Family

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!}

New Beginnings | Nashville Newborn Photographer

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I love to know the stories of those I photograph.  It allows me  a small glimpse into who they are and where they come from.  This sweet family of three has a story of new beginnings.  Not only a new, beautiful baby but also of a home that has been renewed.  You see, they were affected by the Nashville flood last year.  Their entire house was flooded with water almost to the ceilings.  They had to replace everything & start over.  And in starting over, they are able to share it with their first, beautiful baby girl. And to top it off - look at the red hair!  I about died when I walked in and saw her beautiful red, curly hair.  I have to admit that I have been coveting red hair since I saw "Florence & the Machine" perform at the U2 Concert.  Her red hair about made me run straight to CVS & buy a box of Crimson red Nice n Easy.  So photographing beautiful, red hair makes me really happy, needless to say.  :)

Enjoy this little peek into a few of my favorites.... And enjoy your sweet beautiful baby girl!!

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.  :)

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!

Celebrating Today | Nashville Family Photographer

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I was so excited to have the opportunity to shoot this amazingly beautiful couple.  Her reason in doing this shoot was right on - " i want to capture this time in our life before kids, etc - a time that could be easy to look right past."  Amen.  We seem to celebrate so many occasions - births, graduations, etc.  But we seem to forget about the "in between."  And we tend to forget that every stage of our life is beautiful.  Why wait until you have babies to have custom portraits made of your family?  You are a family.  With or without kids.  Celebrate where you are today, for you can never go back. Thanks, Julie & Mark, for trekking up hills and through tall grass for me.  I think it was well worth it!  :)  On another note, Julie, is an amazing designer based here in Nashville.  Check out her site and be amazed.

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....

Sibling Sweetness | Nashville Senior Photographer

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I really love photographing teenagers.  Especially the two I was able to photograph last weekend.  This brother & sister duo is not only amazingly beautiful but they are also just as sweet as they come.  How could one not be sweet when they have dimples like hers?  Seriously.  Just adorable.  I loved watching them interact together as I thought about my own two when they get older.  And again reminded of how quickly time goes by.  Hold on to each moment.  Before we know it, our little ones will be flying away too. 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..

Baby Love | Nashville Newborn Photographer

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Walking into homes of newborns makes me automatically long for the days of the newness of life.  There is something about a  home with a new little person that just outpours with hope and joy.  Yes, there are also tired eyes and weary minds yet underneath it all, there exists a sense of belonging that you just can't manufacture.  If I could manufacture that feeling, then I would be living in an old, yet remodeled mansion on Belmont Blvd.  (non-nashvillians that means a really big, expensive house)  :)   So I try to breathe it in and take a little bit of it home with me as my 5 year old whines and my 2 year old throws a tantrum.  I want to remember the hope that we breathed as the newness settled into our home for the first time. The newness is definitely settling into this charming home of now a family of three.  And their new sweet boy is brimming with beautiful, scrumptious baby love.  He stayed awake almost the entire shoot but was amazing throughout it all.  Thank you so much for inviting me in to your home and spending time with your beautiful baby boy.  It was a joy!

Enjoy a few of my favorites...

Love at Vanderbilt | Nashville Family Photographer

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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...

Fall Photo Session | Nashville Children's Photographer

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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...

The Baby of the Family | Nashville Family Photographer

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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...

Second Chances | Nashville Family Photographer

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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.