52 Fridays Week 20 “Long Exposure” {Personal Project Memphis, TN Photographer}

Posted on May 18, 2012 by erin

Yesterday my youngest son graduated from preschool. He is just a few short weeks away from all-day Kindergarten, and it has left me a little sad that time is slipping away so quickly. But there is really nothing I can do about how fast it flies, so after sulking a little while I decided I better refocus my attention, and do it QUICKLY.

On the flip side of my anxiety is a ray of hope. In just a few more days I will have all of my boys back around me as we approach something I like to call. . .

OK, so everyone calls it that. But I plan on making the most of this one. With lots and lots of fun with my husband and kids right here in Memphis, TN. No big trips planned this year, just good, old-fashioned family time. Maybe we will have to play a few games in the yard, see some movies, drive to the beach, play Monopoly, and of course swim, swim, swim. Whatever we do, I’m excited for the chance we have to be together!!

So here’s my real image for today’s assignment. Please forgive my air-drawing skills. I’ve never done this before, and I am not one to draw anyway. (That’s why I have a camera!!) This light painting is in honor of one of my boys’ favorite night games: flashlight tag. I call this pic “Hide and Seek,” and I even used his flashlight to create it!

Want to see some more fun photos? Join me in visiting a few other photographers who tried out some long exposures and slow shutter speeds this week. First stop is the wonderful Emily Bjornson, then we’ll follow the circle all the way to Stacy Aldo. Enjoy!

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Sneak Peek of Adorable Kids {Memphis, TN Children’s Location Photographer}

Posted on May 15, 2012 by erin

Miss C recently celebrated her third birthday, so Mom wanted to capture a little slice of the life of a three-year-old. We made plans for going to the Collierville Square in hopes of getting some fun shots amidst the colorful doorways and interesting backdrops. What Mom may not have planned for was a little girl who wasn’t sure she liked that idea. NOT TO WORRY! It only took us a minute of playing games and a trusty trike to get going, and she did an unbelievable job. Just look at those incredible eyes and sweet smile! Mr. C, her little brother, came along for the ride too, so I couldn’t help but steal a few quick glances of him as well. I was so glad I had the chance to work with these two cuties, and I hope they enjoyed the Fair on the Square, which opened just minutes after we finished our session. Not a bad treat for their patience and cooperation! More smiles from this fun session to come!

Nothing gets the morning going like a little game of peek-a-boo.

“What do you see in the toy store window?”

Mr. C liked to play too. His game was, “How fast is your camera?”

Can’t wait to share the rest of their session, including Miss C showing off her bubblegum pink trike!

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52 Fridays Week 19 “Vintage” {Personal Project Memphis TN Photographer}

Posted on May 11, 2012 by erin

In memory of my loving “Granny” and “Grandma Lil,” and dedicated to my mom this Mother’s Day weekend. I can still see this lovely little Vintage, picture-frame-styled vase in Granny’s entryway. Always brimming with flowers from her incredible garden, from early spring miniature irises to summer’s last roses, this vase is forever etched in my mind as a part of her. The flowers it so graciously held seemed to reflect her personality. She brought beauty to everything she touched, and brought joy to everyone she met.

And then there is my mother, who taught me to embrace my own talents, while she excelled in the artistic field of fashion and quilting. (You can see some of her talents on her new blog. She’s amazing!!). But never pushing me to love what she loved, she happily helped me fulfill my own dreams in dance and then photography, often at great sacrifice.

I am grateful to come from a long line of talented women, including my Grandma Lil, who was an amazing oil painter and violinist. I’m also blessed with a wonderful Mother-in-Law, whose medical knowledge and talent as a nurse blows me away. And even though I can’t draw a stick figure, deal with any sort of injury in a calm manner, or sew a straight line, (let alone paint a self-portrait with my violin, create amazing quilts or grow show stopping roses), I was always encouraged to Be Myself. I’m thankful for all of the mothers in my life that have taught me and loved me for who I am, yet have encouraged me to never stop growing and progressing. And most importantly, they have taught me what it truly means to be a mother. I know now that there is a Fine Line of Building Up and Letting Go. I just hope I can be the kind of mother and grandmother that they have been to me. Thanks Mom, for all you do!

Shall we see what other vintage treasures were found this week? Scroll through our 52 Fridays circle to see 10 other takes on this week’s theme, starting with the lovely Amy Ames in Holly Springs, NC .

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Happy Birthday K {Memphis, TN Children’s Lifestyle Photographer}

Posted on May 10, 2012 by erin

I just can’t believe this little guy is already eight years old! Where does the time go? I am so grateful to have K in our home. He is so outgoing, spontaneous, and adventurous, and keeps the rest of us on our toes! His love of seemingly everything and everyone makes him so fun to be with. Life is a stage and a roller coaster to him– two things he absolutely loves to be on, by the way, so he is almost always happy and laughing. It’s the best.

And I appreciate his willingness to let me snap a few pictures to remember this time in his life. These boys of mine seem to be growing so fast, and I’m glad I have a few images like these to cherish eight-year-old K.

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52 Fridays Week 18 “Self Portrait” {Collierville, TN Portrait Photographer}

Posted on May 4, 2012 by erin

Self Portraits are not my thing. And I would have preferred a picture of me with my family, but this week was a little crazy to try anything that organized. So instead you get a portrait of happy little me with my new friend, the D800. After two years of waiting, I am so excited to finally have it in my hands!

Can’t wait to see everyone in this week’s circle! Let’s go see Christine Blaylock’s portrait first!

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Senior Sunset Session Part One {Senior Photographer, Memphis TN}

Posted on May 2, 2012 by erin

We couldn’t have had a better evening in Shelby Farms for this Senior Session. A slight breeze, gorgeous sunset, and peaceful scenery all contributed to the perfect conditions for a photo shoot. And could I have had a more beautiful client? Maddy was such a sweetheart, and a total natural in front of the camera. I absolutely LOVE working with seniors, and she was just perfect!

It’s always so fun to hear about their final year in high school, their prom, and their plans for the future. I hope Maddy enjoys these last few weeks of school, and am sure she will do well as she heads off to new and exciting things. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, and best of luck to you as you begin a new journey in college!

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52 Fridays Week 17 “Round” {Memphis and Collierville TN Baby Photographer}

Posted on April 27, 2012 by erin

I had the chance to photograph this roly-poly little boy this week, and had a great time. He is such a handsome guy, don’t you think? This was his four-month session, but as you can see he barely fit into my “round” basket. But I just love his chubby toes peeking out over the edge! More to come from this fun session in the next couple of weeks.

As usual, the 52 Fridays posts link to other photographers from around the world who each interpret the theme in their own way. Please visit them all! First stop today: Faye Kingston, Miramichi, NB Photographer.

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52 Fridays Week 16 “Perspective” {Memphis, TN Photographer for Tiny Sparrow Foundation}

Posted on April 20, 2012 by erin

Meet Carter. Carter is a beautiful 3 year old little boy fighting a grade 3 Malignant Astrocytoma Glioma. Carter was on a magical trip to Walt Disney World, when he had to be hospitalized and then flown to St. Jude Children’s Hospital after it was discovered his tumor had grown. This news came just a week after Carter’s last round of chemo.

Enter Tiny Sparrow Foundation. They are a non-profit organization working with photographers all over the U.S. to provide portraits and lasting memories for families with a child facing a life threatening illness. You really must check out their mission and blog, as the pictures of hope are so sweet, documenting these brave children and families. With that said, I was so moved when Tiny Sparrow contacted me and asked if I would be willing to photograph this sweet little boy.

The day of the session I received a call from Carter’s mom telling me he had had a difficult night. We decided to go ahead and try to get what we could, but he wasn’t happy outside, and shortly after we started we went back up to their apartment in Target House. Fortunately, as soon as he crawled up in his bed, the smiles returned to his face, and I snapped away. What a sweet little boy.

There were many special images of Carter with his mom that I’d love to share as well. But they will be part of the album TSF will create for the family, so they are top secret right now. If you’d like to donate to TSF to help fund these beautiful family keepsakes, please visit their Facebook page. You are sure to be inspired by the amazingly brave children and loving families.

Speaking with his mom afterward was a special treat. She was so positive, and spoke with such beautiful Perspective. On life, on God, on eternity, and on family. I am grateful for my own testimony of these things. And I am grateful for the opportunity to be reminded that the most important things in life aren’t actually things at all, but our family, loved ones, and our knowledge that they are ours to keep.

What other perspectives will we see today? Come with me to visit the ever-so-talented Christine Blaylock and check out her interpretation of “Perspective.”

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Beautiful Baby Sneak Peek {Memphis, TN Newborn Photographer}

Posted on April 19, 2012 by erin

I was thrilled with the chance I had to work with this ADORABLE baby girl a few days ago. She was such a good little subject, and her sister was a sweetheart too! And to top it all off, their mommy and daddy are good friends of ours, so it was such a fun session to do.

This sweet little lady was also a “model” for my mom’s newest collection of baby quilts. She is amazing, so it will be fun to get a sample of all of her newest pieces. If you are a quilter, check out her website or blog for some fun new ideas. She is even featured in back-to-back issues of Quilt Mania Magazine! So Fun!

But back to our sweet little P. Isn’t she perfect? And I love how happy her big sister is to finally have her here!

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52 Fridays Week 15 “Blue” {Memphis, TN Children’s Photographer}

Posted on April 13, 2012 by erin

My oldest son did something crazy yesterday. He turned 12! How can that be?? On the one hand, it seems like he has been a part of our lives for so long, and I can’t imagine life without him around, and on the other I think he couldn’t possibly be this old. He is growing up way too fast! This post is just to wish him a big ol’ Happy Birthday. He was very nice to let me get a few quick (and I do mean QUICK 5 min. session here) portraits of him before he headed off to scouts a couple of nights ago.

This may not be all about “blue” here, but I have always loved his light blue eyes. Love you C!

Well, thanks for visiting! Now let’s go see ND Natural Light Photographer Emily Bjornson, and see what fun she had with the theme “Blue”. Make sure to visit all of the photographers in the circle, and even leave them some love!

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