Meet Layne | Photographer & Owner: Maternity, Newborn & Milestones, Family. La Dolce Vita Photography.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Layne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Layne, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Photography has been in my soul since early years of life. It’s a passion that I’ve carried with me throughout my life journey and different careers, allowing me to connect with diversified backgrounds and families who bring me all sorts of inspirations when it comes to capturing unique moments and milestones. Visual and emotional connections, that I see in families, inspire authenticity and intimacy, which are core to powerful human connection and storytelling.
Movies, dance, cartoons, paintings and pretty creations of nature have inspired me to pursue my dreams.
As a young little girl, I absolutely loved to spend hours looking over and over my family albums and whatever treasure left behind by my ancestors. I’ve always kept those photographs, handwritten letters, post cards and treasures to the legacy of my family.
Celebrating the beginning of life, from womb to the world, and capturing family moments in beautiful artistic ways, has become my main source of inspiration, which brings me back to happy memories as a child, teenager and, later, a mother. These moments inspired me to create visual stories that empower young minds with confidence and self-esteem. Young children feel loved and appreciated when they see their photos around the house and reinforce ties between family members. All of the above, has inspired me to understand photography as an art and craft that will never grow old or out of style.
To me, finding meaningful daily activities or actions that bring joy in the simplicity of everyday, contribute positively to my own mental health and can be conveyed to other lives and families that work with me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Photography is a visual art and language that has been in blood since I remember myself. Even though, throughout life, I have studied, graduated, specialized and worked in different careers tied to Education and Corporate Industries, I still did not abandon my favorite hobby: photography. Becoming a professional niche photographer and having my own studio were dreams that I’ve always kept hidden under my sleeve, so I’d jump in, and take the leap of faith, when the perfect moment in life called me.
Mining my own story, gave myself and my business, special authenticity and soul. As a hobbyist, I took time throughout the years to self-teach myself as I moved along the process by experiencing navigating different niches and everything from editorial to journalistic styles.
When I became the mom of a sweet baby boy, photography became, more than ever, non-negotiable to me. I wanted to keep all precious details, as vivid as possible in my memory for as long as possible… In those days, there weren’t many specialized photographers available. Due to distance, lack of labor and weather challenges, I did not get the chance for my baby to be photographed in the same style of portraits that I make available to my clients today.
I chose to embark on this new journey to help other moms preserve their memories artistically. I aimed for mothers to retain these memories permanently without losing the details that can be forgotten over time. I studied the business more and invested in further education. I regularly attend workshops both locally, internationally, and online. It took me a couple of years, until I connected to the style I represent today: contemporary simple, timeless and organic. My imagery conveys editorial feeling that are unique and exclusive to each client and personality. My natural expressions and ways of dealing with clients make them feel comfortable at ease. I have a loving and caring genuine personality that expresses words from the heart but also knows how to treat business with the love and deserved respect this career asks for. There are no shortcuts for most of us. Addressing daily challenges involves making important decisions for your business, maintaining self-respect, ensuring transparency, having confidence in your actions, and continuously investing in knowledge and opportunities. These efforts can help achieve your vision to the level that reflects your intended approach. In this journey, for over a decade, I have invested more than my heart and soul to get to where I find myself now. My husband and I created a cozy space for my clients. The goal is to deliver my best effort. Visual arts are presented to families in ways that depict the natural experiences of expecting mothers, newborns, and family bonding in enduring and authentic manners. Maternity looks, cake smash, newborn sets are all created with love, artistic expression, and meticulous care that can impact families in the most meaningful ways.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend visits for a week, we are going to have a great time exploring the town together!
Let’s consider we’re getting ready for summer and trace the Aurora itinerary to be remembered, as we’d love to explore town as native residents! The plan is:
After airport pickup, we might drive straight to Carino Café at Smoky Hill, for a small local brunch that hits the spot for the day. Southlands Mall also offers brunch options at Legends Café.
When it’s time to stretch our legs and walk down Main Street, there are cute little locally owned shops to visit and explore, such as The Savory Spice and Main Street Boutique, for something new! A stop for a frozen yogurt at Tutti Frutti will sure refresh the day!
In the coming days, we plan to bike or walk around the reservoir in the mornings, relax at the beach, and visit with other friends.
The Perfect Landing restaurant is a great option for a memorable brunch. We can enjoy a delicious lobster benedict with a mimosa, while watching small jets taking off and landing.
Lunches or dinners may go well at Mama Louise, our local Italian restaurant, as well as Mexican restaurants like Tres Margaritas and Bookmakers Burger as good Americans do, supporting small businesses like mine.
Why not taking the road to scenic locations as Garden of the Gods or Red Rocks, for beautiful photos, explore Castle Rock Main Street Shops, Parker Main Street, depending on what the moment asks for. Catching up on a movie at Southlands ending the evening sounds good to chill the day.
Still talking about foods and drinks, that make any visit amazing, my best friend cannot leave town without tasting Aroma de Brazil in Aurora or visiting Padoca Bakery in Denver. It’s just part of my culture that I am sharing with her.
A spa day is available at Heads Up Salon, located in Southlands Mall. Services include massages and hair. Just beside this beautiful hair salon, there is a cute little family-owned place for nail treatments.
Art activities with “Paint and Sip” or “Color me Mine” are good options to make memories with a special friend too!
I confess that I’m not a big drinker, but when a friend comes to town, the occasion deserves a visit to a small local liquor store where we can purchase a bottle of bubbly wine to enjoy during the evening, while seated on the front porch or in the backyard to end the busy touristic day in quiet ways and with good conversations.
Outside Aurora but still not the long drive to Denver Downtown, includes Park Meadows restaurants, Lowry AirForce Base restaurants and bars for happy hour and the restaurants around Cherry Creek Mall. My favorite is the “Quality Italian”, a place to indulge and leave your guilty pleasures behind.
My best friend will be upset if I don’t include a studio photoshoot experience in our schedule,
This itinerary is busy and filled with happy memories. Simplicity, transparency and authenticity in our relationships make our connections last memorable for a lifetime.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My story’s recognition is linked to people I have known throughout my life: from my immediate family members who are my greatest source of inspiration on my own worth, hard work, honesty and family values, through famous artists in different fields: singers, writers, photographers spread around this world who, over the years, silently taught me more about a type of self-esteem with accurate perception of my vision, reflecting who I became and how I perceive my qualities and want to convey beautiful sentimental energy that motivates mental well-being to the ones who appreciate my art with heart and soul.
My husband has supported me emotionally and financially in investing in my studio and supporting my career. My son observes the significant physical and mental effort I continue to invest in my pursuing my work. He also understands and manages the sacrifices his mother has made, including our family time, to pursue dreams in a competitive market and secure a place of recognition.

Website: https://www.ladolcevitaphotos.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladolcevitaphotoslf

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layne-fernandes

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