You guys. This session is so special to me. Ashley and I met last year in Austin, TX at Joy Prouty's wildflower's workshop. I loved getting to know her there and have fallen in love with her work. Truly, her photographic voice is so beautiful. So I was over the moon that I got to photograph her beautiful family a few weeks back. We met at 630 in the morning and ended with breakfast, hot coffee and a long talk about our passion. It doesn't get much better than that. Enjoy this sweet family's images. They were a family photographers dream.
Viewing entries in
Families
"Let us come alive to the splendor that is all around us, and see the beauty in ordinary things." Thomas Merton
Wardrobe styling by Nicole Wise Style
A few weeks ago I got to meet and photograph this beautiful family. This mother's strength and love for her children was so beautiful to me at her session, that I asked her to share a few words with her blog post. She writes....
"I am not saying that I wanted Dramatically Broken, on display. I wanted Mended.... I am a single mom. What I mean when I say single mom however, is that at the end of a long day it all falls on me in this house. Mortgage… mama, all other bills… mom, trash out…mmhm, lunches made….. ahem, health… mama, activities…mama, training them up right…mama, love/hugs/kisses…me, bath time… me, “can i go ride bikes mama?” , accountability…me, grass mowed…me, oil changed in a safe vehicle…me, vacation plans…yep… me, comfort and discipline… you guessed it. I think I know that they trust me and love me beyond measure. But, most of the time, I feel like I have failed and they see it. I feel like i am worth nothing if I don't remind myself of Gods love for me, constantly. In my heart of hearts, I want “give me more of you, Lord.” To be okay mingling with being “accepting of my mess”, and I imagined that you would journey there with me. Later I learned that I would get more than I even bargained for. I would get to see how my children see me.
The time that I have spent in the past and that I would have continued to allow to gnaw at my tissue, in all of this turmoil…. will not be what graces our walls. It will be the glance of brute motherly strength that melt into my most beloved possessions’ foreheads with kisses and closed eyes. I got photos that don't remind to be anything! They remind us of who we are! They don't scream, “look how good we are at bliss” they whisper, “look what God is doing when you don't blanket everything with pride, and you let him stomp out your shame” Or they say to those who enter “there is no tip toeing here, we fill each others empty cups with Christ when we each fall short.”



















This family. I knew this session was going to be amazing because of the way this mama talked about her family in my client questionnaire. I could feel her love for them through her words and her desire to remember this time with her sweet littles. Blessing to you Bailes family! Enjoy these sweet photos of your family
I loved photographing this sweet family in their own space to celebrate their little guy turning 6 months. He even fell asleep during our session which I didn't mind one bit. Happy 6 months Asher man!













"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14
There is an honesty that cannot be denied when a session is done in your home. It's where you're most "you." Where you're most comfortable, where life happens. The truth of your family. And I can feel all of that in this family's session. The honesty in their love for one another, it's here. Happy Birthday baby Luke! It's been an honor to photograph your sweet family this year. You are so loved.
Love this sweet family even more each time I photograph them. I feel right at home with them because they remind me so much of my own crew. A little wild and crazy mixed with a whole lotta love for each other. <3









This family. I just love them. I have loved seeing them become a family of three this year. This mama is not only a hugely talented photographer herself but also a very dear friend to me. She is a constant source of encouragement and their little darling is so lucky to have them both. So happy to have been able to photograph them this fall. Love you guys!
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!
Whew! I am super behind on blogging this fall's sessions but I wanted to post this family's sweet session from September since we have his 6 month session next week! It is always such a blessing to spend time with this family. Happy 3 months little guy! Looking forward to seeing you again next week!
Wardrobe styling by Nicole Wise Styling







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
This family is so special to me because they've been with me since the beginning of my business and I have always felt creative freedom with them. Since their very first session, they've allowed me to stretch my wings as an artist and it has truly been an honor to photograph them and watch their family grow throughout the years. <3
Give me all the gorgeous, sunlit, at home on the farm sessions with chickens. haha! But seriously, I have had the pleasure of photographing this family in their own space for several years now and their sessions are always favorites of mine. Mama always tells me to just come and do my thing. She always tells me she's gonna just let the girls just be how they always are and in my opinion, there's no better way to be. :)
I am so excited to finally blog! I have so many gorgeous sessions from this fall to share with you and I'm going to start tonight with this beautiful family. They are as sweet as they come and I always love getting to spend time with this family.
Wardrobe styling by Nicole Wise Styling
I had the best time photographing this sweet family last month to kick off my fall season. Kristen is a photographer herself at Overbay Photography and when she contacted me she told me how she wanted to be fully present with her children at her session since she's always the one behind the camera. I can totally relate to that! I am so happy I got to document this sweet time with your lovely family Overbays! Enjoy these precious photos. <3
"Family is not an important thing, it's everything." -Michael J Fox
Happy 6 months little Luke! You are so loved!












I hadn't seen this sweet family since mama was expecting this little one, so it was great to catch up with them and see how parenthood was going and see this sweet little thang. I think they're handling things pretty well don't you? <3
This family. Oh my stars.
They contacted me to photograph them since they were expecting their third baby. Another precious girl who would complete their family. They hadn't had family pictures in years and really wanted to remember how special this time was together. You guys. This Daddy. He was made to be the daddy to girls. He was also a photographers dream family session dad. haha! He was so sweet with his girls and telling them how pretty they looked and helping fix their hairs that might be out of place. And when I took mom's photos, he kept telling her how beautiful she was. It was seriously one of the sweetest sessions I've ever been a part of. I am so honored that this sweet family chose me to photograph them this spring. Congratulations Olinger family. What a blessed little girl to be a part of your precious family. <3










