My favorite Tennessee Locations!

If you've booked a session with me and are unsure of where to go, check out this list! I'll post photos as well as the pros and cons of each place so you can choose the perfect spot for your photo session!

Gravel Road Traditions

Gravel Road Traditions is probably my FAVORITE spot so far for photo sessions! Check out their website (www.gravelroadtraditions.com) for more information on this location.

LOCATION: Mount Juliet, TN

PROS: This family farm has the most variety when it comes to scenery! They have just about everything a photographer could want! (Including hundreds of props to use! You name it, they probably have it!) Hay bales, a forest, creek, white fence, tall grassy/wildflower fields, old barns, a cute shed, an amazing vintage red truck, and some great vintage furniture. Just to name a few! And often, they have cute little 'set ups' for themed photos if you're into that!

CONS: The only con to this location is that is the only location on the list that isn't free. Don't get me wrong, its worth every penny! But if you'd like to use this location, you will have to contact them about making a reservation and pay the fee to shoot there. (Only $30 for an hour, or $15 for a half hour.)

Here are some photos I've taken there!

 Clover Bottom Mansion

Clover Bottom Mansion is a gorgeous location that I love using for family sessions. Probably my second favorite spot to go to. :)

LOCATION: Hermitage, TN (Not far from Nashville!)

PROS: The mansion is GORGEOUS. Very unique! You don't see too many photoshoots at a mansion. There are also some great old sheds and a beautiful old barn out back that make excellent backdrops. The lawn is large and green with lots of big trees which would make great shade in the daytime, and I can only imagine how great they'll look in the fall when the leaves change! There is a spot at this location where you have a perfect view of the sunset. So that's a big pro!

CONS: Almost every time I've gone to this location in the evening (the famous golden hour- hour before sunset) there have been other photographers having sessions here. One time I went and there were two other sessions going on. So it is popular and may require some patience...like if we all wanted to shoot in front of the barn at the same time, etc.

Here are some photos I've taken there!

Don Fox Park

Don Fox Park is a nice park right down the road from me and its a lovely little place!

LOCATION: Lebanon, TN

PROS: There are LOTS of trees. I can only imagine how magical this place will look in the fall! The lawn is beautiful and the light looks gorgeous here. There are also cute benches, a little bridge, playground, and a great creek!

CONS: Its a public park, so there are always lots of people there. But I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem finding places to shoot- the park is very big!

And here are some photos!

Downtown Lebanon/Castle Heights

Very adorable if you want an urban or 'old-timey' look!

LOCATION: Lebanon, TN

PROS: Its different and unique! If you want something other than nature-y photos, this is a cute option! Its also just a couple minutes away from Don Fox Park if you'd like a little bit of both worlds. :)

The buildings are cute and colorful, and there's some brick walls, alley ways, etc. that look great in photographs. Castle Heights is about a 1 minute drive from the square!

CONS: Cars. I did some senior photos here and we wanted to use the buildings as a backdrop but had to wait for the cars to be gone. There was also a lot of street-crossing involved, which can be tricky at certain parts of the day when there's more traffic. Its also a small area, so there's really not a TON of options here. 

Here are some photos of downtown:

And these are Castle Heights:

I hope this helps you choose the perfect location for your photo session! I'll add more photos as I get out more and use these locations a bit more! 

Something Fun!

I've been trying to think of blog topics, because my blog has been seriously neglected! I want to start blogging more, but I'm so picky about what I blog! I want it to be either interesting, informative, or fun.  I saw someone post photos on Facebook that used the CS6 Oil Painting filter and thought it was super cool! I normally don't like photos that are super photoshopped or fake looking, but there's something about these that I love. So I'm going to share some of my faves. :)

I think the filter looks so awesome on trees & nature! Like I seriously want to get this photo ordered and framed. I have a frame that will be perfect, so I will have to get on it!

And this one! It is just so fun.

I even think it looks cool on portraits! (Sometimes. Sometimes it just doesn't work at all.) But I tried it on a few portraits and think it resembles artwork in a story book or something. Do you think clients would like it? It's something I wonder! Some people probably would like the cartoon/painting look. Just because its different. Hmm!

Sometimes you can't even see the effect too well until you zoom in.

If you can't see what I mean, click on the photo so it enlarges. :)

And here are just a few personal photos of mine that I tried it with...For the heck of it.

 That's me & my boyfriend at Myrtle Beach. :)

And that's me and my boyfriend on a mountain after a nice hike.

SO! What are your thoughts? Is this super cool or is it just me? Am I crazy? Did I go overboard with the oil painting filter? Do you think clients would like the occasional watercolor portrait of their child to hang up? Is it a trend that will be soon be lame? ;)

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Hope you enjoyed seeing my little editing experiment. Now go try it for yourself if you havn't already!