Full on Fall / Tennessee Family Photography

Although it may not feel like it when I step outside my FL doors these days it is all fall inside my photo studio. After taking off a week from photography for my brother's wedding this past weekend, my camera and I have been going on photography adventures all week long to capture some awesome family moments in full on fall sessions. Throughout the week I found myself talking about how excited I was for each shoot as I reminisced about the last time we gathered together. It didn't dawn on me until well into the week that every one of the three family sessions I have had so far this week were repeat customers. What a compliment to be hired again and again by a family. And what fun it is for me to watch a family grow, to be greeted by smiling little familiar faces eagerly waiting my arrival. I have held more tiny hands as we crossed streets and wandered about and have received more kisses and hugs and professions of love from 3-5 year olds this week than I have in a long time. My heart is full...

(...and my fall photo season calendar is just about filled up too. I only have 5 slots left for booking in time for Christmas cards and gifts. Email me at cmprietz@yahoo.com to set up your session pronto.)

With all this fall-ness I couldn't help but to think back to the frenzy of last year and the beautiful family sessions I never got around to sharing. So today I am taking you back to one year ago when I hopped on a plane to Tennessee to spend a bliss filled few days with the Dowd family that included off road adventures, frolics in sunlight tree-lined fields and three little ones working their way into my heart in no time at all. All of which took place in the glorious fall setting of Tennessee, a photographer's dream-land.

The Dempsey Family

Another post for Throwback Thursday... err... now turned almost Tuesday.

Five months ago I posted a teaser from the last shoot that I did in 2011. I visited the Dempsey family in their South Tampa home just before the New Year to capture those precious details of their brand new family, complete with a tiny newborn baby girl. I marveled over the newness of things and the road they had ahead of them as well as the road ahead of a lot of us in the coming year. It was my "resolution" post for 2012 (and if you would like to reminisce you can check it out by clicking here.) The continuation of the story from that day five months ago is a two part post.

We begin with Part One: The Dempsey Family



Melissa, glowing, greeted me on the steps of their South Tampa home with a baby bundled in her arms.



The evidence of Christmas, still fresh in their home.



I couldn't resist capturing these tiny baby boots, a gift from dad to Sienna.

I had planned to post these images last week as part of my Throwback Thursday and then... the story of another family turned heartbreaking and plans got put aside for awhile. Part Two coming later this week.