Diary

I had another grand opportunity to learn from one of my favorite photographers this spring, Brooke Shaden, at After Dark in St. Louis. She is an outstanding conceptual photographer, has a heart of gold, loves to teach, and is so inspirational in her journals. Since finding her and learning from Brooke a few years back I have started my personal journey of reaching down inside my mind and soul. I have started my journal of inspiration and will begin putting together the pieces of my past, present & future to make my imagination come to life. I will begin later this month with the first concept :)Thank you Brooke.http://shadenproductions.com/blog/LoveLoveLove. Lana

Penni Shelton, a vegan and raw food chef, was asked by Garden of Life to do an editorial spread for Extraordinary Health magazine. I met Penni a year ago Christmas at a friend's party. I instantly loved her vibrance, charm, wit, and bubbly personality. A year later Penni called me asking if I would photograph her for this editorial in Garden of Life's magazine. Our mutual friend and my fellow photographer offered her kitchen. It was perfect for this photoshoot. Since we were all about raw foods and health it made since to use natural light.I'm honored to have been a part of Penni's journey. Thank you Penni for including me. Thank you Kim for the use of your kitchen and for your help.PS. You can pick one up Extraordinary Health Magazine at your local health foods store!http://www.gardenoflife.com/heheh....I finally made it to print (see bottom left center) :) LoveLoveLove. Lana

"Strength comes from every hurdle we have to jump, every corner we have to turn & every obstacle that stands in our way... We are Woman, Strong Today & Tomorrow." Nishan Panwar

Fashion Couture designed by Lana Thomas at Voulez Vous & headdress designed by Raegan Medeiros :). Designed especially for Candace I started my brainstorming. I headed to Joanne's Fabrics for supplies. I found the flowered fabric by accident and instantly knew I wanted to create an image with a 3D inspired effect. I would wrap her head & body in this fabric and use the fabric for a backdrop. Yes! This ran through my mind while pulling the fabric from it's bolt. I wanted to use natural light for a velvety and ethereal feel and look. Since Candace gave me full control of her portrait session I was excited to put this together for her and the colors went along with her wedding palette.The vintage corset and girdle I had in the studio and loved the idea of putting them together with a modern petticoat and add the silk flower belt for a more feminine look. I made the paper flowers from tissue paper that also matched our theme.Thank you Candace for letting me run wild with my vision for your portraits. Thank you Raegan for creating the beautiful headdress.LoveLoveLove. Lana

I remember when I was young I loved playing with paper dolls...changing their clothes, hair and shoes gave them a totally different look. I wish I had taken paper portraits of those dolls when I was young. During Rim's consultation she said she wanted a grunge/fashion flare look. I have been wanting to make a paper dress for years and loved the idea of using my studio walls, the staircase, and a simple backdrop would be perfect. I also imaged adding coolness to the images in post production to add a fashion flare.I told Rim I would love to make a paper dress if see would be willing to come to the studio and help make it, since I was working with a broken arm and a cast up to my armpit. Over the weekend I continued to work on the look, and when I was stumped I called my mom and she told me to braid the paper (mom always comes though). We had such a good time working together, making mistakes, having happy accidents, and finishing up with a great lunch. Thank you Rim for your beauty, kindness, and new friendship, and for brainstorming with me to make our vision come to print.I have already been designing another paper dress, which will arrive when I get time to work on it.....Thank you Ashlee Bivins Makeup for seeing my vision and working with me. http://ashleebivins.com/LoveLoveLove.Lana

Glamour & Beauty inside and out! Timeless, elegant, and dreamy with a contemporary flare is what inspired me for these portraits. I photographed her in natural light and used a high ISO for added grain. The dress Kathryn wears is a few pieces I put together especially for her. I made the skirt from tulle, ribbon, & hot glue (and a little bit of skin...hehehe) and the top is a vintage night gown I found at the local vintage shop, Cheap Thrills.I LoveLoveLove these images...and my job! :) Thank you Kathryn!Lana / Voulez Vous Glamour, Beauty, Boudoir

Stepping outside the studio for some fresh air and fun with a horse. It was a very windy day, the sun was shining, the air was crisp and the stables smelled of hay. It was so refreshing. I have photographed Clare since she was born, but this is the first time I was fortunate to actually photograph her with her horse at the stables. It was just a day to relax and have some fun.Thank you Clare and Kelly for giving me this day.LoveLoveLove. Lana

A surprise birthday gift to her new husband was the inspiration for this photo session. Once he left for work she packed her wardrobe into a suitcase, loaded it in the trunk of her car and headed to Voulez Vous. Nestled into the chair she relaxed with her champagne and Ashlee (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashlee-Bivins-makeup-artist/291228737568260?fref=ts) & Heather (https://www.facebook.com/HeatherValentineHair?fref=ts) began the transformation.I LOVE my Job!! Have I mentioned that before :} Tiffany is a dancer and used to being in the spot light, but she mentioned to me she was a bit nervous for her portraits. I was so shocked when we started the portraits....she didnt appear nervous at all. As a matter of fact, she was a natural and very photogenic. As I was setting up my camera for the next set I look up and she is sitting perfectly on the bench. This is one of my favorites as she looks so peaceful and relaxed....just being lovely self.Thank You Tiffany for trusting in me and I am looking forward to seeing you and Lee this summer for your next portrait session.LoveLoveLove. Lana

Miracle of Love.Before you were conceived I wanted youBefore you were born I loved youBefore you were an hour old I would die for youThis is the miracle of love.-Maureen HawkinsLoveLoveLove.Lana

My first wedding show over a year ago and I was nervous. I packed up my entire studio lounge space, headed for the venue and began making my little part of the show my own. Once I had it just the way I liked I just stood there looking out over the crowd of venders feeling like I was a speckle of dust. As I looked across the isle a tall, bubbly, girl stood. She had short dark and fashionably adorable hair and was dressed the way I wish I could get away with. As I watched her I thought to myself, "just go say hi and introduce yourself Lana." So I did! OMG! She was even more bubbly after I introduced myself and for some reason I felt an instant relief as we visited. She handed me her cards and I kept them safe and on hand for my next photo session. Shortly after it was time to get to know this cutie patootie again. She showed up just as she was the first time I saw her and she has been my studio makeup artist since ;)Over a year later she calls me for a portrait session of her own. Ashlee knew exactly when she called me the kind of portrait session she wanted. The hat was the focus prop. It didn't take her long to fall right into her playful, bubbly self as I just moved around her.I am honored and blessed to have a makeup artist that is so genuinely sincere, sweet, fun, and adorable inside and out. Thank you Ashlee for supporting me and being a true friend.www.ashleebivins.comhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashlee-Bivins-makeup-artist/291228737568260LoveLoveLove.Lana