Thompson's Station, Tennessee Family Photographer | Spending a morning at home with The Whisten's
I was watching a documentary last night and a young boy had lost his father when he was only 2 years old. He said that even though he did not have any memories of his father, the home movies he had helped him to form memories.
Even though we seem to video and photograph everything with that device in our hands, those videos often times are lost in the digital world. Nothing comes of them.
My clients hire me so that I can manage that for them. I can create a keepsake customized to the memories my clients find most meaningful. One they are able to rewatch often.
Im SO glad The Whisten’s hired me to capture their meaningful moments, their day to day and their connection with their son. It was a beautiful morning being inspired by observing their awe and love for one another.
Capturing a regular Saturday filled with your mundane routine on video shows you how beautiful and nostalgic these small moments really are. How, in these simple mundane minutes, we are actually leaving a legacy and building a life and family. It was an honor to film The Whisten's at their home they recently moved into in Thompsons Station. They are also expecting their second child in the fall and I will have the pleasure of filming their family with their new baby shortly after. I feel so incredibly grateful they have hired me to capture their favorite moments in life.
Do NOT miss out on the opportunity to create MEANINGFUL memories that will become your most prized possession. Get on my newsletter today so you can follow my work, updates, bookings etc.
Franklin, TN Family Photographer | A Day with the lush boys
I spent the afternoon recently on The Lush family farm/land. It isn't really a farm - except they do have chickens. They recently purchased 86 acres just outside of Franklin in Mcewen, Tennessee. They have been Full Time Rv-ers for the past year. Its been amazing to watch their journey - and Im so envious of their ability to RV for a whole year. They plan to build a home on their new land in the coming year, but are living in the RV in the meantime.
Malary wanted to capture her 4 boys' brotherhood and life together right now - in the country - being boys. Chasing animal life, feeding chickens, playing in creeks, getting dirty. Right up my ALLEY! I love capturing nature and kids being kids.
This family is my oldest client. I first photographed Malary's bump YEARS ago - probably 10-11 years ago. and I have captured every bump, newborn, baby milestone, and family photography session since. When I began making family films, we did a newborn family film and a family film of them when they moved out of their home a year ago, to capture their time in that special place.
Franklin, TN Family Photographer | Saturday Mornings with The Kessenger's
When you are reading to your small child, the importance of these memories may not hit you until they are older and more independent, reading all on their own. Then it hits you hard, where you feel equally proud and nostalgic as they read those precious words that they spent months learning to read. During those younger years, time seems to move more slowly.... But then in the middle of elementary school, time picks up and goes at warp speed. As parents of older children, we came to understand this the hard way. As your family film maker and photographer, I want to freeze as much of this for you so later, you'll have the ability to fully immerse into your memories.
By the time they turn 10, you start to be fully aware of how it seems like daily, they become increasingly independent. One thing many don't realize about this age... is that for many its the last time they will look like a child... they are about to go through puberty and rapidly turn into a child who looks like an adult. It's shocking and awesome at the same time. I am so glad we have family films before my oldest son, Atticus, went through puberty at age 11. He is now 12 and 5'7" and looks like a man doing parkour in my home. He acts like a 12 year old but looks 15.
Spending a Saturday morning with The Kessenger family at their franklin, TN home was filled with warmth and joy. Watching them play out in their backyard, play Guess who and read all snuggled up.... It fills me with this joy that is indescribable. Listening to their laughter brings tears to my eyes.
If you love this film and want one of your own.... contact me.
Franklin, TN In-Home Family Photography | The Swope Family Film
Spending the morning with the Swope Family was so inspiring. Im in awe of their ability to have both parents home and have a large presence in their children’s lives. This is one of the most connected families I have ever filmed.
Their love and bond are so evident when you’re able observe it. The way they all interact with a calm and patience with one another is the proof of their hard work and dedication to be the most intentional parents.
I know in 20 years, this video and any future films I make of their family will be the most powerful thing they own.
The day was absolutely perfect. The weather was calm and enjoyable - a precious spring day on their land in Primm Springs, just outside of both Fairview, TN and Franklin, TN. They have the most adorable white modern home. They have gorgeous large windows with no screens like I see often in family films made in Australia. They have really high ceilings and gorgeous tall cabinets. Their home is 100% drool worthy. You don't need a nice home to have a family film. My client's homes vary widely - and I love that. I am one who can admire the most extravagant home and the cozier smaller home as well (I prefer the smaller cozier for myself).
It was awesome seeing Forest grow so much since his newborn session last fall. He has gotten even cuter and so big. He always has the biggest smile on his face.
I love that my clientele is very diverse. All body sizes, skin colors, and income levels hire me. They do all tend to be more intentional in their parenting though - that I have noticed.
As I edited this film, I wanted to recreate the dreaminess that their life is - its what it feels like when you are with them. Like they're living out this dream of being at home in the country with their 3 children... homeschooling and raising really good humans with big hearts.
My favorite scenes were when dad was dancing with his girls. I felt so much emotion watching them dance, thinking, someday, he will dance with each of them on their wedding day.
Our Big Family RV Trip Out West {Utah + Arizona}
When I began instagramming some of our trip out west, I received so many comments and DMS from other moms who wanted to do the same thing. Since I'm not usually that mom who does big things like this, I wanted to take the time to blog the details, the good, the bad and the ugly of our trip! Nearly all of our photos were taken with an iPhone 13. I took my big girl camera on a few hikes, but had my husband get the newest iPhone before we left, so we could have an easily transportable device that could take good quality video and photos.
Let's start with why I wanted to plan this trip.
Early 2021, I read the book Adventuring Together By Greta Eskridge and after that - I was hooked on the idea of more adventures. Growing up, I hardly saw outside of my home state, Indiana. So I knew I wanted my kids to be more comfortable with traveling than I was as an adult. I had anxiety for a long time with road trips, and that has mostly subsided. I still cry on airplane flights and haven't yet flown with my kids. I might need a prescription drug to get through it.
I knew after the Covid Era, my family needed this trip. We needed 2 weeks to bond. We had been through a lot with the stress of Covid and job changes and my son going through puberty. we had shifted so much as a family and while we weren't disconnected when you look at all families, I felt we needed some strengthening. I also felt that my kids were growing up entitled to some degree. I was raised by a single mom and was adaptable to any situation, because we had moved every 2 years. My kids have grown way too reliable on their comfort zones. They take their lives for granted. And while I don't think that's an issue I need to harp on them about, I do want to find ways to push them out of their comfort zones. In contrast, my husband had the same home for 30 years and had extreme stability. While this is healthy, it also has lead to a man who doesn't like to be outside of his comfort zone and is a tad too bougie in my opinion ???
After late 2021 and early 2022, my job began picking up speed to where we could afford this trip. We started planning in February and early March. Mainly what National Parks we wanted to go on and how many days we would be gone. A few friends warned me that Campgrounds would be booked up already and to book them early. That really stressed me out. But one friend said to book each site the day of to give flexibility - so that's what our plan was!
My husband a year ago was adamantly not a fan of this idea, btw! I have been getting him used to the idea since! He is honestly too bougie and just doesn't like to rough it at all. This was really good for him. Not only did he get out of his own comfort zone, but he has some bougie ideas for owning a top of the line RV ???
My plan is take my kids out on the road for 2 weeks every summer until they graduate. Next year our plan is Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and maybe South Dakota as we turn to head back to Nashville, Tennessee.
Renting an RV.
I originally planned for us to take a pull behind trailer. It was less than 30'. I figured let's go small since were total newbies!
We get 24 hours out from leaving and the RV Share owner contacts us about our hookup to the camper. Come to find out, we were going to need a special electrical thingy. No one could do it that day! For about an hour, we wanted to cry. We got the owner to cancel and refund us completely. (He even admitted it was a question he should have asked long before then). and then began a frantic search for a drivable RV.
We ended up finding one at Cruise America. Everyone was so excited about being able to ride in the RV on the trip instead of a car. I cannot tell you how major this was for how our trip went. The entire trip would have been significantly harder had we had the camper we originally planned. We faced SERIOUS winds on the road at various times. Many days were winds exceeding 20MPH. It would have been so much harder pulling a camper. We also had more space, because we rented a 30' Motorhome. We were able to potty on the road. I usually have to pee every 2 hours on a trip, so this was extremely helpful. Getting in and out of parking lots etc would have been a lot harder. One plus side to pulling a camper is you can take your car and travel about easily, but we found the pros of having a drivable RV way outweighed the cons. The days we spent within National Parks, we were in the RV and able to take breaks and cook, and change and nap etc. One of our parks you had to reserve and entry, so we could not leave the entire day and the RV allowed us to have comfort and ease while in the park. Other parks were far from our campsite. You need a reprieve between 1-3 mile hikes with the Desert heat. A car would have been much more challenging to get this. We didn't need to run the RV for a cooling effect, nor the generator. It was just cool not being outside. Propane operated our stove. So we would go back to the RV around 1 and eat and rest and hydrate and go back out about 3.
Itinerary
Our plans were the Big 5 National Parks in Utah. Horseshoe Bend was high on my list. We had to skip Antelope Canyon because they required masks (its on an Indian tribe owned land) and we didn't want to do that at high altitude in the desert heat outside. We also wanted to hit up the Grand Canyon. and from there we would wing it.
Park #1: Arches National Park, Moab Utah
We did the following trails: Delicate arch (moderate hike, at the very end steep drop off but manageable if you have kids that you can trust and that trust you to guide them). We also did Windows, Sand Dune Arch and Skyline Arch. We did 2 in the morning and 2 after the 1-3 PM heat of the day. Have a meeting before your hikes and really explain that parts might be tricky and to trust each other and watch out for others. Bring plenty of water and snacks and LMNT salt packets. The dry air and elevation are difficult. If your oxygen suffers, its caused by dehydration.
While we were in Moab, across the street from our RV park was lions park... we went over there one evening for a walk... It was fun and they had a "playground" with a real rock for rock climbing practice.
Park #2: Canyonlands
Canyonlands has 3 sections that are super far apart. We only did island in the sky section. On that section, we did Mesa arch, White rim overlook, Grand view point and Upheaval dome first overlook.
At Canyonlands grand view point they had a geology talk at 10:30 & 11:00 check times for the day you plan to go.
Also did you know the rock formations were made from sand and wind and built up? Not from erosion entirely.
Park #3: Capitol Reef
At capitol reef, we did the Hickman Bridge Trail. It was a 1.7 mile out and back hike that took about an hour. We also saw Petroglyphs near the Hickman bridge trail, they were very cool.
Park #4: Bryce Canyon
This was our favorite park! Our favorite hike was Mossy Cove which lead to a waterfall. We went off trail some and got into the water fall instead of just above it.
The othe two Bryce hikes we did were the combo of Navajo & queens garden. Very intense. Wall Street was super cool. The second hike we did was easy and wonderful. It was called bristlecone - did you know it’s pine forest on top of a mountain growing out of a desert? It’s amazing.
Park #5 Zion
So, Zion was our least favorite. We didn't get to get into water, because there was toxic algae. One of our main hikes was shut down due to a huge rock fall (permanently). So those two things really make a big difference. We did a few hikes. We did riverside walk and grotto trail. We also wanted to bike Pa'rus but decided not to. We were all wiped after 4 consecutive days of national parks. (because we had lost 2 days in the initial RV issue).
Bonus Parks in Arizona:
#1 Horseshoe Bend
This was a bucket list item for me. I have wanted to see Horseshoe Bend FOREVER! Its a quick mile (total) and worth seeing. There are a lot of people though which makes it challenging to get a good view - and we went in a less busy time of year, Early May.
#2 Grand Canyon
Okay, I will be honest. We only stopped here because if Im going all the way to Arizona, I need to see the Grand Canyon. But after seeing all Utah had to offer, it was meh. I hated the fences, they were very short and provided no protection. It was cool and I am glad we spent all of an hour just driving to a few lookouts. But nothing to shout about.
#3 Petrified Forest
The Petrified Forest was formed from these ancient trees, given the scientific name Araucarioxylon arizonicum, and have morphed from wood to almost solid quartz, taking on colors from iron, carbon and manganese. It was really neat!!!! We have a piece of petrified wood that was handed down to my boys that I had wanted to toss. I kept thinking WHY DO I HAVE TO KEEP THIS ROCK? and now I don't want it to go anywhere, its really cool to understand how it was formed.
Franklin, TN Family Photographer | Richardson Family Family Film
I was so honored to spend a morning capturing The Richardson family on one of the first beautiful spring days in Franklin, TN. I could have (and told them) spent the entire day doing a day in the life with them. It was THAT much fun. And Their son Ryder, is absolutely hilarious. The hardest part of my day was trying to not laugh, so I could keep my video skills on point.
I often times hear parents say their family is far too much of a hot mess to have a film. Their kids are too crazy, their house is too messy.
This film is my favorite so far in 2022. It is filled with what it feels like to live their life. Its messy, joyful, and feels like a dream.
Let me tell you that these families make the BEST films. Not because the film comes out a hot mess etc. but when the kids are allowed to be themselves and the house is not stressed about and the primary focus becomes connection and living fully, the film and the photo just radiate love and joy. There is so much beauty in that chaos - that you dont have the time to see.
What makes my clients unique is that they seem to get that time is passing by too quickly, that if they are not intentional in their living, they will miss it and if they are not intuitional in capturing their real life memories, they wont have them later to reflect on. My clients are parents who slow down and live more intentionally.
When I work with clients, I want to know them as well I can - so I send them a questionnaire. The Richardson family had the most amazing answer for the question “What made you book a film with me?” And I wanted to share it:
“We can’t handle missing a single moment of the treasure that our kids are to us. We know time goes by and it’s beautiful and a gut punch all at once. We also know we won’t live in this house forever, but we have had some beautiful moments here and want video to document the season that it’s been for our family. Selah was born in this house, Ryder navigated a cross country move with us in this house. we’ve only been here not even two years but it’s been significant For our family.”
I knew after reading this, their film + photography session would be amazing. Their film will come weeks from now…. But for now… these photos tell an amazing story.
You should read my friend, Beth's blog about A birth she captured in Athens, Ohio.
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | 2021 Family Film Gratitude
Mid 2017, my world was turned on its head when I found family films and had my family filmed for the first time by Courtney Holmes out of Sydney Australia. That year, I dove into films and made small videos during my normal sessions. In 2018 & 2019, I was still learning but was booking a handful of family films a year, but had not learned quite yet how to articulate what I was offering. Then 2020/covid hit which put my business on pause. It took about halfway through 2021 for things to start to shift into a normal pattern and I was off! 2022 is now nearly booked and its only March! So given the long journey, that was wonderful and emotional and slow.... My gratitude has grown tenfold and I had to create this show reel with clips from every film in 2021 to share how grateful I am for the job I have - the soul filling amazing job I have, that I feel truly called to do with my life.
Thank you doesn’t begin to cover the gratitude I have for every single client I had in 2021. I just don’t even have the words to convey. I remember early summer chatting with a friend saying I’d be happy if I had 6 family films by years’ end. It was mid 2021 and things were just picking up steam from the pandemic. I blew far past that number. I also began filming births. What an amazing year. I’m so pumped for my 2022 films (so many are already booked - another dream come true??❤️❤️).
Below are some of my favorite images from 2021. I cannot wait to see what I create in 2022!
Franklin TN Family Photographer | The Speakman Family Film Day In The Life
Lola first emailed me at the end of 2021, to book a family film + Photos session for 2022. She voiced her emotions over time flying by too quickly and needing to capture their life as it is, because it wouldn't be what it is - very soon.
We met on a Saturday afternoon. The weather was beautiful and I arrived to find this beautiful family, new in their journey together, loving on one another so well. I was so inspired by their connection and their effort to be intentional with their lives and time together.
Speakman Family Film
Spending a few hours with Lola and Justin (and baby Rhett) was such a joy. Rhett's laughter and his parent's willingness to do anything to hear it, was so inspiring and made me feel so happy. This is what I get out of filming families; being able to observe other families, stepping into their world and out of my own for a few hours, grounds me and fills my soul. It keeps my own family intentional and grateful.
My favorite parts of our time together was witnessing their willingness to do anything for Rhett - just being so devoted to loving him and making him happy. We also, were able to walk over to the grandparent's house, because they live so close (so jealous!) and see how they love Rhett deeply. I loved capturing all of it. So much laughter and kissing, thats what I hope they remember.
