The Creative Edit | JUNE 2026

Real. Timeless. Emotive

 

June always feels like the start of summer in earnest.


The days are longer, the evenings are warmer, and somehow the calendar fills up faster than ever. While I'm spending plenty of time behind the camera, I've also been spending a lot of time behind the computer recently delivering galleries and reliving some truly beautiful sessions from the spring.



This month I'm sharing a few favorites—from a senior session inspired by Southern California, to a family full of snuggles and giggles, to a downtown Baton Rouge session that told a love story years in the making.

 

Young woman with long braided hair and red lips poses among tropical green plants in warm sunlight.
Young woman in white hoodie and denim shorts carrying colorful shopping bags on a palm-lined outdoor shopping street.

California Dreaming at Perkins Rowe

When Mikayla's mom told me she was headed to California this fall to attend UC Irvine, we knew her senior session needed to reflect that exciting next chapter.


So on a sunny Sunday morning, we practically had Perkins Rowe all to ourselves.


The palm trees, colorful storefronts, and early morning light gave us exactly the California-inspired backdrop we were hoping for. We leaned into the editorial feel of the location while still keeping the session fun, relaxed, and completely centered around Mikayla.



I've known Mikayla since she was a little girl putting on elaborate dance recitals in my swimming pool, so documenting this milestone felt especially meaningful. Watching her graduate at the top of her class and prepare for her next adventure was such a privilege.

A young toddler boy in a blue knit shirt holds hands with his parents outdoors in warm sunlight.
Black and white photo of a mother with long dark hair holding her young child outdoors in a floral dress.

A Baton Rouge Love Story


One of my favorite sessions from May wasn't just about documenting a family—it was about documenting a story.


I spent an evening with the Unda family exploring downtown Baton Rouge and visiting locations that have shaped their lives together.


We began at Somewhere Neighborhood Bar on Third Street, the family business they proudly own. From there, we visited Stroubes, where Daniel and Julie first met, stopped by City Plaza where Daniel proposed, and finished on the grounds of the Old Governor's Mansion where they were married.


Only this time, they weren't revisiting those places as a couple.  They were revisiting them as a family of three with little Julien along for the journey.


There's something incredibly special about photographing people in places that matter to them. Every stop carried memories, and every location added another chapter to a story that's still being written.

Black and white photo of a mother lifting her baby girl outdoors, sharing a joyful moment under sunlit trees.
A bald father kisses his curly-haired blonde toddler daughter wearing a pink dress and bow outdoors.

The Sweet Spot of Family Life


One of the galleries I recently delivered was this beautiful spring session with the Bodenheimer family at LSU Hilltop Arboretum.


When preparing for the session, I asked Mom to tell me a little about their family. Her response was simple:  "We're in that fun, snuggly, giggly stage of life."


As soon as we started shooting, I knew exactly what she meant.


The girls were sweet, playful, and completely themselves. The cuddles came naturally, the laughter was constant, and the connection between all four family members was impossible to miss.


Adding to the magic was one of those perfect early spring evenings where the golden sunlight filtered through the branches of the Arboretum's beautiful oak tree and seemed to light up everything around us.


These are the kinds of sessions I love most—the ones where everyone simply shows up as themselves and lets the moments unfold.

Currently in Post Production

My editing queue is full of good things right now.


I'm currently working on the winner of the pet portrait session I donated to Companion Animal Alliance's annual Furball Gala silent auction, and I can't wait to share those images soon.


I'm also finishing up a rainy-day engagement session in New Orleans that turned into one of those sessions where the weather became part of the story in the best possible way.



Both galleries are worth the wait, and I can't wait to share them with you.

 

Coming Soon


A sweet gender reveal celebration.  A gorgeous birthday portrait session.  Another cover feature for Stroll Magazine.  And plenty more stories waiting to be told.


As always, thank you for being here, for following along, and for trusting me to document the moments that matter most.


Until next month,

Nicole

A Creative Photo

Real • Timeless • Emotive