Lisa had contacted me a few times about a portrait session before actually booking. I didn’t mind. It’s one thing to say, “I’d love to have beautiful photos of myself,” and it’s quite another to say, “Yes, here’s my money, let’s do it.” Why? Well, first, we tend to feel pretty vulnerable saying, “I’m missing something in the way I feel about myself, the way I take care of myself,” which is often how women start these conversations with me. And, it takes trust (which means being vulnerable again) in looking at another person (me) and saying CAN YOU HELP? I never take this question lightly, and my immediate response is almost always, “You just watch.” Haha!

I truly can look at every women and see beauty. And it has to be up to that woman to be WILLING to see it in herself. They need to want to see it. I could take a physically stunning woman, get her done up and looking even more stunning, take amazing photos and, if she’s not willing, then it’ll fall flat.

BUT, I don’t need someone to see it NOW…just, a dusting of possibility.

Now, I don’t want you to think that everyone who comes to me thinks they’re ugly! haha! NOT. AT. ALL. It’s usually women who, like many of us, have pushed aside self-care in favor of all kinds of things - family, work, friends - until one day we go, “hey. HEY! I forgot about me!” And we need to turn around and call loudly to our feeling of womanness, cupping our hands to our mouths saying, “Hey! Sorry! I forgot you were back there! I’m gonna grab a smoothie and sit on this rock here while you catch up!” Some of us might just turn around and run, full-speed, arms outstretched to that woman we left behind us. We might not even recognize her face anymore, but we know she is ours for we know her heart.

Lisa was one of those women, telling me, “I want to see something different than what I see in the mirror.” I can’t type the sound I make when I hear that sentence. It’s a deep drop into my gut that kind of sound like a sigh meets a WHOA. So many of us have been there.

So, we took Lisa, Brittany and I did, and Brittany made her look on the outside as all those who love her see her. And I took photos and we showed Lisa her beauty. And she was able to look at the photos and go, “THAT’S ME. That’s my power. My womanness.”

Lisa knew she needed to turn around, as do all the women who seek portraits with me. So, what do I do? I turn them around and help them start calling.

Ooooh, I had so much fun with Jen in her session!  When I shoot females (grads, 20-somethings, moms, women), I love to start with the look that is the most "them."  Something they might wear at home or out to dinner with friends.  In this case, we went with the "just threw this on while I sip coffee and work on my laptop, but am ready to head out the door at a moment's notice" look.  Haha!  

(CLICK HERE for info on booking your own portrait session or giving it as a gift!)

It's always best to show up with no makeup so that my stellar makeup artist can do her magic! First looks are usually nice and clean and bright.

Pretty sure we kept laughing here because we were all talking about having babies and our husbands' reactions when in the delivery room.  I have photos of my husband with his head in his hand and a very "I can't handle" vibe happening.  Because, you know, it was all sunshine and rainbows for me. Ha!

Moving on!

From there, we dial it up.  I really love to get to know my clients and understand what they have hidden in their personalities and in their souls and try to bring that out.  Feminine?  Edgy?  A love of old Hollywood or Elizabethan times?  Maybe they're always in charge and outgoing in life, but they have a soft side they want represented.  With my four-look sessions, we can do both - plus two more!

Jen was really excited about the tulle skirt I have in my studio for her portrait session (I have many lovely things for my clients!).  We wanted to get a little sexy, but still keep it soft and feminine.  I simply love creating some artistic lighting for this kind of look.  

Then, we kind of cheated and added half a look.  I mean, when you have a shirt that fabulous and there just aren't a TON of places to wear it around the honky tonks of Nashville, what's a girl to do except use it for a portrat photoshoot?! AMIRIGHT?

Then we went into her third look, which I think we all had the most fun with.  Brittany (my hair & makeup artist) and I put this look together with the clothes that Jen brought for her shoot - and she brought these because we talked about a boho look - and Jen was so excited and said her mom always calls her Janis for Janis Joplin!  

Once she was all done up and had her hair and makeup fixed up for this look and I looked at her through my lens I said, "I know what I want to do!"  I often get inspired right there on the spot and will make last-minute adjustments based on the vibe I'm getting.  I wanted her to look a little like papparazzi were shooting her and flashing their flashes in her face.  Makes me so happy. 

The order in which we shoot the four looks really depends on what Brittany has to say about hair and makeup.  We want a good flow of hair up, down, curls, braids, whatever, and we don't want to have to go from a really heavy makeup look all the way BACK to something simpler.  Because of that, we had the Old Hollywood look last.  Although I have a similar dress in my in-home photography studio, Jen happened to have this from a wedding!  The mink was my grandmother's (thanks, grandma).

Isn't she FAB?  Here's a little behind-the-scenes peek, too!  Like I said, my studio is in my house - and it's through the playroom (ha!), but I just love the princess vanity right outside the door where we're doing real-life dress up.

Ladies, rarely is there a "right" time to do a portrait session.  For many, it can feel indulgent and selfish, but for every woman who has stepped into my studio and come out with beautiful images of themselves, it has been completely worth it.  And, think of it this way, you'll now have gorgeous portraits to pass down in your family for generations to come.

follow me

---

Liza Hippler is a lifestyle and portrait photographer located in Franklin, TN.  She serves the Middle TN and surrounding areas including Brentwood, Nashville and Spring Hill.  She would love to talk with you about how you want to be photographed.  

We don't often place a high enough value on what mothers do.  This year, treat yourself, your wife, or a mom you love to something wonderfully special, good for the soul, and that can be passed on for generations.  Wondering what to get that special mom in your life?  How about a Contemporary Portrait Session with Liza Hippler Photography?  

A portrait session with me is a one-of-a-kind experience.  We take you - with professional hair and makeup - through a range of four different looks spanning your most "you" to something completely out of the box, but also completely on-par with who you are.  It's a day of magic.  One mom said, "It was one of the best experiences of my mama life."  

Mom can come in and have a session with someone significant - mother, grandmother, best friend, daughter - or simply take the day to celebrate herself. 

You can purchase gift vouchers HERE.

And...feel free to share this email to someone who might want a little hint in what to get for you. ;)

follow me

I have been shooting this stunning mama's older two children for a couple years now.  She's always ready capture those two in photos, but it took a little convincing get her in front of my lens!  She did a portrait session, which meant is was in my studio and I had my amazing hair & makeup gal, Brittany, there to take her elegantly from look-to-look.  

Like a lot of women, my pregnant mommy felt a little awkward and wasn't sure how the maternity photos would turn out, but she was totally game and did all the things I asked!  When she finally saw her photos, she said, "Oh, wow!"  I LOVE when that happens!

Personally, I think she puts Beyonce to shame in that last black and white shot!

follow me