Nashville Family Photographer | The Kincy Family

I arrived at the Kincy Family home on a Friday around noon. We planned to capture their typical day, playing with their baby - their son, Otto.  It was a shoot filled with peace and love. With connection and intimacy. I loved every minute. I loved watching them chase crawling Otto everywhere and pull leaves out of his mouth and keep him from digging into the plants' dirt. This is the scene in many family's homes with new babies. and they are moments in time that tell our stories. Each day holds tiny stories and those tiny stories add up to larger stories, the story of our lives. I love capturing authentic moments. If you want your family photographed authentically, contact me.   The tiny stories may include corralling a baby - almost toddler - or it may be kissing his cheeks and reading books to him. The tiny stories may be the chaotic nursing a busy baby who one second is happily snuggling and nursing and the next he's off to get into the toilet.The tiny stories matter. They may seem mundane, but when you look back on them in 10 or 20 years, you'll see that much more meaning was woven into these tiny stories. Meaning of love and intentional parenting. Of connection and an unbreakable bond, that will grow and change over the years to come. I am so grateful to God for being able to do this work. It's important work and I love every second.

Travel Family Photographer | The Howard Family

Months ago, Sadiee (who has followed me for like 10 years!) reached out for a family film and photography session. She wanted me to travel 10 hours to her home in Tampa Bay, Florida, and spend a few hours capturing her family. I was so excited! It is my first time being hired to travel to capture a family and its something I would love to do a few times a year, between births.Marcus Family Film:The week leading up to her session, I practiced mindfulness to keep my creativity going through the stress of travel and the pressure of creating a film in 3 hours and not being able to reschedule. Its a lot of pressure - one Im sure wedding videographers are well aware of. You can't really re-do it, so things need to work well! Sadiee emailed  me a review about her family's experience being videoed and photographed by me. "I've been following Jennie's photography on social media since before I even had kids. I've always looked up to Jennie as a photographer and just as a human in general! Her style of photography always seemed to capture more than your typical photo. Over the years, I've watched her style evolve into something I can only describe as magical. The way Jennie documents families is truly priceless. I knew I had to hire her to capture our little family of four. This was an investment that my husband and I worked together to budget and made a priority purchase, and I'm so glad we did! The session itself was the most laid-back session I've ever experienced. The idea of having someone come into your home to take pictures of everyday life can be somewhat daunting, but Jennie just rolled with our chaos, and with a three & four-year-old, there is never a shortage of chaos. There was never pressure to get 'the photo.' We were able just to be ourselves. Jennie truly was there to capture us as us without any judgment for how the day unfolded.I cannot express how grateful I am for how much Jennie poured herself into capturing our family. She captured our everyday moments that are often looked pasted, but I'll miss these the most when I look back at raising toddlers. Life can be fast-paced and overwhelming with kids. Sometimes I don't even realize how fast they grow until I look back at old photos and videos. She captured all the little things that make our family who we are, from cooking breakfast together, reading books, and an afternoon swim. We have already booked our family film for next year, and I'm not going to lie, I am already emotional about how much my babies will change when she captures them next.Thank you, Jennie. You truly are one of a kind, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for what you captured for us. This session is truly a family heirloom, and we can't wait to see you again next year! " The day was absolutely magical. This was by far, my favorite family session to date. I will tell you why. They never were stressed by children's behavior. They just let things be as they were. They were the most chill family I have ever had and that is the key to an amazing session. They had the most entertaining breakfast. So much laughter and conversation. I love how they're all standing in the kitchen making breakfast together (their own Saturday ritual). After breakfast, Marcus and his kiddos rough house - which is their norm. and I was there for it! So many giggles and fun moments captured. So authentic! I rarely see rough housing during films in America. I watch many film makers in Australia capture this often. We Americans have become too serious! ? We ended their film in the pool! The go pro was so fun to use! Want to have your family filmed and photographed? I would LOVE to capture your family. Contact me. 

Nashville Family Photographer | A morning with the Norton Family

Quoting Chelsea's (mama) inquiry when she contacted me for photos: "just want some photos of our 2yr old who is wild and demanding (and adorable of course), but did not participate for her 1 year old photos or at her dad and I’s wedding this summer during pictures. She’s happy and fun but carefree still and want some photos capturing that before it’s too late"

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I loved this inquiry for family photography. Let me tell you why. I see families spend weeks agonizing over wardrobe for their outdoor fall sunset photography session, followed by a day of making sure their kiddo is in the right mood for the session, to show up and photograph the child or children in outfits they don't normally wear in a place they normally do not spend time in, coercing them into cooperating to some degree, be it with candy or games, all while pretending to be so happy so that the photos come out okay. and in the end, years from now, mama will wish she had more of her everyday, less of the posed photography.

So here is this mama, wanting to capture her child and knowing that posed just isn't going to work. I seriously love these inquiries, because I know 100% of the time, I will be able to give them exactly what their heart desires.

I spent about 90 minutes with this family on a Saturday morning capturing their typical morning. They sat at the kid craft table and crafted - the 2 year old was ENAMORED about cutting paper for the first time ?- they made pancakes, ate together, snuggled and laughed and played.

When I arrived, Rhea was unsure about me. I could sense she didn't want me in her face. This is where having two degrees: Associate's in early childhood education and a BS in developmental psychology really comes in handy. I sense she may be a slow to warm up temperament so I knew to stay back and slowly ease in and keep aware of her feelings about the situation. Patience is super key in this situation. The more patient I am, the better the session will be - so its worth it. Because I respected her boundaries that were unspoken, it didn't take long for her to warm up to me. Had I just jumped into her space and started shooting, she would have withdrawn Im sure and it would have taken even longer to gain her trust.

For the first half of the session, I would say she didn't fully show me all of her joy and smile, but I knew it would come. We just needed chocolate chip pancakes ????

I hope to see this family in 2022! It was so much fun and I loved watching them interact like they normally do. And their miniature doggie was amazing!

Let's Photograph your family! 

xoxo

Jennie

Franklin Tennessee Photographer | Amy Weber's Worship on Video

Back in August, I had this vision of a film. I have a friend, Amy Weber, who owns Releve One - a barre and dance / fitness studio in Franklin - and she has turned it into a ministry over the years - its been amazing to watch. She has classes that are aimed towards worship and she works closely with Blue Monarch - which I want to share more about.Who Blue Monarch Serves:Blue Monarch is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit designed to serve abused and addicted women along with their children. We accept women who are currently recovering from physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, alcohol or drug addictions, poverty and mental health issues. We accept women with children under the age of 9 and women who are pregnant.What Blue Monarch does:

Blue Monarch offers each woman a one to two-year residential program specifically designed to fit her individual needs and help her further her education, break her addictions, become a better mother, obtain a job and gain independence.

The reason I want to share about this is that it is near and dear to my heart. I am currently donating to this organization. Okay, back to Amy's film.So back in August, I had seem so many videos of Amy worshipping Jesus with her dance that I kept envisioning her in a film / video. I mentioned the idea to Amy and she loved it, but due to busy schedules, it got moved to the back burner for a minute. Fast forward to the end of September, Im involved in an online Filming Life Academy  and quarterly, they post film challenges to push an area of our creativity. They posted their newest Arthouse challenge for the end of 2021, a Moving Portrait.  A Moving Portrait Film is usually centered around one main subject, capturing details of that person and their environment. I had the AHA when this came out as our next challenge, that I would be filming Amy. and she has the most gorgeous light in her studio.To be honest, going into this film, I was not as sure about how to would turn out as I thought I was. I thought I had this strong vision for it, and the lord basically told me to sit down and let Him handle it. And handle it HE DID!Filming was a breeze and amazing, I knew I wanted no audio of Amy herself or her music. and I knew I wanted all slow motion. Editing turned out to be more challenging than expected. Let's break down why.This wasn't a family film. There weren't unique situations to tie into one story. Like a person doing some cooking then a person going outside. You couldn't tell what was first second or last. How as I going to tell the story that she was worshipping? How would the viewer feel when watching this film? Can I translate Jesus into this film? It quickly became too complicated for my flesh to be able to sort out. So I took step away, and worked on some other things and let it simmer.This is usually the right thing for this scenario. It really helps to step away and come back fresh. I wanted a very dreamy feel and Jesus did the rest. There is scene where I overlay two clips and there's a cross formation. I would love to say I did that, thought of it all myself. But truthfully, Jesus did it. When it came together I was amazed. I spent a lot of hours on this project and it definitely did a lot for me creatively. It also did more than that, and Im not really sure what that is yet. If you're really into Jesus, you understand what that means.So I finished this amazing film and posted it, waiting to hear feedback to hear what people felt. Did they grasp the story line? Also, my caption for the post on FB and IG. I struggled and struggled on what the heck I would post as the caption. Amy Worships Jesus? what would it be? I was sitting there ready to post, when I took a deep breath, and told my flesh to get out of my mind and connect with the spirit and see what He says and there it was: The Holy Spirit spoke to me and I realized, Amy wasn't my subject.The Holy Spirit was.Here is the caption that was chosen for me: I intended to film Amy worshipping Jesus in her own way - through movement. But like most things that involve our savior, things are not as they seem because you’re seeing with your flesh. Turns out, Amy wasn’t my subject, the Holy Spirit was. Can you feel it?So after watching the film, let me know. Did you feel the Holy Spirit?So after all of that ^^^^^ Here is the film:Amy - A Moving Portrait. from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.xoxoJennie

Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | 3 things I want every mom to know before they book a session with me

3 things I want every mom to know before they book a session with me

I’m not just a photographer and family film maker. Im a mother of 2 boys (9 & 12) and a wife. I also don’t have much family near me, so we do a lot on our own for our family. I dont have a nanny or mommy’s helper. I try to have a cleaning person come once a month. Because my house is almost always a disaster from driving 400 miles during the weekdays taking my boys to their various activities. 

Contact me.

I know what its like to be down in the trenches of motherhood. I know the whole range of emotions that comes along side parenting because I. am. right. There. with. you. If you have ever thought about having a shoot with me but you’ve held back, I want you to know these 3 things before you book with me.

1. I am totally and completely non judgmental when it comes to how fancy and or clean your home is. I know that in the age of Pinterest and instagram, that it makes us feel unnecessary shame about our homes being less then. Less than clean enough, less than fancy enough. If you have a fancy perfect home, that’s awesome! IF you are a type A person with a perfectly clean house, that’s amazing, and I wish I had that skill set. (Which is why I definitely have to have a cleaning person to keep me up on some level of home maintenance). But let me tell you, I will not even blink one thought of judgment if your home is less than perfect. I actually find it endearing when moms allow me to see them vulnerable and imperfect, its where my creativity feels prioritized over this looming cloud of perfection striving our culture has created. I have come into homes that were perfectly cleaned (almost always professionally) and homes that had a chair in the corner with laundry covering it. Almost every single newborn photography session had baby items everywhere. And No, I won’t be coming in and photographing your mess either. Im there to capture the connection between your family and the story of your relationship with one another. When I’m behind the camera Im thinking about light and angles and composition. If something needs moved, I just move it. Otherwise, I am unconcerned. I find that many times, mothers are worried about something that’s going to be very blurred in the photos anyway.

2. You are beautiful. period. And also,  YOU ARE ENOUGH. You are worthy - regardless of your body shape - or your fitness level - these photos aren’t just for you either, they are also for the children and your husband, who would miss you no matter what you looked like. Your family and your kids think the world of you, they dont see the pimple on your chin, or the few extra pounds. I hear mommas all the time say they want a film or shoot when ….. they lose the weight ….. or when the walls are painted. Here’s the deal: If you wait six months and something tragically changes about your family, you won’t be able to go back and you won’t give a damn about these things, so stop making them be a deciding factor for memory making. Your body doesn’t make you less than and doesn’t mean you dont deserve happiness and memories captured. This time is going to pass and you cannot go back. My sincere wish is that you see yourself the way your children see you. Brave, beautiful, strong, kind, loving and safe. Your perceived imperfections are perfect. 

3. Your kids are fine. No matter how they are behaving. I have 2 boys who fight a lot. Im used to chaos and rowdiness. We are going to embrace the crazy. The Best sessions are when moms and dads aren’t trying to overly control behavior of kids, and they are just letting them be. I won’t be asking your kids to cooperate in any way, I am a fly on the wall. Removing those expectations for a perfect photo really transforms the entire session. If your child is one that begs for attention and loves new people, dont worry, they will eventually forget about me and I will be able to capture them genuinely. Our sessions are truly fun, very laid back, and even dads love them because there aren’t high expectations to be perfect, act perfectly, or look perfect. There is no wardrobe coordination (this alone should bring people to getting documentary sessions, because lord knows the sweat and tears that goes into wardrobe planning).

The best sessions are with clients who understand all 3 of these things. You are fine. Your house is fine. Your kids are fine. Book the session, laugh a lot, hug your kids, connect as a family. You deserve these memories. 

xoxo

Jennie

Franklin TN Family Photographer | The Hartsfield's {Day in the life}

I have been photographing this family since their oldest was in momma's belly. It's been so fun to capture them as they have grown as a family. Im so blessed with clients who were with me with my old style of photography and have stayed with me into the family film transition.

Contact me.

Hartsfield | September 2021 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo.

We have done 3 films for this family (one was extended family as well) and Momma just loves the memories they provide. After posting her film to social media, she shared it with the words "photographs only capture so much" - which is so true. I do take photographs during the film sessions too, but film is the primary target.

we had so much fun riding on the golf cart (it would have been fun to have behind the scenes video of me hanging off the side of a golf cart, trying to live and take stable video footage), making stores, and watching this family connect with one another for a few hours. Their bedtime routine was full of giggles and their dinner time had so much fun conversation.

This is the review Lauren (momma) left me on my google page: "

I don’t have enough good things to say about Jennie and her work. I found and fell in love with her work in 2016 when I was pregnant with our first child. She photographed my maternity thru our daughter’s first birthday. At that point she was dabbling in some film so we would be a very short highlight film from our sessions-which I loved! So when she announced she was doing family films in 2018, I knew we had to book one. Our first film was that year when our daughter was a little over a year and a half. Watching that film for the first time was so heartwarming. We were able to do an extended family film in 2020. It is so special to have, and I’m so thankful to have such a beautiful video to share with our children when they are older. We decided to do another family film this year (2021) cause we had added a second child to our family since our first film. To say I was touched is an understatement. I didn’t know if was possible, but Jennie has outdone herself with this film. The dedication and love she puts into her work is something special. She had such an amazing gift to share, and I’m so thankful for her passion. If you have ever had a thought of using Jennie for a film, actually even if you haven’t, just book one. You won’t regret having that season of your life captured, even if it’s messy or chaotic. When you watch it back, you will have tears of joy and mourning (oh how the time flies) and be filled with smiles and thankfulness that such beauty was captured. My heart is so grateful"

While I was filming this family, it felt like a dream. The kids swinging on the swings - the giggles - the joy and love.

When I see a family interacting, I see the moments as memories, as precious snippets of time. The time we were on the golf cart was as amazing as it looks in the film (I was able to fully create that moment well) to show you how precious that time was. Mac, little brother, was obsessed with geese and repeated the word GEESE GEESE throughout the ride. Big sister - I just loved watching her enjoy catching the wind in her hair and she was just pure joy on that golf cart. These children don't even know they are living moments they will hold dear in their hearts forever, and now those moments are in the film. For them to later see and recall. It's too precious for words.

They're going to remember their daddy spinning them in blankets before bed, they will remember their momma's voice reading them a book by the fire. It makes me cry - and Im not in their family.

xoxo

Jennie

Franklin, Tennessee Newborn Photographer | Welcoming Forest

I have to start with his name.... IM IN LOVE! I have 2 boys and don't necessarily want another baby boy, but that name is tempting....

How I approach a newborn photography session.... My family photos and films are unstaged and undirected. But with newborn sessions, I tend to do some light directing.... Maybe one day I won't. But for now, it feels right and still feels authentic. I get to know the parents beforehand too so I can tailor it to their family and not be a cookie cutter session, so that helps too.

Forest's older sisters have a lot of personality, particularly Poppy. (all of her children's names are super cute!). Poppy is their middle child and she lets us know her mood by her facial expression ?

Forest was born at home. since he was her third baby, he should have been an easy home birth. But he was her most difficult! Its a long story and not mine to share, but the midwives were well equipped and mom is so grateful and has no regrets. I will say, it was a 3 day labor to get buddy out.

While right now, mama doesn't want to do that again, I love seeing clients have lots of babies ? I guess that's easy for me to say, I just get to capture them!

I loved capturing all of these meaningful moments for this sweet family. I know they already treasure these photos so much!

Praying for them as they adjust to life with 3 kids.

xoxo,

Jennie

Franklin Family Photographer | The Lush Family Day in the life

Lush Family Film:

Your professional photo and or film sessions shouldn’t be based off of what your peers are doing or what social media tells you is cute.

It should be rooted in your own family’s story. Your own memories. I’m hearing that this new social media generation is getting to the season of life where their children are teens etc and wish they had more photos capturing their everyday.

They didn’t realize social media was influencing their decisions about their photo sessions. My generation chose to be bodily conscious and sought after what we saw on the gram. Things like Santa photos and sunflower fields. When none of that told the story of our family. None of this captured our Saturday’s snuggling, baking, fishing, or reading.

We don’t get this time back.

Throughout life we have a handful of absolutely life changing exhilarating moments. Those should 100% be on videos / photos.

There is nothing better than being able to relive those moments over and over.

Life isn’t guaranteed. We just don’t know when our last moments when our loved ones will be.

Unfortunately, I tend to see the value of video take place after a death. I’ll see someone say “I wish had more videos of him or her” or “I’m so glad I have these videos. I can hear their voice or see their facial expressions taking place”

Is there any way we can appreciate this before things happen? Can we realize the value and live intentionally enough to make sure the photos and videos are captured for the future.