I hope everyone had a merry Christmas, and safe travels! My husband, daughter and I spent the holiday with my parents in Germantown, TN. My younger brother lives just a few minutes from our parents, so he was with us as well. My older brother and his family are in Florida, and they like to stay at their own home for Christmas while the kids are young, but we did get to speak with everyone on the phone. It was a pleasant, low-key day, with a fantastic meal--grilled beef tenderloin, some fantastic mashed potatoes, carrots, and asparagus. My dad is the only one in the whole family who likes turkey, so we rarely do the traditional menu for holidays. That beef tenderloin was way better than any turkey!

Thought I would share a few snapshots of our day, and let you know the Lifestyle Images will remain on holiday until January 12th. I want to enjoy what little time I get to see my daughter while she is home from college in Honolulu. I hope you all spend plenty of time with your loved ones this holiday season as well.

Have a safe and happy new year!

Giving Is Awesome!

Thank you all so much for your time and thoughtfulness in nominating families for my custom photography giveaway this Christmas season. I received several powerful and beautiful stories of truly inspiring and deserving people that have been or are going through a season of life I can only imagine, and so choosing a single family for this gift was incredibly difficult. I have selected the family, but will need their permission before I can post their names and story on my blog. I am waiting to hear back from them, but with it being Christmas Eve, that may not happen for a couple of days!Please know that I wish I could provide photography for every person/family that desired it, and I - and other photographers - hope to be able to do this giveaway many more times in the future to bless all those that have suffered or sacrificed so much. Unfortunately with all the entries it was not possible to get to everyone, and while I may not have selected your nominee this time, I'm hopeful that I might be able to do so in the future. I will announce any future giveaways like this one on the blog, so please check back from time to time.

Again, thank you for your generosity and compassion in making the effort to send in your touching story. May your Christmas and the new year be full of peace, joy and prosperity.

God bless,
Barbie

Giving Is Awesome!

A photographer friend of mine came up with this idea and encouraged other photographers to give back this Christmas also. Thank you Kristen for such a cool idea and for allowing all of us to do the same in our own way...

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season. The winner will receive a custom portrait session, a coffee table session album, and a 20x24 wall portrait.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-home does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

The nominee must reside in the Nashville or Memphis area. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

Comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and e-mail me the full story: barbie@barbieschwartz.com. Please put Gift Nominee in the Subject line.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve...get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

If the family you would like to nominate is not in the Nashville or Memphis area, please visit the Giving Is Awesome website to find a participating photographer in their area.

I just wanted to share with you a recently ordered wall gallery collection. This is going to look fantastic in their home! It can be placed on the fireplace mantle, or on a floating shelf over the bed, or over the buffet in the dining room, or just about anywhere!

Vicki + Mia

I had the pleasure of photographing Vicki and her daughter, Mia this afternoon. We had to reschedule from yesterday because it just wouldn't quit raining! But the weather today was wonderful--exactly what you think of when you think of a gloriously crisp fall day. We met in the Square in historic downtown Franklin, and wandered around for two hours, changing clothes, finding spots to shoot...we even took a break for Starbuck's peppermint hot chocolate and gingerbread latte. I had a great time, Vicki and Mia. I hope you enjoy your little sneak peak!

Great Kids

I promised I would share some of our high school and middle school kids, too. These guys and gals were great to work with, and I love their images!

Elizabeth

I had the honor and pleasure of photographing baby Elizabeth this morning with my friend and colleague, Rebekah Pope. Libbie was so sweet and adorable! And if she's lucky, she's inherited her mother's fabulous dimples. Thank you, Jessica, for sharing Libbie with us this morning!

Nate + Joanna + Baby

I had such a great time photographing Nate and Joanna, and their bump. They were up for anything, despite the chilly, early hour (yes, anything before 9 AM is early to me.) Doesn't Joanna look radiant? And Nate is just silly with love and excitement. In the last two, he was being really silly--teasing Joanna for forgetting her wedding rings, and knocking on her belly to wake up the baby...Joanna, don't let him do that once she's born!

Thanks guys, for a great morning!

Cute Kids!

Just wanted to share these adorable kids with you all!

School Picture Time!

It's fall. The kids are back in school, and anyone who has been to school or had a child in school knows that fall is school picture time! It's a tradition that's been held for generations. And historically, school pictures are NOT good. The school photographers have about 30 seconds to photograph each child, and they don't care if the kid is smiling, or his hair is sticking straight up, or she has food on her chin. As a mom, I usually bought the smallest package of school pictures available, and only because the grandparents insisted. But let's face it--those photos are not flattering, and I cringe every time I see them--as a former student, as a mom, and as a photographer.

Several years ago, my good friend and colleague and I decided there had to be a better alternative. Rebekah and I decided we could offer quality portraits in a school setting. We created a new company, Pope & Schwartz--Contemporary School Portraiture. Now wouldn't you love for your child's school pictures to look like this? (These are from one of our pre-school clients. I will be sharing from some of our elementary, middle, and high schools in the coming weeks.)

Zach + Suzanne

Congratulations to our friends Zach & Suzanne! I was a guest at this wedding, not the photographer, but I haven't attended a wedding without a camera in years. Here's just a snap of them coming back down the isle--look how happy they are! Kelly and I wish you many blessings as you start your journey as husband and wife.

I had so much fun this morning photographing Hillary with my friend and colleague, Rebekah Pope. Hillary came with lots of outfits, shoes, and jewelry, and I brought all my hats, scarves, and sunglasses. It got pretty hot pretty fast (almost 90 degrees today) but Hillary was a real trouper, even standing in the sun in Rebekah' s vintage mink. The historic district in downtown Franklin is one of my favorite locations, and we covered several blocks this morning. So here are some of my favorites. Hope you enjoy them!