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... 

My Newest Addition {Tri Cities TN Newborn Photographer}

On January 6th - which also happens to be my birthday - I was given one of the greatest gifts of all... a sweet, innocent little newborn baby.  Getting him here was definitely NOT a gift, but of course it's all worth it in the end.  Any mother knows what I mean.  The indescribable feeling when you're handed this precious little person for the first time.  It amazes me how fast they grow... I'm so glad that I was able to snag a few shots while he was still super new.  Somehow three weeks have flown by without me even knowing it!  Thank goodness my mom was here to help with the session because it was a fiasco!!  My 4 year old was having a total and complete mental breakdown, I was tired and still recovering and we were all adjusting to life with a new baby!!  As I shared earlier though, somehow we managed to get one awesome shot that I am SOOOO happy and grateful for!!  I felt like I had a glimpse into what my clients must feel when they see images of the important people in their lives for the first time... All I could think about was getting that picture on. my. wall. asap!!!  (And you better believe it already is!!)

Anyways, this is my new little man and his awesome big sister and brother!!!  I love them each to PEICES!!

My "plan" is to get him into the studio again for some more newborn pictures... but we'll see how that goes.  I have tons of adorable boy hats I wanted to get him into and didn't get a chance!!  

<3 A Stack of Love <3 - Kingsport, TN Photographer

I'm going to keep the writing to a minimal - mainly because I should really be sleeping instead of posting this picture, but I just can't help it.  I'm in love.  I've had a wish granted!!  It was crazy and I wish I had a video of what went on behind the scenes, but I was somehow lucky enough to capture this image of my three beautiful children... The top little bundle arrived last Friday and has been such a joy.  I can't wait to get this blown up as huge as possible on a gallery wrap.  I can't think of anything better.  Enjoy... =)

 

making wishes {kingsport tn children's photographer}

We were getting ready to run to the store - the kids and my hubby were outside waiting for me {sooo typical}.  I run outside ready to go and my hubby stops me and points to my daughter.  I look over to see her sitting amidst hundreds of dandelions, decked out in her girlie dress {haven't seen her in pants in over a year, no joke} and her favorite pair of shoes at the moment - striped rain boots.  

The sun was shining through the trees behind her - it looked almost magical.  If it were me, I probably would have raced to the car and went on my way - but I'm so glad my hubby saw this moment and helped me to stop and really see it too.  I grabbed my camera and somehow managed to talk her into throwing a headband into her {wild & crazy} hair.  

What's even more magical about this moment is that she actually LET me snap a few pics of her.  All my friends know how much she does NOT enjoy having her picture taken.  I blame it on the fact that she's had a camera shoved in her face since the day she was born.  I always tell her one day she'll be happy I took so many pictures of her.  haha  One day.  I just love these pictures of her... I can't believe how old she's getting.  It really does go by way too fast.  

I wonder what she was wishing for.

mine {kingsport, tn family photographer}

You would think as a "mom-tographer" I'd post more pictures of my kids.  Well I WISH I could!!  Those little stinkers will hardly ever let me take their pictures.  I'm seriously considering hiring another photographer to take pictures of them so at least I'll have some good ones!!  I always joke with clients who are apologizing for their children's behavior that no children could be more difficult to photograph than my own!!  HOWEVER - once in a blue moon they let me, and I take FULL advantage!  This time it was Mariah - who's normally the more stubborn of the two.  I just love seeing pictures of them.  It gives me a small taste of how (I assume) my clients must feel when they see the images of their little cuties.  I need to get better about just getting out the camera and capturing the day to day stuff that I'm sure I wont remember in 20 years.  I want to capture these moments because they fly by wayyyyy to fast.  It seems like suddenly they are both so big, which means I am getting old.  Eww!!  They truly are my world.  My wild and crazy world.  I love them more than words can express and am so grateful for each day I get to spend with them.  Here are a couple that I snagged while we were playing at Nina's house last week...  =)  Aren't they cute??

MOM CHALLENGE:  Break out the point-and-shoot and snag pictures of your kids TODAY.  Try to enjoy this moment in time with them because in only a short time you will look back and realize it's already over!!!  <3

Little Miss Ava and fam - sneak peek {johnson city tn family photographer}

Oh boy did miss Ava give me a run for my money!!!!  This little cutie pie does NOT sit still - in fact, I don't think she knows what that word means! haha  But she was such a crack up and so sweet.  You may remember her and her gorgeous mommy from Jessi & David's Wedding.  Mom and Dad were so relaxed and chill - they just kept cracking up at Ava, who was just eating up all the attention!!  Thanks for a fun time guys and enjoy your sneak peek! =)

spontaneous {johnson city tn children's photographer}

So there was a new location I wanted to check out, and I thought I'd get Mariah to let me snap a few shots of her.  I got her all prepped: she helped picked out an outfit - we bargained, let her know how long it would take, what we would do afterwards etc.  We were all set.  We finally get out there and of course she doesn't want to do it.  I always hear all these other photogs who say their kids LOVE having their picture taken.  Well - not mine.  In fact, it's the extreme opposite!!  And it makes me so sad...  Anyways, of course I got nothing at the beautiful location, but as we're waiting in the car for Dad to get some snacks she's all smiles and actually seemed happy about me taking her pic!!  Go figure!! Oh well - I'll take what I can get!! I sure love this little girl... I still can't believe she's in school and growing up so fast.  I miss spending time with her so much.

The amazingly awesome H Family {auburn, ca family photographer}

Okay, so I may be a bit biased because this is MY family!!  While we were out visiting in California last month we decided to do a photo shoot.  We are only all together 2 times a year now that the majority of us seven kids are out of the house (weird!!) - so whenever it happens, it's our only shot (no pun intended) for a group family picture for Christmas cards etc.  So we went and had a crazy, extremely hot and tiring photo session.  And I am happy to announce that we all made it through alive!!  The two boys (ah hem... one of them my son) were NOT having it that day.  I think I'll go ahead and start off with my favorite picture: the grandkids.  This picture is actually 2 different pictures put into one ha!!  

The boys both took their turns crying and running away while sweet Miss Mariah held the twins and smiled away (thank you Riah!).  I still can't believe we even got something this good - even though the boys aren't smiling, they're not screaming and they're looking in the overall direction of the camera!! I just had to get a picture of what was going on behind me while I was taking their pics (see below).  No wonder they were crying!!!! hahahaaa (this is obvious this is a JOKE right?) I just couldn't resist...

Okay, on a more serious note - here are the rest of my favorites.  I am so grateful for my family and feel lucky to be a part of it.  It's been hard living so far away the past year (can't believe it's already been a year!) but when we get together, it's like we've never been gone.  I love you guys!!!

Mom and Dad

My family (already ordered a canvas of this - I'm in LOVE with it!!!!! Thanks to my photog in training sis for capturing it!):

My second sister and her sweet family - doesn't she look amazing for giving birth to twins only days before this??:

The college girls:

The only ones left at home:

My brother - the youngest of 7 kids - ALL SISTERS (do you feel sorry for him yet?):

All the girls:

Having fun in between shots:

Everyone!!  (again this is 2 pics I put together to get everyone looking and *somewhat* happy):

soaking up summer {my recent adventures}

I realized I haven't posted for a bit now... life has been crazy!!!  I have SO MANY images to edit and albums to create - apologies to my wonderfully patient clients who are waiting.  I'm working hard to get everything done!!  In the midst of everything, we've taken trips to both California and South Carolina and my baby girl just started Kindergarten!!!  Whew!

So to give you something to look at, here are some of my favorite images from our trip to Hilton Head Island, SC.  It was BEAUTIFUL and the beaches were amazing.  I didn't take many pictures - it's so hard for me to enjoy the moments when I have my camera in hand.  I'm either photographer or wife/mommy... and I'm still working on finding the balance between the two.  So, I decided to enjoy it rather than document it, but I did pull out the camera a couple times so we'd have something to remember the trip by.  It was so much fun.  If you've never been - plan a trip!!  It's great for families, couples and individuals.  Did I mention the beaches are AMAZING??