THE BLOG

Oak Roots Creative

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A grandmother holds her baby granddaughter and smiles.

“Ugh…I don’t know what to wear.”  …searches closet…    “I don’t have anything to wear.”   …feeling of exasperation sets in… “How do I get everyone else dressed?”  “When will I have time to eat today?” “What if the kids are cranky and misbehave?” Sound familiar? If the answer is yes, that’s OK. Please don’t stress! There’s an answer […]

How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session

Branding headshot of a woman in downtown Knoxville, TN.

Getting ready for new head shots or a branding session doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s pretty simple. Just follow these steps, and you’ll already have a great start!   What message do you want to convey? If you’re familiar with the concept of branding, you may know that it’s important to define […]

How to Prepare for Head Shots and Branding Sessions

Siblings goofing off at Admiral Farragut Park.

Maybe you’re wondering exactly how a photo session with me works. It’s a pretty simple process that I’ll break down for you here in just 10 steps. I always try to make it as painless as possible for my clients because my goal is for this to be a stress-free process for you! Let’s dive […]

My Photo Process Explained

Portraits of my grandmother opening a Christmas gift.

Cue the Scarlett O’Hara accent. The stone pineapple statues on the front porch to symbolize that you’re welcome. The goodies on the kitchen table and rice cooking on the stove. Don’t forget the pound cake, old photos, stacks of books, and the History Channel playing on the TV. Oh, and the legendary catfish stew. Let’s […]

Portraits of My Grandmother

A couple stands at Meads Quarry lake in autumn.

When Danielle stepped out of the car for our photo session at Meads Quarry, she had a gift bag dangling from her arm, and a big smile on her face. We had texted beforehand, so I knew that the gift wasn’t for me. It was for her husband, Brandon. And to be honest, I was a […]

Nave Family at Meads Quarry

Three generations of women and a baby stand together in front of a lake.

Three-generation portraits session? Yes, please! Photographing three generations of the Rex family all at once was such a treat. You may remember my recent family session with the Caracos. This time, I got to work with the extended family: grandparents and siblings. We met at Meads Quarry for our session. The day was warm but […]

Rex Family Portraits: Three Generations

A printed photograph of a little boy and his mother sits atop a shelf.

Don’t forget to print your photographs. It’s something that has gone out of fashion in recent years. Digital images are convenient and easy to send literally anywhere in the world via the internet. But… People no longer flip through albums and relive their sweet memories.  No more sifting through photo boxes, lingering on smiles and letting […]

Why Printed Photography Matters

A man rides his bike back to Ijams for the end of Pedal Jam Knoxville Fundraiser.

I was really happy to be the photography sponsor for the Pedal Jam Knoxville fundraiser recently. If you haven’t heard of this event, it’s a fundraiser for both South Knoxville Elementary and the Knoxville Appalachian Mountain Biking Club. These are two worthy causes in my humble opinion!   The event started with a gathering at […]

Pedal Jam Fundraiser in South Knox

A mother whispering to her son at Baker Creek Preserve.

Looking for the perfect spot for your family photos? Look no further! I’ve collected my top five favorite spots. Sure, there are plenty of other places, but these are my top picks. Baker Creek Preserve Yes, I love this place! Not only are there some great mountain biking trails and natural play areas, but it’s […]

Five Best Locations for Family Photos in Knoxville

Family portrait at Baker Creek Preserve in Knoxville.

OK, it’s time to announce the winner of the free mini-session that I’m giving away! Thank you to everyone who nominated your friends and family for the free mini-session! I appreciate your help, and I loved reading all of your beautiful suggestions. You all had such wonderful and kind things to say, and it was […]

Free Mini-Session Winner Announced!