Sophia | tucson lifestyle newborn moments

{Sophia | Lifestyle Newborn Moments | Tucson, AZ | January 2013} I've titled this blog very intentionally: 'lifestyle newborn moments' :) Seriously. Newborn photography is NOT my forte. In fact, I have a grip of newborn photographers I am UBER eager to refer any expecting mom to (email me). Newborn photography is an incredibly fine art in and of itself. You know--the time, patience and intense fine skill and prep to nail those BOMB pinterest images that make mommies swoon all over the planet? Babies posing in perfect sleepy poses with heads propped in their hands or cuddled up in ball of perfection. Yup. Never gotten there. NEVER.

I called up my friend, Missy, yesterday  to  see if i could swing by and just capture a few moments of 'little-ness.' It wasn't fancy. I have no props. I haven't any fancy backdrops or monkey hats or cool fluffy pilllows perfect for these things. I just wanted to snatch a few moments in this stage of Sophia's first week where newness abounds. So with GPS in hand and a  bit o' dinner love in tow, I paid a visit. I hugged Drew & Missy, conversed a little with new-big-sister Emma, gushed over Sophia and snatch a few real moments with the family. (beat)  This whole welcoming-new-life into the world is intense. Motherhood is intense. The tiny-ness and abandonment of self is insane...crazy, crazy beautiful. (moment to weep a little inside my heart with how big of a deal these thoughts are) (anyways) Love you Montagues! Welcome Sophia!  | lkm 

Hodge Family | Tucson Sonoran Desert Gates Pass Portraits

{ Hodge Family | Tucson Sonoran Desert Gates Pass | Portraits | December 2012} Nikki charmed my socks off with her first facebook inquiry and when we met up at Gates Pass earlier this month, my sixth sense did not disappoint. This little family was a treat! I can't wait to meet and capture more memories with them when baby #2 arrives in February!  | lkm Dad was G R E A T with dex. Can you believe it? MOM was the one who specifically asked for a 'shot of dad throwing dex really really high in the air.' Most moms would have thrown up if you had only seen the ravine path we were on and the cactus Dex was flying over! some belly lovin i love this triptic... Thank you so much Hodge family!  Enjoy enjoy enjoy!! | lkm

Harry + Hilary | A (RAINY) Tucson Desert Engagement Session | Saguaro National Park

{Harry & Hilary | Dessert Engagement Session | Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ | Laura K Moore Wedding Photography} Harry & Hilary made me beam for a solid 2 hours. Granted, this was the wettest engagement session I have ever shot. BUT, I'm pretty sure it ranks up there with a favorite. From the backdrop they chose (saguaro national park) and the special little personal nuances they brought along with them...I'm pretty sure we nailed something special! they ride bikes in this park ALL the time...notice Harry on the right below? yea, that's him attempting to be serious...attempting.. notice the rain?? :D did i mention we got wet?? i love this one... and this one... i LOVE that point of complete abandonment. when i can step aside and a couple trusts enough and is comfortable enough...to just love each other. they laugh ALL. the. time.  Oh Harry & Hilary, you two were definitely a highlight for my weekend!  I hope you enjoy these moments captured as much as I have! | lkm

Amir + Maribel | Tucson Engagement Session | Wedding Photographer

 { Amir + Maribel | Tucson Engagement Session } These two have been a treat to shoot this past season in Tucson. We met at a bridal expo last April and since then, we've shot a 3-part engagement series that has me tickled pink to share!  My favorite thing about these two....how gentle and poised both of them are; so 'put-together'...refined...a constant sense of 'class' sorta oozes from both of them. And yet they hired me for their wedding because, (i quote) 'we had so much fun and need someone to bring out our fun side'. yes, ma'am! | lkm (note: this is one LARGE chunk of awesomeness for a single blog post. but i refuse to break it up into "sections"... :D i like the fact that they progressively got more and more comfortable each time we went out for a shoot, played, laughed, kissed....kissed some more... these two just 'fit' together :D){ Downtown - pt 1 }{Downtown - pt 2}Can't wait for wedding time Amir & Maribel! 10xs more awesomeness awaits us! :D | lkm

Neal + Connie | Modern Chic Downtown Tucson Engagement Session

 {Neal + Connie | Downtown Tucson Engagement Session | Tucson Wedding Photography} We made it to downtown promptly during Friday's rush hour and had to race a quickly setting sun amidst the war (cough) i mean, construction zone that is down there. Streets were closed, parking spots were packed (because apparently Tour De Tucson is a big deal), and I was getting a lil' nervous about finding a stellar backdrop and making it all 'work'...and then i caught myself--your focus is FIRST people, not places. I watched Neal & Connie respond and react, enjoy each other and laugh freely. We even made a grungy parking lot look like a light-pool filled with bougainvillea! Ta Da! (pause) (debating in my head wether to go that extra measure of disclosure....here goes...)

To be honest, I have never felt so disheveled before a photo session. I'm back from maternity leave and figuring life out -- balancing three little ones  and (thankfully)enjoying a good photography work load while figuring out a system to make both hats fit. Being able to release these highlights is sheer relief. We did it!! Come rain or shine, babies or sleepless nights, there is grace and pictures are glowing across the screen right now! New lovebirds are being captured and put on display and I'm so excited to share these two with you! | lkm

the 'look we're so fun!' series on  4th avenue... she had a nintendo shirt. he had a startreck shirt. bomb. dude, they SO got into that jump...

Mark + Leanna | Arizona Urban Flare & Railroad Fun | Engagement Session

{Mark + Leanna | Engagement Session |  E Downtown Tucson, Arizona | August 2012 } Mark &  Leanna were a treat to shoot! The sun was great, the weather was perfect and the more we laughed the more 'at ease' the lovebirds became. If I'm not mistaken, Mark got increasingly giddy as he smooched and loved on his future bride. I think one of my most favorite things is whatching a couple just fall into place. Taking pictures isn't easy. Posing can be awkward. Kissing on command sometimes feels weird. But by the end of M+L's session Leanna was blushing, Mark was beaming and I just glowed with deep satisfaction. Not to mention, I got home from the shoot and promptly sat down with my husband to show him a few favorites. To which he replied, "Sheesh. He's beautiful!" I think he has a man crush. Weird... In my opinion, I can't get over Leanna's baby blues. Or are they green? I'm so conflicted. :D | lkm

Thank you so much for hangin' out Mark & Leanna. I hope you had as much fun as I did! :) | lkm

Hieu + Maria | Tucson Engagement Session | Arizona Wedding Photographer

 (Hieu + Maria | Engagement Session | Agua Caliente, Tucson, AZ}

We braved the incoming clouds and resolved to go for a sweet little engagement shoot--rain or shine. Maria showed up in a cute little polka dot dress and Hieu in a dapper blazer. We sat and talked shop over coffee and got a few details about their 2-day, multi-ethnic wedding celebration coming up in December. After bonding a bit we carpooled over to the nearby state park and frolicked in a bit o' romance. love these candid  ones...Thank you so much you guys! You were wonderful to shoot! I hope you had as much fun as I did! | lkm

David + Ali | Downtown Urban Engagement Session | Arizona Wedding Photographer

{David & Ali | Downtown Tucson Engagement Session | August 2012} David and Ali were a riot. I haven't met a groom so willing to dish back my subtle (???) sarcasm and within moments I knew the shoot was going to be a fun one. We met at a starbucks near downtown just to talk shop about wedding details, timeline, thoughts and ideas about photography...We bonded. We laughed. We made a few mild jests at each other's personal beliefs and life decisions. So random. So not what I was expecting. Pretty hilarious. Honesty is golden though--raw, bona fide authenticity--I love. And with that fun beginning, we dove right in...on of their favorite hot spots is Hotel Congress. We had to grab a few shots on the footsteps... Thank you guys for such a fun shoot! Can't wait to talk more wedding stuff with you!

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Paul + Samantha | Tucson Engagement Session | Agua Caliente

{Paul + Samantha | Agua Caliente, Tucson, Arizona | July 2012} Paul and Sam are a hoot! I love how candid Samantha was on the phone when I first called her to tell her she had won a 'Save the Date' Mini Session after attending the Tucson Bridal Event Expo earlier in June. She flat out inquired, "uhm, are you going to make me sit through some sort of seminar or buy something or--or--???" "Heck No!" was my reply. The last first impression I want to leave with somebody is a photographer trying to 'sell' them. I assured her, "I simply want to woo you. I will treat you. I will shoot you. I will ask you sincere, excited questions about your wedding because I am actually genuinely interested. I will not obligate you to purchase anything or even put that awkward pressure on you thereafter so you book me for your wedding. I won't hound you with silly emails. I want to simply introduce you to how I work--my style; my brand; me. Hook you up with awesome pictures. Treat you to a fun date out with a collection of memories. Take it or leave it--me. And it's free. My treat." Samantha replied, "Oh! Well, that sounds awesome!" Me: "I'm so glad we're on the same page!" | lkm

Note: the day after our shoot, Paul emailed, "Thanks again for being yourself on Monday Laura. Your first impression went a very long way. And what your first impression didn't cover, your work certainly made up for it. As a designer myself, I can say that you do have great skills that set you apart from the competition.. :)" (grin).... While i try to figure out what my first impression didn't cover, I'm pretty sure their wedding in November is going to be hilarious, spunky, awesome and really, really fun. :) woot woot! | lkm