As a St. Louis and Denver family photographer, one of the most heartbreaking things to me is to hear a parent say “I’m not photo ready right now. Let’s just do a kids session this year.”  I hear you and I really do get it. I feel the same way myself! But I think what people are missing is the big picture. You’ve probably seen the meme with the old photo that says “If you think pictures aren’t important, wait until that’s all you have left.”  What are you leaving your children? TONS of photos of them as they grow, thanks to iphones and androids. Probably many more than we ever had as kids. Lots of  phone videos of their various school plays, and some silly snap chat photos with your faces swapped. But are you leaving them with tangible memories of YOU? Will they have actual printed and framed photos that they can cherish long after you are no longer with them? One of my favorite things to capture in a family photography session is the way a parent looks at their child. The unfiltered joy and pride that a parent has for their child is something special.  YOU know that you feel this way, and you probably look at them 20 times a day with such expressions. But THEY don’t see it.  As a grown adult, how special are family photos with your parents in them? Especially photos where you get to see your parents looking at you with such joy.  Think about that the next time you tell yourself you aren’t photo ready right now. When will you be? Are you going to get these years back?

One of the things I hear the most from friends is “I have no idea what to do with these photos!” or “I don’t know how to display portraits!”  When you choose Eyesmiles Photography for your custom family photographer, you are not only going to receive beautiful, timeless images to choose from; but you will receive our customized services to help you design wall galleries, albums, announcements, etc.  Probably my favorite offering in our products line is the Soho Print and Grid Displays.  The Soho print is a finished print with a digital mat and beveled edges. It is a thick board-like material with a laminate finish. They are ready-to-hang and do not require any further treatment such as matting or framing.  The main reason I love them is because it allows my Denver and St. Louis families to easily combine both vertical and horizontal family portraits into one arrangement. It also allows them to combine images from several family and child portrait sessions into one display. The symmetry of the Soho prints creates a cohesive focal piece for the room, even with different backgrounds, seasons and clothing mixed together.  Finally, the nature of the square Soho print, makes it easy to switch designs around as your family grows. For example, you may start out with a Grid Six of newborn images in the nursery. When your baby grows and you have 6 month images, you may choose to take 3 of the Sohos and move them to a hallway, and add 3 more 6 month Sohos to the nursery.  The Sohos look wonderful in groups of 3, 4, 6 and 9.  Below are some mock ups I’ve done for clients as well as an actual photo of a St. Louis family who has hung multiple years of family portraits into one display.  For more information on our virtual design services or to book a session, visit eyesmiles.com

It’s March! I don’t know about you, but March means Spring to me! Maybe not so much in Denver, where it is actually our snowiest month. In Denver, I like to shoot studio portrait sessions until late May. But in St Louis, I always love March because it means that April is almost here. April! The yellow daffodils and planted tulips that sprout along highway 40, the Cardinals home opener, Easter dresses and warmer, more predictable weather are all reasons why I love April. I will be shooting St. Louis family portrait sessions April 22-24, 2016. Everyone does Fall family photos. Why not take advantage of the beautiful Spring weather and get some family portraits taken at one of St Louis’ great Spring spots such as the Muny, Forest Park or Washington University. Of course, I always LOVE shooting at the farm too! If you would like to book a St Louis child photography session or a session for your baby or family, please see our newsletter here or contact me laura@laura-siebert.com or through our contact form on the website.

Denver friends….I haven’t forgotten about you! I’m still booking studio sessions now through May. I will be in touch via newsletter when it’s time to go outdoors for the summer!

And because this is a PHOTOGRAPHY blog after all, I will add some of my favorite Spring-like portraits of some Denver and St Louis families.

Ten years! What an incredible ride I’ve been on. This is late in coming because 2015 was such a crazy ride that I’ve just recently slowed down enough to get it put together. Being a family photographer was never in the plans for me. In fact, I went to college for seven years and not once was “photographer” on my radar. I won’t say that college didn’t prepare me though! After all, I studied to be a zoologist and a pediatric nurse. I use knowledge from both in my daily interactions with my little clients. HA!!!
Being a small business owner has come with many unexpected challenges, but being a St. Louis and Denver child and newborn photographer has been one of the most rewarding careers I can imagine. I have been able to capture things like first steps (yes I actually caught THE first steps at a session), heartwarming moments between parent and child, the indescribable innate bonds between newborn twins, families newly grown through adoption, the love of mothers and daughters through 4 generations and many many other moments.
In this age of photography where it has become so easy for businesses to come and go, I pride myself in my ability to maintain a business model that allows me to stick around for a long time to come!! One of my favorite things is to watch families grow. I have so many families that I’ve photographed for the entire 10 years in business. One family has grown from a “maternity” session to a family of 6 over the past 10 years and I was fortunate enough to be trusted to capture each newborn as well as family sessions in between. The nature of my business also means that I am very much a part of the family’s trusted circle. Many times, I’ve cried along with a client as she learns her newborn session will need to be canceled due to loss. And many times, I’ve cried with those same mothers as I’m photographing other newborns later down the road. Newborns they never thought could be.  I’ve photographed knock-knee’d 8 year olds until they were stunning high school seniors; and chubby little cherub babies until they were star athletes. And I wouldn’t trade a second of it!
Please enjoy this look back at Eyesmiles Photography 2015 Year in Review. It features family, child and newborn images from Denver, St. Louis and Laguna Beach California. I even used a throwback song from the old days of flash websites with music playing in the background. This song was featured on my website from 2006-2009ish.  Blessed by Brett Dennen (permission received directly from the artist).  I am now booking for Spring 2016 in both Denver and St Louis. Visit www.eyesmiles.com for more information or to schedule YOUR family photography session.

Do you have a special arrival coming soon?  All Denver newborn Sessions booked before March 15, will receive complimentary birth announcements*.  Our announcements are custom made with images from your session onto 5×7 linen cardstock.  This is a savings of up to $200.  Your newborn session can take place at any time during 2015 but must be booked prior to March 15.  Check out some of the images from our new Newborn Session Information Packet

* Traditional Newborn Sessions booked before 3/15/15 will receive 50 complimentary birth announcements

*Tailored Newborn Sessions booked before 3/15/15 will receive 25 complimentary birth announcements

Want to learn more about our newborn sessions?  You can click here for our Newborn Information Packet

and here for our full pricing pdf