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When your little one is approaching their first birthday it is an exciting time for the whole family! Their first year is filled with so...

It's not secret if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook that I am NOT a morning person, BUT I absolutely LOVE a good sunrise family...

When your whole family gets together, whether on vacation or for a celebration, you don't often think to hire a photographer for family pictures. BUT DO IT! So many families visit historic Saint Augustine, Florida and though the beach is a common family photo location request, you are MISSING OUT on not doing your photos in historic downtown St Augustine. First, you don't have to be up at sunrise, so everyone can sleep in if you want morning pictures. Second, there are SOOO m

I know, I know. It's July.....BUT... Fall Family Photo season will be here SO fast. If you have already booked your photos, or are already thinking about what to wear, let me give my Top 3 Tips for What to Wear for Fall Family Photos to help you out. TIP 1: WHAT TO WEAR (Colors) I LOVE solid earth tone colors. Patterns are not the enemy, however you don't want the pattern to take away from everyone else and too many patterns is a distraction from the main focus of the photo,

This sweet family has allowed me to capture so many of their milestones. Two Newborn Photoshoots, A Maternity photoshoot AND first birthday photos too! Our sessions are always filled with lots of laughter as their boys run, play, act silly and take their own photos! (this toy digital camera is amazing) Though I have been a family photographer full time since 2016, it wasn't until our maternity session in 2022 that I came to this beautiful park. Jacksonville and St Augustine F

Living where I do, those vacationing here near St Augustine Florida, often want a beach session. In the summer, the means a session at 8pm at night which is hard for many little ones.....BUT these same little ones are also probably waking at 5am, and though that's not amazing in the moment, it does mean sunrise beach family photos are a possibility for you. Happier kiddos, not as hot, and you have the rest of your day to rest, work, whatever you need. This gorgeous family pho

I have had two Baby Plan graduates recently and it makes me a little sad. Though as a family photographer, I am blessed with some amazing families who come back year after year, it's not guaranteed. But being able to capture many of the special moments of a baby's first year is a gift and I take it. First birthday photoshoots at one of my favorite parks is always awesome, then mom's dress came in time and sweet baby D was as happy as ever making it perfection. We danced, play

Family Photos don't have to just be your core family. As a beach family photographer (and really just everywhere family photographer, lol), I LOVE when families want to included grandparents, aunts and extended family. I met this sweet family first when their little man was born and we did an outdoor newborn photography session on the beach at sunrise. It was GORGEOUS, so when they reached out about a session for her mom and including her sister I WAS IN! It turned out perfec

Since 2020, many families have been asking for a family photography session while visiting Jacksonville and St Augustine Florida. Typically, we meet at the beach near where they are staying or one of our beautiful parks in the area. When Brandon contacted me and mentioned doing the session at the Resort they were staying at, after a quick google search for photos of the property I was in! Most resorts have beautifully manicured gardens and grounds. Perfect for a family photos

So, as a family photographer there are so many families I see every year. Typically, that is in the Fall for Fall Family Photos before Christmas card season. But this sweet family, they visit every spring and allow me capture them all around the area as their kiddos grow. They choose to spend a part of each vacation to see family with me. So much so, that their son said, "Bye Miss Melody, see you next year when we come back to Florida!" If that doesn't make you smile you can'

A baby's first birthday is a big milestone. Sometime we all celebrate as they change so much over that first year. As a family photographer, I am lucky enough to capture many first birthday portrait sessions and all the giggles, smiles, and love that goes with them. This sweet momma allowed me to capture her Maternity Photos last year, so I was so happy when a year later, she wanted to capture her baby girl's first birthday at the same location! It was a gorgeous sunrise morn

One thing that as a family photographer, is the most flattering, is when clients return to you. This sweet family met me in 2020 when we had to modify the Watch Me Grow baby plan and do a 3 month session instead of a newborn then work from there. So, when they reached out about a Watch Me Grow plan with baby no 2 I was SO excited! This time we got to meet for a Classic Newborn session and 3 more times to be able to capture their sweet boy's first year. For this First Birthday

While on vacation, the last thing many of us think about is getting up early. So, when families lately have wanted a sunrise beach photoshoot while on vacation here in Jacksonville and St Augustine Florida, I have been over the moon. Despite the fact as a family photographer, I am NOT a morning person really, I hide it well for sunrises. Sunrise sessions and yes, I even get up for at least one while on vacation because they always seem to start my day right. This sweet family

Celebrating your little one's first birthday is such a special milestone in life. It all goes by so quickly, but is filled with so many memories. As a family photographer, being able to capture those special moments and all the love is a blessing. I was lucky enough to capture this sweet family for a maternity photoshoot, then an outdoor newborn session once their sweet babe arrived. So meeting again, a year later, where we met for their maternity photos only made all the smi

Celebrating a little one's first birthday is ALWAYS a good idea. This is a huge milestone in both the child's and parent's lives (I mean you survived a whole year as a parent). It's definitely worth documenting, BUT you don't have to make it all about balloons and cake if you don't want to. Sure smash cake first birthday photography sessions are fun (& messy). But as a family photographer, keeping it simple and just capturing their new walking ability, new teeth, faces they m

We have all heard over and over that the first year with your little one goes by fast. It's SO true and a First Birthday is a wonderful time to schedule a family photoshoot to document the occasion! This family choose a beautiful morning for their session and the little first birthday girl definitely loved her cupcake for breakfast. As a family photographer I absolutely LOVE capturing all the milestones for families. But there's something about those first birthday photoshoot

When I'm editing a family photography session, I have realized I always have favorite images in a gallery. Often times, those images are one of two things. Play or details. By play, I mean children jumping, running, singing, dancing, all the things that make childhood amazing. By details, I mean those things that are here now, but may not be in 5 years. Tiny curls, a crinkled nose, silly faces, chubby hands. Maybe even a favorite lovie or the way they cuddle into mom when tir

Some children absolutely LOVE the camera. They will stop whining about an itchy dress to pose when they see the camera, and it cracks me up every time. BUT, those kiddos who don't love the camera and are maybe a little shy or just not in the mood? Those sessions make for some beautiful photos too. HOW CAN BOTH WORK? Because as a family photographer, the focus at my sessions are more about fun then the photos. If you keep that in mind as well, whether your kiddo things posing

We have all scene beautiful beach photos and family portraits in a beautiful park, BUT what if that is not your family? Not your vibe? Urban family photos are a thing, and they ARE AMAZING. I don't mean the beautiful photos in downtown St Augustine, Florida which we all love, BUT photos in downtown Jacksonville or even, like this session, the beaches town center. Buildings, murals, brick, sidewalks and yes, even people. ALL coming together to make an amazing session. Truth be

It's not secret all photographers LOVE return clients. That you liked your family photos or newborn photos enough to come back always makes me happy. BUT, those clients who just know they want to capture their baby's first year??? They may be my favorites. My Watch Me Grow baby plan captures all the changes and milestones of baby's first year. From Maternity Photography, Newborn Photos and then 3 more over the year as that sweet baby changes so fast. This session was Mr J's 8