My office has felt a bit like Santa’s Workshop this season.  Since October, I’ve been photographing sessions, editing & delivering sessions, and processing print orders for my awesome clients.  On one hand, it’s super fulfilling.  Once I get into a groove, I really enjoy editing photos.  I LOVE hearing how much my clients like their galleries.  On the other hand … my Fitbit buzzes me on the regular to get up and get moving, and my response to most things has been, “I can’t, I have to edit.”

BUT — last night, I delivered my final Christmas session gallery.  Triumph!  And I celebrated by promptly going to bed and sleeping 6 hours.

It was a really good holiday season.  It was my first time photographing at Southerlyn Farms in Holly Hill.  If they host photographers for sunflower sessions next year, I will likely be back! 

And then, I went back to Lebanon Christmas Tree Farm for tree farm photos.  If you haven’t heard of the farm, definitely check them out – they are on Good Housekeeping’s List of Best Tree Farms in America.  (And check out their photo, while you are at it.  haha.)  I had a lot of new clients this year for tree farm minis, and they were just the sweetest.  As you can see.  🙂

And finally, I wrapped up Christmas season in downtown Charleston.  I had been a little worried because they were flooded out from the King’s Tide all weekend, but we were sunny and dry for our sessions.  And it was, per usual, beautiful downtown.  Just check out some of these photos.  Total eye candy!

I’m wishing you all the joys of the season, however and whenever you celebrate.  I’m going to spend my free time documenting our family’s celebrations (one birthday down – gulp – my 38th, two more to go) and Christmas festivities.

<3  Thank you to my clients this year, you are the best, and make this side business of mine very valuable to me for many reasons.

Hey, everyone!  This blog post isn’t going to be a long one, but I wanted to update you on a few special offers I’m running for the holidays.  As nearly everyone knows, Fall is a busy time for photography.  The weather is (supposed to be) cooler, and with the holidays impending, it usually triggers a lot of people to start planning for cards, prints & holiday gifts.

I’m going to go ahead and make the same, old announcement I do every year, so please bear with me:  I do not book photography sessions during the month of December.   In my home, 3 out of 4 birthdays are in December.   When you add birthday planning to various school and extracurricular activities — and also events that I like to attend with my family — I just don’t have the time to edit photos and deliver them in the time frame you’ll need to order things for Christmas.  I lack that North Pole magic.

But – in consideration of fall & holiday needs, I do have three different mini session dates available.  These are short, sweet, sessions – designed to take those Christmas card photos, portraits of your children, and a few loving, connected moments to capture the end of your 2018 year.

You can find them at my BigCartel shop.  To book a session is $75.

I’ve gone for a variety of shoots this year, including cotton fields, Christmas tree farms, & downtown Charleston.  Each is unique and will add some southern charm to your cards & gifts this year.   Speaking of cards and gifts, please let me know if I can help you design and print holiday cards, or canvases, or even framed prints.  I have delivered a few really beautiful prints for people recently; nothing makes me happier.  And I have several new options for frames & glass prints that are GORGEOUS.

As always, comment or email me at larissa@larissalordphotography.com if you have any questions!!  <3

With August already steamrolling ahead, it seems like we  can maybe, kinda, sort of start preparing for fall in the Lowcountry!  Fall means lower temperatures, and lower temperatures makes the idea of scheduling a photo session much more appealing.  And that goes for all involved — trust me when I say: I really don’t want to apologize for being a hot, sweaty mess while hugging clients goodbye!  Eek.  So if you are thinking about a photo session, I’ve decided to put a guide together about some of the available Charleston locations.  I’m including the good, some of the bad, and things you ought to consider when scheduling!

There are two things I always try to include in my forms to clients:  parking & bathroom access & availability.  This is important.  This is part of the experience I like to deliver.

First, I think everyone can relate to frustrations with traffic and parking in crowded areas.  My aim is to avoid increasing anyone’s irritation, particularly people – ahem, like my husband – who are reluctant to take photos in the first place.  Does parking cost?  Are there laws about tires off the road?  Does it get crazy busy?  Are there multiple lots in one area?  Can traffic get backed up 15 minutes over a bridge? (Yes, Folly, I’m looking at you!)   It is important to know all those details beforehand!  If your photographer doesn’t share those details with you, you might just want to ask.

And bathrooms – well.  I assume a lot of my readers are parents, or soon to be parents, in which case…you know.   If you are a pregnant woman, or in the midst of potty training, or a parent of girls, bathroom availability is important.  If you’ve traveled a long way to the location, or need a wardrobe change that could be difficult to finagle in a car, make sure you know!  I have absolutely told clients before that they need to stop somewhere before making it out to the beach!

So now that I’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk a bit about what makes the Charleston area awesome: all the locations.

1.  The Beach.  Whether it’s Folly or the Isle of Palms, the beach is a favorite.  The vastness of ocean, beach, & sky are beautiful.  As we are on the east coast, the sunset won’t be at the ocean horizon, but there are plenty of spots that make for gorgeous beach photos.

Things to consider:  Traffic (particularly in tourist season), the tidal calendar (high tide means less beach to use), wind (if the idea of hair you spent $$$ on blowing around wildly horrifies you), and the increased likelihood of clothes getting wet.  Which, I love light and water in my photos, so I love it when my clients will wade in the water.

2.  Downtown Charleston.  We live in a beautiful city, with old, colorful architecture.  It is a photographer’s dream when it comes to coordinating colors and backdrops.  I can guarantee there is a home somewhere in Charleston that will complement the colors of your wardrobe perfectly.  Not to mention cool doors, walls, and window boxes to frame your family and give you a colorful, urban look.  Also, within walking distance are the waterfront parks, with cobblestone roads, big oaks, and iron gates galore.

Things to consider:  You may need to start a little earlier than evening’s golden hour, since again, the sun sets opposite of the water and buildings can block those last few minutes of rich light.  There are a lot of people…and cars.  And carriages.  You may need to put things on pause as people pass, etc.  Also, your kids can’t run around without being monitored for that reason.

3.  Our local parks.  There is Hampton, Riverfront, Azalea, and Charles Towne landing, to name a few.  Each one offers a variety of environmental elements, from live oaks, to blooming gardens, to great architecture and winding paths.  If you love flowers and greenery but don’t want to wade/walk through tall grass, these are great choices!  (Plus parking & bathroom access is usually very close.)

Things to consider:  Mosquitoes.  I always give my clients warning when we are going to go anywhere potentially shady – the bugs can be bad.  Also worth considering is the occurrence of any local events and the size of the park.  (Sometimes they get crowded with photographers.)  Also, be mindful of their public hours, especially off season!

4.  Rural fields, preserves, forests, & private farmland.    This is the ultimate rural look.  Long grass, wilderness, blooming fields, and tree farms.  They are timeless, and usually a bit more empty than some of the other areas listed.  You will have room to roam, lake and/or river views (in some cases), and lots of what makes the Lowcountry special.

Things to consider:  The yucky things you don’t want to think about.  Mosquitoes, ticks & other things lurking in grass and/or water.  I always tell my clients that if they feel uncomfortable somewhere, they can tell me, and we’ll move.  No matter what speaks to me creatively, I want my clients safe and happy!   Long periods of rain often delays mowing in field areas.  Mud.  Nature stuff.  If you are an avid outdoors person, this might not deter you at all, but if you are the least bit faint of heart – ask your photographer about this, too!  Also, if you’re going somewhere on private land, permission to be there is important.  Nothing would spoil a session like getting kicked out early.

And of course, there are plantations, walls of street art, private areas in local neighborhoods, waterfronts near the creeks, and much more.  We are so lucky to live in a diverse area like Charleston.  Not only is it a gorgeous place to visit, it’s an awesome place to call home.  The opportunity to make beautiful family heirlooms is worth dealing with thunderstorms, bugs, and traffic every once in awhile.  Don’t forget, you can always inquire to schedule your session this fall!