Lady K. Photography

Calling all…. Cattle Farmers!
Yes, really. This gorgeous family is like you. And honestly they, like you, are my kinda people if ya know what I mean.

I live in the south (we joke that the panhandle is actually lower Alabama), Kansas and all those so called fly over states, hold a special place in my heart. I really should share some photos I love from our time out there.

Ya know, it’s always been a little dream of mine to photograph the same families I meet on the beach at their homes, with their cattle, in the garden or with their fowl. Because I’ll be honest, I know there is only so much “legacy” you can get with a vacation.

If this is something you think you’d EVER be interested in, message me. For real. As we being to plan our travels for the next couple years I’d love to see if your family fits into that cross country trek.

I mean how perfect would it be to have a cohesive collection of images from your beach vacation AND your sacred space or place you call home.

Gahhh so many ideas in my mind.

Someone give me the excuse to hug the neck of a face I’ve seen before and fall deeper in love with the Midwest.

Shoutout to God for sending me the best, hardworking, and wholesome humans in the world as clients. 🤍 I’m thankful everyday. People who work with their hands and hearts for something more than just themselves.

You are incredible mama. You sustain life. This gift has been given to you by God with intentionality and the most awe striking forethought.

HAPPY WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

It’s not always easy. It’s not always without strife. We have hard nights. Mornings. Even nap times. Drives leave your brain fried sometimes too.

We all know there is NO path that is easier than any other as a mama. But, this is my shoutout to all the moms in the same boat as me. Nursing babies round the clock for months (even years) on end.

Here’s to milk drunk grins and sweet snuggles. 🤍

28 Consecutive Months + Counting over here!

What about you mama?!?
Did you attempt to nurse? Decide it wasn’t your jam? Have you hugged a mom that is nursing? Told her how proud you are of her? (It really does fill our cup!)

This is a great time to share your story, because your journey is ALWAYS worth sharing whenever you’re ready. Someone may need to hear it. Incase you didn’t already know, I offer in-home sessions to Santa Rosa + Escambia County FL (but if you’ve got a home on the beach you get bonus points)!

PS: All my posts for the past couple years have been written while I nurse. I’ve definitely felt the mom guilt for being on my phone. And I’ve also felt like a winner for multitasking. Haha

This has been uncomfortable…
I’ve been spending a lot of time in my mind lately, as well as in my Bible. (I wasn’t doing the best job of that for awhile.)

God sent me a community that’s pushing me to grow. If I was honest… it’s uncomfortable. (Yay for a women bible study group!) I’ve never been the best “girls girl” or “bestie” material. You could probably tell from my formal language if you’ve been here awhile, I just don’t fit that description. There are lots of things I just don’t talk about, or connect with others on. Sometimes I feel that carries over into my business because I’m just different.

It’s been humbling to connect with these other women who seem to be much “better” believers than I am. It’s also given me hope again that maybe I’m not unworthy of calling “friend.”

Growing up, getting married, moving off, having babies (unconventionally), and moving back isn’t exactly a recipe for stellar relationship building. It’s one of the hardest seasons of life to feel like you don’t have the friends you imagined you would.

I’ve thought a lot about how the internet (and especially tv in those earlier years) gives us a really unattainable standard for friendship. It can stir up envy, sorrow, and anger really quick.

This is a SLOW process for me. Learning how to be a friend all over again, because let’s be honest, as a mom + wife, it’s much different than a tween sharing lunchbox snacks. 🤍

If you’re a friend and you’re reading this, I love you. I miss you. I can’t wait to hug your neck again.

If you’re also in this season and feeling lonely, your boat just got a little less lonely, I promise it’s just foggy right now mama. The fog will clear and you’ll see your bestie at the other end of the boat ready to move forward together. 🤍

No, it doesn’t cost extra.

Styling your family is my second favorite part of the entire experience. (Your session is number one!)

Now that’s not to say I won’t go a little extra… because serving you in this way makes a huge difference to your experience, but more importantly your finally works of art.

Here’s a little bit on how I make this happen:
1) Style Guide - 25+ Pages for you to comb through at your leisure.
2) Styling Questionnaire - The basics like sizes, preferred colors, plans for the photos etc.
3) Styling + Planning Consultation - Further discussion to really see how I can serve your family, from your sleeve preferences, home interior colors, body silhouette, hair colors, and more.
4) Custom Style Board - I really mean fully custom, no board is the same as another family’s. Outfits for each and every person, from great grandmama, to you, and your brothers newborn baby. Each board includes links to each item for easy click, add to cart and checkout. 🙌🏻 WINNING.

So whether you have one large framed piece over the settee or a full gallery wall on the main staircase, your portraits will all be cohesive with your space and your tastes.

Am I a little crazy? Yes.
Is it totally worth it? Absolutely.
Should I charge more for it? Yepp.
Will I? Nope.

8ish hours fully dedicated to your family before you’re even in front of my camera. 🤍

Quick question mamas: Final portraits aside, when you are planning or having family photographs done, what do you enjoy most about the process of planning, preparing + being photographed?

What I wish I had known when I hired my own photographer…
before I knew what I know now.

Editing style matters.
Just as much as HOW a photographer photographs you.

If you don’t want you skin to be unnatural. It’s a big deal.
If you want the sky to be blue. It’s a big deal.
If you want true shades of green. It’s also a big deal.

These are things you really need to notice when you hire a photographer.

Does it look at all realistic? Do you want realistic? Or dreamy? True to like colors can make a huge difference in how your photographs look on your walls.

Here’s the biggest one:
Are their WHITES actually WHITE?!?

While these may seem like no brainers, lots of photographers choose a stylistic approach to editing that doesn’t follow true to life coloration in their final edits.

While there is NOTHING wrong with that, as a client, you want to pay mind to that photographers chosen style.

Do you actually LOVE their work, or do you love them? Their personality, how they make you feel? Would their photographs look right hung on your walls or would the colors clash with your decor? Is it timeless? So even when the home trends change will your portraits still work?

All things to consider.

(Even I have hired a photographer not for their work, but because I wanted to be their friend…. and no. I was not successful.)

Do you hire your photographer based on their style or who they are? (Or both?!?)

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

It’s not very often that I share related to a specific day or event, but I’ve been reflecting on the value of a good, God fearing father. Not just a good man.

The refining a man experiences by fully submitting his life to Christ, and again in taking on the role of leadership as a husband, then again as he becomes a father.

This seasons can be frustrating, being changed in spirit is not comfortable. But oh the remarkable gift it is to be changed by your creator. With a resounding and eternal love.

Thank you to all the fathers, pursing a deeper relationship with their Heavenly Father on behalf of being a better father to their children.

Is your father or your children’s father a spiritual leader in your life?

Obsessing over this preview from Tuesday’s family session. 🤍 If you know me, you know I adore clouds, and the Wilhite’s wardrobe was just the perfect contrast mirroring the look of the clouds in the sky.

Sooo hello from the artist over here in a puddle. 🤍

Any Mamas on the Cape THIS WEEK interested in a Petite Family or Maternity session on Tuesday the 11th?

I’d love to open a slot or two up specifically for the Cape on this date. 🤍

Inquire with the link below and you’ll be sent a reservation proposal where you can view the exclusive investment and schedule your session on the spot.

https://www.ladykdesignsllc.com/stgeorgeislandphotographer-contact

Are you overwhelmed too?

Lord, it feels like everything is bubbling over.
Overwhelmed.
Overstimulated.
Overtired.

Family. The house. Broke down car. Medical care. Homestead. Politics. Illness. Finances. Friendships. Fears. Just taking care of yourself. I mean… how many days has it been since you showered?

It doesn’t exactly stop.

So in the midst of all the things I’m just over, (much like you are) I’m trying to focus on the tiniest bits of love, joy, peace, kindness, and goodness I can find.

Because sometimes the happiness our babies toes bring us are the only thing that carry us from one hour to the next. That’s okay.

What a gift that these tiny moments, like biting into a creamy slice of pie, can be when the expenses don’t match up to the income.

There is a GOOD reason. God. He gives us these moments of light in every cloud of frustration or anxiety. While we have a tendency to glaze over them most days (that’s on us), when we reach a point of desperation, we always find it.

Thank you God for your love notes. For your steadfast reminders.

I was warned…
Years ago.
That I would regret not posting photos from my sessions close to or almost immediately after I delivered them.

While they were half right, they were also half wrong.

My editing changed for the better. Like wayyyy better. My photographic style changed just enough that there is a visible difference (mostly just from in camera settings).
So some of my favorite photos from back then, just don’t fit quite right with my style now when placed side by side.

Talk about frustrating.
So many goodies missed and nuggets of beauty that never got shared.

I’m really tempted to re-edit them. *gasp* - half the photographers out there. For shame, for admitting my work could have been better.

Could it have been though? Not really. The hours I spent toiling over those galleries is not lost to me. Nor is the major undercut of my time and value. I was barely charging a mere $2.50 per image for some of those sessions….

But we won’t dive into that! 😉

I’m here now, I know better, my work is better than it ever has been. Every day, only getting better. Oh the blissful freedom that comes being an artist and knowing that to be true. With every investment in education, every hour spent editing, each interaction with clients and even just potential ones. It all improves every step of the way.

Now I’m serving clients who light my soul up, I feel connected and understood. (Helloooo to my fellow conservative, lovers of art + their family!!!)

I’m thankful beyond measure. And I’ll let ya know if I’m posting updated edits on “never before seen” photos from sessions past! Hehe

Here’s the truth.

What you wear matters. Like a lot.
It dictates a myriad of relative details.

Here are some of the MOST significant ones for appearance alone:
1. The light; as early as the session itself your clothing will have an impact. You see dark colors like black or navy blue create dark shadows, those can be tough to recover later when shooting on the beach and compensating for all the light bright sand and shore. Wearing neons and super bright colors, or even pink can create what we photographers call “color cast.” This can give you a really unnatural skin tone, think sickly for neon green or bright turquoise or flamingo for bright orange or shades of pink and red.

2. How the images are edited, kinda related to the first point, dark shadows because of dark colors means your images simply won’t be as light as the ones you’re seeing in my portfolio. They will have a heavier look overall with more contrast and “intensity” verses the peaceful and serene essence you’re likely looking for by hiring me.

3. Your personal confidence is one of the biggest factors I feel gets majorly overlooked. When you’re working with me to craft a look for you and your family, we will consider every detail. What’s your body type? Do you love to show off your shoulders? Hubby has green eyes? Should we mind the hem length because you’re 5’9”?
When you’re wearing pieces, colors, and patterns that truly flatter you, you’ll exude more confidence and it WILL show up in your photographs. You’ll KNOW I’m not lying when I say how amazing you all look!

4. How the photographs look displayed in your home is the next big piece to the appearance puzzle. I take the time to chat with you about the spaces you plan to hang your works of art. We WANT them to tie in with your space. From decor and paint swatches to metal accents, fabric swatches and cohesiveness with other art in your space.

Don’t let all this overwhelm you! It’s what I’m here for, and when you let me lead your styling experience you’ll have a custom style board crafted to suit each detail. WITH links to shop each look or use it to inspire while you shop your hubby’s closet.

Here’s to creating portraits of art. 🤍

Photographing family will always hold a special place in my heart. Probably one of the highest privileges in the world for me is using my gift to love on those who love me. Just these Previews mean a great deal to me already.

Thank you to Juli + Matt for giving me something to cry about.
From nights of pull-ups, Thomas the Tank Engine, and free pizza as his babysitter, to talks about nice girls, hockey games with our dads and Waffle House.

I love this boy so much. I've spent my entire life watching him grow into a really kind and perfectly quirky young man. I can't wait to see all he does, and how God continues to shape his heart.

PS: Senior Portrait Sessions are only available to Membership clients! Receive up to four sessions of your choice, from the available sessions list, within 12 months when you invest in a membership for your family.

Had a family of cowboys + girls tonight on St. George Island that absolutely melted my heart.

Word of advice from the couple of 50 years, “Just never leave.”
That I can get behind.

No matter how tough times get, be stubborn and don’t walk away.

Sounds like the perfect advice from a set of legacy cattle ranchers. 🤍

Prom is on the horizon, with Milton High School up first, and I've crafted just the right offering for you and your student!

A location close by with plenty of parking and a quick hop to the interstate for those Pensacola dinner reservations.

Inquire here to receive an instant reservation process with all the simplified investment details.

https://www.honeybook.com/widget/lady_k_designs_llc_179739/cf_id/6626a6736dc319002c748310

From your gallery shop you'll have access to luxury framed prints and heirloom albums to document your student's legacy in their final years of High School.

Can I be vulnerable for a minute?

I’ve been struggling since we changed our pace from coastal oasis living over to homestead life.

It’s been one daily battle after the next. Most days, just inside my own head.
Some reflecting on my past, others wondering if I’ll ever be a worthy mama and wife.

Business has become my default “I’m a failure” self sabotaging.

I’ve been trying to put a stop to that, but I’ve found my identity so wrapped up in what I do. (Or what I don’t do.)

Certain parts of certain aspects of life can be difficult.
Moving.
Having a baby.
Being a toddler mom.
The finance manager.
Planner.
Daughter.
Friend.
Granddaughter.
Sister.
Wife.

And so much more.

There are joyful parts of everything. But lately I’ve been struggling with it all. Internally. You’d really never know.

In all honesty, as I type this all out it’s occurred to me my biggest failure in this season is not actively participating in my relationship with God. It’s like with all the joy my tiny people have brought me, I somehow feel even more distant. The hustle and bustle of life. Sometimes it feels like if I could just get it together with God everything else would fall into place.

Then I question my motives for pursuing God.

And I stop.

How can I let satan win like this y’all?!?

Where are you at right now? Does it all boil down to one thing for you? What’s helping you feel like your wheels aren’t spinning right out from under you?

Previews from tonight’s motherhood session and my heart is full. I got to come out of my seemingly strict beach boundaries and do something more creative.

Thank you Amy for trusting my vision once again!
🤍🤍🤍
There will never come a day that I won’t photograph you with pure love in my heart.

The Inconceivable Joy ~ I’m tempted to say “of motherhood” but the reality is this state spans both men and women as parents.

We have moments of utter adoration, joy, bliss and so much more. I can attest there is no other thing in this world that compares. You cannot understand the emotions you will experience from the moment you become a parent until you are one.

I really didn’t think it was true.

But here I am. Full brunt of the early stages of toddlerhood and the second beautiful stage of infancy. Even when I find myself frustrated or overwhelmed there is part of me that just can’t help but see the joy in this season of life.

Not even some of my hardest days haven’t been saturated with love.

One of God’s greatest gifts are our children.

I want to never take that for granted and I pray that this business helps other mamas do the same. 🤍

The latest on the blog! Talking all about the WEATHER on St. George Island for each season.

St. George Island Weather | From a Florida Photographer Living on the Florida coast my entire life has its perks, being well aware of the weather is certainly one of them. After 3 years of intentionally monitoring the weather on St. George Island and the surrounding areas I feel pretty confident in making a call to proceed, reschedule or all out cancel a...

My cousin came for a last minute visit and I honestly dropped everything to spend some time with her. (Hawaii isn’t exactly a few minutes away.)

We chatted about how vital community is, which ended up being the primary reason for her trip. She needed her people, even just for a few days.

I get like this often. I think we all do. Going through the ebbs and flows of life and then we realize we are farther down the river than the rest of our companions. We stop to breathe and realize just how alone we are and at least how we may feel.

This conversation brought me back to a familiar state, and it’s exactly why I started a local community group. I’ve been craving connection to like minded women, specifically mamas, that I can actually meet with and hug their necks.

(If you’re local to the Pensacola area, I’ll be sharing the group in my stories! If you’re crunchy AND Christian/Messianic, you’ll fit right in!)

Family and friends are who help us keep our heads on straight sometimes, but in a lot of cases they are great about helping us step outside of ourselves. Getting us to laugh and see our struggles from a different point of view. It’s really handy though when those perspectives are still filtered through the same values we want to uphold. So finding those people is kind of a big deal.

I’ve always felt like the odd one out, but becoming a mother has made me proud of who I am and wanting to seek out others like me.

Have you found your “tribe” or community?

Happy Monday Fellow Island Mamas! (Even if it’s just for the week! 😉) I have four petite sessions available just for you. Send it to your hubby with a little reminder that Mother’s Day is almost here.

Send me a message with your email + preferred date/time slot to receive your session proposal. 🤍

Soak up all the beachy goodness this week y’all! 🌤️

www.ladykdesignsllc.com

Www.instagram.com/ladyk.photography

I’m crying at the park today…
My little girl has been on this earth for two years, the thought of that fills my heart with so much joy and ache all at the same time.

I think about the years to come, how wonderful it will be to spend more time with her. But goodness am I afraid of how much more my heart might break. Watching her grow. It doesn’t make any sense all these feelings we have as mothers.

My baby will keep growing and time won’t slow down. So I’ll sit at the park and watch her play as I nurse her baby brother. For most, this was just an ordinary day, but today I reflect on one of the best days of my life. The day I became a mom. My greatest gift and humbling transformation.

God has been the orcastratter of every detail that brought her to be here. Exactly who she is and all she will do is His making. I can’t wait to watch it all unfold. But I can certainly wait too.

Remember to soak it up mamas. I’m right here with you. Going through it.

It’s a constant battle of excitement and regret. So I’m intentionally seeking the joy when I pause to watch her play.
Pause today mama.

Happy Birthday to my deeply empathetic and beautiful baby girl! 🤍

She loves pizza just like her mama, and dances even when everyone is watching. That’s not to say she isn’t shy, but that she loves what she loves and isn’t ashamed. I pray it stays that way.

Here it is Mama's!

THE most exclusive offer of the year. Just in time for Mother's Day!

www.ladykdesignsllc.com/links

As a means to serve Mama's and Grandmama's with intentionality, I'd like to grow the client wardrobe at a faster pace. In lieu of this, I'm offering a handful of Petite sessions on St. George Island + Pensacola Beach in exchange for purchasing a gown of my choice to add to the wardrobe.

Dates are:
Wednesday, March 27th on St. George Island
+ Sunday, April 7th on Pensacola Beach

When you inquire a list of dresses will be provided to you. From there you'll choose the dress YOU love and would like to purchase, after you share your choice with me, I'll hold a time slot for 24hrs so you can make your purchase.

Then you'll submit a screenshot of your receipt, and we will move forward with signing the client agreement to reserve your spot!

It really is that simple.

Select "Wardrobe Event" to inquire!
www.ladykdesignsllc.com/links

*Digital Files, Art and Heirlooms are sold separately. One gown covers your session creative fee, additional dresses or clothing items for the family that are approved* can be traded for digital files.

A little peek at the sweetness I’ve had the privilege of working on this year. 🤍

Cara was an absolute dream of a client and her family made my heart swell. This session felt very full circle for me. You see, I met her my very first year on the Milton High yearbook staff, she was the editor. It was this particular school activity that would send me down the path of becoming a professional photographer. I knew very quickly this would be my profession and I’m so thankful I stuck it out.

Now, on to serving mamas who are in the same season of life as myself. Raising all the babies! 🤍

Thank you so much for trusting me Cara!

Did you know Lady K is on PublicSquare?

Pop over and give our Profile a Like! 🤍 It gives my business a boost in search which only helps it grow.

America's Marketplace | PublicSquare America's Marketplace

The good Lord is doing a number on me… I can’t say I’m surprised either.

I love a plan. Being in control. Exceeding expectations.

But God has a different idea for me, clearly. I’m trying really hard to humble my heart (not harden it), and surrender this experience to Him. As we roll past 41 weeks of pregnancy the mental struggle is more exhausting than being pregnant itself.

I remind myself this is actually normal. Women go beyond even 42wks all the time with wonderful healthy babies.

Selfishly I’m frustrated. Plans have been thrown out as each week passes. I’m caught between deciding if I’ll simply take a shorter maternity leave or cancel plans for petite session launches.

I don’t mind the wait necessarily, but the outside pressure is what really gets to you. State of Florida says “no home birth passed 42wks,” family asking “where’s that baby,” care providers constantly saying “get plenty of rest, you’ll need it.” Don’t stress, but also you’re on a very limited timeline now.

The rules of society and social norms thankfully are not things that God subscribes to, Hallelujah! So I’m working on my heart and controlling my mind as much as possible in accordance with His truth. His plans for this birth will far exceed my own. I can’t wait to share with you when it finally comes to pass. 🤍

Prayers for peace + choosing joy sweet friends!

These two celebrated their birthdays over the past week and I wish more than anything I could hug their necks! Ken (my hubby) and I, love them both so much. The friendship God gifted us was even greater than what we thought we needed.

Now to think we will have our own little (fingers crossed) January baby to love and bond with just makes my heart happy. 🤍

We miss you so much + ! We will see you when the spring breakers come rolling into town! 😉

Three Tips for your FIRST family photo session:

1) Follow your photographer’s lead
Odds are if you’re hiring a professional, we’ve photographed enough families to have a workflow or pattern to our sessions that is consistent with providing every photograph you truly want.

2) Surrender to the children
This one can be HARD. Especially for those of us with strong willed kiddos (hello mama, I feel you!). While it can feel counterintuitive to let them just be kids, the alternative can be tears, tantrums and an overall no good time for everyone.
It’s my job as your photographer to know how to entice your child to participate. Which is actually much easier than mom and dad working to convince them. There’s some kind of special goodness to being a goofy stranger.

3) Enjoy your spouse
Seriously, the amount of times I have had to get moms and dads to just SLOWWW down and hold each others hands is surprising. This session is about your family, and that started with YOU TWO. You made those babies and those babies will grow up looking to see your love for each other across the timeline of their lives. Give them something to giggle about! 😉

Really these can all be applied to any family session, not just your first, but I notice more with new parents the attempts at “perfection.” Your family is perfect though mama, because it’s yours.

And if it helps, all of us photographers have seen the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Your family will be no shock to us. 🤍

MAMA - the best title I’ve ever been given and if you’re a mama you’d likely say the same.

Share with me one of your most joyful memories with your babe(s) in the comments below.

Or a positive birth story!?!

I’d love to see some beautiful experiences as I wait for our second little one to arrive. 🤍

Only Three Summer dates left for Cape San Blas + St. George Island! My goodness this year has flown by and the families have been absolutely incredible to serve.

Sessions available to extended + immediate families. Inquire via www.ladykdesignsllc.com/contact to receive the complete investment guide.

Things will be shifting come the fall and I am so excited for all the ways Lady K will be able to bless each family through their experience. 🤍