Franklin TN Family Photographer | Best images of 2023 (So far!)
We are HALF WAY through 2023! It is insane to believe. I hate how fast time goes by. I am currently on call for the 3rd birth of 2023 and editing an amazing film for a dream client. Life is really good (and it is not perfect!) I am almost booked out for the year, which is amazing. The heat is finally turning here, just outside of Nashville. It's been a cool spring, in my opinion. My garden is fully growing and looking so good. I just got some butternut squash and watermelon to plant! We just set up our badminton net for the summer and got my youngest a basketball goal for the driveway. We officially have a ton for kids to do on our property. Yesterday, I created my More About Jennie page... if you want to read it!Next week feels like the official start to summer. The boys start summer camps and it is finally hot. I will film newborn family film soon and a few other films. As dorky as it sounds, I am so excited for each film (which comes with photos too), or each photo session! They are so fun. I am also really excited about my 2023 and 2024 births that have booked already for videography and photography. It's going to continue being a great year!I am also constantly taking classes to be better at editing, filming and business in general. I love continuing to learn. I want to be a great film maker who has a lot of creativity.To schedule your Family Film or Documentary Photography session, just click here. I can't wait to chat with you and learn about what memories are most meaningful to you.I wanted to share my FAVORITE family photos from this year so far. Enjoy!
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Richardson Family
Yesterday, I spent a few hours in the afternoon after finishing this film in a space of deep deep gratitude. I spent years in the photography industry and had NO idea I was not yet at my calling. Knowing this is my calling gives me an indescribable feeling - the closest thing I can use to describe it is if you know what it feels like to be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Which I believe I am when I film). I cannot believe I am this talented (Which is hard for me to admit, I am definitely my own worst critic). I cannot believe that I get to do this for families. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen (family films) and the most beautiful thing I feel so incredibly honored to create. I feel so blessed.
I know, that was a lot of cheesy, but it's truly what is on my heart and I write what is on my heart.
I feel SO honored to film this beautiful family twice a year. This film is my best work so far. I love it and them so incredibly much. (Mushy aren't I?)
They love their kids immensely and play and laugh often. I love Meg's Pregnant belly as part of the story but not a bold declaration like in a maternity session. I love telling the story of each relationship in the family... so Meg and her baby girl and how connected they are... the season where she won't really go to anyone else often. The season of their son and dad being more bonded and how they horse around a lot. The season of just two kids before they add another... I cannot wait to film them this fall again with their third child.
Family photo sessions can be fun, relaxed AND super easy! Contact me and let's have the easiest session of your life!
The Richardson Family | April 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | 8 ideas to make your family photo session different from the rest.
I talk about how much family photography has changed over the years. Let me give you some insight into the back end of photography businesses and explain why many photographers are copy cat / cookie cutter photographers. (no offense to any of them, I was one of them!)
About 10 years ago, social media REALLY took off. There was a very business friendly algorithm on facebook and we could post and go viral easily. As such, a handful of amazing photographers became the leaders of the industry. That lead to people wanting to do work that looked just like them. Which lead to photographers wanting to learn from other photographers. A beautiful thing. But like all things, there is always a downside. The downsides to this was that 1. It cheapened the industry and created a photographer on every corner. and 2. It lead to a copycat industry. The main photographer sold her process and editing style to hundreds, who then trained others and so on. And I recall 5 or so years ago, scrolling and not being able to distinguish between photographers. I have a personality that likes to be different than the rest. So this sat weird with me. Then I found Family films and really felt like we had lead away from the true intention of memory making and that we have created a photography industry built on trends and facades and away from real memories.
Don't get me wrong. ALL photos have value. But we have a generation that has only Christmas card photos and nothing from their everyday. Oh Cell phone photos? You mean the THOUSANDS they have stored somewhere on a cloud? Unless moms print those.... they don't end up being handed down. I think cell phone photos have also lead us to miss out on our real memories, because they make us think we are capturing our everyday... Except nothing happens with them.
Back to my main topic... 8 ideas to make your family photo session different or unique!
Make it personal.
Do it at your home or favorite place that you visit in REAL life. Don't choose a random park you rarely go to at a time you would never go and sit on a quilt you would never sit on in clothes you would never wear ?
What are your favorite memories right now?
Those will be the ones you want to revisit later.
While I do prioritize making BEAUTIFUL images, perfectly composed... It comes SECOND to MEANINGFUL moments. and sometimes a meaningful moment is not the most viral posted photo. Sometimes it's kind of just regular. But to the family in the photo ... its MEMORIES and MEANINGFUL. The photo below is of their normal life, building legos together on the floor. This momma wrote in her questionnaire that this was meaningful to her. So it was photographed.
Never look at the camera
- okay maybe for ONE photo - but really. Let the camera and photographer be a fly on the wall. You'll get the BEST candids!
Embrace the chaos or not so curated moments.
Some of the best photos come when a child is tired or a toddler has fallen down and needs a loving embrace. Sometimes, its the only time they want to be held!
Trust your photographer!
Trust that we can deal with imperfect moments, messy homes and stressed out families! I am really good at handling the occasional rough morning before I arrive. and Mom is stressed and I can usually diffuse the energy well. I am also VERY patient. That leads to the most successful sessions.
Don't worry about what you look like.
just be with your kids and spouse.
Let me worry about angles that are flattering. When you focus on family connection, the rest is magic.
Have a documentary photo session.
These are the type I offer, whether it is a family film or documentary style day in the life photography sessions... and the reason they are so wonderful is that they are SO easy. You don't have to get all gussied up and you don't have to force anyone to do anything. You literally do whatever you want! If your toddler changes activities every 2 minutes, then all we have to do is follow them around ?
Hesitant Dad?
Does dad hate photo sessions? Absolutely he will love documentary then! Dads LOVE me... why? Because I don't force them to smile at me or pose awkwardly. They just have to be with their kids. It is SO easy.
Interested in a family day in the life photo session or family film? I would LOVE to talk to you! Contact me here.
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Douglass Family
During my time with The Douglass Family, I was filled with joy, happiness, love, laughter and connection. Their home has such a warm cozy, safe to be yourself, feeling. It might seem like chaos, to do a family film with four children. But I promise, it works out! All sessions do, simply because I am patient and know what I'm doing ? Families trust me - and that makes or breaks the session. I have been blessed beyond measure to gain the clients I have. I love meeting new and old clients each year. Seeing their children grow and their family change year after year. Its the biggest blessing and highest honor (as cheesy as that may seem!)
The Douglass Family spent their morning baking their favorite food - they genuinely love baking together. Sometimes other clients say to me "we don't bake together so I don't know how we would do a film" and my response to that is that... these families bake in their films because they bake together regularly. The film and photography sessions are aimed for what YOUR family does together. That's the whole point - YOUR REAL LIFE.
This family had such beautiful and meaningful audio... their laughter on the trampoline and their mother reading to them on the sofa. Sounds that are apart of their daily life. Sound is so powerful.
Our memories deserve sound and movement.
Without sound and movement, the story is not fully told.
If you want to see more family stories, follow me on Instagram.
The Douglass Family | February 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Nashville Family Photographer | Are professional family photos worth it?
Let’s talk about family photos! I feel like family photos have turned into something to check off the list for the year. Check! Family photos for the Christmas card! Social media has driven family photos from being something that told a story to something we just do out of social obligation.
The beautiful thing about documentary family photography (ahem, what I do!) is that you don't have to get a wardrobe together and then get everyone dressed up and drive somewhere and fake a bunch of shots for the camera for an hour. Documentary family sessions are the easiest session of your life. Not only that, but they will leave you with a heart of gratitude because you actually captured your real life.
Life is filled with tiny moments that happen between the time we wake up and fall asleep that we are often too tired and busy to fully appreciate. We completely toss these memories aside when we ask for a formal posed and or lifestyle family session for Christmas Cards.
Your life changes every minute of everyday.... month to month. Six months from now your son might actually outgrow LEGOS. I know, it's hard to imagine. But trust me, it does happen. At times you feel eager for that moment so you can stop stepping on Legos, but I promise you... You will miss this version of him.
None of my clients EVER regrets having photos or family films... They are often SO incredibly grateful for the unique experience and opportunity to have their family life truly captured.
My approach to capturing families is very relaxed and observational as opposed to traditional and directed.
It's not about getting the perfect photos, or everything being just right. It's not about everyone looking happy all the time, or wearing incredible outfits. Plenty of other photographers offer those things.
Documentary Family Photos are worth every penny. They are also worth being vulnerable enough to have them done. It won't matter if your house was midway through a remodel, or you haven't hit your goal weight. Your children just want to connect with you. When they see photos, they want to see their childhood memories, their mother and father and siblings. Just as they were.
In my ten + years in photography, I have learned 3 things: your kids don't care if you haven't lost the baby weight, you deserve to be seen for the amazing parent you are, and you have to make time for the things that matter most in life.
My work consists of real moments. Real life. Real stories. It celebrates both the joys, and the struggles of parenthood.
This session will be relaxed and unforced. You don't even have to look at the camera!
To learn more about a documentary photography experience, start here! I look forward to working with you!
You can also contact me here.
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | How do I get authentic family photos?
Over the years, photography has been slowly moving away from posed family photography... But in replace of that, it has moved to "lifestyle" family photography. Lifestyle can be done indoors or outside, but it is another form of staged work. While the outcome can be beautiful AND meaningful... Is it capturing the family as they really are? From my experience with many photographers ... No.
What Lifestyle Photography Misses out on...
Lifestyle photography is another form of cookie cutter photography. Most photographers have a shot list. They follow that list for every family. (Hey, I'm not bashing it, I used to do it!)
But what I realized when I found family films was that a shot list misses out on capturing REAL MEMORIES.
Maybe not every family snuggles in their master bedroom? So why do we do this in every in home lifestyle photo session? I know most family certainly dont snuggle on a quilt in a field.... so why do we do this every fall for family photography sessions? What does a quilt in a field have to do with your family memories? Nothing...
Your life is absolutely beautiful. Even if you have weight to lose or your home needs remodeled. And if you are waiting on those things to be perfect, you will miss out on all of these beautiful moments in the meantime.
I get to know my families.
Me and my clients get to know each other. I want to know what your favorite moments are RIGHT NOW. I want to know what crazy things are happening every day that may even drive you crazy but you know you will miss (hello, stepping on legos!)
I want to know how you met your spouse and what your favorite memories were when you were kids! I want to know all of the weird parts, the messy parts and the best parts. Because to me, its all absolutely amazing. The story is beautiful.
When you choose a lifestyle session rather than a documentary session (unposed, real life)... You are actually ignoring memories. I remember when my first documentary session happened in my home and the photos came back. A photo of my son laying on his belly, on a bench, reaching behind him putting on his shoe made me cry... Why? Because I almost lost that moment by choosing perfect photography sessions over real life. (and for the record, when he acts silly putting his shoes on in the weirdest way, it does drive me crazy! But the kids will grow up and learn to properly put their shoes on, so I try to soak up the moments anyway!)
There are moments you may not even see.
Inevitably, there will be some really fascinating in between moments on your session. I see these tiny fleeting moments that you might not even see because you are busy living your life.
That's why you hire me. So that I can capture those for you and you can revisit them for years to come. Whether you hire me for documentary photos or a family film and photo session, Im going to spend a lot of time with you. Don't worry, the sessions are easy. Dads LOVE sessions with me, they say it's the easiest session ever, because I do not force posing or inauthenticity. If a child is uncomfortable, you can trust that I am going to give them time to warm up. I know how to back off and wait. and it has never failed. It helps that I have two degrees in child education and psychology. I never force children. That is the #1 way to ruin an authentic family session.
If you want to try this type of family session, please ... let's chat! I would love to talk it over with you.
Franklin Tennessee Family Photographer | What time of year is best for family photos?
Okay... Everyone knows the answer to this... its FALL. Technically. But is it?
The best time for family photos is ANY TIME OF YEAR!
Weather has NOTHING to do with your family memories.
What is meaningful about fall? NOTHING. Fall photos were created for Christmas Card photos. They are a social contagion that was exacerbated by Social Media. As everyone began posting their fall family photos, everyone else wanted fall family photos and well, now we don't even know the REAL reason behind our photos anymore.
So let's talk about meaningful memories and why they are SO important.
Maybe you are like me... you have an almost 11 year old and you know what is around the corner. The END of his childhood self and the beginning of his transition to man. That can't wait until Fall, because he could grow TWO inches by then.
Maybe you have a 4 year old and you know that any day, her little voice won't sound so little anymore. That can't wait until Fall.
Maybe you just got pregnant with your second but want to remember what it was like to have one child. That can't wait until Fall.
The Truth is... There is no better time to get family photos (or video too!) than RIGHT NOW. Perfect timing doesn't exist. But imperfect moments that we will miss... DO exist.
Nashville Family Photographer | Why are family photos so stressful?
You booked your session months ago and now its DAYS away. You don't have your wardrobe chosen, your kids have snotty noses, and you feel like you cannot keep up with your to do list.
Family photos... POSED family photos (which includes "lifestyle") are SO STRESSFUL. Choosing wardrobes that match but not too matchy .... knowing you have invested money and time into this little hour session that MUST GO WELL OR ELSE.... which leads to bribes and threats and an overall BAD experience.
I have the answer for you that will remove at least 90% of that stress.
STOP DOING THEM. Why?
They are not all that meaningful... they do not capture the snuggles you get first thing in the morning, or the toddler babble your two year old speaks throughout the day. They do not capture the way your nursing infant loves to play with your hair... or the voice of mom reading her child's favorite book. They miss the moments where your 5 year old catches a frog and has the dirtiest hands. Or what about the sound of laughter that fills your walls? All of that is missed... and for what? So you can have a Christmas card photo and check the box for annual family photos? That express fake happiness because in reality you were so stressed and sweaty from wrangling all the kiddos for the shoot.
Just stop doing it. You won't miss those photos, I promise. And if you do, you can always grab a mini session, they're literally on every corner!
Okay, it all sounds good in theory, right? Let me show you what clients have said about the ease of their family film and or photography session (I offer both!)
Check out my family films here! And if you are not quite ready for a video and photos session, learn more about documentary photography here!
