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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

Many times we as family photographers can fall into a rut of using the same locations again and again. BUT when we finally break out and explore a new location? It's pure magic. I stumbled across this preserve when a planned location for a family photoshoot fell threw. At that time, I didn't really explore it, but knew it was pretty. A year or so later, I went back, got there early and explored. And OH MY GOSH. Add in that the sky was showing off this evening and you have a l

Though Spring in Florida doesn't last long (summer comes in hot and fast), it is gorgeous. As a family photographer, I have been lucky to see many gorgeous locations in spring for family photos, maternity photos and even outdoor newborn photos. This beautiful place is one of my favorite spring family photo locations (and a favorite of many in the area). Washington Oaks Gardens thrives in the spring. Though, it's one of the only places where you can see flowers year round, in

Is sunrise early? Obviously. But coffee exists and the sunrises here in Northeast Florida are GORGEOUS. Am I a morning person? No. But I NEVER regret scheduling sunrise beach family photoshoots. First, once I'm at the beach I'm awake and for some reason just happier (apparently the ocean does that to you). Second, for some reason, kids are usually happier in the mornings. Parents? Maybe not, but the kids are and truthfully that alone makes it worth it. This sweet family sched

So, depending on your age, you probably remember Olan Mills and the traditional, static family photos we all had to get. Our parents dressed us in what they deemed the best outfits (no matter how uncomfortable), did our hair, repeatedly told us not to get messy, drove us to a studio space (which sometimes had an outdoor area). Where were told where to sit, smile at the camera and had to smile as long as possible. Now, if your parents were creative, you may have gotten the "lo

One of the many amazing things about living in Florida, is that we CAN in fact do beach family photos year round. Are some beach sessions a little chilly? Well, yes because St Augustine, Florida is in north Florida. BUT they are still beautiful and the time of year doesn't guarantee cold weather. One week in January may be highs in the 50s the next week it could be highs in the 70s or 80s, you just don't know. So, if you're traveling to Jacksonville, Florida or St Augustine,

Wednesday, I shared my Top Maternity Photography images, yesterday, my Top Newborn Photography favorites and today....my Top Family photos of 2022. You have NO IDEA how hard it is to choose as I was SO blessed this year with all of the amazing families I photographed. So, to help me decide I turned to my old trusted friend, social media data. Who knew as a family photographer I would utilize my Communications and Marketing degrees so much, lol. So, on this New Year's Eve-Eve

This one is for the moms out there. I know when you have 2 or 3 young kids you get nervous. How will the photos turn out? Will we get any good images? Is it worth all the chaos? WHAT IS THE SECRET? The answer, is relax. No seriously. Let go of whether they have a lovie, want to run, want to be held. Relax. Cuddle. Play. Sing. Tickle. Love. If your kids are super rambunctious, choose a location they can explore safely. If they are super clingy, embrace all the snuggles and the

All parents know that multiple kids under 4 can be hard at a session. Family Photographers know this is true as well. What about a session with twin 9 month old babes? Absolutely amazing. Especially at sunrise. Even if the beach was crowded, the smiles from these two cuties and the weather made it all so much more perfection. Take a moment and check out why, this kind of beach family sunrise portraits session is always a good idea. ~Melody

Let's be honest. To most of us, the idea of getting up to watch the sunrise is not exactly enticing. I have never been a morning person. I live on coffee and need 7-8 hours of sleep to be fully functional. BUT I LOVE SUNRISE SESSIONS. I may be struggling as I get ready for them, but once I get there...meet the family, see the skies and the perfect golden light. .. I am SO happy to be there. This sweet family was on vacation visiting family when we met for this beautiful morni

Many families capture their family photos each year in the fall, but some like to catch up with their family photographer to document their children's birthdays. I have been photographing this momma for years and knew her love of dinosaurs. So, when I stumbled upon this park last Spring, I knew I had to tell her about it. Of course, she was excited and despite the heat, we were able to capture beautiful family photos to document the milestones of both of her boys birthdays. T

Summer is always filled with beach family photos for this St Augustine and Jacksonville Florida family photographer. And who could complain about that? The beach is usually a little cooler (thank you beach breeze), a always beautiful. This large family portrait session turned out absolutely perfectly and I was able to capture SO many photos. In an effort to not have a ridiculously long blog post, I choose just a few of my favorite photos so scroll on to see them all! To book

When large families are vacationing near St Augustine Beach, Florida it's always fun and quite the honor to be asked to do family photos. As a family photographer capturing the love and joy of a family is my main goal. Add more family members and you are just adding more love. Since summer of 2020 I have been so blessed to capture many large family groups on the beaches in and around St Augustine Beach, Florida. Want to see just what I can capture in an hour with a large fami

It's not secret if you have been following me, that I LOVE my Watch Me Grow baby plan families. With my baby plans I am able to meet families as a maternity photographer, then capture newborn photos for them, then meet 3 more times as a family photographer to capture how their little one grows over their first year. When we meet for that one year, first birthday photoshoot it's always a little bittersweet for sure. This sweet family first contact me for a family photography s

Benefit of a sunrise family photoshoot? You can BEAT THE HEAT. It's no secret summer in Jacksonville and St Augustine Florida can be brutal. Even with the beach breeze, it can be a bit hot. A sunrise session is typically cooler and absolutely beautiful with the sun rising over the ocean. We have so many beautiful beaches in the area to choose from too. As a family photographer I am here to help you choose the right beach and time of day to ensure a beautiful photoshoot. To se

It's no secret if you've been following me for awhile, that my baby plan clients always have a special place in my heart. For a little...

As a photographer in Jacksonville and St Augustine, Florida I am lucky enough to meet many new families capturing newborn photography, maternity photography and family photography. When a newborn photoshoot family returns for a 12 month session to celebrate their little one turning One Year old, that is always an exciting time. For this First Birthday photography session, they chose one of our beautiful beaches in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida as their location. The weather was