LCStrong | Middle Tennessee Photographer

There is a much longer post than this one coming. I have just a few minutes before I take the kiddos to the open house at the school they will be attending for the last three weeks of the school year. Their school was hard hit by a tornado on Monday night. In some ways it seems like a lifetime ago. So much has happened in the four days since then. If you follow me on FB, you know some of what I am referring. 

I will share more of the impact the storms have had on our community and the pride I feel right now as I have seen our community come together to support our friends and neighbors. So proud. 

This morning when I logged into FB, I saw the image on the right of Zach.

His sweet wife, Ryleigh had posted it. In my mind I could hear the pride in her voice as I read her words. I've known Ryleigh for years and have documented many of the milestones in her life. I first met Zach the afternoon of their engagement session. I remember him telling me that he wasn't photogenic. I told him he was wrong, and I don't think he could be more photogenic than the phone image on the right. When I met Zach he was just a lineman apprentice. Two years later he is a husband, father, and lineman. He is one of many who has worked long hours every single day to restore power to those of us who lost power during the storms Monday. I am so very thankful for the men like him who literally risk their lives for the comfort of the rest of us. I am also thankful for their families. I'm proud to know Zach and just want everyone to take the time to thank a lineman if they haven't. #LCStrong

Refresh, renew, refocus | Middle Tennessee Photographer

Last week was Fall Break for the kids. If you know much at all about our family, you know that means we will be traveling to Amelia Island for the week. I am not exaggerating in the least when I say that I look forward to that week all year long. This year I think I was looking forward to it more than ever. Things had been so hectic around here. It seemed it was non-stop, and I was just exhausted. Tired like I have never been tired before in my life. I kept pushing forward counting down the days until we would be leaving. 

The week was wonderful. I needed it so much. We did nothing. Nothing. Nada. It was wonderful. Nothing that is except what we wanted to do. From my beach chair I watched a lot of this.

I didn't sit all the time. I went for a run just about every day. Mainly so I could eat what I wanted at night and have ice cream without feeling guilty about it. A fair trade off.

While we were there, we had family portraits done. Something that we have not done since before Stewart was born. What you say? Yes, we have family pictures, but those are ones where I set the timer and run to get into place.   This year marks our 20th anniversary, and I told Chris that I wanted to have pictures done while we were at Amelia Island. This is my favorite place in the world. We have been going there since Elizabeth was three.  It just so happens that one of my favorite photographers lives there, so I decided to give myself an early anniversary present. I booked Julie Paisley for a beach session. Our first two attempts failed on account of weather, but we finally had the perfect afternoon.  I cannot wait to see them. The excitement that I felt when she arrived I now realize is the excitement my clients feel when I arrive for their session.  At least I hope it is. 

I've been thinking a lot lately about this business. Trying to figure out what is best for me. What is best for my family. There is so much that I love about it. I love sharing in special moments. I love when my eyes fill with tears as I edit an image that just steals my heart. I love getting notes from my clients telling me how much they love their images. I love all this. I wish it was all about that though. I get discouraged sometimes. I know I'm not the only one, but I have to think about what is best for my family.

 Being with Julie that afternoon energized me. It made me think about why I chose to do what I do. It also made me think about what I need to do to be able to continue in this business. I'm thinking about what I need to do to improve my business model. 

What am I saying? I'm not sure yet. I know I need to make some changes. I work hard. I think I just need to start working smarter. I feel refreshed. I'm excited about the fall and holiday season. I just now need to concentrate on renewing my business model and refocusing some of my energy and ideas.

Thank you, Lincoln County | Middle Tennessee Family Photographer

​For the second time I have been honored with the award of Best Photographer in Lincoln County.  Wow.  It is humbling.  I am so blessed to have wonderful clients who allow me to share in the most precious moments in their lives.  Since beginning this journey I have been blessed to witness a birth, see dads give away their little girls, snuggle newborn babies, have cake thrown at me by one-year-olds, and hear children read their Christmas lists to Santa. I have made many new friends who first came to me for family sessions.​

I do not have words to express how much I appreciate each and every one of my clients.  Thank you for choosing me to capture the most precious moments of your lives.  Thank you for your trust.  Thank you for your business.  Thank you for your friendship.  I am truly blessed.​

What makes a photograph meaningful.

When I talk about what I consider to be a good photo, I seldom mention words like exposure and composition.  Don't get me wrong.  Those are both very important in photography, but the words I am most likely to say are emotion and meaning.  For me a photo can even be a little blurry, but if it captures a tender moment it can still be better than the crispest photo ever taken. 

Chris and I both lost our grandfathers in the summer of 2011.  We lost them within the span of two weeks. They were both very important in our lives and helped shape us into the people we are today. When Chris was a teenager he helped his Grandfather a lot on his farm.  I remember when we first started dating that there were signs on the gates that led into the farm that read "Stewart Farm." Chris told me that he had helped his grandfather hang these signs.  

After Tata's passing last summer, we were going through one of his out buildings and found one of the signs. Chris took it home that day and later shared an idea with me.  He wanted me to photograph our kiddos and his sister's children with the sign on the farm for his mom for Christmas.  So he arranged it with his sister.  

I will go ahead and tell you that this next photo was my favorite from the day.  Why is it my favorite? I like the colors.   I like the contrast. I like that the little boys are holding the sign as it would have been hung on the gate. 

The next photo is the one Chris had planned.  This was the first time in years that any crop other than hay had been grown on Tata's farm.  He leased it to some local farmers and they grew corn.  He negotiated the terms in the spring before he became sick.

We weren't able to get together to get the photo taken before the crop was harvested, but Chris had the farmers leave a section of corn when they harvested the crop.  We met at the barn and secretly crossed the road to where he wanted the photos taken.  He wanted a photo of the kids holding the sign in front of the corn.  

For Christmas we gave his parents a 24x36 gallery wrap of the photo above.  Like I said before, I liked the other photo a little better, and  I wasn't able to get the image to fit on the gallery wrap exactly as I would have liked.  However, Chris loved it.  It was the one that was the most meaningful to him.  That is what really mattered.

When my in-laws unwrapped it on Christmas I knew that Chris was right.  The way his mom cried when she looked at it.  The way she hugged me.  The way she thanked me.  The emotion she felt was so obvious. This image held so much meaning for her and that meant everything about it was perfect.

It is now above their fireplace, and I hope that each time she looks at it she smiles. I hope that she has good memories.  I hope that she will know she is loved. 

That my friends is what I believe makes a photograph meaningful.

Photography Tip - Back to School

Today was the first day of school for my kiddos.  We of course had to take the first-day-of-school photo before they left this morning.  

While these are not works of art, they are some of the photos I treasure the most. It was funny because when we went outside to the porch the kids didn’t even have to ask where to go.  They all just went to the far column and turned around. This is our designated first-day-of-school photo spot.  Do you have one?  I started this on Elizabeth's first day of Kindergarten, and I am so glad I did.  This way it is easy to see year after year just how much she has grown.  It's enough to bring a tear to a mom's eye.

This is Kindergarten through 3rd grade for Elizabeth.  

A couple other things to note.  I always have the kids wear their backpacks.  So much thought goes into the perfect backpack, so you want to remember those!  Plus, it will be fun to look back and see what they were into when they were in 1st or 2nd grade. I always take a head shot or something waist up, but I make sure that I take that full length shot. You've got to get a shot of the new shoes.  Heaven knows that is the only day they will look like that!

I think you get the picture. It only takes about 5 minutes, but with a little forethought you can have back-to-school photos that you will treasure long after they have outgrown Barbie and Spiderman.

Run for Ella 2011.

Once again this year, I am proud to be a sponsor for the Run for Ella.  

I am so blessed to be a part of a community that pulls together to help those in need. This year's event is in memory of a very special young man who I was fortunate to photograph with his brother, Will, a couple years ago. 

Ed touched so many lives in his time here on Earth.  You can read more about his story here. 

Time is running out, so register now.  It's a great family event.  Our entire family will be participcating this year.  Hope to see you there!

Honored and blessed.

A few weeks ago I received a very unexpected phone call.  In fact, when I saw the number on caller id I thought to myself, 'Why are they calling me?"  It was our local newspaper, and they were calling to tell me that I had been voted Best Photographer in their Lincoln County's Finest contest.  I cannot tell you how surprised I was.  I always vote in this yearly survey so that I can at least vote for my kiddos' school. However, this year the deadline snuck up on me, and I didn't get my ballot sent in.  Never in a million years did I expect to be chosen.  

I have been so very blessed these past three years since I first decided to try my hand at having my own photography business.  I have met so many wonderful people, and many of them have become very good friends.  I have shared in the most personal of moments from birth to weddings to anniversary celebrations.  In many cases I may have been hired to do a job, but I came away with a friend. It is just a blessing sharing in the most important moments in my clients lives.  I have cried as I watched a baby enter this world, and I have cried as I watched a couple of 25 years finally have the wedding that they never had.  I have laughed at one-year-olds smashing birthday cakes and two-year-olds that were determined not to have their photo taken (in most cases I won). 

To say that I am honored would be an understatement.  I am honored everytime someone calls or emails me to schedule a session.  I am honored that they want me to capture memories for them.  I am so blessed, and so very thankful.  I truly appreciate everyone's votes.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your little and your big celebrations. 

I also need to thank my sweet assistant, Hannah Gray, for taking these photos for me.  It was a rare occassion for me to be on this side of the camera.  Thanks, Hannah!

Just for fun.

I don't usually post personal photos on my photography website, but I just had to share this one.  Last week my kiddos were on spring break, and we took a trip to the Nashville Zoo.  It's always been one of our favorites for a day trip.   My favorite zoo animal is the giraffe, and this time one of the main guys was front and center.  I've never seen them this close to the front of their habitat.  So of course I had to snap a bunch of shots.  This was my fav.

You've just gotta love that face!

Snow Days.

I hope everyone is enjoying the snow days.  I know our family has!  

The photographer is me has been loving all the snow photo ops that this Tennessee girl seldom sees. One of my favorite things is snow on cedar.

After a day of play, I made it back into the office.  I am busy editing this afternoon.  Nice to have no where to go, and lots of time to work and have fun with the kids!

January Clean Up Sale.

One of my goals for this year is to get our house more organized.  I'm clearing out and tidying up! My computer needs some cleaning up too so as I am cleaning up I decided to have a little sale.  I am offering 2009 session CDs for $100 (regular price $225) and mini-session CDs for $50 (regular price $125).  The CD contains all the edited images from your session and a print release.  This offer is good only until January 31st and applies only to 2009 sessions. 

And since no post feels complete without a photo, here are a few of my favorites from 2009.

 

Happy New Year!

Willy Wonka Wackiness!

My son, Stewart, turned 5 on July 5th meaning that this year was his Golden Birthday.  We celebrated with a huge Willy Wonka party, and I wanted to share a few of my favorite photos from the evening.

It all started with chocolate bar invitations.  Inside were Golden Tickets with all the party info. 

Welcome to the chocolate factory.

The candy display/store. 

The cake. By Carla Gault (send me an email if you would like Carla's contact info).  she does amazing work!

Fizzy Lifting Drinks.

Fun times. 

The birthday boy. 

Lollipop centerpieces.

A favorite. :-)

Make a wish!

It was as wonderful as any Golden Birthday should be!

The sweetest surprise.

Today I got the most wonderful, sweet surprise. It all began with a very unexpected phone call from my friend and client, Dawn. She asked me to meet her and when we did she had a surprise for me.  I can't believe she said it was just a little gift from her and Amanda to thank me. I was so glad I opened it then.

They had made the trip to Nashville earlier in the week to The Pioneer Woman's book signing. It wasn't enough that they thought of my and bought me a copy of her cookbook.  No - it is also autographed! 

But even better than the autograph is the very sweet note written inside.

For our favorite photographer, who has helped to create memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you so much! Dawn Dixon and Amanda Franks

I don't know if Dawn noticed the tears that I had in my eyes, but I know she noticed the three hugs (there was at least three) that I gave her before she left. I was so, so touched.

I am so happy to be doing something I love and getting to share in so many special moments. I will always treasure this!