Gallery By Laura Photography

Magan & Reid Clark — Charleston, SC Wedding Photographer

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:23:03 +0000

A wedding that includes pinwheels, flowers, COLOR and bubbles? Sign me up!

We’ve all know this couple was destined to be wed, long before it ever happened. Even me, I remember accidentally referring to Magan as Reid’s fiance long before it they were ever engaged! Ooops! Oh well, it was just that meant to be.

There were so many DIY touches that made this wedding really personal and full of whimsy. I’m a sucker for any excuse to use the word whimsy. Even the proposal was hand-made! Reid made a Magan a flip book and video that included all the memories they’ve shared and then slipped in the important question at the very end.

(Scroll to the bottom of this blog to watch the end of the proposal, and right after Magan said yes!)

Thank you to both families! I really enjoyed working with all of you over the last year. I’m so glad to be handing over such fun photos, full of sunshine, color, and love!

The last part of Reid’s proposal:

Reid’s Proposal from GallerybyLaura on Vimeo.

Magan after she said YES!

Magan said Yes! from GallerybyLaura on Vimeo.

Ceremony/Reception: 403 North Lake, Lexington SC

Flowers: The Frugal Flower

Videographer: April Adams with memorykeepersmedia.com

Photography: Laura Stribling with GallerybyLaura.com

Magan’s Bridal Portraits–Charleston, SC Wedding Photographer

admin — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:08:47 +0000

I can finally show Magan’s bridal portraits! If you notice the fall colors, you will see how long I’ve been waiting to post!

Ok so I’m posting this story again incase you missed it on facebook…

While we were doing Magan’s bridal portraits, the sweetest little 3 year old girl ran up behind Magan and handed her a flower. She just smiled and didn’t say anything. Her Dad explained to us that when the little girl saw Magan, she just wanted to give her a flower. It was sooooo cute! So we put that flower to work!

Plus there were so many other cute and thoughtful touches put into Magan’s wedding. Her shoes include rosettes made from her mother’s wedding dress.And her something blue was built into the dress! Her wedding date was stitched into the hem.
Plus I will never forget the look on her dad’s face when he showed up near the end of our shoot!
And now for Magan! Now Mrs. Clark! This one and the next one were the two portraits chosen for the big day!

Congrats Magan & Reid! Enjoy your honeymoon!

At home session with 5 amazing kids

admin — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:47:17 +0000

This shoot made me so very happy! I could not be more thrilled with how everything turned out, and how much fun it was to shoot! I was already on my way to do a shoot in Charlotte when I got an email from Lori. She needed portraits ASAP! I totally get this. We arranged a shoot at their house in Columbia on my way back to Charleston.

There were so many elements that made this shoot come out so great, but mostly it was because this is truly an amazing family. At the end of the shoot all the kids split up a pack of Skittles and made sure everyone got their fair share and favorite colors. I know it’s a small example but they blew my mind with how sweet they were to each other.

Another thing that helped our shoot was shooting at home. I love shooting in people’s homes for about a bazillion reasons.

Here’s a few:

1. It’s easier on everyone involved. Kids can take breaks, get snacks, have hissy fits, and then come back and join us when they’re ready.

2. Kids are happier and act more like themselves at home and surrounded by their own “things”.

3. I get to help choose clothes straight from closets. Putting together outfits ain’t easy! Plus I get to bring out my tiny little inner-fashion designer.

4. When I shoot outdoors, I need to shoot around sunset or sunrise to get the best lighting. If I’m indoors, with good window light, my shooting time lasts longer. (Great for working around nap times and kids who won’t be happy staying up until sunset.)

5. The pictures are so personal!

This is my favorite picture from the whole session…I think. Attention span of a 2 year old? Just give them something they love, and a two year old can be quite focused!I would have loved this room as a kid! Who am I kidding? I still want it.

I didn’t even see Batman on the wall when I took this picture. We were just trying to make it look like Superman was flying. I didn’t realize Batman was coming to the rescue! 10x cuter than I planned!

Sweet Ella, I caught her looking out the window when she was supposed to be looking at me! She just struck me so beautifully like this.

A thousand thanks!

6 Month Baby Pictures, Chaleston, SC photographer

admin — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:12:47 +0000

Remember that day when almost all of South Carolina had snow? Yup…. we were up and shooting at 8:30 in the morning! It was make-your-eyes-water windy cold. We quickly moved indoors! (I really just need a clean guest bedroom for most of what I do!) But it was worth it for the approx. 11 minutes we spent outdoors! Mom brought me some great props and everything was tied into her past and present, and probably future!

This shoot was a particularly cool one for me. It was the first time someone ever found a picture of mine on Pinterest, clicked through to the blog, found out I was local, and scheduled a shoot! She was soooo happy once we warmed her little hands!I love baby lashes!

Family & Newborn Photography, Charleston, SC newborn photographer

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:58:39 +0000

I thought I’d start this post off with a a cute side-by-side of 2 brothers, same age, same hat, same baby lips. Logan is on the left, (all fairness his session was on a much sunnier day, hence those grumpy lips.) Newest addition, Beckett on right.
I had so much fun with this little pumpkin. It was pretty exciting for me to be asked back to photograph their 3rd baby! I started with Asher’s 1st birthday cake smash, Logan’s newborn pics, Logan’s cake smash, and now Beckett’s newborn session! I love the mix of posed curled up sweetness and family interaction.

Quick pull-back shot.

I can’t tell you how many times this has happened. Dogs really do notice when they are not the center of attention!I love when it’s nice enough to take newborns outdoors!
Love this picture of the men!

Best Friends–Senior Portraits, Downtown Charleston, SC Photographer

admin — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:00:31 +0000

So I’ve been dying to shoot in and around downtown Charleston. There’s just so much natural and historic beauty in this city. Who better to photograph than this set of crazy best friends? I think this is how all senior portraits should be done. With sets of friends taking pictures and laughing together. I love the multiple frantic outfit changes, the fact that absolutely nothing was to be taken too seriously, and that warm fuzzy feeling of friendship. Oh, and not to mention both were drop dead gorgeous.

At home Newborn Photography Charleston, SC

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:29:34 +0000

This session was a particularly special one for me. Not just because little Caiden is so perfectly cute and squishy and looks just like his Dad. But because this is the first baby I’ve been able to photograph for a couple after also shooting their wedding. Caiden made me work for each of his sweet little pictures. He loved to do adorable baby dream spasms the very second I had him in the pose I wanted. I loved being able to shoot everything in their home, Christmas trees make for the perfect homey background.

I hope you had a Merry First Christmas Caiden!

Logan’s Cake Smash! Charleston, SC Cake Smash Photography

admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:39:42 +0000

I am so fortunate to get to take pictures for this family! Logan did a pretty great job of tearing into his cake, but it turned doubly cute when big brother Asher came to help him out. Last year I did Asher’s cake smash pictures and Logan’s newborn pictures. They’ve grown up quite a bit since then! I made a little video showing how the brothers compare side by side. Check it out!

Asher & Logan’s dual cake smashes! from GallerybyLaura on Vimeo.

New Party of 5 ~ Charleston, SC Newborn Photographer

admin — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:25:46 +0000

I waited for months and months to find out…boy or girl? Everyone was waiting, including mom, dad, and brothers! I think every week I changed my mind, boy or girl? Finally the big day came…it’s a Girl!!! I love that these brothers are old enough to remember life before and after their little sister, I’m sure she is already making quite an impact! (Scroll to the bottom for the cutest Daddy/daughter pic you have ever seen!)

Turner Family Photos–Downtown Columbia ~ Charleston, SC Photographer

admin — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:28:22 +0000

I think right behind my own mom, Julie Turner might just be my biggest fan and supporter. I met the lovely and talented Julie while I was an intern-turned-part-time-account-coordinator for a local ad agency in college. My life goal at the time was to have a creative job with a steady paycheck. I remember my last day working with Julie, I was telling her about the new full-time job I’d be taking after college at a different agency. As a copywriter and now the owner of wordsmith, Julie tends to be ever so precise with her words. Point blank, she asked me “Is that job what you want to be doing? If it’s not, you shouldn’t be doing it. Life’s too short.” I don’t remember the exact words I stuttered, but I knew the answer was no.

I recounted this memory to Julie a few years ago. She laughed and said, “Cool! I imparted wisdom.” So I guess I have to give some credit to Julie for giving me a push in my decision to do what I really wanted to do, instead of what I thought I was “supposed” to do.

I’ve known Julie’s kids for about 4 years now, back when the 8yr was the 4 year old, and the 4 year old was a bay-bay. Now they are just pure rockstars.

I took this picture for one reason, and one reason only, being small enough to with your entire body just doesn’t last forever.