hello sun {tri cities tn portrait photographer}

Spring is officially in the air and I couldn't be happier!!!  I really hate the winter.  The first couple times it snows is fun and all, we went sledding and played in the snow and all that jazz, but by January and February... I am soooo ready for WARMTH and SUN.  Winter out here in the Tennessee mountains is nothing like winter in California where I grew up... But - to look on the bright side, tne thing I do love about the harsh, horribly cold winters is that spring is SO MUCH more beautiful and welcomed than if it were warm and sunny year-round.  When those tulips start popping up and you remember "oh yeah - the color green!" again... it's like AHHHHHhhhhhhhh Spring.  I love you.  It just makes me feel happy!

As I mentioned in my last post, things have been a bit slow on the photography front.  My never ending to-do list is still {and always will be} full, but I am slowly checking things off - and even better {and I LOVE my lists!} is that I've had more time to hang with my kiddos and friends and get the house back in some sort of order!  

The other day while the kids and I were playing outside enjoying the warm weather I grabbed my camera and snapped a few of the spring "details" around our yard and thought I'd share them with you.  What do you love best about Spring?

Oh!  One fun thing I started doing a few days ago is a "Photo-A-Day" on my facebook page.  Come check it out and share your pictures with me!  I'd love to see what you're taking pictures of each day  =)  Also - a giveaway is in the works!!  Stay tuned... AND {last thing I swear}: if you have a baby or toddler girl ages 0-3 and would like to have her model some super cute tutus and/or headbands for an upcoming shoot - please contact me with her age and a recent pic.  Thanks!!

visual aid - a closer look at some of my favorite products

I am such a visual person.  If I heard "5x7 spiral bound book" {for example} I don't know what kind of image I'd have in my head, but I'm sure it wouldn't be anything close to what a 5x7 spiral bound book actually looks like!!  So for my fellow visual learners out there I put together some images that should hopefully give you a really good idea what some of my favorite products look like!!  

Things have been kind of slow around here, which has actually been nice - I've had a chance to {almost} catch up on editing/albums/orders etc. and scratch a few things off my never-ending to-do list {take pictures of products, check}.

So here are some of my favorite products, or products that I get asked often what they are.  

To start off with - hands-down my favorite product... Gallery Wrapped Canvases:

Next up are mounted prints.  All prints 11x14 and larger are mounted for protection.  Here's what "mounted" looks like.  Basically the image is mounted onto a thick board (roughly 1/4" thick) which prevents it from warping or bending.

Now the standout mounts.  These are another one of my favs.  They are similar to the mounted print in that the print is mounted, however these are mounted to a thick (1/2") styrene plastic.  They are very lightweight and sturdy.  They come with pre-drilled holes in the back for hanging which comes in handy, but they also look super cute sitting on a shelf.  The edges can be black or white.

Yet another one of my favorite products are my new spiral bound books.  These little books are soooooo stinkin cute!!  They include a custom front and back cover, or can have an easel on the back for presentation.  The front and back covers are mounted and the pages are printed on professional photographic paper.  I love the rounded edges!!!  These cute little books are awesome for showing off the images from your session or giving to family members.  They come in several different sizes: 4x5, 4x6, 5x5, 5x7 and 8x10.  

Last but not least I thought I'd take a couple pics of a product that not too many people know I offer: Gift Certificates!!  Talk about an awesome gift - and one that will continue to give and give for years to come.  They can be purchased for any amount, and they're cute too!

I think that's all for now!! Stay tuned for a fun giveaway I have in the works... HINT: mamas with little girls will love this one!!!

 

weddings... no more. {tri cities tn children's photographer}

I am sad to announce that I will no longer be shooting weddings.  It's a very bittersweet decision for me, as I absolutely love capturing such a special moment and day in the lives of my awesome clients - however ask any wedding photographer - it's a stressful and time-consuming job!!  I'm sure in the future I will shoot weddings again, and will still possibly shoot an occasional wedding here and there, but my main focus at this point in my life is my sweet little family.  I was one stressed out woman - which translates into one stressed out mommy and wife!! haha  I really feel that this decision will help to relieve some of that stress and allow me to focus not only on my own family (although they do come first!), but shooting families, children and babies, senior portraits, couples and individuals - which I love doing so much!!

I have one last wedding scheduled in May and I just know that it will be the perfect finale.  The bride is one of the most beautiful, sweet, adorable and kind women I have ever met and their wedding is sure to be amazing.  I can't wait.  You can see their gorgeous engagement pics by clicking [HERE}.

In leu of these changes I will be offering some fun themed sessions and discounts in the upcoming months.  The sun is out still there people I just know it!!  Even though it's still cold now, remember that sessions book up fast.  It seems that everyone waits until it gets warm and then it's pure madness!  Get ahead of the crowds and book ahead of time - which will assure that you get the date (and beautiful blossoms/flowers) that you want.

At the moment I am booking slots for MOMMY & ME {mini sessions} - and am offering $50 OFF for the first 5 sessions booked!!  These sessions are scheduled so that your included products will be done in time for Mother's Day - making them the ultimate Mother's Day gift for your Mom/Wife/Grandma/fill-in-the-blank.  Please help me by spreading the word to your family and friends.  Mini sessions are a wonderful way for me to meet new faces and connect with new friends!!!  I greatly appreciate your referrals - it's how I stay in business!

***  Here's the link with the mini session info:  {CLICK HERE}

And at least, I shall leave you with a picture because what would a post be without one?  =)

 

brianna + jeff = MARRIED... sneak peek {sacramento, ca photographer}

This is almost embarrassing how long it's taken me to get Brianna & Jeff's sneak peek up... maybe I just wont mention their wedding date and then some of you will never know! Muah ha ha haaaa!!!  I do have a little teeny tiny excuse to be a little bit of a slacker - Miss beautiful Brianna is my BFF (or maybe this should mean I should have posted it first thing??).  Anyhoo, I flew out to Sacramento CA to shoot their wedding and I'm so glad I was able to be there with her and to be so involved in their big day.  I'm so happy for the two of them!!  They were so relaxed and natural together - it was very special to see their happiness and deep love for each other.  

Okay now to the good part - the pictures.  I know that's all you want anyways.  To Brianna and Jeff and all their families and friends - I'm so sorry it took me so long to get these up!!!!  I will include lots and lots of pictures as my way of apologizing!  =)  Thank you for such a wonderful day everyone!!  Enjoy the sneak peek!! 

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

baby reed. sneak peek {tri cities, tn newborn photographer}

How cute is this guy??  I was once again worried how Mr. Reed would do seeing that he's 8 weeks old today - but he was great!  I think he only cried once the whole time!!  He even gave me some adorable smiles and sweet goo goos... I wanted to keep him (until bedtime of course, then give him back to Mom!).  Mom and Dad were awesome to hang out with too - laid back and relaxed - probably why Reed was the same way.  Thanks again guys for a fun session - enjoy your sneak peek!!

MOMMY & ME {mini sessions}

I don't know how it is in your family, but in mine - I'm always the one behind the camera (and not just because it's my job). I love taking pictures, but it's rare that I get any pictures of ME with my sweet kiddos!! 

With Mother's Day (May 8th) around the corner, I thought I'd give all of you beautiful mamas a chance to get some pictures of YOU with your kids! HINT HINT: Dads - this would make the ULTIMATE Mother's Day gift, and minimal effort on your part! That's what I call a WIN/WIN!

{DETAILS}

Cost for the session is $250*

Each mini session includes:

30 minute session (location T.B.A - but it will be outdoors)
10 - 15 gorgeous edited images in a private online gallery for sharing and ordering
a custom designed 16x20 mounted storyboard with your favorite images from the session (this is mounted and ready to hang!)
5x7 spiral bound photo book - includes a customized front cover, easel back for display and ALL of the images from your session!!



Please help spread the word about this event!! Mini Sessions are a great way to get some wonderful professional pictures without the purchase requirements of a full session. It's also a way I can reach out to families I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet! If you're not interested, maybe you have a friend or relative that is? Thank you for sharing!!!

{CLICK HERE TO SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK}  - Click on the "Share" link -

Note: this is for ALL moms - if your first baby was just born or if your babies have babies of their own - this is for YOU! =)


Grab your time slot before they fill up!!  Email me at bdprophotography@gmail.com or fill out a form by clicking {HERE}


* price includes Mom and up to 5 children - additional children are $10 each. 

baby mykael - sneak peek {tri cities tn portrait photographer}

Poor Mykael was not in the mood for pictures yesterday.  He did awesome for the "most important shots" of him in his Virginia Tech uniform holding his mini soccer ball - that is - most important according to Dad.  =) But once we tried to get him nice and into the sleepy naked poses that we love, he was NOT having it!!  We eventually had to reschedule for a later date - which (again Mom and Dad) was no problem at all.  In light of this, I thought it might be a good time to give my current and potential clients some helpful insider info:

 

1.  {One of} My goal{s} with your session is to give you 20-40 amazing shots that I'd be proud and happy to have you hanging on the walls of your home for the next several decades.  If I'm unable to achieve that for whatever reason, I have no problem rescheduling to a later date.  I have kids.  I understand that they get sick, grumpy, crazy and well - unpredictable!!  Usually we can work through those kinds of kinks, but I never want to force a baby or young child into poses that will end in so-so images.  We're looking for GREAT here people!!  So just please know that I am in no way shape or form a "stickler" when it comes to almost anything.  Maybe I should be more of one, but I'm not.  So - I am looking forward to getting some super happy awesome pics of Mr. Mykael in the next coming months.  =)  

2.  IMPORTANT:  Newborn sessions should be shot right at 7-14 days.  I know this is crazy.  Again, I have kids which means that I've given birth to them and know how insane it is the first several days and weeks (and years!! haha) after you get home from the hospital.  That's why it's so important to know this info. ahead of time so that you can tentatively plan your baby's session before he/she is born.  I think a LOT of people have no idea about this (and it's NOT your fault!!  I would have no idea either if it wasn't part of my job!).  That's why I thought it might be nice to let you know - in case you or someone you know is planning on a newborn session in the future.  Of course it's still possible to get those sleepy, curled up newborn poses that we all love with an older baby, it's much more difficult. 

 

Okay!  Now for the good part - pictures!!  We didn't get too many shots of Mr. Mykael, but here are a couple of my favorites that I was able to snag.  Enjoy - and thanks again Mom and Dad!

baby madison - sneak peek {tri cities tn newborn photographer}

I think both Mom and I were expecting Miss Madison to be a difficult one considering that she's older than I normally like to shoot newborn sessions.  But what a surprise!!  She put up with us changing her, folding her, squeezing her and more - and only cried once!!  What a precious baby girl...   I had a great time with Mom, chatting while we waited for Miss Madison to get into a deep sleep.  I love when new moms are relaxed during the sessions, it makes my job so much easier!  Thank you and enjoy your sneak peek!