Nashville Family Videographer | A Film Session with The Brisky Family
It is always an honor to be invited into a family’s home to document their story through film and photography. But when my client is also a talented family filmmaker herself? That’s the biggest compliment I could ever receive.
I’ve admired and followed Neeli Brisky for a long time. We often chat about our work and encourage one another, so when Neeli shared she was expecting, she immediately reached out about creating a family film. My answer was an enthusiastic yes!
The Perfect Timing for a Family Film in Knoxville
As luck would have it, Neeli lives just a few hours away near Knoxville, Tennessee. Shortly after her baby was born, I happened to be traveling to Knoxville, which made the timing absolutely perfect for us to connect and capture her family’s story.
Meeting Neeli in person felt like reuniting with an old friend. She radiates kindness and carries a peaceful spirit that instantly made me feel at home. Watching her love on her three boys alongside her supportive husband was such a gift.
A Family Story Filled with Gratitude
Neeli’s journey to motherhood is filled with love and resilience. When she and her husband first tried to grow their family, they faced struggles. During that time, they adopted their first son ... and soon after, discovered she was pregnant. That blessing gave them two boys close in age, and now they’ve welcomed their third baby, another sweet boy.
To say that three boys feels like a dream come true for Neeli and her husband would be an understatement. Their gratitude for this season is evident in every smile, laugh, and tender moment.
Capturing Real Life Moments
One of my favorite parts of this documentary family film was capturing the boys together. The older two adore their little brother ... their voices, giggles, and excitement add so much life to the story. Their dad was incredibly hands-on, bringing energy and laughter to every moment with his boys.
What shines through this film is not just the beauty of this family, but also their joy in the everyday. These are the memories that will be cherished for decades ... not staged, not forced, but real and full of love.
Telling Your Family’s Story in Nashville + Beyond
Family films are such a powerful way to remember life as it truly is. From quiet moments to playful laughter, they preserve the heart of your family right now.
If you’re in Knoxville, Nashville, or anywhere in Tennessee and want a documentary family photographer and filmmaker to capture your family in an authentic way, I’d love to create something meaningful for you.
Reach out to me here to book your family film session.
Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer | How Birth Videography Can Help Heal From Birth Trauma
How Birth Videography Can Help Heal From Birth Trauma
Birth is one of the most powerful, life changing experiences a person can go through. But for many, it doesn’t unfold as expected. Birth trauma...whether physical, emotional, or both is more common than most people realize. It can leave new parents feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or even robbed of the joyful moments they hoped for.
I have seen clients who simply had a birth go differently than they envisioned, nothing bad happened, they weren't transferred, it was just... different. Rewatching their film back showed them that the birth was far more peaceful than it felt at the time and it helped them rewrite the narrative that they had begun to tell themselves. Oftentimes, trauma can result more from the story we tell ourselves about the birth than the birth itself. It doesn't mean there wasn't trauma, but when we can rewrite that story or get clarity or reframe the story, it can make all of the difference in how we process our birth.
As a birth videographer, I’ve seen how documenting a birth can become more than just creating a keepsake...it can actually be a tool for healing.
Understanding Birth Trauma
Birth trauma looks different for everyone. For some, it may come from an emergency intervention, a long or difficult labor, or moments where they felt unheard. For others, it’s the emotional weight of plans changing in an instant. No matter the details, birth trauma can leave scars that linger far beyond the birth space.
While professional support from therapists, doulas, and supportive care providers is essential, having your birth documented on film can provide a unique path toward processing and healing.
How Birth Videography Helps in Healing
1. Reclaiming the Story
When a birth feels chaotic or traumatic, the memories can feel jumbled, incomplete, or clouded by stress. A birth film allows parents to revisit their experience with clarity. Seeing what actually happened...moments of strength, support, and resilience can help rewrite the narrative from one of fear to one of empowerment.
2. Noticing the Love You Missed
In the intensity of labor, it’s easy to miss the small but powerful gestures happening around you: a partner’s hand on your back, the way your birth team worked together, or the first cry that filled the room. A film captures those details so you can see them later, often revealing love and support you didn’t realize were there in the moment.
3. Affirming Strength and Courage
Trauma can make someone question their own strength. Watching your own birth story reminds you of the incredible endurance and courage you carried through...even when things didn’t go as planned. This reframing can be profoundly healing.
4. Creating a Bridge for Connection
Sometimes birth trauma makes it difficult to bond with your baby or partner afterward. Seeing your birth on film can help close that gap, highlighting the joy, connection, and beauty that existed even in the harder moments. It creates a tangible reminder that love was present all along.
5. Honoring and Processing the Experience
A birth film doesn’t erase trauma, but it creates space for reflection. Watching it, sometimes alongside a spouse or support person, can help parents process emotions, cry, grieve, and begin to heal with a fuller perspective.
Why Birth Films Are More Than Just Keepsakes
Birth videography isn’t just about capturing a baby’s first breath...it’s about honoring your journey. For families who experienced trauma, a film can be a mirror that reflects back strength, love, and resilience. It can remind you that even though things didn’t unfold perfectly, your story still matters and is worth remembering with tenderness.
If you’ve experienced birth trauma, you are not alone. And while healing is a process, having your story documented can be a powerful part of reclaiming it.
I love filming births and would love to chat about your birth!
A Heartfelt In-Home Nashville Maternity Session with Lexi & Jordan
Back in June, I had the absolute joy of meeting Lexi and Jordan for our consultation to see if we were the right fit for me to film their birth story. From the very first email, I knew this couple was special. Jordan kept me laughing, and Lexi instantly felt like a lifelong friend. Their warmth, humor, and love for each other made me even more excited to begin documenting their journey into parenthood.
Our first session together was their in-home maternity session in Nashville, and it couldn’t have been more meaningful.
Why I Love In-Home Maternity Photography
One of the things I cherish about in-home sessions is that they allow me to capture your real life and unique story. For Lexi and Jordan, that meant blending documentary-style maternity photography with a few simple, posed moments in natural light around their home. The result is the best of both worlds... candid storytelling mixed with timeless portraits that highlight this sacred season of pregnancy.
In-home maternity sessions are also incredibly laid back. No rushing to a studio, no worrying about the perfect location — just the comfort of your home and the beauty of your everyday routines.
Personal Touches That Made This Session Unique
I love connecting with my clients on Instagram before their sessions ... it gives me a peek into their lives and helps me shape a session that truly feels personal. For Lexi and Jordan, one thing that stood out was their love of dancing to Latin music. I knew that had to be part of their maternity session!
We also talked through their questionnaire answers and made a list of meaningful daily rituals to incorporate, including:
Praying together before breakfast
Lexi making coffee while Jordan cooked breakfast
Jordan reading to their baby in the womb
Spending time in their devotional together
Dancing in the living room to Latin music
Capturing these real-life moments created a maternity session that was both intimate and deeply personal.
Telling Your Story During Pregnancy
Documentary maternity photography is about so much more than pretty pictures ... it’s about preserving the essence of your life as it is right now, before everything changes. For Lexi and Jordan, this meant celebrating not just the anticipation of their first baby, but also the little rhythms of their relationship and home life.
If you’re expecting and want your maternity session to feel authentic, relaxed, and deeply personal, I’d love to create that for you. Whether in your home, your backyard, or even your baby’s nursery, my approach combines documentary maternity photography with light posing to tell your unique story.
Contact me here to book your own in-home maternity session in Nashville.
Nashville Maternity Photography | The Cook Family’s Story
Nashville Maternity Photography | The Cook Family’s Story
Krystal first connected with me back in 2023 when she hired me to document her birth photography and newborn photography session. Since then, working with the Cook family has been such a joyful journey. Over the years, I’ve come to adore her two boys and deeply value my conversations with Krystal and her husband during our time together. Beyond sessions, Krystal and I often text about everything from parenting struggles to marriage advice...proof that photography, for me, is never just transactional.
Why Relationships Matter in Maternity and Family Photography
One of the core values of my work as a Nashville maternity and family photographer is building real relationships. Yes, clients pay me for a service, but what matters most is trust, connection, and authenticity. When families invite me to document their most intimate seasons—whether it’s the chaos of parenting toddlers, the beauty of pregnancy, or the sacred moment of birth...I don’t take that lightly.
My sessions aren’t about perfect smiles or posed moments. I capture real life: the children’s moods, the parents’ flustered glances, and the love that always shines through in the middle of it all. These raw, unfiltered moments are where the magic truly happens.
Capturing Parenthood Through a Wider Lens
One of my favorite parts of offering documentary style family photography is showing parents what they often can’t see for themselves: that they’re doing an incredible job. Parenting is hard, and many families I work with are navigating big things...sometimes even breaking generational cycles. When they see their own love, connection, and resilience reflected back in their photos, it can be deeply affirming.
That’s what these sessions are all about...reminding parents of the beauty in their everyday story.
The Cook Family’s Maternity Session
This recent maternity session in Nashville with the Cook family was extra special. Krystal is pregnant with baby number three (gender still unknown at the time), and the session was all about capturing what life feels like right now: parenting two lively boys while preparing to welcome another little one.
Their oldest is beginning to step into his role as big brother with maturity and pride, while their three-year-old is bursting with energy, spunk, and personality. From tender hugs to wild laughter, the session told the full story of this family’s love and anticipation.
It was an honor to document this chapter of their journey and freeze these moments in time before their family grows again.
Ready to Book Your Nashville Maternity or Family Photography Session?
Whether you’re expecting your first baby or documenting life with multiple little ones, I’d love to capture your story. My approach is documentary-style, authentic, and centered on connection. If you’re looking for a Nashville maternity photographer or a family photographer who captures real life, not just poses, I’d love to chat with you.
Contact me today to book your session.
Nashville Family Films | Why Family Films Are the Next Big Thing in Family Memories
Why Family Films Are the Next Big Thing in Family Memories
When you think about preserving your family’s story, what comes to mind? Most people think of photos...and for good reason. Photographs have long been the traditional way of freezing a moment in time. But there’s a new trend that’s quickly becoming the most meaningful way to hold on to your family’s legacy: family films.
Family films go beyond still frames. They capture the movement, the laughter, the voices, and the little details you never want to forget. Whether it’s your child’s belly laugh, the way your partner looks at your kids, or even the chaos of everyday life. Films hold onto it all in a way that photos alone can’t. They bring you back to this moment, right here.
Why Family Films Are Growing in Popularity
1. They Capture More Than Just a Snapshot
Photographs are beautiful, but they only show one second of time. Family films tell the whole story. They showcase not just how your family looked, but how you interacted, the way you sounded, and the energy of your unique dynamic.
2. Everyday Moments Become Treasures
We often assume we’ll only want to document the “big” events, such as holidays, birthdays, milestones. But years down the road, it’s the everyday moments you’ll crave most: bedtime routines, pancake breakfasts, kids playing in the backyard. Family films turn ordinary days into extraordinary keepsakes.
3. They Preserve Voices and Movements
Imagine being able to hear your toddler’s giggles years from now or watch the way your child skipped through the living room at age four. Voices and mannerisms fade from memory over time...but with a family film, you’ll always be able to RELIVE them.
4. A Legacy to Pass Down
Family films become heirlooms. They are something your children and even your grandchildren can watch one day. Just like families used to gather around old photo albums, future generations can gather around and watch your family’s story unfold in motion.
5. They Feel More Authentic
Unlike traditional posed photos, family films often take a documentary style approach. That means less stress about perfect outfits or Pinterest worthy homes, and more focus on the real, authentic moments that make your family who you are.
Why Now Is the Time to Invest in a Family Film
With technology advancing and more families looking for deeper, more meaningful ways to document their lives, family films are becoming more accessible than ever. A professional family filmmaker can create a custom piece that feels like a cinematic love letter to your life right now.
Think of it this way: photos freeze a moment, but films let you relive it.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Family Memories
Family films aren’t just a trend. They’re the future of memory keeping. They allow you to preserve your family’s story in a way that’s immersive, heartfelt, and lasting. Years from now, you’ll be grateful you invested in more than just images—you invested in movement, sound, and emotion.
If you’re ready to create a keepsake that goes beyond traditional photography, consider booking a family film and photo session. Because the truth is, time is moving faster than we realize and the little things you love about today will become tomorrow’s treasures.
I cannot wait to hear from you about your future family film! I promise you, your future self will be SO glad you did!
5 Heartfelt Reasons to Choose Day in the Life Family Photography | Nashville Family Photographer
5 Heartfelt Reasons to Choose Day in the Life Family Photography
Life isn’t staged—it’s beautifully real. When I photograph families, I’m not just capturing smiles—I’m capturing stories: the everyday touches, the unscripted laughter, the gentle chaos. Documentary-style family sessions are about honoring your life as it’s truly lived. Here are five meaningful reasons why they’re so cherished:
Kids can just be themselves
No forced poses, no “say cheese.” Spills, snuggles, wild hair.
Those are the moments that bring your future self the most joy.
Your family’s rhythm leads the way
Forget rigid schedules or orchestrated shots. I quietly observe and capture the rhythm of your day, not the staged curated moments.
Your space is part of your story
That well-worn couch, the favorite window seat, the little art on the fridge ... these details root your photos in your world.
These photos deepen as years go by
Ten years from now, these images won’t just show how things looked...they’ll feel like stepping through time into the warmth of now.
You’ll cherish the true, unvarnished moments
Instead of fussing with outfits or backdrops, you get to spend the time being with your people. One day, you'll be so grateful you gave yourself that gift.
Why This Matters
Authentic family photography isn't about perfection...it’s about presence. It preserves your ordinary moments so they feel extraordinary through your future eyes. So here’s to freezing those untamed, unscripted memories before they're gone.
If you’ve been thinking of capturing your family’s unique heartbeat...wherever that may be. Let’s make something real together. I’d be honored to help you remember your life, just as it is.
5 Common Myths About Birth Videography (And Why They’re Not True) | Nashville Birth Videographer + Photographer
5 Common Myths About Birth Videography (And Why They’re Not True)
Birth is one of the most powerful and emotional experiences a family can go through and it deserves to be remembered. Yet, many parents hesitate when it comes to hiring a birth videographer/photographer because of misconceptions that have been circulating for years.
If you’ve been considering birth videography/photography in Nashville, TN, or beyond, you may have heard some of these common myths. Let’s break them down and uncover the truth about why birth films are one of the most meaningful ways to preserve your story.
Myth #1: Birth videography is too invasive
The truth: A professional birth videographer knows how to blend into the background. My role is not to be in your face with a camera...it’s to quietly capture the story as it unfolds. Most clients tell me they hardly notice I’m there, and when they watch their film back, they’re amazed at how many beautiful moments they didn’t even realize were happening.
Myth #2: The video will be graphic
The truth: Birth films don’t have to focus on the medical side of birth. Instead, they highlight the emotions—the look on your partner’s face when they first meet your baby, the way you breathe through contractions, the moment your baby is placed on your chest. I prefer to focus on the relationships and connection with your birth team and spouse that helps you ride the waves of labor and bring your baby safely earthside.
Myth #3: My birth space will feel crowded
The truth: Most hospitals, birth centers, and even home birth teams are familiar with videographers and photographers and welcome us into the space. I work closely with your birth team to ensure I am never in the way. My job is to respect the sacredness of the environment while documenting it with care.
Myth #4: It’s only for “perfect” births
The truth: Every birth story is unique and beautiful—whether it unfolds exactly as planned or takes unexpected turns. Birth videography and photography isn’t about perfection; it’s about truth. Even in the hardest moments, there is beauty, strength, and deep love worth remembering. Many families find that their birth film helps them process and appreciate their experience even more fully.
Myth #5: I’ll never actually watch the video
The truth: Almost every family who books birth videography tells me later it’s one of the best investments they made. You’ll revisit your film on birthdays, anniversaries, or simply on a day when you want to remember how strong you are. Your child will also get to see the story of how they entered the world—what an incredible gift to pass down.
Final Thoughts
Birth videography isn’t about making a “movie” of your birth—it’s about preserving the emotions, the connections, and the once-in-a-lifetime story of how your baby came into the world. If you’re in Nashville, TN, and considering a birth videographer, I’d love to help capture your story in the most meaningful, respectful way possible. Contact me here.
Documentary vs Traditional Photography: Capturing Real Emotion in Family Sessions | Nashville Family Photographer
Documentary vs Traditional Photography: Capturing Real Emotion in Family Sessions
When it comes to choosing a photographer, families often find themselves deciding between documentary photographyand traditional photography. While both approaches are beautiful in their own way, they tell very different stories. One is focused on posed portraits and polished smiles, while the other embraces the raw, unfiltered beauty of everyday life.
As a Nashville family photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful it can be when families choose documentary day in the life sessions. Let’s explore the differences and the emotional impact that each style offers.
What is Traditional Photography?
Traditional photography is what most people think of when they imagine a family session. Think of carefully chosen outfits, everyone posed just right, and a perfect backdrop. These sessions are timeless for a reason: they create polished, frame-worthy portraits that look beautiful hanging on the wall.
There’s comfort in the structure of traditional sessions. You’ll have guidance on where to stand, how to smile, and what to wear. For families who want that classic “holiday card” look, traditional photography is a perfect choice.
What is Documentary Photography?
Documentary photography takes a different approach. Instead of directing your family into poses, I step back and capture life as it unfolds naturally. There are no forced smiles or stiff poses, just genuine interactions, belly laughs, messy kitchens, bedtime stories, and all the little moments that make up your real life.
In a documentary family session, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s truth. The focus is on emotion and connection, not perfection. Years from now, these images remind you not just of what your family looked like, but of what life felt like.
The Emotional Difference
Here’s where the two styles truly diverge:
Traditional Photography gives you curated portraits that represent how you want your family to be seen. They’re beautiful, but sometimes they can feel a little distant from the chaos and love of everyday life.
Documentary Photography, on the other hand, gives you an emotional time capsule. When you look back at these images, you remember how your child’s hair curled at the nape of their neck, the way they hugged you with sticky fingers, or how it felt to collapse into laughter together on the living room floor.
One style is about appearance; the other is about experience.
Why Families Are Choosing Documentary Photography in Nashville
More and more families are drawn to documentary photography in Nashville because it feels real. Life isn’t always tidy and staged, and parents are realizing that those “imperfect” moments are actually the ones they want to hold onto forever.
Documentary sessions allow kids to be themselves...wild, goofy, tender, messy. Parents can relax without the pressure of making everyone look perfect, and the result is a gallery of images that feel heartfelt, authentic, and deeply personal.
So, Which One is Right for You?
At the end of the day, the choice comes down to what you want your photos to reflect:
If you want classic portraits, traditional photography is wonderful.
If you want to preserve your family’s story, emotions, and everyday beauty, documentary photography might be the perfect fit.
Both styles have their place, but only documentary photography lets you revisit not just how life looked, but how it truly felt.
If you want to book your in-home day in the life session, just contact me here!