My Family; My World.

      As a single mother who is also trying to balance running a photography business and raising my kids, things can get a little hectic most of the time. I have to maintain a balance because there are times when I feel as though my kids don’t get enough quality time with me. Even though I am at home with them most of the time, I spend a lot of my time, editing pictures, updating my website and all of my social media accounts, and checking emails and responding to clients. to try to stay current.

     I take beautiful portraits of other people all of the time and have been slacking on my own gorgeous family. It’s been about 2 years since I gathered my family together for a family portrait and now we have a new addition in my family since the last photos; my youngest daughter, who is seventeen months old. I always have in my mind the urge to do it, but time keeps me from accomplishing it. I just know that everything I do, I do it for them.  I want them to know that they can accomplish anything that they set their minds to no matte what the situation.

    I finally made the time a few days ago to take my family’s pictures. The task of taking my own family’s photos is a hard one; especially considering how young my little ones are. I feel as though it is so much easier to take pictures of other people and their families and that it is so much harder with my own.

     Below are a few of them for your viewing pleasure. Keep in mind, that in tackling this task by myself, I had to set my camera on a tripod, use a remote, and try to direct my kids into the shots. I know that these images aren’t technically perfect because I can spot just about everything wrong with them according to the rules. But to me they are just right. I love my little ones with all my heart. They are the ones who inspire me everyday to do what I do and keep getting better at it.

                   My 5 Amazing Kids.

       My Handsome Sons

            My Beautiful Daughters .

                         Me & My Girls.

     On July 27, 2014, The Professional Photographers Of Louisiana held its annual Print Competition.   This is an event where many professional photographers from around the state of Louisiana enter photographs that were taken by themselves to be scored by a panel of 5 or 6 judges who are all Master Photographers from around the United States.

     This year was my first year competing. I was able to submit 6 images to be judged by the panel. I am very pleased and excited to announce that 5 out of the 6 images that I entered were chosen to be accepted for the honor exhibition at The 65th Annual Convention ~ Southern Pro Xposure!     3 out of the 6 were also high enough to receive the Court of Honor, which is a merit by the Professional Photographers of Louisiana!!

     The best news of all is that one of my images entitled, “What are YOU Looking At?” won the 2014 People’s Choice Award!!!

I am pictured above with both the President of the Professional Photographers of Louisiana’s President, Karla Byron,

and also the Professional Photographer’s of America’s President, Susan Michal.

Pictured above holding my plaque which reads :

Professional Photographers Of Louisiana, Inc.

2014 People’s Choice

Mr. & Mrs. Henry B. Elsas Award

“What Are You Looking At”

Justine Gallien

State Convention

“What Are You Looking At?”

Received a Score of 81, and was accepted for the honor exhibition at

The 65th Annual Convention ~ Southern Pro Xposure,

& was also chosen for The 2014 People’s Choice Award.

“Glow In The Dark”

Received A Score of 80, which is A Court Of Honor Merit

and was accepted for the honor exhibition at

The 65th Annual Convention ~ Southern Pro Xposure.

“Striking A Pose“

Received A Score of 82, which is A Court Of Honor Merit, and was accepted for the honor exhibition at

The 65th Annual Convention ~ Southern Pro Xposure.

“Commanding”

Received A Score of 78, and was accepted for the honor exhibition at

The 65th Annual Convention ~ Southern Pro Xposure

“Essence Of Love”

Received A Score of 78, and was accepted for the honor exhibition at

The 65th Annual Convention ~ Southern Pro Xposure

     I am looking forward to next year’s convention so I can win even more awards! I highly recommend this organization to anyone who is a photographer or aspiring to be one. Without this great network of amazing photographers, I would never have learned as much as I have to even be able to produce any artwork worthy of competing and scoring well. Comment if you have any questions on joining this amazing organization.

Taylor is a friend of Miesha, a recent senior I photographed, who referred her to me. She is also a

graduate of Acadiana High School.Taylor’s session would have to be described as a photographer’s

dream. She is beautiful, fun to be around and a natural in front of the camera. Normally during a shoot,

a photographer has to describe or show a client exactly what type of pose they are looking for. Taylor

came prepared and ready to work in front of the camera. She naturally just switched it up from pose to

pose with a little help from me and every time right on point and so beautiful. I easily took way more

than I had planned to which made it hard for me to narrow down to the best ones. She came prepared

with her dresses from prom and homecoming so we were able to get some great senior formals as well. I

plan to get Taylor and Miesha back and do a session with them together. I’m sure it will be amazing.

Here are a few of my favorites from her session.