Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | How do I get authentic family photos?
Over the years, photography has been slowly moving away from posed family photography... But in replace of that, it has moved to "lifestyle" family photography. Lifestyle can be done indoors or outside, but it is another form of staged work. While the outcome can be beautiful AND meaningful... Is it capturing the family as they really are? From my experience with many photographers ... No.
What Lifestyle Photography Misses out on...
Lifestyle photography is another form of cookie cutter photography. Most photographers have a shot list. They follow that list for every family. (Hey, I'm not bashing it, I used to do it!)
But what I realized when I found family films was that a shot list misses out on capturing REAL MEMORIES.
Maybe not every family snuggles in their master bedroom? So why do we do this in every in home lifestyle photo session? I know most family certainly dont snuggle on a quilt in a field.... so why do we do this every fall for family photography sessions? What does a quilt in a field have to do with your family memories? Nothing...
Your life is absolutely beautiful. Even if you have weight to lose or your home needs remodeled. And if you are waiting on those things to be perfect, you will miss out on all of these beautiful moments in the meantime.
I get to know my families.
Me and my clients get to know each other. I want to know what your favorite moments are RIGHT NOW. I want to know what crazy things are happening every day that may even drive you crazy but you know you will miss (hello, stepping on legos!)
I want to know how you met your spouse and what your favorite memories were when you were kids! I want to know all of the weird parts, the messy parts and the best parts. Because to me, its all absolutely amazing. The story is beautiful.
When you choose a lifestyle session rather than a documentary session (unposed, real life)... You are actually ignoring memories. I remember when my first documentary session happened in my home and the photos came back. A photo of my son laying on his belly, on a bench, reaching behind him putting on his shoe made me cry... Why? Because I almost lost that moment by choosing perfect photography sessions over real life. (and for the record, when he acts silly putting his shoes on in the weirdest way, it does drive me crazy! But the kids will grow up and learn to properly put their shoes on, so I try to soak up the moments anyway!)
There are moments you may not even see.
Inevitably, there will be some really fascinating in between moments on your session. I see these tiny fleeting moments that you might not even see because you are busy living your life.
That's why you hire me. So that I can capture those for you and you can revisit them for years to come. Whether you hire me for documentary photos or a family film and photo session, Im going to spend a lot of time with you. Don't worry, the sessions are easy. Dads LOVE sessions with me, they say it's the easiest session ever, because I do not force posing or inauthenticity. If a child is uncomfortable, you can trust that I am going to give them time to warm up. I know how to back off and wait. and it has never failed. It helps that I have two degrees in child education and psychology. I never force children. That is the #1 way to ruin an authentic family session.
If you want to try this type of family session, please ... let's chat! I would love to talk it over with you.
Franklin Tennessee Family Photographer | What time of year is best for family photos?
Okay... Everyone knows the answer to this... its FALL. Technically. But is it?
The best time for family photos is ANY TIME OF YEAR!
Weather has NOTHING to do with your family memories.
What is meaningful about fall? NOTHING. Fall photos were created for Christmas Card photos. They are a social contagion that was exacerbated by Social Media. As everyone began posting their fall family photos, everyone else wanted fall family photos and well, now we don't even know the REAL reason behind our photos anymore.
So let's talk about meaningful memories and why they are SO important.
Maybe you are like me... you have an almost 11 year old and you know what is around the corner. The END of his childhood self and the beginning of his transition to man. That can't wait until Fall, because he could grow TWO inches by then.
Maybe you have a 4 year old and you know that any day, her little voice won't sound so little anymore. That can't wait until Fall.
Maybe you just got pregnant with your second but want to remember what it was like to have one child. That can't wait until Fall.
The Truth is... There is no better time to get family photos (or video too!) than RIGHT NOW. Perfect timing doesn't exist. But imperfect moments that we will miss... DO exist.
Nashville Family Photographer | Why are family photos so stressful?
You booked your session months ago and now its DAYS away. You don't have your wardrobe chosen, your kids have snotty noses, and you feel like you cannot keep up with your to do list.
Family photos... POSED family photos (which includes "lifestyle") are SO STRESSFUL. Choosing wardrobes that match but not too matchy .... knowing you have invested money and time into this little hour session that MUST GO WELL OR ELSE.... which leads to bribes and threats and an overall BAD experience.
I have the answer for you that will remove at least 90% of that stress.
STOP DOING THEM. Why?
They are not all that meaningful... they do not capture the snuggles you get first thing in the morning, or the toddler babble your two year old speaks throughout the day. They do not capture the way your nursing infant loves to play with your hair... or the voice of mom reading her child's favorite book. They miss the moments where your 5 year old catches a frog and has the dirtiest hands. Or what about the sound of laughter that fills your walls? All of that is missed... and for what? So you can have a Christmas card photo and check the box for annual family photos? That express fake happiness because in reality you were so stressed and sweaty from wrangling all the kiddos for the shoot.
Just stop doing it. You won't miss those photos, I promise. And if you do, you can always grab a mini session, they're literally on every corner!
Okay, it all sounds good in theory, right? Let me show you what clients have said about the ease of their family film and or photography session (I offer both!)
Check out my family films here! And if you are not quite ready for a video and photos session, learn more about documentary photography here!
Nashville Family Photographer | 5 Reasons to get a family film
- To remember your children in the season they are in now. But it is not just about remembering your children, it’s also about your children’s memories as they grow.
2. You deserve to be in the frame too. Someone has to be behind the camera, and as a result, someone is missing from the family album and family movies. I’m giving you the ability to slow down and connect as a family. To unplug and reset. I will show you the moments that you didn’t even know you needed to see.3. Your film becomes the thing that you treasure most.
4. Your film feels like stepping into a memory of your family's story as you are right now. A time capsule for you to treasure forever.
5. You never know what tomorrow holds. We are not promised forever. and at the end of our lives, we will not wish for more money or things, we will wish for more time. When our loved ones pass, we hold on to them through photos and videos.
Franklin, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Bakirtzis Family
Spending an occasional morning filming or photographing families has been one of my greatest honors. I just feel SO at peace capturing them and discovering their story. How they interact, how they show love. What their favorite memories are. All of it makes me immensely happy. I know that I am truly doing what I was called to do. I spent years doing more trendy photography work before I discovered this. There is nothing that a family can do that I am going to judge. I am here to capture your story, whether its a perfectly kept home or a complete mess... whether its organized chaos or sweet daughters who gleefully sit on your laps, I am HERE for it.The Bakirtzis family was such fun to capture. I really hope they hire me for a film in 2023. They just have the sweetest interactions and strong love for one another. (I know I could say that of all my clients, but still... each family is unique and I never tire of it!)Y'all are gonna die over this baby's cuteness ... BTW.Dying to book a session? Contact me here! I would love to chat!
Nashville, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Martin Family
I got to spend a morning with The Martin Family at their Nashville RV site. This family began full time RVing across the country a few years ago. They homeschool or "roadschool" their two children and get to spend a lot of time together seeing so many cool places! They have such an amazing story to tell from adopting two children, separately, to now being a full time rv family. You can follow their journey over on Instagram.As someone who loves leaving the rat race behind as much as possible ... I was absolutely thrilled when they asked me to film their family. We took our first RV trip out west last summer and I fell in LOVE! I would totally RV full time if my husband's job was remote! It is so freeing. and we already homeschool :)We captured their favorite book that talks about what it was like to adopt these two precious boys. The book was titled "When God Found Us You" . We videoed a lot of laughter and fun with legos. and then they hopped on their gator and rode to the back of their property. It was an absolutely beautiful day for December! (ps. this post contains affiliate links).I really hope you enjoy this very unique family film! Their photos and video both came out beautiful!
The Martin Family | December 2022 from Jennie Pyfferoen on Vimeo. 
Nashville, Tennessee Family Photographer | The Hygge Family
I was blessed to spend a few hours capturing The Hygge Family. The coolest thing about this family is... they changed their last name to match the lifestyle they wished to lead! Hygge is a word in Danish and Norwegian that describes a mood of coziness and "comfortable conviviality" with feelings of wellness and contentment. We practice this in the winter. I have found that when we disengage from cultural expectations that we can be lead to do things that feel more organic and right for us. Our family becomes cozy and snuggly in the winter. We step back from going to all the things and start to be home more. We rest more, play games, and just enjoy less hustle. It's pure bliss. 10/10 Recommend!
The Hygge's were amazing. They have a cozy home they have remodeled on their own. It is simple and cozy which is my favorite! (How many times can I write the word cozy in one blog!)...
For A family session, contact me here. I would LOVE to work with you!
I really loved witnessing how they love on their infant son everyday... capturing their real moments and raw motherhood. It was an absolute favorite session! They also have 3 dogs that I was able to get a really good photo of! Check it out:
Franklin Tennessee Newborn Photographer | The Carlson Family
Spending the morning with The Carlson Family was just the BEST! I was able to capture their maternity session not long ago and now I get to photograph them with their precious new baby! They are so completely smitten with her, and you can see why! She is such a beauty. She looks a lot like dad (and his red curls are TO DIE FOR!). I love witnessing this transition in life from couple to parenthood, its so beautiful. I know they will have many sunny day strolls and dinners together, loving on their new baby. I am sure her family will lavish in watching her grow into the beautiful child she will become. Im sure they will sing many songs to her and rock her many nights ... these years are so fleeting. They feel long, but they are just a blip!
