Cutie {mud} Pie - Elena {Bristol, VA Children's Photographer}

We just got back from an awesome few days at the lake... it was so relaxing to get away from everything and just be together as a family.   Life gets so crazy sometimes and it's hard to slow down.  We didn't even have cell reception way out at the cabin which forced me to just "be" even more!! haha!  Our good friends came out for a day and the kids had a BLAST getting D I R T Y from head to toe down at the beach - especially this wild gal!!!  Of course it starts off slowly... throwing a rock here and there into the water.  Then she starts getting cups full of water and dumping them in the dirt.  Then she sits down in the mud she made... and well you get the point.  By the time we got her back up to the house we had to strip her down and throw her in the shower!!  There's just something right about letting kids get dirty beyond belief.  They love it so much!  I snapped the most pictures of Miss Elena because she'll let me and can't run away as fast... haha!  I'll post more pictures of our adventures in the next few days, but here's a few cute ones I snagged of her.  I sure love this cutie pie!!  Enjoy!

 

If you look closely in these last two shots you can totally see me and my bright coral shirt!!!  ***Photog tip: always wear a white shirt when shooting - it acts as a natural reflector and you wont end up with wierd colored catch lights in your subjects' eyes!!  =) 

just because... {Bristol, VA Children's Photographer}

One of my goals for this year {and every year, really} is to be better at taking pictures of my kiddos.  Trust me, I'd take so many more if they were cooperative.  Maybe it's because they've had a camera shoved in their face since they were born or because they know how badly I want pictures of them or some other random reason... but whatever it is - I can't seem to find the secret to getting them in front of the camera {happily}.  I also want to respect their feelings and try not to ever force them to take pictures {although I've had my moments...}  However, every blue moon they are up for it and I take advantage of it every time!!  

The other day I got a couple new backdrops in the mail and was setting them up.  The odd shape of the box captured their attention immediately and they helped me get them all set up.  I told them they could play on them if I could take pictures he he...  Of course it didn't last long, but I'll take what I can get.  

My son is so hard to shoot because he literally never stops moving and the blocks were way more interesting than I was.  I love how he sticks out his little tongue whenever he's concentrating.  Now my daughter is another story... oh my.  She will hold still, but can I get her to make a normal face?  Rarely!!  Haha!  Neither one of them is lacking any personality - which is a good thing.  I didn't snap any of my baby boy this time around because he was sleeping {allowing me to get a few shots of his siblings!} and who wakes a sleeping baby?  Not me!  I sure love these crazies!!

 

February - Instagram Style {Johnson City TN Portrait Photographer}

How did it take me so long to discover Instagram??  I'm still not sure, but I don't care.  I'm in love.  It was love at first sight... An app that can take my boring old iphone pics and turn them into something COOL???  Yes please!  If you aren't familiar with Instagram - you can check out their website {HERE} and download the app {it's free!} and even read up on their blog.  But to give you the rundown - it's basically an application for your smartphone that offers VERY simple {as in your three-year-old could do it with ease} editing options for your phone images.  You can then post them and share them with friends, as well as automatically post to facebook etc.  If you have a smartphone - check it out!!  It's a fun way to take your pics to the next level.  

Along with my new obsession came an idea that I'm SOOOO excited about!!!  Beginning with February, I'm going to share each month "Instagram Style" - I can't share ALL of the pics I take each month because that would take up WAY too much space, but will force myself to narrow it down to my top 20.  I thought it would be a fun way to get to know a different more personal side of Brandilyn Davidson.  *WARNING: Probably 99.3% of my pictures are of my kiddos - so get used to seeing these sweet little faces!!  =)  

Here's the first month... Stay tuned at the end of each month for more!!!  

I'd love to see what you're taking pictures of - you're welcome to add me on Instagram - queenbrandy17 {lame I know}.  Happy Instagraming!!!!

Easter Cards are here!! {East Tennessee Portrait Photographer}

Check out how stinkin adorable these Easter cards are!!!  I'm thinking I need to schedule a little mini session for my kiddos so that I can have some of my own to send out this year!  {Especially because I was a complete slacker and failed to send out Christmas cards... for the second (or third!) year in a row}.  Book your session NOW in order to have time to get these adorable cards and share them with friends and family!

 

Catching up... {East Tennessee Photographer}

If you check out the post below you'll see that I really do have a legitimate excuse for being a slacker right now... going from two kiddos to three leaves me with WAY less time to sit in peace and quiet editing pictures late into the night.  Instead I've been feeding a cute little baby and getting every bit of sleep I can manage!!  

I usually always do my editing late at night after the kids go to bed because I don't like to do it while I'm with them during the day.  I'd never want them to look back on their childhood and their only memories of me be with my eyes glued to the computer day in and day out.  After all, one of the things I love about being a photographer is that it enables me to stay home and raise my babies and still do what I love at the same time!!  It's always a struggle trying to find that perfect balance between "mommy" and "business owner" - but I'm constantly working at it!  That's what matters right?  Life is forever a work in progress...

With it being slow season right now (thank goodness!!), I've been trying to edit some personal pictures that always get put on the backburner.  These are some fun ones I took of my daughter while we were out in California for Thanksgiving.  Wow - I really am a slacker.  Better late than never right??  

Stay tuned for details on Spring Mini Sessions and maybe some other fun stuff!  Are you signed up for the BDP Insider??  Make sure you are - BDP Insiders get first dibs on Mini Session time slots and giveaways!  You can sign up {HERE}.  Also - Do you know anyone who would like to be featured here on the blog?  It's a great way to get your name out and everyone loves a little giveaway!  Contact me at: bdprophotography@gmail.com if you're interested!  Happy February Everyone!!

 

I love every sweet and crazy part of this girl... 

2011 Favs...

I still can't believe another year has come and gone!!  Where has the time gone?  To say the least, 2011 was AWESOME here at BDP - thanks to YOU!  As a tribute - below are some of my personal favorites from this year's sessions and a few of my personal pictures thrown in the mix too.  I have been and am so blessed with such truly kind, fun and real clients - it has been my pleasure to photograph you and your families!!  I'm looking forward to another wonderful year and can't wait to see what and who it has in store.  

Changes: I have updated my 2012 Pricing - which can be found under the "Investment" tab in the menu.  I am happy to announce that I am offering all return clients a special thank you for the entire year - your choice of two complimentary gift prints!!  Just because I love ya so much.

Side note: I will be taking a maternity leave beginning next week until who knows when... February or March probably.  Stay tuned for pictures of our new little guy who is due to arrive any day now!!  In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact me with questions, scheduling, etc. and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

Enjoy this little peek into how lucky I was this year... Happy New Year!!!!

 

 

Costume Cuties - sneak peek {2011 Costume Charity Shootout}

Once again, this year's Costume Charity Shootout was a total sucess and was so much fun to be a part of!!  It was a little crazy this year because I had to leave early from the shootout to meet family who flew in from across the country and we headed out of town for a week!!  I know I missed a few of you and I'm so sorry!!  Everyone looked great and it was so much fun to spend a few mintues with each of you and your kiddos.  Here's a sneak peek of your cuties!!! Thank you for coming and supporting a wonderful cause!  Many families were so grateful for your donations!  Enjoy!

You can see last year's sneak peek of the costume cuties by clicking {HERE}.

urban ballerina - sneak peek {tri cities tn photographer}

OH. MY. GOSH.  I can't even begin to tell you how much FUN this was... Ever since Jessica contacted me about doing some headshots and fun dance/ballet action shots, I've been looking forward to it.  I met Jessica back when I took pictures for her adorable baby girl, who is no longer a baby anymore!  You can see her cutie pie {HERE}.  When we were getting the session set up Jessica sent me a link to this super artsy and creative project called the ballerina project, you can see it on facebook by clicking {HERE}.  Anyways, I think it's been a while since I've shot just an adult... it was SO easy.  She stood where I told her to stand, I didn't have to chase after her... haha!!  I LOVE shooting kiddos, don't get me wrong - it was just very refreshing to spend the evening with Jessica.  She is so talented and beautiful.  I hope you enjoy looking at these images as much as I do.  If only I could bend my body that way.... Thanks again Jessica!  Enjoy!

the easiest subjects... {east tennessee portrait photographer}

So last week we were at Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens in Columbia, SC.  If you haven't been there - check it out {HERE}, it's definitely one of the coolest zoo's I've been to.  Anyways, they have this huge area full of amazing gardens that go on and on.... we're talking the most gorgeous photography backgrounds you can imagine.  I lugged my huge camera all the way out there planning to capture these amazing pictures of me and my girlfriends kiddos.  These pictures were going to be awesome.  I mean AWESOME.  I should have seen it coming, though.  I should know my kids by now - and should have thought to myself, "What normal kid would want to sit and take pictures at a ZOO?"   So - that leads me to the pictures below.  I brought my camera all that way - I had to take pictures of SOMETHING.  So I took the easy way out and shot some of the beautiful flowers that filled the gardens.  

Want to know the thing I love most about flowers?  They don't move when you take a picture of them.  Ha!  So I thought I'd at least share them with you because after all, they really are beautiful.