Franklin, TN Family Photographer | A Fall Evening with The Hogancamp's

I almost titled this "A Summer evening" because it felt more like summer than Fall. But It was Technically September 18th. It was so fun spending time with some of my favorite people. I have known this family now for 6+ years as they are the owners of my FAVORITE place in town, Herban Market. This place has been such a haven for me, being able to get local goodies and many of my favorite supplements, not to mention their authentic TACOS. If Im nothing else, Im a TACO GIRL through and through.

During Covid, Herban gave us some normalcy. They were considered a grocery store, and while there was a period of time where we couldn't eat inside, we were able to buy supplements, groceries, and get food to go. This place will always hold such a special place in my heart. and it would not be what it is, if The Hogancamp's were not who they are.

Having gone to their store since its opening, I have literally watched their children grow up. Being their photographer is not something I take for granted (honestly, I am grateful for every single client).

Our session began relaxed. Unplanned. The kiddos wanted to swing outside and I love those scenes, because I can capture not only the children in their daily routine and joyful element, but also capture how much joy the parents have pushing their kids on the swing.

After that, we chatted while they worked on dinner. I knew the goal was cooking over a fire out back (something we do at home and LOVE!). Im not talking a grill, I mean cooking meat over a real fire. They had also planned to feed me so I was REALLY winning! We captured how they snuggle in bed reading and then headed out back.

Out back, a lot of spontaneous amazing moments occurred. They worked in the garden, something they often do. And The kids jump roped and rode bikes. Since jumping rope was my MAIN skill as a kid (my only first place ribbon, all the others are participation?) I had to show off my skills. I then showed them what a double under was - something I now do in Crossfit.

I get so excited capturing these real life moments. I see many time stamps... Matt working with wood and fire - that will be a strongly held memory for this family. I see Ashlea with her kids in the garden, another impactful routine that is easy to under estimate. I cannot wait for clients to come back to me in 10 years and have bigger realizations of what I as capturing.

If you want a session like this, you can contact me here. 

 

Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | Tucker Family

A few weeks ago, I was honored to spend a morning with The Tuckers. They live on a few acres in Franklin and have 5 beautiful children. They homeschool and garden and tend to their chickens. My favorite sessions usually involve some sort of nature, whether its gardening or chicken tending. (I always have reasons to love my sessions. In reality, I always list something about a session and say "My favorite sessions usually involve.." Because I just adore my clients so much!)

The Tucker Kids range in age from 8 - 16 or so (I do not trust my ability to recall!) and this was their first time having a documentary not-so-posed- session! The weather was truly beautiful and we began the session with some baking in one room while the kids rotated between that and puzzle making. The kids played with their swing, drew, and definitely played with their chickens. OH and they have 4 cats! (clearly they were aiming for one per kid and need another ?

I hope this family loves their photos. I always get excited for clients to see their photos and anxiously await their response! It never gets old or mundane. Doing this work is truly the best.

To book your documentary family session, you can reach me here.

 

Franklin TN Documentary Film and Photos | Real is the new perfect

If I asked you to think of your favorite people and the memories you most treasure with them, would you say it was when you were posed on a quilt in a field for your annual check list family session?

No. you wouldn't.

So why are we investing in just this type of photography? Im not saying no to posed or lifestyle sessions, but I am saying we need to say yes more to real life memories. Meaningful sessions with the purpose behind them to preserve our memories.

Day in the life of the Brown Family

I have been a photographer for almost 10 years. Its been trend after trend after trend. and at some point around year 7-8, I subconsciously became sick of it. I didn't know why. I didn't know what happened exactly, other than my own family had our own documentary shoot.

I had hired a photographer from Australia, who was visiting the area, to film my family. She said the session came with photos, but initially, I didn't care much about those.

But then, I received the images before the film. and the images had me breaking down in tears. This moment changed my heart forever. I entered into a transition of finding my own authentic self as an artist. and never looked back.

A moment in time.

It all makes sense in hindsight. My degree is Psychology. Im excellent at reading people and moments. at Feeling what people are feeling. I just allowed trendy photography to deter me from my true inner self for far too long. I still love capturing families outside in lifestyle sessions, but it doesn't feed my soul like documentary.

Mushroom hunting. A frequent activity in the Brown Family

My theory is, is that inside all of us, particularly mothers.... there is this part of us that wants raw real photographs and videos of our everyday. As mothers, we can see that the boo-boos, the sick days, the stories that are being told to our children, the quick hugs, the long snuggles, and the giggles, are the real moments that make our hearts go pitter patter. I just think we are too afraid of something way off in left field, to fully invest and jump into it.

I hear it all the time .... "Our lives are not that interesting" and Im here to tell you, thats a lie you're telling yourself. Your life is interesting. Because it is your family's story. and that is the most interesting life that there is. Photos and film of your family - that goes above and beyond any staged session that there is.

That way he looked at his son....

I met with a momma the other day, as she is hiring me to capture her life with a 3 year and 1 year old twins. I asked her why she wanted a film. I wish I could have videoed her long answer. I will try to paraphrase what she said. It made my heart soar.

"I look back at photos of my 3 year old as a baby and I already find that I forgot things that I didn't realize I would forget. I have always wanted a big family and I feel so blessed to already have 3 kids. Its absolute chaos, but I love our chaos and I want that story to be told"

Y'all, I nearly cried listening to this mommas heart!

I captured this, thinking to myself, that I want this child to see how his mommas hands held him as a baby.

One final thing. Preserving these memories, isn't just about what momma wants to remember. It is also about documenting the childhood of her children. Capturing life as it happened - so that your children can look back and remember their LIVES and how they LIVED in YOUR family.

So lets get back to the heart of photography. Preserving our real raw memories, so we can look back and truly remember.

If you want your family captured, contact me here! 

Warmly,

Jennie