SELFie | Nashville Photographer

Now I love a good selfie.  GOOD is the key word here.  And, trust me, there are some really bad ones out there.  You know what I am talking about... The girl with the duck lips trying to be super sexy.  The guy at the gym with his shirt off.  But the worst of all to me is when someone can look so much better than they look in their selfie.  Bad light and bad angles are the major causes for bad selfies.  So we need to stop this unnecessary dilemma now.  Below are my favorite tips on how to take a good selfie.  

1)  As I always say: FIND THE RIGHT LIGHT.  And, yes, I just screamed at you but you need to get that in your amazingly smart brain of yours.  Look for shade as close to the sun as possible.  But never stand in direct sunlight- that will only cause unnecessary dark shadows on your face making you look so much uglier than you really are.  Because YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL so let your selfie show it!  

2) MOVE AROUND.  The best way to do this with your iphone is to turn the camera around to face the screen and literally move your body around to see where the light flatters you most.  Now I love backlight with my subjects because I can control so much more on my camera but with an iphone selfies usually don't work well with backlight.  The most flattering is usually with the sun hitting your eyes while you are in the shade.

3)  YOUR CAR!  Your car is an amazing place to take selfies.  That is why you see so many girls with their seatbelts on looking amazing.  The light filters in through the windows creating a soft light that flatters anyone.  Now make sure you have your sunroof closed if the light is too bright from above.  Or open it if there are a lot of clouds.  The only rule here is to only take selfies while parked (or at a stoplight while your neighbor car watches on and laughs).  Who doesn't laugh at someone taking a selfie?  And who hasn't been caught taking a selfie?  Of course not me.  

4)  Go easy on the filters.  This is HUGE.  Many of you just pop a filter on your selfie and don't ease up on the opacity.  Always make sure you put the opacity at least to 50% or less.  Because you don't want to look like an orange.  

So, there are my tips for making yourself as beautiful as you really are.  I really do love seeing photos of you all on my instagram and not just your kids or dog or grandma.  It makes me happy.  So please keep posting and try these tips!  If you do let me know.  I would love to see!  Have a great weekend friends!!!  

This is a selfie(s) with my youngest boy... Love him so. 

Finding the Light | Nashville Photographer

I needed a bit of a break from my super intense personal blog posts so I thought I would start sharing with you all a few of my photography tricks.  If you follow me on instagram then you saw many of them in my video posts a few months ago.  I took them all down so thought I would write a lot of them out here so you can have them for reference if you want!

One of the first questions (besides what to wear) from my clients is usually, "where do we need to take the photos?"  In the beginning of my years as a photographer that was also a very important question to me.  I would spend hours scouting out the perfect locations and trying to find the exact right field or barn-like door.  Now I feel like I can go *almost anywhere and get the exact shot that I want.  How?  Looking for the light.  

The first thing I look at when I arrive at a location is where the sun is located in the sky and any area that is shaded in the vicinity.  Then I decide on which shaded area I want to try first.  I usually look for an area that has the sun behind it and is partially blocks out the sun if the sun is high in the sky.  If the sun is lower then I just find an open area and shoot with the sun behind me.  That gives my photos the dreamy, sun-washed look that you expect to see from me.  Now the one thing you must be careful of is the sun-rays can impact a photo by blocking out part of a head or an entire person.  So I always just move around until I get the exact right light that I want to fall on my subject.  MOVE AROUND- even with an iphone.  It makes such a difference!  

So next time you are taking photos with your camera or iphone, try looking for the light.  When I see beautiful light, I cannot help but take a photo.  Just ask my patient children!  Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have...

Here are a few photos that I took in the middle of Sevier Park with a tree and the sun behind my subjects.  There were many distractions behind the tree but the sun was able to wash those things out so the focus could fall on my subject and the beautiful light.

Blackbird | Nashville Photographer

[i needed to give a preface to this blog post.  this feels very vulnerable and scary for me to share but i am finding that writing lately is therapy for me.  so i am putting myself out there in this weird online world to be judged or to be loved.  if you don't enjoy vulnerability and realness then maybe just stop reading now.  otherwise, read on and hopefully you will find some sort of companionship in your own story as well.]

The last 10 years Halloween has mainly been about making sure the kids had the right costumes and then raiding their candy after they go to bed.  I will usually put on some cat ears and call it a night.  But this year some friends and I decided to dress up and go to an actual adult party.  After changing my mind about 4 times, I finally settled on being a blackbird.  My kind friends at Fruition Salon wanted to help me with my hair and makeup so we spent the afternoon gluing on feather lashes and creating my bird-like hair.   Because, truth is, if I was left to my own devices then I would have looked like a bird nest instead of a bird.  So I was very grateful for their help.  

I want to say that I chose to be a blackbird for some deep, meaningful reason but honestly it was because I absolutely HATE birds.  I mean I like to watch them but if they get near me, I FREAK out.  So I couldn't think of anything more frightening to be than a black bird.  And Halloween is all about being scary, right?  So I head out feeling great looking forward to a night out with some of my closest friends.

I felt so happy that night, sitting around the fire with some truly kind, generous, thoughtful people.  All was right in my world.  And then it hit like a ton of bricks while sitting in a room with a handful of dear friends that are loving me so well these days.  My happiness turned to weeping.  I have been finding lately that when I find myself truly happy then a deep sense of sadness also rushes through me as well.  So I sat there and wept.  And I was loved.  And held.  Then one grabbed a guitar and started strumming "blackbird."  I didn't really understand the significance at the time because I was just in the midst of releasing so much feeling.  And the releasing was not just sadness and pain but also my happiness.  It was a cleansing, holy moment as the party thundered on downstairs.   And both of those were with me- the thundering happiness and the gentle sadness.  

The next morning I woke up with "blackbird" singing to me in the back of my mind.  And then it hit me.  My costume did mean something so much more than I realized.  And the words of that song could not say it any better...

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

And maybe next time when I see a black bird flying towards me, I won't be so afraid.  For it brought about my release and showed me the strength in my own brokenness.  

Happy Halloween to all of you friends.  

Fall | Nashville Photographer

I've been thinking a lot about seasons lately.  Honestly, I have always hated it when someone told that it was "just a season."  Especially when it came to my babies not sleeping.  It just seemed to diminish my painful sick exhaustion to mere seasonal allergies.  But the word "seasons" has been coming to me in a new way lately.  Fall has always been such a beautiful, yet also strangely aching time for me.  There is so much beauty in the smell and feel of the air yet there is so much loss experienced as the colorful leaves slowly fall to the ground leaving bareness all around.  

And my life seems to be in the midst of Fall itself.  Letting go of what I have held on to for so long through the Spring and Summer of my life.  Yet in the midst of the letting go, I am also learning to hope.  Knowing that Winter is coming and that the bareness will soon turn to beauty once again.  And isn't there some sort of odd beauty in the bareness as well?  You can see a bit more, right?  I am always amazed at being able to see things that I didn't see when the leaves hung on the trees: a neighbors house, the trail wrapping around the river, the sunset, the moon appearing a bit earlier through the bare branches.  And in this falling away of what I have known and held on to for so long, I am slowly learning to see a bit more.  More of myself.  More of my family.  More of God.  And the seeing isn't always pleasant or easy but it only gives way to growth.  And growth always leads to beauty.  Always.  

So, here I am on this path towards Winter and longing for Spring.  Yet I will stay in the falling away with my hands open knowing that this is where I am suppose to be and that soon my hands will be filled once again.  But I must keep them open and ready to hold whatever comes.  For it is in the openness that I can blossom.  

May wherever you are give you peace today.... 

The photo below is from one of my favorite places on earth, Onsite in Cumberland Furnace, TN.  If you are at a place that you feel like you need to hit a reset button on life, I would strongly suggest you looking into going here for a week.  It changed me and continues to change me today.  I am also happy to talk with anyone about my experience there as well.  Feel free to reach out.  

Just Keep Going | Nashville Photographer

I never planned to be a photographer.  My dream as a child was to be on the news.  It's true.  I wanted to be on The Today Show someday.  Katie Couric was my hero.  So I went into college as one of the only girls with a Speech Communications major.  Many of my friends were art/design majors so I spent a ton of time in that building.  But I just never thought it was really for me.  

Years later my daughter was born and I pulled out an old film camera that I used a few times on vacations and started playing with it.  After a year or so of taking photos of Bella, friends started asking me to take photos of their children.  From there I started my business slowly but surely.  I can remember going to an art fair and bringing samples of my work.  Looking back I realize how brave I was because that work is pretty embarrassing.  Or maybe I was just oblivious to how bad those photos really were.  But whatever it was, I put myself out there.  

And to all of you who are just starting or who want to start but don't think you have the natural talent- you can get better.  You will get better if you just keep going.  I wanted to quit more times than I could count because I failed more times than I could count.  Like really failed.  Like I can remember one session where every photo was blown out completely.  And I can remember writing notes on my hand on how to use the manual setting.  Every session felt like the first day of school: a mixture of nerves and excitement.  And then there was the comparing.  I was constantly looking at other photographers blogs and trying to copy their work.  They were the pinnacle to who I wanted to be as an artist.  

Now I wish there was some major aha moment that I can recall that I had the big turning point.  I just kept going.  And I got better.  At some point it just became second nature to know exactly what settings my camera needs to be on to get the right shot.  The comparing stopped.  I started to ask myself: what do you like?  What represents who you are?  And I began to get my inspiration from other sources than from fellow photographers.  I truly don't believe I became an artist until I allowed my work to be my work.  

So to all of you who want to give up, just keep going.  Keep painting.  Keep taking pictures.  Keep dreaming.  Sometimes it is staying in the mediocrity of the everyday that makes you great.  

So just to keep it real... Here are a few of my first photo sessions ever with my digital camera. These are around 10 years old... 

Perfectly Imperfect | Nashville Baby Photographer

So obviously I have neglected this blog for quite some time.  I have noticed that I have wanted to start writing more on my instagram feed but who really wants a paragraph (or two) to read as they scroll through?  I know I don't enjoy it so I doubt you really want to read mine either.  So here I am.   Back at the ole keyboard with thoughts scurrying around this little brain and big heart of mine.  Now I never promised to be an actual good writer.  I am not good at the grammatical stuff and I really don't care either.  I just know that sometimes words are the only way that I can get out whats in my heart and mind.  So here I am.  Here I am.  And you know whats great?  The fact that if you are actually reading this (still) then you actually want to read it.  It wasn't forced upon your feed.  You chose to come here.  So, thank you.  Even if its just one of you.  Or even if its just me.  I'll just thank myself.  Thank you Misty for being here.  

I wanted to talk to you about something.  I have a problem.  Thats the first step right?  Admit you have a problem.  I am a major perfectionist when it comes to my images online.  I absolutely hate that you can't edit after you post a photo on Instagram.  Because more times than I would like to admit, I erase and then reedit.  And sometimes I just give up.  Yes I care about likes (who doesn't?) but really I care more about how I feel about the image.  I want it to reflect who I am.  Because God knows I am PERFECT.  Oh shit, I forgot- I am the girl with the messy car and the girl who cusses too much in front of her children.  It's true, they have asked me to hold my tongue.  So I am trying.  TRYING.  Obviously I am far from perfect.  And so why in the world would I expect my work to be perfect?  I need to be a bit kinder to myself and my presence online.  Somedays I wish I could go back to 1997 without a phone and without the internet (with the exception of Prodigy in my Dads office that we would just sit there and say what the crap is that?).  Somedays I just wish I could forget about who likes what and who follows who.  Most days (at some point) I wish I could throw my phone in the river.  And I guess I could.  But then I would miss out on the gift of being able to share my art (literally) with the world.  And being able to fall in love with so many people who create and love well every single day.  It's like the famous U2 song: I can't live with you, I can't live without you.  So I guess somehow, someday I will learn to live in the in between.  Until then, I will just keep admitting that I have a problem.  Hi, I am Misty and I am a perfectionist.  

And here is the photo that I was trying to post today but  (like my friend MPJ sings) "I just can't get it right."  But, in all reality, it already was right.  Before the editing, before the post.  Straight out of camera was as right as right can be.  Because it was real and honest and beautiful.  So happy Friday to each of you and here's to trying to be a bit less perfect along the way.  

Happy Birthday sweet Nash!  I loved watching you enjoy this cake and meeting your amazing parents.  

Nashville Wedding

Kara & Justin were married on a chilly, beautiful April day at the Hermitage Golf & Country Club.  They were surrounded by so many friends and family that loved them so well.  And Kara was such a good sport about the uncharacteristically cold Spring day.  I was so grateful to be able to spend this day with all of them.  They are such a kind and thoughtful couple and didn't mind traveling for miles on the golf cart to find the perfect location for photos.  Here are a few of my favorite images from the day...

Dreaming of Narnia | Nashville Child Photographer

Before I was a photographer and before I had children, I worked in the book industry.  Working one year at Ingram Book Group gave me the chance to see movies before they would come out in theaters.  I was able to a "rough cut" of the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe.  As soon as I saw the little girl who was cast as "Lucy" I could not help but think that if I ever had a little girl that she would look a lot like her.  There was something about her that felt like a glimpse into my future.  And was I ever right?!  Bella just got her hair cut (not intentionally) like Lucy's in the movie and I knew I had to photograph her in the long fur coat in the snow yesterday.  It literally gave me chills as I looked out at my daughter almost 11 years later standing before me looking exactly like that little girl I saw on the screen.  

And side note, who can believe the snow Nashville is getting this year?!  I am not a huge winter/snow fan so I am a bit ready for Spring.  But trying to be grateful for these moments with my little ones because I know someday I will wish I was stuck in a house with them when they are grown and moved away.  It's all about perspective, right?  Oh and also a good bottle of wine.  

Challenges are a Challenge | Nashville Photographer

So when I wrote the post below I had absolutely no clue how hard the fashion challenge was going to be.  I originally thought it would be hard because I would have to wear things I was not use to wearing.  Ummmm, no, not even close.  By day 3, I had so much anxiety posting photos of myself that I dreaded the moment when I would push post.  I would talk to friends and tell them I wanted to quit.  I couldn't put myself out there anymore.  My group of friends, near and far, cheered me on.  They would not let me quit.  So onward I went.  But let me tell you- it was HARD.  Some days I would get tons of likes.  Other days the likes were low and it was hard not to take it personally.  When you post a photo of yourself it is vulnerable.  So if you are one of those who like to make fun of selfies and think it is some narcissistic approach to life then you might want to try posting a few yourself.  Do you feel full of yourself when you do it?  Because I sure didn't.  It actually made me feel less of myself on certain days.  I became pretty self conscious and I usually consider myself someone who has a healthy self esteem.  So I encourage you to stop your judging of selfies.  When you see a photo of someone, please like it.  They need you to like it.  They need a touch from someone, even if it is as distant as a little heart popping up on their screen.  It is hard to remember that it is a true, genuine person behind the hard, impersonal screen.  They have feelings and they need your love. 

So what I actually learned is not what I thought I would learn but it was a good lesson and I am thankful for the chance to grow and learn.   Now on to the really FUN part!  I want to give back to all of you that cheered me on in this journey.  I am giving you the chance to post a photo of yourself in your favorite challenge of mine from the last 30 days.  First place will win a mini session with me valued at $250.  Second place will receive a $50 gift card to Nordstrom and third place a $25 gift card to Nordstrom.  All you need to do is post your photo on your instagram account and tag Trone Photography.  I will have someone on the outside judging so there will not be any biased opinions from me.  The giveaway ends Sunday evening at midnight.  

I can't wait to now like, no not like, LOVE all of your beautiful selves.  Here's to challenges and learning to love ourselves just the way we are, selfies and all.  

2016 | Nashville Photographer

Hello 2016!  

One way I welcomed the new year was going to see the film, Joy.  In short it is about a girl who is forced to lose her passion for creating at a young age in the midst of life's cruel realities.  Her childhood self begins to remind her of what she lost and she decides to stop hiding and create once again.  This got me thinking about the new year and what I have been holding back.  Photography was not a first love.  It grew slowly with a film camera in my hand as I photographed my first born in her first year of life.  My first love began at a very early age.  It came naturally, without force.  I was the little girl who begged her mom for those $100 pair of Guess jeans in elementary school.   Going into college I longed to work in the world of fashion.  Something along the way scared me off.  Voices whispered in my ear that I was just a girl from Arkansas who could never make it in the big world of fashion.  So I settled for the safe and easy road of Speech Communications.  I mean, what in the world was I to do with that major?  Well it's pretty safe to say that somehow that useless degree and a Masters later, I have found my calling.  And I am beyond grateful for this job as a photographer!  But something deep within me is calling out to be heard and seen.  

So this is how I have decided to enter into 2016: doing something that scares the shit out of me.  I noticed a fashion challenge online this morning as I was scrolling through social media.  It is one that I have seen over the years but always dismiss it as too much work and a bit frightening.  But this morning the little girl in me whispered to GO FOR IT.  So here I am about to embark on a 30 day fashion challenge that I plan to share with all of you.  Some of the challenges are quite easy and a few are a bit beyond my idea of comfort (fraying a jean jacket?!!).  But the scariest part for me is to actually share it with YOU.  To show photos of myself every single day.  Ugh.  But I am jumping in even if I only get one like (from my mom).  

And now I ask you what it is that you are hiding from the world?  I do believe that we all lost something as children that were an inherent part to who we were and are today.  I encourage you to at least find out what it is and maybe someday have the courage enough to put it out there.  Because trust me, it takes courage.  As I am writing this my heart is beating out of my chest because I know that I could look foolish and fail.  But I owe it to that little girl who walked that runway in Dillards in those tie-dyed Guess jeans truly believing the world was her oyster.  

So here's to 2016 and following your dreams!  And if you want to join my challenge then here is the information:  http://www.whowhatwear.com/30-day-winter-wardrobe-challenge-2016

And follow my journey on instagram:  instagram.com/tronephotography

Cheers to all of you,

Misty

What a Month | Nashville Photographer

Well this month has proven to be quite exciting, especially since this month is my busiest time all year long.  A few weeks ago I was at a session at Percy Warner Park with a sweet, sweet family.  I had another session directly after and went back to my car only to find my window busted and my purse gone.  I did not want to leave my other family waiting so I went straight to my next session with hands shaking and mind racing.  But the best part was the fact that my friends who I photographed first stayed by my car to call and wait for the police.  They showed kindness to me beyond belief.  I basically had to force them to leave after a few hours.  And it could have been much worse with my camera or laptop stolen.  So I was definitely counting my blessings even in the midst of loss.  

Then a week or so after that I was in a creek chasing my middle boy and slipped on a rock catching myself with my middle finger.  Well that middle finger decided to completely shift to the side dislocating itself from the joint.  Needless to say it hurt like hell and I thought my finger was dangling.  The first thing that came to my mind was "how am I going to be a photographer now without a finger?!"  Thankfully it was not broken and the doctor just popped it back in place.  There is still a ton of healing to take place but once again, it could be worse.  

Now we enter the season of being grateful for the things we do have even if there is some sort of loss or pain in our lives as well.  I am trying to count my blessings and really pay attention to the little graces that I receive every single day.  So to all of those who are entering this Christmas season with dread at the things, people or places you have lost- hold on to the small graces.  They are there shining through the cracks.  

Below are a few of my favorite photos from my many sessions of this season.  Small graces extended to me.  

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Surreal Moments | Nashville Wedding Photographer

Well I have realized that I have not been a great blogger lately.  Summer sort of threw me a curve ball with trying to balance work and the kids being at home.  So I had to t hrow something away- which was this blog!  But, I am back to work and the kids are in school.  Funny enough the next thing I wanted to blog was Brad + Brittany's wedding and their engagement session was the last thing I posted.  

Brad + Brittany were married last weekend at Houston Station in Nashville, TN.  It was a sweet, intimate ceremony with a kick ass party afterward.  I have known Brad (or as I knew him as Bradley) since he was a little boy.  As I said in the previous post, I was his babysitter.  And, yes, that makes me feel very old.  This past Saturday, I was spending time in the room with Brittany and her bridesmaids as they were getting ready.  And, first, let me say what a calming presence Brittany was the entire day.  She never appeared to be stressed and truly seemed to enjoy every moment.  It was a true delight to be in those moments with her and her friends.  In the midst of my time with Brittany, I walked out in the hall and ran into Brad & his Mom.  He was wearing his tux and I seriously almost started to cry.  It was such a sweet moment for me as a photographer who is also just a girl from Arkansas who never imagined she would be doing this for a living.  And could have never imagined that someday she would be photographing sweet little Bradley's wedding.  It was one of those moments in life that seems so surreal.  I tried to breathe it in and just remember that life is really that good sometimes.  

I am truly honored that they chose me to spend this time with them and document their love for one another.  Here are a few of my favorite images from their day.  And a big shout out to my amazing second shooter Weatherly Hulsey!  I could not do it without her!

Home | Nashville Engagement Photographer

Life can be so strange and amazing sometimes.  I was around 14 and would babysit a cute little boy named Bradley in the small town of Benton, Arkansas.  One of the memories I have from those days is the time Bradley pushed his golden retriever into their pool and I had to jump in to get it out.  And also the time a big tornado came through town and their house flooded as I hid in the bathroom with his baby sister, Melodye.  Who would have thought over 20 years later that I would be photographing his wedding in Nashville, TN to a beautiful girl?  Sometimes you just can't imagine where life will take you and the stories it will tell.  But I am so glad that this story is being told and that I get it be apart of it.  

Brad + Brittany are such a sweet, fun couple!  I can't wait to photograph their wedding in a few months.  I have a feeling that it is going to be quite a fun night!  Here are a few of my favorite images from our time together...

Receiving | Nashville Engagement Photography

I love it when an idea I have had for a while comes to fruition.  Every time that I eat at Burger Up (which is more than I would like to admit), I glance longingly at the loading dock next door at the bookstore.  I have wanted to photograph someone below the "receive" for a while.  Kind of like I have wanted to photograph Taylor Swift on top of one of the "Swift" 18 wheelers for a while now too.  Well you know which one was more likely to happen.  So a few weekends ago, I made it happen.  Kara + Justin were such great sports and hopped right up on the dirty loading deck.  I love it when my clients are not afraid of my weird ideas.  I loved the outcome and the poem I found by one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver... 

The world is more than the beating of a single heart.  It's praising.  It's giving until the giving feels like receiving.  

Ten out of Tenn 10 Years | Nashville Photography

Many mornings I sit with my dear friend, Kristen, over a cup of coffee sharing our dreams, fears and everything in between.  One morning she started telling me about the idea of a 10th Anniversary show for TOT at the Ryman.  And slowly over the course of the next few months I watched her pursue that dream even when it was scary and so much was at stake.  So needless to say, when I walked out into the audience that beautiful Friday evening and stood at the back of the SOLD OUT show, tears flowed from my eyes.  My brave, strong, friend brought this dream to fruition for so many.  I was such a proud friend that night.  

Then on top of that, I was able to watch it all unfold behind my camera.  This group of friends, who seem more like family, coming together in the one place where music dreams are born.  Their energy and love for one another was so addictive.  I seriously did not want the night to end.  It truly was a night that will be remembered for a very long time.  

Here are a few of my favorite images captured from the evening...

Happy Birthday to my Girl | Nashville Child Photographer

My first baby turned 9 yesterday.  It seemed like yesterday that I was seeing her tiny face for the first time and my world turned upside down.  She came into this world with her wide, beautiful green eyes looking straight into the soul of every single person in that hospital room.  She was so quiet yet so intense and aware.  Nothing has changed in those 9 years.  She has the ability to look into the souls of those around her and see things many do not see.   If you know her, then you know the love that she shows those around her.  The intense, purposeful Bella Grace love.  I am so proud to be her Momma and she truly is changing me more than I am changing her.  

I was able to get a few shots of her on her 9th birthday.  I can't believe she will be double digits next year.  I feel her childhood slipping away and I want to hold on with dear life.  But if this growing up is anything like I have seen this year, I am happy to be along on this beautiful yet intense ride.  Hold on, beautiful girl, you are going to soar.  And I will hold on as long as I can... But someday I'm going to have to let you go.  But, thank God, not today.

The In-Between Session Giveaway | Nashville Family Photographer

I conquered one of my biggest dreams last year and I have decided to conquer another one in 2015.  I have dreamed of shooting this kind of session forever and have decided to just go for it!   So, say hello to Trone Photography Family Lifestyle Sessions!  And in celebrating this new venture, I am giving away one to a lucky family!  So head on over to my instagram account and enter today!

 I photograph so many BIG moments - like a wedding day, an engagement, a new baby, a Senior who is about to go off to college, etc.  But I truly feel like life is lived in the in-between.  I read an article by a mother who just became an empty nester and it made me think about what I want to remember.  She said you think you will remember what their room looked like when they were 8, but you won't.  Oh goodness.  This made me want to cry my eyes out.  I love taking photos of families at the park with beautiful light streaming from behind, making life look beautiful (because it really is *at times*) but I feel like something is missing in me telling the whole story for a family.  That is where this kind of session comes in.  I want to come to your home, to your farm, to the familiar places your feet hit the ground the most.  I want to tell the everyday story of where you are in life in this beautiful yet sometimes brutal season.   And I would hope that some of you would understand the importance of doing it once a year.  Can you imagine making a coffee table book in 20 years of all the images and how time has changed you and your home?  And, yes, it's true you can tell your everyday story through Instagram.  But, where are YOU in these photographs?  The very essence, the life force behind these moments is missing.  You are central to this story you are telling.  Allow yourself to be captured so you and your children and their children can look back and remember.  

So how is this session different than my normal one hour shoot?  

1) It will be over the span of 2-3 hours.  I will ask you to fill out an in depth questionnaire so I can better understand what your everyday looks like.  Then we will discuss what time of day you want me there - morning, afternoon or early evening.  From there we will make a game plan to what activities, places, etc we want to capture in the shoot.  

2)  This is a lifestyle shoot.  It is not for those who want a perfect, everyone looking at the camera photo for a Christmas card.  (book my regular one hour session for that!)  This photoshoot will reflect something you see in magazines where a story is being told.  We will focus on what you or your family does everyday.  Yes, there can be outfit changes.  But I will strongly suggest that you allow your child to choose what they want to wear.  If your 3 year old wears a batman costume everyday, then let him wear it for part of our shoot.  Trust me, one day he won't, and you will miss that smelly, way too small suit.  

3)  We are able to change locations throughout the shoot.  If you want to head to your local favorite ice cream shop for part of our shoot, then we can do that too!  Or capture your family riding bikes to the park.  Wherever!  We will have the time and I want to tell your story.  

4)  These sessions can be for anyone at any place they are in life.  You can invite grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc.  But please let them know the timing and how long you want them there for the shoot.  

5) Prints are of great importance in this session.  I am sure most of you have had sessions that included digital images and you have not printed one photograph.  Let me do that for you!   I will create a custom coffee table book for you to keep for years to come.    You will also receive a custom slideshow that you can save to your computer as well as low-res digital images that you can share on social media.  

6)  Lastly, my desire for this time together is to be very laid back, no pressure, and a very enjoyable time for all of us.  Sometimes children (and parents) do better without the pressure.  Being in your environment, in normal clothing, just having fun always creates gorgeous, memorable photographs.  

The photograph below is one I think about quite often and made me dream about this idea.  It was in our old kitchen and I was just sitting up on the counter holding my baby boy (who is now almost in kindergarten *enter crying now*).  I thought to go grab my camera and put it on a self timer.  It's not a perfect shot but it captured a moment that I can never get back.  Honestly, I wish I had more of these images.  Just the everyday, in the kitchen photographs with my babies.  But now I offer them to you.  So go enter that contest and win!  And if you don't win, book now.  I promise, you will never, ever regret it.  

UPDATE:

The contest winner was PHIL SHAY!!  Congratulations!  

During the month of March & April, the In-Between Sessions will be offered for only $500!  (this is a $200 discount!)

Engagement Session Giveaway! | Nashville Engagement Photography

Head on over to Instagram and follow me @tronephotography to enter in the Engagement Session Giveaway!  Repost the photo and use #troneengagementgiveaway to be in the drawing for a free Engagement Session with a value of $550.  And if you happen to have any engaged friends, please tag them!  

What I think about #selfies | Nashville Photographer

A question was asked on facebook the other day by one of my very best friends: "what do you all think about selfies?"  She is one of the most gorgeous people I know, inside & out.  Her "selfies" always radiate such confidence & joy flowing right out of the photograph.  Since she lives far away from me, I am always happy to see her beautiful face on my screen.  But it got me thinking.  What do I think about selfies?  And I had a pretty strong opinion that I shared on her facebook post that I will elaborate on below. 

I have been seeing so many remarks on social media about selfies and the people that hate them.  They tend to view those who post selfies to be narcisstic, selfish human beings.  But I actually think of it a little different.  My question to those haters: why are you not able to look at another human being, created by God, and celebrate their beauty?  And I can hear the haters now, well so+so posts a photo everyday in a bikini or at the gym with their abs glowing in the light.  Ok, those are not the selfies I am talking about.  I am talking about the regular, "I am feeling beautiful today, there is some good light so I am going to take a photo of myself" selfie.  Friends!!  I have got a mission for you!  CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF THOSE AROUND YOU!!!!   But not only that: CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF YOU!!!!!  I am guessing that if you are a hater of selfies (or a recovering hater of selfies) then you might have a little trouble not only celebrating the beauty of a friend but also of yourself.  You are beautiful.  Right where you are.  Not when you lose another 10 pounds or finally get those grays covered.  You.Are.Beautiful.  

I was so inspired by my friend, Amber Lehman, as she told me why she wanted the below photograph.  She had been inspired by another mutual friend, Ruthie, and the incredibly, gorgeous photographs of her mother when she was younger.  Amber wanted her children and grandchildren to see the beauty of her youth.  Now that is CELEBRATION friends!  

Another inspiration behind this idea was the photograph below that I found of my husbands grandmother and her twin sister when they were in their 20's.  It captured them in their beauty of youth (though she is still incredibly beautiful and still has blonde hair at 90!) .  It made me think, why we, as women, don't take the time to really capture beautiful images of our self?  To give ourselves permission to live in the very essence of our beauty.  Our children and grandchildren will cherish these images for generations.  Nothing seems too selfish or narcissistic about that.   

This is the year that I want myself, along with all of you to let down our fear and truly honor the beauty in ourselves along with the beauty we see in others.  So, take those selfies!  Like those selfies!  And hire me to take beautiful photographs of you, wherever you are in life. 

A Gentle Love | Nashville Wedding Photographer

Dwan+Laura are the most kind, gentle souls I know.  And, my goodness, are they ever loved well.  Their wedding was overflowing with friends+family who desired to be apart of this union of two special people.  I am known to cry behind my camera at times.  Those tears came flowing when they opened the door to insanely beautiful music and then I see Laura at the end of the aisle with her gentle smile towards her groom.  It was such a powerful moment that I will never forget.  They had two receptions because they wanted to include as many people from their church as possible.  Their church is filled with so much community and love for one another.  I actually met Dwan as a groomsmen in Trey+Shannon's beautiful wedding.  Their large group of friends all go to church together and it has been so fun getting to know them all after these two weddings.  So, here a few of my favorite images from their day.  Enjoy!

Laura+Dwan decided not to see each other before the wedding but wanted to exchange letters and talk.  They met in the beautiful, small chapel on the Christ Church campus.  I was truly overwhelmed with the beauty of that small room.  And then was even more overwhelmed at the sweet moment that took place between the two of them.  Here is a glimpse of what took place...

And here is Laura walking down the aisle to the most amazing music.  This is when I wish photos had sound attached to them.  Such a beautiful moment.

They took communion together and then had their entire family and bridal party join them for prayer.  Such a perfect example of the community and love they have for one another.  

We were able to sneak away to Dwan's picture perfect neighborhood for a few photos of just the two of them.  And the leaves could not have been more colorful which is exactly what Laura wanted.  

Their reception was a perfect end to their day.  Dwan+Laura, thanks so much for allowing me to apart of your sweet day!