Summer 2010 - one year.

A year ago we were just beginning to put feet to a dream.

In May of 2009 we were invited to attend several local fashion shows in down town Los Angeles. From the minute our feet hit the floor with our cameras, we were smitten. The lights, the runway, the beautiful faces and powdered brushes, we loved being in the middle of the action. We began to dream about taking what we loved, photography, and doing it more often and developing a craft. The next few months were spent shooting shooting shooting! When we weren't running around with our favorite upcoming models, stylists, make up artists and hair stylists, we were putting in time learning what it means to own your own business. From classes at the local college, to standing in line to get our business license, we embarked in this adventure wanting to do it right.

I (Lauren) began following some photographer's blogs when began planning my wedding in 2007. I found myself checking their blogs daily looking for new updates, and always thinking, "If I could do anything..." When these doors began to open for us last year, I started thinking "Why I can't I?" I didn't realize it, but these past three years of following other photographer's blogs has really began to develop in me what kind of photography I like the most and am drawn to. I know that my style and creative preferences will continue to evolve through the years, but have several influences to thank for not only direction but inspiration to even try this in the first place.

We'd like to thank our brides of 2009 and 2010 who put their faith in us early on, allowing us to capture one of the most important moments of their lives. We have been blessed to work with some really amazing couples, whose love inspires us. We also have met some very talented artists, models, stylists and vendors. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to grow & learn. Thank you to Jamie - who has not only encouraged us from day one, but practically forced us to value our work & spent hours upon hours helping us develop truly respectable packages that we can offer our clients.

This summer has been full - full of work but also play. Here's a peek into what we've been up to :)

Lauren:

Our first adventure this summer was a trip to Las Vegas. I can sum it up in one word HOTfun.

We also were blessed with a trip to Kauai, HI. It was one of the most amazing trips full of relaxation, beauty and quality time together.

I brought a low quality underwater digital camera. It would only allow a certain amount of exposures and it was frustrating and exciting to use a camera with no immediate gratification of viewing the image and wondering out the photos would turn out :)

But the biggest news of the summer for us is that J and I are expecting! We are so excited to welcome our own little bundle into the world in February :)

- Lauren

Lindsay:

My summer was a cloudy one, and if you live in Southern California, you know what I mean; however, it goes without saying that this summer was an adventure - concert hopping for TwilightMOMS.net, photography adventures, cinema in the cemetery and journeys through the hollywood hills and downtown Los Angeles. I took this summer and tried to take time off from the "art of editing" and in its stead shoot more "raw" photos. It was a fun experiment that reminded me how much I love black and white, and God's natural colors.

On the few days that there was sun

we all made it to the beach. We sunk

deep into the sand, and enjoyed the nature that God had given us.

- Lindsay

Finnell Family Portraits

Tracy asked to do her photos with her family at the beach because she wanted to get out of the studio & do some more fun portraits. Family portraits should not only be a time where you get to capture your loved ones together in the same place at the same time (this seems to get harder as your kids get older!) but can be an opportunity to spend some quality time together! Bring a picnic, plan to enjoy the day. Cherish every moment with family :)

Here are a few of my favorites:

Cornett Family Portraits

I knew going into it, that doing the Cornett's family portrait session was going to be not only fun, but also a great learning experience! How could it be anything but when you have 6 kids and two infants! Here are a few of our favorites from their session in December.









Important things to consider when booking your portrait session with little ones:
- Book your session around your children's schedule; when are they most alert, the most charming?
- If you want those adorable newborn basket shots, it's best to book your session for the first two weeks after they are born. If you book with your deposit, we will be flexible because we know some babies like to keep mom and dad guessing on their exact arrival!
- If you have a large group, get those group shots right in the beginning, when the kids are most smiley and aren't completely fed up the strangers who keep asking them to "Smile!" :D
- If you have an newborn, we expect the session to take awhile. Patience is key to capturing those beautiful baby photographs.
- Bring bribery items, it's ok just this once ;)

Why Laurel Isle Photography?

Names are pretty important. In history, times of old, a name was given to determine a life. To declare a purpose.
Your name defined you.

When choosing the name for our new business venture, we wanted something that was not only not already taken, but spoke of who we are. How do you define two intense, driven, passionate, creative and completely different sisters? It is not an easy task. :)

Laurel (Lor-al) is the word that Lauren comes from. It means one who is victorious. The winners in ancient Greece were given a crown of Laurel leaves to wear upon their head.

Isle (Eye-ll) is part of the definition of Lindsay, which is Peaceful isle. I always envisioned a tropical beach, with a gentle palm sending shade down waves lapping gently at the shore. aaaaah....

And that is where our name comes from. A little piece of the two of us. Very different yet completely intertwined just as sisters were meant to be.