Tag: Nashville Family Photographer

Percy Warner Park Family Session at the Bell Meade Steps

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Family Pictures at Percy Warner Park

There’s something so special about photographing a family year after year and watching them grow. This sweet family has become one of my favorites to work with, and I always look forward to our annual sessions together.

In the past, we’ve always done morning sessions, which honestly work beautifully for so many families. While most of my sessions happen during magic hour, I love that mornings are an option too—especially for families with little ones who might be tired and cranky by evening. There’s something to be said for capturing fresh faces and bright smiles when everyone’s still energized from a good night’s sleep.

This year the kids have grown enough that they were ready to try an evening session instead. Percy Warner Park’s Bell Meade steps provided the perfect backdrop, and we spent our time laughing and running up and down those iconic steps.

It was exactly what I want every family session to be—kids having fun and playing while I capture all those authentic moments that happen naturally. The genuine laughter, the spontaneous racing, the way they looked at each other when they thought no one was watching—this is what family photography is all about. Not stiff poses or forced smiles, but real life unfolding in front of my camera.

Are you ready to capture your family’s authentic moments? Whether you’re a morning family or ready to try magic hour, I’d love to create something beautiful together. Let’s chat about what would work best for your crew!

Late Summer Family Session at Harlinsdale Farm

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Late Summer Family Photo session with Crystal Freemon Photography at Harlinsdale Farms

Looking at this beautiful family session at Harlinsdale Farm, I’m reminded why I absolutely love working with repeat clients. There’s something so special about watching children grow and change from year to year – seeing their personalities develop and capturing new dynamics as families evolve together.

This particular family has been coming to me every September, and I’ve had the joy of photographing their kids since they were tiny. It’s fascinating to see how each child’s personality shines through differently as they get older.

Harlinsdale Farm continues to be one of my absolute favorite locations to shoot. The variety is incredible – from the historic buildings to the open fields, white fencing, and gorgeous old barns. Every corner offers something different, and the light there is just magical, especially during golden hour.

I have to admit, I was getting a bit frustrated over the past year with all the construction happening at Harlinsdale. Some of my go-to spots around the historic buildings were blocked off, and I felt limited in where I could take families. But I’m thrilled to say that the construction seems to be finished now, and I have full access to all those beautiful architectural elements again.

This session reminded me why I fell in love with this location in the first place. We started in the softer light near the buildings, then moved out to the fields and the pond as the sun got lower.

The results speak for themselves. These images capture everything I love about family photography – genuine connection, beautiful natural light, and that perfect balance between environmental storytelling and intimate moments.

Ready to create your own timeless family memories? I’d love to chat about capturing your family’s unique story at one of my favorite Middle Tennessee locations. Contact me today to start planning your session.

Capturing beautiful families year after year

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Fall Family portrait session with Crystal Freemon Photography

Since 2016, this wonderful family has graced my lens, bringing their laughter, love, and beautiful energy to my autumn photo sessions. It’s sessions like these that remind me why I fell in love with family photography in the first place.

From the days when these two were mere toddlers, their curiosity and wild spirit have embodied what I love about photographing children. Now, as they are not little kids anymore, I’m reminded of how quickly time passes.

Through every session, I’ve been privileged to document their journey, and I’ve cherished every moment of it. The trust my clients place in me is truly special, and I feel incredibly fortunate to watch each of your families grow.

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.

Fall Family Photo Sessions: Embracing Jewel Tones and Textures

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Family portrait session in Columbia TN with gorgeous fall colors. Crystal Freemon Photography

Fall is a magical season, filled with vibrant colors and a crisp, refreshing air that makes it the perfect time for family photo sessions. While the backdrop of nature’s beauty is set, choosing the right clothing can be an essential aspect of capturing stunning and memorable portraits. In this blog post, we’ll explore the delightful world of rich jewel-toned colors and how they can transform your fall family photos.

1. Jewel Tones: A Symphony of Elegance

Gone are the days of everyone wearing matching outfits in family photos. A more modern and visually appealing approach is to have each family member wear a different rich jewel-toned color. Consider deep wine red, royal blue, emerald green, and other luxurious hues. These colors bring an immediate touch of elegance to your photos and create a vibrant, yet harmonious, composition. The play of distinct colors can reflect your family’s unique personalities and dynamics.

2. Coordination Over Matching

To achieve a coordinated look without looking too uniform, it’s helpful to establish a color palette in advance. Discuss and choose a range of complementary jewel tones that everyone will incorporate into their outfits. By sticking to this color scheme, you’ll create a harmonious look without the need for identical ensembles. This approach adds depth and individuality to your family portraits.

3. Texture and Layers: Adding Dimension

Fall is all about cozy comfort, and this can be translated into your wardrobe choices. Incorporating different textures in clothing adds visual interest to your photos. Sweaters, scarves, and cardigans can provide that much-needed texture and warmth. The interplay of different fabrics against the backdrop of autumn’s natural textures, such as falling leaves and bark, creates a visually appealing contrast.

4. Accessories: The Final Flourish

Don’t forget about the little details that can make a big difference. Statement jewelry, cozy hats, and scarves can elevate your family’s look. These accessories can add individuality and create focal points within the composition.

5. Express Yourself

Lastly, it’s essential to be comfortable and feel like yourself during the photo session. Clothing choices should reflect your family’s unique style and personalities. When everyone feels good in their chosen outfits, it shines through in the photos.

In conclusion, fall family photo sessions are a perfect opportunity to capture the beauty of the season alongside your loved ones. By embracing rich jewel-toned colors, choosing coordination over matching, adding texture and layers, and incorporating accessories, you can create memorable and visually striking family portraits. Remember to select your clothing with intention, ensuring that it represents your family’s authentic spirit while adding a touch of elegance to your photos.

Family portrait session in Columbia TN with gorgeous fall colors. Crystal Freemon Photography

Fall Family Portrait Session in Nashville

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Nashville Family Fall Portrait Session

One of my favorite things about my job is being able to see repeat clients at their family portrait sessions each year. They say that childhood goes by in the blink of an eye. That truth is especially apparent when you only see them once or twice a year.

These are two of my favorite little ones that I’ve been photographing for several years now. I love photographing all ages of children, but this session hits my sweet spot. My absolute favorite time to photograph children is between 2 and 4, and both of these cuties meet that criteria. There is just so much wonder in kids that age that particularly inspires me. They are true to themselves, always live in the moment, and are in awe of the world around them. Would it be weird to say that I want to be a two-year-old when I grow up?

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

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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.

Family of Five Portraits at Yanhali Park

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.

Spring Mini Sessions – March 28 at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin

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Spring Mini Sessions - Franklin TN by Crystal Freemon Photography

I am offering a Spring Mini Session date for Family Portraits because the Fall Mini Sessions were so much fun! Only four spots are available, so if you are interested, don’t wait to book! 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.

The sessions will be at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin. Before you decide to book, please read about whether or not mini-sessions are right for you. If you have a large family or a little one who may take some time to warm up, I ask that you consider booking a full family portrait session instead.

And while you are planning and scheduling your Spring Mini Sessions, be sure to read my post from last week on how to document last year’s beautiful memories. I show you a quick and easy way to create a photo book of your 2020 highlights using Google photos.

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.

5 things Toddlers can teach us about life | Franklin TN Family Photographer

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As a family photographer I've observed many things we can learn from toddlers

I love photographing families of all ages, but if you’ve followed me long, you know that my true passion is photographing toddlers. One of my favorite things about being a family photographer is what I have learned through really observing two year olds.

You see, I think it’s the two-year-olds who really have everything figured out. And somehow as we age, we lose all of that wisdom. Here are a few things I think we could learn about life from toddlers.

Assertiveness

Toddlers are really finding their voice, and they are not afraid to let you know what they need. Whether that’s a snack or a hug or they are “all done,” they aren’t afraid to let their person know. Often times, we adults are too afraid to let people know what we need. We aren’t always very quick to take care of ourselves and our own needs. A lot of our problems could be taken care of if we just learned to let others know what we desire like toddlers do.

Wonder

As a family photographer, this is probably the characteristic of toddlers that I love the most. They have not yet lost their fascination with the world around them. Everything is new and exciting and beautiful. The dog in the park, the pretty rock they just found, the snowflakes falling – all these things are a miracle to the toddler’s eyes. If only we could all hold on to that childlike wonder and be more aware of the awesomeness around us.

Only those who look with the eyes of children can lose themselves in the object of wonder.”

– Eberhard Arnold

Mindfulness

How much time do you spend regretting things that happened in the past or worrying about what might happen in the future? I don’t think Toddlers do this. They are the masters of mindfulness. Whatever upset them a moment ago is long forgotten with the current moment’s distraction. They live in the here and now, fully present always. We have a lot to learn from that.

Authenticity

This is another reason I love to photograph toddlers. They only know how to be themselves and no one else. Authenticity means “true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.” This is something I strive to capture in my photographs. I am trying to get authentic, natural expressions from every child. I want photos that really reveal who they are at that moment in time. Not fake cheesy smiles. This is easier with toddlers because they are always, always being true to themselves. I love capturing all of who they are. Whether that is a sweet apprehensive expression when they first meet me, complete joy when we are being silly or a thoughtful expression when the notice something new.

As early as 6 or 7, I find that kids have already put up a mask and I have to work harder to photograph their authentic selves. That makes me sad.

Love

Is there anything better in this life than the pure love one gets from a toddler? There is no judgment there, no conditions or holding back. Whether it be with hugs & kisses, holding your hand or maybe even sharing a like of their sucker with you, toddlers know how to love their people.

As a family photographer I've observed many things we can learn from toddlers

I am now booking Spring Family Portrait sessions, or as you can see above, am happy to book you now for a winter photo session. 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.

Click here to read post I wrote about what you can expect from a Lifestyle Family Photography Session.

Winter Family Photos in Franklin TN | Franklin Family Photographer

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Nashville Family Photographer winter photo session in Franklin TN

Happy New Year! This outdoor winter family photo session in Franklin was a perfect way to end 2020. Thanks so much to everyone who has trusted me to be your family photographer for 2020. It truly is an honor to be trusted to capture your family memories. 2020 has been such a crazy, trying year for everyone, but when I look back at all the photos I’ve taken this year, what stands out is just all the love.

This photo session is a perfect example of why I always say that winter is a great time for family photos. We had beautiful mild weather for this session, but I love the cold ones too. In 2020 style, I have gotten to know Mona virtually this year, and it was so great to finally meet her and her beautiful family in real life.

I hope 2021 brings you all many beautiful family moments, lots of love and tons of slow news days.

I would love it if you could follow me on Instagram. If you are looking for a Franklin Family Photographer, you can book a session directly from my online booking calendar, or contact me if you have questions. I have added dates for January through March 2021, and will be added April through June soon. Please contact me if you need a specific date.

Sweet 16 Family Portrait Session in Murfreesboro

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Family Portrait Session Sweet 16 in Murfreesboro

It was an absolutely gorgeous afternoon for this Sweet 16 / family photo session at McFadden’s Farm at Stone Rivers National Battlefield in Murfreesboro. I think that as a society, we do a great job documenting family photos when our kids are young, and then again for their senior year. But we often miss getting photos of that in-between time that is also so important. So I am always so excited when someone wants to do a photo session for their teen or tween before their senior year.

Sarah wanted to document Mason’s Sweet sixteen with a photo session, and I just think that is a wonderful idea.

This was the second time I have shot at Stone River Battlefield in Murfreesboro. My friend Jennie had recommended it last year for her family portrait session. Sarah had hired me after seeing Jennie’s pictures and also lives in Murfreesboro. I’m really loving this location and may start suggesting it, even for my Spring Hill and Franklin clients. It’s really not that far away and is such a gorgeous spot for family photos.

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.

Christmas Mini Sessions #2 at Country Cove Farm

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Family Portrait Mini Sessions at Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm by Crystal Freemon Photography

During my last holiday marathon mini portrait session at Country Cove Christmas Farms in Murfreesboro, I wrote about how to decide if Mini Sessions are right for your family photos. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph four more beautiful families who were all a great fit for a shorter portrait session.

To be honest, I was a little less excited about this second Mini Session today because of the time of day I needed to book the farm. I am passionate about magic hour lighting for portrait sessions. That’s the hour before sunset. My last Christmas Tree farm session was in the evening around magic hour. But because I waited too long to book, I wasn’t able to find another evening session that worked. So this one was in the morning. But it actually turned out to be wonderful. The sunlight was just coming through the tall trees on the farm and led to lovely lighting. And the weather was gorgeous…though my clients may have argued they were quite hot in their winter clothing.

This was the last of my Mini-Sessions for this year, and my family sessions are pretty much all full. But I do have one more opportunity for photos to tell you about.

I did not plan on doing Santa sessions this year because of the pandemic. But Nashville Santa and I have both gotten a lot of requests from people to find some way to make it happen. So we have put together a Santa Mini Session for Friday, December 4. The kids are doing asynchronous learning that day, so they can take a quick break to do photos.

SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. It will be a little different this year as kids will not be sitting on Santa’s lap. They will either stand next to Santa or sit on a stool next to Santa. I’ll be masked. You may choose whether you’d like Santa to be masked. The session is outdoors only so if there is rain we will make an attempt to reschedule but may have to cancel.

Sessions are 15 minutes long, so if you want to get a quick family shot in too, there should be time.

Teachers & First Responders: Please use coupon code “THANKS” for 20% off your Santa Session. (Please share a teacher or first responder who might be interested.)

You can book your 15 minute Santa Session on my website. Spots are limited, so don’t wait.

Are Mini Sessions Right for You? | Nashville Family Photographer

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Crystal Freemon Photography Spring Hill TN Mini Sessions

I avoided mini sessions for the longest time, preferring to stick with full-length family portrait sessions. I finally caved this year and began offering some 25-minute mini sessions at the Country Cove Christmas tree farm in Murfreesboro.

Reasons I didn’t want to offer Mini Sessions

I pride myself on capturing images of clients being relaxed and carefree. Sometimes that takes a while and I don’t like feeling rushed. I like to get to know families at a portrait session. I strive to take photographs that capture who they are and how they relate as a family at this point in their lives.

Sometimes, a child or teen, or an adult shows up at a session feeling apprehensive and self-conscious. Maybe a child feels shy at first. Or Dad has been conditioned by studio portraits to be flashing me an uncomfortable smile constantly. Maybe mom is super stressed because they were running late or someone spit-up on the drive over.

By after about 30 minutes of chatting, playing, and being goofy, I find that most people become relaxed and start acting more like themselves. Shy toddlers warm up to me. Dad gets it that I want him to play and interact with the kids. The stress has drained out of mom’s face as things seem to be going better than she expected. All this means that the second half of a one-hour session often holds my favorite images from a family portrait session.

Even more than that, a lot of my favorite images from photo sessions come after we are officially done. When we are chatting and strolling back to our cars. Often, this is when everyone lets their guard down and I notice something special and click a quick “last” photo that becomes one of my favorites. If I’m rushing from session to session, then this relaxed last photo doesn’t get to happen.

Why I decided to offer Mini Sessions Anyway

The biggest reason I decided to give in and offer mini sessions this year are because it had gotten to the point that I couldn’t handle October. Everyone wants photos in October and there are only so many hours in the day.

Mini sessions not only allow me to shoot the sessions in a shorter time, but also it cuts down on editing. I’m importing the photos all at once, culling them in one swipe, and blogging them all at once. Editing is the task I spend by far the most amount of time on. So while I still have to edit a lot of photos, the process is streamlined.

I’m able to shoot more clients and turn fewer people away during the fall portrait season. Also, I am able to offer them at a price that is easier on the client’s budget.

Mini Sessions are not for Everyone

I’ve decided that mini sessions work well for certain clients. Others should stick to full-size portrait sessions, at least at first. The four sessions I photographed this week give a good example of what kind of families are best suited to mini sessions. I will explain why each of them was a good fit.

Family of Three with toddler

Toddlers are my favorite. One of the reasons why they are my favorite is because they are so unpredictable and full of energy. I love that, but also it can mean it can take a while to get all the photos I’d like for a session. Nolan was full of energy at this session. But because it was just him, I feel like I was able to get enough photos that I’m happy with during the mini session. If there had been multiple children, I may have had a hard time getting the appropriate group shots in the short 25 minute time frame. I was able to focus primarily on him and didn’t have to divide my time between multiple kids. Also, I have worked with this family before, which helps a lot as I will discuss more below.

So a family of three is perfect for a mini session. Aren’t they the cutest? And I love the color of his shirt. Perfect.

Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm Mini Portrait Sessions
Family well suited to being photographed

OK, I just hinted that mini sessions might not be the best if you have two young children. And now I’m showing you two young girls (ages 6 and 3) who knocked it out of the park. But they had a few advantages that I think helped. First of all, mom stated in her survey that the girls were pretty happy having their picture taken. I found that to be true.

Also, I had photographed this family before. One can argue that it doesn’t count because it was years ago when Rowan was just a toddler and Caroline had not been born. Clearly, the girls did not remember having a session with me. But the person who usually most benefits from knowing what to expect at a session is dad. James jumped right into this session being silly and playful and fun, and that makes all the difference in the world.

From now on if people have trouble decided what to wear for a session, I’m sending them to Elizabeth. ❤️

Crystal Freemon Photography Holiday Mini Sessions
Family who has grown up with me as their photographer

This one was a no-brainer. When Margaret signed up for one of the mini-sessions I was immediately happy and knew it would be a great fit. I’ve photographed these two kids their entire lives, including Grayson’s birth. I have lost track of how many sessions that has been. There is no “get to know you” time needed. As always, we had a great time. Though I was sad it was only for 25 minutes.

Nashville Family Photography Christmas Tree Farm Sessions
Family with older kids / teens who I can relate to

This family had a definite advantage in that all the kids were old enough to stand and do whatever I told them to do. However, I wouldn’t automatically assume a min session is a good fit for teens or tweens. Some kids that age can take quite a bit of time to warm up to having their photo taken and may need the entire hour.

I had never met this family before really (other than maybe in passing at school events), but I felt a connection to them already. In the past few months, Leslie and I have become “internet friends”. We have a lot of common and are in some of the same groups. Because of the pandemic, we haven’t had the chance to get together and hang out in real life, but I do feel like I’ve gotten to know her a little. And my oldest daughter is friends with one of the boys and was in drama with him. I believe all that helps in having clients start to feel at ease at a session, and helps everyone to relax quicker than if we had no connection at all and they were meeting a complete stranger.

That’s the most words I’ve put into a blog post in a long time, but it was a four in one. I guess the big question is will I do min sessions again? Yes, I think I will, and now I will be able to point clients to this blog post to help them decide if mini sessions are a good fit for their family. Maybe I can offer them other times of the year as well. I’ve been thinking about summer sunflower field sessions maybe?

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.

Spring Hill TN Fall Family Portrait Session

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Spring Hill TN Family Photographer, Fall 2020

I wrote an entire blog post just a few days ago, and I think that is my limit for this very busy week. So for this beautiful family portrait session in Spring Hill, I think I will let the photos speak for themselves. These sweet boys are getting so big. Happy fifth birthday, Ty!

Spring Hill TN Family Photographer, Fall 2020

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.

Country Cove Farms Family Session

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Family Portrait Session att Country Cove Farms in Murfreesboro TN

This is the time in the year when I start giving up on words, keeping blog posts short and sweet, because who has time for writing when there is all this shooting and editing to do? But I do want to say how much I loved hanging out with this adorable family during their family photo session at Country Cove Farms in Murfreesboro. It was so clear how much love there is between them and I felt blessed to be able to capture it in photos.

OK, now back to editing. Happy Fall, yall!

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.

My Adventures in Video | Nashville Family Photographer

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Nashville Family Photographer - family of four

When Ashley first contacted me about this at-home family portrait session, she said that she had found me just by googling Nashville Family Photographer, and liked the work on my website. But she wanted to know if I could shoot a session at their home. My answer was “absolutely”! I love photographing families in places that mean something to them.

Ashely wanted a daytime session that would work for baby Jack’s schedule. Her back yard was the perfect spot and offered plenty of shade for a morning session. The trees were absolutely gorgeous and I fell in love with Emilia’s tree swing. It looked like something you would find in a fairy garden.

So for a while, I’ve wanted to try adding video to my services, but I don’t have much experience in doing it. For some time, I’d wanted to try to add a few videos to a session, but needed to find the right opportunity. First, I didn’t want to feel like I was in a race with the light, and since this was a daytime session, I felt I had a little more wiggle room on the time, so I could take a little extra time at each spot to get the photos I normally would, and then take a video or two.

Second, I needed it to be a small family with young children. I have done a few bigger families and extended sessions lately and definitely didn’t feel confident adding something extra to those. But with a small family, there is usually more time during a session since there are not lots of combinations of people to include in the shots. I wanted young children because those sessions are just naturally more active and a good fit for capturing movement.

So anyway, I didn’t tell the family I was shooting video because I wasn’t sure how it would turn out or if I would even include it. But I played around with them today and think they turned out OK. I definitely want to practice more and maybe eventually add this on as an additional option for clients.

Are these not the cutest kids ever? The session was so much fun and I love reliving that fun through the videos. Emelia’s laugh is just the most beautiful music.

In case the video moved to quickly for you, here are some of the images in my usual format:

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.

New help choosing what to wear for Family Portrait Sessions

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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.

Family of Five portrait Session at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin TN

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.

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.

Spencer’s Bar Mitzvah | Nashville Family Photographer

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Spencer's Bar Mitzvah at West End Synagogue

Spencer is one of my daughter Megan’s best friends. They met in third grade when they were grouped together in the school’s gifted program. They get each other, and challenge each other and are very much like siblings. So much so that when Spencer misses school for Jewish holidays, other kids have asked Megan why she wasn’t home too, because they thought they were really siblings.

Spencer’s Bar Mitzvah was supposed to be in March. They’d all been looking forward to it for years. Then Covid happened and the world shut down. They rescheduled for June, but then that wasn’t safe either. Finally, Spencer’s family and synagogue decided to set a date for August 8 for a modified version of the Bar Mitzvah, covid style.

Only 25 people were allowed at the service, so it was only close family and Spencer’s best friends. Masks were required and families were spread out through the synagogue. The service was live streamed so that those who could not attend could watch from home.

I personally thought that despite all the changes, it was perfect. I recently read an article about how the pandemic may permanently change weddings as people are decided that the smaller, more intimate weddings that Covid has required are actually better than the large events they’d originally planned.

I am sure that there are so many more people that Spencer and his family would have loved to share the day with, but there was something special about the service that came from being a more intimate group of people. Spencer & Erin’s speaches had us in tears and it was a beautiful celebration of an amazing young man. Mazel Tov, Spencer!

I want to note that cameras were not allowed at the service. All of my photos are from the Thursday before when I was able to take photos inside the synagogue. I added a few phone pics from the actual ceremony of Spencer, my daughter Megan and their friends.

Spencer's Bar Mitzvah at West End Synagogue

Haley’s 11th birthday, plus my photographic vision

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So I went from celebrating Lincoln’s 5th birthday with photos on Thursday, to Haley’s 11th birthday yesterday. Isn’t she just gorgeous? I love, love, love the red shirt on her. It’s perfect with her eyes. I enjoy photographing this pre-teen age group. I think it’s an often over-looked age group when it comes to professional photos. We always photograph our babies and little kids, and then again when they are Seniors in high school, but often the middle years are less documented.

A few weeks ago, I went to a photography conference in Atlanta. One of the workshops I took was specifically on capturing tweens and teens. The photographer who taught the class, Neely Ker-fox, had a specific package in her business that focused on photographing this age group at home, focusing on the connection with their parents. I thought it was beautiful and very inspiring.

Another class I took at the Click Away conference was called “Your Voice, Your Vision” with Caroline Jenson. For that class, we had to submit 3 of our favorite photos to the instructor before the class. During the workshop we reviewed each others photos and talked about how the photos we picked gave some clues as to our photographic vision…things that we were drawn to in photography, whether we realized it or not.

Some of the things that the instructor and my classmates said about my images were that I was drawn to bold, colorful images and strong black and white edits. That was no surprise to me. But one thing that the instructor said that stood out to me is that all the photos I chose had at least two people in them. I guess I kind of new that, but it was interesting to have it pointed out. I do very much prefer photos that show a connection between two or more people.

I thought about that as I edited these photos I took for Haley’s birthday. Even though I love the photos of just Haley, who is gorgeous, all of my favorite photos were of Haley and Christy together. This is true for me even when you can’t see a lot of Christy in the photo, but she’s there…I love the way Haley is looking at her mom instead of at the camera. You can just see the love there.

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!