the journal

Do you have a senior in your home? Congratulations! I know this year will be filled with lots of fun, celebration, and memory making as everyone prepares for your student’s next phase. As you start to plan for senior year, you may be wondering: “When do you take senior pictures?” In this post, I’ll discuss […]

Planning Your Session, Senior Photography Sessions

When Do You Take Senior Pictures?

When do you take senior pictures? Senior girl sits in the grass and smiles at the camera during spring session.

Are you expecting a sweet new addition to your family? Congratulations!! If beautifully documenting major family milestones is important to you, you may be wondering when to take maternity photos. While there is a general guideline, there are multiple factors to consider. Note: Ultimately, I encourage you to document your pregnancy. I mean this even […]

Planning Your Session

When to Take Maternity Photos

Maternity portrait of expecting mother standing in front of pink cherry blossoms. This expecting mother was photographed at 26 weeks with her 4th child.

Wondering what outfit to purchase for your child’s upcoming portrait session? You’ve come to the right post. In this post, I’ll be giving my recommendations for what to wear for Heirloom Photos! First of all, can I just say that I’m so excited that you are considering this style of portrait for your child? This […]

Planning Your Session

What to Wear for Heirloom Photos

Little boy wear white embroidered bubble for heirloom photos.

Are you expecting a sweet new addition to the family and wondering when to take newborn photos? Then you’ve found the right post! Newborn photos are such a perfect way to document this exciting season of life. Let’s dive into the factors you need to consider. Before we get going, let me introduce myself in […]

Planning Your Session

When To Take Newborn Photos?

Image of older brother and sister snuggling newborn brother

A relaxed photoshoot is usually what you are envisioning as you scroll through Pinterest or Instagram and dream about scheduling a photoshoot with your family, isn’t it? Or maybe it’s what you’re hoping for if you’re more of a realist. In this post, I want to offer some tips to make a relaxed photoshoot with […]

Planning Your Session

Relaxed Photoshoot Tips

Relaxed photoshoot with two little boys playing in creek during the summer

Black and white portraits have become a very popular session offering in the past few years and for good reason! This style of portrait can be so versatile. Black and white portraits are easy to hang on the wall and incorporate into one’s home decor. The aesthetic is timeless, whether you choose candid images or […]

Planning Your Session

Classic Black and White Portraits

Portrait of baby boy in black and white.

HOW TO FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER
Maybe you’re thinking the time to schedule an annual family session has come. Perhaps your family is expecting a new member and you would love some newborn photos. If you’re wondering how to find a photographer, you’ve come to right place. Indeed, not will I discuss the basics of finding a photographer, but how to find the right photographer for your family in this article. Believe it or not, there are a lot of factors to consider beyond availability and price. If you hope to find an artist who best fits for your family’s needs, keep reading!

The Basics of How to Find a Photographer

Chances are, even if you live in a small town, several photographers are booking clients in your area. If nothing comes up when you do a quick google search for photographers in your area, try searching with the name of nearby larger towns or cities. Many photographers willingly travel for sessions. However they may charge a small travel fee if the location is outside of their typical radius.

Instagram and Facebook serve as two other great platforms for searches. A photographer’s profile can help give a little more insight into their personality through their captions and “day in the life” posts. Photographers typically display their most recent work on social media platforms. Have any of your friends recently posted professional photos on social media that you loved? Reach out to them to find out what photographer they used and how the overall experience went…

Planning Your Session

How to Find a Photographer

How to find a family photographer when you have young children.

If you follow along with my photography journey via website or social media, you may have noticed me frequently posting a new style of portrait: Heirloom Photography. Therefore, in today’s blog post, I’ll explain what are southern “heirloom portraits”, why you should consider scheduling one, and how my process is slightly different from other photographers. […]

Planning Your Session

Heirloom Photography

Heirloom photography in Chattanooga, TN and beyond

I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of mini sessions for photography anymore. However, I know they are a popular option, popping up seasonally throughout the year. In this blog post, I give you my take as a photographer on the pros and cons of these shortened sessions. You can decide what’s best for […]

Planning Your Session

Mini Sessions for Photography: Pros and Cons

Chattanooga photography session at Flat Top Mountain Farm, Mother posing with daughters in zinnia field

In today’s blog, I’m going to dive into some of my favorite free Chattanooga photo spots. Chattanooga is known as the Scenic City for a reason! There are so many beautiful outdoor spaces and parks throughout the Chattanooga area. So it makes sense that local Chattanoogans and visitors love to get family portraits outside when […]

Planning Your Session

Chattanooga Photo Spots – Free Locations

Warehouse Row Cherry BLossoms, Downtown Chattanooga, TN