*****************************************

It is hard to break into the Senior Portrait business. There are already a few amazing photographers who specialize in just that. BUT, I actually LOVE doing Senior Photos. I always have. It was one of the areas I loved the from the beginning. Why? Because I can use obscure, cool locations I probably wouldn't take a family (I mean, high school seniors know not to pick up glass or old cigarettes....your toddler probably does not). High School Senior Photos have come SO far sinc

Short answer? ABSOLUTELY. That little life is still so fresh and new. Newborn Photos at one month old just mean more eye contact and possibly more smiles. Also, you feel a little more comfortable with older siblings holding them at this age. I've done many photos for this sweet family and even though we did a Fresh 48 Newborn Photoshoot in the hospital, this sweet little girl's older siblings were not there. SO, a quick session at home made sure they had family photos of thei

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'

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

When a new baby arrives, life can get a bit crazy. Sometimes the idea of making sure everything is packed up, everyone is ready to drive to a studio for photos seems daunting. Add in toddler siblings and making sure snacks, toys and everything can come along, the idea of it all can sound exhausting. BUT, it doesn't have to be that way. Lifestyle Newborn Photography means the newborn photographer brings everything to you. You don't have to worry about diapers, milk, snacks, an

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

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

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

I think since newborn photography has been a thing, people have always thought that newborn photos HAD to be done within 14 days after birth. Don't get me wrong, if you want sleepy baby, posed newborn photos, which is pretty true. BUT, since I prefer Lifestyle Newborn Photography this isn't true AT ALL. Even with an outdoor newborn photoshoot your baby can be older. So, don't think just because it's been 4 weeks since you baby arrived that it's too late. To see more from this

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

No. Absolutely no. Especially at this driftwood beach near Jacksonville Florida. Summer of 2022 I was able to visit this beach often for family photos AND Maternity Photos and I couldn't be happier about it. As a Maternity Photographer in Jacksonville Florida I have been to many beautiful places around town, but this summer the driftwood beach and blackrock beach of Big Talbot Island made for EPIC maternity photoshoots. Like, my favorites of all time. These maternity photos t

As a family photographer, my Watch Me Grow families become special to me. I am able to capture so many milestones for them with maternity portraits, newborn photos and meeting up 3 times during their little ones first year for family photos. I've actually known this sweet family since their oldest was 6 months old and have loved watching the girls grow! We met at a well known beautiful park, Washington Oaks Gardens state park, and were blessed without the intense heat a Flori

If you have been following me for any length of time you know I LOVE being a newborn photographer. Lifestyle Newborn photos done in a client's home always become my new favorite session. Newborn photos at home allow your toddler to be relaxed, get snacks, play, join us or not, whatever they like. This kind of atmosphere and flexibility allows us to get many wonderful photos with your entire family. Want to see more? Just scroll on down for a few favorites from this newborn ph

Another Maternity Monday? Two weeks in a row? I know, even though I love being a maternity photographer in Jacksonville and St Augustine Florida, I don't always time my blog posts for #maternitymonday. But with so many beautiful maternity shoots lately, I can't help myself. This was my second maternity photoshoot with this family, and even with a 2 year old who just wanted to play, we got some amazing photos. So, make your Monday better with a few of my favorites from this b

Newborn photography has had my heart for many years. I've been blessed to capture so many new little lives and all the love that surrounds them. Whether using multiple rooms in a home or just one spectacular nursery, you don't have to have a lot of space to have a gallery of beautiful newborn photos. This special family was referred to me by dad's sister and I can't deny as a photographer who prefers natural light, as soon as I saw the nursery I was in LOVE. We were able to d

Lifestyle Newborn Photography has my heart. There is absolutely no doubt about that. I LOVE being a Newborn Photographer in Jacksonville and St Augustine, Florida and I am so honored each time a family welcomes me into their home. This sweet family actually booked me with their first sweet boy, but that was 2020 and well.......the newborn session didn't happen. We did have many wonderful sessions together, but we missed that first one and I just love newborn photos and meetin

We have many BEAUTIFUL locations around Jacksonville and St Augustine Florida for beautiful maternity photos. As a maternity photographer, I love matching locations with my families. BUT, when a momma says they have private land they want to use, well.... that is always amazing. Their neighbor's land was absolute perfection even with the morning fog that hung around longer than expected. Throw in the tree line they were married AND a super affectionate cow and you have the ma

Normally, as a family photographer in Jacksonville and St Augustine Florida, when clients as for family photos they mean the beach or a park. BUT, when a client wants a Lifestyle Family Photoshoot in their home? That's awesome. What do you need for a Lifestyle Family session at home? One (or two) rooms with a large window and good light. That's it. Nothing more. This whole session was done in one room of their home they had just moved into and still had boxes everywhere. This

Newborn Photography at home fills my soul. I'm not even kidding. Being able to do in home newborn photos or Outdoor Newborn Photography for families all around Jacksonville and St Augustine Florida is an amazing gift. This family had JUST moved into their house, only had a couple rooms mostly finished, brought a new baby girl home and KILLED their session. The lighting, the love, their baby girl, all of it. So, make today amazing with a few of my favorite newborn photos from

I LOVE being a local lifestyle newborn photographer. I mean LOVE. Like I couldn't love a job more. Photography has my heart, but newborn photography is just special. Those little lives, fresh and new to the world, surrounded by love..... man. As a St Augustine Florida Photographer I have met many amazing families on the beach, at beautiful parks, all over. But newborn photos at home are always favorites of mine. So, make your Monday better with a few of my favorites from this