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The Smile House – Photography by Laura Kay Wootan bio picture

Welcome To My Blog

Thank you for visiting my blog. Here you'll find my most recent client sessions as well as stories about my life and my family. Here is some information about me!

My name: Laura Kay Wootan

Age:  35 (although I am going to stop counting after this year)

Birthday:  August 5th, 1973

My Family:  I have a wonderful husband named Bryan and a six-year-old son that I love very much. My son only makes funny faces at my camera. He might just be slightly over photographed.

Education: Bachelors of Fine Art in Photography from The University of Texas Arlington.  I graduated in 1997.

My style:  I’m a journalist at heart. My portraits are story telling mixed in with classic portraiture. I strive to create timeless portraits. I believe that portraits are an investment in your family history. I believe children should see what their great grandparents looked like. I believe that every family should have a yearly family portrait.  I believe a portrait really can say 1000 words.

The technical aspects of photography are every bit as important to me as the emotions and relationships I capture. You'll never find me shooting on anything but "full manual." I make all the decisions when I'm photographing. I don't photograph on automatic and hope the camera will do a good job. 

I pose people. Photographers who claim not to pose because it looks "fake" just don't know how to pose their clients.  Not posing people can make a beautiful Mom look ten or twenty pounds heavier than she really is!!  I’m so not kidding.  Posing people is an art. You can absolutely pose people and still have them look natural and animated.   I pose my subjects because I want you and your family to look the best they can. If posing was a bad thing Tyra Banks on Next Top Model wouldn’t spend so much time talking about “the pose!!”  Posing… it’s not just for supermodels!  Posing is the difference between “snapshot” photography and real portraiture.  I believe if you’re hiring a custom photographer they should be providing you a top-notch beautiful product that isn’t something you could do yourself. 

I love beautiful light. I am comfortable shooting on location, in the studio and with natural light. I’m always prepared for whatever lighting situation I will encounter. I am obsessed with finding beautiful light and if it’s not there I can create it.

I believe without a doubt Mothers are the ultimate family historians.  Mom’s that love photography are my favorite people. I fall in love with every baby and child I photograph.  I love nothing more than to see how much they change over the years. I consider it an honor to be your family photographer.

Thanks for visiting! Please leave comments! I LOVE them!

Sneak Peek for Sarah & James

Today I got to photograph sweet little Jeb from New Braunfels! He reminded me so much of my little boy with his little bald head! He did great in our session! He has the sweetest little smile too! I think his daddy has the perfect little Mini Me!! So sweet! Thanks for coming in! It was great getting to know you guys! More of this sweet baby to come!

Sneak Peek for Logan – San Marcos High School Senior

Meet handsome Logan!! He’s a senior from San Marcos.  I just wanted to get this peek up real quick before I head to Florida!  I can’t wait to do our location session!  More cool stuff to come!!

Pet Portrait Days! March 19th- 20th

Love on four legs! We take them into our hearts and they love us forever! I am so happy to announce our first ever Pet Portrait Days special event! Pets are such an important part of our lives! Why not have a beautiful portrait made of your furbaby! Children and adults are welcome to join in the portraits as well! These session also benefit pets in need of loving homes! We’ll donate your $50 session fee to the PAWS of Kyle a local no kill shelter. Special collections for this event will begin at $150!

Call the studio today to book your session. We only have a limited amount of sessions available. Saturday sessions are going to fill up fast so don’t wait!

As an added bonus we’re thrilled to have Jennifer Forrester from www.petexperiencepro.com on site during these sessions! She’ll be available to answer all your pet questions and help during our sessions! Your furbabies will love her!

To schedule your appointment please call:
512-396-2001

pets

Sweet Baby Chloe – Sneak Peek for Chris & Karen

Ohhh I love her!!! She’s so sweet and cute!! I can’t believe she’s turning a year already. *burst into tears* it’s been too fast!! We had a great session today! She was just perfect! Here are a few quick teasers! Thanks for coming in guys! See you soon! XOXO

Sneak Peek for Cameron – San Marcos Senior

Meet Handsome Cameron! He’s another Senior from San Marcos. We had a lot of fun at his session. :) Here’s just a little peek! I had such a hard time deciding which to show!! We have some great images!! I love this outside one with his car! Way cool! See you guys soon! Thanks for coming in!

Sneak Peek For Amanda – San Marcos High School Senior

Seniors Season is in full swing!! Meet beautiful Amanda! She’s a senior from San Marcos High School. Just wanted to give her a quick sneak peek! Can’t wait to do our location session on Friday! See you soon!! :D

Beautiful Lauren – San Antonio Senior

Meet beautiful Lauren. Lauren was a San Marcos girl but now she’s a high school senior in San Antonio. I had a wonderful time photographing her session! We visited some of the places she likes to go here in San Marcos. And her BFF joined in the session too which only made it more fun! I love love love the portrait of Lauren on the swing in the park! Definitely a new favorite! Thanks for coming in Lauren and congratulations!! :D

Sneak Peek of Maddie and Emma

Just a quick peek for Maddie and Emma! I’ve photographed these sweethearts for a few years now and it’s always a joy! They’ve grown up so much!! Thanks for coming in guys! See you soon!

Sneak Peek for Alyssa – New Braunfels Senior

Seniors Seniors! Our calender is filling up with Seniors! Meet beautiful Alyssa! We had a fabulous session! I can’t wait to do our location session! I’m looking forward to it!! :) In the mean time enjoy this quick peek!! :D

Happy 45th Anniversary Mom & Dad

Today my parents are celebrating 45 years together. I feel so lucky to have them as my parents. I hope they know how much I love and appreciate them and all they’ve done for me over the years! Congratulations! Here’s to love that lasts a lifetime!

Much Much Love,
Me
(Your Favorite)

Matt & Cheryl

Just in time for Valentines! Ahhhh young love! I always enjoy engagement sessions! This one was no exception! I had a great time photographing Matt & Cheryl out in Gruene, Texas. The Mosquitoes were fierce but the light was beautiful!! I believe in suffering for the art! Haha ;) Thanks so much guys for making the drive from Houston! Here are a few favorite… but of course watch the slideshow!! :D With out further adieu…

Sweet Baby Elijah

Meet handsome little Elijah! He is turning one and just as cute as can be. He’s such a happy baby and he does this little flirty thing when he smiles at you! Totally melts my heart… and his hair!! He’s got fabulous hair! I love the image of him with the duck and the bathtub and also the black and white portrait! So handsome. It was great to meet you guys! Thanks for coming in and allowing us to document this most special milestone!

Sweet Addie Grace Sneak Peek

I can’t believe it’s already been a year! Addie Grace is so big and just as ever cute! Here’s a quick peek for Susan and David!

Handsome Tyler

He’s a little hunter in the making!! I really do love it when my brides have babies! We spend so much time together doing engagements, bridals and then when the wedding is over then I don’t get to see them as often. It’s not usually until they have a baby that I get to see them again. Babies are the love story continued!! :D Meet handsome Tyler! He’s the new baby of Les and Melanie. He’s perfect in every way!! We of course had to do portraits of him in cammo! His parents are avid bow hunters! I also love the images of him wrapped in his special blue blanket that his grandma made him! Congratulations on your new baby!! Thanks for coming in!

Ashley & Blake

This is a very special session that I had the pleasure to photograph.  This was another one of those sessions that reminds me how blessed I am to have a job where I get to spend time with people and document their lives and stories.  This is beautiful Ashley and her handsome husband Blake.  Ashley was just 32 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I remember the day Ashley’s sister Allyson sat on my couch and told me about her sister and about New Braunfels Huntsman Ball.  My heart broke for their family.  The Huntsman Ball is a black tie event with great food, dancing and an auction that raises money for Breast Cancer research. I knew I wanted to help! So I donated an auction item and I knew I wanted to photograph Ashley too. She was going to be the guest of honor at the event.  Shortly there after I met Ashley and we set up a session.  She is so beautiful and sweet and so willing to share her story.  I hope my portraits share her spirit and strength! She’s an amazing woman!  Thank you for allowing me to help document your journey to recovery!