LauraBelle Photography

09/06/2024

This post has been a long time coming. You may have noticed I’ve been pretty quiet on here, well there’s a reason.
I’ve had the joy of being a photographer for almost 30 years. 17 of that has been on the professional side. I’ve met hundreds, if not thousands of wonderful families over that time! I’ve captured memories of their kids from babies to high school seniors! That is truly my favorite part, is watching families grow!
However, God has been pulling at my heart to continue my own growth in different ways. Life changes, as it’s meant to, and I’ve sometimes had a difficult time in accepting Gods path for me. But in only His way, God has continued to press upon me that His new path for me is one I need to follow, despite my sometimes denial and reluctance 😂.
It’s time to close some doors in order to open others. And while it sometimes hurts my heart to accept this new path, in other ways, I’m overjoyed at this new beginning!
That being said, it’s time to close my photography business, and concentrate on my new path of expressing my creativity with painting, along with being a para in the school system, and of course chasing my kids from activity to activity!
I’ve always been a painter, however I’ve never pursued it in a way my heart desires. And now that time has come!
I could never completely stop taking pictures, as it has a special place in my heart, but I will only allow space for it if it doesn’t interfere with my new adventures. And that space is very minimal.
If you would like to follow me on this new path, I will be primarily be documenting it on my other account I Am LauraBelle (fb) and iamlaurabelle (ig).
THANK YOU to every client, friend, and family that has supported me on this long journey!!! Your belief and trust in me has truly meant the world! And I will never forget it!!!
So, here’s to New Beginnings!!!!!!

03/09/2024

I had another BLAST photographing the 2nd Annual Andover Police and Fire Department Gala for 2024 last weekend!!! So blessed the Andover Police & Fire Foundation asked me again to capture these incredible moments!!! We are SO thankful for our Law Enforcement, Fireman, EMS, Dispatchers, and MORE for all the amazing work they do for us civilians!!! And thankful for the local businesses that continue to support our First Responders!!! Proud to live in community like Andover!!!

03/07/2024

Thank you to the wonderful person in Hutchison, KS for purchasing this print!!! Your support means the world to me!!!

Click on the image for a larger view and to leave comments.

12/07/2023

I wonder what secrets Elliott is telling this year????? Dollars to donuts it's the sweetest secret Santa will ever hear, because Mr Elliott will melt anyone's heart!!!! Love seeing him every year!!!

12/07/2023

I love, but hate, looking back at memories! I have a love/hate relationship with watching my own kids grow up, but I also have similar feelings watching kids that I've photographed since they were teeny tiny babies grow up!!!
Enter Miss Kynlee, pictures from 2 years ago and from just last month. Girl is growing too fast!!!! (Although I wonder if Santa will ever tell me his secret of never ever aging?????) Santa Minis are almost done! Finally!!! Thanks for those that are being INCREDIBLY patient!!!

11/29/2023

Literally me. 🤣
I know everyone is being so patient while they wait for their galleries!! I’m trying my best! I got hit with the flu which wiped me out the last few days, along with all the other things that derail my work process (I swear I have equipment failure every year at this time! Just had to replace yet another electronic! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤬)
But pictures are coming! I’m working day and night the next week to get them out!!! Thank you so much to my amazingly gracious clients!!!

11/19/2023

Welcome to the world Baby Nash!!!!! Your gallery is almost done Allie!!

11/10/2023

Oh my goodness, did we have fun on this session!!!! Ash (brunette) and Jill (blond) act like they could be sisters!!! But Jill is just visiting from Germany, as a foreign exchange student. It's wild the connections we make!!!

11/10/2023

You know, God never ceases to amaze me.
Hang with me here.
Last night, I attended our school board meeting, never had a desire to do so up until last week. And even as I walked in, I had ABSOLUTE no intention of getting up and asking questions. But, as I sat there, listening, I had an overwhelming urge to voice my opinions (for those that know me, I know, you are flabbergasted by this 😜🤣🤦🏻‍♀️).
Anywho, I went to the microphone and began expressing my thoughts and confusion out loud, in the MOST non-obnoxious way I possibly could. Ok, I may have been a little obnoxious, but I really did try not to get all fired up! I really did!!!
Moving on, I mentioned that I was a Para (you know, because just being a full time photographer clearly isn’t enough for me 🙄), and explained my concerns with the topic we were discussing.
I know, this is getting long, keep reading!
After the meeting was over a couple people came up to thank me for being a Para, and that they had children that used Para services and were deeply appreciative of everything we go through. Honestly, it really meant a lot!
So today I looked up those two people, one I knew was a board member, and wanted to email and tell them their gratitude meant a lot.
Well I instantly recognized the last name of the board member, and his comment that he had a son in high school clicked a memory for me!
See, some 15/16 years ago (seriously a LONG time) I remembered that I took pictures for a little boy as a donation to a local special needs organization, and his last name was the same as this board members!!! I couldn’t believe it!
See, I used a print of the little boy as a display so many years ago! And when I changed displays, I just couldn’t get rid of it and figured I may either display it again, or reach out to the little boys family sometime and offer it to them.
Time went on, we moved to Andover, and eventually forgot all about it. UNTIL a few months ago, when I was digging through all my old artwork looking for a drawing I did and found it!
I immediately emailed the board member today, asking if it was his son, & he said YES!!!!
I am FINALLY giving this family the print I’ve held on to for so long!

09/25/2023

Lordy I just love Seniors!!!!!! The energy they bring! The fun we have!! Not to mention its so freaking cool that this beautiful girl and her family are my neighbors! Total plus!!!!

09/18/2023

I know so many of my friends are waiting SO PATIENTLY for their sunflower pics!!! They're coming!!! I promise!!!
PSA: when you take a part time para job that essentially requires you to run up and down the school hallway 431 times within 3 hours (6 hours on Thursdays), 4 out of the 5 days a week, in order to 'race' children so that they will go to where you need them to go........its sorta, kinda, extremely exhausting. 🤣🤣🤣
Mama ain't used to this!!!! 😝
But at least I'm pure entertainment for the awesome Library Ladies that just watch me go back and forth, and back and forth, all day long. You're welcome Kellie & Michaila. 😜
Lots of Sunflower Mini galleries going out this week!!!! Thank you again for you're patience!!!!!

09/07/2023

Look at these two gorgeous kids!!!!! So happy!!! So in love!!! They are quite possibly the sweetest people you will ever meet!!!! Love my Zestie SJ and her amazing hubby JD!!!!