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There’s just something about fall family photos in Northeast Florida. Even though we don’t get the dramatic reds and oranges you might picture when you think of a classic fall photoshoot, Jacksonville and St. Augustine have their own beautiful version of autumn. Think warm golden light, moss-covered oaks, coastal breezes, Spanish moss, and families simply enjoying time together. 🤎 As a local family photographer in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida, I love finding locat

Family of 5 hugs in close with young daughter smiling at local St Johns family photographer There’s something truly timeless about sunset beach family photos in St. Johns, Florida. Children are free to run, play, and explore the shoreline. As a St. Johns family photographer serving Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, and Northeast Florida, I’ve found that beach sessions create the most relaxed and meaningful family images. 🌊 The Magic of Sunset Beach Family Photos This

When trying to choose a location for a family photoshoot in and around Jacksonville, Florida with so many beautiful options it's often hard to decide. As a family photographer, I have been to many of beautiful locations in the area and of course have a few favorites. When families are wanting a petite family photography session there are a few favorite spaces I use. This waterfront park is definitely a favorite. Especially at sunrise as the colors of the sky over the water at

Here in Florida the beach is always a popular location for maternity photography sessions. BUT, with the beach often comes a beach breeze...sometimes a little more than a beach breeze. On this particular evening, it was VERY windy and being a busy time of year there was no rescheduling, so we went with it! I have to say though, the wind added so much beauty in the movement of her dress and hair. These beach maternity photos turned out SO gorgeous even with the wind and cloudy

In January of 2020, I had many Fresh 48 photoshoots on my calendar. I was so excited for what the year would bring and how fresh 48 photos had become more popular. Of course, we all know what happened next. (Ugh) One of those Fresh 48 photography sessions was for this sweet family and their second baby girl. We pivoted and did a newborn session instead and their baby plan still turned out beautifully. So, when they were expecting baby girl number 3 we were all excited to be a

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