Ryg Family | Knoxville Family Photographer

I’ve been photographing this family for several years and I can say fully that every time I’m with them is so incredible. Mostly because their mama, Sarah, always shows up with zero pretense and her children follow suit. It always feels so easy to get into a groove photographing them because they show me who they are from the minute I get out of my car. She is the kind of mother you would invite over for coffee and know that you didn’t have to pick up your house but that you could just clear a spot on your couch, relax instantly and feel seen. And when she left you would feel less alone in this motherhood gig. This is how I feel when I’m with her and her family and really, isn’t that just an incredible accomplishment? But this is just who she is and I’m so happy I get to photograph them. I got to spend a beautiful chilly late fall evening with them on their farm this year and I am so excited to share it with you all today. Enjoy!

Corpstein Family | Knoxville Family Photographer

If I had a great big mansion
I'd rather live in a shot gun shack with you

If I drove a red farari
I'd rather ride in an oldsmobile with you

If I won a million dollars
I'd give it away to spend more time with you

With you I can be myself
With you I don't have to be somebody else
It's like puttin on my favorite pair of shoes
I'd like to be with me, when I'm with you

-Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors

McCafferty Newborn | Knoxville TN Newborn Photographer

Come and be here in the present moment,

Come and be reminded of all that is beautiful and true.

All the things fear wants you to forget.

-Morgan Harper Nichols

A beautiful morning with this precious family seeing them live fully present in this season with their new baby girl. Blessings to you McCafferty family. <3

Reveiz Family | Knoxville Family Photographer

I was the lucky one to spend a morning in the mountains with the Reveiz family early last month. Brittany and Nick are some of the most loving and intentional people I’ve ever met and it was evident and reflected so beautifully in their family. Brittany is an incredibly talented artist herself and she and I have talked about working together for years. And let me tell you, I loved every minute of my time with them. I wanted to share some sweet words she sent me along with a scripture. Enjoy!

“Nick & I will treasure these photographs forever because of the way they ooze the love, joy, and gratitude we feel as “Team Reveiz”. In this life chapter, we cherish the Z’s constant snuggles, silly giggles, tiny toes, creative minds, tender hearts, and their deep love for one another. These precious moments you captured on film will encourage us as a family for years & years to come and will remind us of God’s faithfulness to lovingly guide us and care for us (Psalm 23).”

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Life at home during Quarantine | Knoxville Family Photographer

It has been a long time since I did a personal blog post and what better time than now. Like many of you, this time has held so many mixed emotions for our family. So much has changed, yet so much has remained the same. We’ve always been homeschooling but we lost the ability to gather with our friends and family, which bring lots of life to us. That has felt sad but we’ve also gained so much more meaningful time together with fewer distractions and less busyness. We’ve enjoyed the sweetness of having my husband Aaron at home with us. Spending time in the mornings with him reading the Bible and discussing the application with him has been really sweet and comforting. Not to mention how I’ve loved to escape to his office when I felt overwhelmed during the day. lol. It’s been nice to have him here. Although it hasn’t exactly been easy, it’s been nice to enjoy a simpler life these past few weeks. I have thought so much about how it’s felt like a nod to my own childhood. I’ve missed photographing clients but I’ve spent a lot of time documenting the life of my own family during this time. As I put this post together, these photographs were precious reminders of the beauty of this time, my life at home with the children, the simplicity of it all and for that I am so so grateful. I hope you enjoy these little reminders as much as I did. Blessings friends.

I’ve been part of a beautiful group of women over the past few years that came together each month to share some of our favorite lifestyle of our families from the month. We haven’t participated for several months but felt the desire to come together again to share during this historical time. Please make your way around the circle by starting with Kalamazoo Michigan Photographer Sara Rypma and make your way around the circle.

Fay Family | Knoxville Family Photographer

This session made me fall in love with extended family sessions. There is no need for them to be stiff or stuffy. Just come as you are. Since the start of this year, I’ve lost 2 of my grandparents so sessions like these seem to hit me right in the feels as the images I have of them has increased in value to me by infinity. It’s really the most important thing I have left from them. I hope these are as treasured as my images with my family are to me. An evening with this family is time well spent. I’m so glad I’ve seen Matt and Danielle’s journey since the start of their family and I loved that he surprised her with this session for Christmas when they were at home in Tennessee visiting family for the holidays. If you want treasured memories like these of you and your loved ones, send me an email, there’s nothing more I’d love than document this time for you.

Johnson Family | Knoxville Family Photographer

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” -G.K. Chesterton

Daugherty Family at home | Knoxville Family Photographer

“What is done in love is done well.” -Vincent VanGogh

I got to meet Ali earlier this year at a gathering of local photographers. I sat across from her and listened as she spoke about her family with joyful tears running down her cheeks and how having her son had changed everything for her. So, it was my privilege to photograph her in her home and pull up a chair with a front row seat and spend time time documenting the beauty of this family. What a blessing your family is sweet Ali. <3

Steelman Family | Knoxville Family Photographer

“You are so much sunshine in every square inch.” -Walt Whitman

The Shields Family >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

Sometimes it’ just so fun to do something different! So when my client came to me wanting a super simplistic session done all on one wall in their home on film, I was pumped for the challenge. I love that she wanted me to just let things flow naturally and to just capture the kids exactly as is. The best I tell ya.

The Japp Family >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

This family. I first met them almost 2 years ago, you can read more about that here. I got to catch up with them this fall and photograph them in their home on film. I found a family that was changed from the first time I’d met them. They’ve clung tightly to each other and to the Lord in such time of uncertainty and it’s been woven into their family. Jenn (who also happens to be an incredibly talented photographer) has truly been an encouragement to me and such an example of faithfulness in the midst of trials. She recently messaged me this scripture and encouragement and I want to share it with you.

“Your bolts and gates shall be iron and bronze AND AS YOUR DAYS, SO SHALL YOUR STRENGTH BE.” Deuteronomy 33:25

“I’m so built up by the idea of God giving us the strength that today requires. Don’t look ahead for tomorrow. Don’t try to draw strength and energy and creativity for a month from now or grace and help for a situation that “could happen.” Grace for today. In copious amounts. Praying this for you today and for me!'“

Ancelet Family >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

This session I’m sharing tonight is really special for a couple of reasons. Number one being that Tracie Ancelet is a gem. She’s a local photographer here in Knoxville that I met for dinner one evening last year that sparked an incredibly beautiful friendship. She’s one of those rare gifts in life, a friend that pursues the hearts of others with her whole heart. You feel completely validated in her presence. I could go on and on but if you know her, you know this about her already. She feels special to me for all those reasons mostly but also because she was my first real local photography friend. And if you are in this business, you know what a priceless gift it is to have a local friend to share thoughts and ideas with. It’s HUGE, and rare, and wonderful, and she’s all that to me.

This session is also special to me because it’s my first ALL film session. I’ve been shooting mostly with film for my personal work for a while now and while I’m still unsure where it’s place is with my clients, it was incredibly refreshing to focus on a client session with this medium. Being with my clients is always my favorite part of the process and shooting film allows me to focus more on my time with them. So, thanks so much for letting me stretch my creative wings a bit and share a bit of working through the process. No matter what, I’m learning even more about this art form that I love so much, and that’s worth it all to me. Enjoy.

Murphy Family >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

On our way home from Michigan this summer we stopped by Indianapolis for a family session with the Murphy family. No doubt this is one of the most loving families I’ve ever met. It had been a long time since their family had been in front of a camera and when this beautiful mama and I spoke on the phone she told me it had been too long and that they were in just such a sweet spot in life and she wanted to remember this, no more excuses. I’m so glad we captured this time of them together. No matter the season, it deserves to be remembered. Enjoy this little glimpse of the Murphy family. Blessings.

September 10 on 10 >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

It's been a long while since I've hopped in on the 10 on 10 monthly blogpost so I wanted to get in this month and share some film images from our recent trip to Michigan. I'm breaking all the rules though by sharing way more than 10. Woops! By the way, Michigan is just amazing! We started on the coast of Lake Michigan then made our way up to the Upper Peninsula to stay on Lake Superior. I've never seen anything like it. Clear, clean lakes, incredible weather, and so much fun in the great outdoors.

After you've made your way through my post be sure to check out my friend Colie's post out in Colorado and make your way around the circle. Enjoy! 

Bailes Family Fresh 48 >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

I think every time I shoot a fresh 48 session, I think to myself about how it's one of my favorites. It's just because these sessions hit all the feels for me. I'm so glad I was able to photograph the Bailes family as they welcomed their new little one on Mother's Day this year. Congrats guys!

Charette Family

I met Justyna on IG a couple of years ago, and in February we got to meet in real life at Clickaway conference. If you can believe it, she's an even more lovely person in real life. I had the honor of photographing her beautiful family who came to the conference with her from Canada. They are a family that I could watch all day. The way she and her husband love their children is so beautiful and intentional. I am so grateful that I got to photograph this powerful love. 

Cece Rose Birth Story >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

I have to start this off by saying that I don't shoot births anymore, haha! But I've had the privilege of photographing all of this family's previous births so it was an honor. 

And oh wow, how this birth made me miss being able to shoot more of these. It's truly a sacred space and unlike anything else I've ever photographed. The anticipation and excitement grows all day long and the love grows thicker and thicker in the room. Seeing a husband support and encourage his wife is just as beautiful as seeing her fall in love with him all over again as she watches him hold their new baby girl. It is the best. But, I'll stop talking now and let you get to the video. ;) Enjoy!

Noll Family >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

"In all the world there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world there is no love for you like mine." Maya Angelou

This family is bursting with life and I love spending time with them each time I photograph them. Sharing a few favorites with you from our session this fall. <3 

Corpstein Family >>> Knoxville Family Photographer

Sharing on of my favorite sessions from this past Spring tonight with you guys. Beth is an incredibly talented photographer so I was honored to spend and evening with her crew. I will never forget asking her son to tell me his favorite thing about his mama and him getting overwhelmed with his emotions telling me how he loved his mama. Truly, the sweetest family. I hope you love these images as much as I do. Blessings. 

July 10 on 10 >>> Knoxville Lifestyle Photographer

Yay! It's time for another 10 on 10! I missed last month so I included a few extra photos this month. Our summer has been busy like everyone's. Swimming and lots of play outside. We've taken a much needed break from homeschool for the past few weeks to recharge our batteries but we're ready to get back at it. Well I am anyway, haha! I hope you guys are having a great summer! Please continue on around the circle and visit my friend Kristi's post. Her use of color and thoughtful composition draw me in every time! Go see for yourself!