Franklin Baby Photographer | Welcoming Noah

I recently photographed this family, welcoming their second boy into the world. I captured some of their typical day right now, in the rough part of life; adjusting to two kids.

Mothers spend so much of their day nursing. Im so glad we captured this time in their lives.

I watched Mallory and her family adjust to the new baby as the oldest was seeking attention - as he goes from being the only child to sharing his parents.

I remember this time when I welcomed my second son into my life. So I could relate on a deep level. It was the saddest and happiest days of my life. My oldest felt confused about how much I loved him and I also wanted to soak up the time with my newest baby.

Some family time, reading and snuggling. and then all on his own, big brother wanted to hold his baby.

When I arrived, as is common, the house was a tad chaotic. Momma was flustered, older brother was acting out of sorts. The baby was probably crying or nursing. And Dad was just trying to keep things from falling apart.

But if you hire a professional photographer, you don't realize you're getting more than someone who can take photos and make a video. You're getting a doula, friend, and comforter - all in one. Mallory even said at one point "you have such a calm about you"

See, when I saw mom flustered. I simply said it was fine. and not to worry. and that all would calm down. and so it did. When they realize that just because family members are not 100%, that the session would not fail as a result. most of the time, that settles things down.

More nursing, because #hunger

I loved capturing this for this family. Photographing and filming families and newborn babies.

Warmly,

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.

Franklin TN Baby Photographer | 6 Month old Aspen

I really have the best job - baby and family photographer - living in Nashville and Franklin - I just cannot get enough. This family - working with them since they were pregnant with their first daughter - its all been the absolute best feeling capturing them as a family as they have transformed into what they exist as today. How much they love these girls, is obvious.If you want your family captured, contact me here!  What draws me into my photography work - the art behind it - is motherhood - even parenthood. I see my clients through my lens as a mother. I see daddy with his baby or child and I look at that intimate moment as a mother myself. As a mother who sees her own husband bond with our children - and it allows me to capture this deep connection - which also comes from bonding with the family, telling their own unique story as well.When I see the sweet baby sitting there, I think of my two boys - who are 7 &10 - and I cherish the facial expressions, the tiny hands holding onto one another, the grump faces, the chunky baby rolls and sweet look of awe in their little faces.... I see who my children used to be and who this child is - and it allows me to capture this child in all of her adorableness and her own sweet personality as she exists today. Because we know she will grow, and change. and that change will bring good and bad. Its sad watching them grow, but also exciting and new and fun. Watching your child grow up is like watching them slowly leave your heart. Yes, mommies and their babies will always be close. But that closeness changes. and it does sting, just a little.Warmly,

Franklin TN Family Photographer | Hause Family

The weather has been unreal - very little humidity and just glorious abundant sunny days in the Nashville area. Very un seasonal, as usually the sweat is endless this time of year.Im grateful though, for the less sweaty sessions and equally lovely days that bring sessions like these. This session was overflowing with love, connection, laughter, and JOY!If you want your family captured, contact me here! The children left saying "this was SO fun!" and really - thats all the Award I need! Its the best feeling when we leave a session, the kids had fun and think photo sessions are the best thing ever! (there may or may not be gummy bears in my camera bag too). We started off the session with a few looking at the camera shots, then headed off for pure fun. They were all about exploring nature - and I love capturing it!I hope they remember this, always - the smiles, and laughs - the open mouth hysterical laughter - how they looked at each other with admiration and love so deep.... Always make room in the budget for memories. This is the most important investment we can make - investing in our memories - that are so fleeting. Warmly,

Nashville Family Photographer | Blanton's Spring Session

This family. They are incredible. Sarah (mom) does an amazing job on her wardrobe - a hard task to do - particularly with 3 daughters. But she kills it time after time. Even at photography sessions where we have been eaten by mosquitos, the family and I always come through with a top notch photo session full of emotive images telling their own story. We played and laughed and some of us cried. Nashville gave us that perfect gorgeous spring day with lots of flowers, perfect temperatures and most importantly - no rain.I find that there is one theme centered in all of my work: Motherhood.Im sure its partially because I am a mother. But honestly, Ive been attracted to babies and pregnant women since childhood (was that creepy?)....I knew I wanted to be a mother when I was a young child. And pregnancy and breastfeeding were natural to me. I know some women struggle there, and thats okay, I just didn't. I recall  thinking I wouldn't know what to do with a child after about age 5 (thats pretty true, but now my boys are 6 & 9 and I guess Im figuring it out... or so I hope).I find my best work, is capturing mothers in their moment. Fathers too, because I can see that through the mother's eyes. But seeing a mother in her raw element, mothering her child in any way - even if its a moment of tears, a scraped knee, or wiping snot - that tugs at my artistic and mothering heart strings. Because its those in between moments, that we take for granted at times. That will go away one day and we will miss and crave the most.Some of my favorite times as a mother, are taking care of sick children. Don't get me wrong, its rough - but somewhere along the way, I started to see the beauty in illness. Calmer, slower days. Filled with rest and snuggles. It brings us closer, every time. The older they get, the more I treasure this. (Definitely was not a fan of sickness under the age of 3 when you worried they would never get well again).Here are my favorite images from this day with this precious family.If you want your family captured, contact me here! Xoxo