Children
I absolutely love photographing this beautiful family! We chose to shoot on the Vandy campus because this is where they spent their carefree college years falling in love. It was fun being in a place that is filled with memories for them. And what a reminder how things have changed! They use to walk those sidewalks alone but this day they were followed by the patters of 3 little sets of feet. And I know they wouldn't want it any other way! Enjoy a few of my favorites from our time together...
What a perfect way to start up the fall season - beautiful children with the perfect red hair and beautiful blue eyes. Their Mom told me that she loved color photographs because she loved their coloring. And now I understand why! The only thing missing for this fall photo session is the fall weather. Fall weather, where are you? Enjoy a few of my favorites...
For anyone that keeps up with this blog, (anyone?) then you know that I photograph children and families. Well I stepped out of my bubble a few weeks ago and helped my sister shoot a wedding in the beautiful city of Chattanooga on top of Lookout Mountain. I really am not sure if the location and the evening could have been more perfect. The mountains of Chattanooga are just magical to me and hold so many wonderful memories. So to shoot a wedding there was really a dream come true. And to do it with my sister was even better! I do not consider myself a wedding photographer but I'm hoping to shoot a little more in the future. Until then, enjoy a few of my favorite images.
I met up with this fun family of 5 on a beautiful fall evening. We chose to use a soccer field for pictures which was perfect because the grass was so amazingly green! There is something special about a "baby" of the family and I love how the photo with the youngest in front represents that so beautifully. And I know sweet Amy just wants to keep him like that forever! Thankfully God has given us the gift of memory and when memory fails, we have pictures. And these pictures will always whisper into their fading memories... remember. Enjoy a few of my favs...
The first chance was good. But I think the second was even better. We mess up and set out to escape the disappointment. Sometimes even when we are king of the wild things, we realize how alone we are in the triumph of escape. So we smell the food and set out on the journey back home. And as we arrive we realize not only that we are home but we've been given another chance. The meal we did not partake in because of our wild hearts is now sitting on the table, and it is still hot. And I think it will taste even more delicious knowing that it is not deserved. This family gave me the second chance I desperately needed. Just like Max's Mom did for him ("where the wild things are") and just like the Elder brothers Father did for him (prodigal of the lost son, bible). And most importantly (and needed) is the bazillionith chance we get from God every single day. Thank God for second chances and for those who give them.
Book today! They will fill up fast....
7 months is not only one of my favorite ages to photograph, it is also just one of my favorite ages period. There is something about a 7 month old that I cannot get enough of... Teetering on the edge of independence but still completely a baby. The way they can pull up their head to see who is walking in the room. Their never-ending smiles that can truly melt a parents heart. And this sweet boy is no exception. He was sweet and smily the entire session. I seriously wanted to take him home with me. And kind of I did. Sitting here editing his photos has made me fall in love with him even more. So, introuducing Andrew and a few of my favorites....
I know many of you have your own digital SLR's (aka big cameras) and really enjoy taking photos of your own children. So, I thought I would take time out today to give you a few of my favorite tips in photographing children. 1. Talk to them- do not talk at them. Try not to say - "stand here, don't move, etc" You know (better than anyone else) what your children love to talk about so this is your chance to use this for your benefit! Engage with them. This makes for an atmosphere for more natural, fun looking photographs.
2. Give them something to do. Walk. Jump. Count to 10. Sing. Twirl. Freeze. Make it fun!
3. Get on their level. I see this as one of the most common mistakes parents make when photographing their children. You must literally move your camera (and therefore your body) to their eye level. Sometimes this means you find me lying fully on the ground. There are some cases when other points of view are appropriate as well. But the majority of time, I am on their level.
4. Make sure they feel like themselves. This means different things for different people. But if your children do not normally wear nice, smocked dress clothes then do not put them on just for photographs. It really does effect the atmosphere of the shoot. Let them be themselves.
5. Don't be afraid to mess up. The beauty of the digital world is that there is no harm in messing up a hundred times. It is now called the delete button. And sometimes apparent mess ups are some of my favorites. Take risks.
6. Look for the light. This is the most important thing I can stress. It is all about the light. Your photos will never be what you want if you do not learn to study the light around you. The best time of day is early morning and late afternoon/early evening. If you must shoot in the day, then find good open shade.
7. Bribe. My husband will totally disagree with this tip but I am a huge proponent in bribing for photographs. Have something fun for the very end of the shoot. Something that you could use in the photographs is the best! Like a popsicle, big colorful sucker, a fun headband- whatever! I am always happy when I hear that parents have something for the kiddos at the end. Sometimes that is the only way I can get them to cooperate. Especially for those long shoots.
8. Last but not least. Book a family session once a year when children are really young and once every 2 years as they grow. If not with me, then with another photographer that you love. Your presence as a family is so important to capture. You want to remember those sweet moments that you cannot photograph yourself. It is such a small investment for a lifetime of memory.
Here are a few favorites from my recent session with my two...
I ventured out to the adorable little town of Franklin - just about 20 miles south of Nashville. Every time I go down to Franklin, it always pulls me in with the charm and beauty of the old buildings. I absolutely love old architecture and I become a little stagnant when I am around the newness of suburbia. So this little trip to Franklin was just what my creative soul needed! I met up with this adorable family of four for a family session. I mean, how beautiful are those eyes?!?! Enjoy a few of my favorites... (ok so I couldn't choose so there are more than usual...)
Contact me today to book your session. They will fill up fast!
I have photographed sweet Robbins since he was a newborn. I cannot believe he is 2 years old! I feel like I always say these things but it really is true. Babies grow into toddlers so, so quickly. That is why it is SO important to capture them in photographs! You can never get it back. Sad. Enjoy a few of my favorites....
This is as about as good as it gets when trying to photograph BG & Abram together. So, all you Mom's (any maybe a few Dads?) out there- it's NOT easy photographing your own children. That's what you pay me for. Now on to book our family session for the fall. Have you booked yours? Do so NOW because the fall is filling up fast!!!
A year ago we walked in to the door of a small classroom and looked up into the eyes of Ms. Erin. I knew immediately that I liked her. And, I believe Bella Grace felt the same. And that admiration has only grown over the course of the year. You see, this is the woman who has poured her energy and love into my sweet, yet strong-willed little girl. Ms. Erin was her preschool teacher. Yet, she wasn't just her teacher. She became someone that I loved and trusted to take care of the little girl that was growing up before my eyes. On the last day of school this year, I didn't want to leave. It is hard to let go of someone that has been so influential in your child's life. And in turn, in your own. I am learning that there is something about a teacher, especially a good one, that can last forever. And I'm glad that I could give her something back that could last forever in her own life. So, in honor of Ms. Erin, I am giving away a free 30 minute session to a well-deserved teacher. Go to my Facebook page and nominate a teacher today. The teacher with the most votes will win! So, basically, post the teacher's name on my wall in all caps. (you may be able to tag them?) Then, obviously, let the teacher know so they can also ask for votes. All voters need to do is to "like my page" and then comment under the post with teachers name. Only votes via Facebook will count.
Enjoy a few of my favorites...
As soon as I saw this image come out of my camera, I was in love. The simplicity and pureness of the chubby toddler feet. The leftover dirt marks moved by the curious little toes. There is seriously nothing better than little boys and dirt.
You're a bird with a pretty mouthYou're a bird with songs to shout And the same refrain continues, singing out:
"If you love her let her go." She sings beautiful and slow A tune that only caged birds know
The above song by one of my favorites, Jon Foreman, echoes in my head all the time. Especially when it comes to my daughter, and even sometimes to myself. Because, you see, I'm beginning to realize that my daughter is me. I've wanted her to be different. Gentle. Quiet. Obedient. But instead she is quickly morphing into a smaller version of myself. Complex. Passionate. Wild. Defiant. A Protester. Compassionate. A Lover and a Fighter. And in her most free moments she breaks out into a beautiful dance while moving to her distinct melody playing in her head. In those moments, I want to be her. Let go and just dance to the music in my head. Because this caged bird has her own melody and it will never be heard if I don't break open the door. In learning to let her break out, I am learning to find my way out too. So we learn to fly together.
Well, I checked one destination session off my list. Alys Beach. There is something so mysterious and beautiful about this place. I love the white, mediterranean architecture with the dark wood lining the windows and doors. When you step on the property, you no longer feel like you are in the US. It makes you want to lie by the cabana pool all day with a good book. Or string up lights on the patio and listen to music all night long. It's magical. So, needless to say, I was thrilled when this adorable Jackson, MS family wanted to shoot their session here. Here are a few of my favorites.... Enjoy!
I absolutely loved meeting this adorable family from Knoxville at Watercolor! I already felt like I knew them because they are related to some sweet friends of ours here in Nashville. It was so fun to actually do a session at one of my favorite places- Watercolor, FL. So much inspiration. I hope to be back soon! Enjoy a few of my favorites....
Cricket is one of those Grandmother's that exudes a beauty in her love for her grandchildren. She is a natural. I have watched her many times with her 3 grandchildren that live here in Nashville and am always amazed at her way with them. Cricket has a spirit of patience and gentleness but also brings so much fun to the ordinary. This shoot would not have been complete without something to show that side of her as well. So, the balloons could not have been more perfect. As two of her beautiful grandchildren are moving to the other side of the world, I pray that these images will always remind them of the love they share. No matter how far, a Grandmothers love is always close.
You can see through these photos that this cute family likes to have fun together! I loved watching the kids interact together. They were always laughing and just enjoying one another. And another reason that I love this family is because they live in Dallas- where Mimi & G-Daddy live. Thanks so much for a fun afternoon together! I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites...
There is something about a family of three that just makes me so happy. Especially if a little girl is involved. It makes me remember our little family when it was just the three of us. Such great memories of those three years. And this family is just so sweet and happy! I loved getting to know them during our time together in Destin. As you will notice, there are two locations during their shoot. The first location I found in the woods at Sandestin. There were beautiful willow trees and the light was just perfect shining through. Then we moved on to the beach for the last light of the day- which is my favorite light.
Here are a few of my favorites of Reagan with her beautiful parents...
