Tag: Magic Hour

Family & Senior Combo Portrait Session in Spring Hill

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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?

Family & Senior Session in Spring Hill TN
Family & Senior Session in Spring Hill TN

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.

Ashton at Grace Christian Academy | Nashville Senior Photographer

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Senior Guy Portraits at Grace Christian Academy

Last year, when I photographed beautiful McKenna, I wrote about my roots as the MOMS club photographer years ago. It’s crazy to me that I’m now starting to photograph senior portrait sessions for these kids who I was just at playdates with like last week. Ashton’s mom Alisha was also one of those moms I got to know back then, and I was so happy to be asked to shoot Ashton’s senior portrait session at his high school, Grace Christian Academy. As a senior photographer, it is especially rewarding to photograph kids who I’ve known all these years.

I had never been to Grace Christian Academy before, and was so very pleased with how pretty it was and perfect for Ashton’s senior photos. I love being able to capture pieces of his high school experience in the background of these photos. Where else would you want to photograph a football player but on the football field? And the school has a beautiful little pond and pretty wooded area. With the location, the light and the weather, it was the perfect location for senior photos.

Ashton lost one of his best friends, Grant, in July. He wanted a way to honor Grant’s memory in his photos. You can see Grant’s initials on the cross in the photo with the bible. 💔

Are you following me on Instagram? That’s a great place to keep up to date on future openings. I have a couple spots left for my Holiday Family Mini Sessions. Or are you looking for a senior photographer? Either way, you can book a session directly from my online booking calendar, or contact me if you have questions.

Family of 5 Portraits at Harlinsdale Farms | Franklin Family Photographer

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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.

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 one spot left for Holiday Mini Sessions at Country Cove Farm on October 23 and will probably be adding another date later today. 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.

In case you missed it: Last month I wrote about the challenges of photographing my own family.

Birthdays in the time of Pandemics

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What a crazy time we live in right now. When you stop to think about how many things have changed over the past few weeks, it can take your breath away. One of the things that is different right now is how we celebrate birthday parties.

First of all, let me say that I take social distancing very seriously. I wanted to be able to take these birthday photos for Beth on Lincoln’s special day, but I also thought it was important to follow all the recommendations. We met outside in Beth’s yard. I used only my 85 mm longer lens so that I never needed to be close to my subjects, and I never touched them, like I normally might to move a hand into the spot I wanted for a photo for example. So these are my version of front porch photos. But since Beth lives on a pretty large piece of land with some woods, you don’t see her house which is right behind us.

I photographed Lincoln’s birth six years ago and it was an amazing experience. Beth has been like a sister to meet since we met in college back in 1995. I’m so glad I was able to get a few photos to commemorate Lincoln’s birthday, even though it happened to fall during a Pandemic.

People are coming up with all kinds of ways to celebrate birthdays while still observing social distancing guidelines, so I thought I’d share a few that I’ve seen here in case you have a little one with a birthday in the next few weeks. It’s disappointing to have to cancel parties and other special events, but you can still have a memorable fun time at home.

  • For my daughter’s 14th birthday last week, I used Canva to create a website “card” that included lots of videos of her when she was younger that were cute and funny. It also included some YouTube videos that would make her laugh. She was disappointed in not being able to be with her friends, so I asked some of her friends to send me a video greeting of for her, and I included those as well. It was a great way to make her smile and feel like her friends were there with her even though they weren’t.
  • For Lincoln’s birthday, Beth planned a fun scavenger hunt for him in their yard. He had to follow clues that eventually led him to his birthday gifts. They were able to get take-out from Outback for his family meal.
  • Another friend I had told of how some friends of her daughters showed up in front of their house all dressed up in silly costumes they’d found at home to wish her daughter a happy 11th birthday. They stood across the street and did a fun happy birthday dance fo the birthday girl.
  • I’ve seen on the internet where there were birthday parades to celebrate a special day.

What other ideas do you have for celebrating a birthday during social distancing? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Here are Some Pretty Pictures.

Posted in Chapmans Retreat Walking Trail, Family, Little Kids, Portrait Sessions, Seniors & TeensTagged , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Y’all, I’m editing my booty off, and I’m running out of words to put in my blog previews of my family photo sessions.

It’s the height of peak season. We were gone all weekend to my beautiful nieces birthday party in Ohio. But someone I still managed to shoot 5 sessions in the past week, with one more tomorrow, and another three on Sunday (please pray it doesn’t rain on me.)

I’m keeping up, but if you need to find me, I’m probably at my computer. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know it sounds cheesy, but I really love being a part of shooting these moments for families, especially when I get to see the same ones year after year.

For example, It makes me smile to think about how much little Jace has grown since I first started photographing his family three or so years ago. I love meeting and photographing new families too, but I especially look forward to seeing repeat clients each year. ❤️

If you are a procrastinator, I do have two November spots open…once just recently opened up because a family needed to move their session to December…it’s a magic hour session too! You can book your portrait session online from my scheduling calendar or contact me if you have questions!