Who is Ladystardust?

I’m Laura Blackheart, a Portland OR photographer.

My photographic career started 15 years ago in San Francisco, shooting rock bands and working at a camera shop to pay my way through art school. In 2000, the hubby & I moved to Portland looking for a better life.  Maybe it’s the fresh air and strangers on the street who say good morning… Portland works for us.  Riding the wave of technology from film to digital, I have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful and talented photographers, art directors, and assistants.  Over the years, I managed a commercial photo studio, freelanced as a professional Photoshopper, and have shot for a range of clients like Adidas, Portland Monthly Magazine, and Sub Pop Records.  I feel so lucky to have been able to make a living within the medium that I love.

There are no words, however, to describe how truly fortunate I feel to have my children, my husband, and my animals.  And I find myself wanting to work for fewer “clients” and more PEOPLE.  People who have kids, are about to have kids, or like to dress up their pug in a Christmas sweater.  People who are celebrating the amazing little lights in their lives.  So my business has shifted to documenting family.

Kids being kids. Babies with the big chubby fat knees that you just want to eat up. Families who don’t want their picture taken while leaning an elbow on a carpet block. Pregnant ladies who are so incredible and radiant even when they feel like elephants.  Oh my gosh I love those big bellies.

I love making photographs to remember by.  Time moves so fast – a photograph is the only way to stop  it for just one second.  Your home,  your garden, a favourite chair, the light coming in your living room window.  Your park, a swing or jungle gym, your secret getaway spot on Sauvie Island… Images that are meant to last forever should capture you in a comfortable environment.  I don’t put time constraints on a session; sometimes we are done in an hour, and sometimes it takes four to get everyone comfy and showing real smiles. And if I need to come back another day to catch the kids in a better mood, then that’s what we’ll do.

Relaxed should be the word of the day when we document your family. Hope we get a chance to do it soon.  Thanks for visiting.

(Just to answer the common question, I’ve had this domain name since way back in the 1990′s. “Lady Stardust” is a David Bowie tune on the Ziggy Stardust album, in case you wanted to look it up.  And it’s a pretty accurate way to sum me up  – love of glam rock, a tendency to dream wildly, and “Lady” is what my father has called me since as far back as I can remember. Don’t ask me why, I’ve never gotten a straight answer out of him.)