Welcome to
The Journal
Krista Mel Maternity - Crystal Cove
There's nothing quite like the feeling of eagerly awaiting your very first little one - it's a mix of excitement, joy, and a dash of nervousness. Sometimes, it has a way of bringing couples closer. And with Krista and Paul, it was oh-so-apparent. Their love shone through every photo, capturing the magic of this special time in their lives.
Just like Krista and Paul, we can't wait to meet their precious little baby. The world is about to get a little brighter, a little sweeter, and a whole lot more wonderful.
What to Expect for Your Studio Newborn Session with L E F Photo
Congratulations momma! I hope you and baby (or baby-to-be) are healthy and happy!
So, you just booked your LEF Studio Newborn Session! Or maybe you’re just curious what booking one would look like? Let me walk you through what your session will look like when woking with me, Laurel.
…what happens now?
Pease Family at Crystal Cove
I met Ashleigh and her family up at the parking lot, chatted about mermaid birthday parties and car naps. We got a quick shot up at the top and I helped carry sweet Addie down the hill. She told me her shoes were hurting, so i made a deal that i wouldn’t make her walk and I’d carry her anywhere she wanted to go. But as soon as we hit the sand, she completely forgot. What she wanted was to take the pictures for me, so we’d take turns. She gave me the biggest giggles when it was “my turn”, HA! And even though we started our mini session right as the sun set, it gave us the perfect soft light that made their images soooo dreamy.
I loved playing with ALL your kids today Ashleigh and Nate! You two are so sweet together. I love to see you love on your kiddies! I hope you LOVE these sweet moments like I do
Francis Family at Crystal Cove
I love to be a mom. It is the greatest calling from my Heavenly Father. No matter what I focus on, work on, try to accomplish, I always find myself coming back to the joys of motherhood! When things seem out of whack, I pause and take time with my kids. We bake a treat. We go to the park. We swim in the pool. Having two children that rely on me not only for joy, but for their very lives, teaches me so much of the relationship that I can have with my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ.
And the opportunity I have to raise these children with my best friend, the love of my life, and best man I know, is nothing short of a miracle.
Cozy Full Session at the Beach - Hutchison Family
We hiked down the stunning cliffs, grabbing all the beautiful shots on the way down. Then we just snuggled, played and laughed! I love how literal little 3 year olds are. When you ask them to do something they do it exactly the way THEY think you mean. Haha! What a silly time we had. With no rush, we just enjoyed each little moment and let the kids guide the session, with added direction from me to get the more relaxed “posed” shots.
TJ’s simple, neutral cake smash!
I’m not sure if TJ, or my kids, liked this cake smash session better! HA! My kids and I loved setting up the studio in the morning - we made a little cake, and cupcakes for us to decorate… obviously haha. Then blew up neutral creamy balloons and threw them all over the studio! It was the perfect simple celebration set up with a warm and cozy feel.
Photos with LEF Photo
As a family photographer, I have the privilege of capturing some of life's most precious moments. From the sweet and tender moments between a mother and her newborn, to the playful laughter of siblings running and playing together - I am there to capture it all.
One of the things I love most about my job is the opportunity to have fun with my clients. I believe that the best photos come from those moments when everyone is relaxed and having a good time. Whether we're playing games, telling jokes, or just goofing around, I always strive to create an atmosphere that is light-hearted and enjoyable.
In-home newborn session - townsend family
The Townsend family has a beautiful home not too far from the beach in San Clemente. It was the perfect, cozy place to welcome their new baby Wels home - he is just the cutest little boy! I was feeling all the feels and loved snuggling with him. His big brother Cal had a harder sense of “snuggling” haha. You could tell he loves his brother, but doesn’t know his own strength. The best part was how much Cal wanted to take pictures. He helped me catch a few and he even used his own camera.
It was so sweet.
Natural Newborn Photos - Ramsey Family at the L E F Studio
I just adored being with the Ramsey Family! Moniek and I are going to be best friends. Watch. Moniek, her husband, her two bigs and new baby brother all came to my studio in Corona to capture all the special moments of adding a new member to their family! I love, love, love when a mommy gets to start the session off with a little nursing. It’s a sacred and intimate moment between mom and baby that can’t be matched. With my daughter Macy, I was nervous to have that sacred moment photographed. BUT, I am SO glad that I did. I get to hold on to those memories forever. Now, when I photograph mothers like Moniek, I love to capture a brief moment of that special bond. All modest, intimate, and beautiful. Being a mom is AMAZING - let’s celebrate it.
Celebrating Motherhood - A Styled Shoot with Jasmine
Lifestyle Newborn Photos -The Smith Family
Celebrating Rainbows, Crystal Cove Beach Family Photos - Jones Family
I can’t even begin to tell you how meaningful this session was to me. I absolutely loooved meeting up with this sweet family at Crystal Cove State Beach. We had a great time running around and playing together, and sticking our toes in the sand. I think there were two reasons that made this night so special…I’d say the first was the fact that Katie booked a full session instead of a mini. Mini sessions are great, especially when on a budget. But the fast pace nature of it just doesn’t allow for the same connection as a full session does. We caught so many moments of snuggles, play time, and just them.
San Diego Temple Wedding - Abbie and Chase
Abble and Chase were sealed in the San Diego Temple on July 29, 2023 - the last day before it closed for extensive renovations! The whole of the grounds were bustling with excitement and wedding after wedding. What a beautiful place to be married. Not only for time, but all eternity!
Crystal Cove State Park Maternity Photos - Poulson Family
Another session that I absolutely drool over, in the books! Courtney reached out to me after seeing some of Montana’s maternity pictures and knew that she needed to get beach maternity pictures done before she and her family moved back to Utah. I was so excited to meet her, and her sweet family at my favorite SoCal beach location - Crystal Cove! Although she had been pretty sick with her baby, Kortney looked stunning and glowed with that anticipation that a mother gets before a baby is born. It was so sweet to see her and Chase love on their sweet one year old, McCoy. He is seriously a sweetie! Happy to play with anyone, but most enamored with his dad! It was obvious that this family loves each other so much, and so excited to have another brother to love on.
Maternity Photos - Endrina and Vincent
Endrina was one of my brides from last year, so obviously when they wanted to book a mini session this year, I was so excited! What made it even better, was the fact that when I showed up, Endrina was eight months pregnant! I had no idea!
What a fun surprise to be able to do a maternity session for an old bride . We met up at my favorite truck stop in Corona lol. It’s a funny spot and a one that I’m kind of embarrassed to take people too…but it just looks so beautiful in pictures! With the golden fields and the mountains in the background! You just have to ignore all of the trash while we are there, and know that I will edit it out.
Vincent told me how Endrina is his Miss. Columbia - that all the girls aspire to be just like her. HAHA not exactly what he said, but that was the gist of it (wink)! Endrina is a stunning mom to be! Although she said she was tired and ready to have her sweet baby, and done being pregnant - she looked as stunning and radiant as ever!
We created moments of pure joy, anticipation, and gratitude. You could really tell how much Vincent loves Endrina, and is so excited to have his first baby boy. Vincent is going to be a great dad, Endrina is going to be an amazing mother. They’re sweet baby boy is so lucky!
Congratulations, Vincent and Endrina - I sure love you guys!
Family Lifestyle Newborn Photos - Baby Macy
These pictures of our sweet newborn in our home mean the world to me. The way Daddy holds the family, and the way the brother giggles when he looks at his new sister.
The way Sally captured me holding our sweet new little girl, and all of the helping hands.
Sally captured just the way we felt about having our sweet rainbow in our arms. Our little Macy Brooke. “Macy” means God’s gift. We feel that every day. She is a gift of light, of peace, and joy. Her middle name is after my sister who had a loss just after ours. It’s a beautiful name that felt right. I know she has brought peace to her aunty as well. A brook is also a little stream - thus our little Macy Brooke is the little stream that gave. Just like the primary song we sang when we were little:
“Give,” said the little stream,
“Give, oh! Give, give, oh! Give.”
“Give,” said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill;
“I’m small, I know, but wherever I go
The fields grow greener still.”
I’m so grateful for our little gift from God that keeps on giving peace, joy and comfort to all those in need. I hope you feel of her sweet light as you see these special photos.
A playful evening amid the Corona,CA Fields and Mountains - Gatcha Family
YOU GUYS…THESE PHOTOS!! We had to reschedule once, and ALMOST ended up at a different location but I’m SO glad that we made the Corona Field work! The golden hues with the mountainscape was the PERFECT backdrop for the neutral outfits that Vanessa picked out! Let me just say, she did a great job dressing her family! It can be hard to pick out family outfits. (if you’re ever having problems, you can reach out and check out my style guide and i’d love to help you put your outfits together!) But Vanessa did a great job mixing neutral tones, and patterns!
So when we get to the field for our mini session, you know automatically it’s not only going to look great, but also BE a blast. Her two boys start running around the moment they step on the ground - sprinting to be more accurate! LOL! But we had so much fun playing dinosaur, eating rocks and snuggling mom and dad. I’ve said it before but i’ll say it again, we have fun during mini sessions. No awkward poses here. Check out how cute these turned out!