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 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.
Why Your Family Is Safe to Be Real During Our Photo Session | Real Moments. No Judgment. Just Connection.
You Are Safe Here — A Message From Your Family Photographer
If you’re stressing about how your kids will behave during your upcoming family photo session — I want to offer you a deep breath and a promise:
I will never judge you or your family, at any stage of our time together.
As a family lifestyle photographer, I’ve seen it all — the giggles, the meltdowns, the wild energy, and the sweet in-between moments. And I want you to know: you are not being graded. This session is about capturing connection, not perfection.
I've Been in Your Shoes
I’ve been the mom with the toddler melting down in the middle of Costco.
I’ve been the mom nervously apologizing for her kid being a little too loud at a birthday party.
I’ve wiped tears, chased shoes, and hoped for just one photo where everyone was looking in the same direction.
So believe me when I say: I get it. More importantly, I expect it.
Real Families, Real Emotions, Real Photos
One of the biggest fears I hear from parents before a photo session is this:
"What if my kid doesn’t cooperate?"
"What if they cry or won’t smile?"
"What if we show up a total mess?"
Here’s the truth:
Kids are kids.
They have big feelings. They get overwhelmed. And sometimes, they just need to feel safe — not told to smile.
What I see during those moments is not “bad behavior.” I see a child being beautifully themselves. And I see a parent doing their absolute best.
You Don’t Need to Be Perfect — You Just Need to Be Present
The most powerful family photos aren’t the ones with forced smiles or perfect poses. They’re the ones that tell the truth — the way your child reaches for your hand, the soft forehead kiss when they need reassurance, the genuine laughter in the midst of chaos.
Those are the memories worth capturing.
And that’s what I specialize in.
My Promise to You
During your session, you are safe to be yourselves.
Your kids can be silly, shy, wild, curious, emotional — or all of the above. You don’t have to apologize, and you don’t have to stress.
My job is to hold space for your family’s unique dynamic and to document it with empathy and honesty. Your job? Just show up — as you are.
Looking for a Day in the Life Family Photographer Who Gets It?
If you're searching for a relaxed, judgment-free family photography experience where your real life is celebrated, I’d love to be your photographer.
Whether you’re booking a newborn session, a family shoot, or a motherhood session you can trust that my approach is always the same: patient, playful, and full of heart.
Let’s capture your family, just as you are — beautifully real.
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 | The Charm of Lived-In Spaces: Why You Don't Need a Pinterest-Perfect Home
Scrolling through social media these days, it is so easy to feel less than when it comes to our home. Other people's homes seem to be perfectly curated and decorated and look professionally done. But if you have ever stopped mid scroll, and looked around to see your son's dirty socks, your daughter's barbies strewn about and laundry on the sofa needing put away, you are not alone.
Guess what? That cozy, chaotic, well-used space you’re living in? It tells a story. One far more meaningful than a curated photo ever could.
Home Isn’t a Showroom—It’s a Story
A lived-in home is filled with personality. The dent in the coffee table? That’s from a board game night that got a little too competitive. The art on the fridge? Masterpieces by your kids or niece. The mismatched mugs in the kitchen? Each one collected from a place or moment that made you smile.
These imperfections don’t detract from your home’s beauty—they create it.
Real Life Is Messy, and That’s Okay
Perfection is exhausting. Living up to a social media standard of design can turn your home into a stage instead of a sanctuary. A home should work for you, not the other way around.
You don’t need throw pillows fluffed just so, or color-coded bookshelves to feel at peace in your space. Comfort and authenticity trump aesthetics every single time.
Design Should Support Life—Not Replace It
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a beautiful home, but beauty doesn’t always mean polished. A couch with worn cushions that everyone fights to nap on has value. So does a kitchen table with scratches from years of family dinners, homework, and impromptu heart-to-hearts.
When your space is designed around the life you live—not the one you think you should be living—it becomes truly beautiful.
The Emotional Layer of Home
Homes hold memory. That slightly wobbly chair you’ve had since college? It’s seen you through heartbreaks and late-night chats. The blanket thrown haphazardly over the couch? It’s comforted more people than you can count.
These things might not be “on brand” with current trends, but they are on brand with you. And that’s what makes them special.
Final Thoughts: Choose Soul Over Style
It’s okay to love beautiful interiors. But if you find yourself apologizing for your home every time someone visits, it might be time to reframe what “beautiful” really means.
Embrace the fingerprints on the glass, the cluttered entryway, the warm chaos of daily life. Because that’s what home really is—a place that holds you, not a place that performs for others.
So no, you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect home. You need a home that feels like you.
Nashville Family Photographer | The Aiken Family
I have been dying to spend time capturing this family. Not only are they so intentional with their lives, but they have such a fun dynamic with kids ranging from 2 to nearly 12! I loved capturing the smiles and laughs but also the sibling rivalry and emotions. I think the whole range of emotions in a family matters - it tells the WHOLE story of how deeply they love, even on hard days. This family did their normal routine of playing a game, starting the garden, playing on the swing set. Dad taught his daughter how to make pour over coffee. They have this cat that has chronic illness - they keep it because it's the right thing to do but sort of dislike the whole situation because it's a lot. The interplay of this sick cat and the family is rather hilarious. Multiple times, I went to capture a sweet moment with a cat in the frame for the cat to start hacking mucus up. We all just laughed at the juxtaposition. If you want your typical day captured, find me here!
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!
