Jami + Michael's Engagement Session at Fort Morgan

I love going to places I’ve never photographed before. There’s something about it that sparks my little creative light and gets a new kind of energy flowing. So when Jami told me she wanted to set up her and Michael’s engagement session at Fort Morgan, I was thrilled! The day was overcast, but that didn’t stop us from getting some amazing + moody images at the fort — the clouds stood in our favor, acting like one big light diffuser!

“I tend to think of the act of photographing, generally speaking, as an adventure. My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.”

— Diane Arbus

Gotta llAMA LOVE For your valentine, your galentine, or for yourself!

I don’t always celebrate Valentine’s day every year, simply because I think love is something that should be shown, given and celebrated EVERY day! However, below are a few of my personal favorite things that I think are perfect for giving to your lover, bridesmaid/girlfriend, or for yourself if you need a little extra sweetness in your life! Don’t forget to take care of yourself first and give a little love wherever you can, whenever you can. Happy Saint Valentine’s, lovebirds!

Something as simple as a decorated cookie (with a pun!) like this adorable and affordable cookie pair from Baking Me Happy is the perfect gift for your significant other to share together!

Pamper yourself or your galentine! You just can’t go wrong with a warm bath sprinkled with these rose himalayan bath salts from Mullein and Sparrow, some Essie nail polish, this rose quartz facial roller that feels divine, and of course a glass of your favorite wine in this personalized stemless glass from Bridesmaids Gifts Boutique that stays cold up to 9 hours and hot up to 3 hours! This is also the PERFECT gift for asking your bridesmaids to be in your wedding or for a gift set to give to them on the day of, ladies!

There is no greater love you can give than the love you give yourself! Buy yourself flowers, drink more water, eat more fruit, take more baths, and don’t forget to take care of your pretty skin.

“Be the type of love you deserve, if for no other reason but to show us all how it’s done.”

— Cleo Wade

FEATURE: Margaret Ellen Bridal

This past September, we had the honor of working with Margaret Ellen Bridal on 30A to photograph their entire bridal gown lookbook. It was a photoshoot out of our dreams! Be sure to check out their blogpost to view more photos and read all about it here: Bridal Photo Shoot featuring Lacey McLaughlin Photography

Renee + Geoff || Citrus-Inspired Spring Wedding in New Orleans

From the bride: We chose a gorgeous Catholic Church called Immaculate Conception for our ceremony which I've always thought was one of the prettiest cathedrals in the city.  Our reception followed at a venue called il Mercato in the heart of the Lower Garden District...one of my favorite areas of the city.  Built in 1931, il Mercato is a Spanish colonial style building designed by prominent local architect Sam Stone and originally constructed as a neighborhood market. The 2014 renovation by local restaurateur Joel Dondis added herringbone wood floors, Italianate chandeliers, and a furnished library with banquet seating. The property also features a large private courtyard and that I fell in love with the second I stepped foot through the wrought iron gate.  It epitomizes old New Orleans and is out of the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter and Bourbon St...what most people unfortunately think of when they hear New Orleans.  I wanted people to feel like they were a local for the weekend and getting a taste of the hidden and off the beaten path gems of the city.  I wanted my ceremony and reception to welcome people with open arms, in the same way I feel the city does when people come to visit.

A big congratulations to the happy newlyweds!!

Vendor Credits:

Planning: Brooke Casey Weddings

Venue: il Mercato

Rentals: Perrier Party Rentals

Catering: Joel Catering

Florals: Antigua Floral

Hair: Ali Vasquez

MUA: Lynna Vo

Lounge: Distressed Rentals

Reception Band: The Phunky Monkeys

Second Line Band: Kinfolk Brass Band

Dress Designer: Alyne

Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

Church: Immaculate Conception

Prep Location: Henry Howard Hotel

Bakery: Swiss Confectionery

Lighting & Hedges: Luminous Events

Marie + Chris Elopement

Marie + Chris traveled all the way from Nevada to elope in their favorite city - New Orleans, Louisiana. Bringing only their two best friends along with them, (and the bride's amazing red-bottom Christian Louboutin's OF COURSE), we all hopped in a fancy limousine and headed across the river to the beautiful Algiers Courthouse. After the couple said "I do", we explored around the French Quarter for more photos and ended the day in the best way we knew how -- ordering delicious beignets at the iconic Cafe Du Monde for the bride & groom's slice of cake! The day was so simple, all about the love between these two, and it couldn't have been more perfect for them. If you know me, you know I LOVE a sweet & simple elopement!

Niki's 30th Birthday with The Southern Atelier

I was honored when Fashion Blogger and Stylist, Sarah of The Southern Atelier, approached me for a feature celebrating her gorgeous friend, Niki, for her big 30th birthday. Sarah is so talented and does everything with a sense of style and grace. She has been known in the Birmingham, and now Fairhope, community for styling the most stunning photoshoots and helping to define an artistic individuality that focuses on a modern Southern style. We started with her husband and pup outside my studio so we could get some fun shots of them together. The rest of the shoot was filled with all things cake, champagne, confetti, glitter, and a modern fashionable play on the most popular + fun children's birthday party -cake smash- theme! Be sure to schedule your next birthday, shower, or fashionable styled shoot with us at Lacey's new studio in downtown Fairhope, AL! We photograph everything from engagements, to baby showers, birthdays, newborns, anniversaries, fashion editorials, seniors, and more! The possibilities are endless!!

“Her courage was her crown and she wore it like a Queen.”

— Atticus

Stylist: Sarah Levey, The Southern Atelier

Hair + MUA: Kristen Johnston, Vanity Hair Studio 

Jewelry: Zundel's Jewelry 

Cake: Ellen Jay Sweets 

Models: Niki & Keith Coker

Clothing contributors: La Robe Boutique

Set Design: Leslie Bradley

Leigh Ann + Jonathan | Engaged

Some rainy-filled days changed up our original plan, leading us to this beautiful Mississippi harbor instead. And we're so happy it did! That's the beautiful thing about life, it twists and turns and sometimes you end up in unexpected places meeting wonderful new people and discovering things you could have never imagined if you tried. Leigh Ann & Jonathan's togetherness reminded me of the waters surrounding them. Calm, serene, and free. They moved together, as the wind moves the sea, finding stillness in between. We cannot wait to be a part of their wedding celebration later this year!

“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”

— Rumi

Macy + Ryan

With all of these hurricanes as of lately, the rain has had it's way of rearranging our busy October schedule of engagement sessions, weddings, and everything in between. Of course, when we finally found a day that would work for Macy + Ryan, it was grey and gloomy. I'm a glass half full kind of girl, so the positive spin to this was having the park all to ourselves and the low, white clouds acting as a natural diffuser for beautiful soft light! We had so much fun with these two capturing their love and fluid sweet moments together among the draping Spanish moss at City Park and in then in the French Quarter. Don't they just make the cutest couple?! So excited for their wedding next year! 

Kat + Chris | New Orleans Wedding

These two were such a delight to work with! Kat and Chris contacted me all the way from Brooklyn, New York asking me to be their wedding photographer for their New Orleans destination wedding and I was thrilled. We love working with both in town and out of town brides, and we are always excited to meet a couple who loves the heart and soul of New Orleans as much as we do! Kat and Chris started out their wedding day at the beautiful Melrose Mansion to get ready, complete with a clean room for their first look and a serene pool which made a perfect spot for bridal party and family photos! They hopped on over to Maison Montegut for a quintessential French Quarter ceremony. There in the greenery filled courtyard, they read aloud their own personal vows to each other. It was a perfect, romance-filled moment in this classic hidden gem on Royal Street. Finally, these two danced the night away starting with a second line leading them along with their closest family and friends on the walk to their reception at the stunning Old Ursuline Convent. They even had their own choreographed first dance to 'I Found You' by the Alabama Shakes. Congratulations again to these happy newlyweds! What a day! 

Wedding Planner | Ruby & Pearl

Hair + MUA | Blush & Bashful

Decor | Luminous Events

Crystal + Erik | Engaged

"I want to love you wildly. I don't want words, but inarticulate cries, meaningless, from the bottom of my most primitive being, that flow from my belly like honey. A piercing joy, that leaves me empty, conquered, silenced." -Anïs Nin