The Creative Edit | OCTOBER 2026

Real. Timeless. Emotive

 

OCTOBER IS HERE

Apparently fall decided to arrive all at once around here.

The past few weeks have included welcoming a brand-new baby, lots of time behind the camera at Perla Wallpaper School, a pretty spectacular 45th birthday celebration, and my one and only Holiday Mini day of the year. And outside of photography, we've had puppy birthdays to celebrate and a road trip that has been 18 months in the making finally right around the corner.

October has been a busy one, but I have lots to catch you up on!

 

Smiling new parents in a hospital room gently cradle their sleeping newborn baby dressed in a pink outfit and white knit hat.
Black and white photo of a newborn baby lying on a knit blanket while several adult hands gently hold and examine the infant.

WELCOME, LOLA STAR

Aileen + Chase + Stella | Burden Gardens


Remember that beautiful studio maternity session with Ester and Will I shared last month? Well, Miss Lola Star decided she was ready to make her debut one week early!


I joined the brand-new family of three at Woman's Hospital for a Fresh 48 session, and she was an absolute doll. There is something so special about photographing those first hours together—the tiny details, sleepy snuggles, and that very new feeling of realizing this little person you've been waiting for is finally here.



I'll share a few favorites from Lola's first photo session below.

Smiling woman with long brown hair in a denim jumpsuit stands with a hand in her pocket before a hand-painted scenic landscape mural.
Wallpaper hanging tools including a brown canvas tool belt, smoothing brush and plastic smoother on floral botanical wallpaper.

MORE FROM A CREATIVE PHOTO × PERLA

Our fall collaboration at Perla Wallpaper School is officially underway!


Lauren has now hosted two classes, and I've photographed the final day of both. I can't lie: Poplar Grove Plantation is a pretty magical place to learn a trade. Watching the schoolhouse fill with students learning, working, and ultimately seeing their finished installations come together has been such a fun story to document.


And the students themselves have been a delight to meet and photograph. On the final day, I capture not only the finished work but portraits of each student with the spaces they've helped create—and, of course, we somehow manage to make a few new portraits of Lauren every time I'm there, too.


Here are a few favorites from our first two classes.

Smiling man and woman in a straw hat celebrate beside a frosted cake with sparklers at an outdoor evening party with decorated tables.

AT THIS POINT, I MIGHT AS WELL MOVE IN


Lauren and I have started joking that I should just move into the schoolhouse because I've spent so much time at Poplar Grove this fall—and apparently my residency now includes parties.


In mid-September, I had the pleasure of photographing Lauren's 45th birthday celebration, and 45 never looked better.


The entire evening was chef's kiss—from the table arrangements and gorgeous lemon doberge cake (my personal favorite) to a house full of beautiful people celebrating Lauren. And the backdrop? Poplar Grove sitting along the levee of the Mississippi River. It really doesn't get much better.


After spending so much time photographing the work happening there, it was especially fun to document the property filled with friends, food, cocktails, and celebration for a night.

Red Doberman lying on a mint green fluffy dog bed beside a pink Happy Birthday cake slice plush toy and a white lamb toy in a party hat.

A LITTLE LIFE LATELY

  

And finally, a few things happening on my side of the camera.


Our puppy Ezmerelda officially turned ONE! Somehow that tiny Doberman puppy is already a year old, although I'm not entirely convinced she got the memo that turning one means she's supposed to start acting like a grown-up.


Jess turns four this month, so apparently October is birthday season around our house, too.


And after 18 months of planning, Glynn's 50th birthday trip is almost here! We're hitting the road for a long-anticipated road trip to Key West, and I am very ready to finally see all those plans become real.


So October is looking like photography, puppies, birthdays, road trips, and the beginning of another busy fall season—which feels about right around here.


Thank you, as always, for following along, trusting me with your families and businesses, and giving me so many good stories to photograph.


 

THAT'S A WRAP ON 2026 HOLIDAY MINIS!


My one and only Holiday Mini Session day for 2026 has officially come and gone, and it was exactly what it should have been: cute, fun, exhausting, and absolutely worth it!


We had a little bit of everything—grown-ups, babies, and pups—all making their way in front of my camera for some holiday cheer. It was a busy day filled with sweet faces, a few laughs, and plenty of personality!


A huge thank-you to all the families who joined me this year. I appreciate you spending a little piece of your Saturday with me and trusting me to capture these memories.

Galleries will be delivered by October 31, with plenty of time to get those Christmas cards ordered and checked off the holiday to-do list.



I'll share a few of my favorites in next month's newsletter, so stay tuned!


Until next month,

Nicole

A Creative Photo

Real • Timeless • Emotive