Laidlaw Photography

Say What?!: Yours Truly

2011-07-08T16:15:00.000-05:00

I am excited for tonight? Why? 'Cause I'll be front and center photographing some live shots of the amazing band, Yours Truly. Wanna come join me? It's so easy!

Just show up to the Listening Room in Cummins Station downtown Nashville at 7:00 pm and you too can enjoy the magic that will unfold. It's TOTALLY FREE! Hot Dog!

See you there!

2011-07-07T09:52:00.000-05:00

While Aaron Thomas Tupper made his way into the world with a bang...quite literally (he's a 4th of July baby!), I was working away on these stunning photos of his beautiful momma, Julie. Check them out below!

Congratulations to you, Julie and Tim! Can't wait to meet that li'l Tupper!

Wittle Wisdom Wednesdays: A Day in the Sand

2011-07-06T16:00:00.001-05:00

In this society, I'm sure that no one would disagree that we are constantly on-the-go. We have goals. We have desires. We want it. And we want it now.

Between iPhones (guilty...), iPads, blackberries, and a multitude of other mobile media, we are always connected and able to work from every nook and cranny in the world! ...well...sometimes. Service gets a little sketchy the closer you get to Manchester, Tennessee. Just ask my poor husband.

The purpose of this technological age was to decrease the amount of time needed to complete projects. But so far, it's managed to increase our productivity so much, that we now get four times as much done as long as we take the work home and do it on vacations.

I say it's time to just take a break.

Unplug.

And stick our fingers in the sand.

It's amazing what even as little as 2 hours of sun, surf, and sand can do. A local lake...a neighbor's pond...or even just a lawn chair in your own back yard provide the perfect opportunity to open a book, kick off your shoes, and calm your mind.

Because truly, what's the point of working if we can't enjoy what we're working for.

Come back tomorrow to see Julie's maternity pics! Here's a quick taste to wet your whistle.

Say What?!: Bacon War 2011

2011-07-01T18:03:00.000-05:00

If you've been paying any amount of attention on Facebook (or possibly no attention at all...) then you've probably noticed my extreme fascinations (read that as "obsessions"). I say extreme because...well...it is.

In May of 2011, Cicadas descended upon Nashville. Creepy, red-eyed, disgusting cicadas. I was in love.

But Cicadas are now sooooo May 2011. Bacon is now the new Cicada.

Sorry, Cicadas...but I'm over you.

Thus began my torrid love affair with bacon.

Enter Yours Truly.

I had the opportunity to photograph a hot, new band that is fresh on the scene here in Nashville called Yours Truly. You MUST go listen to their music. You can find it at www.facebook.com/audioloveletters

Needless to say, they noticed my bacon posts on Facebook (I mean, who wouldn't...it IS obsessive).

Enter #baconwar2011.

Yours Truly threw down the gauntlet and I--guilelessly, I might add--accepted.

The challenge? Who can post the most creative photo using bacon...(however, I believe that in our creativeness, we are going to open the challenge up a bit more to allow for other media...oh dear...I fear we may have a song about bacon coming...)

We've already gone 2 rounds with the most recent being:

Clay BAiken v. Breakin' Bacon

It's clear who the winner here is, folks -- #TeamLaidlawPhotography

Now here's where YOU come in. As we post these photos onto Facebook, we need votes! How do you vote? Easy! Just leave a comment on or 'like'either my photo or Yours Truly's photo declaring who you think should win the round.

We'll be posting these sporadically, so be on the lookout! Make sure you head over to Laidlaw Photography's Facebook page and 'like' it so that you can see the updates. And while you're doing that, take a tour over to Yours Truly's Facebook page and do the same.

This is promising to be a hilarious challenge.

Wittle Wisdom Wednesdays: Puddle Jumping

2011-06-29T18:54:00.000-05:00

When the weather is hot and you can't stop sweating... When temperatures are skyrocketing and even a Venti Starbucks Vanilla Iced Coffee (yum!) doesn't cool you down... It's time to hit the pool.

Because at this point, the only thing that's going to take away that achy feeling of supressing humidity is a cool, refreshing dip.

But what happens when the pool is closed? What happens when it rains and the massive lightening storm prevents you from enjoying the pure bliss that is the swimming pool.

Well, according to precious Olivia, the answer is simple!

You jump in a puddle. Obviously.

Too often we look at what we can't or don't have instead of enjoying the fun that is all around us. I say we take a moment to stop obsessing over what we want and to start enjoying what we have!

I mean, if a 4-year-old can do it...why can't I?

Say What?!: The Saltine Challenge

2011-06-17T18:02:00.001-05:00

It's time for another edition of:

Saltine Crackers.

Man's modern medicine for an upset tummy.

And also a pure source of entertainment!

So apparently there's this thing out there called the Saltine Challenge (not to be confused with the Ground Cinnamon challenge...that's a whole 'notha level o' crazy).

According to the Saltine Challenge, it is impossible to eat 6 (yes...only 6) Saltine crackers in under 60 seconds without a single drop of liquid to aid in the process. When a friend of mine and I heard this, we decided that 'impossible' was NOT in our vocabulary for something so obviously simple.

I mean, look at them! It's only 6, for crying out loud.

...

I am here to tell you that it's impossible to even eat THREE before the time limit. We tried multiple times with multiple strategies. Eating one at a time in tiny bites. Eating three at a time. Even going as far as trying to eat all SIX in one shot.

Without a glass of water...it cannot be done.

Apparently (and according to Google, my endless source of accurate knowledge), the saltine's 'quickly exhaust the saliva in one's mouth.'

Yep.

It's true.

Exhausted saliva!

Have YOU ever tried the Saltine Challenge? You should! Then shoot me a comment with your hilarious story. You can even video or photograph your attempt and I'll post it as a follow-up to this blog!

A New Ferrara on the Way!

2011-06-13T13:04:00.000-05:00

Check out my latest maternity shots of the gorgeous Elizabeth! I'm so excited for Vivian to make her way into this world...if she's going to be anything like her big sister (aka Bid Chedder) then that Little Cheeto is going to be AWESOME.

Say What?!: 2 to 8 Random (very random) yet Positive (sort of) Thoughts About Turning 28

2011-06-10T16:54:00.002-05:00

This is my first segment of “Say What?!” – which basically means that on Friday…anything goes. You never know what I might blog about. Cicadas, my dogs, life, a piece of lint. I don’t know! That’s what makes it exciting.

Today, I’ll be reflecting on 2 to 8 Random (very random) yet Positive (sort of) Thoughts About Turning 28

1. I’m old enough now that folks who are older can stop looking at me like I’m too young to know what I’m talking about (i.e. when I was 22)

2. Sunglasses totally hide age. It’s awesome.

3. I will always be 10 years younger than my husband. Holla.

4. Just because I’m 28, doesn’t mean I have to look it! I love my personal trainer…until she makes me do planks.

5. Starbucks gave me a free birthday drink! Yum.

6. I’m pretty good at Photoshop…wrinkles are a problem of the past in photographs.

Heck no I’m not doing a before and after photo here. Have you lost your mind?!

7. I can now—with authority—say to a teenager, “Back when I was your age I …”

8. My husband takes me on a very romantic and fabulous date to celebrate my 28th.

All in all, I'd say that 28 is pretty great!

Make sure you check back on Monday to see the blog about THIS:

And THIS:

Wittle Wisdom Wednesdays: The Art of Negotiation

2011-06-08T15:47:00.002-05:00

As many of you know, I have a friend who is full of copious amounts of wisdom. I'm pretty sure I learned the word "copious" from her...or possibly Dr. Seuss. I don't know. Either way, the fact that this friend is 4-years-old (soon to be 5!) is not lost on me. But rather than be ashamed that a 4-year-old knows more about the world than I do, I figured I'd rather SHARE her wealth of knowledge in an installment I like to call:

Meet Olivia.

She is about to instruct us on the Art of Negotiation in 4 Simple Steps (…if you’re a 4-year-old, that is)

Step 1: Assess your desired target or item.

In this case, a delicious coffee-flavored frozen beverage.

Step 2: Suggest an offer.

“Daddy, how about if you pretend like that drink isn’t real.”

Step 3: Await confirmation that your offer was received.

“What? So that you can have it?”

Step 4: Accept the counter-offer as the adult has unwittingly played right into your teeny tiny hands.

“Yes.”

She’s probably going to grow up to rule the world some day.

Little Leina

2011-06-06T15:14:00.000-05:00

So I thought I'd start my birthday week with another little one's birthday! I love it when I get to photograph mom and pop before the little one is born. It really puts it all into perspective!

Abby's Maternity Photos!

2011-06-01T22:45:00.003-05:00

I was so excited to be able to photograph Abby! Only 2 weeks away from her due date, she's quite literally glowing (it ain't just a myth, people!)

Here are a few shots from our session on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon!

Doesn't she look like a super model? Abby makes pregnancy look so good. Fact.

It's All New!

2011-05-31T10:08:00.003-05:00

For the past two years, Laidlaw Photography's focus has been the wedding industry. And as much as I love weddings, I've come to realize that my passion actually lies within a completely different area!

The more I've had the opportunity to photograph children, the more I've absolutely fallen in love with photography all over again!

So Laidlaw Photography has a new face, a new direction, a new blog...and soon a new website!

In the meantime, continue to come back and check out this blog. In honor of this new focus, Laidlaw Photography is going to be offering some awesome deals in the near future!

Don't Talk To Strangers

2010-03-03T00:01:00.004-06:00

Before he was the governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger was Mr. Kimble, Kindergarten Cop.

When I was 8, I found that movie to be delightful. Whether it was his endearing accent, the traditional fish out of water tale, or the veins bulging from his neck as he spewed one of the most quote-worthy phrases of the 90s (“It’s not a too-mah!”), I’ll never know. All I know is that I learned an important lesson from that flick:

“Don’t talk to strangers.”

However, my sweet friend, Little Olivia, has a whole different take on the subject.

One afternoon, LO, her mommy, another friend, and I were eating lunch at a local sandwich shop.

LO’s coat had accidentally fallen onto the floor, our group none the wiser.

A very nice gentleman with a gray beard began walking past but paused when he noticed the coat on the floor. Being the nice gentleman that he was, he picked up the coat and handed it to LO’s mommy with a gentlemanly, “Whoops! Looks like ya dropped this!” The nice gentleman then moved on to join the rest of his lunch group.

We all smiled and continued with our conversation, only to be distracted by Little Olivia’s look of quiet dismay.

She watched the man walk away, her tiny brow furrowed in complete confusion. We were unsure as to what could cause this dear, sweet child such bewilderment until she told us in a loud not-so-whisper, “Mommy, that man didn’t kiss or hug me!”

Today's moral?

Don’t talk to strangers…unless they pick up your coat, then you should expect a hug and a kiss.

Baby Meg

2010-02-28T23:30:00.013-06:00

One of my favorite subjects to photograph is children. I think my enjoyment stems from their complete lack of inhibition. Children will laugh, cry, smile, or cringe at a camera with total disregard for how they appear! This liberating behavior is a dream for a photographer because it allows us to capture the subject as they are, which is always beautiful!

Meet Meg!

We started the session with a bit of a cry because the dogs began to bark at something outside. Poor Meg got a little startled!

But no matter, because sweet Ellie comforted Meg quickly and the rest of the session went off without a hitch and a lot of smiles.

Wittle Wisdom Wednesdays: A Place For Everything and Everything in its Place

2010-02-24T00:01:00.002-06:00

Mexican food is a not so secret indulgence of mine. I love it. My wise friend Elizabeth said it best when she recounted the importance of finding a Mexican restaurant.

"When moving to a new area of town, the most important thing is to find a nearby Kroger...then a good Mexican restaurant."

That being said, I accompanied my wise friend, Elizabeth, to eat some good Mexican. Seeing as how she is also Little Olivia's mother, I figured it would be a fortuitous opportunity to gain a Wittle Wisdom. And I'm not one to pass up the opportunity to exploit my young, honorary niece.

Immediately after being seated, I noticed that my young friend had a rock fascination. Her mother then explains to me Little Olivia's desire to pick up and take home rocks (I had already been introduced to a few in the car on the way over). However, what was more interesting than her desire to take them home, was her desire to organize them (she is most definitely her mother's daughter).

Little Olivia spent the better part of an hour collecting rocks from the planter in the Mexican restaurant and placing them one at a time on the ledge of our booth.

It was clear that as she began placing the rocks on the ledge like a complicated puzzle that each rock had its specific and perfect station within the intricate arrangement. No rock was more important than another just as no rock was the least. She didn't begin from one end and then move to the other. No, she picked a position for each one in a pattern that only she could understand. They were like little ants marching up the hill to their destination carrying pieces of queso on their backs.

I asked her mother if Little Olivia was good at picking up her room to which her mother replied, "Within thirty minutes of cleaning up her room, it explodes."

So what did I learn? Simply that even to a three-year-old, there is a place for everything and everything has its place...except for toys.

Sophia & Joe's Wedding

2010-02-22T16:14:00.005-06:00

I had the absolute pleasure of being asked to photograph the wedding of Joe & Sophia Faiz (Yay! It's official!). I was so excited after speaking with them during our initial meeting that--for only a brief moment--I thought they were too good to be true. That surely they were not as relaxed and amiable as they had originally seemed. But after spending a (very) cold afternoon with them during their engagement session, I knew that my excitement was more than justified.

Sophia and Joe are a dream couple for one, simple reason.

They're undeniably in love and it's seen shining from their eyes in every photograph.

Here's a sneak peak at their life changing day.

Rebecca Vine: Ballerina, Friend, Secret Agent

2010-02-19T00:05:00.000-06:00

Living in Nashville, everyone you meet is a singer/songwriter, an aspiring singer/songwriter, or married to a singer/songwriter. While I learned at a young age that money doesn't grow on trees, the exact opposite is true of singer/songwriters in the greater Nashville area. They are everywhere...and ripe for the picking!

So when I first shook hands with Rebecca Vine, the singer/songwriter, I thought to myself, "Well, that's not surprising..." However, four inspiring, fun-filled, and wacky years later, I now know that the words "Rebecca Vine" and "not surprising" should never be used in the same sentence.

Rebecca Vine, the friend, is a free spirit who wants to be a ballerina when she grows up (because being 26 might mean you're an adult, but it doesn't mean you're done growing), has a deep desire to sing a duet with Michael McDonald (even if it requires stalking him), and wishes she could be best friends with Sydney Bristow (CIA black ops operative from the popular television show, Alias). Those few attributes, among a myriad of others, sealed her in my heart for life.

And for as fun, carefree, and zany as Rebecca Vine, the friend, is--Rebecca Vine, the singer/songwriter is as equally deep, passionate, and steadfast.

Rebecca Vine, the singer/songwriter, is a fount of talent and love, flowing over everyone she meets. You can't spend five minutes with Rebecca and not feel better about yourself, your current situation, or your future. Her heart bursts with compassion for those around her and because of this, she has a deep desire to write songs that matter, songs that speak to the hurting, the lonely, the longing...

Her purpose isn't simply to write songs, but to write songs that help heal broken hearts.

Rebecca was born in Alaska, but raised in Santa Cruz, California. When she was 17, she felt that God was calling her to Nashville to pursue songwriting. Two years later, she started making the journey.

On her way to Nashville, she stopped in her dad's hometown of Ganado, Texas to record some demos. Weeks turned into (many) months, and in 2003 she finally arrived in Music City, Tennessee.

Being a recording artist was not her dream when she came to Nashville, nor can she say that it is her dream now. But what she can is that it's not about her anyway.

It's about sharing and connecting through music.

Writing will always be her first love, but singing has become a very close second. Ultimately, her deepest desire is to honor God with either...both...wherever they may lead.

So when Rebecca Vine, my friend, the singer/songwriter, asked me to take a few promo shots, I didn't walk, but ran to comply!

Check out a few of my favorites from around the city.

Rebecca, thank you for your time and talent, for believing in my dreams while I aid, however small, in yours, and for being my loving, compassionate, and gracious friend.

You are such a rockstar!

Rebecca is currently in pre-production for her upcoming EP Willing and Able, which will be released in April 2010.

Until then, you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace, and don't forget to check her out at http://www.rebeccavine.com/.

Want to see more of Laidlaw Photography? Become a fan on Facebook!

Wittle Wisdom Wednesdays: Love Your Neighbors

2010-02-17T00:10:00.005-06:00

Little Olivia is a joy all unto herself. While all children are absolutely adorable (and not to mention, my favorite subjects to photograph), Olivia holds a special place in my heart--I'm sure this has nothing to do with being her honorary aunt. ;)

Not only is she undeniably darling (please observe the banner to see for yourself), but she's also a 3-year-old bucket-o'-wisdom.

Seeing as how Olivia is one of the cutest things since fluffy, long-eared bunnies and too smart for her own good, I thought it would be fun to dedicate a weekly spot on my blog to the little munchkin.

Welcome to Wittle Wisdom Wednesdays: When a 3-year-old speaks...

This Wittle Wisdom comes straight from a conversation between Little Olivia and her Mommy.

Little Olivia: "We love our neighbors...we don't kill them."

Mommy: "...Or, you know....yell at them. We love our neighbors and we don't yell at them. There's no need to be extreme."

Little Olivia: "Yeah, that too. But we don't kill them, though."

So, there you have it, everyone. Love your neighbors. (And don't kill them.)

Cardinals in the Snow

2010-02-15T23:06:00.000-06:00

Imagine my surprise when I went downstairs Monday afternoon and looked out my kitchen window.

Beautiful cardinals had taken over the branches of the trees in my back yard. I like to think they were plotting to take over the world while us Nashvillians were terrified to leave our homes in the snow.

I love Tennessee.