Nashville Family Filmmaker + Photographer | Why Presence Matters More Than Posing in Family Photography

When most people think about family photo sessions, they think about one word: connection.
And yes—connection is important. It’s beautiful, it’s what we ultimately want to capture. But here’s the thing: connection doesn’t happen without presence first.

And presence? It’s harder than it sounds.

When families arrive at a session, the first instinct is often to direct.
“Smile for the camera!”
“Listen to the photographer!”
“Stand still!”

You want everything to go smoothly, and of course, you want beautiful photos. But in that rush to get it "right," something gets lost.

That something is presence—the ability to be truly with your kids, even just for a moment.
To stop managing the moment and actually experience it.

To notice the way their hair blows across their face or the way they can’t help but grin when you whisper that silly story they love.
To remember what their laugh sounds like when they’re totally free.

That’s why, in every session I lead, my job is to take the pressure off you.

You don’t need to direct. You don’t need to perform. You don’t even need to worry about whether your kids are “cooperating.”
Because when we focus on presence—when you’re grounded in being with your family instead of performing for a photo—connection shows up naturally.
And when that happens, everything else falls beautifully into place.

Ready to experience a session that’s less about posing and more about presence?
Let’s create something real together. Contact me today to book your session—your only job is to show up and be with the people you love.