When I started my photography journey I wanted to be the photographer that captured connections. I thought, literally, I will just do a few sessions a month in between being mom to keep busy and have a creative outlet…and of course have a little income. Growing up on a farm and working EVERY single day the thought of not working was very weird. (Let’s not forget being a mom is REALLY hard work 24/7, but it didn’t provide that “paycheck” all my other jobs did) I really wanted to work and earn a little and be able to capture parenthood, childhood and life at best for clients so that they will always have those memories. So I did. I started this little business and I learned. I learned that insurance costs money, cameras cost lots of money and lenses cost even more than the cameras! The few sessions a month grew to many a month but then I have had to learn I needed to control my life. I was blessed that the first couple of years the clients called and I was shooting all the time and editing all the time! I was so excited that people were calling that I said yes to everyone that called….and never yes to me, but I was living my dream running my own business! I was working a TON of hours and making money that first year. When tax time rolled around and I did the numbers….after my costs (insurance, cameras, babysitters, travel, etc) I then divided in the HOURS worked shooting and editing in my money and that’s when I realized I had worked for myself for about $8 an hour that year. Close to minimum wage, and I poured my heart into all of it. And worse, I had missed out on my family time for $8 an hour.
I quickly realized that I ran that first year, in full time business, with my heart and it was time to use my business degree to run my business well. Since then I changed my pricing up and set a limit to how many sessions I did a month. From then on clients paid a $400 session fee that included a huge print credit. I have had many clients call to say, “I can’t afford you now”. As much as I don’t like hearing this, I do understand…but I hope they realize if you take out the print credit the session fee hasn’t changed. The only reason the pricing is the ways it is, is so I can guarantee that I don’t make minimum wage rate per hour, and truthfully that it’s worth my time away from my family. I know it probably sounds harsh, but it’s true. The people under our roof mean the world to me and will always be what fuels my business decisions. Although I miss those past clients, and I struggle with always seeing former clients on social media with other photographers…I am happy. I have no have days off, and family time that I missed for a year or two. As moms we try to be “wonder woman” and I have realized I am not her. I can’t do every session, and run myself ragged…and to be honest I am OK with it.
Last year in an effort to be wiser in my working hours I eliminated newborn sessions. I did this for a couple of reasons…1. I was hauling a van full (literally) of props each time I went. They are stored in my attic, so each time I would load my van, take to the client’s home and unloaded, loaded back up and then brought back home to go back up in the attic. (are you tired from that, because I know I was!) 2. Newborn sessions take SO long! I would be putting babies in buckets and then waiting…waiting for them to sleep. Some sessions lasted 4 hours waiting for a little one to sleep. 3. Editing! Little one are adorable…but often their skin isn’t the best. Editing took a lot longer to do because of their skin. I sat down and figured out my hourly rate I paid myself for a newborn and I realized it just wasn’t the best option for me with my busy family. If I had a studio, maybe, but I don’t. I took control of my life and eliminated them.
Over the last year I have had several close friends and family ask me to do newborn session….so I did do a few. I asked these friends and family if they minded if I did more of a “lifestyle” newborn session. They thankfully said yes! So here I am rethinking doing newborn sessions! (yes, I am a woman and can change my mind! LOL) Here are a few recent lifestyle newborn sessions and I am so in love with this style of session. It’s so, so more true to life! Sure we still pose the little one in basket or two to get those baby posses….but its only for a few minutes and the rest of the time is in mom and dad’s arms!
I am EXCITED to announce that I will be doing a SMALL handful of Lifestyle newborn sessions this year on a first come first serve basis. I must admit I loved being with these little bundles of joys for these last two Lifestyle NEWBORN sessions! 🙂 I really feel that “Lifestyle Photography” gives me the opportunity to get my passion back. It thrives on these connections and that is what has always drawn me to photography! I am SO excited to bring Lifestyle session to the table for my clients! 🙂 If you think you are interested in setting up one of these session be sure the email me at laura@lauraluft.com to get more details! 🙂 In the meantime enjoy these little ones!!! 🙂
Meet baby E! Can you tell he’s gonna be a Farmer when he grows up! His mommy and daddy had one of the most amazing weddings I have covered….so they may be familiar to you!
“If it ain’t RED keep it in the shed!”
Love!
Seriously…adorable!!!
Meet this sweet baby girl! She is welcomed by an amazing sister and brother!!! She too is gonna be a farm kid!
Big brother and daddy!
So simple. Loving the depth of the shadows here. 
Daddy’s girls!
First official family portrait for the family of 5!
Best present ever. 
Sister love!
Crazy big sister! LOVE this girl!!!!!!
