Capturing Genuine Moments: The Value of Full Portrait Sessions

Crystal Freemon Photography Fall Portrait Session with a family of five

This wonderful family initially considered booking a mini-session this year but opted for a full portrait session instead. I couldn’t be happier with their choice. It allowed us to spend more time together, which is something I truly cherish, especially when working with little clients.

In many cases, some of my favorite shots come toward the end of the session. At the outset, families often arrive with a sense of, “We’re here for photos, so let’s smile and pose.” But as we progress, my aim is to create an atmosphere where they’re there to have fun, connect, and express their love for one another, all while I capture those genuine moments.

One of the risks with mini-sessions, particularly with little ones, is that due to their back-to-back scheduling, there’s minimal flexibility when it comes to time. If it’s your allotted slot and a child is feeling cranky, shy, or experiencing a totally age-appropriate meltdown, there’s very little room to let them reset or warm up.

Full sessions, on the other hand, provide ample time to accommodate the natural shifts in a child’s mood or disposition, ensuring a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

As the holiday season approaches, I want to let you know that I still have ONE MORE opening for my Santa Mini Sessions on November 19th. It’s the perfect opportunity to capture some magical moments with Nashville Santa, and the photos are perfect for Holiday Cards.

Family of Five Photos in Franklin TN

Family of 5 photo session in Franklin TN

I’m getting to that part in the annual portrait photography busy season where my neck is stiff from editing and I’ve run out of words. It inevitably happens every year. But I’m never lacking in images.

I loved hanging with this beautiful family. These sweet sisters were so much fun to photograph. The sunset and the giggles were my happy place.

Are you looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. See my website for more information or book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you considered following me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Family Pics in Spring Hill TN

Family portrait session at Sarah Benson Park in Spring Hill TN

Everyone knows that family sessions with toddlers and little kids are my favorite to photograph, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t challenging. But these three sisters were so easy to work with that it made my job a breeze! We had so much fun exploring Sara Benson Park in Spring Hill.

I’ve been photographing this sweet family since big sister was an only baby, and just love seeing how their family has grown.

Are you looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. See my website for more information or book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you considered following me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Family Photography with a touch of Chaos

Family of Five Portraits at Yanhali Park

I have this theory that if someone uses the word “chaos” in my portrait client questionnaire, then I’m going to adore them and love photographing their family. First of all, you’d be surprised how often that happens. And secondly, I’ve been completely correct so far. (See also “wild” and “hot mess”.)

One of my survey questions asks how you want to remember your family at this stage. This mom wrote, “How precious these years are as we watch all 3 kids’ unique personalities unfold. I want to remember how we all love each other deeply, even if it’s chaos sometimes!”

Yes, please! You have no idea how much I’d prefer to read something like that, rather than a list of specific poses or Pinteresty backdrops you’d like included. My number one goal as a photographer is to capture those unique personalities, oftentimes with a little touch of chaos.

And really it’s not really chaos at all that these families bring, but a sense of fun, adventure, and embracing the moment. And for me as a family photographer, that’s everything.

Bonus points if they mention “beautiful light” as their main desire for a portrait location. Because I tend to also prefer simpler backgrounds with beautiful light that make the people in the portraits the main focus. This is the second time I’ve shot at Yanhali Park in Columbia, and I’m definitely adding it to my favorites list.

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. See my website for more information or to book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you would consider following me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Family & Senior Combo Portrait Session in Spring Hill

Family & Senior Session in Spring Hill TN

Sunday was the perfect spring day in Spring Hill for this combination Family & Senior portrait session. I loved getting to know this wonderful sports-loving family. I always encourage people to include items that are special in their portrait session. For little ones, that sometimes means a special lovey, stuffed animal, or blanket. But this advice works for teens and older kids too. Anything that both says something about the person or family being photographed and also helps clients to be more relaxed at a session is a win. For this session (and another recent session), a football was that item. I’ve also had clients include books and instruments in a session.

If you had to choose an item that was special to you, and represents what would you choose?

I would love it if you could follow me on Instagram. That’s a great place to keep up to date on future openings. Also, you can book a session directly from my online booking calendar, or contact me if you have questions. In addition to Senior photos, I love photographing families.

New help choosing what to wear for Family Portrait Sessions

If you followed my blog for long, you probably recognize my friend Christy and her beautiful family in this family portrait session I shot yesterday. Christy had never had family portraits shot at the Park at Harlansdale Farms, and it was a perfect choice for this fall portrait session. The weather and the light were perfect and the girls had so much fun roaming around the farm.  Christy and I have been friends for years, so I’ve known Haley since she was a toddler, and Hannah & Emily since birth.  I actually photographed Emily being born.   They are some of the easiest children I ever photograph and we always have so much fun. 


Since Christy is often my guinea pig for trying new things, I was excited to have her be the first to try out a new service I’m offering to my clients to help them decide what to wear for their family portrait sessions.  I don’t know about you, but for me, deciding what to wear is probably the most stressful part of planning a portrait session.  I’ve never felt particularly good at it, even as the photographer.  I often have an idea in my mind what I want, but actually finding the pieces in all the correct colors and sizes to purchase never seems to be easy.  So I wanted to find a way to make that process easier on my portrait clients.  I’m happy to announce that every client will now have access to the Style & Select tool.  Style & Select is an interactive style guide and outfit coordinator on the web. 


When you book a portrait session with me, you will be sent a link to the Style & Select questionnaire and a password to use the service. You will then fill out the survey based upon the needs of your family.  The questionnaire will ask you the number of people being photographed, their ages, and your styling preferences along with what color scheme you would like to choose for your portrait session wardrobe.

The quick results page will show you photo-approved clothing pieces for each family member and you can view outfits side-by-side while favoriting items. You can play around with it until you have selected the perfect outfit combo! Click the email button to send yourself the selected items or shop for the clothes right away by clicking the shopping cart buttons. You don’t have to purchase the items recommended.  You can also use them as inspiration for shopping at your favorite store, on Amazon, or even in your own closet. 


Christy’s thoughts on using the Style & Select Tool


“The Style & Select tool was an easy way to get coordinated outfits in the style and colors I like. I was able to come up with several family outfit selections without spending a ton of time scrolling online or actually shopping! I love that it offered several price points and at stores I frequently  use (aka Amazon). I was even able to upload a couple of dresses we already had to make sure it all coordinated. I just love how everything came together. It was so easy to use and fun too!”


And I am just thrilled with the results. Emmy’s dress, recommended by Style & Select, is one of my favorites.  They look so gorgeous and coordinated without being too matchy.  I’m very pleased with the first session to use the service and hope that all my clients find it to be a helpful tool to make planning portrait sessions less stressful.

If you haven’t booked Fall Family portraits yet for your family, I still have a few spots left, so book yours today! I also have two spots left for Holiday Mini Sessions at Country Cove Farm on October 11. The Mini Sessions are great for small families, older kids or kids who are used to working with me. If you have a large group or think it may take some time for the kids to warm up to me, you may want to book a full session.

Holiday Mini Sessions at Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm

Holiday Mini Sessions with Crystal Freemon Photography at Country Cove Farms

I’m excited to be offering some Holiday Mini Sessions this year at Country Cove Farms in Murfreesboro. The sessions will be 25 minutes long and will include your choice of 30 full-size digital images from the session gallery, with the option to purchase more digital images and/or print products. The cost of the mini-session is $300.

I’ve had a lot of people ask about the status of the Holiday Marketplace event at Spring Station Middle School where I normally do Santa Photos. I’m just not sure at this point if that event will happen or not due to COVID. So these Holiday Mini-Sessions are a perfect way to make sure you still get beautiful holiday themed photos for your Christmas Cards.

This is the first time I’d ever been to Country Cove, and I’m so sad that I hadn’t taken the time to check it out before, because it is a beautiful location. Everything is fairly close together so there is not lots of walking. I had a 30 minute photographer’s promo session, and was able to get plenty of shots of my beautiful model family, shown here, along with some other shots of my own daughter’s, which I will blog in another post.

These mini-sessions are best for families of six or less and are ideal kids who are used to working with me, are older, or are generally pretty agreeable for photo sessions. If you have a larger group or feel that your children may need extra time to warm up to having their photo taken, then a full session might be a better choice for your family.

I’m offering two dates for the mini sessions, but one is almost sold out already so don’t wait to book your spot.

The rain dates for these sessions in case they are postponed for bad weather are October 30 for the first one, and November 14 for the second one. Your rain date time would be the same time slot as your originally scheduled session.

Family of 5 Portraits at Harlinsdale Farms | Franklin Family Photographer

Franklin Tn Family Photographer at Harlinsdale Farms

This family of five portrait session at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin was such a joy to photograph. Sometimes at a family photo session, kids can be a little shy at first, so I take things a little slow. As a photographer, you learn to adapt to the vibe of the kids you are working with. But shyness was definitely not a trait of these kids. They got right out of the car full of personality and questions. I just love their energy and excitement.

One thing I love about being a family photographer is that each one is beautifully unique. I could photograph a hundred families on the same day at the same location (if there was time), and no two of them would be the same. Some kids wanna be still, cuddled up to mom. Some kids want to run and play and be silly. Some are serious, some are goofy. They are all beautiful.

My goal is to capture something about who they are right now, as a family, and as individuals, in my photographs. I hope that I’ve accomplished that. I certainly enjoyed getting to know each of them.