Ah, February – when Portland drizzle turns to heart-shaped droplets (okay, not really, but let a photographer dream!). It's that time of year when love is in the air, chocolate goes on sale, and everyone scrambles to capture their version of cupid-approved cuteness. But here's the thing about Valentine's photos at LaLa Photography: we believe love comes in all shapes, sizes, and species!
Love Stories, LaLa Style
Last week, we had the most epic Valentine's session that perfectly sums up modern love: Sarah and Mike brought their toddler Emma (sporting heart-covered rain boots), their golden retriever Max (wearing a bow tie), and Emma's beloved stuffed bunny (which honestly deserved its own photo credit). The result? Pure. Magic. Especially when Max decided Emma's Valentine's cookies looked particularly tasty, and Emma decided Dad's hair needed some "styling."
Not Your Grandma's Valentine's Photos (Though We Love Her Too!)
Gone are the days of awkward poses against boring backdrops. At LaLa, we're all about capturing real moments of love and connection. Like when:
Little Jackson couldn't stop giggling at his own reflection in our heart-shaped props
The Thompsons' cat, Sir Fluffington III, decided to photobomb every single couple shot (we kept them all)
Two-year-old Lily insisted on wearing her Superman cape with her Valentine's dress (because who says love can't be heroic?)
For the Couples Who "Hate" Photos
Let's talk about James and Rachel, who came in last week. James swore he was "allergic to cameras" (spoiler alert: he's not). By the end of the session, he was suggesting poses and asking for "just one more shot." Our secret? We make it fun! No stiff poses or forced smiles here – just you being you, maybe with some extra sparkle and definitely with better lighting.
Kids + Valentine's = Comedy Gold
If you've never seen a three-year-old try to explain what love means, you're missing out on life's greatest comedy show. Some recent gems from our tiny clients:
"Love is sharing my cookie... but not the big one."
"I love Mommy and Daddy and T-Rex and pizza."
"Cupid is like Santa but with less presents and more hearts."
Pets: The Real Valentine's Day MVPs
Can we talk about how pets steal the show every single time? They don't care about bad hair days or whether their "good side" is being captured. They're just here for the treats and belly rubs – and somehow end up looking like supermodels anyway.
Last year, we had a pug named Valentine (I know, perfect, right?) who wore a tiny tuxedo and quite literally fell asleep mid-shoot. Did we keep photographing? Absolutely! Are those photos now displayed prominently in his humans' living room? You bet!
The LaLa Valentine's Experience
Whether you're:
A couple celebrating your first or fiftieth Valentine's together
A family showing what love looks like with cheerio-covered fingers
A proud pet parent (treats provided, smooth jazz optional)
Flying solo and fabulous (self-love is still love!)
We've got the perfect setup to capture your kind of love story.
But What About...?
"We're not photogenic!" (False - you're just not used to having this much fun in front of a camera)
"Our kids won't sit still!" (Perfect - neither do we)
"Our dog only knows how to blur photos!" (Challenge accepted)
Book Your Valentine's Magic
Here's the thing about love – it's perfectly imperfect, wonderfully messy, and absolutely worth capturing. Whether you want traditional romantic shots or prefer a session where your kids and pets steal the show, we're here for it all.
P.S. Yes, we have tissue boxes ready for when you see your photos. No judgment – we usually need them too!
Ready to capture your version of love? Book your Portland Valentine's photo session now! Click here or call us at 971-801-0033. Bring your hearts, your smiles, and yes, even your treat-motivated pets – we've got plenty of squeaky toys standing by!*
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