Franklin, Brentwood, and Nashville TN newborn, child, and family photographer

The session formerly known as “mini” | Nashville Franklin TN photographer

January 4, 2015

Last week, I asked some former, current, and prospective clients to weigh in on a few issues to help me make some business decisions for 2015.

One thing I heard loud and clear– ECP mamas want styled minis.

The vast majority of survey responses indicated an interest. The catch, though, is that what I’ve always called a “mini session” isn’t conducive to that set-up. Most photographers use the “mini” term and mean that you just get a few photos (under 10, maybe even less than 5) digitally. For my mini session, clients were getting 15-20 (in both color and b&w, so really 30-40 images). When you’re doing a pretty specific look (say a winter theme, for example), you generally aren’t looking for 20 images; you’re looking for a few that will look great on a Christmas card or to print and display that time of year.

Since the mamas have spoken, I am already brainstorming and researching ideas for styled shoots I could do in 2015. Pinterest and I are going to be good friends after spending so much time together. Ha! Having the studio space now allows me a much easier way to run something like this (if you haven’t gathered by now, I’m pretty stoked about the studio).

Anyway, with offering seasonal/special mini sessions (in that less than 10 image notion), I have to come up with a new name for my old mini. I thought about calling it “the session formerly known as mini,” but that seemed a bit too complicated to explain. Please tell me someone got the Prince reference. Moving on… I think what I’m going to call it is a “half session”. It will still have the same guidelines as my old mini, however.

Here’s the rundown of my session types:

Mini: only offered for special themes/seasons. Will be announced and booked on certain dates.
Half: 15-20 digital images in both color and b&w. Available year-round, but only in select downtown-area Franklin locations outside.
Full: 30-35 digital images in both color and b&w. Available year-round, either in studio or outside (Williamson/Davidson county*)
Newborn: 30-35 digital images in both color and b&w. Available year-round, either in studio or at your home (Williamson/Davidson county*)

*Travel fees apply for sessions outside of those two counties.

Want to see the survey I sent out and participate? It can be totally anonymous. http://bit.ly/ecp2014survey

2014 ECP Clients’ Favorites Contest | Nashville & Franklin TN photographer

January 4, 2015

Last year, I held my first ever contest– the ECP 2013 Clients’ Favorites Contest. I didn’t really know what to expect, but what happened far surpassed anything I could have imagined! My families did some serious campaigning, with almost 700 votes accrued. My clients are the BEST! In order to express a little gratitude to my 2014 families, I’ve asked them to submit a favorite photo from a session we had together.

What are the prizes, you ask? This is what these families are hoping to win:

1st place: Free half session in 2015 AND a 16×20 gallery-wrapped canvas of the winning image

2nd place: $25 off a session in 2015 AND an 11×14 gallery-wrapped canvas of the winning image

3rd place: Gorgeous 11×14 frame matted to feature an 8×10 deep matte professional print of the winning image

Now begins the hard part— you can only choose ONE favorite photo to vote for! Click through all of the photos and then vote by selecting the corresponding number. You’ll see the numbers for the photos below them in the gallery.

Leaving a comment below this blog post does NOT count as a vote.

* Only one vote per person.

* Email address is required so I can verify that someone isn’t voting multiple times. You will not be added to any email lists by providing your email address.

VOTING ENDS SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015 AT 2:00PM CST.

A little studio fun with my boys | Nashville & Franklin child photographer

January 3, 2015

I took my boys by my new studio yesterday for a few minutes since they hadn’t gotten to see it yet. I didn’t plan special outfits or anything, but I definitely will have to another time. They loved getting to explore it, and they were definitely a fan of the antique tricycle (which belongs to one of the fellow Click Studio photographers). I thought I’d post these photos so you could get a little peek at what the space looks like.

0581 ECP v2 0480 ECP 0571 ECP

William | Nashville & Franklin newborn photographer

December 9, 2014

You guys got to see William when he was just minutes old, so now I’m excited to share the rest of his newborn preview with you. (In case you missed that first hospital session, here it is: William Brand New). I went to the family’s home in Franklin for their second session. You read how I had my first newborn session at the new studio with Haley the other day, yes? Well, I also had a first at this session– William’s mom told me to just do my thing. She didn’t give a single opinion in the process and instead said she wanted me to totally direct and make all choices. I always have lots of wraps, blankets, and props as options for my moms, but she really just wanted me to follow my vision. I picked out clothes for her kids to wear and even requested that William’s big brother be shirtless for a really tender brother moment. Of course, it probably helps that she is one of my best friends and trusts my judgment since she has been supporting my business from the beginning! It was really freeing and fun to just get to play a little at his session and try new things.

Sam | Nashville & Brentwood newborn photographer

December 6, 2014

I have an extra long preview for you tonight because I had TWO sessions with this family. I went to the hospital a few hours after he was born, and then I went to his family’s home in Brentwood a week later for a true newborn session with big sister and all!

I also have to mention that this little guy has some seriously talented grandmothers. His paternal grandmother knitted (crocheted? Someone please clarify for me) the beautiful blue blanket and hat. Sam’s mom and I found a similar one online and drooled over it, so she asked her mother-in-law to make it! Sam’s maternal grandmother made the curtains in his nursery. Such a lucky boy to be surrounded by love and things made by people who love him. His mama also had a couple other fun hats that she wanted included, as you’ll see below.