Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | How Birth Videography Can Help Heal From Birth Trauma
How Birth Videography Can Help Heal From Birth Trauma
Birth is one of the most powerful, life changing experiences a person can go through. But for many, it doesn’t unfold as expected. Birth trauma...whether physical, emotional, or both is more common than most people realize. It can leave new parents feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or even robbed of the joyful moments they hoped for.
I have seen clients who simply had a birth go differently than they envisioned, nothing bad happened, they weren't transferred, it was just... different. Rewatching their film back showed them that the birth was far more peaceful than it felt at the time and it helped them rewrite the narrative that they had begun to tell themselves. Oftentimes, trauma can result more from the story we tell ourselves about the birth than the birth itself. It doesn't mean there wasn't trauma, but when we can rewrite that story or get clarity or reframe the story, it can make all of the difference in how we process our birth.
As a birth videographer, I’ve seen how documenting a birth can become more than just creating a keepsake...it can actually be a tool for healing.
Understanding Birth Trauma
Birth trauma looks different for everyone. For some, it may come from an emergency intervention, a long or difficult labor, or moments where they felt unheard. For others, it’s the emotional weight of plans changing in an instant. No matter the details, birth trauma can leave scars that linger far beyond the birth space.
While professional support from therapists, doulas, and supportive care providers is essential, having your birth documented on film can provide a unique path toward processing and healing.
How Birth Videography Helps in Healing
1. Reclaiming the Story
When a birth feels chaotic or traumatic, the memories can feel jumbled, incomplete, or clouded by stress. A birth film allows parents to revisit their experience with clarity. Seeing what actually happened...moments of strength, support, and resilience can help rewrite the narrative from one of fear to one of empowerment.
2. Noticing the Love You Missed
In the intensity of labor, it’s easy to miss the small but powerful gestures happening around you: a partner’s hand on your back, the way your birth team worked together, or the first cry that filled the room. A film captures those details so you can see them later, often revealing love and support you didn’t realize were there in the moment.
3. Affirming Strength and Courage
Trauma can make someone question their own strength. Watching your own birth story reminds you of the incredible endurance and courage you carried through...even when things didn’t go as planned. This reframing can be profoundly healing.
4. Creating a Bridge for Connection
Sometimes birth trauma makes it difficult to bond with your baby or partner afterward. Seeing your birth on film can help close that gap, highlighting the joy, connection, and beauty that existed even in the harder moments. It creates a tangible reminder that love was present all along.
5. Honoring and Processing the Experience
A birth film doesn’t erase trauma, but it creates space for reflection. Watching it, sometimes alongside a spouse or support person, can help parents process emotions, cry, grieve, and begin to heal with a fuller perspective.
Why Birth Films Are More Than Just Keepsakes
Birth videography isn’t just about capturing a baby’s first breath...it’s about honoring your journey. For families who experienced trauma, a film can be a mirror that reflects back strength, love, and resilience. It can remind you that even though things didn’t unfold perfectly, your story still matters and is worth remembering with tenderness.
If you’ve experienced birth trauma, you are not alone. And while healing is a process, having your story documented can be a powerful part of reclaiming it.
I love filming births and would love to chat about your birth!
Nashville Family Films | Why Family Films Are the Next Big Thing in Family Memories
Why Family Films Are the Next Big Thing in Family Memories
When you think about preserving your family’s story, what comes to mind? Most people think of photos...and for good reason. Photographs have long been the traditional way of freezing a moment in time. But there’s a new trend that’s quickly becoming the most meaningful way to hold on to your family’s legacy: family films.
Family films go beyond still frames. They capture the movement, the laughter, the voices, and the little details you never want to forget. Whether it’s your child’s belly laugh, the way your partner looks at your kids, or even the chaos of everyday life. Films hold onto it all in a way that photos alone can’t. They bring you back to this moment, right here.
Why Family Films Are Growing in Popularity
1. They Capture More Than Just a Snapshot
Photographs are beautiful, but they only show one second of time. Family films tell the whole story. They showcase not just how your family looked, but how you interacted, the way you sounded, and the energy of your unique dynamic.
2. Everyday Moments Become Treasures
We often assume we’ll only want to document the “big” events, such as holidays, birthdays, milestones. But years down the road, it’s the everyday moments you’ll crave most: bedtime routines, pancake breakfasts, kids playing in the backyard. Family films turn ordinary days into extraordinary keepsakes.
3. They Preserve Voices and Movements
Imagine being able to hear your toddler’s giggles years from now or watch the way your child skipped through the living room at age four. Voices and mannerisms fade from memory over time...but with a family film, you’ll always be able to RELIVE them.
4. A Legacy to Pass Down
Family films become heirlooms. They are something your children and even your grandchildren can watch one day. Just like families used to gather around old photo albums, future generations can gather around and watch your family’s story unfold in motion.
5. They Feel More Authentic
Unlike traditional posed photos, family films often take a documentary style approach. That means less stress about perfect outfits or Pinterest worthy homes, and more focus on the real, authentic moments that make your family who you are.
Why Now Is the Time to Invest in a Family Film
With technology advancing and more families looking for deeper, more meaningful ways to document their lives, family films are becoming more accessible than ever. A professional family filmmaker can create a custom piece that feels like a cinematic love letter to your life right now.
Think of it this way: photos freeze a moment, but films let you relive it.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Family Memories
Family films aren’t just a trend. They’re the future of memory keeping. They allow you to preserve your family’s story in a way that’s immersive, heartfelt, and lasting. Years from now, you’ll be grateful you invested in more than just images—you invested in movement, sound, and emotion.
If you’re ready to create a keepsake that goes beyond traditional photography, consider booking a family film and photo session. Because the truth is, time is moving faster than we realize and the little things you love about today will become tomorrow’s treasures.
I cannot wait to hear from you about your future family film! I promise you, your future self will be SO glad you did!
5 Heartfelt Reasons to Choose Day in the Life Family Photography | Nashville Family Photographer
5 Heartfelt Reasons to Choose Day in the Life Family Photography
Life isn’t staged—it’s beautifully real. When I photograph families, I’m not just capturing smiles—I’m capturing stories: the everyday touches, the unscripted laughter, the gentle chaos. Documentary-style family sessions are about honoring your life as it’s truly lived. Here are five meaningful reasons why they’re so cherished:
Kids can just be themselves
No forced poses, no “say cheese.” Spills, snuggles, wild hair.
Those are the moments that bring your future self the most joy.
Your family’s rhythm leads the way
Forget rigid schedules or orchestrated shots. I quietly observe and capture the rhythm of your day, not the staged curated moments.
Your space is part of your story
That well-worn couch, the favorite window seat, the little art on the fridge ... these details root your photos in your world.
These photos deepen as years go by
Ten years from now, these images won’t just show how things looked...they’ll feel like stepping through time into the warmth of now.
You’ll cherish the true, unvarnished moments
Instead of fussing with outfits or backdrops, you get to spend the time being with your people. One day, you'll be so grateful you gave yourself that gift.
Why This Matters
Authentic family photography isn't about perfection...it’s about presence. It preserves your ordinary moments so they feel extraordinary through your future eyes. So here’s to freezing those untamed, unscripted memories before they're gone.
If you’ve been thinking of capturing your family’s unique heartbeat...wherever that may be. Let’s make something real together. I’d be honored to help you remember your life, just as it is.
5 Common Myths About Birth Videography (And Why They’re Not True) | Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer
5 Common Myths About Birth Videography (And Why They’re Not True)
Birth is one of the most powerful and emotional experiences a family can go through and it deserves to be remembered. Yet, many parents hesitate when it comes to hiring a birth videographer/photographer because of misconceptions that have been circulating for years.
If you’ve been considering birth videography/photography in Nashville, TN, or beyond, you may have heard some of these common myths. Let’s break them down and uncover the truth about why birth films are one of the most meaningful ways to preserve your story.
Myth #1: Birth videography is too invasive
The truth: A professional birth videographer knows how to blend into the background. My role is not to be in your face with a camera...it’s to quietly capture the story as it unfolds. Most clients tell me they hardly notice I’m there, and when they watch their film back, they’re amazed at how many beautiful moments they didn’t even realize were happening.
Myth #2: The video will be graphic
The truth: Birth films don’t have to focus on the medical side of birth. Instead, they highlight the emotions—the look on your partner’s face when they first meet your baby, the way you breathe through contractions, the moment your baby is placed on your chest. I prefer to focus on the relationships and connection with your birth team and spouse that helps you ride the waves of labor and bring your baby safely earthside.
Myth #3: My birth space will feel crowded
The truth: Most hospitals, birth centers, and even home birth teams are familiar with videographers and photographers and welcome us into the space. I work closely with your birth team to ensure I am never in the way. My job is to respect the sacredness of the environment while documenting it with care.
Myth #4: It’s only for “perfect” births
The truth: Every birth story is unique and beautiful—whether it unfolds exactly as planned or takes unexpected turns. Birth videography and photography isn’t about perfection; it’s about truth. Even in the hardest moments, there is beauty, strength, and deep love worth remembering. Many families find that their birth film helps them process and appreciate their experience even more fully.
Myth #5: I’ll never actually watch the video
The truth: Almost every family who books birth videography tells me later it’s one of the best investments they made. You’ll revisit your film on birthdays, anniversaries, or simply on a day when you want to remember how strong you are. Your child will also get to see the story of how they entered the world—what an incredible gift to pass down.
Final Thoughts
Birth videography isn’t about making a “movie” of your birth—it’s about preserving the emotions, the connections, and the once-in-a-lifetime story of how your baby came into the world. If you’re in Nashville, TN, and considering a birth videographer, I’d love to help capture your story in the most meaningful, respectful way possible. Contact me here.
Documentary vs Traditional Photography: Capturing Real Emotion in Family Sessions | Nashville Family Photographer
Documentary vs Traditional Photography: Capturing Real Emotion in Family Sessions
When it comes to choosing a photographer, families often find themselves deciding between documentary photographyand traditional photography. While both approaches are beautiful in their own way, they tell very different stories. One is focused on posed portraits and polished smiles, while the other embraces the raw, unfiltered beauty of everyday life.
As a Nashville family photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful it can be when families choose documentary day in the life sessions. Let’s explore the differences and the emotional impact that each style offers.
What is Traditional Photography?
Traditional photography is what most people think of when they imagine a family session. Think of carefully chosen outfits, everyone posed just right, and a perfect backdrop. These sessions are timeless for a reason: they create polished, frame-worthy portraits that look beautiful hanging on the wall.
There’s comfort in the structure of traditional sessions. You’ll have guidance on where to stand, how to smile, and what to wear. For families who want that classic “holiday card” look, traditional photography is a perfect choice.
What is Documentary Photography?
Documentary photography takes a different approach. Instead of directing your family into poses, I step back and capture life as it unfolds naturally. There are no forced smiles or stiff poses, just genuine interactions, belly laughs, messy kitchens, bedtime stories, and all the little moments that make up your real life.
In a documentary family session, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s truth. The focus is on emotion and connection, not perfection. Years from now, these images remind you not just of what your family looked like, but of what life felt like.
The Emotional Difference
Here’s where the two styles truly diverge:
Traditional Photography gives you curated portraits that represent how you want your family to be seen. They’re beautiful, but sometimes they can feel a little distant from the chaos and love of everyday life.
Documentary Photography, on the other hand, gives you an emotional time capsule. When you look back at these images, you remember how your child’s hair curled at the nape of their neck, the way they hugged you with sticky fingers, or how it felt to collapse into laughter together on the living room floor.
One style is about appearance; the other is about experience.
Why Families Are Choosing Documentary Photography in Nashville
More and more families are drawn to documentary photography in Nashville because it feels real. Life isn’t always tidy and staged, and parents are realizing that those “imperfect” moments are actually the ones they want to hold onto forever.
Documentary sessions allow kids to be themselves...wild, goofy, tender, messy. Parents can relax without the pressure of making everyone look perfect, and the result is a gallery of images that feel heartfelt, authentic, and deeply personal.
So, Which One is Right for You?
At the end of the day, the choice comes down to what you want your photos to reflect:
If you want classic portraits, traditional photography is wonderful.
If you want to preserve your family’s story, emotions, and everyday beauty, documentary photography might be the perfect fit.
Both styles have their place, but only documentary photography lets you revisit not just how life looked, but how it truly felt.
If you want to book your in-home day in the life session, just contact me here!
Nashville Family Photographer | Fall Family Photos - let's capture YOUR real FALL
As a Nashville family photographer who specializes in in-home documentary photography, I’ve noticed that many families are already booking their fall family sessions. The autumn season is beautiful in Tennessee—golden light, cozy sweaters, and colorful leaves make for gorgeous sun dripped family photos.
But here’s the thing: traditional fall family photos often focus on what we looked like. They highlight the location, the outfits, the posing, the light. And while these are beautiful, they sometimes miss the deeper story.
The Problem With Posed Fall Family Sessions
When you look back at those traditional portraits, what do you see?
The way your family dressed that year.
The way the leaves turned in the background.
Maybe the way your kids smiled (or didn’t).
But what those images often don’t capture is what your life really felt like in this season.
They don’t show the home you’ve lived in for years—the coffee table that’s been part of your family story, the worn-in couch where your children pile on top of you, or the markings on the wall that measure their growth.
They don’t reflect your family’s unique rhythms—the bedtime snuggles, pancake breakfasts, backyard adventures, and little routines that shape your days.
Why In-Home Documentary Photography Is Different
This is where documentary family photography in Nashville comes in. Instead of asking your family to pose in a picture-perfect setting, I come into your home and quietly capture your real life as it unfolds.
No forced smiles. No matching outfits. No pressure to tidy every corner of your house.
Because the truth is, your children won’t remember what outfits you wore in a field of leaves. But they will remember the feel of your arms wrapping around them on the couch. They’ll remember the kitchen where you baked cookies together, the games played on the living room floor, the laughter that filled your home.
Photos That Tell Your Real Story
Your family’s story is worth remembering—not just the polished, social-media-worthy version, but the beautifully ordinary one, too. By choosing an in-home family session in Nashville, you’re saying:
Our everyday life matters.
Our home, no matter how imperfect, is part of our story.
Our children deserve to see that we were present, together, and worthy of being photographed just as we were.
Let’s Shift the Culture Around Family Photos
This fall, instead of only booking a session in a park or a pumpkin patch, consider what it would mean to invest in documentary family photography. Let’s change the way we think about family photos.
Because at the end of the day, family photography isn’t about showing the world what we looked like—it’s about reminding ourselves what it felt like to live this life, right here, right now.
If you’re ready to book your Nashville in-home family photography session, I’d love to capture the honest, unposed story of your family this fall.
Why Hiring a Birth Videographer + Photographer in Nashville is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
When you picture the moment you meet your baby for the very first time, you probably imagine the joy, the tears, and the rush of love. But birth also moves quickly, and those memories can blur together in the haze of labor and postpartum recovery. That’s where birth photography and videography come in.
For families in Nashville, TN, hiring a birth photographer or videographer is one of the most meaningful ways to honor your story. These images and films don’t just document a day — they preserve the beginning of everything.
Why Birth Photography Matters
Birth photography isn’t about staged smiles or posed perfection. It’s about truth, strength, and connection. Here’s why so many Nashville families choose to have their births documented:
✨You see your own strength. In the middle of labor, it’s hard to step back and realize just how powerful you are. Later, your photos and film will show you exactly that.
✨Husbands are remembered, too. From the gentle touch of a hand to the tears of joy when baby arrives, birth photography highlights your husband’s love and support.
✨The little details don’t fade. Tiny toes, the first cries, the exact moment your baby is placed on your chest — those are memories worth reliving forever.
Why Nashville Families Choose Birth Videography + Photography
Nashville is a city full of storytellers, and birth is your family’s most important story. Whether you’re delivering at a Nashville birth center or at home with your midwife, having a professional there ensures those moments are captured beautifully and respectfully.
Unlike phone photos that often get forgotten, professional images and films allow you to revisit your baby’s birth story with clarity, emotion, and artistry.
The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
Birth is the day your family changes forever. By choosing birth photography and videography, you give yourself the gift of remembering every detail with clarity and love. Years from now, your child will be able to see the story of their very first day in the world — and the overwhelming love that surrounded them.
If you’re expecting in Nashville, TN and want your birth story preserved, I’d be honored to document it for you.
✨ Let’s connect — reach out today to learn more about Nashville birth photography and videography.
Nashville, TN Family Photographer + Filmmaker | Why Documentary Photography Captures the Truth Your iPhone Can’t
We’ve all done it—reached for our phones to snap a photo of something sweet, silly, or ordinary. A toddler covered in spaghetti sauce. Siblings collapsed in a heap of giggles. A quiet moment between parent and child. These little snapshots matter. But if you’ve ever looked back through your phone and thought, “This doesn’t quite capture how it felt,” you’re not alone.
As a documentary family photographer and Day in the Life videographer in Nashville, TN, I’ve spent years preserving family stories exactly as they unfold—without posing, prompts, or Pinterest-perfect setups. And here’s the truth:
Your iPhone may get the picture, but it misses the story.
Your Phone Freezes a Moment. I Capture the Meaning Behind It.
The beauty of real life is in the layers. A still image from your phone might show a hug, but it can’t show the tension that softened, the emotion that lingered, or the chaos just out of frame. My job is to see those things.
Through years of experience, I’ve trained my eyes—and my heart—to find truth in the ordinary. I anticipate moments before they happen. I know how to frame a scene so it’s not just beautiful but emotionally honest. I don’t just capture what’s happening; I capture why it matters.
Real Life Doesn’t Pause—and That’s Where the Magic Is
With Day in the Life videography, the power multiplies. You hear your child’s voice. The way they mispronounce “spaghetti.” The sound of their feet on hardwood floors. The laughter, the music, the chaos of dinner time—none of it is staged, and all of it is priceless.
That’s something no filter or phone can recreate.
It’s Not About Perfect. It’s About Present.
You don’t have to dress up. You don’t have to clean your house. You just have to live your life, and trust that it’s already enough. That’s where I come in—quietly observing, gently guiding if needed, and documenting your family as you are.
Because 10 or 20 years from now, you won’t care that the laundry was on the couch.
You’ll care that your daughter still reached for your hand when she got tired.
That your son called you “Mama” in that sweet baby voice.
That your partner kissed you while making coffee.
Nashville Families, This Is Your Story
I work with families across Nashville and the surrounding areas who want more than just a highlight reel. They want the full story. The love, the mess, the routine, the joy—the truth.
And I’m here to capture it for you.
Interested in a session?
Let’s talk about what a documentary photo or video session could look like for your family.
Contact me here.
Nashville Family Photographer + Videographer | The Wilkins Family say goodbye to their Tennessee Home
Erin and her family moved to Tennessee during Covid from California. They bought some acreage in West TN and started homesteading. For several years, they truly enjoyed their time in TN and their life as homesteaders. But they began to miss their community. So they decided to sell off their animals but not the home and buy a home in California to see how they like being back there. They hired me to capture their last weeks in their home here in TN on their little homestead. I loved telling that story, of their land, their bond there with the animals and the home and most importantly, with one another. I aimed to showcase the homestead life but also the joy and laughter and connection they shared in that home. They love one another hard and in between the milking of the cow and feeding of the chickens, they share a solid bond with between all of them!If you want your story told, whether it's homesteading or you live in a simple home, please reach out to me. I would LOVE to chat!
Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | The Birth of Indi Kate
Man, I knew filming my close friend's birth would be a super big challenge but it was even bigger than I anticipated. I thought maybe I would struggle with camera shakiness and crying when she had her baby, but it was more that I was dissociating and came home and needed to talk with doula friends to feel connected to my body again. Birth is WILD and SO deeply emotional. Even the least emotional person is likely to be highly affected. Many times, Im depressed coming off of the birth high. It's such a high high that you just naturally hit a low. and then level out. But I love every second.This was Sarah's first birth and baby. We filmed their sweet announcement of expecting a baby last year. Sarah did CrossFit her whole pregnancy and as a student midwife, did as many things as possible to prepare for birth. Going into this birth, she had a lot of muscle. We will find out that that muscle was indeed super needed for this particular birth.Her maternity session was so fun, capturing how they lived during their first time expecting a baby. How they loved listening to baby's heartbeat with a stethoscope and just enjoyed the days of Sarah having a sweet bump. Okay, let's get to the birth part already...On the day she turned 40 weeks, she got a PR on her Deadlift and then the next morning her water broke 🤣 So, maybe there's a lesson in there somewhere.🤣 She let us all know her water broke because we had Saturday plans and we weren't sure how close she was to delivering. During the day she and I and her bff went on a walk to help labor move along and ate popsicles.I stayed home and nearby and was called to go over to her house (she lives 5 mins walking distance from me). She was indeed in labor but the midwives said probably around 5 cm. I got some footage between 7-10 PM and went home to sleep. I came back the next morning around 5 am and it was really picking up and she was at 8 cm. Perfect timing. I got footage of early labor and got to sleep all night! What a dream! Sarah was hoping she would have as sunrise baby 🤣 That's high hopes for a first time mom!By 8-9 am it was very apparent that this last cm and that pushing was not going to be easy at all. She had this one last cm that just kept HANGING ON. Once baby arrived, we learned why. She also felt SO frustrated because she was honest to God pushing SO hard when it came time and it was like pushing against a brick wall.She at one point, called us all delusional for thinking she could do this at home 🤣 But the two midwives, the doula and the rest of us were all VERY confident that baby was progressing, just slowly. She was so frustrated. One of her midwives, Shannon, tells her - as you can see in the video - if you aren't making progress in the next bit, I will take you in. This was a reverse psychology threat 🤣 as she knew Sarah would get more determined than ever. Around 11:15, baby was finally born MILITARY OP position, which is the hardest position to get out. Everything then made SO much sense. This position keeps baby from fully engaging which keeps that last cm from fully opening and makes it feel SO hard to get baby out. But SARAH did it and honestly, her muscles from all the lifting made a huge difference. If she had been in a hospital she likely would have been c-sectioned.
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.
Nashville Family Photographer | Stop Waiting for Perfect: Why “Now” Is the Right Time to Document Your Life
I hear it all. the. time.
“We’ll get a film when our family is complete.”
“I’ve wanted to hire you for a few years now, but I wish I could lose weight first.”
“We’ll plan a documentary session once the kitchen’s remodeled.”
“Maybe after we move into the new house…”
There’s always a next thing—a milestone we feel we need to reach before our lives are somehow “worthy” of being documented. Before we feel ready. And I get it. Really, I do. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of waiting for the “right time,” the version of life that looks cleaner, leaner, more polished.
But here’s the thing: once you get to that next thing? There's going to be another next thing.
You’ll finally move into that new house... and then you’ll want to wait until it’s fully decorated. You’ll lose ten pounds... and then decide you’d rather wait until you feel even better. You’ll finish the renovation... and realize the backyard still needs work.
Life doesn’t come with a finish line where everything is finally camera-ready. And if we keep waiting for perfect, we miss out on the beautiful, messy, real moments happening right now.
The mismatched furniture. The fingerprints on the fridge. The belly laughs and bedtime chaos. The way your child climbs onto your lap like it’s still the safest place in the world. These are the things you’ll want to remember—not just what your house looked like or what size jeans you wore.
I do this too. I catch myself thinking, “Maybe later,” all the time. But here’s what I’ve learned—and what I remind my clients:
Just book the damn thing.
Schedule the session. Make the film. Hire the photographer. Take the photos.
Because there’s never a perfect time. But there is this time. Right here. Right now. And it’s more than enough.
Ready to stop waiting and start preserving your real-life moments?
Let’s make it happen. Book your session now. Future-you will be so glad you did.
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!
Nashville Newborn Photographer | Studio posed vs in-home lifestyle newborn photography
It's 2025 and a lot has changed in 10 years. I spent many years perfecting newborn posing and having a studio. I loved every second of it. But as life goes on and people change, I too changed. I changed my purpose behind my work and I changed how I felt about what I was doing. Does that mean I regretted it? Not at all. People shift. That's life. But since I have the unique position of having done posed newborn photography for over 6 years and now having done in-home lifestyle / documentary newborn photography for the past 8 years, I thought I would write about the differences, in case a mom out there is wondering, which one is right for her.
The poses.
Let's start with the difference in poses when comparing an in-home newborn session to a posed squishy newborn studio session. In the posed situation, baby is molded into various adorable poses that place them into a perfect position. the lips are brought out, the angles are perfect, the baby is folded to create a piece of art. It's absolutely precious. But what are the downsides?
Well, for one... did that baby ever naturally pose themselves that way? Not usually. So it kind of tells a false narrative. Vs... when you do an in-home newborn session just a week or two postpartum (or longer if doing a newborn video), the baby is never intentionally posed. Everything is organic and natural and the positions he or she puts themself in, tells the story of how that baby may have positioned itself in the womb. The story is what I am after in my work - the story was what I was missing in my old style of photography. The story is what we will miss.
The photos.
In the studio, the photos are very similar to the 90s olan mills days. (the thing we don't want to admit!) Everyone is posed the same as every other family and it's a factory assembly line. Your family is family #4 for the week, and will be put through all the same poses as the family before that and before that. It is very cookie cutter. Whereas, when I go into the home of a family, everything about them is unique, and I hone in on that. The furniture, the state their home is in (moving boxes tell the story of how you just moved into your new home just before baby was born), its all a time stamp of what life was like the year you had your baby. We miss these elements of story telling in some of our modern photography ways... in the 80s and 90s, we had albums from photos that we got off of a polaroid or a disposable camera. There were items randomly placed on a coffee table, the sofa was the mess that it was - and ALL of it told the story of that year and that time in your life. The beauty of the items laying around or the imperfections is the depth of the story told.
The pacing of the session
This might be the best part. With a studio session, there is stress about getting out of the house with a newborn and trying to remember all the things you'll need. You get to the studio and the photographer definitely has a lot of patience (I hope) and you can relax and watch your newborn be posed and photographed. But she might have someone else coming in and will move through the poses as quickly as she can for you and her - to let you get home and resting again. When I come to your home, it's just us hanging out. Baby's fussy? we just sit and chat and let you nurse. Need a snack? No problem, I set my camera down (or maybe I don't) and we just chat and eat. There is ZERO pressure. Not ready when I arrive? Cool, I will just chat with the hubby or pet the dog... You get my drift. I want nothing more for you than for this to be the easiest possible session ever. You don't even have to have a clean house, I wont flinch if it's a mess of stuff. If I need something moved, we just move it. All I care about is that you are able to enjoy your day being photographed as a family with a new baby. and that I leave and you feel like that experience was so easy and fun. I usually spend between 1-2 hours, depending on the family's pace at a session. You're my only session that day and I want to come with an open heart ready to give your session 150%.
In-home newborn photography is more candid, real life, capturing things like the nursery and your home, letting you just do what you have been doing - loving on your new baby - and Im just there to hang out while you do it. And if you happen to add on a film, I will even get to capture all of those amazing baby noises and coos - and how baby responds and lights up when you talk to them. If this is something you are interested in, contact me here!
Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | 5 Things No one Tells you about birth
You have dreamed of someday, having a baby, of seeing that line show up on the test, of who you might be married to when it happens. and finally, that dream has come true.
Being pregnant is so humbling. From morning sickness to growing larger and larger - it is just so hard and so humbling. It comes with an array of emotions as you process your body changing and also, that you'll have an incredible little life to be in charge of soon. It's a lot of change! You will get so many different view points that you will be annoyed by week 20. But what aren't people telling you that you might even want to hear?
1. Your emotions will be wild after birth.
After having your baby, you'll have this high of emotions. The surge of these hormones will help you to fall in love with your baby and to have the energy to be what baby needs. But those emotions will come down at some point and when they do, you'll feel sad. You might suddenly cry when your baby has their first big blow out or outgrows a newborn outfit - all of these emotions are normal. They are part hormonal and part because you are processing everything that has happened. My recommendation is to find a way to let the emotions flow. Journaling or just sitting in them, helps them to be processed in a healthier way so that you can feel more stable.
2. Birth isn't as awful as we may have heard.
Labor isn't as painful and terrible as you might have heard. It can be hard for some, definitely. But if you can take a good quality course like Bradley Method and learn how to labor well, it can help a lot. Pain can be lessened by taking lots of magnesium during pregnancy and having loose fascia. The key is to be relaxed in your body and to surrender your mind and body to the process. And of course, I highly recommend hiring a doula. A doula can make the pain significantly less! And if your plan is to have an epidural, well I would have a plan B because I had to have 3 epidurals and none of them worked and I had no way to manage the pain. I was also induced and so that was absolutely awful. My 2nd pregnancy I had no epidural and knew how to handle labor and had a doula and it was a MUCH better experience.
3. You will still looks pregnant... even after your baby has been born.
It takes a while for everything to shrink down. You just grew a whole human and your body will take a few weeks or longer to reduce your uterus and tissues back to their new size. Pack something cozy in your hospital bag or have something ready for after your home birth and just know that's part of the process.
4. Nursing struggles are normal.
I don't actually think this next one is a surprise these day, but nursing doesn't always come naturally. It can feel awkward as you step into this new life of becoming a mother and if so, just know it's okay. I think having grace on yourself is going to go so far in these first weeks as a new mother. Between oral ties and weird nipples, nursing struggles are normal. I do think it is so worth the work of pushing forward because the reward of being able to nurse is so great - from feeling confident as a nurturer to the extreme benefits breast milk has for baby - and the anti breast cancer effects of nursing - I believe that women can achieve it if they are willing to ask for help - and maybe even if they need help more than once. Get CFT on baby and mom, which can help nursing significantly and hire the best lactation consultant if needed. Let other women come help you step into this role and remember, you weren't meant to do this alone.
5. Things very likely may not go according to plan
I think it is extremely important to hold your birth plans loosely. If you are overly tied to the plans and stuck in a state of control of the outcome, it will hinder not only your ability to give birth but also the first few hours you spend with your baby, because you will be in a state of shock over how it all played out. Many of us know that hospital births are a much more challenging place to follow "birth plans" and that is why I personally, would never have a hospital birth without a doula to advocate for me while I can be in my own body and mind working hard on birth and labor. But regardless of where you choose to birth, sometimes things like inductions and assistance are warranted. My own births were emergency C-sections (I now know I have an extremely curved tail bone, they can't even find the end of it and think that played a huge role). Having had tried for a v-bac with the 2nd baby, I can honestly say in hindsight, I would prioritize my emotions after birth over the way the birth played out because I was so upset with myself for having failed my birth plan and wish I could have been more emotionally stable and in the moment those first weeks of my son's life. So, to sum up, have plans ... but have advocates between you and the medical staff, so that you can trust the plans if they change a little better and be in a good headspace for your postpartum period.
6. Pushing isn't necessary
One thing I have learned in the many many births I have attended, is that pushing forcefully isn't actually that normal and necessary. For one, if it is unwarranted, it can ruin your pelvic floor. For two, you have a fetal ejection reflex, which is defined as "a natural, involuntary process where the body expels the baby during the second stage of labor without the need of forced pushing" .... it's pretty cool. Anyway, a good midwife will coach you to relax your pelvic floor vs pushing against tension, which will translate to a healthier pelvic floor and less chance of tearing. It's more of a breathing down into your pelvic floor and less of a forced push. It's a surrender rather than a workout.
I hope you enjoyed this blog about birth! If you want your own birth filmed, please reach out to me and let's chat!
Nashville, TN Birth Videographer + Photographer | Why you need to prioritize rest and healing postpartum
Society. Our society is so wild. They have put this expectation on mothers that after we deliver a whole human we grew from nothing, that we are able to bounce right back, look amazing, and juggle all things motherhood within a few short weeks of giving birth. And as much as society is to blame, being stubborn as women, we are to blame too.
I want to talk about the things that need to happen postpartum and why it is so incredibly important to do whatever you can to heal and rest WELL during this period.
First of all, you are healing a dinner plate sized wound in your uterus. You need REST to heal that well. You are also VERY depleted from sharing all your nutrients with a baby for 9 months AND now you are sharing even MORE nutrients with that baby via nursing. Being friends with many midwives and doulas, I can tell you that postpartum you will need 4k cals a day of food to heal and recover and renourish your body. This information is from a doula who got specific training in postpartum nutrition. The lack of these 4k cals is why women's hair falls out, why postpartum depression and even psychosis exists as well as postpartum anxiety. It's why women feel completely exhausted. We have somehow managed to normalize waking up, drinking coffee first thing, eating nothing until noon and then barely surviving the day and wondering why we feel the way we do.
Whether you hire someone to help postpartum, or your husband and you have a plan that involves food prep, etc - PRIORITIZE getting nutrients in. It has even been said that mom doesn't even need to be drinking plain water, because ideally, she is drinking raw milk and bone broth - liquid calories - during the day, rather than water.
Your ONLY job postpartum is to rest and snuggle your newborn for AT LEAST one week. (per midwives' recommendation). When mommas are out of bed too soon and moving around too much, they run the risk of hemorrhaging from that dinner sized wound I mentioned earlier. The general rule of thumb in a home-birth setting is 5-5-5. Five days IN the bed, five days ON the bed, and five days NEAR the bed. To rest, to eat well, to learn about your baby. Have help mama, ASK for HELP. Find someone in your family or friends to come help. If possible, have a mother or mother in law come stay for a few weeks, and if that doesn't work, find friends to rotate through. Teach your husband about postpartum and set up plans for postpartum healing. Have a cleaning person, etc. Whatever helps you feel calm and rested. Because, you do not need to be stressed postpartum either - as your nervous system regulates the baby's.
These first few weeks with your baby go by SO incredibly fast. SOAK THEM IN. Don't try to do it all and miss this time. The laundry will aways be there waiting for you, but a 1 week old won't be, because he will turn 2 weeks shortly. So stare at your baby, be calm entering motherhood and set the stage for those first few years of mothering that baby. Start off in peace and love and being loved on.
We weren't meant to do this alone, ever. We weren't meant to be SO damn independent that it comes at a cost to our central nervous system. We were meant to be cared for and loved on during our pregnancy and postpartum periods.
I should also mention how much how we handle this time period can affect the future. If we aren't nourished well postpartum, this will greatly affect us when we get to be in our 40s. What happens is, women enter perimenopause very early and have a much harder menopause transition.
How we feel, in our nervous system, those first few weeks makes a HUGE difference in baby. If our fascia is tight because we are stressed, baby's fascia is also tight. Which then affects baby's ability to latch and nurse. I highly recommend having a provider come to the home if possible to give you and baby some CFT (cranial sacral fascial therapy) (which is not the same as CST). It is called the Gillespie method and it loosens fascia for baby and mom (because baby mimics mom) and can dramatically help the body be calm and relaxed. I hope midwives get trained in it so they can provide this service to their mamas.
You can enter motherhood in peace and love and become the mother you want to be. But it actually comes from doing LESS those first weeks and not from doing MORE. Put down the stubbornness and surrender to motherhood, the most amazing ride you will get to go on. You are amazing for prioritizing your health which then prioritizes your children's health.
Warmly,
Jennie
Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | 7 Questions to ask your birth photographer
What does on call time look like?
I go on call at 37 weeks and stay on call until 42 weeks or until baby arrives. Every time I leave the house, I have my birth bag and camera with me, in case I get called. I am ready to go 24/7 and will discuss in detail with you when to let me know you are in labor.
What if you are not able to attend my birth?
I most likely will not miss your birth because Im at another birth, because I do not take births that overlap much. I spread out my clients by at least a few weeks. Because it is that important to me to be at your birth, as I realize that I am one of very few birth videographers in the Nashville area. The only way I would be unable to attend is in the case of severe sickness or a life altering event. If that did happen, I would credit you for the amount paid to be applied for future family sessions.
What happens if baby arrives before you get to the birth?
Sometimes, babies come faster than expected! Birth is wild and unpredictable sometimes. In most cases, I trust my intuition and head out sooner rather than later... even if that means I am there a bit longer than necessary. In the event that your baby arrives faster than expected and I do miss the actual delivery, I’ll be on my way just as quickly as I can to document the amazing first few hours of you with your new baby.
Do you have back up gear?
I do! I have backup microphones and a back up camera. I have multiple batteries, charged and ready to go.
Can I see a full gallery?
If a client has given me permission, I am happy to share a full gallery with you. There are also many images on my instagram and website!
Will you share my images?
I am SO grateful to the mamas who do let me share their photos and or film. Because it provides potential clients the opportunity to see my work. However, birth is incredibly sacred. Even if before your birth you have given me written permission to share anything, I text you images first and ASK permission. Every single time a birth photo or video is shared, I ask... because they are YOUR memories. Also, my clients see sneak peeks and their film before anyone else does. This is incredible important to me, as memories are sacred.
Are you a doula?
I am not! and Thankfully so. I do not believe that a GOOD videographer has the capacity to capture your story fully AND be there for you like a doula should be. I have had two births and have attended many births. I had to learn all about labor and delivery in college, during my degree in developmental psychology. I myself, took the Bradley Method Birth course during my 2nd pregnancy. I feel extremely informed about birth and come highly recommended by many doulas and midwives in the area.
Nashville Family Filmmaker + Photographer | The Gerhart Family
I filmed the birth of their second son back in 2023. I also captured a maternity session before that... Through those experiences with this family, I genuinely fell in love with them. The intentions behind how they live and the life they have created for their family and future generations is awe inspiring. I was overjoyed when they asked me for a family photo session in 2024. Joy had really desired a family film but her husband just couldn't get on board. As the time for their photo session approached, they talked about it more and something really shifted in her husband's mind and they bumped their session up to do a film and photos session. Now that they have seen their film, they are completely obsessed with it. Im so incredibly glad they did a film, because photos would not capture their life of loving and farming and soccer nearly as well. The sounds of their giggles, the audio of "GOALLLLL" when they play soccer with dad. The visual of the leaves falling, the sound of their mama's voice reading to them and their little replies to her... it's all so incredibly valuable. Films increase in value year after year, they are the greatest investment a family can make. If you want to explore having a family film, please reach out to me here and let's chat!
Nashville, Tennessee Birth Videographer + Photographer | The Tubina Wild Milky Birth Tub vs Earthside Birth Pool
Having attended home births for going on 4 years now, I have seen many tubs in action and have many observations about them! I prefer clients to choose the white tubs over the blue tubs, simply because the white ones reflect light onto baby's face and the blue ones do not. In addition to that, the blue ones cast a blue hue onto baby. Many times, newborns are already less magenta and pink when they are born, so this can accentuate that or make bruising appear worse than it is. I can edit only so much out, and hardly any of that out of video, so it is ideal to get the best scenario in real life.A few years ago, Earthside tubs came out and everyone flocked to them. The white was new and innovative and beautiful. I have not enjoyed my interactions with Earthside, they come off very closed off - they don't ever want to collaborate or share other photographers' work. That is their prerogative, but from my perspective, sharing more = more followers = more sales AND better community. People love you and feel connected to you. Tubina has been entirely different from this stand point. She loves working with all kinds of birth workers and photographers and will share anyone's posts using her tubs. She seem so incredibly grateful and in love with her job. She comes across authentic and kind and happy.Now to compare the actual tubs. The tubs themselves, the Tubina has this amazing arch shape that I LOVE. It really gives this amazing wall for momma to lean against and labor and or birth and an arching circle for her birth team to gather around and assist her in anyway. It also gives so much space for a videographer to have a place to shoot from, with many angles. There is no "seat" in it, but I personally think thats a plus. It kind of gets in the way, I have never seen a mom use the seat in the Earthside tub - and you never know where mama will want to be. The Tubina also has a 3 tier design that really displays the higher quality (despite the $100 cheaper price!) The Tubina is SO incredibly elegant. It is thick and sturdy. With the earthside, I have seen sides cave in, the liner didn't fit well and it was just a hot mess. The Earthside is small and doesn't feel like it will last. The Tubina is solid and I think could last for multiple pregnancies. Also, the Tubina could allow a child or husband into the pool, whereas the Earthside is too small. The liners for the Tubina are TOP notch and you do not even notice them - I have never experienced this at a birth, they are usually very obnoxious both in look and in function.Tubina Wild Milky Birth Tubhttps://www.instagram.com/tubinawild/
- Outer Dimensions: 67" x 60" x 27"
- Material thickness: 0.4mm
- Price: $175
Earthside Birth Poolhttps://www.instagram.com/earthsidebirthpools/
- Measures (inflated): 65.5 in x 59 in x 27 in
- Professional grade thickness: 0.5 mm
- Price: $279
Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | The Birth of Hosanna Dawn Joy
Madison was due the weekend after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving night as I headed to bed, she had sent me a text "Hi! We are about to try & head to bed. Contractions have been consistent for the last hour or so & I’ve been having quite a bit of bloody show. We’ll call or V will when it’s time!"I tried to get sleep (it is so hard to sleep when you think you'll head out soon!)At 10:38, her doula, Viergeni White, texted me "Hey lady! I’m Madison’s doula and I’m about to head over. She’s contracting about 6m apart lasting over a minute"Given it was Madison's 3rd baby and her previous births were not slow by any means, I slowly got ready and left. I got to her home around 11:39. No one else was there. I filmed a few clips of them in the partially lit room, alone. It was intimate and incredibly beautiful, just me and them. Around midnight, Viergeni arrived. Apparently that was all Madison needed because literally when her doula walked in, things picked up fast. We started to wonder if baby was going to come before the midwife got there. The tub was finally ready, and Madison hopped in. Within a few contractions, just as the midwife (Tanya Green) arrived, baby was born. She was born at 12:36!!! I was not even there an hour before baby came. I am really amazed at how long her birth film is, because I left around 2:20 am and I remember feeling so odd leaving already. But I had stayed through everything, it all just went so fast. and mom was tired and ready for rest. I was home by 3 am. I woke up in the morning and my mother in law said "No baby yet, huh?" and I said, "actually, yes!" and she was amazed I had gone and come back and slept all since she went to bed.If you are thinking about having your home birth filmed, I would LOVE to chat with you! Enjoy this incredible birth film and some photos!
