Newborns

Coffee Shop Talk | Nashville Baby Photographer

Ok, so this post is going to have nothing to do with the photos below.  But, does it really have to?  I make my own rules, right?  I like that idea because I don't really like rules anyway. So, I have been spending a TON of time in coffee shops lately.  You can hear a lot of conversations as you sit for hours at a time.  With my work, I can sort of listen and work at the same time.  It is kind of like background music.  I am listening right now to Nashville laws about you can't serve alcohol on a porch unless it is enclosed.  I would have never known that unless I was sitting at CREMA on a Thursday morning.  But, I must say that a lot of the conversation I hear really irritates me.  Especially from my fellow Christian brothers & sisters.  I sat beside a man & woman the other day talking about their faith and the faith of others.  All I heard was judgement.  They don't do this.  They do this.  I wanted to jump and scream- "others can hear you!!!!!"  What if I sat there as a non-Christian or a Christian who may be struggling with my faith?  I would have wanted to run and quick.  Do we, as Christians, draw others in with our words and actions?  Or, do we turn others away?  I was definitely turned away that afternoon.

It reminds me of the verse: Colossians 4:5-6- "Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt."  As I say this, I know I do the exact same thing.  What am I saying out loud when I am sitting with a friend?  Am I talking about someone else all the while bringing in some good, Christian talk?  What do others hear me saying?  I want others to be attracted to my conversation and hear grace not judgement.  Let us all remember that others are listening.  We could all use a little more grace-seasoned conversation.

Now a few photos to make you thankful for God's grace.  We surely don't deserve beautiful babies like Campbell.

Home | Nashville Baby Photographer

I love going to the home of new parents to photograph their baby.  There is something magical in the air.  Hope.  Newness.  Life.  Joy.  It just feels different as soon as you walk in.  It is hard to describe unless you have been there.  It just feels and smells like home.  A home that is brimming with the everyday becoming something much more than the everyday.  This sweet baby Maggie is changing this home.  She is making it new and full of life.   Maggie was one of the sweetest babies which I know she gets from her parents.  You may remember them from a maternity session just a few months ago!  I hope you enjoy these pictures of your sweet baby girl.  Congratulations!!

I am Not Perfect (Take Two) | Nashville Baby Photographer

Ok, so this may not gain me any new clients but if I want to live out the truth about myself then I will be transparent, even here.  So, this session did not go as planned.  When I arrived, I got down all ready to take sweet Campbell's photos and my camera would not focus.  I tried everything and it would just not work.  So, thankfully this family lived down the street and ran to grab their Canon Rebel.  And, thankfully, my lenses would work on their camera!   Having not used a Rebel in quite some time, it took me a little bit to figure it all out. In short, I was able to do the shoot and get some great photos.  But, just because you see some good photos does not always mean that life is perfect.  What it took to get here was not easy and without stress.  It just goes to show that life is not always how it appears on the outside.  I could have posted these photos and noone would have known the way things fell apart.  It would have looked perfect but the real story would not have been told.

Thank you SO much to this family for being so gracious and patient with me and my camera!  I look forward to getting a few more shots of Campbell this next week as a "thank you" for allowing me to use your camera and for your added understanding.  Hope you enjoy the little look into your session...

Leaves Everywhere! | Nashville Baby Photographer

This past weekend was amazing for the beautiful fall leaves!  They were all over the ground creating such a beautiful backdrop for several family sessions.  This sweet family of four is no stranger to Trone Photography.  I have been photographing them since their first little girl was in her Mommy's tummy.  Their newest addition was beyond perfect for us as we moved indoors to the studio.  She could not have been any more ideal! Hope you all enjoy this little peek into your session...

Football & Ruffles | Nashville Baby Photographer

I had to post this picture from my session a few weeks ago.  I am sitting here editing while my football-loving husband is watching the Arkansas Razorback game and yelling at the refs.  Ok, yes it was a bad call but seriously they can't hear you! You can't get much better than this picture- a perfect balance for a girl born in the South.  You have to love football but you must know how to wear the ruffles as well!  Love!!

Faith like a Child | Nashville Family Photographer

In my Bible study this week, we have been discussing what it means to have "faith like a child."  I don't think it means to be ignorant because anyone that knows children knows that is one thing they are not.  They can brilliantly manipulate, persuade, argue, ponder, ask questions, etc.  So if their faith is not ignorant- then what is it?  Little children truly believe that everything is going to turn out ok.  There are bumper stickers in Nashville that say "igbok" which means "it gonna be ok."  At first I just thought it was a "don't worry, be happy" sort of mentality but then I read on their website what it really meant... "What if God — the creator, sustainer and redeemer of creation — made this promise? What if He shouted and whispered "igbok" from Genesis to Revelation? He's the only one who could make this promise — and keep it. If He did, then we have reason to hope."

Wow.  That is faith like a child.  Believing that everything is going to be ok.

So, how in the world does this have to do with me taking pictures of this beautiful family?  Well, I am going to show you that I am not perfect.  What?  I know, you can't believe it.  I show up to the house of this sweet family all the way across Nashville.  After charging my battery all day, I get there to realize that my camera is saying that my battery is almost dead.  Not good.  I deridingly tell them at the beginning of the session that my battery could go dead at any minute and I don't have a back-up with me.  Sweating.  As I was taking photos, I noticed that the children could care less that I was concerned that my battery was going to go dead.  They were just playing, laughing and having a grand-ole time.  Yes, I am sure they heard me say that my battery could go dead but they went on enjoying life and the beautiful night.  As for me, I did not believe that everything was going to be ok.  I had it all planned out in my mind- my battery will go dead, I will have to tell this family who has dressed all THREE of their children and themselves that we will have to reschedule, they will tell all of their family & friends what a terrible photographer that I was, the list goes on and on.  Tragic.  But, guess what- my battery did not go dead.  Even if it had, God is much bigger than a dead battery in my camera.

Ok, so I know this is a TINY tragedy compared to many of the ones that life throws our way.  But, I know that I need to start small to work my adult-like faith into believing like a child.  Let's all take a look at our children this week and see how God can teach us to have faith like them.  Pretty amazing that they can teach us just as much as we can teach them.

Ok, for those of you who scrolled down to the bottom it is time for the sneak peek of this sweet family of five!  Thanks for being so gracious with me.  And, I hope you enjoy these photos.

Baby Vaughn | Nashville Baby Photographer

This sweet baby girl is well loved.  I love it when a girl comes after a boy and you can just tell that the Mom is having so much fun with pink, bows & frills.  Baby Vaughn is no different- she was dressed in her best and looked absolutely beautiful!  And, her big brother was giving her such sweet kisses that it made my heart melt.  Maybe it was for a ride on the John Greene tractor outside but hey, a kiss is a kiss! Introducing Vaughn...

I LOVE candid family shots... it really just makes me SO happy to see photos like this..

Nashville Family Photographer

Ok, so I realize I am not the best at keeping up with this blog.  I am just not sure how all of these Mom photographers do it!  I just can't seem to fit everything in to my day.  First things first, right?  So, I am going to try to play a little catch up in the next few minutes.  This post is going double-time with two sweet families that are also great friends.  These were shot a few months ago when Spring was so fresh in the air.  Now it is just blistering hot with humidity that could make good hair bad in a millisecond. Without further blabbing, here are my favs from the two sessions!

3 Month Sweetness | Nashville Baby Photographer

It was such a pleasure to spend time with this cute boy last week!   He is moving to Charlottesville in a few weeks so I wish him & his family all the best on their new adventure!  Thanks for asking me to take his photographs.  I hope you will cherish them for years to come and they will always remind you of Nashville.

Miles | Nashville Baby Photographer

I really can't believe how fast time flies!   Miles just reached the 9 month mark which means my Abram is right behind him.  We have a ton in common with this family so I must tell you all here.  First, Rachel & I were born in the same town in Arkansas: Pine Bluff.  Second, we think we are long lost cousins because my maiden name is also in her family as well.  Thirdly, James & Rachel went to the UofA together.  Fourth, Jeff & I proudly graduated from the real UT.  Fifth, we are all in the same community group.  Ok...so I could go on.  But, lastly, we both have sweet boys the same age!  That is the best of all!  Now I am just hoping that they will turn out to be Volunteers but something tells me that they could be in Fayetteville someday cheering on the Hogs!

Claire | Nashville Baby Photographer

Claire and her parents stopped by for a 3 month session this past weekend.  She is such a beautiful and delightful baby girl!  And, you could definitely tell that she is a Mommy's girl... Her eyes were cut to the side most of the time looking her way so I had to make sure that Mommy was behind my camera so she would look my way!   Enjoy.

The Best of 2009ish Contest

So, being stuck inside the house with all the "snow" has allowed me some extra time on the computer.  After looking through many other photographers blogs, I started to notice a trend that I am a little behind on for this year.  Everyone has had some sort of "best of" contest with a prize attached.  So, I didn't want to let my amazing clients down and thought I would join in on the fun this year!  Obviously, I could not pick a photo from every session so I tried to narrow it down to my 15 favorite photos of this year.  The best photograph of 2009 will win their choice of a canvas or metal print of your photograph valued at $60!   If you did not make the "cut", then hopefully our next session will give us that award winning photograph.  And, you still have a chance to win!  Everyone that votes (either through comments or emails) will be entered into a drawing for a $30 credit towards prints from your next booked session.   The contest will be open for 5 days- so, all votes will be tallied on Sunday, Feb 21st and the winner announced via the blog. I will give you an update at the end of every day RIGHT HERE!  So, check back to see who is in the lead... I am already overwhelmed with all the emails & comments!!  Oh my goodness- I can't believe how many votes have been sent to me via email and on this blog.  Oh my goodness- I have my work cut out for me tomorrow!  I am seriously shocked at how many votes have been cast.  There is a lot of love out there!  I will have them counted and announced sometime tomorrow evening.  So, get the word out for the last votes!  It is really CLOSE!!  This has been so fun for me and I can't wait to give someone a beautiful piece of art for their home.

Let the FUN begin!!

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Asher : Happiness | Nashville Newborn Photographer

I love names.  But, more than names- I love the meaning behind names.  I always want to know what a name means.  This little guy has not only one of my favorites names but also has such a great meaning behind the name itself.  In Hebrew, Asher means "happiness."  Who wouldn't want your name to mean happiness?  So, here are a few photos of Asher and his happy little self.