My kids are currently living their best life and my days of publicly documenting it are over. I deleted all of the followers from our family photo archive on instagram on New Years Day because the time has come. I can scroll privately through our memories, but their stories are now theirs to tell. My blogging about their life was archived long ago.

I spend most of my days (chillin’ out maxin’ relaxin’ all cool) as I take them to and from school practices every. single. day. multiple. trips. a. day.

I write/blog to help myself remember that my life is more than teaching, taxiing, tide detergent pouring, tidying dishes, timing dinner so we can all eat together, and groundhog day again. It’s a wonderful season, but if I’m not careful, I can get lost in it as a person one day running into the next.

Once upon a time I documented their lives, told in photographs, and the lives of many members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha in my community. Each photo was a pause to reflect on a moment or something good that I noticed that day.

If a photograph is a piece of the story and a family album is the book, I’ve spent my adult life as a constant observer, my camera the pen, my shutter the scribe, capturing the fleeing moments of my family and many others, a visual narrative that they lived, that we lived.

I’ve spent my time creating images that speak volumes without saying a word and blogging has told the rest of the story through my keyboard, a good fit for someone who thrives behind the scenes.

I’m the type that likes to blend in and I usually let others fill in the voids when conversation lulls. I don’t use my voice as often as I should, because I’ve always been more comfortable expressing my ideas with half my face behind a camera or a pen in my hand. Communicating with images and written words has come more natural to me.

I started blogging in 2008 and as with everything as technology has evolved we have evolved with it. There were no best practices back then or strategies for blogging. We made it up as we went along. My blog was a mixed bag. I knew nothing of niche.

I got up every morning and wrote what I felt like writing mostly about my sessions, a lot about my faith, and figured out really quickly commenting on our culture was not a good fit for me.

My writing connected me with people. In those days before social media evolved into what it is now, we had longer attention spans, less content to view, and there wasn’t so much vying for our attention and eyeballs.

Long form content ruled the day and you really felt like you connected with the authors of blogs because they wrote more than just sound bytes. Engagement was up because blogs were where we connected, sort of like a virtual water cooler.

When blogs started operating like businesses and the 2012 election ruined the social media landscape we once knew (my opinion), that’s when I noticed the death rattle of writing online.

It got really frustrating. Where before it was easy to reach my readers, it began to be more challenging to compete with so many voices. That’s also the year the iphone was being adopted by everyone so content increased overwhelming us with information.

One thing I’ll always take away from blogging from the old days was the practice I got from writing long form and having an outlet to share my point of view which was respected back then, even if not always agreed upon. I wrote some stuff I’m not proud of but more often than not, I kept my dad’s advice to “keep it positive” and that is the lane I’ve tried to remain.

You learn from what works, you learn from what doesn’t, you get back up, and you’re hopefully better with each post. That’s life. Through it all I’ve never tired of writing. If you’re still here reading, I thank you.

Here are some tips for blogging in the modern age:

1. Showcase Expertise: By regularly blogging about topics related to portrait photography such as posing tips, lighting techniques, or editing tricks, you demonstrate your expertise in the field. This builds trust with potential clients who are seeking a skilled photographer for their portraits.
2. Boost SEO: Blogging provides opportunities to incorporate relevant keywords and phrases related to portrait photography, helping to improve your website’s search engine ranking. This can make your business more visible to potential clients searching for photography services online.
3. Build a Connection with Your Audience: Share behind-the-scenes stories, client testimonials, or personal insights on your blog to connect with your audience on a deeper level. This humanizes your brand and makes potential clients more likely to choose you over competitors.
4. Drive Traffic to Your Website: Each new blog post is an opportunity to attract visitors to your website. By sharing your blog posts on social media platforms and utilizing email marketing, you can drive traffic to your site and increase awareness of your photography services.
5. Generate Leads: Include calls-to-action within your blog posts, such as inviting readers to schedule a phone call or sign up for a photo session. By guiding visitors towards taking action, you can convert blog readers into potential clients.

Action Step: Start by creating a content calendar outlining topics relevant to portrait photography that you can blog about regularly. Aim to publish at least one high-quality blog post per week to maintain consistency and engage your audience. I created one for you here.

In the long run, blogging is not just about creating content; it’s about building relationships, establishing authority, and growing professionally. By consistently providing valuable information through your blog, you will find the clients who are a right fit for what you have to offer.

Hey there, fellow camera carriers! If you’re diving into the world of baby photography, buckle up because you’re in for a wild, adorable ride. As a seasoned baby photographer, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way that have transformed my sessions from chaotic to captivating. So, grab your camera and let me share my 20 tips for capturing those precious baby moments.

Products mentioned in this post can be found here.

This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you chose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link. It’s okay – I love all of these companies anyways, and you will too! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Patience is Key: Believe me, in the world of baby photography, patience isn’t just a virtue; it’s a superpower. Babies operate on their own clock, and it’s our job to sync up with it.
2. No Late Afternoon Sessions Before 8 Months Old: Afternoons and babies don’t mix well. Trust me; you don’t want to deal with a cranky, fussy little one during a photoshoot. Stick to mornings or early afternoons depending on your lighting situation.
3. Opt for 4-Month Sessions: In my experience, the sweet spot for baby sessions is around the 4-month mark. The results are super sweet, capture the essence of that stage of life, and rescheduling becomes a rare occurrence. They also can hold their head up while laying on their stomachs.
4. Reschedule When Necessary: If baby ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Don’t hesitate to stop a session and reschedule. We’re on baby time, not ours.
5. Keep It Simple with Props: Trends come and go, but simplicity is timeless. Choose props wisely, and don’t get too caught up in the latest fads.
6. Learn from Seasoned Moms: Moms who’ve been there, done that, are your golden ticket to wisdom. Seek their advice, and you’ll be amazed at the insights they share.
7. Encourage New Moms: A little encouragement goes a long way. Be a source of positivity for new moms; they’ll appreciate it more than you know.
8. Embrace the Space Heater: Newborns love warmth. Invest in a good space heater to keep them cozy during their first photo session.
9. The Bean Bag is the Real MVP: Your bean bag isn’t just a comfy spot for babies; it’s a game-changer for getting those perfect angles and shots.
10. Blanket and Moses Basket Magic: Outdoor sessions? A blanket and a Moses basket are your dynamic duo for stunning baby pics. That’s how I got my start.
11. Indoor Shots for Non-Sitters: Pre-sitters and bright lights don’t mix well. Capture those early moments indoors where the lighting is gentler.
12. Mind the Temperatures: When shooting outdoors, keep in mind that cold temps and babies aren’t the best of friends. Reschedule for warmer days or bundle them up to keep those smiles coming.
13. Bring in the Assistance: An extra pair of hands is a godsend. Whether it’s catching drool or blocking light, an assistant or a helpful friend can make all the difference so that you can capture those smiles.
14. Master the Art of Reflection: A reflector or light blocker can be your secret weapon for shading baby’s eyes or face when needed.
15. Build Relationships by offering Baby Plans: Baby Plans aren’t just business; they’re a gateway to lasting relationships with families. Trust me; those bonds are worth their weight in gold. Set up a discounted plan to encourage families to schedule with you all year.
16. Backdrop Variety: Add pizazz to your sessions with different backdrops. It adds a touch of variety and keeps things interesting.
17. Choose Vignette-like Outdoor Locations: When outdoors, opt for locations with a vignette-like feel. This directs the focus squarely on the baby, and eliminates busy distractions.
18. Allocate 2 Hours for Newborn Sessions: Newborn sessions require time and patience. Allocate a generous two hours to ensure you capture those delicate moments flawlessly.
19. 4 month Speed Sessions: Blink, and they’re sitting up! 4-month sessions require speed; aim for a 30-minute window to keep those tiny models engaged.
20. Swaddle for Success: When in doubt, swaddle it out. Swaddling is the ultimate trick up your sleeve for a successful and peaceful newborn session. You want baby snoozing for ultimate success.

So there you have it, my 20 nuggets of wisdom for navigating the world of baby photography. Remember, each click captures a moment that parents will cherish forever, so make it count! Happy shooting!

In advertising there’s the old school way and the modern way. Being an elder millennial/baby gen x, I learned one way and am continually adapting to the new.

I’ve found the worst strategy is chasing an algorithm and the most effective, hands down, is word of mouth.

Do awesome work for amazing clients and they’ll spread the word plus your sessions will multiply.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this feeling, “I’ve got to include someone else in this.” When I was in elementary school I knew I wanted a creative business one day, but I didn’t want to go it alone. I invited my school friends because who could think of a time we wouldn’t be together everyday? 👧🏼👧🏻

Then my photography business came to be and I wanted everyone in front of my camera. I talked about it all of the time. Growing my business was my passion.

Then once I started reading the Bible, I invited other people to join in with me. I couldn’t keep the blessing I was receiving to myself. I didn’t want my friends and community to miss out on what God had for them.

As I watched the ending of the movie “The Blind,” a quote was shared from Phil Robertson’s sister, Jan, about her praying for him every day, continuing to tell people, “If Phil Robertson converts, finds Jesus, he will convert thousands. That’s just his personality. That’s who God created him to be.”

And it hit me then, evangelism is what God made me for, too. Will everyone follow along? Will everyone come to me for pictures? Will everyone I share Jesus with receive the message? Will everyone like the messages I post? 

No.

But that shouldn’t stop me from praising Him publicly through my gifts, talents, and the truth He’s stored up in my heart. Never give up on being who God made you to be. 

That’s the best kind of advertising. Authentic.