Nashville Newborn Photographer | The Smith Family welcomes baby #2
I just loved spending a fall morning with The Smith family, capturing them in their new life with baby #2, a boy. They have enjoyed their time with a newborn and their 4 year old, being out on their land with their chickens, in their kitchen drinking coffee together... life together raising a 4 year old sweet girl who just became a big sister - who loves to read and put on makeup and be with her parents and baby brother. This time with littles is so fleeting (and exhausting!) and I love being able to give my sweet families their memories of this time that can go by in a blur. If you want your family captured, I would LOVE to chat! 
Nashville Newborn Photographer | The DeClue Family
Getting to enter a family's life and see them just a few weeks into their parenting journey, is such a fun experience. I love seeing them head over heels in love with this new human, a few weeks into their new lives, being entirely new people really, because having a baby changes you a million times over. I love thinking ahead to how she won't be this tiny for long. How they will grow into their parenthood. How as a couple they are going to change and grow together, raising a little girl. I love thinking about how soon she will sit up, then crawl, and one day walk. How in a few short weeks, the babbling and teething will come and she will say her first word. and how amazing it will all be for these two parents. If you want me to come capture your life with your new baby or as a family, please reach out to me here, I would LOVE to chat!
Nashville, Tennessee Newborn Photographer | The Guarienti Family
I truly believe, 100%, God selects my clients. He picks them out so beautifully.Brooke contacted me in August about a maternity and newborn session at her home and land northwest of Nashville. We captured her maternity session back in September on a beautiful summer day. I truly fell in love with this sweet family. Meeting them, they are so down to earth, loving, and kind. Truly trying their hardest to raise amazing boys (and succeeding!). Their older son is OBSESSED with baby brother, a truly good sign of good parenting (don't worry, you can be good parents and have an older son who isn't a fan like I did 🤣)We spent a morning just hanging out with together, chatting about all things newborn, politics, family, nursing and so on. It really is just a chill time of hanging out together. I don't force a tight schedule or rush the session, just go with the flow, stay as long as I need to. Let the toddler run the show 🤣🤣🤣If you would like maternity and or newborn photos, please reach out to me! I would love to connect.
Nashville, TN Pregnancy Announcement Video + Photos | Sarah + Tyson
Imagine finding out, unexpectedly, 9-10 months after you said "I do" that you were expecting your first baby. 🥹 Sarah and Tyson had the best surprise and announced it on their one year wedding anniversary. Even though it was a surprise, it was one they are excited to experience. We had so much fun capturing this sweet little announcement and wedding anniversary video for this special couple. If you are wanting a pregnancy announcement video, please contact me here! I would LOVE to chat!
Nashville Newborn Photographer | The Morrison Family
Those days after you have your second baby... so much joy, your heart is SO full because you have TWO babies and you cannot believe it. But, it honestly comes with some heartache, that most people don't warn you about. The feeling of wondering if your older child feels loved still, how they are coping with bringing another baby into the home. It's really hard on a mama.I loved how this family loves so deeply. They love being together and sharing kisses and hugs and books. They are just so devoted to being together and loving one another well. I just absolutely enjoyed spending time with them, capturing these early years in their long journey of parenthood to come.If you have followed my work for some time, you know Im not super into posing. The only sessions with some light posing, are newborn sessions. And even then, I let as much organic emotion come through as possible. I try to take any candid photos that might come naturally as well.If you would like a newborn session, please reach out to me and let's talk! 
Nashville Newborn Photographer | The Morrison Family
What I loved and appreciated about this family was that they had such a deepened gratitude for having a baby, for becoming parents. It was quite like their biggest dreams in life had come true. They are already the most intentional parents, loving their sweet baby girl fully. Embracing life as parents together, as a team, a unit. Their new baby girl is the piece that bonds them now. I absolutely adore their film and photos and how it all came together.
If you would like to have a family video and photos done after you have your baby, please let's chat!
The Morrison Family | January 2024 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
What age should newborn photos be taken? | Nashville Newborn Photographer
When is the best age to take newborn photos?
TL;DR Any age is a good age for relaxed, natural newborn photos.
You have a newborn for all of 7 weeks. So when is this 7 week period, is a good time to take newborn photos?
It varies by style, for sure. If you want the posed newborn photos (I used to pose newborns for many years), you'll definitely need to do them within 10 days of birth. After about 5-6 years of posing newborns and then discovering my true inner self within documentary photography and videography, I now prefer the style of in-home relaxed newborn photos. I want to tell the story of what your baby preferred or did not prefer during their newborn stage.
Maybe they always had their hand up by their face. Or they make a scrunchy face often during the day. With offering newborn videography, I can also capture their little noises or coos. In-home newborn photography allows for baby to lead the session. We are able to capture any nursing photos (if you want), as well as how dad naturally interacts with your newborn baby!
There are many advantages to waiting until the baby is closer to 4-6 weeks old, especially if clients are hiring my to do videography. In the earlier weeks, baby won't interact with mom and dad much. But closer to 4-5 weeks, they are cooing and smiling and making eye contact. I give my clients the choice between photography around 2 weeks old or later, when they are more interactive. Because my clients can hire me for just photos, or for video+photos, that might alter their response as well. If they are hiring me for just photos, my clients tend to choose to have their in-home newborn session closer to 2 weeks, which is super precious.
2 week old Babies:
If you are wanting to capture that really young newborn stage, then this is the time frame for you! It is the most common time newborn babies are photographed. Babies are still sleepy, and curling up like they did in the womb. They are very snuggly and don't have any newborn acne, typically.
3-4 week old Babies:
This stage might offer some baby acne. If this really bothers you, you might put the session off until it clears. (I am very flexible with newborn bookings!). But for a photographer who captures real life, it doesn't phase me. However, how much acne can vary widely and a baby with worse acne, might be a situation to put it off a few more weeks until their acne clears. During this stage of development, babies tend to go through growth spurts and can be crankier and hungrier and needier.
5-7 week old Babies:
I love capturing babies most at either 2 weeks old, or in this 5-7 week window. They are more alert in this window and interacting more, which is great for video and for photos. Mom has had more time to recover from birth and everyone has fallen into their roles as mom and dad. Babies have filled out, they keep their eyes open more and they most likely are smiling by now!
Older Babies:
Don't let any belief out there make you think you have missed a magic window to capture your baby. The beauty of lifestyle photos, is that any time, is a good time to capture your life with your baby!
If you want newborn or even older babies photos, please reach out! I would love to help.
Nashville Newborn Photographer | The Morgan Family
This session was years in the making. Jillian has wanted to hire me forever and after becoming pregnant with #2, was able to convince her husband to have a newborn family video of their early days with a teeny new daughter. The film turned out absolutely amazing and she immediately booked her 2nd film 😂
They have an older daughter, who is completely smitten with her little baby sister. I loved highlighting that new relationship in their film and photos. They will always have precious video to remember the beginning of their daughters' sisterhood. How big sis would read and sing to her baby sister. Years from now when big sis is giving her little sister boy advice, this film is going to be 100x more meaningful. It literally makes me tear up thinking about it.
My 3 favorite things about this family film + photo session...
#1 How mom responded after seeing her film.
This is literally my MOST favorite part of the entire process. I LOVE filming and I LOVE editing but getting to experience mom's (and dad's) responses to seeing it, is just on a whole other level. Here are some quotes from her texts to me:
"I think my heart just stopped"
"I don’t have words… you truly have a gift!"
"I forgot about her baby Afro 🥰"
"I am going to watch it on repeat, truly amazing! Thank you SO much!!!"
"I am so thankful we finally did it!"
"You turned my ordinary into extraordinary!!"
"If I was rich, I would get one every month for the first year of life!"
#2 Dad's authentic chit chat with his new baby girl.
He is incredibly smitten and has this southern accent. His sweet but hilarious personality really shines through.
#3 Absolutely big sister and her love for her baby sister.
How she kisses her, talks to her, sings to her, reads to her and just organically shows her love. It makes me tear up every time I watch their film!
The Morgan Family | December 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
The Howard Family's 3rd Family Film | Nashville Family Photographer Jennie Pyfferoen
For the 3rd year in a row, I traveled down to Tampa Florida to capture The Howard Family. Since year 1, they have added a baby and their older two have changed tremendously.
This family is among my absolute favorite families to film and photograph. They cherish their films deeply and feel it's very important to bring me down each year to film them. This year, we began at the beach at Fort De Soto State Park and then drove back to their home to capture their typical beach day looks like. It was unbelievable.
After they received their film back, they each wrote a testimonial for me. I wanted to share those with you here.
From Dad:
"When my wife told me three years ago she wanted to book a session with Jennie I wasn’t really sure what to expect, it was more than we had ever invested in photos before. The shoot itself was stress free unlike any other session we’ve booked. When I saw our first film Jennie did for us and the gallery of images it was then that I really understood the meaning behind Jennie’s work and value it holds, truly priceless.
It seems like we blinked, and our babies now have their own personalities and dreams, practically becoming young adults. We treasure the time that we can spend together with them, and it's important for us to capture the joy of those moments. For three years now, Jennie has given us wonderful memories to treasure, and we're excited for her to help us capture more memories for many years to come."
From Mom:
"We've been lucky to have Jennie capture our family three times now, and her films are hands down my favorite things ever to invest in. The latest one is super special to me. She caught our gang of five, around the time it had hit me that our third kiddo would be our last baby. That made Jennie's film extra meaningful because it's the last time she'll catch any of my little ones at the one-year-old stage.
These films are like family treasures. They're not just about us right now; they're about us forever. One day, when it's all that's left, these films will mean everything. I feel so lucky to have these memories, and Jennie has this way of turning our everyday chaotic moments into something magical. Jennie’s offerings are SO much deeper than just family photos, I truly wish everyone could have the experience of watching a film back that Jennie shot of their family. Words cannot even describe it. If you want someone to turn your family moments into pure magic, go with Jennie – you won't regret it."
If you would like for me to film and photograph your family, whether it's local to Nashville or traveling to you, I would be thrilled to chat!
The Bean-Howard Family | October 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
5 Tips for Newborn In-Home Photos | Nashville Family Photographer
Your baby is a Newborn for SEVEN WEEKS!!! That's it! Isn't that wild?!
Keep reading for 5 tips to best capture this time in your family's life.
Being a Nashville Family Filmmaker and Photographer, I would love to talk with you about how I can help freeze time for you.
Having a newborn is one of the MOST precious time in Parenthood. This little person you made and now you get to know them so intimately 🥺
Being invited into a family's home to photograph their life with their newborn is the SUCH a huge Honor. I never take it lightly.
I know they will never get this time back.
# 1 Keep your new baby fed and comfortable
There is no pressure to keep your baby in a perfect mood. The session revolves around what baby needs. If your baby is hungry, you are more than welcome to stop and feed them. I will video and or photograph this for you so you can remember what it was like to feed a tiny newborn 🥹
There is no need to alter their natural rhythms during your session. Just relax and spend time admiring your baby and I will make magic happen 😘
#2 Open the curtains or blinds
I use natural light for the majority of my shoots. If it's too rainy causing it to be too dark in your home, we will reschedule for a brighter day.
#3 Pick Mid Morning
I usually suggest to my clients that we begin around 10 am. It's usually the magic time in the morning where baby is not fussy and tired. Baby will usually give us a good hour to work with. If baby does become fussy, I have no problem putting my camera down and letting you get baby settled. (You can get a similar newborn sweater here)
#4 It doesn't have to be spotless
Every home I have come into during the newborn stage has had some level of mess. Or they stuff it all in the bathroom 🤣
I won't judge you. In fact, I will probably tell you how messy my own home is WITHOUT a newborn 🤣
#5 Wear whatever you want.
I mean, maybe change out of your pajamas 🤣
But wear something cozy, as relaxed as you want. Something somewhat similar to regular daily wear. Muted colors and neutrals work beautifully.
Real life with the McGowan Family | Nashville TN Family Photographer + Filmmaker
I spent a few hours capturing The McGowan Family back in August. It was truly special. Capturing their nighttime routine of playing in the street, dinner and prayers, reading and their silly bedtime routine! I have never seen a bedtime routine like this before 😂I loved watching them parent two littles. One, just walking and a sweet toddler boy who loves trains. I loved capturing dad wrangling two dogs and two kids, while one melted down... is it mean if I laughed and photographed it simultaneously? 😂 As a parent of older kids, I find this much more amusing now 😂I adored watching dad skate board down the road in front of their house ... Dads are amusing to capture with their kids... they typically act like gigantic big kids 😂I felt so honored to capture these memories for mom. The memories she knows she will miss one day as they grow older. The toddler was about to get a big boy room, she wanted their family captured right before that big change. 🥺Enjoy their film and some photos from their session! If you are interested in films, reach out to me and we can chat more!
The McGowan Family | August 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Nashville Family Photographer | Full Circle: Maternity, Birth, Newborn Photography + Videography For The Lush Family
Any time a client hires me to photograph their family or create a video of their family, I am BEYOND honored. I know that's cliche, but its also HONEST. But when a family hires me more than once a year (I have several who do!) its just a compounded emotion. I bond with my clients, its the perk of my job. We become friends. We chat parenting and exchange wisdom. Anytime Malary has had a baby, she has hired me for maternity, newborn, baby and family photography. Once I added film, she began to get films too... for newborn/family sessions... But now I offer birth videography and photography, so she added that 😂😂😂 Which was AMAZING.
When I'm with The Lush Family, I feel their bond - these boys are SO closely bonded. I feel their love and passion for raising a close knit family. I feel the power of a mother who is determined to have the best damn life together. I feel her sentimental nature and love for things meaningful.
I think I did a great job of creating films that brought them back to this very moment in time. What it was like during her labor and delivery (film will not be posted) and what it was like to have a newborn baby boy, baby #5. I think the boys will rewatch it and remember what it was like, too. Im starting to get emotional when Im with them, because her oldest is starting to morph into a teenager and I can see it is around the corner. I tell her to hold on to him, he is changing. Little Wyatt is almost gone, and in his place will be a man looking child 😂 Its a sad and beautiful transition.
Let's walk through The Lush Family sessions from this year.
Here is a sneak peek from Malary's Birth:
Newborn Film:
The Lush Family | June 2023 | Short Version from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Photos from their Newborn Family Photography and Film Session:
Franklin, TN Newborn Photographer | Baby Shepherd
Filming and Photographing this family with their FIFTH baby was just such a huge blessing. I have photographed every bump and newborn since the beginning (what an HONOR!). Five boys ranging from newborn to age 12. It felt a tiny bit chaotic, but only because their 2.5 year old has a very strong willed personality. But I can roll with the chaos and willful kiddos. We let him wear his fireman costume and let him just do what he wanted. and eventually he came around for photos ?
But really, being there... the vibe was all about baby Shepherd. Everyone wanted to hold him - even though he was 3 weeks old, they were not sick of it yet! Everyone wanted to show me what to film... even Dad said "He sleeps like this all the time, come capture it!" Because I had gone off to film someone else somewhere else ?
It is so much fun though. I love watching this family be together and play baseball and be the best big brothers I have ever met. They all are SO gentle with him and love him so much. In fact, the black and white photo of the oldest laying next to his baby brother, adoringly touching him might be my favorite.
I pulled up to their home and one of their 5 boys greeted me in the driveway. He could not wait to tell me about his birthday and how they rented a fancy sports car. He was over the moon.
Nothing matters more to me in these sessions than showing families the memories that they might not see. When you're raising 5 boys and are in the thick of motherhood, you may not see the beautiful mundane moments radiating in every scene throughout your day. I want to give families that. Nothing is more important to me than the “mundane”. It’s a practice of being truly grateful for what’s right in front of me and not trying to manufacture a preconceived notion of what society tells us is worthy of documentation.
These are the moments that will feel real and bring you back to this moment, when we look at them decades from now. These are the photographs and videos that your children will cling to, feeling the love and safety they felt as a child.
These are the moments I want to capture forever and for everyone.
I would LOVE to capture your family, let's connect!
The Lush Family | June 2023 | Short Version from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Franklin, Tennessee Newborn Photographer | The Cook Family
This family... is just breathing taking. They are a very good looking bunch, but I'm speaking more about their hearts. Their heart for one another, their heart for how they live and how they parent. I absolutely fell hard for them. I am truly blessed to have such amazing clients. About 5 weeks before this newborn / family session, I filmed and photographed their birth. I will link to it once it is done.
I love documentary family and newborn sessions because they focus on what REALLY happened in this season of their life. I truly believe that telling a story with photos that is real and true, is extremely important. I could easily pose families at sunset and get a zillion clients, but I stay true to what I think is important and focus on the story within each family.
In this season of having two young boys, one nearing the end of toddler stage and a newborn baby... that season is short and chaotic. Remembering these days is hard. We focused on the chaos of having a 3 year old boy and the sweet joy of having a newborn baby boy. And striking a balance between the two dynamics. I love capturing mothers with their sons and dads with their sons - especially dads who are just large kids too! If you want a newborn or family photo session, contact me here. I would LOVE to work with you!
Here are some messages I received after their initial sneak peek and then later, after their gallery opened.
a text between husband and wife...
and after her sneak peek was sent to her... "JENNIE!!! ??? I am legit crying. These are so, so special. The pictures of Z and I hit me especially hard. Man he has been so tough at times, but he’s such an amazing kid. ?❤️"This is the BEST form of payment! If only compliments paid bills ?Okay, here are the photos!
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Bakirtzis Family
Spending an occasional morning filming or photographing families has been one of my greatest honors. I just feel SO at peace capturing them and discovering their story. How they interact, how they show love. What their favorite memories are. All of it makes me immensely happy. I know that I am truly doing what I was called to do. I spent years doing more trendy photography work before I discovered this. There is nothing that a family can do that I am going to judge. I am here to capture your story, whether its a perfectly kept home or a complete mess... whether its organized chaos or sweet daughters who gleefully sit on your laps, I am HERE for it.The Bakirtzis family was such fun to capture. I really hope they hire me for a film in 2023. They just have the sweetest interactions and strong love for one another. (I know I could say that of all my clients, but still... each family is unique and I never tire of it!)Y'all are gonna die over this baby's cuteness ... BTW.Dying to book a session? Contact me here! I would love to chat!
Nashville, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Hygge Family
I was blessed to spend a few hours capturing The Hygge Family. The coolest thing about this family is... they changed their last name to match the lifestyle they wished to lead! Hygge is a word in Danish and Norwegian that describes a mood of coziness and "comfortable conviviality" with feelings of wellness and contentment. We practice this in the winter. I have found that when we disengage from cultural expectations that we can be lead to do things that feel more organic and right for us. Our family becomes cozy and snuggly in the winter. We step back from going to all the things and start to be home more. We rest more, play games, and just enjoy less hustle. It's pure bliss. 10/10 Recommend!
The Hygge's were amazing. They have a cozy home they have remodeled on their own. It is simple and cozy which is my favorite! (How many times can I write the word cozy in one blog!)...
For A family session, contact me here. I would LOVE to work with you!
I really loved witnessing how they love on their infant son everyday... capturing their real moments and raw motherhood. It was an absolute favorite session! They also have 3 dogs that I was able to get a really good photo of! Check it out:
Franklin Tennessee Newborn Photographer | The Carlson Family
Spending the morning with The Carlson Family was just the BEST! I was able to capture their maternity session not long ago and now I get to photograph them with their precious new baby! They are so completely smitten with her, and you can see why! She is such a beauty. She looks a lot like dad (and his red curls are TO DIE FOR!). I love witnessing this transition in life from couple to parenthood, its so beautiful. I know they will have many sunny day strolls and dinners together, loving on their new baby. I am sure her family will lavish in watching her grow into the beautiful child she will become. Im sure they will sing many songs to her and rock her many nights ... these years are so fleeting. They feel long, but they are just a blip!
Nashville Newborn Photographer | The Danila Family Film
The Danila Family is OBSESSED with their new baby girl. We had such a beautiful day in Nashville, TN the day we filmed their family for the 2nd time, because the first time, it was too cloudy and we had to reshoot parts. It happens. I would have rescheduled but timing is of the essence with newborns, so I attempted anyway. But it all worked out for the best. Daddy is from Romania, so his accent and olive colored skin made the shoot unique.
I love this film. It is by far my best newborn family film to date. My favorite parts are mom and dad talking to their baby girl, as well as when she is lying on the bed, making precious noises. I hope they can remember her noises and facial expressions and her sweet cry.
If you are interested in something very different from the standard cookie cutter session, let's chat!
The Danila Family | October 2022 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Nashville, Tennessee Family Photographer | Big brother meets his baby sister for the first time
In the early spring, a friend was awaiting the arrival of her second baby. Her first baby was a boy and now, she was expecting a little girl. Her journey into parenthood was a rough one, needing IVF for both. She always thought that would be the hardest part of her journey. But her baby came early at 34 weeks. In the night, she had to rush to the ER where she had an emergency C-section. Crystal had been planning a birth without any interventions. So this was a very traumatic situation. Baby girl (Noah) was in the hospital for a few short weeks. When she was ready to come home, on a whim, Crystal asked if I could film them coming home and Shepherd meeting his baby sister. As luck would have it, I was available. So we made it happen and it was truly EPIC! I am not sure many brothers respond to meeting their baby sister as amazingly as Shepherd did. He was all decked out in his space suit, ready to meet his baby sister! Check it out!
You may recognize this hilarious boy from his moving portrait.
Contact me here for your own film!
Bringing Home Noah June Hinz from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Nashville Tennessee Family Photographer | Jackson's First Birthday
I was honored to film and photograph a First birthday in June. I have not yet captured a birthday. It was really great getting to do something new! The large family and friend gathering was so simple and sweet. The people were kind and just filled with love and gratitude. My favorite kind of people!!!
They held the birthday at one of the Grandparent's homes which happened to be nestled on a lake in Gallatin, TN. They were tucked away from the main lake and had their own dock. I loved observing the grandparent's making the food and all of the attendees love on Jackson. The weather was hot - June in the south! and the balloons kept popping as a result ?? but Lauren (momma) rolled with it.
Birthday parties are not something I can take on regularly - since Families are my primary client and my main passion. But this was really fun. If you are interested in a family film, please contact me here.
Jackson Patterson 1st Birthday from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
