Nashville Family Filmmaker and Photographer | Why you should get a family film
Some people are adults, who now have family movies from their childhood. They watch them and recall their childhood. This is especially wonderful if a family member has passed away. To be able to go back in time, quite literally. Maybe on the video, we see how mom would snuggle little Ethan, or kiss Hannah's boo-boos. We see how Dad would play catch in the front yard on Thanksgiving with Tony, or how the cousins would always have pie fights.
But now, in 2018, we are lacking this, a lot. Unless its a video that comes up from years passed on Facebook, we don't have these videos of childhood to recall in the future. Having the annual Christmas Card or Fall family shoot is great and all, but is this truly capturing time? Is this really meaningful? Is it the actual meaning behind what photography was intended for?
I got married in 2006, so it was not a common thing to video the wedding. At the last minute, someone asked to take a candid video with a handheld camcorder. and I said yes, absolutely. That day was the last day I saw my mother. My mother died 3 weeks after my wedding.
When the end happens, I want to have as few regrets as possible. And when social media is gone and all of life's chaos is stripped away, when were saying our goodbyes, I know that what will truly be missed, is the moments. Not the posed ones in the field for the annual family shoot, but the everyday boo-boos and games, the naughty child who sprayed the sink with shaving cream, the way little Roman would giggle every single time his daddy played peek-a-boo. The way daddy would blow raspberries at bed time, or the teeth brushing chaos of having 5 children. The TRUE purpose behind photography is to remember THE MOMENTS. To capture the facial expression, the emotional connection, and the personalities. To tell YOUR FAMILY'S Story of today.
Some people think their family isn't interesting enough for a film. That could not be further from the truth. EVERY family is worthy of being honored with film and photos of their true selves! Everyone is beautifully IMPERFECT. Just as we were made. Just as we are.
In the end, it wont be the posed yearly photo we grab at. It will be the videos, so we can hear his laughter that we haven't heard in years. It will be our favorite image capturing a moment in time that told the story of love and connection.
If you want your family captured, contact me here!
Warmly,
Nashville Documentary Family Photographer | 6 Reasons You Need A Documentary Session
6 REASONS WHY YOU NEED NEED A DOCUMENTARY FAMILY SESSION
6 Reasons why you need a Documentary Family Session
I have been photographing families for many years now. And its always so stressful on them. They have to collaborate wardrobe, pray no one gets sick, everyone is happy, at the same time and get their hair and everything done. Some of the family members don't want to be told what to do, or they don't like being put on display for the camera. (My husband and oldest son are this way). Some members of the family might feel awkward. I want to share my top reasons why a documentary family photo and or film session make more sense than lifestyle and or posed sessions. It lessens the pressure and stress ten fold. Its is also a really fun experience.
If you want your family captured, contact me here!
1. You get to be YOU. The REAL you. Raw and beautiful as you are. I never ask you to look at the camera and I definitely never say "say cheese!"
2. You don’t have to worry about buying a new outfit. I prefer you to wear something that represents your normal attire, and something that is you!
3. Its SO much less stress. Mom and Dad don't have to spend all the hours getting the kids to cooperate with bribes and talks. We don't have to parent during the session. Your children can be their unique selves and run wild and free. I let them be CHILDREN. Because that is what we truly want to capture isn't it? Their childhood? The actual memories? Rather than a mock up of a family image? I love families who have weird family members, fun pets, and messes everywhere. I welcome the chaos and cannot wait to tell YOUR STORY. And no two stories are identical ;)
4. Its SO easy. I cannot express this enough. You get to do whatever your normal routine is. Or capture certain parts of your day you LOVE most. Bedtime routine, snuggles in bed, breakfast, baking cookies. The list is endless. We can even go hiking or fishing!
5. The best compliment I get, is that sessions don't feel like photo sessions. They felt like a break from the everyday stresses, a fun hour or two with family. Everyone laughs and has fun.
6. When we die or age, we will miss the REAL moments. We will want to revisit the goofy faces the 5 year old made, or the endless books he demanded. How Daddy would rough house with the boys.
Nashville Family Documentary Photographer | The Hartsfield's
This family is one of my favorites. They are so laid back and easy going. They have the most adorable laid back little girl. Im so blessed to have worked with them since she was pregnant with baby Kennedy. From her Maternity session, through the first year, and now into my film work, its been one big fun ride.The day was looking like it might rain and have lots of overcast. But it really brightened up and did not rain. It was so great spending a few hours watching them do their normal day to day activities, capturing the simple details of life that we often forget or take for granted.Many people feel their families are too boring for a day in the life photos+film session, but that is literally never true. Each family has its uniqueness and that is what is beautiful about these sessions. You can see that this family did nothing out of the ordinary, nothing extraordinary. They cooked, they ate, they played, they read, they nursed.I am booking 2019 Family Films and would love to film yours!Warmly,Hartsfield Family Film:Hartfsfield Family Film 2018 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.Sneak Peek of images from their session :)
Nashville Baby Photographer | Jude's Documentary Video + Photo Session
Sometimes in my job I get the most perfect scenario. Not only do I get to capture the stage of life that is one of the most pivotal in our lifetime, but I also am blessed to capture people I have deeply connected with. Ashlea and Matt, owners of Herban Market in Franklin, TN have become good friends of mine. I have been a crunch mom for 8 years - before it was cool to be one - Haha! Their little store has become a haven for me and my family. Before they opened, we could only get the quality of food we eat at the Franklin Farmer's Market. But now, if we run out between Saturday's, we can go to Herban and grab eggs or local meat, any local vegetable etc. The best part is, its small and not large like a walmart or whole foods. So, its convenient to run in really quick and grab something. I am Keto and my family is Keto/Paleo (we go back and forth) and so we don't have many restaurants in the area to eat at. Even when we find something really great, they almost always fry in soy/canola oil and thats a big fat no for me and my family. We don't even feel well on this one item alone. I know that I can go into herban for a round of tacos, or a great huge amazing salad. The entire story is GMO Free, all organic, mostly local, soy free - they filter out the bad for you. They have truly given my family the most amazing gift - convenience in a natural lifestyle - which is hard to come by.Times are for sure changing. And even better, Herban Market is EXPANDING to more than double their current space. They will have a full restaurant and I CANNOT WAIT.I suppose I should get back to my original point....I was SO blessed to capture someone I have this deep personal relationship with. It makes my job just that much deeper and more rich - I feel even MORE joy and excitement creating a film and capturing their family during this short but super sweet time.Without further ado, please enjoy Jude's Newborn Film.Welcoming Jude from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.Below is a sneak peek of their images from their in-home documentary baby session.
Franklin Documentary Family Photographer | A Day With The Lush Boys
I say it a lot, but that is because its true. Photographing a family for MANY years, its SO special. These boys, I have photographed when their momma was pregnant with them. We did 3 maternity sessions and 3 first year photo sessions - newborn and up! This year we did something different. An in-home day in the life type session. I have seen them move a few times in the franklin area. Their new Tennessee home is an amazing modern farm house, so a session there was just wonderful. We spent a few hours capturing the kiddos catching tadpoles, riding bikes, working on activities, and even dancing. I love documentary because it captures their personalities naturally. In every family, there is a muse. The youngest boy in this family is for sure suffering from 3rd child syndrome, being all kinds of naughty, which made for an excellent session. HAHAH!
If you want your family captured, contact me here!
Enjoy!Warmly,
Nashville Documentary Photographer | Our 1980's Summer
This year, I didn't set myself up for feelings of inadequacy.Every year, Based on what is happening on social media, I make a huge summer bucket list. You know the one, its everywhere. We have to camp, fish, look at the stars, catch fireflies, hike every week, swim at the pool 9 days a week, see all the splash pads, zoos and farms in the area.... its unreal.This year, I decided I would plan nothing. Remembering what it was like to be a child in the 80's, I don't recall ever having a list for summer activities. After the summer bucket list comes the Fall Bucket List, then the Christmas Bucket List.... we do it YEAR round. Things were not subconsciously pressured onto us via what everyone else was doing on instagram. We just lived, without much thought. So this year, I did that. I gave my children a 1980's childhood. There were times when we did nothing. We just lived in the moment. In my opinion, were becoming a culture constantly chasing something, never fully content with what life is. We seem to need to be taking on more work, another project, or being on a boat, then the beach, then a big shopping trip - but it almost never seems to end. We seem to be unfulfilled just living in the moment. If we have a summer bucket list, what were creating are high expectations for ourselves, extra stress to be the best parent ever, and so much added pressure. We are also teaching our children that life isn't fulfilling unless you're on a wild adventure 24/7. Also, if there is no predetermined list of things, you can look back at the amazing job you did with zero plans.... rather than feel like some failure :)
So, we had days like this, just laying at sunset on a hammock. Appreciating life. Seeing shapes out of clouds and just living and breathing.We homeschool year roundUnfortunately, we were behind on homeschool. Yes we homeschool year round, but usually we are not so far behind. So that did add some stress that I didn't love. Because my husband traveled for his job a ton between December and April, we fell 1-2 months behind on school. Unfortunately, my rational side and irrational side do not always see eye to eye, so I felt stressed keeping up with some arbitrary school calendar that we don't even follow. Its now August and we have about 2 weeks of school left before we start our new year's curriculum. Whew.I did love watching my youngest, Greyson, gain his confidence this summer. At the beginning, he was scared of swimming (terrified) despite a few years of lessons. He is learning to read and ride a bike without training wheels. I have said to many, that kindergarten is really a year of teaching confidence. I don't overly correct his errors and just work on building him up. He now LOVES going under water and is slowly gaining confidence on his bike. His reading is amazing! It makes me so proud!
I took my childhood for granted.I really did. I mean, I could bike ALL over my little city. I jump roped, I would go to the park at dusk and swing my heart out on the swings. I want my children to have that, as much as possible. Which means not signing them up for every single sport out there, making sure they have free play time in their schedule, vs a jam packed schedule of activities, parties, and responsibilities. Childhood is sacred and short. I want them to become adults who know how to balance work and home life, who are okay with less and don't have to chase every adventure or job or exciting opportunity that comes their way. I want them to have contentment. I hope they can become adults who can say no to events and be okay resting and relaxing on a porch in the summer evening, listening to the bugs and frogs. I want them to be happy with less.So this summer, we did end up catching some lightning bugs. Greyson found frogs literally almost every single day. He would play with them ALL day. They spent a lot of time in the sun and dirt. We had swim lessons and a few summer camps. We went to the pool a handful of times.
We spent some time crafting. Between Boxes being cut into robotic outfits and painting, the kids sure spent a lot of time creating.
We spent some time at the playground next to our property. And climbing trees barefoot. Jumping on the trampoline and eating yellow watermelon.
My kids even played in the rain.
Franklin Baby Photographer + Filmmaker | Welcoming Mary Patton
On a day in mid May, Parker (aka Daddy) contacted me for a live family video for his baby on the way, expected to arrive in June. I happened to have a last minute opening. From the first contact, this family has been so special to me. They have trusted my vision, and it was an honor to photograph their first born.Mary Patton is the sweetest (with a tiny bit of sass) baby. Filming these two amazing parents loving on their newborn, comforting her cries, and nurturing her throughout the morning was soul filling. There is nothing like observing these firsts. Mary Patton's umbilical cord fell off the week leading up to the session, so we were also able to capture her first bath.No parents ever regret having a film made. This time is just too precious and short (and blurry). Its an investment that will give back to your hearts for years to come!P.S. Her Llama nursery was probably my favorite nursery of all time.Warmly,
Welcoming Mary Patton from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.
Nashville Family Photographer
Cultural Shift?In 2018, more people are seeing that life is short. Raising children is a blurry short time in life. Pregnancy goes slowly and then, its like you wake up 5 years later. You have a hard time remembering all the precious details in between the chaos. If you're having a hard time remembering at 5 years post newborn stage, how will you remember every important moment 20 years later? It wont come in the form of Christmas photos. (By all means, get christmas photos!). But what are we really investing in? We invest in our cars, so they last. We invest in our homes, so they last. We invest in things. But what about the most important thing for the 80 year old us? Memories. We must invest in our memories. I could even turn this conversation into talking about elderly dementia. What if thats us? and Our children could have a film to remember when we remembered?You never know...In 2007, I last saw my mother on my wedding day. Someone that day took video as a last minute offer. I had no idea this was going to matter SO much. So much more than photos. I have video of her walking me down the aisle. This was before having your wedding filmed was a thing. But, images or film, what would I miss about her? It would not come in the form of a posed image. It would be her hands. The veins in them, and how they showed the years of life she had lived. It would be her hearty laugh. I miss the looks she gave, which would only be caught on video. I miss her hugs and kisses. Her words of love. I miss the ways in which she embarrassed me. I miss the way she loved me.I wish I could go back.Im so grateful that at the very least, we have raised our children with instagram and iPhone videos. You don't need fancy cameras to capture our lives. Anything will do. I have so many little clips from even when my oldest was little in 2009. They may never become anything though - whereas a professional live video telling the story of who we are - if we can commit to doing this (investing in it) every year or two - THOSE will be keepsakes we can pass down for generations. I wish I could go back and have captured that type of film and video of our family over the years. During the first years, were so tired and stressed - wondering if were parenting right or the baby is sleeping well or eating well - that we miss the littlest things. We blink and literally six months is gone - POOF. Gone. Never to return. Another birthday comes and we do not even know where the year went. Its a societal cultural issue, that time goes fast. We do more and take on more than any other generation before us. Which also means, we miss out on more. And if both parents are working? It goes by even faster.Lets wrap this up...Life is unpredictable.We have ZERO guarantees of what tomorrow brings.What will we truly miss?The way the 5 year old put his socks on upside down? How he never took life seriously?The way the littlest always had dirt on her feet and hands?The way daddy wrestled with the boys....or maybe how he put her hair in a pony tail everyday.It will be the little things. The movements. They connection between each other, that matters. And how can we capture that?Film. Get yours now.Jennie Pyfferoen Films + Photography from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.