It was such an honor to photograph this sweet family at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. With newborn twins and loved ones gathered together, the session was a special chance to celebrate their growing family and capture the connections between generations.

Fred Howard Park offers coastal grass, trees, rocks, and open sand, giving us plenty of variety while keeping the session relaxed and easy. There’s room for the whole group, as well as quieter moments between grandparents, parents, kids, and the newest little ones.

So Much Variety in One Location

One of the best things about Fred Howard Park is how many different settings it offers within a short walk. We can move from coastal grass to shaded trees, textured rocks, and open sand—all in one session.

That variety keeps the photos visually interesting while still giving them a cohesive feel. It also gives us flexibility to choose spots that work well for your group and the light.

Easy Access Makes a Big Difference

Convenient access makes it easier for everyone to arrive and get settled, especially when several generations are meeting up. Less walking with bags and fewer logistics to manage help the session get off to a smoother start.

When everyone has time to settle in and enjoy being together, it makes space for natural interactions and relaxed photos.

Space for the Whole Family

Fred Howard Park gives extended families room to gather for group portraits and then break into smaller combinations. We can photograph everyone together, grandparents with the grandkids, siblings, and all the little moments in between.

There’s no need to make the session feel rushed or overly formal. We can take our time, move at a comfortable pace, and let the family connections unfold naturally.

A Beautiful Backdrop for Family Connections

The park’s natural textures and coastal scenery bring variety to the photos while keeping the focus on the people in them. From a full-family portrait to a quiet moment shared between generations, the setting gives each part of the session room to feel special.

A Relaxed Location for Extended Family Photos

Fred Howard Park is a wonderful location for extended family photography in Tarpon Springs and the Tampa Bay area. It offers room to gather, space to move, and plenty of variety—all without overcomplicating the experience.

It’s a welcoming setting for generational family photos and a session that feels relaxed from start to finish.

Thank you for reading my blog. I love sharing real stories from sessions that celebrate love, legacy, and everything in between. If you’re ready to plan something meaningful for your family, click here to get in touch. I’d be honored to help you capture your family!

Every newborn session tells a story—but some stories begin long before the baby ever arrives.

For some families, the journey to holding a newborn in their arms includes chapters of loss. A miscarriage. A stillbirth. A child gone too soon. And when a new baby is born after loss, they’re often called a rainbow baby—a symbol of hope after the storm.

Newborn sessions for rainbow babies hold a different kind of energy. There’s joy, yes—but also remembrance, reflection, and reverence. I approach these sessions with our whole hearts, knowing that behind every image is a story of strength, love, and healing.

What Is a Rainbow Baby?

A rainbow baby is a term used to describe a child born after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Just like a rainbow doesn’t erase the storm, a rainbow baby doesn’t replace the child who came before—but they are a symbol of renewal, of life continuing, and of hope returning.

These sessions are often filled with deep emotion—joy and sorrow sharing the same space.

The Power of Symbolism in Your Session

Many families choose to include a symbol of the baby they lost. This could be:

• A small teddy bear
• A birthstone charm
• A handwritten note or ultrasound photo
• A rainbow-colored wrap or blanket

These quiet additions become powerful. In images, they gently say: you are still part of this family.

I photograph them intentionally—never to overshadow the new baby, but to honor the one who came before. It’s a way to hold space for all of your children in one frame.

Loss-Aware Photography with Sensitivity

I know that grief doesn’t end just because a new baby is here. That’s why I take a trauma-informed, heart-led approach during these sessions:

• I move slowly. There’s no pressure to smile or “perform.”
• I check in often. Your emotions are welcome here.
• I hold space. For tears, for silence, for remembrance.

You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to be okay.
I see you. I honor your story. I are with you. You are fully welcome here.

A Studio That Feels Safe

My Tampa studio is a quiet, neutral space designed to feel peaceful and private—especially for families walking through tender experiences. Natural light, soft textures, and gentle tones allow the focus to stay on connection, not distractions.

No loud props. No forced posing. Just a calm, baby-led session where you can breathe, be present, and feel whatever comes up.

Your Grief Is Not Forgotten

If you’ve experienced pregnancy or infant loss, you are not alone.
If your arms are full now, but your heart still aches for the baby who isn’t here—your story still matters.

You are allowed to celebrate and grieve at the same time. You’re allowed to hold both joy and sadness in the same session. I create space for all of it.

Whether you bring a symbol of remembrance, speak their name aloud, or simply carry that memory silently—I will hold it with care.

Thank you for reading my blog! I love sharing real stories and beautiful moments from my clients. If you’re interested in booking a session, click here to get in touch!

When you’re getting ready for a photo session—whether it’s branding, boudoir, maternity, or something just for you—there’s one element that can instantly elevate the entire experience: professional hair and makeup.

Not because you need it.
But because it lets you breathe, soften, and settle into the moment with confidence.

A great makeup artist doesn’t just help you look put together—they help you feel ready. And when you feel good before you even step in front of the camera?
It shows up in every photo.

Meet Kierra – A Calming, Grounding Presence in Riverview, FL

Kierra is the owner of Kies to Beauty, and she brings so much more than brushes and blush to the table. She has this grounded, encouraging energy that makes my clients feel at ease the moment they sit in her chair.

Whether it’s your first branding session, a postpartum glow-up, or a boudoir experience after years of pouring into everyone but yourself—Kierra gets it. She listens. She hypes you up when needed. She adjusts without ego. And she always enhances what makes you you.

There’s no “makeover” energy—just alignment, softness, and a little glam that fits your vibe.

Why the Right HMUA Matters (and What to Look For)

Makeup for photography is different than what you’d wear for a night out. A skilled artist understands how your look will translate on camera:

• How to highlight without harshness
• What lasts through lighting, flash, and time
• How to avoid SPF flashback
• The balance between glow and glam

But more than technique—it’s about trust.

You’re already showing up in a vulnerable space. You’re letting yourself be seen. The right artist makes you feel like you’re in safe hands—not like you’re playing dress-up in someone else’s face.

Hair & Makeup Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Relief

Adding hair and makeup to your session isn’t a luxury—it’s support.

It means you don’t have to stress over your eyeliner, your curls, or whether your concealer will last. You get to walk in feeling prepared, cared for, and already a little pampered before I even lift the camera.

You sit back. You breathe. You soften.
And the energy that creates? It radiates in every photo

Tips for Choosing a Makeup Artist for Your Session

If you’re booking someone for your shoot, here’s what I recommend asking yourself:

• Does their portfolio match your vibe? Look for clean, consistent work that enhances (not hides).
• Do they have photo session experience? Lighting and camera-ready makeup is its own thing.
• Do they make you feel safe? You want calm energy, not chaos on your shoot day.
• Do they collaborate with you? Great artists take your lead and help you shine—not just paint over you.

Why I Love Pairing Glam with My Tampa Studio

My Tampa studio is one of my favorite spaces for branding, maternity, and lifestyle portrait work. It’s got clean light, warm styling, and the kind of calm vibe that makes everything feel effortless.

Paired with professional hair and makeup?
You get a gallery that moves from soft and candid to sharp and scroll-stopping—with no stress in between.

I’ve had clients use it for rebranding shoots, soft postpartum portraits, and bold boudoir—all with Kierra’s beautiful glam giving them that extra confidence boost

Why I Keep Coming Back to Kierra

Kierra has worked with so many of my clients, and every single one has walked away feeling seen. She adapts to the energy in the room—some people need calm and quiet, others need a full pep talk with lashes—and she does both beautifully.

Her work is clean. Timeless. Elevated. But more importantly? She helps you feel like the best version of yourself.

And when you feel like that?
You show up differently. You shine.

Thank you for reading my blog. I love sharing what goes on behind the scenes and the people who help make these sessions feel effortless. If you’re thinking about booking a session—or you want in on the next one with Kierra—click here to get in touch.

And don’t forget to join my email list to get early access to session openings, mini events, and special glam collabs before they sell out.

This session was everything I love about what I do—capturing big moments and little details, all wrapped up in the people who matter most. We combined two of my favorite things in one shoot: a first birthday cake smash and a multi-generational family session. And honestly? It was such a beautiful reminder that milestones don’t just belong to the little ones—we get to honor the whole family.

We photographed this session over the course of two separate days, which, let me just say, was 100% the right move. Because let’s be real: one-year-olds don’t have the attention span (or energy) for a full-blown photoshoot with family and a cake smash. Splitting the session gave us the space to be present and relaxed—and that always shows in the final images.

The first part of the session was focused on the family: grandparents, parents, and the birthday girl all together in the studio. The love in the room was immediate and easy. You could feel the pride, the joy, the full-circle energy of seeing generations gathered together in one frame. These are the kinds of photos that don’t just sit in a gallery—they become part of your legacy.

And then came part two: cake smash time. If you’ve ever considered doing one for your baby’s first birthday, let this be your sign. It was equal parts adorable and hilarious. Frosting-covered hands, a little confusion, a lot of giggles—it was the kind of chaos that’s completely worth documenting. These photos will be the ones you pull out when they’re ten, when they’re twenty, when they’re celebrating their own babies someday.

One of the best parts of doing this session in the studio was the flexibility. We weren’t worried about light or weather, or about finding a location that worked for grandparents and littles alike. The studio gave us everything we needed: soft natural light, access to the client closet, a calm environment, and an easy place to reset in between. It’s perfect for milestone moments and family sessions alike, especially when toddlers (or grandparents!) need a break.

When you’re planning a session like this, I always recommend thinking about color coordination and comfort. Neutrals, warm tones, and textures work beautifully on camera and pair so well with studio backdrops. But above all, pick pieces that feel like you. This session had a mix of cozy, elevated, and fun—and it captured the spirit of the family perfectly.

Here’s what I’ll say if you’ve been thinking about doing something like this: don’t wait. Whether it’s your baby’s first birthday or your parents’ first time in front of the camera in years, it’s worth celebrating. These moments come and go so quickly, and having photos of your people—all your people—is something you’ll never regret.

These images were filled with so much joy, pride, and sweetness (literally). A baby covered in cake. Grandparents holding hands. Parents watching it all unfold. It was everything a session should be: real, heartfelt, and totally unique to the people in it.

Want to Document a Milestone and Your Legacy?

Let’s capture the chaos, the sweetness, and all the love that lives in between.

Thank you for reading! If you’re looking for a Tampa photographer to help you preserve generational memories in a cozy, natural studio setting—I’d love to connect. Let’s capture your legacy together.

Click here to get in touch →

Let’s talk about indoor family sessions—and why they are, quite honestly, the unsung hero of photography options. While outdoor golden hour gets all the hype, studio sessions deserve their flowers too. Especially if you’re a parent trying to wrangle tiny humans, navigate nap schedules, and not melt into a puddle in the Florida heat.

This session reminded me of how powerful it can be to keep things simple. We stayed inside, leaned into natural light, had direct access to outfit changes, snacks, and AC… and still captured connection, laughter, and all the sweet chaos that makes your family yours.

Look, I get it. “Indoor” doesn’t always sound exciting at first—but if you’re parenting in the real world? It’s a game-changer. Here’s why: No weather reschedules. Rain? Wind? Humidity? Doesn’t matter. We’re inside. Nap-friendly scheduling. No waiting for golden hour—you can book around your baby’s best time of day. Bug-free zone. That’s right—no bug spray, no bites, no swatting. Access to the client closet. You don’t have to panic about what to wear or change in your car. Everything’s right there.

This kind of session gives you flexibility and comfort. It’s low-stress, clean, cozy, and still just as meaningful.

You might be surprised at the variety we can create in one indoor space. This session had: classic family portraits with everyone snuggled on the bed, solo shots of the kiddos playing in window light, candid moments of giggles and in-between hugs, soft, moody images using different corners of the studio, and even a few quick outfit changes (thanks, client closet). It’s not about having a million props or backgrounds. It’s about light, energy, and giving your family space to be themselves.

Studio lighting tends to be soft and neutral, so outfits that reflect that same tone always work beautifully. Think: warm creams, light browns, muted greens, dusty blues, soft blacks, and cozy textures. The goal? Coordinate without matching. Keep it relaxed. And if you don’t know where to start, I’ll send over my pre-session style guide—and you’ll have access to the client closet too, which has tons of studio-friendly options ready to go.

There’s something sacred about slowing down. About giving yourself permission to enjoy the moment without worrying about where the sun is or whether your toddler will melt down in the parking lot. This family came in open, relaxed, and real—and it showed. We laughed. We took breaks. We captured the moments that mattered most. No chasing light. No fighting bugs. No hauling snacks across a park. Just love, documented with care.

Thinking About an Indoor Family Session?

Let’s make your life easier—and your photos more meaningful.

Indoor sessions are perfect for Florida families who want timeless photos without the weather stress. If you’re interested in booking a family photography session in Tampa, reach out here!
Click here to get in touch