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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!

Category Archives: Promotions

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...

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What is “Expert Retouching?”

Our phones have been ringing regarding our “love you” sessions this year and I keep getting the same question! What is “expert retouching?”  Expert retouching is a service in which we will retouch your photos so you look your ABSOLUTE best… while still looking like you!  Retouching itself is an art… one that I happen...

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Valentine “Love You” Sessions!

This Valentines give your man a gift he’ll treasure forever. We are proud to once again offer our “Love You” sessions. These are beautiful custom portraits of you taken in your home, our studio, or in a private location with a touch of sensuality added! How sensual is up to you! Remember that retouching is...

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Don’t Forget! This weekend is the River City Ballet – Nutcracker Suite and Other Holiday Treats!

Tonight I photographed the dress rehearsal for the annual River City Ballet holiday performance!  It was wonderful and I really hope (especially if you’ve never seen a RCB performance) that you’ll go see the show! It makes for a great holiday tradition and you’ll be supporting the arts here in San Marcos! There are two...

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Annual Charity Sessions Benefiting River City Ballet November 13th-14th

Dance has always been one of my favorite things to photograph!  I love the excitement before a performance. I love to watch children wide eyed and dressed in their pretty holiday outfits sitting in the over sized theatre chairs ready for the curtain to open.  Then the lights dim and the room goes silent. The...

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Pumpkin Patch Mini Sessions – San Marcos Texas

I am SO ready for Candy and Cuteness! It’s that time of year again! Football and pumpkins! Candy Corn and Chocolate! AND AND AND  good TV is BACK!! (although Grey’s was a little anti climatic after last year’s finally – but that’s a different blog)  ANYWAY!  I think we’re actually going to have a nice...

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Celebrate Motherhood – Special Promotion!

Mother’s day is upon us. As the family historian’s mothers are often left out of the family photo albums. I know that I too am guilty of never being in any family photos. Mom’s understand the importance of documenting those fleeting moments in time but yet we often don’t make a point to have our...

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