Lanie Rene California Photographer
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I’m Lanie

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Quiet observer. Chaos coordinator. Emotional feeler.

Lover of storytelling, connection, and dogs who act like people.

I’ve always been someone who feels a little more deeply… which makes sense, considering I spend most of my days documenting the moments that move people. The loud ones, the soft ones, the ones in between that feel like something but are hard to explain.

Photography isn’t just what I do. It’s how I process the world. It’s how I show love. It’s how I remind people they don’t have to be perfect to be seen.

Why I do this

I grew up craving connection, dreaming of love, but not always knowing what healthy love looked like. That makes me extra aware when I’m behind the camera. I notice the little things. I look for the truth in people’s eyes, the tension in a hug, the way someone laughs when they feel safe.

This job lets me hold space for all of it.
The wild love. The grief wrapped in joy. The honest chaos.
And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

My approach

I don’t over-direct. I don’t expect you to be anything you’re not.
I show up with presence, empathy, and a camera that’s ready for whatever unfolds. Whether you’re eloping in the mountains, cuddling your newborn, or chasing your dog barefoot across the backyard. I’m there to document it the way it actually felt.

I’m not just your photographer. I’m your calm in the storm, your chaos wrangler, and your built-in emotional support friend when needed.

A few things that matter to me

  • Dogs. Always dogs.

  • Honest emotion over forced perfection

  • Storytelling over trends

  • Letting people be soft, loud, messy, tender — whatever they need to be

  • Music that hits in the chest (shoutout to sad girl playlists and punk rock)

  • Inclusivity — all love, all bodies, all identities belong here

You deserve to be seen like this.

Let’s make something that holds your story, just the way it is.

Golden hour, wild love, and real moments — served fresh on the feed. Check it out!