Dana Point Newborn Photographer | Tips and tricks for your own newborn photos during COVID pandemic
I am so sad that I’m not able to take your newborn photos right now but I’ve put together a few things to help you take your own. Here are a few tips I use when I go to a clients home to do newborn photos and make sure to watch out for my newborn wrapping tutorial so you can wrap your babe up like a pro!
Can’t wait to hug you all soon! Stay healthy and stay home!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session. I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours! xoxo- Laurel
Orange County Baby Photography || All About SEO
Yesterday I had the biggest win for my business in a long time.
I found out I am on PAGE ONE for Google in all the keywords I’ve been working towards. Orange County is huge for baby photography and I never thought it would happen. This is something I’ve been working towards for months and to finally see my name on that first page was unreal! I don’t give a rats booty about Instagram followers, I have under 1000 while everyone else also on the first page has over 10k. Your Instagram following does not equal bigger paychecks. Read that again.
Your Instagram following DOES NOT EQUAL bigger paychecks. Stop worrying about Instagram and focus half as much time on your personal website and blog. You’ll reap the rewards 10 fold. (Ps… I’m also talking to myself because we know Instagram is a hell of a lot more fun than writing a blog post but discipline guys!)
Ok back to SEO.
Last year on my top keywords, like “Orange County Baby Photography” and about 10 others I’ve chosen to focus on. I was on page 6 or later on every single one. No one and I mean no one goes to page 6.
Last year I also hired TunicLabs (now called SEOtographer) to handle the back end of my website and optimize it for SEO. You can join their Facebook group here which is what kickstarted my interest. I think I paid $600 for him to optimize my site. It took 30 days and then he said to wait at least 6 months before expecting results. It wasn’t just hiring someone and forget it. You still have to do the work. Michael sent me a bunch on suggestions for me to handle on my own too. He even went as far as to list out the best keywords for me to use going forward.
TIPS in addition to hiring someone… (Notice I said in addition to, there is a lot of backend mumbo-jumbo that we just don’t understand and as much research as I did, which believe me I do A LOT. It was still confusing and overwhelming. Having Michael handle that part was a MUST.)
1. BLOG - Blog, blog, blog. Three times a week! Authentically writing meaningful content for your blog post of 300 words or more is vital. Google will see right through your feeble attempt to copy and paste the same keyword phrase over and over again. You must write as if you’re talking to someone. Write the keyword phrase in the title. Notice my Title of this post. Copy that algorithm for every post you do but switching up the phrases and post titles. Now I have my keyword used in three places already. It’s ideal to have that keyword in the first paragraph but anywhere in the first part of your post works too.
2. Rename images - I use Blogstomp which is a $49 must have software for blogging. I use it to rename my images and collages using the keyword phrase I’ve chosen. So all of the images in this post will be named “Orange County Baby Photography SEO (+add in something specific about each image)”. Again Google sees right through the copy & paste method so you must go into each image and name it something specific to that image. Example - Orange County Baby Photography SEO Baby girl in the studio. All the images on my website are the same, renamed to match one of my keyword phrases. Picking up what I’m putting down?
3. Don’t give up! I hired Michael last March and seriously thought it was a waste of money because nothing happened. I almost gave up but every time I get down I would just blog some more. Low and behold, he knew more than me and it’s working! I like to think back to what my dear friend Gaby Chung of GabyChung.com said. Also she is an absolute genius so you should go follow her on Facebook and Instagram. She has always said her highest paying clients come from Google and focus on your own website more than anything else. When all else fails, blog and pray.
4. This last part I add the bottom of every blog post. No one has told me to do this but I feel like it works. If nothing else its authentic way to get those precious keywords into the post. Here’s how I do it…
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby or motherhood Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into Fall 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Studio Sitter Session || Isaac 8 Months
Get ready for some studio magic up in here!
This adorable babe is a Collective member meaning I get to see his adorable family over and over again throughout his first year! Ashley’s maternity session is still one of my favorites ever, then his Fresh 48, his newborn and now his sitter! I’ve said it over and over again but the Collective really is the best way to go for an expecting mama. You get so much bang for your buck and you’ll LOVE the memories we make together!
Now back to this sweet face!!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Baby Photographer || Friday Playdates
A while back I talked on Instagram about feeling isolated. It’s hard for me to feel so vulnerable on social media but the feedback I got made me feel so good. It was a resounding YES from so many mamas.
Isolated in motherhood is hard enough but add in isolation from entrepreneurship and it’s just hard guys. I feel like the last 6 years, I’ve just spent hustling so hard to grow my business to where I am today that I never had time to realize how isolated I feel. Now that kids are older, my business is strong but steady and I feel very in control of it. That allows me the time to venture out, after all thats why I’ve spent so long building this up, so that I can learn to relax and spend more time laughing rather than in front of my computer.
Now I crave adult conversation, girls trips and book clubs. Maybe I’m just getting old too! 😬 When so many mamas DM’d me after my isolation conversation, I saw the need for weekly meetups for all of us, not just me. The need for adult conversation, new friends, new shoulders to cry on and faces to meet. So I started Friday Playdates!
Every Friday I plan a playdate at some park around Orange County. So far we’ve done Dana Point, San Clemente, Dana Point Harbor, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Beach. Each week we’ll switch the location and the time so mamas from all over OC can come. Invite anyone you know, the more the merrier!
This week’s playdate will be Friday 2/28 at 9am at Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point (gorgeous views of the harbor too!) If you’d like to be added to my text message list, email me your phone number. I send out a text on Thursday with all the details.
Hope to see you soon!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Family Photographer || Why I am super picky with our own family photos.
Last week I confirmed our involvement in a model call with my absolute favorite photographer of all time. Like for real. I did a happy dance in my bathroom when it finally all worked out! So excited you guys! Katie of Katielamb.com is not only adorable but her images are like magic! They sparkle and offer the bright and vibrant look I love!
We don’t have our family photos done very often and I’ll explain why! First of all, you have to understand I love family photos and we take selfies ALLLLL the time! But selfies aren’t for our walls, selfies aren’t for Christmas cards, selfies are for our own enjoyment and we love to look at them… on our phones. I want wall art. I want big gorgeous albums.
My family does NOT enjoy family photos, my hubby complains big time, the boys grumble and whine, Poppy usually yells (that’s normal though 😉). That means when we do commit to family photos, I am going to be 1000% confident in the photographer I choose. I’ve had hundreds of newbie photographers offer to take our photos for free and honestly I just can’t. I can’t put my family through that type of stress and drama for mediocre photos or even beautiful photos. If they’re not my style, meaning I won’t print them for my walls, I’m not doing it even for free.
You should be that picky too! Be 1000% confident with the photographer you choose, make sure they’re honest, reliable, and that you’ve seen entire galleries (not just their curated Instagram feed). I’m always happy to send you out entire galleries for any given session, just ask!
Anyways as I’m getting ready for our family photos it just made me want to yell that from the rooftops. I sincerely hope that each client I have is this excited to book with me. I hope they dream about our session and I hope are equally in love with their outcome!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session. I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Studio Kids Session || Valentine's Sessions
I used to offer a full day of mini sessions for Valentine’s Day but the last couple years I’ve started offering less and less mini sessions. As much as mamas love mini sessions, I don’t feel like they give clients an accurate representation of the experience I offer. It’s also such a short session that sometimes it doens’t work out well for fussy kiddos.
That all said… I have clients who still love the themed sessions so without much ado I sneak in a few studio sessions and specialize them for the holiday. If you’re ever interested, feel free to email me. The session is always about you and your dreams and I’m happy to accommodate any look.
These are a few of my favorites from our Valentines Studio Sessions in February.
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
San Juan Capistrano Newborn Session || Skylar June Newborn
These beautiful people are family related to some long time clients of mine. Is there anything better than getting to photograph the whole dang family, like the biggest compliment ever!
I photographed Jamie’s maternity session in Carlsbad on the sand and honestly I was super nervous. She had mentioned how she didn’t like her previous photographers work so obviously I scoured her Instagram and found the session. It looked good to me and I’m thinking, that photographer is probably better than me. Well that kind of talk isn’t doing me any favors and obviously she trusted me so I just need to get behind that confidence and go with it. Sometimes its hard to feel you’re good at something, I always pick out my weaknesses and focus on them. I’m working on that this year, working on trusting myself and the years of practice and perfection I’ve strived for. I’m working on listening to my gut and going with the choices I feel are right versus what I think everyone else wants to see.
And guess what Jamie loved her maternity session and loved her newborn session even more so I guess I’m doing something right! Also look at that last image, big brothers face is just tooooo cute!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album! If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session.
I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours!
xoxo- Laurel
Dana Point Family Photography || K Family on the Bluffs
I met Britney through Instagram and on my goodness, her little family is the cutest thing ever! I first photographed her for her sweet Selah’s newborn session at their San Juan Capistrano home. Talk about goals, guys! Their house is perfect, their love is perfect, Selah is perfect, it’s alllll just so good! I was lucky enough to have them in the studio for Selah’s 3 month session for a little motherhood session and it was 🙌🏼. For the holidays and Selah’s 6 month session, we chose to do outside in this gorgeous bluff overlooking the Pacific ocean. The view here is sooooo good!
Poppy Lea Photography is a motherhood photographer in Orange County who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood sessions and family photography in the Orange County area, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.
This will give you a glimpse into what you will receive when you commission me as your maternity, newborn, baby, motherhood or family Photographer in Orange County. If you would like to see what an entire gallery looks like, please don’t hesitate to ask. My favorites are posted here, but all of the images you receive are worthy of being in a frame or an album!
If you are you interested in a custom portrait session with Poppy Lea Photography and would like more information, please click here to see the experience.
For investment information, please click HERE.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the contact button above or email me directly at poppyleaphotography@gmail.com.
Sessions are currently booking into 2020, so please inquire when you know you’d like a session. I find such joy in capturing a family’s story and would be honored to help you tell yours! xoxo- Laurel