Thanks for a Great 2011! | Hendersonville TN Photographer

A Mommy & Her Camera | Memphis TN Workshop Photographer

Let me guess, you got a fancy new camera for Christmas, and the sight of all those buttons stresses you out. Maybe you've had your camera for a while, but you still haven't ventured out of auto. Or you've ventured, but you still can't nail that blurry background you see from everyone else.

This may be the class for you... all you need is a DSLR (a camera that changes lenses). No experience needed!

Here are some of the topics that we will cover:
* Camera basics and functions
* Modes - AV, TV, M
* Shutter speed, aperture, ISO
* Histograms
* White balance
* Using natural light
* Manual and metering
* Focusing
* Composition
* Saving and printing your images
* Tips and tricks

Workshop Includes:
* 4 hours of instruction: includes time for discussion and hands on practice
* Lunch/Snacks
* A workbook full of great information
* A fun Mom's day out with new friends

This workshop is intended as a beginning photography class. We'll work on getting to know your camera better and taking better pictures. This is not a photography business class.

Cost: $100

Dates: Saturday, February 18: 11am-3pm in Lakeland, TN *** ALL SEATS ARE FILLED***
Sunday, February 19th: 12-4 in Arlington, TN ***ALL SEATS ARE FILLED***

Class size is limited to ensure one on one time. If we reach the maximum number of participants on Saturday, I will begin a waiting list and open an additional date on Sunday, February 19. Update: I am currently securing a hostess for Sunday. Please email me to let me know that you are interested in a spot in the Sunday class.

Location: Memphis, TN (exact location TBA)

Please email me at shannon@shannonpaynephotography.com to reserve your seat today.

What to Wear: Winter Sessions | Hendersonville, TN Custom Portrait Photographer

Dressing in layers for a winter session is a must --- jackets, sweaters, scarves, and knit hats. They look great, keep you warm, and hide the additional pounds you may have put on during the holidays! You can't go wrong there!

Christmas Cards | Hendersonville TN Family Photographer

Merry Christmas from the Payne family! I thought I'd share our Christmas cards from this year. They are actually printed on my ornate cards, but I haven't had a chance to take a picture of them. So this is the best I can do. Thank you to Karen Halbert Photography for our fabulous pictures. I still love looking at them, even 6 months later!

We're Loving this Time of Year | Hendersonville TN Child Photographer

Before & After | Hendersonville TN Custom Portrait Photographer

I love before and afters! I'm working on a list of things to do in 2012, and sharing more before & afters is one of them. One of my photography forums, Rock the Shot, has everyone brushing up on their clean editing skills. So this is my take on the photo.

I love watching a picture transform.

While I'm chatting, I thought I'd let you know that it's going to be quiet around here for the rest of the year. I am taking the next 3 weeks off of work and photo sessions to bake cookies, watch movies, play, and snuggle with my babies. They aren't going to be this little much longer, so I'm going to take full advantage of it now! I hope you do the same! Don't worry, I'll be back in full swing in January!

The Dortch Family 1 Year Session | Nashville TN Baby and Child Photographer

I can't believe this little guy is 1 already! He was one of my very first First Moments babies in Nashville. It's hard to believe that I've been here long enough to have a baby graduate from a First Moments package. It has been an awesome year though, and I am so thankful to them and all of my families for trusting me with their babies' portraits. Thanks for a great year, D Family!

I had to include this one. It was soooo windy the day of our session, and it looks like they are on a wild ride here!

The Alberstadt Family | Hendersonville TN Family Photographer

We've been trying to get this session in since October. Luckily, it finally worked out, and it was soooooo worth the wait!

The Jordan Family | Hendersonville TN Family and Child Photographer

Oh my, 3 boys. Melt. my. heart.

The youngest ones weren't too sure about pictures, but a few minutes of playing and they warmed right up. These guys are definitely picture perfect.

The Foulds Sisters | Hendersonville TN Child Photographer

In the 2.5 years that I've been in business, these adorable girls were my first set of twins! Oh, I love photographing sisters, and these two weren't any different!

Kathryn 4 Months | Hendersonville TN Baby Photographer

I can't decide what I love most about baby Kathryn. Those bright eyes, pouty lips, chubby rolls, that gorgeous head of hair, or her sweet parents. Whatever it is makes me excited for each of our sessions.

My favorite :) Oh, if you could have seen what or should I say who was making her smile like that. We needed a video of this session!

Thanks T Family!

C & T | Nashville TN Baby and Child Photographer

Do you remember my favorite little girl ever? Her baby brother is 4 months now, and I think he's stolen my heart too. We have worked so hard to finally have this session. After rescheduling twice, we finally got to get together and this time I had an indoor backup plan. Love it :)

Someone decided to show off his rolling skills during our session.

Christmas Baby | Hendersonville TN Baby Photographer

I spent the day being late everywhere I went and feeling overwhelmed with everything that was on my plate.

But.

I took this picture, and it made everything worth it.

More from this cutie's session coming soon.

Logan Newborn Session | Hendersonville TN Newborn Photographer

Logan, Logan, Logan... Don't let these pictures fool you, but little Logan was not ready to sleep for his debut photo session. There was too much to see and too much to do. He made his mommy, aunt, and me work for these, but they sure are worth it!

When you have big, beautiful eyes like this, what's the point in hiding them by sleeping???

Aren't They Gorgeous? | Hendersonville TN Family Photographer

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a few photo ops. This is my big sister and her beautiful "babies".

Livia's Newborn Session | Hendersonville TN Newborn Photographer

Precious little Livia's parents brought her to me for a newborn session this weekend in Memphis. Her mommy is a friend of mine and amazing teacher. She was my interim teacher when I was on maternity leave with my little man. When she asked me about photographing her newborn session, we talked about the dates I'd be in town and the dates they may drive to Nashville. I was hoping that everything would work out, and it did! Livia decided to arrive a couple weeks early just in time for Thanksgiving. She was 9 days old for our session and smiled more than any other newborn I've photographed. I think she may already love having her picture taken. I'm so happy that I was able to photograph her and see her sweet parents. Congrats W Family! She is beautiful :)

This flower is actually a necklace that her parents brought. It swallows her now, but it would be fun to use it for each of her photo sessions as she grows.

Ace: 2 Month Session | Nashville TN Baby Photographer

I was so glad that the clouds stayed away for Ace's baby session this morning. Our session last week was rescheduled because there was not enough natural light, and since this is also Ace's newborn session, we wanted to get him in as quickly as possible. He was such a good, content baby for our session. And... I finally got to use my new camera, ahhh!

Love this one with his sweet lovey.

Before & After | Hendersonville TN Custom Portrait Photographer

You would not believe this... My new and amazing camera arrived last week. I had 8 sessions scheduled, and the rain came at such strategic times, that every. single. one. had to be rescheduled. It left me a little frustrated, but also gave me lots of time to catch up on editing and orders.

Now that I'm caught up, I thought I'd share something new, my first before and after. I love editing. I get a yummy mug of coffee, turn on Pandora, snuggle up with a blanket at my desk, and get going. The house is always calm and quiet, and I feel like I could sit there forever. I love it. When you choose a photographer, you are not choosing one because they have a "good" camera. You are choosing them because the way their pictures look and how they make you feel. Editing is one important detail that should be in that decision. I know it was important to me when I selected our family photographer this summer.

I've never shared a SOOC image on my blog before, but I thought it would be something fun to do every now and then. I try to get all of my images as close to perfect in camera as I can, but every image still needs a little somethin' somethin' to make it pop. I love clean, simple edits, and here is an example. The first image is SOOC (straight out of camera), and the second image is my final edit.

The Lee Family: 1 Year Session | Hendersonville TN Baby Photographer

I cannot believe it is time for this sweet guy's first birthday. Technically, we didn't have a whole year since he started his First Moment's package at 3 months, and I am so sad it's already over. I just adore this family, so I'm hoping they get started on baby #3 asap so that we can have more photo sessions in the future :)




"R" showed his tough side for his 1 year pics.