My heart in 2021 || Orange County Photographer
I feel like my heart has been telling me something for a while but I have been drowning it out with my own self doubt and criticism. My heart aches to tell my story in a bigger way, to share my life and our story with more mamas, to connect more. I’ve had friends and family tell me for years I should do more blogging and I know in my soul that I should.
But let me tell you something.
One time, I had someone I love very much tell me that I shouldn’t, that I shouldn’t be “one of those people” and that one tiny statement that she probably doesn’t even remember saying has stuck with me. It was just the bug I needed to drown out the noise of my heart so I don’t turn into “one of those people”. How silly of me. How silly to let that small, off the cuff comment effect me for years. Self doubt is a wild, ugly thing.
So my word for 2021 is heart.
My heart will be leading the way with my business and our lives. Starting homeschool this year has brought me closer than ever to listening to my heart. It’s a miraculous thing, when you start trusting yourself and believing that you can do all the things that we’ve been told we can’t. Homeschooling was one of those things for me. We’ve been taught since we were in diapers to go to school, we were taught that teachers are the smartest people we know and to trust their words right along side the pastor and our parents. I still believe most teachers are superior humans and should be given a raise and a stiff drink to deal with all they deal with. But my heart does not agree with the system. My heart doesn’t think kids should be forced to sit in desks for 7 hours a day. My heart thinks they should be learning to read using scriptures and poetry, not mindless politically correct sentence structures. And my heart really aches for my oldest’s experience so here goes. Despite negative test results, we were told year after year that our oldest had ADHD and a learning disability called dysgraphia (handwriting so illegible that it’s a learning disability). Within 2 months of being homeschooled we corrected both and his handwriting is now better than mine. He is perfect, the system was the problem. It was my fault too, I’m not just blaming the system. I should have worked more with him, I didn’t know better. Not once did a teacher suggest he needs more practice, I would have sat him down everyday. That is my problem with the system. Not enough one on one guidance, not enough love and compassion, just not enough. These teachers are spread thin on a normal year and now even thinner. Homeschool has been a huge blessing for our family and I plan to share more about that too.
The heart of my business is still the same. I feel so content and right where I want to be with this business. My heart is for babies and mamas and I’ll continue to share those with you everyday.
I’ll also be sharing more personal stuff. Analytically speaking personal posts do 8x better for me than a gorgeous photo anyway of the week. So I’ll share our home and life, more recipes and clean living. One of the biggest things that has interested me over the last year is our health and how we support our bodies. I’m currently obsessed with natural healing, herbology, gardening and oils. I don’t sell anything though so don’t worry and I will not be a fashion blogger so don’t expect to see that either. You’re welcome! 😂 I much prefer workout pants and a slippers anyways.
The last important thing my heart needs to say is while I’ll still post of social media, the real guts of my business and me are here on my own platform and I really hope that you’ll check in here often. I really hope you move past the pretty pictures on my Instagram and get to know me and our story. I really hope to connect and hug you in real life. Come to my book club. Meet us at the park. Let’s get a glass of wine. Motherhood is not meant to be done alone and I really hope you’ll do it with us!
Cheers to 2021 friends, I know it’s going to be sooo good!
Xo- Laurel
Gorgeous family photos taken by my insanely talented friend Shannon Worley in Austin Tx www.shannonworleyphotography.com If you’re in Austin, you have to her take your photos!
Orange County Newborn Photographer | FAQ
Being a newborn mama is overwhelming but your newborn photos shouldn’t be. As an Orange County Newborn Photographer, I do my best to make the process as smooth as possible. I know its scary and I’ve been there three times so hopefully I can ease your mind.
Before our session… We’ll talk either on the phone or in person. We’ll discuss timing, wardrobe and your vision for the session. You’ll get a contract and invoice via email to sign and pay your session fee. Your appointment isn’t finalized until both of those are taken care of. A few days before you’ll receive an email with some details on how to prep yourself and your baby for our big day.
When you arrive… After you wash your hands and get settled. Wardrobe will be available so you can change yourself and any siblings. I have wardrobe for everyone but dads. I usually start with sibling and family photos and then finish with some of baby alone. The session is usually between 60-90 minutes.
After your session… We’ll get you scheduled for an ordering appointment within 2 weeks. At the ordering appointment you’ll see printed proofs and choose what wall art and/or products you’d like to purchase.
If you ever have a question at all, feel free to call or text me. 949.444.1200
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
How to make my all time favorite Cinnamon Oak Milk Latte | Dana point Photographer
As a Dana Point newborn photographer and mama of three, I basically run off coffee. I feel like most mamas probably feel the same and if that’s you. Well I am about to rock your world when it comes to making your coffee at home. It’s better than Starbucks (honestly I don’t even like Starbucks anymore) and it’s healthy, low in sugar and much more affordable than a coffee shop.
Step 1 : Good quality espresso. I use a Nespresso and honestly I’m obsessed with it. Most pod coffee is so watered down and flavorless in my opinion but Nespresso is not at all. Here is the one I have but if you keep your eye out you can almost always find a really good deal on them.
Step 2. Oak Milk. I have tried every oat milk on the market within the last year or two and there is only one brand that reigns supreme. OATLY. I can only find this brand at Target, Sprouts and Whole Foods. I seriously buy 4 or more at a time. People are out buying TP in bulk and I’m buying oat milk. It’s fine.
Step 3. I steam my oat milk while my espresso brews. Oatly oat milk foams so nicely too, way more than other brands. Add in a scoop or two of Vital Proteins Collagen, a little agave and mix it all together. Lastly sprinkle some cinnamon on top and voila!
Step 4: Lastly, I must recommend a Yeti coffee cup, it keeps my coffee HOT for hours. As a busy mama, this cup lets me enjoy a warm cup most of the morning!
If you try this, let me know what you think! I hope you love it as much as I do!
Xo- Laurel
Dana Point Maternity Photographer | San Juan Capistrano Mission Maternity
This pretty mama is one of my dearest friends and I was so excited to photograph her adorable bump. And at one of my favorite locations, the San Juan Capistrano Mission. This incredible dress is by Coven and Co and my amazing friend donated it to my client closet for all of you to wear for sessions.
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 Maternity Photographer | How to take a maternity silhouette selfie
As a maternity photographer, specifically in Orange County and Dana Point, I’ve had countless requests for this silhouette of your baby bump. This timeless image is my favorite from my pregnancy with Poppy and really blew up on Pinterest in 2019. I love Pinterest but it’s random as to what goes viral. This particular shot is so easy thought I would give you a step by step so you can do it at home.
Find a dark room with ideally a floor to ceiling window on a bright day. Avoiding this when the sun is coming directly through the window. You’ll want some soft diffused light so sheers work best.
Wear dark skin tight clothes. I wore a black sports bra and yoga pants, My bare belly is out. You can even do this nude but you’ll have to be more careful with edits.
You can see placement of the front arm is challenging but I think placing the hand on your hip allows you to see the full shape of your belly better.
SELF TIMER time! I did this on my phone, not my DSLR, out of pure laziness. Set the time on your iPhone and get into place.
Edit! I use the simple editor on Photos app within iPhone and if needed just add black in PS over the silhouette (carefully). Brighten the highlights and whites. Drop the shadows and blacks. Add contrast and clarity.
Or you can even send it over to me and I’ll edit it for you!
Orange County Baby Photographer | Selah Sitter Session
Little miss Selah is apart of one of my favorite families in Orange County. I have had the privilege to photograph her newborn, 3 month and now her sitter session. Each session just keeps getting better. I can hardly believe it’s almost time for her first birthday session. For this session, we stayed in my studio in San Juan Capistrano and it’s the perfect setting for a sitter session.
We started this session with a quick motherhood session. This helps get baby warmed up with mama still holding her and gets mama in the frame (which is SO important!) Mama’s wardrobe was borrowed from my growing client closet. These gorgeous flower crowns were hand made by this beautiful mama owned business Add A Lil Sunshine, you can have her customize something for you directly through her website.
Orange County Newborn Photographer | What to Wear Summer 2020
As an Orange County newborn photographer, this is the most asked question I receive… The reason some families avoid photos all together… The most dreaded part of family photos for moms…
“What should we wear?”
The answer - I changed my whole business model to help alleviate some of this stress for you. Even if you choose to purchase your own outfits instead of borrowing from my client closet (99% of clients use). I include a style guide every month on my blog to give you ideas and source the clothes for you.
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 Newborn Photographer | All About Me
It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these and we have some new faces around here so I thought I would give you an update. I know you’ve been waiting for this. 😉
I’m the face behind Poppy Lea Photography, Laurel. I’m a mama of 3 and babies are my thing. I come from a long line of baby whisperers and proud to have turned that into a business I love. My first studio was in San Clemente and I opened in 2018 (right after having Poppy). It wasn’t quite right for me so after 6 months, I said goodbye and looked for something better. In August 2019 we bought a home that has a built in studio space. Honestly it’s a dream. I’ll never have a commercial space again. I love that I can go into the studio and work whenever I have a free minute. I am going into my 6th year of businessman have really started to hone in on my craft the least two years. I focus on maternity through first birthday, with some family portraits sprinkled in for my favorites.
I am originally from Arizona but after living in California for over 10 years, I consider this home. My hubby is born and raised Dana Point. We met in Las Vegas at a club at like midnight. Ha! Together we have 3 perfect little humans to raise, Nixon is 10, Hudson is 5 and Poppy is 2. Life around here is usually loud, messy and nonstop but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The beach is our happy place and we’re always on the go for hikes, bike rides, or surfing.
I am also newly a homeschool mama. With the weird world we live in, it seems like the right choice. In reality, I want to move to Idaho in the mountains and live without internet completely. That said, we love the beach and I love photography too much to really leave. Transitioning to homeschool just works for us right now, I am able to be home with the boys and thankfully I have the patience to teach them. It’s still summer though so ask me around Christmas. 🤪