The Creative Edit | SePTEMBER 2026

Real. Timeless. Emotive

 

August somehow managed to feel both full and fleeting. I photographed two beautiful maternity sessions that could not have been more different, squeezed in a much-needed trip to the beach with my little family, and continued planning for a project I've been quietly hinting at for the past couple of months.


Now September is here, football is back in Baton Rouge, a beautiful family I photographed this summer is arriving in neighborhood mailboxes, and my fall calendar—and one very exciting new project—are officially underway.


There is a lot to share this month.

 

Pregnant woman in white lace gown standing in sunlit garden with blooming flowers and trees.
Couple sharing a tender nose-to-nose moment outdoors, woman in lace maternity dress cradling baby bump in soft sunlight.

Waiting for Maya Rose

Aileen + Chase + Stella | Burden Gardens


August started with a beautiful early-morning maternity session for Aileen and Chase—and, naturally, their pup Stella—at LSU Burden Gardens.


Aileen originally envisioned sunflowers for her maternity portraits, but after a brutally hot and dry South Louisiana summer, the sunflower fields simply weren't going to cooperate. We pivoted to the rose garden and pavilion instead, which turned out to be a pretty perfect change of plans considering the little girl they're waiting to meet is named Maya Rose.


The morning light was incredibly soft, the gardens were quiet, and Stella joined her people for some of my favorite images from the session. Because around here, the dogs are family too.


Sometimes Plan B really does turn out better than Plan A, and I can't imagine Maya Rose's maternity portraits anywhere else now.

Couple posing for maternity photo shoot against dark background, woman showing baby bump in white shirt and jeans.
Pregnant woman in a sheer gold glitter maternity gown sitting gracefully in a studio photo session.

Waiting for Lola Star

Ester + Will | Studio Maternity


A few weeks later, maternity looked completely different.


Ester and Will are expecting Lola Star, named in honor of Will's mom, and we spent nearly three hours in the studio creating a maternity gallery with an incredible range of looks.


We moved from soft, romantic portraits in sparkling and flowing gowns to dramatic movement against black; from relaxed denim and white shirts with Will to chic, formal black-on-black portraits that feel almost timeless.


This wasn't a session built around one backdrop, one outfit or even one mood. We essentially created several mini editorial stories within one maternity session, changing wardrobe, lighting and styling as we went.


Was three hours in the studio exhausting? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Also absolutely.


Ester was stunning, Will was game for all of it, and together we created a gallery that celebrates not only this season of their lives, but all the different sides of it.



Baby Lola Star is already very, very loved.

A joyful family group poses outside an elegant beige home, dressed in formal attire for a special occasion.

Football Season, Family Style


The Picarellas in September's Stroll


If you live in Baton Rouge, you know September means one thing: football is back.


So the timing couldn't be better for the Picarella family's feature in the September issue of Stroll.


I photographed this gorgeous family back in July, just before a big transition of their own. Their oldest son is heading off to Delta College this fall to play football, making this session equal parts family portrait and celebration of everything ahead.


And because no Picarella family portrait would be complete without her, their sweet pup Dolce joined us again, exactly where she belonged.


This month's issue feels a little like Stroll's own football season opener—a perfect fit for a Baton Rouge family that loves the game and has an especially exciting reason to cheer this year.


Keep an eye on your neighborhood mailbox for the September issue!

Three dogs sit on a wooden beach deck overlooking sandy dunes and ocean under a cloudy sky.
Three dogs stand on a wooden deck overlooking a coastal neighborhood, viewed from behind in warm sunlight.

Sometimes You Just Need The Beach

August wasn't entirely about photography.


After unexpectedly losing our Bonnie this summer, we needed a change of scenery. We needed our dogs, the Gulf, some sand under our feet and a few days where there wasn't much of an agenda beyond simply being together.

So we packed up Jessamine and Ezmerelda and made an impromptu escape to Fort Morgan Beach, Alabama.


Bonnie had been part of our family and part of my everyday life for years, and losing her so suddenly left a much bigger hole than I was prepared for. We'd taken her to Dauphin Island earlier this year, and I'm especially grateful now for those photographs and those memories.


Fort Morgan didn't magically make the grief disappear, of course. But sometimes getting away gives you a little room to heal. The beach has always been that kind of place for us.



And watching our two girls explore it with us was exactly what we needed.

Woman in black turtleneck and jeans sitting on a blue sofa in an elegant room with floral curtains.

Finally, I Can Tell You

  

A Creative Photo × Perla Wallpaper School


I've been teasing a big fall project for the last couple of months, and I can finally share it.


I'm partnering with Perla Wallpaper School for a multi-session photography and video project documenting the launch of Lauren's newest venture.


This one feels a little full-circle. I photographed some of Lauren's early branding images for Perla Paperhanging right on her property. Now she's transformed that same property into a place where she'll share her expertise and teach the craft of professional wallpaper installation.


Throughout the fall, I'll be photographing the completed schoolhouse, Lauren, the student experience and the school in action, while collaborating with a videographer to bring the story to life through motion as well.



It's a project built around craftsmanship, beautiful spaces and great storytelling—and I can't wait to start sharing it.

Fall Family Sessions are Limited


And finally, a little calendar housekeeping.


If you've been thinking about updating your family photographs this fall—especially if you'd like them back in time for holiday cards—now is the time to get on my calendar.


I have only a few family-session dates remaining in October and November, traditionally my busiest months for family portraits.



Once those dates are booked, I will not be adding more.


I've learned that protecting enough time to properly photograph, edit and deliver every gallery is far more important than squeezing one more session onto an already-full calendar.


So if this is your year for updated family portraits, let's get it scheduled before fall officially gets away from us.

 

NOW BOOKING FALL SESSIONS


Fall is almost here, and my calendar is filling quickly!   I'm currently booking:


  • Class of 2027 Senior Portraits
  • Fall Family Sessions
  • Holiday Card Portraits


If updated family portraits have been on your to-do list, now is the perfect time to reserve your date.  October and early November are always my busiest months because they're ideal for holiday cards, gifts, and simply enjoying Louisiana's best portrait weather. Those prime dates disappear quickly each year, so booking early gives you the best selection of evenings.


Whether you're celebrating a growing family, sending holiday cards, documenting your senior's final year of high school, or simply wanting to freeze this season of life, I'd love to create something meaningful with you this fall.all is one of my


Until next month,

Nicole

A Creative Photo

Real • Timeless • Emotive