Franklin, TN Family Photographer | The Swope Family Film + Photos
I hate to sound like a broken record, but it is such a huge blessing to be called to do this work. It is my purpose in life, to film families and births. To be asked to come into a family's home and create an heirloom video of their life together... it's beyond words. To get to see their joy in watching their film and feel their gratitude that gets deeper with each passing year that we film... It's been an absolute joy.
I spent a few hours with The Swope Family, capturing their sunny fall days they spend in the garden, playing card games together, their three kiddos loving one another so well. I loved capturing the newness of their eldest daughter teaching their younger daughter to knit. How they love cooking dinner together and eating tacos.
This family loves spending time together. Even in the hard seasons, you see their love and dedication. Their support for one another. and how their parenting has fostered 3 siblings who love each other well. (Don't worry, they fight too😂😂)
Enjoy their film and some photos from their session!
The Swope Family | October 2023 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Father + Son Basketball Bonding | Nashville Family Photographer
Do you or does your husband remember playing basketball with his dad?
When my son Greyson was 5, he "played soccer"... or rather, he would run back and forth pretending to be a garbage truck. I can remember it vividly (because we have video) of him running, making his lips into the shape that made the sound of a garbage truck...
He was never into athletics. Always finding frogs and loved studying snakes and reptiles and being in nature.
And then... something... changed (a lot changes in a year!) and out of nowhere in late 2022 he announced "I want to try basketball!" So we fumbled and found i9 basketball in Franklin TN.
This was the perfect league for our family. We aren't a family who runs the rat race. We cherish time together and don't want to raise our boys to be workaholics or too busy to actually live life. We try to role model and teach them to strive for balance, rather than money. So i9 sports, is GREAT! They have a 45 minute practice followed by a 45 minute game once a week! For 6 weeks.
Anyway, it's now early 2024. And Greyson has turned into a full blown athlete. It's still something my husband and I look at one another and shake our heads and say "this was not on our bingo card!" We love it, it just still shocks me that he became athletic. You just never know how these kids will shape up as they grow.
For his 11th birthday, we got him a basketball hoop and the kid practices daily! Lately he and his daddy play games together on the regular. and I HAD to capture it, because I know these will be one of those things that feels unimportant in the moment and later we realize was VERY impactful. The memories of daddy and Grey playing games, the smack talk, the wins and losses and remembering that when he asked, his daddy said YES.
It's like that with a lot of little things in life as we raise kids. We under appreciate the value of what we are doing day in and day out. We undervalue the rocking, the snuggles, the kisses, the hugs, the boo-boo kisses, the dinner making, the game playing, the trips we take... they ALL add up to the story of our kids growing up, the story of their roots, the story of their bond with their siblings and parents. It all makes them into who they become. AND it all matters. SO much.
If you want your family Photographed, Lets chat!
Unposed Vs Posed: What's the difference? | Nashville Family Photographer
In the Photography network, photographers refer to types of photography with the terms documentary or lifestyle... but for the average mom or dad out there looking to hire a photographer, they may not know what all of these terms mean.
Documentary Photography tends to be a photographer who comes to your home and acts as a fly on the wall. This photographer is highly skilled at anticipating moments and predicting what is going to happen.
They know how to be subtle and get into a moment, grab it on camera, and get back out... they are careful to not intervene in the scene unfolding before them. This captures REAL life. REAL emotions. TRUE personalities. Documentary Photography tells a story...
I remember the first time my own family was documented for a film and photo session. I could not WAIT to get the video back. But I got the photos first...
I felt meh about getting them, but opened the gallery. It was the FIRST time as a mom I had been moved to tears with photos of my own family. I have hired several famous photographers from out of state. The best of the best. But this experience blew me away. I instantly felt sad too. Because for so many years, I chased perfect images robbing myself of the beautiful real story unfolding before me on a daily basis.
Lifestyle Photography is a modern term that refers to capturing families - usually in their home - with light posing. instead of smiling at the camera for every photo, the family is cued on how to interact... and that is what is captured.
It is set up in a certain room or place in the home (or outside at sunset) and the outfits are coordinated and the work is very very polished. Often times, well meaning lifestyle photographers will call themselves storytellers. But if we creating the story we are telling, are we really story tellers?
I think Lifestyle Photography emerged as a rebellion to the Olin Mills of the 90s. However, I think that even though our generation sees this as modern and unique and so different than the 90s... we aren't realizing that in 20 years, it will be our own version of Olin Mills photos. Because everyone looks the same in all of their photos. Photographers show up to a session with a "shot list" and plan to get through that shot list for every family.
All of the photos are similar. I remember in 2017, as I was awakening to this, I would scroll social media and... I could not tell one photographer from another. This has been true of posed newborn photography (where they put little newborns tucked into poses) and of Lifestyle Family Photography.
To be clear, I see value in ALL of it. Truthfully, I would rather a family be photographed than not. This blog I am writing is simply to discuss the sociology of our decisions in photography. It's a deep dive into culture and trends and why we make the decisions we do. (can you tell I have a degree in psychology with a minor in sociology?) I love analyzing everything, it geeks me out.
I am not opposed to lifestyle work. In fact, I find lifestyle is better for newborn sessions and tend to lean more lifestyle in them. I really adjust to each family. It just depends on their uniqueness. But most often, families are SO new to having a newborn that they don't yet have a groove that leads to documentary work. Families don't usually want me to be a fly on the wall and capture them simply nursing, sleeping and changing diapers. I am open to it though!
If you want your family captured, let's chat!!!
Nashville Family Photographer | The top 3 things I adore most about capturing authentic family moments
It is fascinating to me, as I look back at my 14 years of photography work, that in the first few years, there were many documentary style images that I had taken (and honestly, disliked, because I was my harshest critic). and you know what? Now - those are my FAVORITE photos.... Why? Because they were real. honest. and true. They were what was really happening. They told the story of the soul of the person or people in them.
Keep reading to see what my top 3 things are that I adore the MOST about capturing authentic family moments.
If you want your family captured, contact me here!
#1 Giving the parents a bird's eye view.
This is the best part. Truthfully. It's so hard when you're in the depths of parenthood to see the fruit of your labor. When you get to have this outward perspective of REAL life, you see that what you are doing... even in the simplest moments of the day...is unbelievably powerful. Reading the stories, tying shoes, kissing boo-boos... it all adds up to raising a full fledge human being. One that will grow to be a mom or a dad and will someday have their own child asking to be read to, to have help tying their shoes, or asking for their boo-boo to be kissed. What we do day in and day out, impacts the next SEVERAL generations.
#2 Telling each family's authentic story.
When I did posed work, honestly, you could not tell one family from another. When I scroll social media of other photographers who do lifestyle or posed work, it's the same. I can't tell one family or one photographer from another. It's all copy and paste cookie cutter work. (and it has meaning and is beautiful, but I am just being honest with what my heart sees). What I LOVE about doing this work, is that each session is different. Each family interacts uniquely and has different things they love doing together. It's really precious to get to know them that intimately. and then to tell that story - is such a cool experience. I will carry those stories with me for a long time. The dad who sings Christmas music to his son before bed... in August. The mom whose son buries his fingers into her belly button 500x a day. The weird quirks of each family are things they will later see as precious attributes of their own family connection.
#3 Giving the gift of pressing pause.
When you choose to only invest in Fall Family Photos for the sake of a Christmas Card... you're not really pressing pause. and when the kids graduate, you'll be left with... Christmas card photos... But what about the season when your 4 year old was obsessed with trains? What about the season when your 7 year old begged to play Uno daily? What about when your 12 year old practiced basketball for 3 hours everyday with dad? Getting to press pause on theses short-but-sweet seasons is the best gift you can ever give yourself... and your children.
Nashville Family Videographer | Product Feature: The Video Playbook
A few years ago, a client of mine pointed me to this video playbook. I thought "ohh that is kinda neat" and ordered a studio sample. When it came, I truly thought it was meh. Fast forward a few months when I displayed it at my booth at The Enliven Wellness Expo. Oh my GOSH, people went crazy over it!!! Clients absolutely love these. I think because I have older kiddos, I didn't see much value in it. But now that a few clients have them, I see why they love them!
#1 Their small kids go to bed watching their film.
They fight over who gets to fall asleep watching it. 🥺
Can you imagine being able to fall asleep watching your family on film laugh and hug and say precious things to one another?
#2 It's a SUPER easy way to rewatch your film.
You can set it on the coffee table and just pick it up any time!
#3 It is easy to change out.
It works like a thumb drive, so you can just add or delete multiple films!
For my clients, after they have had their 3rd film, I gift them one 🥺
If you want your family captured, contact me here!
Capturing Real Life | Convincing your husband to embrace family films, with Nashville, Tennessee Family Photographer, Jennie Pyfferoen
If you stumbled upon this blog post, you probably feel a strong urge to freeze time. You probably feel your heart swell occasionally because you see the beauty in the chaotic life you are living everyday. But you might be hitting a wall when you bring it up to your husband. (Been there, done that!)
No one understands you better than I do. My husband does finance for a living 😂😂😂 His favorite word is probably "No"
Luckily for me, this is a non negotiable in our home (because of my mom's death, I win this one thing). But I have had to convince him of the value of many many things over the years and I have a lot of experience having seen families struggle with this.
I have created a list of common complaints that husbands have and how to address each one. Plus, some reviews from hesitant husbands!
#1 "It's too expensive"
Explain to your husband that this a long term investment. It's not just another shoot to send out a Christmas card because of social obligation, but rather, it's an investment into your family's story, their legacy, and it will provide you with memories for decades of nostalgia.
Through Family films and photos, I will give you the opportunity to step back in time. To remember what it was like when your baby was 3 ... his blonde curls, and the way he crinkled his nose to the sound of his laugh and his little toddler speak...You will feel the love and warmth in the simplest of activities and you'll remember your life in a way you never thought you could experience. When you are watching your family film back, you will say things like "I forgot about that!" or "remember when...." That's the power of family photography and films...
#2 "I hate having my photos taken"
Remind them of what I do vs the sessions he has been at before. He probably feels traumatized from forced poses and smiles and doesn't have any interest in doing that, especially in video. Show him my work and let him know, that I don't ever ask that he look at the camera. He doesn't ever have to force a smile. He doesn't have to wear special clothing! All he has to do is show up and be with his family for an hour or two.
Remind him that my dads say "It was the easiest session of my life!" and they happily invite me back year after year.
#3 "I don't see why we need this"
This one is all too common. The trickiest part of being on the fence about family films, is knowing what you'll feel like after you watch it for the first time. Every. Single. Family. is completely transformed once they see their family on video. Even after 2 or 3 family films, they say that feeling never goes away.
If you want more details on what sessions include, you can get my client guide by contacting me here.
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.
The Cauthen Family | Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer
I first "met" Audrey when she entered my giveaway on instagram. She commented... "This is amazing!!! We would LOVE this family shoot because we’ve prayed for God to grow our family for nearly a decade and after lots of fertility issues and miscarriages, our second miracle baby just turned one! We are so blessed and intentional not to miss out on the beauty of this super chaotic season, and this shoot would be SUCH a gift in remembering all of the good, the bad, the sweet, & the loud forever and ever! Couldn’t think of a better gift!"
I remember reading her comment and hoping she would win. She did not, unfortunately, but I did offer anyone who entered the giveaway, a discounted session and she booked it! Finally, it's December and we had her family photo shoot. Documenting them in this season, that they love to read I spy books with their oldest, Audrey is still nursing her youngest, Daddy and their oldest wrestling... it was all so so much fun. I am so glad they love their photos.
My 3 favorite things about this shoot are:
#1 How much these two LOVE their kids. I know all parents love their kids, but when a family has had loss like they have, its on another level. I captured that in this image:
#2 The vibe of these sisters. Sometimes, big helps little (and little hates it)... sometimes big sister helps little sister and she loves it! and sometimes, they're mad at each other 😂
#3 Capturing the intense love and passion between mom and dad. It was SO evident the entire time, these two are REALLY into one another! They had a photo of them together in high school and later met as adults and married. Truly, such a cool couple.
If you want to capture your real life, reach out to me!
