Jeff + Emily | Celebrity Wedding Teaser | Arizona Wedding Photographer

This weekend we had the honor of shooting Jeff & Emily (Weprich) Campanella's wedding at SaddleBrook Country Club in the Catalina Foothills of Northwest Tucson. Before we head off to this weekend's San Diego wedding, we wanted share a few sneak peaks of Emily's pre-wedding bridal portraits. You might recognize her from the celebrity engagement feature a few weeks ago or from the post earlier this summer honoring her father. Having shared a few slivers of storytelling in this family's life this past year made this wedding more meaningful. And being part of Emily's first deep breaths as a bride -- the moment she put on that incredible dress, loved her mom fiercely, laughed with her ladies--her resilient cheerfulness, grace and concern for others was radiant. More coming soon! (see note to all guests/friends/family below)

If you were a guest or are a friend or are a family member, go HERE to register and be kept apprised when all wedding pictures are released! 

7 Tips on How to Make Camping with Kids Worth It | Personal

 Before kids I thought kids would mean the death of independence and spontaneity.

This past weekend a few families went and camped in Arizona's Cochise Stronghold. We came back with notes and thoughts about camping with little humans and made a list for how to make camping with kids kinda sorta awesome. 

The quickest way to another parent's heart is to love their child. And that is where community is born.

We, as parents, are responsible for their memories.

If you are curious what our "7 tips on how to make camping with kids worth it", go HERE! 

James + Lindsey | Vintage Meets Southwest | Tucson Desert Engagement Session | Tucson Photographer

When the morning sun rises and the cactus blooms and twiterpated folks like James + Lindsey come eager to be sweet, silly and nostalgic... I watch the saguaro's shadows shorten, the ocotillo brighten, a yellow vintage dress twirl and a precious anticipation be a wonderful backdrop for it all. 

These are called love story sessions because looks and laughs are my favorite parts of stories--the breaths in between and the pauses that anticipate the next chapter they have yet to experience. | LKM

p.s. and if you love these quaint perfect little details, just WAIT till you see their wedding! :)

Los Angeles Celebrity Engagement Session | Potato Mountain, Claremont | Jeff Campanella & Emily Weprich

//THE WARNER BROS. STORY//

So now that the TV SHOW has aired, i can share the backstory about a cool unprecedented opportunity we had earlier this month! A few weeks ago Warner Bros. called and asked to use an engagement picture in one of their episodes of MAJOR CRIMES. My client, Jeff, had landed a role on the show and part of the story line involved a fictional fiance. They asked if he had any recent sweetheart pictures and voila! LKM got the call asking for a few high res images to use in their fake mock up of a wedding site, we negotiated release, copyright limitations, usage and and the episode aired on TNT this past Wednesday! It's a 2 second clip (i'me efficient with my 5 minutes of fame ;D). Watched it in my pjs last night with a surreal thankfulness for cool opportunities and exposure! Check out  Season 4 Episode 10 Here :) 

So in other details that are highly more important and not nearly as narcissitic... Jeff & Emily are a riot. Highschool sweethearts. An actor. A fitness model. Vegans. Lovers. Laughers. 

I'm delighted to be trusted with capturing a piece of their love story during this season.

This session was set in this crazy random hole in a hill called Potato Mountain in the Claremont foothills of Southern California. We hung out in the last few rays of sunbeams, reached a few inner childs (yes i know that is not grammatically correct), and got to know each other. Having shot their family reunion several months prior, I had only seen slivers of Jeff's erratic (cough) goofy side and Emily's soft-spoken but eye-twinkling exuberance. Their affection is natural with longevity sprinkled all over it. :) ....

// CLIENT REVIEW //

(i swear i didn't pay him to say these things)

There i was, in my pjs watching a tv show flash this sweetheart picture created by LKM STUDIOS. I was pumped. Jeff then sends a follow up email titled: "REVIEW" with the instructions: Post this. It sounds like i'm not your spokesperson but a real client. And if i couldn't get any more narcissitic, I figure sharing the review hammers in that nail for the day. 

"This is not just a photographer. This is not just a pretty face with an even prettier personality. This is a force of nature. LKM is so good, that her photographs cross into different dimensions. It's true. One of our engagement pictures from our session with Laura was so electrifying, so vibrant, that it crossed from everyday land into TV land on the famous TNT drama 'Major Crimes.' How is this even possible? How could TV characters even find out about a photographer from a different dimension? Well, once you meet this woman, you will know that she is out of this world. Hate smiling? You will love smiling after your session with Laura. Feel unsexy? Laura will make you feel so darn sexy. Don't want to show intimacy with your significant other in public? Laura will make you feel confident, playful, and grateful to be taking pictures with the love of your life. Positive, warm, talented, and fun, book your session with Laura K Moore now!" 

Remembering Fred...

When an inquiry writes and says that this might be their last family session together, you take it seriously. 

I was so moved when Devon emailed in December and asked me to snatch just a few images of her family while they all were in Tucson for Christmas... I felt the sincerity of the request--the discipline to maintain a light-hearted atmosphere and a sense of family joy and nostalgia. 

I spent time with them--a good, perfect Tucson December afternoon the day after Christmas. They laughed together and were silly. Both Devon and Emily were so conscientious of details and making sure everybody was ok. I almost felt like an intruder. Almost...until they nearly pulled me into their desert retirement home, hugged and said "thank you" more times than i can count. They asked me questions about my own life and were just so dang happy to have me there to capture a slice of theirs.

They didn't talk of loss. They didn't talk of regret or sadness. They brought out pictures and framed pieces of memories and legacy. Fred told me a story of when he was serving in the war many moons ago and his eyes danced as he talked about his daughters loving them too-the stories i mean. And he hopped from one memory to the next as his eyes shone. 

And he watched his girls. He made his wife laugh. He would do this under-his-breath mutter and then look up me and wink. He leaned on his ladies and sons-in-law--he hated that he needed to, but he let them dote on him and care. so. much. And he was strong and had this history about him that I knew I had just barely tapped into; a sense of family experiences and series of moments that he had been endowed with and cultivated. 

....

Just this passed week Fred Weprich passed away. I found out this morning when I saw Emily's instagram post about her father... I gasped. My kids were confused and I tried to explain to them that my clients had lost their daddy...but I couldn't get through it.  I have been learning recently that a picture taken at one moment can be 10 times more valuable at a later moment. That's how I feel about this session. It is extraordinary to be on this side of memories, capturing an effervescent spirit about a family that makes you want to know them better and work hard to tell their story well and honor who they are, who they have been and who they always will be. Thank you Weprich family. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful sliver of Fred's life and legacy. | LKM

The morning after....ALASKA.

It is strange to have just been in Alaska. Ordering my double shot short steamed soy latte this morning i stepped out into an 8am 95 degree weather reflecting. Hopping in the car, Judah asks me to tell him the story about black mud that kills people and Jordyn reminds me that there is this place where they have midnight sun. I'm pleased that they remember details from family time last night. I showed them a map of where i went and a few crazy things that i learned about the totally different PLANET of the last frontier. 

While I currently sit and capture my cards I am overwhelmed with gratitude. It was only 4 days but every day the rocks cried out and my heart was moved to sing a tune celebrating the Creator. I did remind Lawson (my husband and best friend) that he should have been with me. Like literally. I had even secretly conspired with his boss to give him the weekend off and i'd steal him away....but long story short it fell through and i had a few moments of notes to self throughout my trip that went like this: "bottle this up" and return with your Love one day. whole family. a month exploring. adventure and adventure well.

In those moments of homesickness, I would shoot a few extra images just to share with him--bottling it up as best as i could. I'd try to slow down and breath the air that smelled like a yankee candle and know that a moose or elk was probably watching. C O O L. I forced myself to get up early and stay up late just so i could capture the creme de la creme lighting -- when the sunset is soft and long and the mountains get smooth and pink and the water sparkles and the whole world seems to slow and have 4 more hours added to joy and breathing. It was new. Different and bizarre. GORGEOUS... 

While i don't have images totally all captured and sorted yet, i did get a few teasers from the wedding. It'll have to be my place holder until i can get some more highlights worked on :). This is the couple that brought me to their home. To capture their people. To go to this distant land with whales and salmon runs and world-renowned road trips so that I could be in their world and capture it.... so honored and so thankful. | LKM

Christe | A precious friend turns 30 and this is my megaphone version of "thank you for being born"

Christe's name means "elegant, graceful, beautiful, princess." (She's probably rolling her eyes right now reading that.) But I'm stickin' to my guns this morning and diving deep to love this friend. She is my opposite in so many ways which has produced numerous growing lessons these past couple years. So different, in fact, that people have often asked how we are such good friends. She laughs--with that gut-authenticated, wide-mouth, melodic chortle of hers--whenever that happens. We often ask ourselves the same thing. 

Christe and her family have become dear friends (nearly FAMILY) to us since being in Tucson. She has taught me much about finding balance in work and life, she serves with ZERO desire to be recognized, she loves quality time to the nth degree and gives the best hugs in the whole world. 

Christe fights for her home and protects the quiet and the special sanctuary of her family as best as she can. She has taught me much about quality over quantity--IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE. From good food to good conversation--she asks loving intuitive questions that dig deep into character. She calls me out on my ish and lets me pry into hers. Being mom's together has been a particularly sweet part of the last 3 years. With different backgrounds, personalities and children, it would be easy to write off our homes and child-rearing topics as "off limits." But the equalizing force of our love for Jesus and deep desire to raise up our kid's hearts for His, draws us to our knees and onto each other's couch post-bed time with a wine glass in hand and a few parenting bruises we may offer on a platter to breathe out and joys to giggle over. 

Christe hates the spotlight (which makes this post ironic). She serves with as little fan fare as possible which sometimes makes it hard to catch her in the act or know how to thank her. I don't always get it right and in our differences i hope I make her laugh with my megaphone-style hugs... It is her 30th birthday today and that's a big deal. I am standing on a soap box sharing with the world how wonderful my friend is. AND SHE IS LOVING EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT. (Sigh) (I can here her magnificent laugh now and I know I'm going to get a charlie horse in the arm for this later.)

Here are a few highlights of their most recent family session....at the end of the day, I really am not sure quite how to convey my love for this lady and gratefulness for the season of life with her and her family. But a quite double date over korean bbq and a few inside laughs and maybe a couple hours to steal her kids away so she can have a solid run alone and quiet time will say more than lots and lots of words... i'll try that tomorrow. love you friend. | LKM :) 

Pami | Editorial (For a Friend) Shoot | Philippines

Pami and I went to highschool together about 15 years ago. She doesn't remember this but she may have saved my butt in chemistry class with a few late-night studying sessions that may or may not have included a bag full of cheetos, angry flash card reviews and a temper tantrum (or three).

Pami attended Biola University, studied nursing and thrived in Southern California. Through a series of events, she made her way back to Antipolo, Rizal and is currently the (temporary) director of a birthing clinic called Shalom. The long road that brought her back to the Philippines is only one hand-crafted and intuitively designed--a journey that she is smack-dab in the middle of. She works 12+ hour days and administrates, serves, teaches, coordinates, collaborates, delivers, nurses, nurtures and saves...  

On this morning we woke up before the sun and I colored her face and did her hair and found a few nice things in her closet and went out to a place where bamboo stalks were glazed with warm morning sunbeams. Ants worked, birds sang, crickets strummed and the hum of a southeast asian jungle was alive and strong.

We hiked through the blanket of humid air a bit. Finding a rickety bridge and a few off-the-beaten-path spots, I took her bags and asked her to breathe.

I spent about an hour with my friend and hoped SO badly that something would turn out well; that these pictures would be beautiful and she would feel beautiful. 

Pami rocked the whole darn thing. She carried herself with such poise…(Grin) Don’t get me wrong. It was work to get there. Some of the stuff we attempted were ridiculous and we caught ourselves giggling and wondering what we were doing out in the middle of nowhere with a half-constructed trail. Sweat dripped off my nose while I perched myself on a fallen tree with leaves the size of dinner platters. I tried not to think of the ants with fangs drooling over my foot that dangled above them. I shot and directed and just wanted to love my friend. 

Fast forward to last week when I sat working in the air-conditioned comfort of my Arizona apartment wrapping up a few edits from our time in the jungle—thousands of miles away. My moonbeams were her sunbeams and as I was writing, my quick email slowed and some thankful thoughts from deep places surprised me. The session was so much more than a editorial project for my portfolio. Here was this precious lady who shared a few pieces of her worn but obedient heart looking ever radiant in a place that is not always comfortable but a place that she chooses to love and pour herself into. And I was so thankful for her. For being able to see a sliver of the life she lives and people she loves and leads and her heart and spirit that is surrendering. daily. 

here are a few highlights...

LKM is in the Philippines!

so this is happening today....

Honoring Sarah | LKM Second Shooter, Detail Master, Friend & Artist

Sarah was one of my primary second shooters for the last couple years. Her eye, her gentle presence, her willing hands and heart have been a joy to work with. Today it's Sarah's birthday and I wanted to honor her. her craft. the time she has spent investing into LKM and the couple's we have aimed to serve well and shoot beautifully. :) We have quite a few stories from shooting together. A few inside jokes and lots of hilarious stories--but most joyfully, she has been a gracious partner and team mate! She has been my memory, my water provider, my caddy and my human tripod. She has stood on precarious ledges, endured awkward groomsmen on the dance floor, and been there to catch moments behind my back; the unseen, the quiet and the hidden. 

Sarah. You are precious. Your story, your heart, your seeking interest in things that are beautiful and true.

You are an artist. You see things through eyes that are ever curious and inquiring; patient, humble and teachable. 

Your hands make beautiful things. You friendship has been precious. Your companionship these past couple years made this adventure more beautiful. more fun. more meaningful... the last 2 years of the LKM wedding portfolio is better because of you.  We have been honored to have you shoot with us and be part of our team. :) Love you friend!

And since no post is complete without a few pictures, here are a few special shots of Sarah while in Oregon last summer.  We were in the PNW for a destination wedding in Astoria, Oregon. (Go HERE for the behind-the-scenes of that PNW adventure and HERE to see highlights from the Oregon destination wedding)