Children

A Little Old Fashioned | Nashville Baby Photographer

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My sweet friend wanted me to capture her beautiful 7 month old little baby girl in photographs that looked a bit old fashioned.  I jumped at the opportunity to do something a little different than my normal approach to a shoot.  I loved how the pearls added to the effect of the vintage look.  And that hat - seriously? Here are  a few that I really love.... Enjoy!

The Only Girl | Nashville Children's Photographer

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Seriously.  The cuteness overwhelms.  Look at those curls and dimples.  All wrapped up in a tiny, fun-loving, girly little 2 year old.  She is the youngest of 3 and is the only girl.  So her beautiful, yoga loving Mom wanted to capture this moment in time where she will never be this amazingly wondrous age again.  And wondrous it is.  It was hard to pick my favorites but here are a few...

2 Year Goodness | Nashville Children's Photographer

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You never know what you will get with a 2 year old but I do always know it will be an adventure!  And, Claire definitely proved that to be true.  She was all about sliding, rolling down hills, falling down, smiling, laughing and crying all at the same time.  It was so fun to see Claire because her first year of life I photographed her often.  And now she is a beautiful, sweet little girl full of energy- just as 2 year olds should be. Enjoy a few of my favorites...

Best of 2011 Photo Contest | Nashville Photographer

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The annual contest is going to look a little different this year.  So make sure you read the guidelines carefully to fully participate.  Since it is 2011, I have chosen 11 photographs to represent the "best of."  And believe me, it was very, very hard to narrow it down to 11.  And since this contest is also on Facebook, I only chose clients photographs who were my fans on Facebook.  So if you are not a fan, then become one because I give away lots of fun stuff on it!

This is always my favorite time of year because I love my clients and I really love giving back.  And, not going to lie- I like a little more comments on my blog than normal too.  I mean, anything would be more than normal.  Where is the love, people?!?!  :)

So here's the deal...

1) You can only vote twice.  One on the blog (under comments) and another on my Facebook page.

2) There are multiple ways to win:

-The photograph with the most votes will win a 16X20 Canvas valued at $275.   The second photo with the most votes will win a 16X20          Print valued at $99.  The third photo with the most votes will win a 11X14 Print valued at $60.

-Everyone who votes will be entered into a random drawing for a FREE mini session valued at $350.  Your name will be entered in    twice if  you vote on my blog and on Facebook.  And to make it even more fun, I am able to track how many times you shared the link via        Facebook and every time you share it on your wall - your name will be entered in again.  The more you share, the better chance you have at winning!  {if you share without the link from the original contest post, please tag me so i can keep up with those as well}

3) Emails will not count as votes!  I tried that the first year and my inbox was disastrous.  Only blog comments & Facebook votes will count.  When you vote, please include the name of the photo.  The names are before each of the photos on the blog.

4) Please like my page on Facebook so I can keep up with your information in order to notify you of the winners.  They will also be posted on the blog as well.

Now on to the fun part... The Top 11 Photos of 2011:

Cooke:

Diehl:

Camp:

Maggie:

Ethan:

Barr:

Edith:

Lindsay:

Kerr:

Nyla:

Brown:

Blair:

Waiting | Nashville family photographer

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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.

Advent | Nashville Family Photographer

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Those of you who have read my blog for the last few years know that I have a thing for writing during Christmas & Easter.  Just something about this time of year makes me reflective and I have to get it out.  So if you only are here to look at pictures then you might as well scroll on down. Today is the first day of Advent.  A day where we begin the anticipation of the coming of the Lord.  This morning in church we were encouraged to "engage" ourselves during this season of Advent.  I though a lot about that word - engage.  One of the definitions that I found was "to participate."  So then I ask myself - "what does it look like to participate in this season of Advent?"  I can think of all the Sunday school answers quickly: pray more, have my quiet time, make Jesus the reason for the season, serve dinner to the homeless, etc etc.  Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying that any of these are bad.  They are all very good and holy things.  But I'm just thinking that maybe there is more than doing all the right things.  What if engaging with Christ this Holy season means that I just learn to be.  Wait for Him.  Long for Him.  Listen for Him.  Look for Him.

And maybe then I could find myself participating in the greatest story the world has ever known.

{Disclaimer: I could not find a way to tie in these beautiful photos to my above post.  But I am adding them anyway... Enjoy this amazing gorgeous family!}

Laughter | Nashville Newborn Photographer

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I was so excited to have the opportunity to shoot this fun family of four last week.  The Mom is a friend of mine who constantly is making me laugh.  I ran across a quote last night and it made me think of her: "laugher is a bubbly, effervescent form of holiness."  anne lamott

She is a friend who brings laughter in my life every time I am around her.  And sometimes it really feels holy.  Something that only comes from the deepest place of Spirit.  And I am thankful.

So here is her beautiful new baby boy and her amazingly smart and beautiful almost 5 year old.  Oh, and the husband - let's not forget him.  :)

Why Custom Photography? | Nashville Children's Photographer

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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.  :)

Beautiful Girls | Nashville Family Photographer

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I met up with this cute family of four last weekend for a session.  The oldest is about to turn three so they wanted to make sure to capture some beautiful photos of her.  And, obviously, that was not hard to do.  That beautiful hair.  Those beautiful eyes.  And to top it all off- she had an adorable, fiery personality!  The baby did not care for the ground- she made the cutest shivers when her bottom touched the leaves.  And, again- those eyes.  Beautiful.  Thanks again for a great time and I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites!

She's One! | Nashville Baby Photographer

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I've been photographing this cutie since she was in her Momma's tummy.  And now she just turned ONE!   We met up at the Opryland hotel here in Nashville because it was a cold and foggy Saturday morning.  There is a ton of natural light streaming through the glass roof so it's a perfect place to go when its cold.  Just make sure to stay away from the fake lampposts as backdrops.  :) Thanks so much for allowing me to chronicle the first year of your sweet baby girls life.  It has been a joy and an honor to watch her grow through the lens of my camera.  And its been fun to get to know all of you in the process!  Enjoy a few of my favorites....

Fall Colors | Nashville Family Photographer

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This past week the leaves in Nashville hit the peak of their divine vibrance and color.  It always takes me by surprise when the color comes.  It's almost like I don't believe it will really happen.  And when it does, my breath immediately goes into a exhale of praise.  There is nothing else to do when you see something that beautiful.  Just breathe a prayer of thanksgiving.  I came across a quote a few weeks ago on the changing of colors in the fall season and I would love to share it with you all here. "October is nature's funeral month. Nature glories in death more than in life. The month of departure is more beautiful than the month of coming--October than May. Every green thing loves to die in bright colors."  Henry Ward Beecher

And now to enjoy a little of the color along with a few beautiful faces.  So great to finally meet you all!  Hope you enjoy your sneak peek.

A Rainy Day | Nashville Children Photographer

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Ok, so it was not raining in these photographs but it is raining as I sit here in one of my favorite coffee houses in Nashville.  It really is like my second home, or my office that I only have to pay for coffee to use.  This is one of my favorite kind of days.  Sitting in a cozy coffee shop on a rainy day, doing what I love.  With the earphones playing in my ears, listening to my favorite music.  I am reminded that what I do matters.  I don't just take photographs and then spend a few seconds making sure that they are good enough.  I look closely at each image and make sure that they represent the best in the child and/or adult.  It doesn't mean that I change a smile or make a tummy a little flatter.  Thats just not my style.  My goal is just to bring out the best in each person.  I treat photoshop a little like I do makeup.  I can walk out of the house without it and feel completely fine about myself.  But when I put a little on, I feel more beautiful and put together.  I use photoshop only to highlight the beauty in others.  Not to overdo it and add things that were never there.  Because I believe photographs should display who we are - with just a little added sparkle. Not much extra sparkle was needed with this cute family of 3.  They already had a sparkle that exuded all around them.  I loved spending time with them again and I hope they enjoy a few of my favorites from our time together!

The Beauty of Creation | Nashville Family Photographer

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It may sound boastful, but I really love the photographs of this family.  I love the colors.  I love the sunlight peaking through the trees.  I love the genuine emotion.  I love the blue eyes.  And I could just go on and on.  But really it's not boastful at all because all of those things have nothing to do with me.  I didn't make the brilliant colors.  And I sure did not create the sun.  I only wish I had the creativity to dream up eyes that blue.  But I know Who did.  And I give Him thanks everyday that I am able to use His creative expression in my own little world. So enjoy a little glimpse into the beauty of God's creative hand...

Fast | Nashville Children's Photographer

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Everything about this shoot seemed fast.  First, it was a quick shoot because he took a long nap & had to be woken up.  Second, it seems like just yesterday that I was shooting him as a newborn.  Time flies.   And, third, he is a two year old boy who does not stop moving.  But, I am a little use to those so I have a few tricks up my sleeve.  :) What a fun evening with this cute family of three, about to become a family of FOUR!  I can't wait to meet the new little one...

Enjoy a few of my favorites..