Dana Point Baby Photographer || Friday Playdates
A while back I talked on Instagram about feeling isolated. It’s hard for me to feel so vulnerable on social media but the feedback I got made me feel so good. It was a resounding YES from so many mamas.
Isolated in motherhood is hard enough but add in isolation from entrepreneurship and it’s just hard guys. I feel like the last 6 years, I’ve just spent hustling so hard to grow my business to where I am today that I never had time to realize how isolated I feel. Now that kids are older, my business is strong but steady and I feel very in control of it. That allows me the time to venture out, after all thats why I’ve spent so long building this up, so that I can learn to relax and spend more time laughing rather than in front of my computer.
Now I crave adult conversation, girls trips and book clubs. Maybe I’m just getting old too! 😬 When so many mamas DM’d me after my isolation conversation, I saw the need for weekly meetups for all of us, not just me. The need for adult conversation, new friends, new shoulders to cry on and faces to meet. So I started Friday Playdates!
Every Friday I plan a playdate at some park around Orange County. So far we’ve done Dana Point, San Clemente, Dana Point Harbor, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Beach. Each week we’ll switch the location and the time so mamas from all over OC can come. Invite anyone you know, the more the merrier!
This week’s playdate will be Friday 2/28 at 9am at Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point (gorgeous views of the harbor too!) If you’d like to be added to my text message list, email me your phone number. I send out a text on Thursday with all the details.
Hope to see you soon!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Family Photographer || Why I am super picky with our own family photos.
Last week I confirmed our involvement in a model call with my absolute favorite photographer of all time. Like for real. I did a happy dance in my bathroom when it finally all worked out! So excited you guys! Katie of Katielamb.com is not only adorable but her images are like magic! They sparkle and offer the bright and vibrant look I love!
We don’t have our family photos done very often and I’ll explain why! First of all, you have to understand I love family photos and we take selfies ALLLLL the time! But selfies aren’t for our walls, selfies aren’t for Christmas cards, selfies are for our own enjoyment and we love to look at them… on our phones. I want wall art. I want big gorgeous albums.
My family does NOT enjoy family photos, my hubby complains big time, the boys grumble and whine, Poppy usually yells (that’s normal though 😉). That means when we do commit to family photos, I am going to be 1000% confident in the photographer I choose. I’ve had hundreds of newbie photographers offer to take our photos for free and honestly I just can’t. I can’t put my family through that type of stress and drama for mediocre photos or even beautiful photos. If they’re not my style, meaning I won’t print them for my walls, I’m not doing it even for free.
You should be that picky too! Be 1000% confident with the photographer you choose, make sure they’re honest, reliable, and that you’ve seen entire galleries (not just their curated Instagram feed). I’m always happy to send you out entire galleries for any given session, just ask!
Anyways as I’m getting ready for our family photos it just made me want to yell that from the rooftops. I sincerely hope that each client I have is this excited to book with me. I hope they dream about our session and I hope are equally in love with their outcome!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session. I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Studio Kids Session || Valentine's Sessions
I used to offer a full day of mini sessions for Valentine’s Day but the last couple years I’ve started offering less and less mini sessions. As much as mamas love mini sessions, I don’t feel like they give clients an accurate representation of the experience I offer. It’s also such a short session that sometimes it doens’t work out well for fussy kiddos.
That all said… I have clients who still love the themed sessions so without much ado I sneak in a few studio sessions and specialize them for the holiday. If you’re ever interested, feel free to email me. The session is always about you and your dreams and I’m happy to accommodate any look.
These are a few of my favorites from our Valentines Studio Sessions in February.
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
San Juan Capistrano Newborn Session || Skylar June Newborn
These beautiful people are family related to some long time clients of mine. Is there anything better than getting to photograph the whole dang family, like the biggest compliment ever!
I photographed Jamie’s maternity session in Carlsbad on the sand and honestly I was super nervous. She had mentioned how she didn’t like her previous photographers work so obviously I scoured her Instagram and found the session. It looked good to me and I’m thinking, that photographer is probably better than me. Well that kind of talk isn’t doing me any favors and obviously she trusted me so I just need to get behind that confidence and go with it. Sometimes its hard to feel you’re good at something, I always pick out my weaknesses and focus on them. I’m working on that this year, working on trusting myself and the years of practice and perfection I’ve strived for. I’m working on listening to my gut and going with the choices I feel are right versus what I think everyone else wants to see.
And guess what Jamie loved her maternity session and loved her newborn session even more so I guess I’m doing something right! Also look at that last image, big brothers face is just tooooo cute!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Family Photography || K Family on the Bluffs
I met Britney through Instagram and on my goodness, her little family is the cutest thing ever! I first photographed her for her sweet Selah’s newborn session at their San Juan Capistrano home. Talk about goals, guys! Their house is perfect, their love is perfect, Selah is perfect, it’s alllll just so good! I was lucky enough to have them in the studio for Selah’s 3 month session for a little motherhood session and it was 🙌🏼. For the holidays and Selah’s 6 month session, we chose to do outside in this gorgeous bluff overlooking the Pacific ocean. The view here is sooooo good!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session. I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours! xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Baby Studio Session || Poppy's Little Valentine
This girl! Guys, she is a ham. She also hates the camera and I totally bribe her. Cookies, m&ms, treat, I’ll try anything and I still get dirty looks half the time. It’s fiiiiine right!
This shoot was a test shoot for my Valentine’s sessions I’m hosting this weekend. These were very very limited offerings but if you’re interested in booking a similar session you can always book a full session and we can recreate this look.
Part of the reason so many mamas love having a session with me is I understand kids and I understand that sitting still and smiling is not fun for them. That means we make sessions fun and silly. Poppy was totally over this session but we made it fun by throwing the flowers at me and moving around a lot. Simple easy tricks like that end up with better images and happier babies. Win-win for mama!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session. I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours! xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Maternity Photography || Rachel's Intimate Maternity in Studio
I met Rachel a few years ago, I believe through the New Mom School but it could’ve been through a contest I offered. I have a terrible memory but it doesn’t matter, we instantly clicked and she is just the sweetest most honest person ever. I was thrilled to have her in the studio with her beautiful bump. Our vision for this studio maternity session was dreamy, romantic and intimate. Rachel is wearing wardrobe from my client collection which is available for any session with me.
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session. I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours! xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Newborn Photographer || Mackenzie & Jack in the Studio
I’ve been lucky enough to do a couple sessions for this gorgeous mama and her sweet daughter Mackenzie and I was thrilled when she took advantage of my birthday special and brought her newest edition Jack into the studio too! Jack was 4 weeks so he was pretty alert and Mackenzie is such a sweet little mama, she just wanted to swaddle him and kiss him the whole time! They are going to be the cutest siblings and so close as Jack gets older! How adorable is this little duo?!
This might be my favorite, look at that face!! She just wants to snugggggglllllleeeeeee! 😂
And this one will be entered into competitions around the world…. Seriously! Obsessed with this one!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session. I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel