A beautiful fall evening with the Jackson family. I just love you guys and look forward to spending time with you each year. <3
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It's been a long while since I've hopped in on the 10 on 10 monthly blogpost so I wanted to get in this month and share some film images from our recent trip to Michigan. I'm breaking all the rules though by sharing way more than 10. Woops! By the way, Michigan is just amazing! We started on the coast of Lake Michigan then made our way up to the Upper Peninsula to stay on Lake Superior. I've never seen anything like it. Clear, clean lakes, incredible weather, and so much fun in the great outdoors.
After you've made your way through my post be sure to check out my friend Colie's post out in Colorado and make your way around the circle. Enjoy!
This family is so special to me, because they've been with me from the very beginning of my journey back when their oldest was in her mama's tummy. They were one of my very first clients. So to get to see them every year and watch them grow and see their love expand, well, it just feels like a gift to me.
Several years ago when I started my business, my very first official client was a newborn session. I was instantly hooked. There is nothing like the time with your baby especially in those early groggy days. I mean, yes, there is the utter exhaustion and sleep deprivation but the flood of emotions during that time is palpable and I LOVE to photograph it. It's been a while since I wrote a blog post about how I approach my newborn work and I thought it was time.
I've always considered myself a lifestyle photographer when it comes to newborns, even in the beginning. That can mean different things to different folks so let me explain. To me, it means our session is done in the comfort of your own home and we focus on your natural interactions together. That doesn't mean I don't pose you or direct you into beautiful light, I definitely do. But the magic in the image all comes from the real emotion that's happening between you and your family.
As a mother of 4 myself, there's no denying that my work is heavily influenced by my own family and the photographs of my children and myself that bring me the most joy. These are usually the ones where I can see things the way they really were. How we loved each other, the way a lip curled when my daughter cried, how my son beamed when he got to hold his sister(or not, haha), the way a father smells the head of his new daughter, a mother's embrace. These are the images that stir me and these are the images I want you to remember and see of your own family.
When it comes to portraits of your newborn, I love simplicity. In my opinion, newborns are just perfect on there own so I definitely think less is more when it comes to any kind of props for your session. Besides a few neutral wraps and swaddles, I rely totally on things in your own home to incorporate into your session. To me, this makes your session even more personalized.
For your baby's portraits, I focus on baby led posing in a more natural set up like the bed, their crib, a rug, the couch, etc rather than a more formal set up with a backdrop. I used to incorporate some of this into my sessions but over the past few years I have come to realize it's not my strong suit, nor are these the images that feel true to my style. In addition to baby led posing for individual photographs of your baby, one of my favorite ways to take portraits of newborns is in Mama or Daddy's arms. Babies are always more content close to one of their parents and I personally feel like it adds another element of emotion which makes the photograph more meaningful to you over time.
Another aspect of my newborn sessions that is very important to me that I feel like goes without saying is that the entire family(siblings) is incorporated. Bringing home a newborn is a huge change for siblings and photographs of siblings are so important. I always do my best to get portraits of siblings together but I also love getting photographs of little glimpses of what life was like with a brand new baby in the house and the impact it had on your entire family. This is different for every family and I love that about sibling shots!
Last but not least, I like to get a good mix of family shots. I always get the good old, traditional everyone's-looking-shots but those are never my goal at our session. My favorites by far are the ones where everyone forgets I'm there and your true story unfolds.
I hope this was helpful in understanding the way I approach my newborn sessions. When it comes to newborn sessions there is definitely no right or wrong when it comes to photographic style but I do feel it's important to choose a photographer that best suits your family. So, if we're a match, and you're expecting, shoot me an email and we can chat about a session. :)
Every month when I put this blog post together, I feel as though I just wrote the one for the previous month. But not this time. It seems like a very long time has passed since our last 10 on 10 and so many things have happened since then. Ellie turned 5 last month which for some reason feels like such a big deal to me. I felt the exact same way when Beck turned 5. I think it's because it's such a big year. They grow up so much in this year + there's Kindergarten in the fall, she'll probably lose her first tooth, the list goes on. We celebrated really simply this year just the 6 of us and it was exactly what we needed and honestly what I think made her feel most special. Then of course there was Christmas which was really wonderful. We tried to pack in all the traditions we could and fill their memories with celebrations of Jesus birth and lots of time with family.
Corinne seems to have grown so much this month. She's completely mobile, crawling everywhere, and even standing up. (tears) Then of course, this week, our first snow of winter. We don't get lots of snow here in TN so it is always magical when we do. <3 I know we're supposed to only share 10 each month but I just couldn't narrow it down more than this. I hope you guys are having a great start to 2017!
Please head on around the circle by heading to my friend Kristi's blog to see her beautiful photos from this past month.
Happy New Years Eve everyone! This year has been such an incredible blessing to me and I am so very grateful to each and every one of my clients who have allowed me to photograph these beautiful connections with each other. I wanted to end this year on my blog with one of my favorite sessions of the year. I'm hoping to get more of these beautiful families from this past fall blogged here in the coming weeks. I can't wait to see this family again this spring when they welcome their new little bundle in April! Enjoy! And blessings to you and yours in 2017!
Today our biggest girl turned 5. 4 to 5 is such a big change. I feel like at the start of this year, she was just beginning to leave toddlerhood behind and now she's a little girl. Oh my Ellie. She is so very full to the brim with life. She wakes up beaming and shines till bedtime. Her name means shining light and that is truly what she is.
She has always been the one that has challenged me most in parenting and although, I'll be totally honest, at times that has been really hard, the Lord has used her in my life so many times to show me His unending love and grace towards me.
Last night when I tucked her into bed, I told her about how at that time 5 years ago, I was in labor with her and how relieved I was to finally hold her in my arms and how I cried when I met her because I loved her so very much. How she smiled all the time as a baby and would squeal with joy in her crib when she woke up from naps. She just lit up as I told that little love story to her. We are so very thankful for you Ellie. Our shining light.
"You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." 2 Samuel 22:29-31
Merry Christmas Everyone! I thought it would be so fun to put together a little style and holiday gift guide this year to give you (or your spouse) some great gift ideas and tips on holiday styling from Nicole and some photo related gift ideas from me. I asked Nicole to give us the scoop on some of her favorite trends this holiday season to have you looking amazing at your parties and get togethers as well as a few gift ideas thrown in the mix as well from she and I both! So, without further ado, here we go!
We'll start with Nicole's picks for this holiday season's trends. Get your pen and paper! You're gonna want to take notes. :)
Fashion this holiday season is rich in color and full of texture and movement. Leather, sequins, velvet and lace are among the many options. Pieces in these fabrics can be real statement makers! It’s important to style them with something that will keep you looking on trend without looking over done. Try pairing a classic sweater with a sequin skirt or pants to create the perfect balance. Layer a leather jacket over a romantic lace dress for a fun bit of edge. Pair leather pants with a flannel top or classic sweater. Add bold earrings and knee high boots to an understated sweater and denim outfit. Lastly, if your outfit is looking a little bland, add a pop of rich festive color with your handbag, shoes or lip and nail color.
Here are some suggestions...
1. Kat Von D lipstick to add that pop of red!
OR
2. Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac is such a versatile bag. You can wear it as a clutch, cross body or shoulder bag. They come in a ton of styles and colors and 2 sizes. The right amount of edge and boho in one bag.
3. Kendra Scott lariat or any lariat style necklace is the perfect accessory to wear with a low, v-neckline.
OR
4. Kendra Scott Elle Earrings come in many colors and are a perfect statement earring to add to an understated outfit.
5. Lucky Brand Hoops add sparkle and edge to any classic style sweater.
6. Swedish Hasbeens Bordeaux or Oxblood color shoes or boots are a gorgeous way to add a festive pop of color to an outfit.
OR
7. Silence and Noise Metallic Jacket is one of so many options when considering a leather jacket. Leather jackets add a layer of warmth, edge, color, etc. I could go on for days why I think every woman needs one in her life.
And if you're looking for some new makeup or accessories to update your look or need a gift idea, here are some of Nicole's top 10 faves...
1. Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics eyeshadow palette is my everyday, go to palette. A little tip: depending on your eyebrow color, there’s a couple shades you can use to fill those in.
2. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector is a universally flattering highlighting product. It can be used on all the areas you want to highlight. Pop a dab of this in the inner corner of your eyes, to instantly open and brighten.
3. TOCCA Stella perfume…where have you been all my life? Blood orange and soft florals make this my everyday, all day scent.
4. Maybelline Fit Me Poreless Foundation is a must try if you have combination/oily, large pored skin. It’s so affordable, yet offers the same results that much higher end brands offer. Plus you save even more since you don’t need an additional powder to finish.
5. Dior Addict Lip Balm is AMAZING! It’s definitely a splurge item, but sooooooo worth it!
6. Sephora Favorites Perfume Sampler is such a great gift idea. Get one for yourself while you’re at it! They are super fun!
7. Swedish Hasbeens Clogs range in many different styles, colors and heel heights. Stellar quality, incredibly comfy and simply gorgeous. Amazon always has great prices ranging from $30 and up.
8. HOBO Lauren Wallet has been a staple of mine for years. This beauty can also be used as a clutch for quick trips to the store or a date night.
9. Rebecca Minkoff Gold Facetted Earrings are my everyday earring. They are understated and edgy. I’m a big fan of this designers jewelry and handbags!
10. Trader Joe’s Lavender Salt Scrub is soooooo amazing. If you’ve never checked your neighborhood TJ’s bath and body products shelf, you should. This product is one of many worth trying.
For the photography lovers!
If you're looking to treat yourself or someone you love this Christmas with a photography related gift, I've got you covered. Just read on...
For anyone, friends or family....
In my opinion, there is nothing like holding a beautiful print in your hand, or seeing your images displayed proudly in your home or work space. For this I love prints, calendars, or photo albums by Artifact Uprising. I like to wrap gifts for family members in kraft paper and tie their square prints on with twine for a personal touch. You can even print your iphone photos straight from their app. The print quality is great and I love that they are printed on thick Mohawk Eggshell matte paper. Think cardstock. They are just gorgeous.
For the budding photographer...
I get asked all the time what camera to start with and what lens if you are wanting to start learning to take better photos of your kids. I am a Canon girl so if you're going to go with Canon, I recommend starting out with one of their Rebel series cameras. I also recommend skipping the kit lens (the lens that comes in the bundle) and purchase a body only then buy a "nifty fifty" aka the 50mm f1.8. This lens has a fixed aperture and is a great economical lens to get started with. It's fast, sharp, versatile and will give you that nice creamy background you like seeing in photos since it's aperture opens up to 1.8.
So, now you might be asking yourself what does that mean? What's aperture? How do I shoot in manual mode? What's exposure? How do I take good photos of my kids? Well, I'll be covering all that and more in my Photo Class for Mamas. My first class will be end of January and I should be emailing newsletter subscribers first next week to get you more info and book spots. Yay! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get all the info when it drops. This is a great gift idea for mama so she can learn to use her fancy camera. :)
Another favorite of mine for everyday photographers is my Darby Mack camera bag insert. I take my camera with me when we're out a lot. And if you're like me, you don't want a big old bag that screams "I have an expensive camera in here!" haha! But at the same time, you want your gear to be protected. This bag insert is perfect because it protects your gear and you can slip it into any bag, even your diaper bag. I've had mine for a couple of years and it has held up beautifully. I love that it has room for a camera with a lens attached as well as another lens, sd cards and batteries.
For everyone....
There is nothing like giving someone the gift of memories with their family. Whether it's a family session, an in home Beautiful Everyday session or a newborn session, the photographs of your family are a gift that will always increases in value to you and your loved ones over time. So, if you or someone you love has been wanting a session with me and or styling with Nicole, you can purchase gift certificates in any amount. 2017 is booking quickly so I'd love to see you in the new year!
I hope these tips and suggestions have been helpful and feel free to pass them along to someone who might be on the lookout for a gift for you! We won't tell. ;) Have a great Christmas season!
Blessings,
Bethany
I love photographing this family because I always feel right at home with them. Watching these two love on their boys is the sweetest thing. <3
Although the weather is still hot here in TN, this past month has certainly felt like the season is changing. We started our second year of homeschool with Beck starting 1st grade and Ellie in Pre-K. We are definitely getting into our grove as a family of 4. Bringing Corinne into our family has been for sure our smoothest transition. I think it's a combination of her being a very easy, laid back baby and our family embracing the craziness with a lot more grace than we used to. :) She is crazy, madly loved. Our three older children argue over who's going to hold her, cry when they think she's hurting, and rush into her room when it's time to get her up from naps. We are so thankful that God saw fit to give her to us and to shepherd all of these little hearts.
For this months 10 on 10, I decided to go monochrome. I've had a crush on black and white images lately so I thought I'd do a whole blogpost of them documenting some of my favorites from this past month. Be sure to make your way around this talented circle of ladies by heading over to my friend Kristi's blog, who has the most adorable little girl, and see how she documented her family this month.
This summer has been so much fun at our house. I have always wanted a pool. Our kids love to be in the water. It has taken me 3 years to convince my husband to let us get a little temporary, super classy ;) above ground pool for the kids, and this year I finally succeeded. Yes! This thing has brought our little family so much joy and good times together for the past month so I wanted to do this months 10 on 10 post of images in and around our pool. Make sure you make your way around the circle by heading over to my talented friend Allison of Poetry and Prose Photography's post. :)
If you know this family, you love them. Pat and Gianna moved to Knoxville and started ministering to our church through worship right before they got married about 3 years ago. They are both incredibly talented and have become so precious to our family. It has been such a blessing to see them enter into parenthood with such grace and to see their hearts explode with love when they look at their sweet little Norah. Congratulations Kicks! I knew you guys would rock parenthood and it has been so fun to see you guys blossom into this new season. We love you guys!
I can't believe my Reidy is 2. Even though you aren't the baby of our family any more, for some reason you still feel so little to me. Maybe that's because you were created to need more snuggles than your siblings and we spent LOTS of time holding each other this past year. You light up our family with your sweet smile. You take being carried around and told what to do by your older siblings really well and now we are getting to see you grow into your newest role in our family....being a big brother. I've seen a new gentleness come over you as you spend time with Corinne. I am so thankful to be your mama and am so excited to see the little boy God grows you into.
Happy Birthday baby, Mama
"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." -Audrey Hepburn
It is always a pleasure to meet up and photograph this sweet family. I love just getting to hang with them and see them love on their little guy. Camden you are so loved. <3 Enjoy Neal family!
I have photographed this family for 3 years now and I always love catching up with them and spending the evening with them. We met up early this Spring and had such a great time picking flowers and running through fields. Enjoy sweet Whitt family!
There is nothing quite like getting to see a family grow. I have been so blessed to see this family do just that, since they've been with me since the very beginning. I just love you guys Fay Fam!
"Family isn't an important thing. It's everything." Michael J. Fox
