Lea Austen Photography

10/31/2026

Want to hear a scary story?
We’ll take family photos when eveyone’s schedule clears up.
THE END.
Other chilling tales include:
I will get in the photo next time.
Let’s wait til the toddler cooperates.
My husband loves his picture being taken.
NOW
Bring me your tiny monsters, reluctant husbands and your not so perfect selves.
We can make it work! I promise.... DM me and lets make a memory together
20 minutes - 30 - I don’t care!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN

10/31/2026

Want to hear a scary story?
We'll take family photos when eveyone's schedule clears up.
THE END.
Other chilling tales include:
I will get in the photo next time.
Let's wait til the toddler cooperates.
My husband loves his picture being taken.
NOW
Bring me your tiny monsters, reluctant husbands and your not so perfect selves.
We can make it work! I promise.... DM me and lets make a memory together
20 minutes - 30 - I don't care!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN

10/31/2026

10/31/2026

"I'm fine." I said it for years. I said it with a smashed finger in a door. I said it when I didn't mean it, and I said it so well that nobody questioned it, including me.

So when a woman tells me she's fine before a session, I know exactly what she's doing. I did it too.

I don't photograph fine. Fine is the face you make for the school pickup line and the family Christmas card. I photograph the woman underneath it. The one who's been holding everyone else's hand for thirty years and hasn't been looked at, really looked at, in longer than she can remember.

This woman said she was fine. She'd been saying it so long she almost believed it. Then, somewhere between the window and the last frame, there she was.

I'm Lea. I photograph women 55 and over in Charleston, and no two of my sessions look alike, because no two of you are carrying the same thing.

If you've been fine for a very long time, I want to hear from you. No pressure, no pitch. Just a conversation about you, for once.

Comment SEEN (just the one word) and I'll message you myself.

10/29/2026

Almost every woman I photograph says it first.
“Oh no, not me.”

I understand. I said it for years. I’ve spent more than twenty years behind a camera, watching people light up when they finally felt seen. Some days it felt like my superpower. But somewhere in there, I stopped seeing myself. I was always the one holding the camera, so I was never in the picture.

Here’s what I know after all those years: I have never once photographed a woman who wasn’t worth seeing. Not once.

So I made something for her. Unapologetic: The Reclamation Session.

It isn’t a regular photo shoot. Before I ever pick up my camera, I ask you questions. Who were you before everyone needed you? Where do you feel most like yourself? What do you want to remember about this season of your life? Then I build your whole session around your answers. Your place, your light, your pace. No two sessions look the same, because no two women carry the same story.

And you go home with a deck of cards made from your own portraits.

If something in you just whispered “maybe me,” comment SEEN and I’ll reach out to you personally.

What would it take for you to say yes to you?

10/27/2026

Caroline and Devin are the sweetest people! We had the most glorious sunrise session to capture some engagement photos a few weeks ago. Their wedding next year will be spectacular.

10/07/2026

🍂 I’M GIVING AWAY A FALL FAMILY SESSION! 🍂

Because here’s the thing about family photographs…

You almost never realize how important they are while you’re taking them.

You’re thinking about whether everyone’s looking at the camera.
Whether the kids will cooperate.
Whether your hair is behaving.
Whether you should have waited until you lost those ten pounds.

And then five years go by.

The little one isn’t little anymore.
Someone loses their front teeth.
Someone leaves for college.
The dog gets gray around the muzzle.
Your parents get older.
You get older.

And suddenly, that photograph isn’t just a photograph.

It’s evidence of a life you were living together.

So, in honor of my favorite time of year to photograph families, I’m giving away ONE FALL FAMILY SESSION with Lea Austen Photography — including your edited digital images.

To enter:

🍁 Follow Lea Austen Photography
🍁 Like this post
🍁 Tag someone in the comments who needs updated family photos
🍁 BONUS ENTRY: Share this post to your story and tag me so I can see it!

And tell me this in the comments:

When was the last time your whole family was photographed together?

Not a selfie.
Not somebody missing because they were holding the phone.
Everybody. ❤️

Winner will be announced Saturday October 17th

And yes — moms, you have to be IN the pictures this time. 😉

Good luck!

— Lea

10/07/2026

🍂 I’M GIVING AWAY A FALL FAMILY SESSION! 🍂

Because here’s the thing about family photographs…

You almost never realize how important they are while you’re taking them.

You’re thinking about whether everyone’s looking at the camera.
Whether the kids will cooperate.
Whether your hair is behaving.
Whether you should have waited until you lost those ten pounds.

And then five years go by.

The little one isn’t little anymore.
Someone loses their front teeth.
Someone leaves for college.
The dog gets gray around the muzzle.
Your parents get older.
You get older.

And suddenly, that photograph isn’t just a photograph.

It’s evidence of a life you were living together.

So, in honor of my favorite time of year to photograph families, I’m giving away ONE FALL FAMILY SESSION with Lea Austen Photography — including your edited digital images.

To enter:

🍁 Follow Lea Austen Photography
🍁 Like this post
🍁 Tag someone in the comments who needs updated family photos
🍁 BONUS ENTRY: Share this post to your story and tag me so I can see it!

And tell me this in the comments:

When was the last time your whole family was photographed together?

Not a selfie.
Not somebody missing because they were holding the phone.
Everybody. ❤️

Winner will be announced Saturday October 17th!

And yes — moms, you have to be IN the pictures this time. 😉

Good luck!

— Lea

10/06/2026

The great thing about Charleston in October and November is the perfect weather. We have nice days and no humidity. It’s the best time to meet in the park, your backyard, downtown or the beach for those much needed photos. They don’t have to be fancy. Just family laughs and giggles. 🤭 smiles galore. Let’s plan 30 minutes or more! I have time available. DM me today!!!