. We snuggled on the couch and on our porch swing, read books in our son's nursery and laughed a lot. It was so us, and I would love to give that experience to someone else. 3. More Fresh 48 sessionsWhat could be better than having your hours-old baby documented in the place you brought them into the world? Not much! These documentary hospital sessions are just the sweetest, and I need more of them in 2019! 4. Anniversary sessionsWill you or your parents be celebrating a milestone anniversary this year? Chances are, they haven't been professionally photographed as a couple since their wedding! They'll love the experience of creating new memories together — as well as having beautiful, tangible artwork from their session that they can pass down to you one day. 5. A lifestyle product sessionKnow anyone who makes or sells something beautiful? I would love to help a fellow local business owner create imagery and art for their store! Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity photographer serving the Roanoke Valley. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photographer that tells "the story of you" for decades. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
Storytelling has always been a huge part of my life. I pored over journalism and photojournalism in high school and college. I used photographs, interviews and my own memories to tell a story of my dad after his death in 2010. I shared the stories of more than 50 men and women living at the Roanoke Rescue Mission in 2014. And now, I use my experience, skill and creativity to document my own family — our little, in-between moments that often slip by unnoticed. I've been doing this since the day we brought Tucker home, of course, but every so often, I become very intentional about it, documenting for several hours throughout a given day. Below are a few of those days. I get so much joy out of turning small moments into cherished art. Together, these memories tell a meaningful story of how we lived and loved — in many ways, they're little love letters we leave behind to our children and grandchildren. Stories come in all shapes and sizes, and I feel so honored for every one I get to tell. If you are interested in a family documentary session — and turning those images into heirloom art — please email me! Tuesday, Jan. 8It was an unusually warm evening in January, about 65 degrees. With Tucker's new ball and my camera in tow, we headed to the park. He swung, ran, climbed, explored. Capturing his newfound little-boyhood is so fun for me. Every time I turn around, he's doing something I didn't know he could do. It's hard to let go a little, but always worth it in the end. Sunday, Dec. 9Our first snow day of the season. Tucker was so amazed when Tyler held him up to look out the window that morning. The first part of the day was slow — breakfast, playing, TV. Then we bundled up and headed outside, where the snow was still coming down hard. It took Tucker a few minutes to get used to the snow, and it was too deep for him to walk around — but he did love picking it up! Afterward, we took our cold, red faces inside to warm up and nap. Sunday, Dec. 2An afternoon at the Virginia Transportation Museum. I love capturing Tucker's joy over experiences adults take for granted. Friday, Oct. 19A quick golden-hour dinner at the Roanoke Weiner Stand, a little boy who didn't want to get into his car seat, and a bedtime routine with Dad. It's simple evenings like this that I don't ever want to forget. Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity photographer serving the Roanoke Valley. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photographer that tells "the story of you" for decades. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
This year was monumental for Laura Richards Photography. I created my best images yet. I took a leap of faith that continues to be so rewarding. I had dozens of loving, fun families come into my life and trust me with their beautiful stories. So to celebrate, I'm going to spend the next few weeks sharing my favorite session images. I've broken them down into three categories: Outdoor Family, Maternity, and Newborn. First up, my amazing family clients! This session marked little Emma's first birthday and was complete with homemade cake (which her dog loved as well). See more highlights from the Shelton Family here. Kristie is a fellow photographer, and she and I did a session swap this year. See more highlights from the McCallum's Carvins Cove session here. The Kincer session celebrated baby E turning 1! See more highlights from their Roanoke Greenway & Blue Cow Ice Cream session here. The Shockley family did two lifestyle sessions with me this summer at their little "oasis" in New Castle, Virginia. See more highlights here. Had to sneak my own family photo in here, too. Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity photographer serving the Roanoke Valley. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photographer that tells "the story of you" for decades. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
I recently heard a fellow photographer say, "Storytelling photography is giving a gift to your family they don't even know they need." As soon as I heard that, I thought of these two sessions, shot in June and July at my client's "forever home" in New Castle, Virginia. Now, while I try to make sure all my sessions tell a story and capture their season of life, these particular sessions take that to another level. They are a true depiction of life at their home, their adventurous little boy and three generations of love. For our first session, I knew they were a little nervous about having a photographer in their home. Anyone would be. But by the time we headed outside to their beautiful little creek oasis, I think everyone felt more comfortable. This family is definitely in their element when they're outside! They're so present, and that's so refreshing to see. For our second documentary session, Jackie's dad, sister and niece were in town. I loved this opportunity to capture a different family dynamic, and I especially love the little moments between Bowman and his grandpa. Jackie, thank you so much for inviting me into your home — and your life — and trusting me to capture beautiful, real moments. Thank you for understanding that the small moments are actually the big ones. Thank you for being such a kind, wonderful person and momma! ”Our pictures are perfect. A true reflection of our life. A handful of moments and beautiful memories to last a lifetime. I just cannot get enough of these pictures! I keep finding myself looking at them over and over again, finding little details in each of them that I adore. They truly tell a story of us, little moments that we share with each other every single day that are really the core of life.” Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity photographer serving the Roanoke Valley. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photographer that tells "the story of you" for decades. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.
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Hello!Welcome to the blog! I'm Laura, a Charlottesville-area photographer specializing in authentic, natural-light photography and heirloom print art. Hope you'll explore my little online home and reach out if you have any questions! Archives
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