Allie's Spring Recital - Southern Tennessee Child Photographer

I was going back through some sessions and realized I never shared Allie's session from this spring.  Allie is one of Molly's best friends.  My dear friend, Lana, asked me if I would take some photos of Allie in her recital ballet costume.  So we met one day during Spring Break.

I had to get lots of detail shots of Allie's costume. 

Love the ballet bun. 

Talented little hands and feet. 

We made arrangements to use the stage at our local museum. 

Isn't she a cutie?!

Lana is a very talented dancer and has taught dance for years.  She even owned her own studio a few years back.  She has decided to hang up her ballet slippers and wanted some special photos of her and Allie together. 

This was one of Lana's favorites.

And this was one of mine.

Before we left, we did a few outside in front of the gate. This is also a favorite. 

Allie's recital is now a memory, and I hope these photos serve as reminders of this special time in her life for years to come. 

Kaylee at 2 years - Southern Tennessee Child Photographer

The first contact I had with Kaylee's mom was the following e-mail. 

I would like to have pictures made of my 2-year old daughter.  Because she's 2, I knew it wasn't going to be easy and I wasn't expecting a lot of good pictures and I didn't want to spend a lot of money on bad pics so we took her to a studio on Saturday.  We walked out of there without the first picture ever being taken.  It wasn't a pleasant experience.  That's when I decided that at her age a studio wasn't going to cut it.

I would like pics of the three of us, but I want pics primarily of her.  Are you up for this challenge?  :)

Ahhh! A challenge! I love a challenge! ;-)

I talked to Kaylee's mom a few times, and I gave her my philosophy on 2-year-olds.  I think most photographers would agree with me when I say that 2-year-olds can be the most difficult of all subjects to photograph.  That's not because they are little monsters or anything like that.  It's because they are busy fellows.  They have things to do, and they don't need any help doing them! As a mom, I have been through the Terrible Twos 3 times now.  My approach to photographing a busy 2-year-old is that they set the pace.   We go with the flow and as my Molly likes to say, "You get what you get..."  I may have ideas going into a session, but it is usually the unexpected shot that becomes my favorite.

We met at the old train depot.  One of my favorite photos of my Molly is on these same steps. Kaylee quickly let us know that she didn't want anyone else on the steps with her.  

She also let us know that she didn't need any help climbing up or down the steps.  She could do it herself! She did let me get take a quick shot of her cute toes though.

Next we headed to a nearby farm.  Isn't her little alligator outfit just the cutest?! Like I said, it's sometimes the unexpected shot that becomes my favorite.

This was us going with the flow.  We were playing in the dirt when I got this one. 

Things were going so well we decided to try to a clothing change.  Mom is a real quick change artist!

And what is that I see?! A smile?  I think that counts as completion of the challenge.  Wouldn't you agree?!

And we even managed to get a few family photos while we were at it.

All in all I would call it a successful afternoon.  I hope Kaylee's mom will agree!

Run for Ella 2010.

I am very happy to be a sponsor for the Run for Ella once again this year.

This is a wonderful event, and I am so glad that it is becoming at annual event benefiting a child in our community who is facing a difficult time.  Ella is truly an inspiration to all who meet her.  If you don't know Ella's story you can read it here. I was so fortunate to get to photograph Ella and her sisters, Mia and Sophie this spring. They are the sweetest girls.

Ella has amazed us all.  She brought our community together last spring/summer like nothing I have ever seen before.  I truly believe she is still with us because of the prayers said on her behalf.  That and because she still has so much to teach us.

Ella's mom, Sara, is as much as an inspiration as Sara.  We all read her daily posts last year while Ella was in the hospital and rehab.  She encouraged us all with her faith.  I love Sara.  She is a beautiful person and mom.

Even though I don't personally know Jules.  I am thankful to be part of an event that will help her and her family as she recovers from her injuries. Please join us on June 12.  It is a great family event.  Don't worry if you're not a runner! There will be lots of non-runners participating.  Last year Molly and Elizabeth even participated.  Much of the course is more suited to hiking than running.  You can do it!  

1st Birthday Tea Party.

How better to celebrate your 1st birthday than with a tea party in the woods with a few of your best stuffed friends?

That's exactly what we did for Miss Karsyn's birthday.  I shared my vision with her mom, and I am so glad she went along with my idea. Amy usually goes along with my ideas, and we've had some pretty unique sessions because of her willing to let me dream.

Quick clothing change. Karsyn had the cutest outfits! Love this pink dress!

Another break in between clothing changes.

She really had fun crawling around.  I think she enjoyed the freedom!

Molly tagged along with me on this shoot.  Karsyn really liked Molly.  Molly proved to be a great assistant.  She was playing with Karsyn when I got these shots. 

I love this one. :-)

After our break it was tutu and cake time!

I love these.  Love, love, love them. 

I love how she looks like she getting away with something in this one. I mean it's not every day that your parents sit you on top of a table and tell you eat a cake with your hands!

And this one.  Well, it just cracks me up!

Amy and Kevin, thank you so much for letting me photograph your children over and over.   They are so precious and you are such wonderful parents.  I am so glad that photography brought your sweet family into my life. :-)

Easter Mini-sessions - Jasmine & Caden.

You probably recognize Jasmine and Caden.  They are not new to my blog. You might remember their Christmas session. They are two of my favorite kiddos.

 

I think Caden was a little disappointed when he found out that they weren't going to the barn this time. 

 

I think I made it up to him though!

And one last one of Miss Jasmine.  She is such a sweetheart.

More Easter sessions to come!

Easter Mini-sessions - Miss Emma.

The weather has not been my friend lately.  I had a full day of Easter sessions scheduled for last Saturday, but it was a yucky, rainy day just like every other day for that week.  So I rescheduled everyone I could for this Saturday (looks like it's going to be a gorgeous day), but there were a few that weren't going to be able to make it this Saturday.  We rescheduled for this past Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't the nicest of spring days.  It was a little on the cool side, but my kiddos were awesome and never once complained of being cold.  

I started the afternoon with Miss Emma.  Isn't she precious?!

I think this next one is my favorite.  She looks like a little angel.

But there is something about this one that I really like, too.

Emma is just the first of many Easter sessions I will be sharing. 

And I do still have one opening at 2:00 tomorrow if anyone is interested.

Karsyn & Kadin ~ Tennessee Child Photographer

Karsyn has changed a lot since the last time she and I were together.  Her mom called and schedule an appointment for her 9-month session, but the weather did not cooperate for us and we had to reschedule.  I think Karsyn was closer to 10-months by the time we were able to get together. It was a nice day in February, but it was still a little chilly.  That's why I suggested we do something a little different.  We met at our new public library on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and I have to say this is one of my favorite sessions ever.

Luckily, the library wasn't very busy that day, and we pretty much had the children's section to ourselves. 

Karsyn quickly went to work searching for just the right book. 

After a while we found a back corner where we could be just a little bit louder.

Kadin being the boy that he is found a whole series of bug books.

I did manage to get him to look up just for a second. :-)

And a little storyboard I put together.

This really was the perfect setting for their shoot considering Karsyn and Kadin's mom is a elementary reading coach. She knew most of the books the kids picked up.  I think it's the little things like that make photos all the more meaningful. 

I'm already planning for Miss Karsyn's 1st birthday session!

 

Cooper - 18 months.

I have a new friend, and his name is Cooper. We met last Sunday afternoon at the barn. He liked my horse.

Cooper's mom had contacted me back in January about scheduling a session, but the weather just hasn't cooperated. As soon as we had a nice weekend we made the most of it.

If all 18-month-olds could be so easy!   Cooper was great.  We had so much fun.  He also liked my red wagon.

I just downloaded this to my computer and did a quick once through to pick out a few for a little sneak peek for Cooper's mom, but this is an early favorite.

Hope you like the sneak peek, Mom! There's a lot more where these came from!

The Three I Call My Own.

Life is hectic. 

Life is crazy.

But every once in a while in the chaos that we call life in the Barnes household something will cause me to pause.  I think that something is Someone.  I think it is God.  And at that moment I am amazed that these three are mine.  I've been here the whole time, but sometimes I stand and wonder how I got here.  How and when I became the mother, nurturer, caretaker of these three amazing people.

Elizabeth.

Intelligent. Caring. Outgoing.  

I see parts of me in her. We share a love of the written word.  We are both resistant to change. But I see so much more in her.  I see in her so many things that I would like to be. She can be so very patient with her little brother. She is thoughtful, and thinks of other. She has an intense focus on whatever she is working on at the moment... a book, a game, a puzzle.  She isn't easily distracted. That is something I struggle with every day.

Molly.

Beautiful. Graceful. Loving. Artistic.

My middle child.  The one I butt heads with more. Maybe that is because we are alike in many ways. Stubborn. Dramatic. Yes, Molly may have inherited some of my worst qualities. She is harder on herself than she should be (something else we share), and is her worst critic.

But there is so much in Molly that I can learn. She stands up for herself.  I have heard this recently from her teacher. She doesn't succomb to peer-pressure. She is prayerful.  At 7-years-old she says some of the most beautiful, thoughtful, heartfelt prayers I have ever heard. She cares for others and takes time to do thing for others to show them that she cares. 

Stewart.

Imaginative. Adventuresome. Sweetheart.

He fills my days with joy.  His imagination is amazing. Even his sisters think it is remarkable. If I could have but a small portion of his imagination I could do amazing things. He is a lover. He shares hugs with everyone he sees.  He loves life and finds fun in everything. I need more of that.

These three.

 I am the one that is supposed to teach them, but I seem to be the one that has so much to learn from them.

Kendall and Carter.

Now that the holidays are over, the snow days are over and the kids are FINALLY back in school, I am getting caught up on some editing. I had several sessions before Christmas that I edited enough for my clients to have a Christmas card, and now I am busy going back and getting the rest of their images edited. So I cannot thank my friends Kristi and Jeff enough for being patient with me about seeing the rest of their kiddos' images.  I finished them up yesterday and thought I would post a little preview here.

These two kiddos make me smile.  It was very late in the season and we were looking for some trees with leaves still on them.  We went to the local fish hatchery because I had done a session there are couple weeks before and the leaves were gorgeous.  It was one of the few places still around with leaves.

This is one of my favorites of Carter.

And this is my favorite of Miss Kendall.

My girls and Kendall have been friends for a long time.  They have gone to pre-school together, taken dance together and now tumbling. They tagged along with me on this day and helped me get smiles out of Kendall and Carter.

I was so glad that Kristi decided to get in a couple shots.  As a mom myself I think it is so important to have photos of ourselves with our kids.  I really try to encourage this because I know I'm not in enough myself.

Thanks again guys for being patient with me. 

I have a backlog of sessions I need to post so look for lots more in the coming days! 

 

 

Christmas mini-sessions - Porter.

Sorry that I am running a little behind in my posting! This is the last of my Christmas mini-sessions.  Porter lives in Nashville and was celebrating his birthday the Saturday my mini-session were schedule.  He and his mom were in town the next Saturday for our town's Christmas festival, so we met that morning for a mini-session.

He was such a good sport and had so much fun exploring the farm.  LIke most 2-year-olds he is busy, busy, busy! 

But a candy cane managed to get him to sit for a few shots.

I was glad that we were able to get this shot.  It's always a favorite of mine.

Anna Lindsay, thanks for making the drive down. I'm so glad we finally got to meet!  Thanks again!

 

 

 

Christmas Mini-sessions - Bryan.

Bryan was my last mini-session of the day.  He told me as we were walking to the barn that his dad has polished his boots for it. :-)

This was one of the very first shots and I think it is my very favorite. We used it for the Christmas card.

I like this one, too.

Bryan is a 3rd grader and is a football player. He plays center for his team.

Bryan's best friend, Sawyer, had been there earlier in the day with his brother and sister for their card session.  Sawyer came back with Bryan, and I took a few shots of the these best friends together. Reminds me of my best friend and I at this age. This will be one to treasure in a few years.

Bryan and I had a good time and I had a lot of help from Sawyer getting  to smile!

 

 

Christmas Mini-sessions - Jasmine and Caden.

Some more of my favorite kiddos. I first met Jasmine and Caden this summer when we had a family session. I was so glad that they came back for a Christmas session!

Jasmine is such a sweetheart.  I can tell she is a great big sister.  She is so sweet with Caden.

Caden really liked my wheelbarrow.  This is one of my favorites of him.

And another favorite of Jasmine and Caden together.

Their cards are really cute, too.  How I wish I could share them!  I may have to have a card post after Christmas to share everyone's cards. Thanks for coming out, guys!

 

Rachel, Caleb & Kate - Christmas Mini-session.

Meet Rachel, Caleb and Kate.  

Their mom, Becca, and I went to school together from Elementary through high school.  I was so excited when Becca schedule a Christmas mini-session. I knew she would have adorable coordinating outfits for her trio.

I think this is my favorite of Miss Rachel.

Caleb.  Can't you just see the mischievousness in his eyes?! ;-)

 And Miss Kate.  Oh such a cutie!  Thos big blue eyes!

And I just love this one.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the way Kate has her mouth open while Caleb is taking a bite.  Sooooo cute!

Rachel helped me out on the card design and I so wish I could share it with you, but I know Becca is working on getting their cards in the mail.  I certainly don't want to ruin the surprise! ;-)

 

Christmas Mini-Sessions - Ben, Holt & Amelia Kate

If it seems I am posting a lot of Christmas sessions all at once it is because I am! LOL! I have been so busy editing and designing Christmas cards this past week that I have not taken the time to update my blog.  I am happy to say that I have all my Christmas mini-sessions edited, cards designed and even ordered with the exception of one that I am waiting final approval on. Woohoo!  I do still have several more regular sessions to get edited, but the ones that included Christmas card pachkages for Christmas are done. 

So let's get on to the photos! That's what you're all here to see anyway! :-)

You might also remember this trio from my mini-sessions last Christmas. If not, let me introduce Ben, Holt and Amelia Kate.

Handsome Ben. 

Cutie Pie Holt. (I bet he doesn't like me calling him that but he is!)

Sweet Amelia Kate. 

Don't let Amelia Kate's sweet looks fool you.  She is an awesome athlete.  She had played soccer earlier that morning and scored several goals for her team!  All the while wearing her trademark bow.  You will never see this girl without her bow! Love it!

These three are true siblings.  They were giving each other a hard time the entire time! Especially the boys!

I have a feeling Amelia Kate can hold her own. :-)

They were on the way to their Little cousin's birthday party.  You will meet Porter in a later post. I'm glad they were able to squeeze a session in their busy day! Thanks guys for being good sports!

Christmas Mini-Sessions - Sawyer, Kennedy & Jacob.

Some more of my favorite kiddos.  If you've seen much of my work in the past you probably remember this trio. :-)

So I thought the candycanes would be a lot of fun. 

Sawyer with his heart...

Kennedy with her heart...

 

And Jacob with his... Well, Jacob had other plans for his candy cane!

Oh how I wish I could share their Christmas card with you! It is so cute! I will tell you that it uses the previous three photos.  Maybe I can share it after the hoolidays.  :-)

This was their mom's favorite.

And in the end we got mom in a few shots.

Shannon is such a sweetheart.  We didn't have the whole family there for a family portrait, but I am so glad we got these of Shannon with the kids.  As a mom myself, I love these.  Every mom needs photos of herself with her kids.  Both she and her children will treasure these in the years  to come.

Thanks for making the drive to see me! It was so good to see you! Miss you!

 

Christmas Mini-sessions - Brooklyn and Bailey.

 I think my mouth dropped open when Brooklyn and Bailey arrived.  I love these girls (and their mom and dad). They are long-time friends. The girls were absolutely beautiful.    

I

They had just returned home from Walt Disney World and couple days before and poor Bailey had picked up a nasty bug. Poor baby was running a fever, but you would never know it from her pictures. She was a trooper.

 And Brooklyn... Well what can I say?

I honestly do not think I have ever seen two sisters loooks less alike but look more like their parents. Brooklyn looks just like her mom and Bailey looks just like their dad. It is amazing. Even Chris said it when he walked in my office while I was editing these.

 I knew Brooklyn and Bailey were the only girl-only session I was going to have for the day so I bought these pink suckers especially for them.  Love them! 

I just love these with the lollipops!

I can't wait to design their card!! 

Christmas Mini-sessions - Brody.

My second session of the morning was Mr. Brody.  Brody is 2-years-old. For a photographer that is all you need to know! LOL! 2-year-olds (especially boys) may be the most difficult of all subjects. They may also be the most precious. I don't usually start out with a candy cane, but sometimes you just do what you gotta do.

What I have learned about 2-year-olds is that it is much better to just let them do what they want to do. Sometimes you'll be lucky enough to get something like this.

This is a favorite.

And so is this. Brody was pretty much done with us at this point, but it is one of my favorites. Just look at those eyes!

 We had to get a few with mom. So sweet!

For a boy who was busy checking out everything on the farm, I think we managed to get some pretty good ones. ;-)