Waiting | Nashville family photographer

I've been thinking a lot about waiting lately.  That's what this season is all about - the anticipation of what is to come.  We countdown the days until December 25th.  As children we long for Christmas morning so we can run down the stairs to see what presents are under the tree.  As adults we long for Christmas so we can be with those we love.  But do we really allow our hearts to long for more?  Are we brave enough to put our hearts on the line and yearn for what we cannot see with our eyes and touch with our hands?  I'm not sure I am.  It's so much easier to long for those things that are tangible - something with skin that I can touch and know is true.  Yet they always disappoint.  They never live up to the anticipation that causes my heart to beat a little harder with every day passing.  There is a loss once it passes.  We all know that feeling once the presents are opened and the food is put away.  The anticipation is gone and a sort of sadness takes its place.   Maybe I'm not brave enough to hope for more.  But I'm really hoping that I can open my heart just enough to let a little light in this Christmas.  And maybe in 10 years the light will be enough to fill up the darkness. Here is a beautiful friend of mine that has taught me a lot about waiting in the midst of hopelessness.  And has shared her story with us all to give us all hope of a story redeemed.

Why Custom Photography? | Nashville Children's Photographer

I've been having these thoughts roll around in my mind for the last few months and am finally sitting down to let them out.  Let's just go ahead and address the elephant in the room.  Custom photography is expensive.  And, yes, you can go elsewhere for a lot cheaper.  But, I'm here to explain the reasoning behind the cost.  At least the reasoning behind it in my business.  The process from the initial conversation whether via email or phone to the actual session is vital to how the session turns out.  I put a lot of thought and effort into making it the right experience for you and your unique family.  I desire for it to reflect who you are and the story you are living right now.  The session itself is always so fun for me.  I love meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones.  Many of my returning clients feel like friends even though we may only see one another once a year. Now the real work happens after the session.  And I believe this is what makes custom photography unique and special.  I process each photo individually with much attention to every detail.  I care for them like they are my own.  And each photo does become, in a weird way, apart of me.  After spending so much time staring at every part of the photograph, it begins to feel like an extension of my vision.  This is why I usually narrow down the gallery to around 30 images - just so I can spend enough time making each one beautiful.  Instead of giving you a whole array of good images, I would rather give you a handful of exceptional images.

And it does not end after the editing.  This year I decided to move into the ordering, packaging and shipping of my own photographs.  So, every photograph you order comes directly through my hands.  And they are packaged with great love.  This has been surprisingly fun for me - making each package seem like a gift to my client.  Because I truly believe that it is a gift - one that will last forever and you can never, ever get back.

I'm going to answer a few more questions in the days to come.  Like... Why do you sell actual prints and not just the digital CD?    Why is a professional lab better than other prints?

Feel free to ask other questions that pertain to my business and photography.  I will try to answer them!

And of course I have to leave you with a photograph, especially for those of you who scroll right past the words.  :)

Design Inspiration | Nashville Child Photographer

Here are a few amazing ideas on how to turn your photographs into art for your home.  I could always use a little help in this area and I thought you might like in on a little of the fun.  If you are a client of mine, then you receive a custom inspiration guide with *your* photos inserted in the frames.  That way you can envision exactly what they would look like in certain sizes and in certain parts of your house.  Here is just a little sneak peek of what you get when you book a session with me....