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Advocating Rich stories of hope

Lifestyle Photography: What is it? NWI and Worldwide Lifestyle Photographer

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Lifestyle Photography: What is it? NWI and Worldwide Lifestyle Photographer

Lifestyle Photography 

Now, this is a term that in the recent years has been thrown around a ton in the world of photography.  For those of you who aren't quite sure what lifestyle photography is?  Well, that's ok because I will explain what it means to me here.  To me, lifestyle photography is capturing moments as they are happening in time.  It is leaning in to the details of the story, and bringing the emotion of the scene into the image.  I always tell my clients that I want them to feel something from their images.  There is this beautiful story that is being told every single day with our lives. Every action we make, whether that be to act upon an event or not, is a piece of our story unraveling each and every moment.  We cannot stop time, and this is what draws me so deeply into this style of photography.  It is not that posed images, or landscape, or any other type of work is wrong, this is just what comes most naturally for me.  It is where my eye and heart lead me in.  I love to be able to capture the small pieces of the story that might otherwise go unnoticed.  For instance, that short instance where the Father strokes his daughter's hair behind her ear, capturing his heart of compassion over her.  Or the way a son's fingers slide into his mother's hand, or the way his head rests upon her chest.  These moments, these deep intimate moments hold an extraordinary amount of weight and value to me.  They represent all the hard work you have put in, all the investment, all the ways you have been present together time and time again.  There is a connection, a bond, and there is nothing quite like a family bond.  There is something fierce and special about the way a woman will fight for her husband, or the way a husband will advocate for his wife or children.  There is power in the beauty of presence.  And this is what I long for through my work, to be able to advocate rich stories of hope.  The entire story, not just the small happy, smiling for the camera piece, but the small moments in between when you don't realize the camera is looking your way.  I long to remind you of the extraordinary your life represents, apart from the ordinary you feel it holds each day.  I long to create soulful work, poetry for your walls, hope for the blank spaces of your home, creating peace, joy and gratitude.  This is lifestyle photography to me. 

There is power in the beauty of presence.
— Laura
 
 
 
Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.
— Edgar Degas

This is lifestyle photography for me.  It is the essence of helping others see the masterpiece that is held within their own lives.  There is so much beauty, so much wonderous depth within each and every client I encounter, and the masterpiece unfolds as we are in each other's presence, experiencing community and relationship through simply seeing each other through the lens of the heart.  Through being still, and intentional, through asking questions, getting to know each other, and being crazy observant of everything going on around us as well, the birds, the grass, the wind, the sky.  Everything in harmony together, in motion together, in a dance with each other.  Lifestyle photography is my breath of life for it all.  And capturing these moments is something that I never take for granted.  

Would you like to experience this in your own life too?  This art of photography is so much more than just taking pictures as you can see.   It is my way to bring hope to this world, to bring rich stories to life and to capture moments that will never return.  Let me bless you in this way this year.  Let's create something wildly beautiful together!! 

 

~Laura 

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Majesty and Mystery; The Freyenberger Family: NWI Lifestyle Family Photographer

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Majesty and Mystery; The Freyenberger Family: NWI Lifestyle Family Photographer

Majesty

There are pieces we can never understand, 

Concepts and ideas that will remain a mystery. 

The wonder of Your glory, 

The victory You claim over our lives, 

The freedom You bring, 

The peace You wash over us, 

Your majesty is far beyond what we could ever fathom, 

Your grace is a marvelous mystery. 

Majesty and mystery, the beautiful collision. 

Undeserved, misunderstood, yet forever grateful. 

There is no one like You,

There is no love like Yours. 

Full rescue, full freedom, full surrender, fullness complete and without want. 

You are our greatest joy, our purest blessing, our richest reward.  

Majesty and mystery.  

There could be no greater collision. 

 
 

Joy in Chaos 

Friends, you would never even know it, but it was crazy cold on the day of this session.  Yet, the Freyenberger family was just amazing!  Something that was crazy evident throughout my time with them, was their fight for joy despite what the circumstances looked liked. It was not only cold, but it was also misting when our session began.  And yet, this is how they showed up, full of joy and beautiful grace despite the chaos occurring around them.  Despite the crummy circumstances outlying the day, they fought for joy, and they won.  If you know them, than you know what I am saying is true, but they truly fight for people. They are honest and loyal and genuine. They are calm and at peace.  They are true to themselves, and they are able to enjoy being together.  That is enough for them.  I so wish this for all families. To be able to appreciate and soak in the beauty found in the mundane.  For there is where majesty lies, right there in the mystery of the mundane. 

 

Want to create your own beauty from the seemingly mundane? 

 
 

Letter to the Freyenbergers

The Freyenberger family. Goodness, you guys were such a delight and a joy to be around.  You totally made 35 degrees and mist feel warm that day.  There is this light that shines from you guys, this aroma of contentment to just be and soak each other in.  And what a powerful testament that is to your faithfulness to each other and the way that you love each other.  Thank you so much for blessing me above and beyond what I could have ever imagined by giving me a larger glimpse into your beautiful life. 

Luke- You are a servant at heart to be sure.  You protect Joel well and make sure everything is in order.  And  yet, everything is done with kindness.  You extend all of yourself and the outpouring of that is the richest connections with others and compassion for others.  Never lose that fight you have in you for others.  It is going to lead you to great places one day! 

Joel- the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  Even as I was editing your images, I couldn't stop smiling as I looked over you.  You have a way of bringing joy to all that you touch.  Carefree and full of life, you whisper joy into the life of those around you.   Thanks for just being you Joel! 

Craig- Quiet, Firm and Steadfast.  You quietly lead your family well Craig.  It doesn't take a lot of words, and yet, you can lead in joy through action.  The boys just long to grow up and be like you some day, and what a great example you are providing for them. Not only in leading well, and loving well, but also in serving well.  Serving them, and even moreso serving Rachel.  The way you tenderly look at her, the simple eye glance check in to make sure everything is all right, the warm embrace, and gentle kiss on the forehead.  There is a strong gentleness about you, and it is such an encouragement to see.  Thank you for serving your people so well and being a great example for other men to look to. 

Rachel- oh dear Rachel, where to even begin. There are some people that just stick with you, and you are one of them.  Not only because of the countless ways that you have shown up for and supported my family, but also in all the unseen ways that you serve, love and encourage others.  You are an amazing encourager.  You speak life into your boys and Craig.  You are not caught up in nagging or strife, but rather you intentionally build up in love.  The way you approach your boys in gentleness and love.  It just radiates compassion from you.  Luke gets his compassion for others from you, surely.  You are doing such a great job Rachel, mothering, serving your people well, and being the firm root they can come to when needed.  And not that you are perfect, but rather, that you point them to the One who is, and that is where the true compassion lies.  So grateful for you and for our friendship, and forever grateful to be able to take these images for you guys! 

 
 

Fighting for Joy 

Friends, I hope that this week you fight for joy in your life.  That you are able to see the majesty of our creator, and the mystery that lies in all His goodness. We will never fully be able to comprehend the complexity of all He is, or all He has done for us, but I do think that we can worship Him for the faithful God we know Him to be.  And although life is not always easy, most of the time filled with hardship and pain, we can rest in knowing that He is faithful, He is good, He is true, and He is where we can rest.  He can provide overwhelming joy no matter what the circumstance.  Are you ready for it?! 

~Rooting for you dear one! 

~Laura 

Looking to tell your own story?  Ready to advocate a rich story of hope? 

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Abiding within the healing; Anderson couples and portrait session; NW Indiana

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Abiding within the healing; Anderson couples and portrait session; NW Indiana

Abide in the healing

Let go of the hindrances, the burdens holding you down.  

Be fully present within the space you are currently in.  

Abide there, soak in the aroma of the atmosphere.  

Breathe it in deep, for healing may spring forth.  

Allow the sun to rest there, illuminating you thus more, filling with joy and overflow of the heart.

 Let it all go and experience the fullness of grace and presence.  

Complete presence, renewal, peace.  The overflow of the heart. 

We do not know the happenings of the future, nor shall we ever, 

It is beyond our capacity, 

And yet, we can know, as we abide, complete peace.  

We can rest in knowing that although we have hurts and struggles, 

Pain sometimes more than we can bear, 

Yet we can still trust that it has not been overlooked.  

It is in good hands, in the hands of our Father.  

And may we rest, as He knows the future, that it is for our ultimate good. 

And may we rest in knowing that joy can exist too, amongst the pain. 

It does not have to be one or another, 

They can exist together, in beautiful collision of each other. 

So may we come, abide with the one who knows us best, 

And then abide with those whom we have community with.  

Abide, around the table, in rich community, and rich healing. 

For healing happens from within to begin, 

And with friends to continue the healing.  

Today, I simply wish that we each find out space to abide, then heal in the spaces we each need.  

Abide within the healing. 

 
 

Blossoming Community 

I first met Elena several months ago through a creative group that I am a part of.  I quickly realized that we were going to become great friends.  Something about the way she carried herself, her overwhelming joy that just lit up the room from the moment she entered.  I knew she was someone special right away, and as I have gotten to know her more and more over the last several months, it has only further solidified all of my initial thoughts. 

But one of the things I most appreciate about Elena and am so grateful for is the way that she fosters community, fosters people being around a table together, spending intentional time with each other.  This day in age when our schedules are over crowded, and our heart and relationship space even more so, what a beautiful gift to cater people back to being with each other, with tasty food in front of them. 

Elena is a food and travel blogger.  And from what I have tried out so far from her recipes, her stuff is so so good my friends!  But the beautiful thing I love about Elena is her heart behind it all. She truly fosters joy at every turn.  And she is a living example that joy and hardship can beautifully collide.  Everyone's life has hardships and struggles, but Elena chooses joy over bitterness, community over reclusion.  She chooses life and light over death and darkness, and I think we could each use more of these choices in our lives! 

To find out more about Elena and her beautiful food blog, check her out here: 

https://www.savorparadise.com

 
 

Things are Better Together 

And one thing I have learned within my own life and journey is that things are better together.  Here is a little letter to Elena and Ben, about the cutest couple I have ever met! 

Elena and Ben: 

Oh my goodness you two!  Elena, I knew you were filled with joy, but when I met you Ben, I knew that you two were just perfect for each other.  Ben, you are so full of jokes, laughs and smiles all around.  The compassion, grace and kindness you show towards Elena is unmatched.  Always speaking highly of her and encouraging her on in all that she does.  Your words are seasoned with grace and love, a beautiful endearment for Elena.  And Elena, full of true kindness, and I will say it again, joy.  It flows out of you my friend.  It pours from your heart, and comes out through action. And you too are so quick to speak highly of others, especially of Ben.  You run first into his arms and enjoy the love that he brings.  You each fill each others cups with compliments and grace, stepping hand in hand together to each new adventure ahead.  And what a beautiful journey it has already been, hard in spaces, but beautiful all the more.  So, may the years ahead be just as beautiful my friends.  There will be valleys for sure, but may the mountains rise higher, and the inner joy fill the valley days.  May you be able to rejoice in each other, and rest completely in the grace that is there for you each day. 

 
 

Rest and Abide 

This week, and this entire holiday season, I hope and pray you are able to rest and abide, to slow down, get still and allowing healing to take place where it needs, and give yourself grace to not do all the things this year.  I hope you are able to spend time in wonderful community with your people and soak that in.  Rest and abide my friends.  Rest and abide.  Presents do not fill the soul, but presence with our Holy God does.  May we seek presence over presents this season.  

~Laura

And don't forget to check out Elena's Beautiful company Savor Paradise! 

https://www.savorparadise.com

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