INSTAGRAM blast // personal

{Instagram Recap | Summer 2013} So July is over and I've recuperated from the intense month of June. I have loved taking a sabbatical from the camera, slowing down a little bit, recharging, engaging with my kids, falling in love with my husband again, running more, surprise visits with friends, zoo trips and making a home. Ground breaking news :: I'm on INSTAGRAM finally. Here are a few snapshots from my summer thus far.You can follow me here: instagram.com/laurakmoorephotography. I quote:  "this is my 'behind the scenes'; the life behind the lens. it is not always glamorous, but definitely FULL. super stoked to be alive."

Kristen J. Dalton | Celebrity Wedding Photography | Beverly Hills Bridal & Boudoir Portraits

{ Kristen J. Dalton | Celebrity Wedding Photography | Miss USA 2009 | SLS Beverly Hills | Bridal /Boudoir Portrait Session}

This girl couldn't have made my job much easier. :) The ease and finesse of posing and experience as a model made shooting a dream. Kristen is a sweetheart and when she called to set up details for a bridal/boudoir portrait session a week before her wedding, I jumped into high-gear to make sure pieces fell into place and we'd get the images ready in time for her wedding day! We weren't sure where to do the shoot...and then Kristen's text early Monday morning went like this..."WE GOT IT! THE SLS IS AVAILABLE! WERE IN!" This creme dela creme of a hotel is JAW-DROPPING. My public repertoire is a bit limited for this shoot, (I don't often make boudoir images public. Those are for "his eyes only" if you catch my drift) but here are a few highlights from Kristen's  Bridal / Boudoir session ... :) | lkm

After spending time in the unbelievable 'bazaar' of the SLS, we were led to the black and white VIP suites where we spent a good 2 hours nailing a pretty incredible BOUDOIR experience. I can only give you a few discreet 'peeks'...(note the HUGE CROWN CHANDELIER hanging in the background)...fave. Kristen, thank you for being wonderful. flexible. gracious. And Claire, partner-in-awesomeness, I'm so glad Kristen asked you to come be there for this shoot. You were the best production assistant ever. You helped put her at ease and I'm pretty sure I'm going to hire you for my future LA sessions as comedic relief and lamp holder. Who else would be cozy enough to grab onto my arse as i'm precariously perched above bride...Just saying.  | LKM

Kristen J. Dalton | Los Angelas Wedding Photography | Beverly Hills Bridal Portraits | teaser

Kristen-J-Dalton-Los-Angelas-Wedding-Photography-Laura-K-Moore_0010

 {Los Angelas Bridal Portrait Session | Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton | Summer 2013} I'm absolutely falling in love with bridal portrait sessions; a session within weeks of the wedding where the bride and I get to bond, get beautiful, get crazy, get comfortable, do a few trial runs, practice working with the body, the dress, the shoes, the hair...it's like an epic dress rehearsal that delivers epic images that may or may not be POSSIBLE on a wedding day. While it started in the south, west coast is picking up on the trend to have a few of these images shared at the wedding itself. Fun stuff. Love love loved my time with Kristen a week before her wedding. More sparkly goodness coming soon :) | lkm

i'm alive :)

My dear friends. Blog followers. Creepy stalkers whom i don't even know. I've been dormant for a while. Or so you might think from my blog activity these past couple months. (chuckle)...don't be deceived. This July I have blocked off the entire month to simply...be alive; recuperate from my intense month of June shooting in California. I actually get a birthday. Tomorrow I get to kiss my husband's face off--6 years worth. Woah. (Love that man.:) I am reorienting my family into a routine. My kids are loving me for it. Figuring out what normal is harder that it seems. Kindergarden starts in 2 weeks and i don't even WANT to go there right now. (double woah) and I have enough editing to last me till the fall (which it won't. because that' be rude and excruciating for my clients...*facepalm*...i just won't sleep. ever. that's all) I just wanted to say hi. hello. I blog to prove that i'm actually doing work. I blog also to tell the stories behind my pictures which are apparently a pretty cool thing and makes a whole mess of people want to continue looking at pretty pictures of strangers. Like it's an experience or something. I also blog so google analytics like me cuz, ya know, I kinda run a business. I also blog to give a peak into my life too. Sometimes even the gnitty gritty. Haven't done much of that recently. But i'm looking forward to more of that in the near future...though, currently it's trumped by twiterpated newlyweds and sparkly wedding days, handsome seniors,  and beautiful families. While I need to get back to editing, here are three of my most favorite faces in the whole world. they are my heart. my world. and possibly (very very likely) the cause for my plummeting blogging track record.  Alas, everybody and THEIR mommy remind me it's worth it. So I guess I'll keep em. ;) | night. | lkm

p.s. if you want to keep up with my life and pictures in better 'real time' status, you can follow me on facebook: (1) BUSINESS: https://www.facebook.com/LauraKMoorePhotography (2) PERSONAL: www.facebook.com/belovedvagabond (3) INSTAGRAM: laurakmoorephotography (4) twitter: laurakmoore | see ya on the flip side

Arizona Wedding Photography | Catalina Foothills Private Estate | Inspiration: Hippies, Biceps and Burlap | Part Two

{Arizona Wedding Photography | Catalina Foothills Private Estate | Inspiration: Hippies, Biceps and Burlap | Part Two } If you didn't catch Part One go HERE! Brent & Erica's wedding continued on. okay.... i asked Erica to just run into Brent's arms like she did when she saw him the very first time. And unfortunately i didn't catch it, but she totally jumped nearly over him. He barely caught her and this is them laughing so hard about it...

but then we did finally nail it... and then this pretty little girl came to give them a few gifts...something about an inside joke and using random pieces of nature to mean something special....they just giggled a bit about it. i took pictures. and i'll never know the rest of the story. and then it was cake time :)i love succulents. I'm convinced God had fun when he was making the whole breed of succulents. they are hardy. unique. and beautiful when displayed appropriately spun around to catch this little tike enjoying his first lime...:) the wedding was at this awesome private estate that used to be a "Bed-N-Breakfast" in the Catalina Foothills. They kept things casual and low key by having the dance party in the drive way...

love this last one. it's just an amazing picture of surrender...:)Thank you so much for letting me be part of your wedding day Brent & Erica. Seriously can't stop grinning about the laughs and funny moments. I totally felt at home with you and your family! | joy, LKM

Arizona Wedding Photography | Catalina Foothills Private Estate | Inspiration: Hippies, Biceps and Burlap | Part One

{Arizona Wedding Photography | Catalina Foothills Private Estate | Inspiration: Hippies, Biceps and Burlap}

Brent & Erica are beasts. They love the outdoors, thrive in physical activity, boast of outdoing eachother's push-up count--the first conversation I had with them immediately turned to Erica's emphatic insistence that humans have simply forgotten that were were designed to run and 50 miles is no biggee. riiiiight... They are a hoot. And madly in love. Since they actually had a destination wedding in Tucson and had to plan their wedding long-distance from Colorado, Erica's mom and aunt were the wedding planners. I met with them first and legitimately choked on coffee the entire time because I was laughing so hard. Laughter just runs in the veins of these people. It's incredible. I was STOKED to be able to capture the laughter on such a special day...They warned me prior to meeting Erica...'she's no frills. totally relaxed. no crazy demands. pretty hippie'...and when I met the bride-to-be--ms. blue eyes and blonde dreads  she simply said..."Just do your thing. I'm not even sure what I want...except that people are happy; that we look happy--stay happy." And to quote one of my movies: "Their happy was so very LOUD." | lkmErica had these awesome uber-hippie  sandals made from scratch. real leather. tanned and stained just for her. she also wore her grandma's pearls and kept an heirloom of a hankerchief with her throughout the day the prelude to the whole shibang was awesome. so chill. sisters hanging out with cousins. it was great! Erica was such a fun bride! Lori, mom, is an amazing mom. She pretty much made me cry just watching her get weepy throughout the day. And then they had a first look moment...so tender and special. They couldn't WAIT to be together that morning. And as soon as she, literally, flew up into his arms, it was like a very definitive "start" switch was flipped. like the day had officially started and they were going to be side by side the whole way through. biggest. bouquet. ever. they totally insisted on this pose...boys, boys, boys. (props to my 2nd shooter Tony Bernardo for snatching this shot below) (check back for PART TWO tomorrow!)

Lauren | Ventana Canyon Couture Bridal Session | Tucson Wedding Photographer

{Lauren | Ventana Canyon Couture Bridal Session | Tucson Wedding Photographer}

Lauren's grandmother MADE her incredible wedding dress.  Jaw-dropping right? Hand-laced. Hand-loved. I haven't been able to do very many bridal sessions and it was extraordinary. The ability to relax, capture these still moments in this one of a kind dress, laugh and giggle a bit with the bride-to-be, practice moving and enjoying her wedding dress ...it was really special. I'm so glad we did this Lauren. I'm so glad you took the time and thought to honor your grandma and all the sweat, blood and tears that went into this piece of art. You are a joy. | lkm

We specifically wanted to get pictures of grandma actually working on the dress...

and of course grandpa got to sneak in a kiss as well :)

and then we went to go enjoy some of the glowy sunset up in the foothills of the catalina mountains

Joy, LKM

Andy + Autumn | Cowboy Meets Cowgirl | Tucson Engagement Session | Arizona Wedding Photographer

{Andy + Autumn | Cowboy Meets Cowgirl | Tucson Engagement Session | Arizona Wedding Photographer | Make Up & Hair Artist: Dana Buchanan} Autumn specifically contacted me because she said, 'i loved your website! it was clean. simple. and your images were beautiful.' AWESOME SAUCE. I've been processing brand identity behind the scenes for awhile now. I'm keeping things clean and simple until i figure it out. And apparently that's just fine because i got to meet, greet and laugh with two awesome little love birds who were precious to shoot. Her gentleness with him was my favorite part. Autumn adores Andy. And I can just tell it makes him walk 10 feet taller. He adores her back. And it makes her eyes dance like a million sunbeams...(grin)...too sappy for you? feast your eyeballs then and swoon later. | lkm

(above) she made those cute little placks herself. so crafty. i'm pretty jealous of craft people ya know. :) (below) Seriously. Her skin is flawless! I went to go do air brushing...and i was like, "uhm...well, i guess i could...nope. not really..."... this next series in the orange trees are some of my favorites. he just holds her...and she drinks in his embrace. a boy and his gun...and his girl. :) Andy is going to be deployed soon. Not sure where. Not sure when. Not sure for how long. But by golly, this will just have to be their FIRST of many sweetheart shoots...one day we're gonna have ourselves a WEDDING! Love you guys! | LKM

Andy + Rachael | Padua Hills Engagement Session | Claremont California | Los Angelas Wedding Photographer {Inspiration: Yellow, Stripes, & Chill}

{Andy & Rachael | Padua Hills Engagement Session | Claremont California | Los Angelas Wedding Photographer {Inspiration: Yellow, Stripes, & Chill}

What a beautiful afternoon!! The sun mixed with a soft haze to create a soft, glowy, romantic atmosphere. Andy needed some insisting at first. (grin) It feels weird--I get it--to have somebody ask you to kiss..for a long time. and like it. and LOOK like you like it...and THEN get up in your business and snap pictures of it. I get it! But about 10 minutes into shooting, we hit a stride and i backed off a bit...we found a few stellar spots around Claremont College campus to enjoy each other a bit. Once done enjoying The Claremont Colleges, we made our way up to Padua Hills...and oh did the foothills deliver. I have a love affair with grass and all things green and sunbeams. I just breathed in the smell of spring blooming...and by this time, I saw Andy & Rachael falling into eachother even more...  I went to a photographer's conference recently. One of my favorite speakers, Sue Bryce, pushed me to slow down and really aim for a connection with the client. my groom. my bride. the person(s) in front of me who'se trusting me to 'capture them'...not just pose and go. It's easy to get so caught up in racing the sunset or making sure settings are right or your directing them well enough...but taking a deep breath, letting the clients rest, find their moment together and then nudging them to be more vulnerable and relax even more....such a skill...such an art...such a goal...  My dear friends, I am tickled pink to be trusted with this crazy awesome stage of life for you guys! Can't wait to see you again and celebrate with you both on your wedding day in June! | LKM

Wil & Rachel | Walt Disney Concert Hall + Santa Monica Pier Engagement Session | Los Angelas Wedding Photography

 {Wil & Rachel | Walt Disney Concert Hall + Santa Monica Engagement Session | Los Angelas Wedding Photographer} Holy Moly. Shooting in LA was a treat--a real break from the desert and a breath of fresh sea air. We filled our lungs and dove head first into this session. Starting early Friday afternoon, Rachel made her way to my pad to get hair and make-up done (by my amazing RIGHT HAND WOMAN for this trip, Ms Dana Buchanan of Buchanan Studios!) We planned out last details of outfits and made our way to meet Wil downtown. (Aside: Wil, if there was anything MOST awesome about this shoot, was watching you relax and love your woman. thank you for trusting me; letting me give you weird funny direction. laughing. being goofy. oozing affection over your bride-to-be. it was a joy to meet you and spend time with both you and a sweetheart!) Rachel...girlfriend, you owned this one. You are going to be one STUNNING bride :) | lkm This building was fantastic to play with! Did you know that the Walt Disney Concert Hall used to actually be uber shiny but it caused too many downtown traffic accidents with glare in the afternoon sun so they actually had to go scrub out the shine and 'matte' it up?? Crazy. kinda miss the sparkle. but i suppose people are more important than pictures.  We made our way to the Dorothy Chandler Pavlilion Courtyard to play a bit... And then we scooted west and headed towards Santa Monica Pier... so much PLAY... :)  so incredibly stoked to shoot Wil & Rachel's continued love story this June...at their wedding...on Redondo Beach. More sand and tides to come baby. "May the love roll in evermore!" WOOT | lkm

LEAVE SOME LOVE FOR THE COUPLE AND CHECK OUT THEIR FACEBOOK ALBUM:

Wil & Rachel Highlight Engagement Album | Facebook.