The New New… Hello 2012

It’s 2012! Happy New Year!  I can’t believe how fast 2011 flew by! let me tell you, 2011 was such a year of growth for me. I learned so much. Things i’ve been longing to learn, and things I never had the desire to learn. Nevertheless i’m grateful for it all. I’ve been so so blessed this year and I can’t even describe the overwhelming excitement I have for this year that has just begun.

Clearly, it’s been awhile since I blogged but I’m over giving you, my beautiful readers (probably just my mom) excuses. Now I’m not saying my blog is going to be consistent this year either; but I’m pretty dedicated in the new year to just write and take pictures in no concrete format. Allowing myself to do what I love to do without restraint of what a “photo blog” is. So, if you do happen to come across my blog you might see a entry about some delicious food I ate, or my natural hair, maybe even a post about traveling in addition to my photo sessions. (But just to clarify there will still be many many pictures)

I don’t really want to “recap” 2011 cause that’s what’s expected but I wanted to share some images from things that didn’t make the blog last year… basically, a recap :)

Oh, Disclosure: this is going to be the longest post you’ve ever read. ever. feel free to just scroll to the pictures. I won’t take offense, promise.

Here we go!

I had the privelage of capturing some amazing, funny, loving families.

The Leek’s

Douglas convinced me to go to Seattle University for college… I kinda resented him initially, don’t worry he already knows that. So to pay me back (well, at least that’s what I tell my self)  He gave me a campus work study job giving tours around campus, which I actually enjoyed doing. I really enjoyed capturing him, his wife Latoyna, and his sister Lorrin. They were hilarious and we had a really good time.

The Zang’s

Katie is one of my mom’s best friends. When she asked me to take her family picture I said “Of course!” The more we emailed about the shoot, number of family coming kept growing and growing! I was kinda nervous but pretty excited at the same time. We ended up with 15 yes, 15 family members.  I must say I had to be pretty creative. In this picture below I think I moved 7 pieces of furniture, I like to call it “photo feng shui” ( I’m totally copyrighting that.) We had fun and in a hour we took a group family photo,  individual family photos, and photos of all the kids! It was a pretty awesome day. Below are some of the group photo’s and some of just Katie’s family.

The Welsh’s

The Welsh’s were the first recipients of a Lloryn Louise Photography Gift Certificate! They put it to use on an absolutely beautiful day. It was really sunny so we tried to find shade, especially for little Henry. It was also my first shoot with an infant that wasn’t sleeping :). With that said our goal for the session was to get Henry’s big beautiful blue eyes looking at my camera! Thankfully it worked a few times and in the end I think we captured some good moments.

The Benjamin Family

I met Tonya through a meet up for ladies with natural hair (more about hair another day) that she organized. In getting to know each other, I mentioned I do photography on the side. Usually, when I mention this fact people say “Oh, I need family pictures!”  I proceed to give them a card tell them to give me a call… It usually ends there. But not with Tonya, I’m pretty sure she called with in that week and I’m so glad she did. She even came prepared with ideas for the shoot! Our session was on UW’s campus in the quad and here are a few photos from our session.

I was honored to be apart of Matthew and Tiffany’s wedding.

This was my first wedding with a large party and over 100 guest. It was a big endeavor for me, and I’m so grateful for this couple allowing me (taking a risk on me) to shoot their wedding. Thank you Matt and Tiff! I had such an amazing time being apart of your union. I now understand what other wedding photographers mean when they say they fall in love with their clients! You know I love you guys! I also want to thank my second shooter Alfonzo. In the middle of preparing for his own wedding he helped me shoot this one, and the day would not have been a success with out him.

They decided to do an after wedding shoot on Alki Beach and here are a few images from that day. for some reason i’m REALLY loving these in black and white.

Styled Shoots

It was one of my goals last year to put together a styled shoot. Proudly, I can say I accomplished that goal, and within that idea came another. To have my own Glam Squad. I decided if clients would like make up, hair or styling services I can provide that for them conveniently. Well, truthfully clients kept asking for make up services and I was empty handed … So I figured why not put a whole team together! There will be more about my amazing squad in the near future but these images were specifically intended to showcase their amazing talent! So excited to offer these services in the New Year.

Ok, ok last thing, but certainly not least. Pursuit 31

Pursuit 31 is a photography workshop for Christian woman. The workshop allowed us to share our goals and dreams, our biggest fears, and how to balance the work/ family life. It was an amazing experience and I left with some sisters in Christ, and sisters in the photo business. Karen Stott and Latasha Haynes our amazing hosts really hooked it up with a styled wedding shoot for us and here are a few images from that pretty cool weekend.

Oh! One more thing. This is my Mom. She’s AMAZING. Seriously, if she wasn’t my mom she’d be the play aunt who’s house I was always at. She set a goal at the beginning of last year to lose 100 lbs. and on 12/31/11 she had lost  73lbs. See what I mean, AMAZING. I’m SO proud of you mom!

P.S. about this picture, ignore the matching hairstyles.. my mom (Love you mom) is what we call a copy cat.