Ella & Hayden's Big Top Splash | Hendersonville TN Photographer

Let me just tell you how excited I've been to post these pictures. If I could post all 200+, I would. When my friend Sara asked me to photograph her kiddos' joint birthday party, I had a slight idea of what to expect. I'm mildly obsessed with Pinterest (it's not just me right?), and I had seen tons of her pins revolving around her circus themed party. But I just didn't expect this...

I was in detail heaven.


Can you imagine all of the time, thought, and details put into this? There were mini funnel cakes, candy galore, whoopie pies of all flavors, popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy... The list goes on, and if you didn't want the circus fare? Well, she had it taken care of...

Adults could help themselves to The Latin Wagon.
It was so much fun watching all of the kids' (and parents') faces as they took everything in. From a bouncy slide, to the swimming pool, to pony rides, and all of the yummy treats, there wasn't a sad face to be found. I even had my own photo op spot!


I know Miss Ella was in heaven, but her poor little brother Hayden was sick. He fell asleep before they made it to the cake. Sara, you did an AMAZING job planning such a great party! I don't know how you'll top this next year! Thanks for letting me be a part of it :)

Layla's 1 Year Session | Nashville TN Baby Photographer

Sweet Layla was one of my first baby sessions when I moved to Nashville last year. I can't believe she's already a year old. She's walking and about to have her first birthday party. Silly girl loves sticking her tongue out when she smiles. Even though I didn't post one, it had me cracking up during our entire session.

Happy Birthday Princess Layla!

Noah | Hendersonville TN Urban Baby Photographer

Mr. Noah is the coolest baby ever. I remember the first time I met him at his 3 month session, and I fell in love with his rockin' hair. He was sick, but he still gave us a great session. He was awesome at this session too. Smiling and cooperating everywhere we took him. I think an urban session was perfect for him, and Mom did a great job finding outfits to fit. I'm loving it!

Urban Sneak | Nashville TN Urban Baby Photographer

I've been jumping out of my skin to get to this little guy's session. Until then, this is all I can give you.

Kathryn's Newborn Session | Hendersonville TN Newborn Photographer

Miss K was due July 31st. I thought for sure that we'd do her newborn session before I left for Florida, but she had other plans. She decided to hold off 2 weeks PAST her due date. I joked with my husband on the way that she'd be too big for any of my newborn accessories. She ended up weighing about 7 pounds, far less that the big baby I had in mind, and with a full head of beautiful hair. Kathryn, I'm sure you'll have many surprises for us in the year ahead, and I can't wait to watch you grow! Congrats D Family!

What to Wear: Late Summer | Hendersonville, TN Custom Portrait Photographer

I love sharing What to Wear guides, especially since it's probably the first thing everyone thinks when they book a photo session. I always suggest coordinating outfits rather than "matchy-matchy". Using coordinating colors tends to be much more eye catching than having everyone where the same color. These three sets are great examples of that. I find it easiest to pick one outfit with a pattern or different colors, and then pull other outfits from that one.

Another photographer, Corina Nielsen, was generous enough to share her guides and some more suggestions for planning your session. You can visit her full post here.

Memories | Hendersonville TN Family Photographer

For those of you that have had a photo session with me, you've probably seen that I can be pretty calm under pressure. Cranky toddlers, crying babies, worried mommies... they don't stress me out. They probably bring out the best in me, and I'm always promising you at the end that they are great. But when it comes to my family, I'm the complete opposite.

My boys don't do pictures. I usually end up with a picture envisioned of them, and I turn into a stressed out mess to get it. A stressed out mess, combined with an impatient husband, and 2 wild kids really never turns out like I want it.

So... with that said, I took a whole new approach to our family's beach session.

The theme? An evening at the beach.

All I wanted was the golden light of the sun and my boys. My boys digging in the sand. My boys running and playing. My boys finding seashells. My boys just being themselves, my boys. And as you'll see at the end, my boys (well one of them) naked as usual.

It's what I wanted and what I got. I loved it. No one cried. No one got mad. No one got frustrated. The boys didn't even know we were having our "official beach pictures". They went home with seashells in their pockets, sand between their toes, and talking about how much fun they had.

I think these are my new favorites. Now I need a really big one blown up in my office. Which one do you think it should be???

The Duncan Family Beach Mini Session | Nashville TN Mini Session Photographer

I was so happy that my dates for Beach Mini Sessions coordinated with this family. I love becoming a family's "official" photographer, and when my little clients recognize me as Miss Shannon, I know I've built relationships. C Man was a little confused about why I was at the beach with him, but even though he'd just woken up from a nap, he warmed up immediately. This was their first family trip to the beach, and I was so excited to help document it.

Baby sister LOVED the sand. So much that she was shoveling it into her mouth by the handfuls. I know these two kept Mommy and Daddy busy at the beach!

Product Spotlight: Proof Books | Nashville TN Custom Portrait Photographer

Proof Books are one of my most popular products. They are a great way to remember your session, and they make even better gifts for family, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

I wanted to share my new and improved proof books. They come with black spiral binding and a custom mounted cover which is mounted and coated for durability and quality. Each book can hold up to 30 images from your session and are available in 4x6 and 5x7 sizes.

See below for pricing.

Pricing:
4x6 $45

5x7 $75

The Strong Family: Beach Mini Session | Nashville TN Family Photographer

If I could live anywhere, it would be the beach. If I could take a vacation anywhere, it would be the beach. And if I could photograph a family anywhere, it would be the beach.

There is no place I love more than the beach. The water, the sand, the sun... When you put them all together, it's like magic. Really.

I know this Mommy from teaching. Our kiddos are only weeks apart. So not only was I excited about my first beach mini session this year, but I was excited to photograph her little girl. These two already take great pictures, so I was honored that they chose me for their beach portraits. I know they were excited to have a break from the camera and see their beautiful family from another set of eyes.

Home Sweet Home

Although I could have stayed a month, we're back to the real world. If you emailed me last week, I'll begin returning emails tomorrow. I'll also be catching up on orders, proofing galleries, and sneak peeks. So if you are wondering where you stand in that process, feel free to email me. Try to be patient with me as I play catch up. I don't have a "real" work day until Tuesday.

Jones Newborn Session | Nashville TN, Hendersonville TN Newborn Photographer

One of my favorite little families just added a boy to the mix, and I couldn't be happier for them. Congrats Jones family! I can't wait to see more of your little man while you're here in Nashville.

Vendor Spotlight: Poppy's Custom Frames | Hendersonville TN Custom Portrait Photographer

I cannot say enough about my frames from Poppy's Custom Frames. I came home from Memphis a few weeks ago with 2 beautiful new blue frames. I already knew the perfect portraits that I was going to place in them. They are the pictures that I took of the boys before we moved to Nashville exactly one year ago. Yes, it took me a year to get them up! But hey, I've had a lot going on around here!

All frames are custom built and designed for you and your home. These were painted to match a rug in mine. I was so excited to get them hanging that I had to share. I always use canvas for portraits on my walls. It's my absolute favorite way to display portraits. They are coated to protect against UV exposure and fingerprints so that they can be framed without glass. Custom wooden frames and precious canvas portraits of my babies? I can't think of a better way to decorate my home. Thanks Poppy's Custom Frames!

Ohhh... and.... stay on the lookout! There will be a giveaway coming very soon that will include a beautiful frame.

Memphis Fall Mini Sessions | Memphis TN Custom Portrait Photographer

Finally! Here are the details for my Fall Mini Sessions in Memphis. I will not be offering full sessions for the remainder of 2012. I will offer one more set of mini sessions the first weekend in November. They will be specifically for Christmas and Christmas cards. My fall mini sessions are designed for family sessions or child sessions. These will be closer to a full session if you were hoping for a full session.

Please note that I will begin booking sessions on Monday, August 22nd. Space is limited, and sessions will be filled on a first come basis.