Laura, Ryan, Ethan and baby-to-be | huntsville, al photographer

Laura was one of the 5 winners from the Facebook Giveaway held in March, which won her a free lifestyle portrait session. I had the pleasure of photographing Laura and her family during my stay in Massachusetts (while I'm still patiently waiting for my sister to have her baby!). Laura is also expecting, and her due date is right around the corner. We combined a maternity and family session into one and I'll be honest it was hard to narrow it all down! I'm excited to share these, so I hope you enjoy! Thank you again Laura, Ryan, Ethan and Tyler-to-be!



Laura, you're glowing! I'm so happy to have captured you during this special time!





This was an outtake, but I loved this moment Laura had with Ethan.

He's such a ham!



They started whistling to one another and it was the cutest thing ever!






















I adore this next set of Ethan. He was preparing the fire pit. And so focused.









Be sure to leave your comments below! I love hearing your thoughts!

Refer-a-friend discount | huntsville, al photographer

I am excited to introduce to my current and future clients, the Refer-A-Friend discount!

There is nothing better and nothing I appreciate more than referrals from my clients. You deserve the credit! For any future clients who mention your name upon booking a portrait session, you will receive a $25 print credit for each referral. Six referrals gets you a free portrait session and a CD of your 10 favorite images at high resolution.

Thank you in advance for sharing Lauren Tomasella Photography with your family and friends!

Your wedding day | huntsville, al photographer

Your wedding is a celebration. It is a day full of happiness and many emotions. It also goes by so fast and images become an important way of remembering that special time.

My focus is on capturing the fun, the feel, the expressions, the atmosphere, and the overall joy that come from the moments shared between you and your guests.

I am honored to be a part of your wedding and to create lasting memories of the excitement and many details that make your day unique.

Wedding photography collections begin at $1850. With all collections, the couple will receive all digital files with copyright release from their wedding day. Thinking about a destination wedding? My camera and I would love to come along. Travel and destination packages are available. Please inquire for more details.

Included in some of the collections are the engagement sessions. I highly encourage all couples to have this, though! Not only are they fun, it is great practice for getting comfortable in front of the camera before your big day. I also find it to be a great way for us to get to know each other.

To book your wedding or if you have any questions, feel free to email me at info@laurentomasella.com or call me at 513.213.9551.

How to book your portrait session and what happens after your shoot | huntsville, al photographer

Below is helpful information on how to book your portrait session and what happens after your shoot. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!


How Do I Book A Portrait Session?

If you are interested in booking a session, please email me at info@laurentomasella.com or call me at 513.213.9551. Upon booking, payment is due in full prior to the time of your session.


When Will I See My Photos?

After your session, your photos will be ready for viewing within 2-3 weeks. Be on the lookout for an email where I will provide you with a password to access your online gallery. Click the following link to visit the proofing website: http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/laurentomasellaphotography/albums/

Your gallery will remain available online for 2 weeks. During those 2 weeks, you will be able to order online. If you have trouble deciding on what to order, I am more than happy to schedule a time to meet with you.

Feel free to share your gallery with family and friends!


The Blog... Facebook!

I love posting sneak peeks and photos from our session, so check in frequently to my Blog. Stay in touch and join me on Facebook too, where I will keep you updated on the latest happenings! Don't forget to "Like" my Facebook Fan Page to become a fan!

Two weeks came and went, and I still haven’t ordered!

No worries! I am more than happy to extend your gallery. Please contact me if you need more time, and we can work out an extension.


I placed my order, when will I receive everything?

Your order will be processed and shipped to you within 2-3 weeks. Some products, such as albums, may take longer due to their custom design.

Payment options

Payment is due upon ordering. Your order will not be processed until full payment is received. I am set up with PayPal if you choose to order online. I also accept checks made payable to Lauren Tomasella Photography.


Again, if you should have any additional questions, feel free to contact me by emailing info@laurentomasella.com or calling 513.213.9551. Thank you!

What to wear to your portrait session | huntsville, al photographer

Trying to figure out the perfect outfit for your portrait session may seem daunting. Don't lose sleep! I’m here to help and offer you some advice.

General Dress/Style Tips

1. Choose clothes that reflect you. Show off your personality! Be comfortable and make sure it fits you well. Most importantly, pick out something that makes you feel good. If you feel amazing, you will look amazing!


2. Embrace color! Simple, yet bold patterns and vibrant colors not only photograph well, but make your images pop. I suggest avoiding clothing with logos, characters, or lettering on them because they will draw attention away from your face.





3. Add a few layers! It’s a fun way to add dimension and texture. By layering you can add and remove pieces to get multiple outfits in during one session without a full clothing change. Examples of layers include a scarf, jacket, or leggings. Also give thought to various textures.


4. Don’t forget about your accessories! Accessories help complete an outfit.


5. Feet! Don’t leave them out. Wear socks, shoes, and sandals that work well with your outfit. It might even be fun to go barefoot!





Family Dress/Style Tips

Now it is time to dress the whole family. The task may seem intimidating, so I suggest using your imagination. Instead of trying to match every outfit, pretend you are creating one entire outfit. Choose a color palette or similar colors and stick to them!


Another way to start is to select one piece of patterned clothing for one person in your family. From there, you can decide on the rest of your family’s outfits using complimentary colors.





What To Wear Inspiration

Below is some visual inspiration. Inspiration for clothing pieces came from Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Piperlime.


If you need more guidance (or even an opinion), feel free to contact me!

What to expect at your high school senior portrait session | huntsville, al photographer

Sessions are on-location which means we can go anywhere you would like. We will talk beforehand to get to know each other a little more. This will give me the opportunity to learn more about you and what you enjoy doing most. Since the goal is to capture the real YOU, each session is unique and customized for seniors.

We can meet at your home, a local park, downtown, or wherever fits you! I am open to all ideas. A typical session lasts 1-3 hours, which allows plenty of time for multiple locations and outfit changes. Please bring along several outfits to showcase different styles. You are also welcome to bring sports equipment, a musical instrument, or even your car -- anything that is special to you!

Family and friends are welcome to come along to your session if you would like! They can even be photographed with you.

What to expect at your family and lifestyle portrait session | huntsville, al photographer

Sessions are on-location for lifestyle portraits, which means we can go anywhere. We will talk beforehand to get to know each other a little more. This will give me the opportunity to learn more about your family, and what you enjoy doing most with each other. Since the goal is to capture the real YOU, each session is unique and customized for clients.

We can meet at your home, a local park, downtown, or wherever fits your family! I am welcome to all ideas. A typical session lasts 1-2 hours, which allows enough time so you do not feel rushed. I work organically -- directing you, but also capturing those in between moments. It is relaxed and lots of fun for everyone!

What to expect at your newborn portrait session | huntsville, al photographer

Newborns are photographed in their own homes because it is a comfortable environment for the parents and the baby. I use natural light and will find a source in your house, like a large window or doorway. I come prepared with my newborn setup of blankets and props. I also highly encourage you to pick out a favorite prop, outfit, or blanket of your own to make the session special.

Babies love a warm enviroment. Since we will be taking natural photos of your newborn, we want your baby to stay warm, comfortable, and happy. This may mean turning up your heat just a tad.

Newborn sessions typically last 2-3 hours. This allows us plenty of time at a relaxed pace. Newborns often need frequent breaks for feeding and calming, and I will work around their schedule. I do not want you to feel rushed.

It is best to photograph your newborn within the first 10 days after they are born for those perfectly positioned poses. Don’t worry if your baby is older than 10 days, though, because these cuties can be photographed at any age.

FAQs Answered! | huntsville, al photographer

I'm dedicating this week to frequently asked questions about portrait sessions and weddings. It's going to include what to expect during your shoot, helpful tips on what to wear to your session, how to view your photos after, and much more! If you have any questions, or if you think I missed anything, feel free to let me know. Each day there will be a new post, so be sure to check in!

Sunshine! | huntsville, al photographer

After all of that rain, came the sunshine! And flowers :) Finally feeling like springtime.

Rain, rain go away | huntsville, al photographer

I love a good rainstorm. And how it makes me never want to leave my bed. But, right now, I could go for some sunshine!

CHARLIE | huntsville, al photographer

For the past week, I've been staying at my sister's and keeping myself plenty busy. BUT, I have been spending a lot of my downtime with my nephew, Charlie. I ♥ him. Today was no different, but this time I decided to grab my camera. I'm telling you, this isn't his first time in front of the camera.. So, without further a do, meet Charlie, our favorite miniature pinscher (or min pin for short!). Happy Monday everyone!



How he spends most of his days.. And, for the record, I did not put him this way. He nuggles his way under himself.


Don't be bashful.



Can you hear him growling? He's very intimidating.


So handsome.


24/7 watch dog.

Such a poser..


For this one, I admit, I had a treat sitting right on top of my camera.. Hey, whatever gets his full attention :) He deserved a treat anyway!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH! | huntsville, al photographer

A special birthday shout out to my wonderful, talented, amazing and beautiful sister, Sarah. She's been getting a lot of attention on my blog recently (as she should be!!). And we celebrated her birthday this past weekend. I'm so happy I could be up here. I can't remember the last time we celebrated her birthday together... We spend WAY too much time apart! I LOVE YOU SISTA!!!



p.s. she makes the most delicious strawberry shortcake everrrr

PACKED MY BAGS | huntsville, al photographer

I packed my bags and left early this morning for Boston (saying bye to the 80 degrees in Huntsville!). I'm spending the month of April here with my sister and brother-in-law to help out when the little one comes along!

SARAH'S BELLY SESSION | huntsville, al photographer

I first introduced my sister Sarah, and her husband Doug, when she was 8 weeks pregnant. CLICK HERE. Wow has time flown by! Here she is at 34 weeks. And she's glowing :) We are all anxious for the first baby, niece, and granddaughter to arrive! Below are some of my favorites from our belly session!

SUPER MOON | huntsville, al photographer

I hope everyone caught a glance of the "Super full moon" on Saturday! It was the biggest it's been in almost 20 years, and happens only about every 18 years! We had a beautiful view of it from our balcony in Huntsville, AL.



I'm no expert in this area, so below is a short clip from YouTube explaining this phenomenon.



More info on the "Super full moon" from NASA: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/16mar_supermoon/

WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Hi all!

First off, I just want to say thank you to everyone who participated in this contest by "Like"-ing Lauren Tomasella Photography on Facebook! All together, there were 112 names in the drawing. I personally wish everyone were winners... but there could only be 5!!

Just to let you know, I made it fair! I used random.org, which is a true random number service that Morgan of Morgan Trinker Photography introduced me to! (Thank you, Morgan!!). So what I did.. I took everyone's name and put them into an alphabetical list. I then used the 'True Random Number Generator' and got the following numbers (I wanted to show some proof!):




Winners have been announced on Facebook (since it was a Facebook contest....)! So head on over there to see who the lucky winners are! CLICK HERE. Thank you again to all of the participants! And congratulations to the winners!

As for everyone else, not to fret! More giveaways, drawings, and deals to come I promise!

I'm now booking for spring and summer sessions also! That means newborns, children, families, high school seniors - you name it. As most of you know, I'm originally from Ohio and will be blocking out a week for Ohio sessions this summer. Stay tuned for more details!!