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

Santa minis 2018 | Nashville child photographer

August 6, 2018

It maybe 90 degrees outside and August, but it is time to start talking about one of my favorite events of the year–

SANTA MINIS AT THE STUDIO!

This is my 4th year doing these (how is that possible??)

I have two great dates again this year– Saturday, November 10 and Monday, November 19 (the Monday of Thanksgiving week).

The black wall will be in use again (I just love the way Santa pops against it!), and I have some great, classic new decorations for this year. You’re going to love it.

Booking opened on September 1 to my email list.

Want to join that email list to get first dibs next year? Click here: email list

One thing I hear from my clients every year is how much they love the ECP Santa experience becase it is so calm. There is no long line. No crazy waiting. I allot 5-10 minutes per family, so you get plenty of time to chat with the big guy, share wishlists, make silly faces, have a chance to calm down in case a little one is crying, etc. You aren’t being rushed through the experience and pushed out the door. Honestly, I do love the crying photos, but if you have your heart set on non-crying for your little one, we will try multiple strategies to try to get that image. I can’t guarantee it (because 1-2 year olds really love their mamas and don’t always want to sit with a stranger!), but we try our best. Santa mini session days are so much fun, and I always leave the studio tired and happy. I’d love for your child(ren) to join me this year. These are kids-only sessions.

Want to see a recap of last year’s sessions? Click here: 2017

Back to School mini sessions | Nashville child photographer

July 15, 2018

It is time for my 4th annual Back-to-School mini sessions! I’ve reserved Saturday, August 18 from 11-1pm at my Nashville studio and will have lots of cute props (including this great old desk and a collection of globes!) Photos below show last year’s set, and this year will be similar. Bring your preschooler or elementary-aged child to document them as they enter a new year in school.

One of your images will be personalized with their name, age, grade, and some of his/her favorite things. It would be perfect for framing! As with all of my mini sessions, images are delivered via digital gallery for your selection within 10 days of the session. Look below for some sample images. Interested in reserving your slot? Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/ECPschoolmini

Celebrating a rainbow baby | Nashville family photographer

July 11, 2018

“Rainbow baby” is a name that you may or may not know. If the term is new to you, it refers to a baby born after a family experiences the loss of a child (whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, etc). I’ve walked alongside friends as they grieved this type of unthinkable loss. There does seem to be a shift in being able to talk about it in public, though, which is so helpful for those families. A few years ago (and definitely decades ago), it most likely would have been a silent, lonely suffering. To have to pretend like they didn’t experience what they did… surely that would compound the pain. Being in the job I am documenting families, I have become intimately aware of some heartbreaking circumstances.

At a recent session, the mama asked me if we could find some ways to honor their loss and celebrate their newest little one. She was game for any idea I threw at her, so we opted to try several different things, which you will see below. Obviously rainbows are key, but I wanted to play with a softer version than the primary colors. I found this dreamy baby blanket, and we were able to use it in an obvious rainbow shape and then also just fluffed around baby while she sat in a decorative bowl I had. I asked my client’s permission to share these photos with you because I wanted other families to see that there are beautiful ways to remember a baby while celebrating a new one. All children, whether they were ever in your arms or not, are special and worthy of recognition.

This was the final idea. I thought about trying to draw this myself, but it seemed a bit risky/easy to smudge (and let’s be honest, I’m not that good at drawing). I instead photographed a blank chalkboard and then added in the graphic in Photoshop.

Baby L is one | Nashville child photographer

July 1, 2018

Friends, this was the by far funniest cake smash I have ever gotten to photograph. This baby girl PICKED UP her entire cake and was happy to eat it that way. She couldn’t wait to get into it. We were rolling with laughter! It was a delight to do her session and wrap up her Baby’s First Year session with her family outside. My Baby’s First Year plans include all full sessions, which means they can take place at the studio or just about anywhere in Davidson or Williamson county. This family chose to wrap up at their Franklin home. Her mama also had this fabulous coral colored chair in their front foyer, which I asked if we could grab and use once I saw her flamingo outfit. They were made for each other, right?

Mommy and Me minis | What to Wear

April 17, 2018

Say you’ve booked a Mommy & Me mini session, and now you’re wondering what in the world you should wear. The first question you need to ask yourself is this:

“Do I want all b&w images, color images, or photographer’s choice (could be either/or)?”

This is the only session I have ever allowed this choice. If you booked a Mommy & Me mini spot, I will be sending you a link to your session contract, which will include a place for you to indicate your answer to that question. I do think your response to this question should heavily influence your clothing choice.

For example, if you know you want all b&w images, I would aim for more simple clothing– solid colors, simple details, etc. I think that gives it a truly timeless feel. You can all do light colors/white for low contrast images or you can wear a mix of light/white and medium or dark colored clothing if you like more contrast (see below for examples of both).
If you know you want all color images, I’d suggest dressing like any other shoot– a mix of solid and pattern in coordinating color palettes. It is always a good idea to look at your home furnishings and think about what might look nice with those since you may want to set out frames or wall art featuring these images. Navy and/or gray clothing is pretty much always good choices for these exact reasons. I would try to avoid anything super trendy because I think part of the point of these minis is to have a more classic, timeless portrait.
For either, a button-up shirt or polo is great for boys with simple shorts (like khakis). For girls, I’d look for something with a little detail– lace, ruffle, texture– but nothing too overwhelming. You want the focus of these photos to be about LOVE, not about the latest outfit that just came out from company xyz. You know what I mean. 🙂 Necklaces and earrings will show, so I’d keep that in mind and choose accessories for yourself carefully. Everyone needs to be comfortable, too.

Haven’t booked a mini, but would like to learn more? Here are more details:

2018 Mommy and Me Minis | Nashville child photographer