Father and Son | Nashville Family Portrait Photography

I really love being a part of surprises. There’s a hidden joy in the ability to be a part of doing something unexpected for another person. So it was without hesitation that I gladly agreed to get some photos of Ryan and his dad, Dick, in honor of their wonderful mother and wife, Kathy, for Mother’s Day.

The hardest part, though, to surprises - is always the waiting, as it has now been almost three months since our session on a blustery February day. A day that seems so long ago and yet not.



Though I've known Ryan for years, I first met Dick and Kathy just a few months ago when they hosted Natalie and I at their beautiful home in western North Carolina. There is nothing like skiing with your best friend and then coming "home" to an incredible pair like the two of them. Dick was to me, at the time, an incredible source of wisdom and thoughtfulness in a season where there was a lot going on inside my head. A writer at heart and a man whose garden puts me to shame, you can't help but feel like you've known him your whole life even after just two days together.

Meet Dick and Bud...







As I said, I have known Ryan for years, and in that time was certain that it takes a unique and wonderful pair to raise such a great guy. A guy that has been such an incredible source of strength and support and love, himself, to my best friend and has become someone we can't image our lives without. Someone's whose humor brings life to every situation, and is seriously one of our favorite people to be around. Ever. And we've got a 52+ hours (driving time) road trip to prove it!

Meet Ryan and Bodhi...







I'm inspired by good men raising good men who will one day raise good men. There's a shortage in this world, but I'm grateful it's not in my own life.







Loving that we had the chance to incorporate Ryan's beloved Scout in the session!





The chance to take these photos, as simple as it was, of the two most important men (and their loyal companions) in Kathy's life is such an honor.



The three of them, together, are collectively some of the most fantastic people I know. Warm, inviting, caring, intelligent, and thoughtful.

The kind of people you just feel beyond grateful to know.

A Shift in Perspective | Just For Fun

I love perspective.

In life, in art. From the window of a plane.

I always marvel at models. Not the kind gracing the runway or magazines. The kind that serve as smaller representations of bigger life. Like for buildings or cities or trains.

I often think of that moment in Zoolander when Derek first sees the model for his Center and is entirely crushed by its size. “What is this? A center for ants?! How can we be expected to teach children how to read if they can’t even fit inside the building?”

What he doesn't get, is that the tiny thing in front of is giving him a look at something he'd otherwise be unable to see the whole of. Like we can often see our own city or the one we're headed to from the window of a plane.

I think that's why I'm so intrigued by tilt-shift.

But without the actual technical gear to achieve the look, one must play and revel a bit in post-processing. And so, with some trial and error, I've played around with a few of my personal photos to get a look at what creating a miniature world out of this great big one we live in would look like.









I kind of like the results!


What do yo think of tilt-shift? Ever tried it out for yourself?

Lessons from WPPI | Personal Reflection

Well, I did it! I hung with the cool kids for a week. And if you can believe it, I survived. In fact, I more than survived. Or at least, I'd like to think I did. Because not only did I manage to leave with my self-esteem intact, but also took home with me a head full of lessons and thoughts and hopes to fuel this creative life and business.

Well those things, and little sleep to my name. And no, it wasn't because of the parties (I only went to one hosted by Pictage) or because I was out cruising the strip (because it was three days in Vegas before I actually set foot outside the MGM Grand - and that was to get In-n-Out and ride down the strip and back in the car belonging to some new friends... priorities people). It was because the days were long (up at 5:30AM - in bed by midnight) and full of platform classes, waiting in line for the platform classes, browsing the trade show, conversing with old friends and new friends over meals, and a whole lot of walking.

But let me tell you, it was worth it. Because over the course of a couple of days, I had the opportunity to meet and hear from and share with people whose vision for their work just blows me away. And in a place like that, in classes with people like Jesh de Rox, Tamara Lackey, and Dane Sanders, and more - I found myself both affirmed and challenged in the direction my work has been heading and where I want it to continue to go.



Jesh's session, in my opinion, set the tone for what was most crucial to focus on throughout my time at WPPI. And seriously, I doubt I've ever been that engaged - that moved - that inspired at 8AM on a Monday morning in my life. But not in particular by the photographer, but by the person and the heart and the purpose behind what we as photographers have the ability to do in our connections with the lives we touch and take pictures of. Fortunately, my further class choices during the week - for the most part - echoed some of the same concepts with such poignancy that it's all that continues reverberating in my head and heart.

Here's what I need some grace on, though. As I mentioned before, I had intended to share a little more in-depth on each of the major sessions and what was taught, but stopped short today when I remembered you're not all interested in that. And even then, there's just some things about these sessions that don't make full sense when written out in this format. For those of you that are interested, I'd rather connect with you by e-mail or over coffee to really give you the full scope and converse through the predominant elements of the conversation. I will gladly share my notes with anyone who asks for them!

If you're a photographer and you've never been to WPPI, I'd encourage you to go at least once. And not because of Vegas. Or because it's WPPI. But because it's the one opportunity I know of every year where as many photographers as possible make it all to one place to be together - sharing and learning and providing context for the work and lives we live.

And, most importantly, inspiration for the lives we have the potential to change.

Ringin' In Twenty-Ten | Nashville Photography Promotion

Happy New Year!

A Great Man - Nashville Portrait Photography

There are men.

There are good men.

And then, there are great men. The men that fight and believe and work hard and that have all those qualities that will always set them apart from others. Smart as a tack, a good friend, a faithful believer, and someone who knows his way around the kitchen. That's what you find in a guy like Brandon.



Brandon might describe 2009 as a challenging one. And I don't think we'd argue with that. Except, it's the kind of challenging that helps you figure out everything you're made of. And I'm just saying, Brandon's made of good stuff. It's been a year of loss and gain and so many lessons learned. I am thankful for how much of an inspiration he has been to the men and women who are fortunate to be in his life.

Like us.

He asked, as a way of marking the new season of life he's in, if I'd be willing to shoot some portraits for him to print as gifts for his family. I more than gladly said yes, especially with Cliff as company on a wintery day in Franklin.





Brandon is a strong guy with a big heart and I'm thankful that at this point in life, we have a relative front-row seat for all of the things in store for him.



And I'm also thankful that he's just one of a few great men my husband does life with.

Meet Ashton & Elijah - Nashville Newborn Photography

Every baby is a miracle, I know this much. All of the moments that happen and in one instant, a perfect and beautiful little life is created. New life, for me, is so refreshing to behold - realizing how tiny and small and yet profoundly significant our lives are.



Amy and Josh are no stranger to miracle babies. Their firstborn, Avery (quite possibly one of the most handsome red-headed toddlers you might ever meet) was the victory after several years of a hard-fought battle to have a child. After so long, a proverbial white flag went up and the next thing you know, two lines show up on a stick. On February 21, 2008, they welcomed their son into the world.

Fast-forward nearly two years later to just last Friday and the two of them found themselves welcoming not just one, but two, new miracle babies into their arms. Twins. And boy twins at that. Ashton Michael and Elijah Nathan. All jokes aside (Amy can attest to the months of harassment she's gotten about the gaggle of boys she'll have at home), I know not too many women strong enough to take on everything that will come in this new season in the life of their family. Or men, like Josh, who will be an incredible model for his sons or such strength and support to his wife.











Amy has been to me a constant support and encouragement over the years and I'm thankful for the friendship we have in her and Josh. I am thankful, too, for the opportunity to capture some of the small, sometimes forgotten moments in the first couple of a days of these new miracles' lives.

Great Expectations - Nashville Maternity Photography

Oh goodness, every time I think about this session I get this strange wave of serenity that washes over me. And not exactly for any reason particularly life-altering or significant for me, but maybe for that feeling of rightness. Rightness in that so many years ago, a young man interviewing for a worship pastor position at a church in East Tennessee called the home of the head pastor and just happened to speak with his young daughter.

Without either of them knowing it, that conversation was the start of a story that would see them developing a relationship over a series of cities and churches and years until age was no issue and love could win out. And love has won out and continues to do so in the life of Hailey and Steven. For a sunny afternoon in Franklin, the two of them let me be a part of sharing in the current plot of their story.

The great expectation of their first child Kate who is due in January. These two are just bursting with the excitement and preparation and joy that comes with the territory. I loved being with them this day and look forward to seeing how their story continues to unfold.

Hot Mama - Nashville Portrait Photoraphy

Okay, so Maria is officially going to kill me for the title of this post.

But for real.

When someone this darling asks you to take their picture, you do just about everything shy of asking them how much you have to pay them to do so. Maria will be featured in her national sorority's "Where Are They Now?" article in their quarterly publication here in the next couple of months and she was in much need of a new head shot for print.

I've pretty much decided taking headshots for women is one of the my favorite things to do as a photographer. Sure, it's not my main bread and butter, but it's an incredible opportunity, when it arises, to help every woman - no matter what her sense of self esteem or self-concept of her beauty tell her. For women like Maria and Sabrina to know their worth and to see it reflected back at them in the pictures on camera, in print, and on the computer screen - there's nothing like it. Especially when they're convinced they only ever take bad pictures.

I mean, you've got to be trying pretty hard to get a bad face out of this hot mama!

Off to PartnerCon! - Pictage Partner Conference 2009

First time in New Orleans. First time in Louisiana. First Photography conference. There's a lot of firsts, I'm sure, for me to behold in the next couple of days. But I'm most certainly looking forward to it, even as we start out this early Monday morning and make our way to New Orleans.

Maybe I'll see you there!

What Inspires Me? 10.31.09

Nick Brandt's work is unreal. If you haven't seen more of his portfolio, go now.

Behind the Big Voice - Nashville Portrait Photography

One day you might just see this beautiful lady on stage at an opera. That is, if you haven't already and you're the cultured sort who makes it out to the opera... occasionally. I'll admit, I've never so much as desired to until I met Sabrina. But now I do. Because behind outrageous costumes and big voices singing in languages not always understood are incredibly kind, thoughtful, and beautiful people - of which Mrs. Warren is one. She was just as sweet as sugar with her slight southern accent and charming smile, but behind it was this really sweet soul, too - the kind you immediately want to befriend.

In the midst of my own personal craziness of buying, working on, and moving into our new home, an afternoon with Sabrina was a welcome break. I was happy to help Sabrina update her headshots which she intends to use in her continued work in the music industry. And around here, it's refreshing to meet someone who lives in the world of classical music and not just commercial - of which there's a'plenty. Her hope is to travel and perform both domestically and abroad, and I'm telling you one thing, she most definitely has the talent and the character to do it.

Click to see more from Sabrina's Commerical Portrait Session.

What Inspires Me? 10.22.09

I seriously drew in my breath and held it for a good 15 seconds when I saw this image by Untamed Heart Photography. What a magnificent contrast in setting and character. It's just romantic and natural and beautiful. For someone who doesn't consider herself a wedding photographer, Michelle Huesgen captured a beautiful series of this couple on their big day.

I love it.

And it inspires me to know that skill, heart, and an eye for photography can bleed into every type no matter what you categorically label yourself.

What Inspires Me? 10.15

The wind. The contrast. The expressions. The composition.

Sigh.

Sarah Rhoads has such an eye for catching moments like this.

I'm inspired.

What Inspires Me? 10.08.09

Everytime I think about my ideal portrait session, this photo always comes to mind:

I still remember the day Angie Monson posted images from this family portrait session she did back in the spring. Everything about it, for me, was pure brilliance. The family, the colors, the location. But this one image in particular has most of the elements that I love about photography and life.

Nature. Beauty. Adventure. Love. Joy. People.

I get inspired by each of these and to have all six in one place at one time, just too much for this little heart to handle. I only hope I could do something this exciting one day!

See more of Angie's Simplicity Photography work here. Prepare to be inspired.