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Finding the Light | Nashville Photographer

I needed a bit of a break from my super intense personal blog posts so I thought I would start sharing with you all a few of my photography tricks.  If you follow me on instagram then you saw many of them in my video posts a few months ago.  I took them all down so thought I would write a lot of them out here so you can have them for reference if you want!

One of the first questions (besides what to wear) from my clients is usually, "where do we need to take the photos?"  In the beginning of my years as a photographer that was also a very important question to me.  I would spend hours scouting out the perfect locations and trying to find the exact right field or barn-like door.  Now I feel like I can go *almost anywhere and get the exact shot that I want.  How?  Looking for the light.  

The first thing I look at when I arrive at a location is where the sun is located in the sky and any area that is shaded in the vicinity.  Then I decide on which shaded area I want to try first.  I usually look for an area that has the sun behind it and is partially blocks out the sun if the sun is high in the sky.  If the sun is lower then I just find an open area and shoot with the sun behind me.  That gives my photos the dreamy, sun-washed look that you expect to see from me.  Now the one thing you must be careful of is the sun-rays can impact a photo by blocking out part of a head or an entire person.  So I always just move around until I get the exact right light that I want to fall on my subject.  MOVE AROUND- even with an iphone.  It makes such a difference!  

So next time you are taking photos with your camera or iphone, try looking for the light.  When I see beautiful light, I cannot help but take a photo.  Just ask my patient children!  Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have...

Here are a few photos that I took in the middle of Sevier Park with a tree and the sun behind my subjects.  There were many distractions behind the tree but the sun was able to wash those things out so the focus could fall on my subject and the beautiful light.

 

 

Just Keep Going | Nashville Photographer

I never planned to be a photographer.  My dream as a child was to be on the news.  It's true.  I wanted to be on The Today Show someday.  Katie Couric was my hero.  So I went into college as one of the only girls with a Speech Communications major.  Many of my friends were art/design majors so I spent a ton of time in that building.  But I just never thought it was really for me.  

Years later my daughter was born and I pulled out an old film camera that I used a few times on vacations and started playing with it.  After a year or so of taking photos of Bella, friends started asking me to take photos of their children.  From there I started my business slowly but surely.  I can remember going to an art fair and bringing samples of my work.  Looking back I realize how brave I was because that work is pretty embarrassing.  Or maybe I was just oblivious to how bad those photos really were.  But whatever it was, I put myself out there.  

And to all of you who are just starting or who want to start but don't think you have the natural talent- you can get better.  You will get better if you just keep going.  I wanted to quit more times than I could count because I failed more times than I could count.  Like really failed.  Like I can remember one session where every photo was blown out completely.  And I can remember writing notes on my hand on how to use the manual setting.  Every session felt like the first day of school: a mixture of nerves and excitement.  And then there was the comparing.  I was constantly looking at other photographers blogs and trying to copy their work.  They were the pinnacle to who I wanted to be as an artist.  

Now I wish there was some major aha moment that I can recall that I had the big turning point.  I just kept going.  And I got better.  At some point it just became second nature to know exactly what settings my camera needs to be on to get the right shot.  The comparing stopped.  I started to ask myself: what do you like?  What represents who you are?  And I began to get my inspiration from other sources than from fellow photographers.  I truly don't believe I became an artist until I allowed my work to be my work.  

So to all of you who want to give up, just keep going.  Keep painting.  Keep taking pictures.  Keep dreaming.  Sometimes it is staying in the mediocrity of the everyday that makes you great.  

So just to keep it real... Here are a few of my first photo sessions ever with my digital camera. These are around 10 years old... 

 

 

The In-Between Session Giveaway | Nashville Family Photographer

I conquered one of my biggest dreams last year and I have decided to conquer another one in 2015.  I have dreamed of shooting this kind of session forever and have decided to just go for it!   So, say hello to Trone Photography Family Lifestyle Sessions!  And in celebrating this new venture, I am giving away one to a lucky family!  So head on over to my instagram account and enter today!

 I photograph so many BIG moments - like a wedding day, an engagement, a new baby, a Senior who is about to go off to college, etc.  But I truly feel like life is lived in the in-between.  I read an article by a mother who just became an empty nester and it made me think about what I want to remember.  She said you think you will remember what their room looked like when they were 8, but you won't.  Oh goodness.  This made me want to cry my eyes out.  I love taking photos of families at the park with beautiful light streaming from behind, making life look beautiful (because it really is *at times*) but I feel like something is missing in me telling the whole story for a family.  That is where this kind of session comes in.  I want to come to your home, to your farm, to the familiar places your feet hit the ground the most.  I want to tell the everyday story of where you are in life in this beautiful yet sometimes brutal season.   And I would hope that some of you would understand the importance of doing it once a year.  Can you imagine making a coffee table book in 20 years of all the images and how time has changed you and your home?  And, yes, it's true you can tell your everyday story through Instagram.  But, where are YOU in these photographs?  The very essence, the life force behind these moments is missing.  You are central to this story you are telling.  Allow yourself to be captured so you and your children and their children can look back and remember.  

So how is this session different than my normal one hour shoot?  

1) It will be over the span of 2-3 hours.  I will ask you to fill out an in depth questionnaire so I can better understand what your everyday looks like.  Then we will discuss what time of day you want me there - morning, afternoon or early evening.  From there we will make a game plan to what activities, places, etc we want to capture in the shoot.  

2)  This is a lifestyle shoot.  It is not for those who want a perfect, everyone looking at the camera photo for a Christmas card.  (book my regular one hour session for that!)  This photoshoot will reflect something you see in magazines where a story is being told.  We will focus on what you or your family does everyday.  Yes, there can be outfit changes.  But I will strongly suggest that you allow your child to choose what they want to wear.  If your 3 year old wears a batman costume everyday, then let him wear it for part of our shoot.  Trust me, one day he won't, and you will miss that smelly, way too small suit.  

3)  We are able to change locations throughout the shoot.  If you want to head to your local favorite ice cream shop for part of our shoot, then we can do that too!  Or capture your family riding bikes to the park.  Wherever!  We will have the time and I want to tell your story.  

4)  These sessions can be for anyone at any place they are in life.  You can invite grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc.  But please let them know the timing and how long you want them there for the shoot.  

5) Prints are of great importance in this session.  I am sure most of you have had sessions that included digital images and you have not printed one photograph.  Let me do that for you!   I will create a custom coffee table book for you to keep for years to come.    You will also receive a custom slideshow that you can save to your computer as well as low-res digital images that you can share on social media.  

6)  Lastly, my desire for this time together is to be very laid back, no pressure, and a very enjoyable time for all of us.  Sometimes children (and parents) do better without the pressure.  Being in your environment, in normal clothing, just having fun always creates gorgeous, memorable photographs.  

The photograph below is one I think about quite often and made me dream about this idea.  It was in our old kitchen and I was just sitting up on the counter holding my baby boy (who is now almost in kindergarten *enter crying now*).  I thought to go grab my camera and put it on a self timer.  It's not a perfect shot but it captured a moment that I can never get back.  Honestly, I wish I had more of these images.  Just the everyday, in the kitchen photographs with my babies.  But now I offer them to you.  So go enter that contest and win!  And if you don't win, book now.  I promise, you will never, ever regret it.  

UPDATE:

The contest winner was PHIL SHAY!!  Congratulations!  

During the month of March & April, the In-Between Sessions will be offered for only $500!  (this is a $200 discount!)

 




the life of a mom | nashville family photographer

I could not help but share this series of photographs because I know every single mom out there can relate.  There are some days where I feel like I cannot breathe without a child in front of my face.  My personal space is never respected when it comes to my children.  They have made me forget that personal space is even a thing that exists.  Sometimes I try to put myself in "time out" but it usually is quickly interrupted by the incessant need of my super-mom powers to intervene an emergency situation.  So these photos are dedicated to all the moms out there who just want a little personal space.  Know you are not alone.... ​

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Bubbles + Twins | Nashville Baby Photographer

This was my second time to photograph these adorable twin boys.  It is always beyond my comprehension to see how much they grow in such a short time.  These two boys, at almost one, were absolutely perfect.  They had the sweetest personalities and were so at ease.  The bubbles completely mesmerized them as you can see from the photo below.  ​

Enjoy a few of my favorites from our time together...​

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One of my Favorites | Nashville Family Photographer

This photograph is one of my all time "real life" favorites.  We were on location at the beautiful Alys Beach and were about to wrap up the shoot.  Somehow the entire family playing turned into what you see happening below.  The sad thing is that her glasses actually did break.  I think this picture just about sums it all up...

the beauty...

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the reality...

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Best of 2012 | Nashville Children's Photographer

It's that time of year again!  The chance for you to vote for your favorite photo of 2012.  This year you may place one vote via the blog and one vote via my Trone Photography Facebook page.  So two votes per voter can count.  The first place winner will receive a 16X20 wrapped canvas of the photograph, valued at $275.  The second place winner will receive a 11X14 wrapped canvas valued at $175.  And the third place winner will receive a 11X14 print valued at $60.  Also, every person who votes will be entered into a random drawing to receive a $100 Trone Photography gift certificate that can be used towards a session fee or prints. Please check out the process below so you can be fully aware of how it all goes down...

1) Vote using the number assigned to the photo to make sure your vote counts!

2) Vote below via comments on this blog

3) Vote via my Trone Photography Facebook page (also please like the page so you can stay updated on winners, etc).  You may just click "like" under the photo on Facebook.  But also make sure to "like" the page as well to make sure your vote counts.

Oh and I forgot to mention that the contest ends on Saturday, January 12 at midnight.

And here are the nominees...

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Cherish | Nashville Baby Photographer

I love a 3rd child.  They are cherished beyond belief because the parents truly understand how quickly time flies. And this sweet family is no exception.  They just seemed to breathe in the miracle of this new life second by second.  Never a cease of amazement of the tiny fingers and toes.  Thanks for giving me the opportunity to come into your home and experience the joy of your new love! Enjoy a few of my favorites... Scrumptious.

endings | nashville photographer

So, I sit here in my home of almost 8 years for the last evening.  Memories invade every corner of this house.  From the front door where we walked in with Bella Grace for the first time to the backyard where neighbors became friends.  Each room has a life of its own.  And they have only evolved and changed as time has moved on.   Bedrooms have changed from guest rooms or offices now filled with little bodies wanting to be tucked in every night.  The kids went to the grandparents house Saturday but I swore I heard laughter down the hall today echoing from the very walls.  I know it remains.  These walls have held us together when everything seemed to be falling apart.  The wooden hallways kept our feet firm on the days when I felt I could no longer stand.  The beautiful front yard gave us a place of refuge when the tiny ranch house seemed to close in on us.  The backyard brought us friendship, with the lifting of little ones over the fence beckoning one another to play.  The dining room filled with so many amazing conversations over a long dinner and a good bottle of wine.  Oh yet how I quickly forget the hard.  The tantrums in that hallway.  The nights when the baby would not fall asleep and we would pace the little nursery complete with exhaustion.  The fights resulting in a closed bedroom door hoping to show him the hurt.  The saying goodbye to our first dog out the front window as he drove away with his new owner.  The hard comes with the good in this house.  And tomorrow we leave it all behind.  We say goodbye to the only place our children have known as home.  The place where love has grown, through the good and the bad.  And now we look forward with great expectation on what the walls will echo back to us in our new home.  My prayer is that it will be even better than we could imagine. So goodbye to you, our first home.  Though we leave you, we will never forget the joy found within these walls.  You have been so good to us.

Nashville Baby Photographer

I wish I had the time & energy to actually write something but I don't.  We are in the middle of moving out of our home that we have lived in for 8 years.  The longest place I have ever lived.  So many emotions... In between packing boxes, I get to look at beautiful faces like this sweet little boy!  And an interesting fact that I found out once I got to their house is that they are going to be just around the corner from our new home!  So fun...

Enjoy a few of my favorites..

You know what works | Nashville Family Photographer

I identified immediately with this active, fun family of four as they tried to corral their 2 little ones for photographs.  And the thing I loved the most was that they knew their children well.  I always say to my clients: "you know your children best and tell me what will work."  They knew that pulling out the keys for their energetic boy would pull him into the scene.  And it worked!  I would have never known that a pair of keys would have made him want to sit down with the rest of the family.   So if you are booking a session with me and you have no idea how I will ever capture pictures of your rambunctious little one then just take mental notes of what works (and doesn't).  And no matter what- I will get pictures.  That's my job, and I love it!!! Thanks for sitting on the wet ground, traipsing through tall grass and risking mud to get some great pictures!  I hope you all enjoy a few of my favorites...

Remembering | Nashville Children's Photographer

I feel like every time I write in the next few months it is going to be about this subject.  It balloons in my mind at all times and sometimes feels like it is going to bust at the mere mention of change.  There are a ton of changes going on for our family right now - moving, kindergarten, new job, etc.  And I'm not really sure if I can handle any more changes right now.  Don't get me wrong- I really like change.  I find it fun and interesting.  Yet as I grow older I realize that change always involves loss.  The loss of what has been and what will never be again.  I could talk about each of our changes in this way for hours.  But I won't bore you (right now that is) with my emotional thoughts.  I am sure when it comes time for us to walk out of our home for the last time, my words will not be able to be contained.  And I know that the day I walk my baby girl into kindergarten, the tearful letting go will find its way on these imaginary pages.  But right now, I keep it vague with the sense that I am going to grieve slowly and surely.  For that's the only thing I can do. As I was editing the photos below of this sweet family, I was constantly reminded of the power of photographs to help us remember.  They really wanted to remember their life as it is because they knew their current house would not be theirs for much longer.  There really is such a gift in photography - the still beauty of a moment in time that can never be claimed again.  It's gone forever yet we can hold the memory in our hands as we remember the beauty that once surrounded us.  What I do is important and I don't take it lightly.  My hope is that they can truly remember the beauty of their life as it once was, and will never be again.  Enjoy a few of my favorite....

Moving On | Nashville Baby Photographer

This was my second time to photograph this adorable family of 3. And I was both excited and sad to find out that they were moving to Texas.  But also could understand since we are going through the moving process ourselves. (that is if moving across town actually counts)  Moving is such a bittersweet experience.  So sweet in the fact that you are able to give yourself a new beginning.  A fresh slate to write a new chapter of your story.  The bitterness is in the ending of an old chapter.  Especially a chapter that included firsts in your family.  The first time you lived together as a married couple.  Walking in the front door with your firstborn.  The hallways have memories.  I can almost hear the little pitter patters of feet running down our little hallway with the wooden floor.  Beginnings always means there is an end.  And I know we will miss this part of our story as I am sure this beautiful family will too as they start their new life in Texas. For now, enjoy these memories of your last days in the great state of Tennessee.  What a beautiful way to remember....

Spring Break | Nashville beach photographer

The fact that I just wrote "Nashville beach photographer" in the subject line makes me laugh.  It seems like an oxymoron, right?  No, it's not Nashville Shores or the beach at Percy Priest that I am speaking of.  It's just me, a girl from Nashville, traveling down to the beautiful beaches of 30A to photograph beautiful families.  And sometimes I feel like I am dreaming when I really think about what I am given the opportunity to do as work.  Seriously, I am so thankful to do what I do.  I feel like I say it all the time (and I do) but I am still just astonished that this is my life.  Not that its perfect because believe me, it's not.  Far from that, in fact.  Especially this time of year with taxes- I want to just run away.  But with all the bad included - I love what I do.  Especially when it includes going to one of my favorite places in the world: the beach. Some good friends asked me to take photographs of them while on Spring Break.  They drove up to Rosemary Beach and we spent the morning laughing and having fun taking pictures.  I always say that there is something about being on vacation that makes a family seem so much more relaxed and themselves.  It really makes for a different kind of photographs.

So if you are in the Destin/30A area this July 7-14 - contact me!  I have a few spots left....

Enjoy a few of my favs...

Love from Africa | Nashville Children's Photographer

The saying, "a picture speaks a thousand words" is all that is ringing in this crazy head of mine as I try to introduce this family of six.  Try is the key word because my words seem inadequate to tell even part of the story.  The story is one of redemption.  And it all started with Anne following her heart to Africa, completely unknowing that she would someday bring a part of Africa back with her.  I can remember Anne reading her diary out loud to a small group of us at church, her words and tears spilling out across the room as if a Tsunami were swallowing the very walls around our souls.  The walls were down.  Anne's transparency is magnetic and brings true beauty everywhere she goes.  The story began to unfold and we were introduced to a little baby in a far away country that would soon to become one of ours.  We fell in love.  Ali Rose was loved with our prayers and tears as we passed around pictures of this motherless little baby girl in Africa.  But we all knew she was motherless no longer.  There was a beautiful, strong mother sitting among us that already loved her as only a mother can love. Today Ali Rose is one.  Her first birthday was filled with those that love her and call her their own.  We are so glad God wrote you into our story.  Here is an excerpt from a blog post from Anne on Ali Rose's first birthday....

A year ago today, the labor pains began in her body. A year ago today, the yearning for another child was heavy on my heart.

A year ago today, she traveled to the nearest hospital because she and her unborn baby were in distress. A year ago today, I traveled to another state to be with an old friend and meet her newborn son. A year ago today, she received woeful medical care, which turned into horrific medical care because of her limited ability to pay. A year ago today, the Lord took away my desire to have another biological child. A year ago today, she cried out in agony- her body wrecked with pain. A year ago today, I was comfortable in this life where I have MORE than enough of everything. A year ago today, she brought this baby into the world. A year ago today, He whispered to me I know the child for you. A year ago today, this baby took her first breath and opened her bright eyes. A year ago today, I pleaded that the Lord would bring this child, who He had for our family, to me. A year ago today, they placed this baby on her mother’s chest. Her mother overflowed with love for the little one. A year ago today, I was hoping & praying for another one to love. A year ago today, the baby was thriving but her mother began to fight for her life. A year ago today, I sipped my Starbucks- which would have been the equivalent cost for medical care that could have saved her mother’s life. A year ago today, her world was turning dark. A year ago today, mine was becoming bright. I will never be able to thank Rose- (Ali Rose’s birth mom) for the treasure that her beautiful daughter is to me and to our family. I can only say that my heart has been breaking today for Rose. A wise friend told me she believe’s that birth parents get an awesome view from Heaven of their children’s firsts; first step, first word, first birthday. On this day I believe Rose is looking down, I hope she is smiling. For her daughter, my daughter is perfect. And she will blow out her first candle on her birthday cake tonight surrounded by love. For the Lord knew that she would need mother’s to step in early on. She had two foster mother’s who loved her well in the first months of her life in Uganda. They operated from an outpouring of the Father’s love that he lavished on them- and they lavished on her. Rose sacrificed, Mandie Joy & Rachel sacrificed, all for this little baby girl who would come and join our family and we have been the unlikely recipients of this deep and sacrificial love. We have been blessed.

Being a Mom always comes first | Nashville Children's Photographer

Sometimes your week just doesn't go as expected.  Especially if you are a Mom to young children.  A feverish child wakes you up in the middle of the night and you lose those precious hours of sleep.  The next day you are needing to work but you are holding them tightly on the couch.  But I must say that I am so so thankful that being a Mom comes first.  I absolutely love, love what I do as a photographer but I love my children even more.  And I am grateful that I can put down my work for a few days to care for them.  Now I am not saying it's all glamorous and that I don't complain.  Because, believe me, I do.  And I confess that as I write these sweet, loving words my 2 year old is taking a much needed nap and my oldest is at school.  So it's easy to say it now.  In another few hours, I may have to coax these thoughts out of me as I try to cook dinner with a fussy boy on my hip and a little girl needing my undivided attention on her art project.  But for now, it's quiet and I am thankful. And within the 10 minutes it took me to upload the photos, my boy woke up.  After only a 30 minute nap.  So back to work I go, hoping that the whispers of thankfulness will ring true in my ear.

Here are a few cute photos I took of my growing girl..

Elegant Family | Nashville Family Photographer

Photographing this beautiful family was a breeze.  And quite a cold breeze at that - the temps were freezing that day!  But they pushed through the cold like pros and smiled through the chatter of their own teeth.  And I must say, the results turned out just beautiful.  The photograph with the ivy background reminds me of an ad for Ralph Lauren - full of elegance and beauty. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to photograph your family as they all came in from different parts of the world to be together.  You all made my morning much brighter!

Enjoy a few of my favorites...