Nashville Family Photographer | Christmas Themed Photo Shoots… But your REAL life.
Every year, families flock to malls and photography studios for beautiful Christmas photos. Kids with Santa, or just sitting in a Christmas themed setup. Maybe they go to a Christmas Tree Farm and use a setting there, something that captures this idea of “Christmas” in a photo….
But when our kids think back on Christmas time, they won’t think about the photos they had at the mall, the photography studio or in a Christmas Tree Farm… They will think about making hot cocoa and cookies with mom or wrapping Christmas gifts. They will remember decorating the tree and making crafts with Grandma…
So … why not give them those memories? Hire someone like me … a documentary photographer … to capture a few hours of Christmas traditions with your family.
I can film and or photograph you and your family making cookies or decorating the tree. I can even meet you at the Christmas Tree farm that you go to every year and capture you picking out your tree.
They will LOVE looking back on these photos and or video (depending on what you decide to book) and RELIVING their childhood memories. YOU will love looking back on these memories, which I bet are some of your absolute FAVORITE memories from all year!
You might be thinking “yeah, but how much is that going to cost?!”
I get it, you’re probably used to $200 Christmas minis… and I will say, I am definitely not that. Those photographers might make as much as a McDonald’s employee. But what I give my clients… is PRICELESS. and it gives you the biggest return on your investment. It goes beyond checking the box and will become memories you revisit because they mean that much to you. It’s so incredible different. And because we want the most authentic, unposed, unprompted moments to shine through, that takes time.
We have to give more time to allow for the kids to warm up and get into the moment. But then… magic happens. I promise you, it just unfolds. Im a natural and professional at this, I will guarantee you will LOVE how it all comes out. I will prep you and talk to you ahead of time and it will be the easiest session of your life.
This year, do something different. Connect with me and let’s capture your real Christmas Memories. You can see Family Photography Pricing
Nashville Family Filmmaker + Photographer | Why Family Films Are the Next Big Thing in Family Memories
A More Dynamic Way to Preserve Memories
Photos are a great way to capture a moment, but a family film offers something even more dynamic. It allows you to capture not just an image, but the sounds, actions, and emotions that go into creating memories. Life is full of these amazing- but seemingly - mundane moments that we take for granted. Filming your family allows me to show you those little fleeting moments.
Mother wipes toddler’s face.
With advancements in smartphone technology and affordable cameras, families now have thousand of videos and photos on their phone. But where will that be in 15 years? How will we find the nuggets in the piles of files? Like many things, technology gives us a false sense of security, making us think we are capturing our lives all the time. But the permanence is lacking, severely.
Being able to replay memories that actually happened for years to come
Some of my annual clients were children who had parents who took video of their youth and they grew up rewatching those VHS tapes over and over. Back then, we had a few nuggets each year - usually Christmas and vacation - to rewatch. Today, we have all this content but no real way to watch it and it gets lost. We don’t know where the significant nuggets are. The only way around this is to take video with our phone (which means one of us will be taking video and not even in the family video) and then make a video out of it with an app and store it in a place where we can rewatch it. This is hard to sustain for the entirety of the years of raising children. Hiring me makes an intentional practice of having something to hand down.
Dad and Daughter Play Guitar together.
Family Films Can Be Passed Down Through Generations
One of the most magical aspects of family films is their ability to be passed down through generations. Imagine being able to watch a video of your parents or grandparents recounting family stories, traditions, or simply sharing their experiences. A family film becomes a legacy…a living memory that can be enjoyed by not only your children but by future generations.
In the future, your great-grandchildren might be able to watch your family film and feel a connection to you, even though they never had the chance to meet you. The ability to preserve your voice, your expressions, and your memories in such a tangible way is an invaluable gift.
Family films are rapidly becoming a favorite way to preserve, share, and relive family memories. Whether you’re filming a special occasion, capturing everyday moments, or simply bonding over the process of creating something together, these films provide a unique and lasting way to celebrate your family’s story. With the ability to pass them down through generations, family films are not just a passing trend…they are quickly becoming an integral part of family life and tradition. If you want to have your family filmed, please connect with me.
A family hanging out with their goats on their farm in middle Tennessee where they live with their grandparents.
Nashville Family Photographer | Fall Family Photos …but your real memories
All around Nashville, every year, thousands of residents seek having their fall family photos taken. Get in and get out, get the wardrobe, the location, the light and box checked.
But I have grown to see over the years that these photos don’t really give us our memories. In fact, they become a place holder for where our memories should be.
Fall Family shoots are about the clothing you wore, the light, the field you sat in.
But in-home documentary sessions are about your real life moments unfolding and letting me - as a fly on the wall - capture those and tell that story back to you.
The Myers Family had their family shoot at home in October. The leaves had just begun to change and the temperatures were a touch cooler. They had mums and pumpkins to decorate their front and back yards with and so that was a huge part of their photo shoot. They also love Fall bonfires. This was the absolute perfect fall family shoot! It captured their real life of juggling two boys while doing home projects on the weekends. Letting the older son help. Taking breaks to nurse… all part of their typical days in this season.
There truly is magic in our everyday… and it’s not in the big moments, but truly these micro moments in the in between. The ones that are harder to see because we’re in the depths of parenting. Capturing those, gives us this beautiful incredible keepsake that is unlike any other. For your next round of fall photos, holler at me and let’s tell your real fall family story.
The Mixter Family | Nashville Family Photographer
Why I Choose Family Films & Day in the Life Photography
When I think about the work I get to do, I honestly feel so grateful. For years, I photographed families in the traditional, posed way. It was easy ... easy to book, easy to market, easy to deliver. But deep down, I didn’t feel fulfilled.
Everything changed when I discovered Family Films and Day in the Life photography. Suddenly, I realized what had been missing: purpose.
This kind of storytelling isn’t simple or effortless. It’s more time at sessions, more preparation, more editing, and more heart poured into every frame. But the result is powerful. Families walk away with real-life memories ... the kind of images and films that become treasures when life shifts, children grow, or loved ones are no longer here.
And that is why I do this.
The Purpose Behind Every Session
Every time I walk into a family’s home, I carry that purpose with me. I’m not there to pose or direct. I’m there to tell a story ... your family’s story, right now, in this season of life.
Recently, I had the honor of creating a Day in the Life session for the Mixter family, and it’s one I’ll never forget.
The Mixter Family’s Story in Franklin, TN
The Mixters live in a beautiful home in Franklin, but they recently bought land just a few miles away. On that land sits an older home that will soon be torn down to make space for their forever home.
Instead of just waiting for construction, they turned this little house into something magical. They began painting it decoratively, almost like a family art project. I had never seen anything like it, and it was such a joy to capture.
Can you imagine their kids years from now ... remembering the season of life when their family turned an old house into a canvas? Now they have photos that will let them relive those moments forever.
Why Families Choose Day in the Life Photography
This is what makes documentary family photography and family films so different from traditional sessions:
They capture your real life, not stiff poses.
They become priceless keepsakes when seasons change.
They show your children what their childhood felt like, not just what it looked like.
Ready to Capture Your Family’s Story?
If you’ve ever wished you could freeze time and hold onto the everyday beauty of your family, this is for you. Whether you’re in Franklin, Nashville, or the surrounding areas, I would love to create a Family Film or Day in the Life sessionthat tells your story.
Reach out to me here to capture YOUR day in the life!
Let’s chat about capturing your real-life memories.
Nashville Family Videographer | A Film Session with The Brisky Family
It is always an honor to be invited into a family’s home to document their story through film and photography. But when my client is also a talented family filmmaker herself? That’s the biggest compliment I could ever receive.
I’ve admired and followed Neeli Brisky for a long time. We often chat about our work and encourage one another, so when Neeli shared she was expecting, she immediately reached out about creating a family film. My answer was an enthusiastic yes!
The Perfect Timing for a Family Film in Knoxville
As luck would have it, Neeli lives just a few hours away near Knoxville, Tennessee. Shortly after her baby was born, I happened to be traveling to Knoxville, which made the timing absolutely perfect for us to connect and capture her family’s story.
Meeting Neeli in person felt like reuniting with an old friend. She radiates kindness and carries a peaceful spirit that instantly made me feel at home. Watching her love on her three boys alongside her supportive husband was such a gift.
A Family Story Filled with Gratitude
Neeli’s journey to motherhood is filled with love and resilience. When she and her husband first tried to grow their family, they faced struggles. During that time, they adopted their first son ... and soon after, discovered she was pregnant. That blessing gave them two boys close in age, and now they’ve welcomed their third baby, another sweet boy.
To say that three boys feels like a dream come true for Neeli and her husband would be an understatement. Their gratitude for this season is evident in every smile, laugh, and tender moment.
Capturing Real Life Moments
One of my favorite parts of this documentary family film was capturing the boys together. The older two adore their little brother ... their voices, giggles, and excitement add so much life to the story. Their dad was incredibly hands-on, bringing energy and laughter to every moment with his boys.
What shines through this film is not just the beauty of this family, but also their joy in the everyday. These are the memories that will be cherished for decades ... not staged, not forced, but real and full of love.
Telling Your Family’s Story in Nashville + Beyond
Family films are such a powerful way to remember life as it truly is. From quiet moments to playful laughter, they preserve the heart of your family right now.
If you’re in Knoxville, Nashville, or anywhere in Tennessee and want a documentary family photographer and filmmaker to capture your family in an authentic way, I’d love to create something meaningful for you.
Reach out to me here to book your family film session.
Why Your Family Is Safe to Be Real During Our Photo Session | Real Moments. No Judgment. Just Connection.
You Are Safe Here — A Message From Your Family Photographer
If you’re stressing about how your kids will behave during your upcoming family photo session — I want to offer you a deep breath and a promise:
I will never judge you or your family, at any stage of our time together.
As a family lifestyle photographer, I’ve seen it all — the giggles, the meltdowns, the wild energy, and the sweet in-between moments. And I want you to know: you are not being graded. This session is about capturing connection, not perfection.
I've Been in Your Shoes
I’ve been the mom with the toddler melting down in the middle of Costco.
I’ve been the mom nervously apologizing for her kid being a little too loud at a birthday party.
I’ve wiped tears, chased shoes, and hoped for just one photo where everyone was looking in the same direction.
So believe me when I say: I get it. More importantly, I expect it.
Real Families, Real Emotions, Real Photos
One of the biggest fears I hear from parents before a photo session is this:
"What if my kid doesn’t cooperate?"
"What if they cry or won’t smile?"
"What if we show up a total mess?"
Here’s the truth:
Kids are kids.
They have big feelings. They get overwhelmed. And sometimes, they just need to feel safe — not told to smile.
What I see during those moments is not “bad behavior.” I see a child being beautifully themselves. And I see a parent doing their absolute best.
You Don’t Need to Be Perfect — You Just Need to Be Present
The most powerful family photos aren’t the ones with forced smiles or perfect poses. They’re the ones that tell the truth — the way your child reaches for your hand, the soft forehead kiss when they need reassurance, the genuine laughter in the midst of chaos.
Those are the memories worth capturing.
And that’s what I specialize in.
My Promise to You
During your session, you are safe to be yourselves.
Your kids can be silly, shy, wild, curious, emotional — or all of the above. You don’t have to apologize, and you don’t have to stress.
My job is to hold space for your family’s unique dynamic and to document it with empathy and honesty. Your job? Just show up — as you are.
Looking for a Day in the Life Family Photographer Who Gets It?
If you're searching for a relaxed, judgment-free family photography experience where your real life is celebrated, I’d love to be your photographer.
Whether you’re booking a newborn session, a family shoot, or a motherhood session you can trust that my approach is always the same: patient, playful, and full of heart.
Let’s capture your family, just as you are — beautifully real.
Nashville Family Filmmaker + Photographer | The Howard Family
Gosh, I cannot believe I have gone down to Tampa Florida 4 years in a row to capture this sweet family! It just keeps blowing my mind, each year as their film day approaches, that a whole year has gone by again. Their kids are growing so fast. I love how much their whole family cherishes these films. How they make them laugh and cry and they just absolutely will never not have one. The amount of meaningfulness these films bring to this family fills my heart so much. It's like our souls both completely understand the importance of it all.This year, they were fostering a sweet girl in their family. It' so sweet that they will have a film to remember her and how much she meant to their whole family during her stay.I love how big their biggest is getting and how special their time with her is. How they give her space to grow and be independent. I love how their older son is respected when he needs to be alone. He is a sweet sweet boy and introverted.Their youngest boy is HUGE (2 years old) and spunky as all get out. The wild card for sure.and I cannot WAIT to see them in 2026, film them and hug them. I love these people.If you want a family film to capture a day in your life, let's chat!
