Franklin, Tennessee Maternity Photographer | Are professional maternity photos worth it?

I get a lot of inquiries about maternity photography. Typically, the client is interested in maternity, newborn etc. So I send them over all that information. Most fall in love with my films and want a family film after baby has arrived. Some also want their birth captured. That's a lot!Because of this, we talk about maternity photos. If budget is an issue I often times recommend taking cell phone photos. I know - crazy, right? But let's dive into why I say this! (Now, if you have the budget to do it all, its totally worth it!)What is going to matter the most in 20 years? It won't be professional maternity photos. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE capturing maternity photos! But as a mother of two boys - who had maternity photos done, newborn photos, birth videography and family photos and video.... Maternity photos come last on my list of importance. Save your money for when the baby comes! Those moments are going to be FAR More meaningful than maternity.Speaking of maternity photos... let's chat about the trends we see going on. You already know what you see when you think of maternity photos. She's wearing a dress standing in a field of some sort... I get it, I offered this work for many years until I kind of awakened to the REAL purpose behind photography.Here is my own personal opinion about maternity photos. What story will they tell to your child when they are grown? What will it say about what it was like for their mother to carry them? I tell you this, standing in a field in a dress won't tell much of a story.I prioritize having time stamps in photos. Let me explain what those are. If you were to look at a photo of you as a child, you would see objects in the photo that might speak to that decade etc. Maybe there is a velvet green sofa and when you see the photo, you and your siblings say "remember that green sofa?!" and then maybe that elicits a lot of stories from that time period.Maternity is not really about the baby much at all, its about the couple and wanting to capture "the bump" - and I get it, I would never tell you they are BAD in some way, I just want to shed some thoughts that help you make your own decision for yourself. If you want a dress in a field, girl go get it! But if you read this and it enlightened you and now you want to tell more of a story, then you're saying "oh my gosh, you are SO right" and you are so glad I decided to write this blog!Here is a great story telling maternity session. Feel free to connect with me to book yours!

Franklin, Tennessee Maternity Photographer | Dallas & Jamie's Documentary Maternity Session

Since shifting to documentary, I do not get maternity inquiries often. It's pretty rare actually. It's probably pretty hard for clients to see the story in their pregnancy. What feels like a series of days fo discomfort, sleeping, eating at bizarre hours, and getting stuff done around the house can be a season that is taken for granted. A season that feels uneventful and stressful even.But what people do not see, is the legacy and story that lies in this season of life. The story of when it was just the two of you (or more if there are kids already) and when Daddy and Mommy were just Daddy and Mommy - the story of who they were before kids....which is a season that is SO hard to remember once kids enter the picture. Later, kids will grow up and have kids of their own, and they all will become interested more in who these people were. Especially as younger people. What will our current cultural choice of photography tell about these people? If they choose Christmas Card photos and Fall photos - how will they know who they were? It probably helps to know that I have one degree in early childhood education, and another in Developmental Psychology with a minor in sociology. What I tend to do is dig into the social psychology behind our choices in this time period in regards to the types of photography we choose.okay... back to the actual session. I was able to dig deeper into the story of Jamie and Dallas while they are awaiting the birth of their first child. This helps me customize sessions to tell the story that lies there. I also wanted to capture their life with their dog.... that seems to also be a theme before kiddos... Couple gets dog first ? So I love capturing that for them. It's usually their first baby.A few things stood out to me as I got to know this sweet couple. They love to cook and are super meaningful people. Also, that every night as Jamie falls asleep super early, Dallas tucks her in. I really wanted a way to record that because lord knows that will likely go away as life changes. I think my favorite photos from their session was asking him to tuck her in like he does every night.We had so much fun really getting to know one another and chatting about everything. I am so excited to meet them soon with their newborn!

Franklin Tennessee Maternity Photographer | Meaningful storytelling

Hi friend. Im going to be REALLY honest with you.Since becoming a family film maker and diving into documentary work, I have struggled with what to do with maternity sessions. Maternity sessions have become more about trends and dresses and the look than about the person being photographed. They’ve lost meaning. They don’t tell a story other than “this was the trend in 2021”I cannot tell one maternity photographer from another, they all use gorgeous dresses at sunset. Don't get me wrong, I support these amazing photographers and what they do. Their clients are loved well. But I do want to talk from my own perspective of why are we doing what we are doing? What is the purpose of this? What will we think of this in 10 years?I’m just being honest and telling my personal viewpoint. I offered trendy maternity sessions for years. I even provided the dresses. Until one day, I realized that I wasn’t actually serving my clients well. I now see myself as their memory mentor ? helping them see the meaning behind their sessions. The session isn’t just about a pregnant mother. It’s about the story of who this mother is and how their child will be able to go back years later and see who their mom was when she was pregnant with them. If I had photos of my mom, she’d be smoking in 1982 and pregnant. What a story that would tell! This sweet momma and I had so much fun capturing her pregnancy. She’s a holistic health coach and has had the most nourishing pregnancy. She spends a lot of time in her kitchen cooking and making bone broth. Her skin always looks so amazing. Her smile is always radiant. She’s so happy and kind and sweet. She’s spent her pregnancy getting plenty of sunshine and movement as well as taking Epsom salt baths, writing in her pregnancy journal and rocking in her rocker. We wanted to tell that story. So that a decade or two from now, her baby will see how momma cared for herself when she was carrying the child in the womb.  Now to find out if it’s a boy or a girl!  ???Happy Fall - Enjoy this gorgeous weather friends!xoxo

Nashville Maternity Photographer | Malary

Films have a way of capturing a place in time uniquely from images.... Malary has been a client for nearly 10 years. We have captured 4 pregnancies and babies, and years of family photos. This was the first film for her and I was so excited when she had fallen in love with it. I cant wait to create her newborn film as well for her. Nashville had gorgeous weather for our mini film and maternity photography shoot - and the sun was everything!I love the neutral tones with subtle glamorous colors in their wardrobe. Malary Rocks her wardrobes, but I do help all my clients :) The sunset was perfect - my favorite light that evening.

Franklin Maternity Photographer | Kate's Glorious Forest Maternity session

Kate has waited an extra long time to have a healthy successful pregnancy. Ever since I met Kate in Franklin, TN a few years back.... and found out about her hard journey to have a baby - I have always had a gut feeling, this story would have a happy ending. You can feel how much love she has always had to give. Its always been there, just waiting for this special baby.

Kate - feeling gorgeous in the forest.

By now, I have already photographed and filmed Kate's newborn baby boy, Walt. and let me tell you - the images and the story is going to bring you to your knees.

I don't find it coincidental that the majority of my clients are ones who have had the harder journey. IVF and miscarriage, rainbow babies - that entire scenario makes for a mother who just cherishes it on a deeper level.

I love that she loved her body (she admiringly struggled) during her FIRST pregnancy.

This is why I do what I do, because life has no guarantees. We are absolutely blessed to have little babies grow within us and to be able to nurture them in life. and its all a complete miracle.

If you want your family captured, contact me here! 

Warmly,

Franklin Maternity Photographer | 5 Reasons to book a maternity photography session

Maternity Photography Clients seem to fall into 1 of 3 categories.

1. They want a maternity session with all the things! no questions about it.
2. They want a few images, just are not sure about what they would do with the photos and cant quite commit fully one way or the other.
3. They absolutely do not want to be the center of attention via camera during their morphed pregnancy state.

I get it. I really do. I happened to be in the 2nd category during my first pregnancy. But then, once the session started I quickly fell in love with the process. I wasn't yet a photographer.

If you want your family captured, contact me here! 

#1: It is not just about YOU

what I mean is, its about your family and your baby's future. Specifically speaking if you are having a girl, she may look back at the images of you pregnant. she may want to see what your shape was, how happy you were. Those images should be glorious - they should show the love between you and your spouse, or the love between you and your unborn child.

They should tell a story.

#2: You are worthy of being photographed

All women, regardless of shape and size, are worthy of photos. In our current society - obsessed with body image - I rarely meet a first time mom who isn't alarmed by her body shape as it morphs into this other new body - its bizarre and out of control. She questions her beauty within it.

But God created our bodies for this very purpose. We were made to MORPH like a butterfly and create people! Its just the most amazing process. and just as you morphed into this amazing creation, you will also morph out of it. I pray women can look in the mirror and see the large belly and swollen ankles as a beautiful baby making process.

The issue isn't the body, its the perception of the body.

I have never met any client who has loved their first time pregnant body. Even my clients who are yogis or cross fitters, cant always see it for what it is: a literal miracle. miraculous. Every single bit of it.

#3: You will see this differently later on.

I chose this image below for reason #3 with intention. During her session, she said "I can better see the beauty in my pregnant body this pregnancy"

She was pregnant with her 2nd baby and could see her body differently this go around. She knew her body could morph into this, create life, and morph back. So she had confidence in the process, a better appreciation for pregnancy and even loved herself entirely during it.

What I want is for women to have this perspective during their first pregnancy. I think self love and trust in the process can go a long way in terms of healthy pregnancies go too. Theres something to be said about having a healthy mindset.

#4: Set yourself free 

What do I mean by this? I mean, be free of social expectations. Be free of being overly critical of yourself and your appearance, both during pregnancy and in life always. Set yourself free of judgments. Be free, Be photographed and as a result: feel beautiful.

#5: YOLO. 

Its so cliche, but dammit, its true. You only live once. What if you're only going to live 5 more years? Leave behind a legacy. Don't focus on climbing the corporate ladder and having the best house in the state, and not invest in your memories - when in the end, those will matter more than the other things.

Franklin Maternity Photographer | Kacey's nature photo session

I am so excited to work with this family for their 2nd pregnancy. 3 years ago, I photographed Kacey's 1st pregnancy in nature as well. Both sessions, we have had a blast. I cannot wait to capture their 2nd baby once its born!When Im capturing memories, I do more than “take photos” - I see depth and emotion. I aim to tell the story of clients and their connection with their loved ones. (or sometimes, the connection of the client with nature). For instance, in this session, what I see - is the connection of these two people, I want to tell that story to the world. I want to show everyone how deep their connection goes, all the way to their souls. These two people, who have created their 2nd child - all so very connected with nature - because we are nature. People hire me because Im different, my work is unique, they want to hire me to see what my vision will create for them - what story I will tell about their lives.If you want your family captured, contact me here! Photography Sessions with me are so much more than "photo sessions" 

East Nashville Maternity Photographer | Mallory's Glowing Pregnancy

The first pregnancy is always hard on nearly all women. We have to watch our bodies completely transform and morph. Even my clients who look fit and absolutely perfect pregnant, have a struggle watching their bodies change. So, when I get a client who has been there and now, on her 2nd pregnancy, can embrace her changes and maternal ways, I have to capture that.If you want your family captured, contact me here! We had the most amazing sunset. Capturing the pregnancy, the newborn and their new growing family - its all so important to me. These moments - they come and go so fast.