north louisiana newborn photographer
Declan - Quarantine Babies - Shreveport Newborn Photographer, Leslie Whitaker Photography-
Morgan, Dakota and Declan are such a beautiful family! Declan is a perfect little boy with an olive tone complexion and what look to be blue eyes. On the day of his session he was a complete gentleman and went right to sleep once I swaddled him! He was six weeks old the day of our session, and chunky already. I love working with older newborns, I find that they actually do better than most younger babies and settle into positions with less fuss. I’ve already gotten to see Declan and his parents again, at the sunflower fields - but read below to hear more about Morgan’s final weeks of pregnancy, their session from her perspective and how Covid-19 affected her and her family during Declan’s birth, before and after.
Covid-19 has changed many of the ways we live our life. I'd love to hear from you how it has directly affected your pregnancy. Do you feel like you've missed out on anything during your pregnancy with Declan that you looking forward to? Do you recall any emotional differences related to the changes you faced towards the end of your pregnancy or postpartum experience?
Luckily, I was well into my 3rd trimester before Covid-19 related restrictions set in, but my husband wasn't able to attend my last few doctor's appointments. We even ended up going to a different hospital for Declan's birth because my original hospital was only going to allow my husband to stay for the "Golden Hour" before being asked to leave while I stayed another 48 hours. It was very stressful to think that my husband wouldn't be with me or be able to spend the first couple days with his first newborn. I definitely cried in the doctor's office when I found that out, but thankfully it all worked out.
How was your hospital stay? Do you recall any differences in what you had imagined your birth experience to be like? How did those differences make you feel?
So, we solved the problem of my husband not being able to be with me, but there was no getting past the 1 visitor rule! Our family had to wait until we were all home. It was definitely much different than I imagined. Part of me is very thankful that it was quiet and my husband could spend that time meeting our new little one, but it also would have been great to have family there for extra support and to meet their first grand baby.
Where was Declan born and at how many weeks gestation? How old was your baby on the date of his newborn session?
Declan was born at Willis Knighton in Bossier and was 40 weeks (born 1 day before his due date)! He was 6 weeks during our session.
What were you nervous about going into your session?
I wasn't worried about much. I had heard great things about Leslie, but with Covid-19 still lingering in our community, I did feel a little anxious about the possibility of exposing him to anything.
What was your favorite part of your newborn session experience?
It was very relaxed! Leslie was great & coached us non-models into family positions that made for such sweet photos.
How do you feel now that you have completed your newborn session and received your images?
Great! Wouldn't change it for the world. The pictures are beautiful and are a wonderful presentation of us as a new family.
Would you recommend Leslie to other parents looking to document their newborn with a professional newborn photographer? Why would you recommend Leslie as a photographer in Shreveport, Louisiana?
Of course, Leslie has a fantastic selection of props to use. She's very personable and easy-going. Plus her editing skills are A++. Can't wait to get more pictures made with her in the future!
Charli - Quarantine Babies - Shreveport Newborn Photographer - Leslie Whitaker Photography
Covid-19 has changed many of the ways we live our life. I'd love to hear from you how it has directly affected your pregnancy. Do you feel like you've missed out on anything during your pregnancy with Charli that you got to do during your previous pregnancies? Do you recall any emotional differences related to the changes you faced towards the end of your pregnancy?
The Covid shut down started during a very important time in my pregnancy. I had just entered my third trimester and was looking forward to all the things I got to do with my two boys. I was going to do a 4d ultrasound, make a heart beat bear, have my baby shower, and take maternity pictures. Covid unfortunately ruined all of those plans. Because of the shutdown my husband's casino closed and we went from one income to no income. At that point we had to prioritize where our money went and had to follow a strict budget. The 4d ultrasound, heart beat bear, and maternity session did not fit into our budget anymore. I lost out on having my husband at my last ultrasound before the baby was born. I lost out on a regular baby shower. I will say what everyone came up with was wonderful though. In my third trimester I was an emotional wreck. I was anxious about going into labor. Since my children were out of school I was taking care of three rowdy boys and my daughter. I was a full time student as well. Teaching three school age children, cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and tons of snacks in between lol), going to school myself, and trying to keep up with my duties around the house was draining. Emotionally and physically. It also unknown how Covid affected pregnant women. If it could be transferred to the baby invitro or not. All of the what ifs made it impossible to not to constantly worry. Sleep was out of the question. All in all my quarantine pregnancy was more stressful and caused more anxiety and possible depression. I started to doubt if I could handle having a newborn and continue doing all I was for my other children. I started to doubt my ability as a mother and a wife. It was difficult not having a support system and knowing I was stuck in quarantine.
How was your hospital stay? Do you recall any differences in processes, how you were treated, etc. compared to your previous birth experiences? How did those differences make you feel?
When we arrived at the hospital we had to answer questions like had we been out of the state, have we been in contact with anyone sick, and do we feel sick. They then took our temperatures and called the labor and delivery nurses. When the nurses came down and escorted us upstairs there was no leaving after that. My husband was not allowed to leave for snacks, drinks, or anything of any sort. If he did he was not allowed back in. The nurses that tended to me all wore masks and didn't come in the room very often. If I needed something I had to call for them which was much different than what I was used to. With both of my boys I was surrounded by nurses constantly. Waking me up in the middle of the night, a lactation assistant coming in, the nursery nurses checking on the baby, etc. When i had Charli, she never left the room. They didn't take her to the nursery to bath her. She stayed with me 24/7.
Where was Charli born and at how many weeks gestation? How old was your baby on the date of her session?
Charli was born at Willis Knighton Bossier at 39 weeks. I was induced. On the date of her session she was a month old!
What were you nervous about going into your session?
Going in to the session I was just glad to be out of the house. It was the first time (other than going to the hospital) that I had been out of the house since quarantine began. Other than dr appointments.
What was your favorite part of your session experience?
My favorite part was getting to see Charli dressed up. Also getting to talk and connect with another adult and awesome photographer. You were so wonderful with Charli!!
How do you feel now that you have completed your session and received your images?
I feel good knowing that our experience was documented. That I can show her when she is older. I am also excited that I can tell my story to hopefully help out other moms who are going through what we did and give them some peace in knowing that everything will be okay!
Would you recommend Leslie to other parents looking to document their newborn? Why would you recommend Leslie?
Of course I would recommend Leslie to everyone! I love her work and she was so gentle and wonderful with Charli. She has definitely found her calling in photography!
Ashley // Shreveport Maternity Photographer // Leslie Whitaker Photography
Ashley is such a joy to work with. We chatted for months before her maternity session, and just like most first time Moms she was worried about ALL the things. On the day of her session Ashley and Nicole first met with my on staff makeup artist, Dana. Dana spent about an hour with Ashley at the studio making sure that she loved her look and then Ashley and Nicole drove to meet me at my bayou, in North Bossier.
The bayou is lined with Pecan trees, and can look completely different from one session to the next. Sometimes the grass is tall, sometimes its just be cut. Sometimes the bayou water is high, and sometimes (like during Ashley’s fall session) the water was low and we got to see all the cypress knees. I just love it there.
Ashley pops in all the photographs I take of her, but she looks especially beautiful in red. You can tell by the first photo below, that she believed she was beautiful this day. Ash brought her own jewelry, her Mama made sure of that, and I provided the gown ( and wiiiiiiings). I just love how Nicole gazes at Ashley, you can’t just about FEEL the love radiating in the photographs below.
Shreveport, Louisiana Maternity Photographer // Rhonda's Maternity Session
Covid-19 has changed many of the ways we live our life. I'd love to hear from you how it has directly affected your pregnancy. Do you feel like you've missed out on anything? How are you feeling emotionally? Etc.
I do feel like it has impacted my pregnancy. Not being able to get together with family and friends. Not being able to have my husband at the doctor appointments and not being able to have my other children at the hospital when we bring our daughter into the world. It saddens me really. I feel like I have missed out on a lot of moments that I was able to capture in my previous pregnancies. Breaks my heart really. Moments that I will never experience again as this is my last child. Having Leslie do my maternity shoot definitely took some sting away. Helped me feel more normal outside of the Covid-19.
What were you nervous about going into your session?
I don't recall being nervous. I was excited to be able to have the opportunity to have the pictures done during this covid-19 pandemic.
What was your favorite part of your session experience?
The way I felt so comfortable. Just talking and feeling like I wasn't just a stranger I’d just met.
How do you feel now that you have completed your session and received your images?
I feel even more beautiful than I did before.
Would you recommend Leslie to other ladies looking to book a maternity session? Why?
Absolutely! Leslie is very laid-back and gentle. Most photographers seem demanding but she was soft spoken and just overall gentle.
So many parts of life have been impacted, and I know that my way of thinking has changed a lot. A certain level of fear is healthy, enough to keep you safe. Sometimes you need to leave the fear in the background and enjoy your season of life. I’m happy to have been able to give Rhonda a sense of normalcy as she gets ready to welcome Presley into her sweet family. I can’t wait to get to capture this beautiful baby girl as she grows.
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Jacie is "berry sweet" // Shreveport First Birthday Photographer // Leslie Whitaker Photography
Why did you choose Leslie to capture your child's first birthday portraits?
After looking at her work, I loved the white background! It focused more on my child, Jacie, than an actual themed background.
Were you nervous about anything going into your child's session? Please explain.
I was nervous because my child always seems to be sleepy or cranky when it’s time for pictures.
What was your favorite part of the session experience?
My favorite part had to be trying to get her to eat the cake and strawberries. Although, she gave us a hard time (inserts eye roll). Leslie was very patient and you could tell she had experience dealing with children my daughter’s age.
How do you feel now that you have completed your session and received your images?
I feel great! I just knew none of her pictures were going to be good. She got some great shots of Jacie.
Would you recommend Leslie to other parents looking to book a first birthday session for their child? Why?
Yes! Highly recommend. She definitely has experience with dealing with children and her patience is just unheard of! She’s very professional and answers in a timely manner, always!
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A Newborn Session - Elianna - Shreveport Newborn Photographer
Elainna is my first baby in my transition to baby lead newborn sessions. I call them, ‘Simply Baby by Leslie’. I find a particular beauty in stepping back from the distraction of a multitude of color and props in newborn photos. To me, at the end of it all you want to remember every single wrinkle, that funny face they made when they were mad, or even something as simple as the way they stretch. You won’t remember it if you don’t have photos of it, and those photos should be beautiful.
Most of us take a bajillion photos on our phones, but how many of us print those photos out? Not many, and if you do - rock on you bada** Mama. Maybe you do that, and you want some bomb professional newborn photos of your baby too. That’s where I come in. I really take care of it all.
If parents want to be in the photos, I offer a complimentary hair and makeup session for Mama! Because, let’s be honest… you are tired. So, I’ll take that part off your plate. :) Siblings, they’re welcome too. We’ll even do their photos first, so that they can go with Grandma to get some ice-cream and meet you at home later.
Now, read on about how Jordan felt before, during and after Elianna’s session…. and then book your sweet baby’s session next.
-Leslie
What made you choose Leslie for your recent newborn session?
I had first looked into her for maternity photos when I was pregnant, as I had seen her work from mutual friends on Facebook. Unfortunately, I saw on her page that she was on maternity leave during the time frame I’d need to capture my belly. So when it came time for newborn pictures of my sweet baby, I knew exactly where to start!
What were you nervous about going into your newborn session?
I was so worried that my little stinker would be uncooperative, as she was a bit colicky at the time (turns out it was a pretty serious stomach condition causing the fuss). I’m also a first time, self-proclaimed ‘helicopter mom’ and was anxious about a virtual stranger handling my baby.
What was your favorite part of your newborn session experience?
Leslie was so professional and warm at the same time! She knew exactly what to do to keep my baby calm and cooperative- even when she got fussy, and peed on one of the outfit wraps! It was so nice to be able to just relax and gush about how cute my baby looked.
How do you feel now that you have completed your session and received your images?
I am 100% confident in my choice of photographer. The images were absolutely beautiful and everyone loves them!
Would you recommend Leslie to other families looking for a newborn photographer in Louisiana? Why?
Yes! The expertise and flexibility she brings is absolutely essential in a newborn photographer, and her work is incredible. Everyone looking to document their baby’s precious moments with total peace of mind should look to Leslie!
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