Children

Some Things Never Change | Destin Beach Photographer

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I met up with one of my friends from high school for a beach session with her and her husbands entire family.  Since I have left Arkansas, I rarely get to see old friends so it was so much fun for me to see her and meet her beautiful children.  First, she looks exactly the same.  My sister (who helped me) and I were marveling at the fact that Shannon has not changed one bit.  Still as beautiful as ever!  Second, her children are just strikingly beautiful and photogenic.  If I could have a muse, Nyla just might be it.  Her face radiates in front of the camera.  And sweet Nash just loves his sister and has such a tender heart.  What a fun afternoon for me! Here are a few of my favorites from our time together... I am blogging the families separately because there are just so many great photos!  Thanks Shannon and family for asking me to spend time with you all.  You all are so fun!

My First Beach Session | Watercolor Beach Photographer

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When I was leaving for this session, I had butterflies in my stomach just as I did when I first started this journey.  It just seemed so foreign to me.  New and exciting all in one!  And, let me tell you - it did not disappoint!  I feel so inspired when I am photographing families at the beach.  There is something magical about the air.  The way it smells.  The way it feels.  But even more magical is the way that those in front of my camera light up when they are away from the everyday.  There was an extra sense of wonder and pleasure in their eyes.  And I really believe that you can see that through these photographs.  I am so excited to see what the future holds with this! Thank you to the sweet Stouffer family who trusted me with their photographs - especially a girl from Tennessee!  So thankful I was given the chance to meet you all.  I cannot wait to see the wedding photographs from Cat!  I know they will be absolutely beautiful.   Enjoy...

Destin Beach Sessions! | Nashville Family Photographer

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I will be headed to the beach this week to take some fun family sessions on the beautiful beaches of Watercolor, Seaside & Destin!  I am beyond excited.  This Nashville girl needs a little change of scenery.  I am booked for this coming week.  But, I DO have some openings the first of August.  If you want to nail down a session date for the first 2 weeks of August, let me know soon!   There are 3 different types of sessions you may choose from, depending on what you are wanting from our time together.  And, there are three different areas that you can choose for your photos.  They don't have to be the typical white shirt, khaki pants beach scene.  You can choose from the following: -the beautiful garden area of Watercolor

-the rustic lake area of Watercolor

-the white mediterreanean architecture of Alys Beach

-the fun baytowne warfe of Sandestin

-the beautiful parks at Rosemary Beach

-the unique pavilions at Seaside

-the vibrant artsy town of Seaside

So many fun options!  In one of the session options- you can choose two locations!  So, you want a few beach photos but you also want to have something different as well?  Go for it!  It is completely up to you....

So, off to pack.... So excited to meet some of you in the next week!

Playing in the Rain | Nashville Family Photographer

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Standing on the porch watching the rain fall with my boy.  The kind of rain that brings out the smell of summer.  It was beckoning me to come out and play.  Excuses start to form.... My hair would be wet.  The mess once we came inside.  People would see us.  Lightning.  Then it hit me.  No, not lightning but the realization that this is life!  Cliche, yes.  A little cheesy, yes.  But why do I always stand on the sidelines?  Where it is safe and not messy.  That is no fun and am tired of living that way. So, I took the jump and got soaking wet playing in the rain.  And let me tell you that I haven't had that much fun with my kids in a long time.  We laughed and sang all the rain songs we could think of (which were only 3).  We need more rain songs in our repertoire.  Because those Hunter boots of mine are made for those puddles out in my yard.  And so is my heart.

All My Favorite People | Nashville Children's Photographer

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Last night I sat in a room full of friends and listened collectively to a song.  A song that put words and melody to something my heart has been singing for a while.  You see, I am not a musician.  And I wouldn't even call myself a poet.  But my heart can still sing even when my mouth can't.  In my deepest daydreams, my voice sounds just like her.  Deep.  Melodious.  Sensuous.  Mysterious.   In reality it sounds like me.  Broken.  Pitchy.  Nasal-ly.  And as I sat there listening to that song, I knew my voice was loved in that room.  For the brokenness.  For the realness of it.  I was loved for me. Go and buy this song.  {Over the Rhine, All of my Favorite People}

Here are a few of my favorite lines:

All my favorite people are broken Believe me, my heart should know Some prayers are better left unspoken I just want to hold you and let the rest go

All my friends are part saint and part sinner We lean on each other, try to rise above We are not afraid to admit we are all still beginners We are all late bloomers when it comes to love

All my favorite people are broken Believe me, my heart should know Awful believers, skeptical dreamers, step forward You can stay right here, you don’t have to go

Here are two of my favorites that have taught me the brokenness of my own soul.

Washing Feet | Nashville Children's Photographer

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We walked down the aisle of the church.  Feet bare.  Souls yearning.  Looking up towards the cross.  The quietness of our feet followed by the waiting.  Waiting for our turn to sit and be served.  It was my turn.  A lady I had never laid eyes on put her hands on my dirty feet.  She didn't turn away.  The water gently poured over the dirt .  It was hard to look her in the eyes knowing she had seen the part of me that I keep hidden in a cute pair of Toms.  The part of me that is usually dirty because I am not a shoe person at home.  And I am not a clean person either.  She saw it and I was naked, exposed.  As I stood to take a turn washing my daughters feet, she looked me straight in the eyes and said "God's peace."  And I felt known and loved. My now 5 year old sits there waiting for me to pour the water on her little feet.  I never really look at them.  I did tonight.  They were beautiful feet.  Reminding me of the hospital with her little scar from the shots.  Such a pureness in her smooth soles.  She looked up at me with her bright eyes saying everything without saying anything at all.  And I knew.  This was nothing new for her.  She knows my hands well.  She is known and loved every day by those 2 hands.

Bella Grace stood and took the towel ready to wash someone's feet.  I looked up.  Her eyes looked right at me and it was her.  The woman who for the last 3 months has helped bring me closer to the very heart of God.  And now my daughters hands will be an instrument of mercy to her.  In her wisdom and grace, she says, "I feel God loving me with these 2 hands."  I know this woman and her story.  I know my story.  And I don't doubt that God wanted us all right where we were tonight.  He wanted me to know and feel love even in the midst of my dirt.  He wanted to remind me that my hands do matter.  And He wanted to reveal Himself even through a little child.  "From the lips (hands) of children and infants, you have ordained praise."

Whose feet did you wash today?  Everyday?  God redeems the broken and dirty.  Come to His table and be satisfied.

{My friends Lindsay (in the previous post) washes the feet of her neighbors everyday.   Here is one cutie neighbor enjoying the fruits of her love.}

Being Real | Nashville Family Photographer

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There are few people in life that you come across that can be honest in such a beautiful and inspiring way.  Lindsay is one of those people.  Every time I read her blog I feel as if I have just looked into the very heart of God.  She doesn't stay on the surface but digs deep with the complex pain and beauty of this life.  Her words can pierce and heal at the same time.  And while you are there, you realize that you are not alone.  She not only brings herself but also the presence of God into your own story.  I would encourage all of you to bookmark her blog and put it into your feed to read everyday.  You will laugh, cry and just feel like you have made a new friend. Here is Lindsay and her beautiful family....

Celebrate | Nashville Children's Photographer

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Five years ago today, I was in the hospital waiting for our daughter to come.  Little did I know what the next 5 years would hold.  I look back at photos from that day with a nostalgia of the dreams of a young version of myself.  No idea of how I would change.  And no clue that God would use my daughter to help change me.  This little girl has taught me what love is.  She has taught me to play.  To embrace life with a creative curiosity.  Giving me a chance to grow and learn and change. But enough about me.  This day is hers.  So, today I celebrate who she is today and who she is becoming.

I celebrate her paper bags filled with gifts from the heart.  I celebrate her hands that pour a cup of water for the sick.  I celebrate the songs of her heart to the God that fearfully & wonderfully made her.  I celebrate the art that hangs on my fridge which shows her love for things unseen.  I celebrate her body that moves perfectly to every beat of Justin Bieber.  I celebrate her mind that yearns to know not only what but why.  I celebrate her knees that are bent as she participates in the remembrance of our Lord.  I celebrate her care for the broken in body and spirit.  I celebrate her spirit that gives a cause for us to put the lock on the wrong side of the door.  I celebrate her ease in forgiving me.  I celebrate her love for memories.  And I celebrate her dreams for the future.  Mostly I celebrate her love for our God.  Our God that has given us such a gift as Bella Grace for this time and for always.

So, Happy Birthday sweet girl!  I will never stop celebrating you.

Telling your Story | Nashville Family Photographer

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I am really excited to start up something new at Trone Photography! It has been something brewing in my head for a while but I am finally ready to (almost) bring it to fruition. Before I fully announce it, I am going to need an awesome family to be my "models"! The theme will be your story and it will be about a 3-4 hour session. You will receive a unique video/photo slideshow of our time together.  This is a Facebook page only contest so go online and join the Trone Photography page so you can be apart! Qualifications: You must have one child older than one.  Other than that, age does not matter.  They can be older or younger children.  Cannot live more than 25 miles from Nashville.  Both parents must be willing and happy to cooperate.  (aka no grumpy husbands!)

The final 3 will be calculated by the number of votes received.  Then a "panel of judges"  (aka, not me) will vote on who deserves the session.

How to enter, etc:

1. Tell me your story- photo collage, slideshow, video, poem, story- whatever!  Be creative!

2.  Post it to my wall (try to make it in one post so it is not overwhelming).  If you cannot post it because it is too long just send it to me and I will make it work.

3.  SHARE the page and have your friends come and either "like" or comment on YOUR post on Trone Photography wall.  They have to "like" the page in order to do so.  The easiest way to do this is to push the "share" button on the left side of the page.

4. The final 3 will be announced on Monday, April 11th and then the judges will pick the winner!

Have fun!!!

Spring Mini Sessions | Nashville Photographer

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Spring is here and I am so excited to get out and take pictures!  So I thought I would try something new this year.  I am offering a day of mini sessions on Saturday, April 16th.  I will have 8 30 minute sessions available on this Saturday only!  Once they fill up, then this offer will not be valid for any other day of the year.  So, if you are wanting great gifts for Mom's or Grandmothers on Mother's Day (May 8th!) then this is the perfect opportunity.  You will have the rights to all 10 images and can print or make creative gifts in any way you would like.  You could also give this as a gift to a friend, sister, mother- whatever.  I will work on the location as time gets closer depending on blooming of flowers, etc.  Don't worry- it will be perfect!!

So, here are the open times (as of right now!):

7:30am, 8:00am, 8:30am, 9:00am  | 4:30pm, 5:00pm, 5:30pm, 6:00pm

First come, first serve!

Can't wait to see some of you....

Celebrate | Nashville Children's Photographer

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"There is a time for everything.  A time to mourn.  A time to dance."  A Beatles song, yes, but these words have been around for thousands of years.  Yesterday was my birthday.  I can remember the days when birthdays were filled with excitement.  It was a day to be celebrated.  Cupcakes in the classroom.  Your choice of dinner.  Show-Biz (aka, Chuck-e-Cheese).  Presents.   And who could forget the birthday parties?  My favorite party was when we were able to stay at a local hotel that had an indoor pool.  I always wanted a pool party but a March birthday just would not allow it.  Indoor pools were luxurious when you were 10.  And I felt luxurious.  Dancing around the pool to NKOTB.  Doing hand stands until we couldn't breathe.  Little Ceaser's square pizzas.  Sleeping in our swimsuits.  I was the star and my friends loved my birthday because they could swim in March! This year was a little different.  I was not the star.  Luxury was not even an option.  Waking up at 5:30am to take care of a crying baby boy who could care less it was my birthday was my fate.  My sweet girl wrapped up a "gift" and asked if my party was inside or outside.  I told her "neither, mommy's don't always get parties."  She looked at me like that was the saddest news she had heard all year.  Maybe it was.  I wish I could say that I came to a grand realization that this was God's will for my life and it is wonderful.  But.  I didn't.  I cried.  And cried.  I mourned my loss until I couldn't see.

My eyes have dried up and I look like a perfectly happy and content person sitting here in Panera.  But my heart still aches.  It aches for what I have lost.  But it also aches for what will be.  Not only in eternity but also for April 12th and July 29th.  Those are the days that I celebrate the gain along with the loss.  Without them I could still have my indoor pool party every March 15th- regardless of the weather.  But without them I wouldn't want to get in the pool.

Ps- as I was uploading the photos, I overheard two middle-aged women talking and they said, "we are too busy celebrating our kids that we forget to celebrate ourselves!"  can i get an "amen"!!!!!

Here a few photos that make me think about being a child and feeling luxurious....

Sunshine | Nashville Children Photographer

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Some warm weather generously came our way after a cruel, cruel winter.  There is something about warm air and sunshine that truly is medicine to the soul.  After hibernating all winter, the tiniest bit of warm air beckons me outdoors.  It also makes me really excited about taking pictures!  I was so happy to be able to get outside and take photos of sweet Jake.  Here are a few of my favorites... And, I will make a public plea- sunshine please don't go away!!!