spring Archives - Crystal Freemon Photography

Embracing Senior Moments at South 40 Farms

March 30, 2024March 30, 2024Posted in Portrait Sessions, Seniors & Teens, South 40 FarmTagged Class of 2024, creek, Senior Girl, Senior Portrait Photographer, South 40 Farm, spring, Summit High SchoolLeave a comment

Once again, South 40 Farms proves to be the perfect backdrop for capturing precious memories, especially during this senior session with a future Georgia Bulldog. But let me tell you – these senior sessions are hitting differently for me this year, as I have a senior of my own.

As April approaches, the reality of my own child’s senior year sinks in. The calendar is filled with senior walks, celebrations, and graduation practices. It’s a bittersweet time, marked by excitement for the future and a tinge of sadness as we prepare to say goodbye to this chapter of our lives.

Planning for life after graduation is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. There’s a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead, coupled with the fear of the unknown.

So, as we navigate these final months before our babies leave the nest, I ask for your thoughts and well wishes for all of us Class of ’24 parents. It’s a journey filled with mixed emotions, but one that we embark on with hope and excitement for what the future holds.

I am thankful to be able to celebrate with them through capturing their senior photos. Class of ’24, enjoy these days and be proud of all you have accomplished!

Searching for a photographer in Middle Tennessee, covering Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia? Visit my website for further details or schedule a session through my online calendar. I’d greatly appreciate it if you considered joining my journey on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Navigating the Chaos: A Day in the Life of an Extended Family Photoshoot

March 26, 2024March 26, 2024Posted in Family, Little Kids, Yanahli ParkTagged Columbia Tn, extended family, Large groups, spring, Yanahli ParkLeave a comment

This week, I had the pleasure of embarking on a whirlwind adventure at Yanahali Park in Columbia, TN, capturing the beautiful chaos of an extended family session. As always, it was a rollercoaster ride of laughter, love, and a whole lot of photos.

When it comes to photographing large groups, having a solid structure in place is key to ensuring we capture all the essential photo combinations. But let’s be real – with kids running around and grandparents trying to corral them, sticking to a rigid plan isn’t always feasible. That’s why I like to approach these sessions with a loose plan, ready to improvise and adapt at a moment’s notice.

So, how do I tackle the madness? Well, it all starts with the grand finale – the big group photo. Wrangling everyone into position and getting them to smile simultaneously is no small feat, but hey, I love a good challenge!

Next up, it’s all about the grandkids. I mean, who can resist those adorable little faces? I aim to capture the sweet bond between grandparents and grandkids, freezing those precious moments in time for generations to come.

And then there’s the individual family shots. From the rowdy toddlers to the camera-shy teenagers, each family brings its own unique energy to the table. I always start with the family that’s likely to be the trickiest to photograph – usually the one with the two-year-old tornado in tow. You know they are my favorite, but also the most likely to take some extra time.

As I work my way through the session, I keep my eyes peeled for those spontaneous moments that truly capture the essence of the family. Whether it’s a sibling group hug or a playful exchange between generations, these candid shots often end up being the real gems of the day.

Of course, no extended family session would be complete without a few snaps of the “original family” – the adult children with their parents. It’s a beautiful reminder of the ties that bind us together, across generations and miles.

And finally, as the session draws to a close, I aim for one last group photo. By this point, everyone is usually feeling more relaxed and at ease, resulting in some of the most genuine smiles of the day. It’s the perfect way to wrap up an incredible session and send everyone home with memories to cherish forever.

But remember, this is just a loose plan. I’m constantly adapting and adjusting on the fly, allowing for breaks, wardrobe changes after the baby spits up, etc. . After all, photography isn’t just about capturing poses – it’s about capturing moments, emotions, and memories that will last a lifetime.

So, there you have it – a day in the life of an extended family photoshoot. It’s chaotic, it’s unpredictable, but above all, it’s filled with love and laughter. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Capturing Sunshine and Adventure: A Senior Girl Session at South 40 Farms

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024Posted in Seniors & Teens, South 40 FarmTagged creek, franklin, Franklin TN, senior, Senior Girl, South 40, spring, Thompson Station, WeedsLeave a comment

This week, I had the pleasure of photographing a senior portrait session at South 40 Farms. It was the first time I had shot at the farm this early in the year, and I loved it just as much as I did in the fall. I admittedly have always loved photographing in the weeds just as much as in a field of flowers, and this session is a perfect example of that.

We encountered some unexpected challenges with the creek due to recent rains, which left what was usually a large dry rock area in the creek, almost completely covered with water. The creek photos were very important to this senior, so she didn’t let the high water deter her, but braved the mud and the water.

After that, I found this little patch of weeds that had the sun shining through them in the most lovely way. The texture created by the stalks along with the hazy sunlight is lovely. Nearby, there was a gorgeous dogwood, which I love. I wish the flowers lasted longer because they photograph beautifully.

I think my favorite photos of the session are of her standing in the tall weeds. So gorgeous.

I ended the session at the pond, which I hadn’t shot at before because there are so many options at South 40 that it’s impossible to get to them all in one session.

This session had me thinking again about how much I enjoy Senior sessions. When I first started shooting professionally almost 10 years ago, I was much more comfortable photographing little kids, and wasn’t so sure about Seniors. But now they are some of my favorite sessions. I love being able to capture their individual personalities, and also being able to play around with light more than I am able to with younger kids or family groups.

Congrats to the Class of 2023! | Senior Photos

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023Posted in Seniors & TeensTagged Class of 2023, Page High School, Senior Girl, Senior Portrait Photographre, seniors, Soccer, springLeave a comment

Senior Pics Class of 2024 in Franklin TN

Congrats to all of the graduating seniors this week! I am so excited to hear about all your adventures in the future.

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.

Senior Photos in Downtown Columbia TN

March 28, 2023March 28, 2023Posted in Downtown Columbia, Seniors & TeensTagged dog, Downtown Columbia, portraits, senior, Senior Guy, spring, urbanLeave a comment

Senior guy photos in Downtown Columbia Tennessee

Family of Four and the Family Dog at Sarah Benson Park

April 26, 2022April 27, 2022Posted in Family, Little Kids, Newborns & Babies, Sarah Benson Park, (formerly known as Thompson's Station Park)Tagged dog, family of 4, Family Portrait Photographer, Family Portraits, pets, Sarah Benson Park, spring, Spring Hill TN, Thompson Station Park, Thompson Station TNLeave a comment

Family Photos in Thompson Station Tennessee with Family Dog

Oh my goodness, there is so much sweetness in this family portrait session. These girls were so much fun to photograph. And as a bonus, they brought along their family dog. I am always game for families to include their pooches in family photos sessions, but it’s especially fun now that I’ve added my own puppy to my family. Our pets are so important to us and are part of the family, so it makes sense to include them in family pictures.

How to rock your family portrait session

April 12, 2022April 12, 2022Posted in Big Kids, Family, Portrait SessionsTagged "Catholic Church of the Nativity", "crystal freemon photography", "Spring Hill tn", family, girls, outdoors, portraits, siblings, sisters, spring, What to wearLeave a comment

Family of five Lifestyle portrait session in Spring Hill TN

Yesterday, I shared with you Emily’s First Communion Photos. We combined those photos with a family portrait session, just like we’ve done in previous years. That meant we had about an hour to do Emily’s pictures inside the church, change her, and do family photos outside the church.

I did not feel we needed extra time to do the session because I’ve been taking photos of these girls all their lives, and they are old enough to follow directions. But even still, after we finished the session, I felt like it was too easy. I wondered to myself, “Did I get enough photos?”

Well, it turns out that I have too many photos. So many that it’s hard to narrow them down to a reasonable level. A big part of why the session feels so effortless is that I’ve been taking photos of these kids literally since they were born, and they know what to expect.

So I thought I would list a few things that make them so easy to photograph in the hopes that it might help others better know what to expect from a family photo session.

Their wardrobe is perfection. The colors are gorgeous. They coordinate without being too matchy-matchy. Everyone seems comfortable in what they are wearing. I love the textures in the corduroy. The little details like Hannah’s belt and bracelet really add interest and bring it together. And Christy looks absolutely stunning in red.
They take direction from me but also understand that I’m not looking for super posed images. They know they are free to be silly. I love the photos below of the three girls hugging and falling to the ground. This is the kind of circumstance where parents who are less used to my style might have been fussing at the children to be serious and stand up straight. But Christy and Brian know my style, and they know that sometimes those photos where the kids are being silly are the best ones.
They weren’t in a hurry. Sometimes people (usually dad) have this idea that we will “get a few photos” and then be done. That mindset makes it really hard to capture candid, authentic images. Brian has been showing up for my family photo sessions for many years and absolutely does his part to be patient and fun.
They get that authenticity is the goal. Everyone was encouraged to be themselves, which shows through in the images.

Did I miss anything? What do you think is the key to a fantastic family portrait session?

Family Photography with a touch of Chaos

March 29, 2022March 29, 2022Posted in Big Kids, Family, Little Kids, Portrait Sessions, Uncategorized, Yanahli ParkTagged chaos, Columbia, Family of 5, lovie, Nashville Family Photographer, outoors, portraits, siblings, spring, Yanhali ParkLeave a comment

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

April 15, 2021April 15, 2021Posted in Big Kids, Chapmans Retreat Walking Trail, Family, Portrait Sessions, Seniors & TeensTagged Chapman's Retreat Walking Trail, CRES, Family of 5, Magic Hour, Nashville senior photographer, seniors, spring, TeensLeave a comment

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.

Samuel’s Senior Pictures in Spring Hill TN

March 26, 2021March 26, 2021Posted in Chapmans Retreat Walking Trail, Portrait Sessions, Seniors & TeensTagged dogs, Nashville senior photographer, pets, puppy, Senior Guy, Senior Picturs, Seniors 2021, spring, Spring Hill TN Photographer2 Comments

I dare you to look at these senior pictures without smiling.

I had the best time photographing these senior pictures in Spring Hill. We had so much fun laughing and dancing and playing with the puppy. Sweet Halo was so chill for our session. I joked that I needed to be able to rent her to use for other photo sessions. I always welcome dogs to my sessions (just make sure I know ahead of time so our location is dog friendly), but Halo was probably the easiest dog I’ve photographed.

Spending time with Samuel and his mom was just an absolute joy. His smile is contagious. It was a blessing to be around him, and then I found myself smiling again when I was editing the pictures.

Joshua’s Columbia Academy Senior Portraits

March 25, 2021March 25, 2021Posted in Portrait Sessions, Seniors & TeensTagged Columbia, Columbia Academy, Middle Tennessee Senior Photographer, Nashville senior photographer, Senior Guy, Seniors 2021, spring, teenLeave a comment

I’m so pleased with how this Columbia Academy Senior Portrait Session turned out, despite questionable weather earlier in the day. We almost had to postpone the photo session due to bad weather. Thankfully the rain ended well before our scheduled time.

But the weather led Joshua’s mom to ask me how the cloudy weather might affect the pictures. I thought I’d share my answer here for others who had wondered the same. I actually really enjoy photo sessions on overcast days. The clouds provide a diffused light that is very nice for portraits. It actually makes it a little easier. Normally during the beginning of a session when the sun is still high in the sky, I have to look for shaded areas to take photos to avoid the harsh light. On cloudy days, that’s not an issue.

The one downfall to shooting on an overcast day is that there is not much variety in lighting. There is no hazy backlight for example. But we can still add variety in other ways. In Joshua’ soccer photo below, I used my flash to light his face while still capturing the dramatic sky in the background. Then, as the sun went down, we used the headlamps on his car for some interesting lighting.

I also want to mention that we had some discussion of where to have this session, and I’m so glad we decided to do the photos at Columbia Academy. First of all, the campus is beautiful. Also, I love having a location that means something to the people being photographed. I’ve been organizing some old photos of my own, and find myself looking at the environment in the photos as much as the people. Often little things in the background that we didn’t even notice at the time, evoke memories when viewed years later.

Congrats to Joshua and all of the class of 2021! I know they have so many exciting adventures ahead of them. 🎓

Spring Family Portrait Session at Winstead Park

March 9, 2021March 9, 2021Posted in Family, Little Kids, Portrait Sessions, Winstead Hill ParkTagged brothers, Franklin Family Photographer, Franklin TN, spring, Winstead Hill ParkLeave a comment

Franklin Family Photographer Session at Winstead Hill Park

It was such a gorgeous day for this family portrait session at Winstead Hill Park in Franklin, TN. I have been photographing this family since little brother was a baby, and this week he is turning three. I love being able to see my clients grow. It’s one of my favorite parts of being a family photographer.

In case you missed it, I am offering a Spring Mini Session date for Family Portraits because the Fall Mini Sessions were so much fun! Only one spot is left, 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.

I am a photographer serving families in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee. I photograph families at all stages, from newborn 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

February 24, 2021February 24, 2021Posted in Portrait Sessions, The Park at Harlinsdale FarmsTagged "The Park at Harlinsdale Farms", 2021, Family Photos, Franklin Family Photographer, Mini Sessions, Nashville Family Photographer, springLeave a comment

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.

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.

Haley’s 11th birthday, plus my photographic vision

March 28, 2020March 28, 2020Posted in Big Kids, Home Sessions, Portrait SessionsTagged 11, 2020, daughter, girl, mother, Nashville Family Photographer, pandemic, photographic style, social distancing, spring, Spring Hill Photographer, tweens, visionLeave a comment

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.

Love and Portrait Sessions in the time of Coronavirus

March 14, 2020March 14, 2020Posted in Family, Little Kids, Portrait Sessions, The Park at Harlinsdale Farms, UncategorizedTagged "Family of 4", "The Park at Harlinsdale Farms", 2020, barns, brothers, family, little kids, Nashville Family Photographer, outdoors, spring, toddlersLeave a comment

Wow, what a week. I hope that you are all finding some peace, love and toilet paper in this time of coronavirus, and above all, staying safe and healthy.

I know you have already received emails from every business you’ve ever associated with on how they are handling things during this time of quarantine, so I’m going to refrain from sending emails on my thoughts. But I will outline them here in case you have a session coming up and are wondering what will happen.

For my portrait sessions, these are generally done in outdoor parks or in clients home where close contact with other people is minimum. I do plan to take extra care in changing the way I do sessions temporarily in that I will rely on my words to guide you into position rather than touching you or your children to move you into the position I would like. This goes for newborn photo sessions as well.

But, if for any reason you are uncomfortable proceeding with a session at this time, please know that I will allow you to reschedule for any date in the future. Please just shoot me an email and let me know and we can postpone your family portrait session until things have settled down.

I was happen to get out into the sunshine and photograph this beautiful family of four at the Park at Harlinsdale Farms in Franklin this week. Little Chase just turned two, which is my favorite age of children to photograph. Look at that adorable smile!

Family Portraits at Winstead Park with Epic One-Year birthday Watermelon “Smash”

July 3, 2019August 8, 2019Posted in Family, Little Kids, Newborns & Babies, Portrait Sessions, Winstead Hill ParkTagged "cake smash", "crystal freemon photography", "family of 5", 2019, baby, franklin, outdoor, photography, portraits, preschool, sisters, spring, Tennessee, watermelonLeave a comment

Family of 5 Portrait Session at Winstead Hill Park in Franklin TN

“The laughter, the fun, the hand-holding, the love.”

Things get pretty boring and lonely for a mostly outdoor family portrait photographer in the south in the month of July. For some reason, most people don’t think first of July as the best time to book family portrait sessions. I get it. It’s hot. SO HOT. And there are only so many clothes you can take off before it’s a different kind of photography all together. But it was perfect for this family session combined with a One-Year Cake Smash birthday session. ☀️😉

But this portrait session shows how perfect a July photo session can be, and I am so excited about sharing it with you. I generally love all my sessions, but once in a while, I get one that just feels like magic.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you can probably guess that those sessions almost always involve young children. It’s no secret that the 1 – 6-year-old crowd is my favorite to photograph and this beautiful family had an (almost) one-year-old, a four-year-old and a six-year-old. I had taken their photo with Santa last year at Spring Station Middle School’s Holiday Marketplace, and they loved the Santa photos so they booked a family session. (Yes, Santa and I plan to be back at Holiday Market this year.) July was chosen in order to celebrate sweet baby Reya’s first birthday with One-Year Cake Smash photos.

It is so important for me to get to know my clients because taking photos is such a personal thing for me. The first step of getting to know a client is an online questionnaire they fill out when they book a session with me. Casey did a fantastic job of giving me a head start in getting to know her beautiful family. The answers don’t have to be too long…just enough information to give me a feel for each family member and to help me envision how to capture them for who they are.
Before each session, I study those answers and make notes for myself as I plan out the session in my head. I note things like the fact that Monroe is very outgoing and loves soccer and dancing, while Everly can be shy and loves unicorns and all things pink and glittery. These little things may not sound like a lot, but they help me get a feel for the girls, and to guide how I connect with them at the session.

But the thing I loved the most about Casey’s answers, is that when asked what she wants to remember about her family right now, she said “the laughter, the fun, the hand-holding, the love.” I wrote that at the top of my notes because it just seemed to perfectly sum up my desire for every family session. I hope that she can see all those things in the photos below. ❤️

Watermelon instead of cake for a one-year cake smash? Yes, Please!

Oh, and I just LOVE Watermelon as a replacement for a one-year cake smash. Reya seemed to dig it too because she was LOVING every single bite of it. There is just nothing cuter than a naked baby eating watermelon. I enjoyed getting big sisters in on the watermelon eating fun as well. Do you think it would be weird to bring along a cooler full of watermelon to every summer family session from now on and hand them out instead of my usual suckers? 🍉

If you’d like to schedule your own summer fun family session, you can book online now (and feel free to bring watermelon!!). I can usually fit in a summer session pretty last minute. But please note, if you are like the other hundreds of people that really want Fall instead, those are selling out fast so don’t wait toFamily Portrait Session at Winstead Park with Epic One-Year birthday Watermelon “Smash”If you’d like to schedule your own summer fun family session, you can book online now (and feel free to bring watermelon!!). I can usually fit in a summer session pretty last minute. But please note, if you are like the other hundreds of people that really want Fall instead, those are selling out fast so don’t wait to

A Christmas Gift to Last a Lifetime – Photo Session for Mom

June 19, 2019August 5, 2019Posted in Big Kids, Family, Portrait Sessions, Seniors & TeensTagged "Aspen Grove Park", "crystal freemon photography", "family of 5", "Gift Cards", 2019, franklin, outdoor, photography, portraits, seniors, spring, TeensLeave a comment

Franklin TN Family Portrait Photographer - Family of 5 with Teens at Aspen Grove Park in Franklin TN

Isn’t it funny how a smell can take you back to a time 30 years ago? That’s how I felt at this session at Aspen Grove Park in Franklin, TN this week when I arrived early (like I always do) to take a walk before my clients arrived. It was an absolutely perfect spring day, and as I walked down the trail, I was overwhemed with the scent of honeysuckle. Honeysuckle is one of my favorite smells (I even use this in my kitchen), and it takes me back to my childhood in the mountains of East Tennessee when me and a neighborhood friend use to spend hours and hours walking through the hollows and back roads just talking and enjoying the sunshine.

It was the perfect day for a family session for this handsome family. Dad had purchased the session as a gift for mom this past Christmas, after she had hinted strongly that what she wanted was to capture her families special memories in a portrait session. This was especially important now, because her oldest, Porter, is graduating from high school this week.

We all know how quickly time flies. A portrait session gift certificate is a perfect gift for moms who want to freeze time forever, if only in photographs.

Yes, Bring the Dogs

May 1, 2019August 5, 2019Posted in Family, Pets, Portrait Sessions, The Park at Harlinsdale FarmsTagged "crystal freemon photography", "Franklin tn", 2019, barns, dogs, outdoors, pets, photography, portraits, spring, teenLeave a comment

I welcome clients including their pets in family portrait sessions. After all, they are a part of the family too.

Robin & Miles wanted to include their dogs Harley & Cassie in their portrait session, and the Park at Harlinsdale Farms was the perfect spot for including pets. Robin is originally from Kentucky and wanted a location with a rustic feel, so Harlinsdale was perfect and a welcome spot to bring dogs.

One reason I love to include dogs in a session, is I think it helps the clients to feel more relaxed. It’s easier to capture candid moments when there are sweet doggies to play with during the session. Some clients worry that the dogs will be a distraction. I haven’t really found this to be an issue. Assuming the dogs are friendly, I am generally able to include photos both with and without the dogs. For this session, my 10-year-old “assistant” actually joined me at the shoot was able to help with the dogs when they were not being included in photos. If you would like to include your family dogs in a session, just let me know ahead of time and we can choose an appropriate place, and I can even bring my young assistant if you think that will be helpful.

Harley and Cassie were the sweetest dogs and I really enjoyed getting to know them and their lovely owners on this gorgeous day.

Haley’s Magical Dress Session

April 30, 2019August 5, 2019Posted in Big Kids, Portrait SessionsTagged "big kid", "crystal freemon photography", 2019, dress, girl, outdoors, photography, portraits, springLeave a comment

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I’m going to be honest and say that I booked a lot of sessions this past week and have tons of editing to do, so instead of spending lots of time writing this post, I’m just going to let these gorgeous photos of Haley speak for themselves.

Let’s talk about aspect ratio and cropping photos

April 29, 2019August 5, 2019Posted in Big Kids, Little Kids, Photography Tips, Portrait SessionsTagged "crystal freemon photography", "family of 5", 2019, family, girls, outdoors, photography, portraits, preschooler, rainbow, siblings, sisters, springLeave a comment

You all know that I pretty often get excited about beautiful light or a gorgeous sunset, but I have to say that this is the first time that a rainbow has shown up for a photo session, and it couldn’t have happened to a more beautiful family. My friend Christy and I had planned a combination family session with Hannah’s First Communion Photos, which I blogged yesterday. We had just finished up inside the church and let Hannah change out of her Communion dress when it started to sprinkle. I was a bit concerned at first, afraid it would start to rain hard and ruin our family portraits. But it only rained for a few minutes and then suddenly the girls noticed a rainbow nearby. How lucky can we get? It was only there for about 45 seconds, but that was enough time to get a few pictures. 🌈

I thought I would take Christy’s session preview as a chance to talk about a slight change I think I’m making in my photography, and why I’m making it.

Christy has been one of my closest friends for like eight or nine years now, and I’m in her house fairly often. Her home (which is gorgeous, btw) is filled with many photos I’ve taken. One thing I really love about her is that she appreciates photos and she does a fantastic job of getting them printed. However, my one complaint (and I can say this cause she already knows it and loves me anyway) is that in several of the photos she’s printed there are feet cut off in the print. And it’s not just her. Most of my friends have sad, chopped off limbs in their printed photos that I’ve taken. *cue sad music here*

Many of you are probably thinking ‘so what?’. Well, as a photographer, one of the cardinal sins is to chop off limbs in a weird way. Photographers put a lot of thought into composing photos in a pleasing way, and none of those ways includes people floating on stumps without feet.

But I don’t blame Christy or my other friends for the floating people. I blame whoever decided that standard print sizes would be a different aspect ratio than most camera’s shoot in.

You see, my camera (and most others) takes photos in a 2 x 3-inch ratio (same as a 4 x 6 ratio). That means if you take the image as it was shot, and print it as a 4×6 inch print, you get the entire picture as it was taken in the camera. But 4×6 prints are where it ends as far as getting exactly what you see in a print.

It seems that the most common size photo that people print and frame is an 8×10 (4×5 ratio). That is significantly more square than a 4 x 6. So if you can imagine trying to make a very rectangular image into more of a square, you definitely end up chopping off a decent portion of the image on each end. And that’s how the prints end up missing feet…because it did not crop well as an 8×10.

So I’ve been thinking, perhaps it’s just easier on clients (and on myself since I’m admittedly a bit of a control freak) if I just go ahead and make them 8x10s myself before delivering the gallery to you. That way, you don’t have to worry about having to crop the images for the sizes you print most often. This means that if you print an 8×10, a 16 x 20 or a 20 x 24, there will be no cropping required. 5×7’s and 11×14’s will still need to be cropped a bit, but much less so and I believe you are less likely to destroy feet in the process.

If you wanted 4×6 prints, that will require more cropping, which it did not originally. But you know what? You can get 4 x 5 prints that I think are really cute and won’t require cropping from this new aspect ratio.

So what do you think? Will this be helpful to you or do you prefer the original aspect ratio of 4×6 in your galleries? I’d love to hear your feedback.