nashville tn children's photographer franklin tn adrian hitt photography blog

WEIMARANER MIX AND A YORKSHIRE TERRIER - DOG PHOTOGRAPHER t

2010-01-27T12:56:00.001-06:00

Another fun session with two very different, but super close dogs Dallas (below) and Kaylie. For more, visit the new blog:

Adrian Hitt Photography

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LABRADORS - NASHVILLE DOG PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-27T12:51:00.001-06:00

This dog family lives on a couple of acres in Franklin with their two labs, Bella and Savannah and one cat, Bob. They have a breath-taking view of the rolling hills of Williamson County and I know the dogs must love it there! You'll enjoy these photos:

Adrian Hitt Photography

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Nashville Lifestyle Photographer

HOLIDAY CARDS - WEDNESDAYS WITH LAURA

2010-01-27T12:49:00.001-06:00

This holiday season, Adrian created some great holiday cards for her clients. Each one is custom-designed to fit the clients' personalities and features wonderful photos, of course. For examples, check out the new blog:

Adrian Hitt Photography

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PEOPLE MAGAZINE!

2010-01-27T12:46:00.001-06:00

In November People Magazine featured a photo of Emmylou Harris with her dogs taken by Adrian. Check it out here!

Adrian Hitt Photography

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FRENCH BULLDOGS - NASHVILLE DOG PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-27T12:43:00.001-06:00

This was a super fun session with two awesome french bulldogs. Check out the full post on Adrian's new blog.

Nashville Dog Photographer

Adrian Hitt Photography

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GERMAN SHEPHERD - NASHVILLE DOG PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-25T12:59:00.001-06:00

Meet Hank. He is an 18-month-old German Shepherd farm dog on a beautiful place south of Franklin. Everyday he goes from farm to farm in Williamson County...

For more check out Adrian's new blog: Nashville Dog Photography

Dog Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

Nashville Lifestyle Photographer

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WEDDING AT THE PARTHENON - NASHVILLE LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-25T12:57:00.001-06:00

On a chilly day in October, Jeff and Sarah became husband and wife at the Parthenon - a great place for a wedding as you'll see in these wonderful photos on Adrian's new blog:

Lifestyle Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

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Happy Fall - Nashville Dog Photographer

2010-01-25T12:53:00.001-06:00

Just a few pics of Benny with beautiful fall foliage.

Dog Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

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FRENCH BULLDOGS - NASHVILLE DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

2010-01-22T12:50:00.001-06:00

Stogie and LeRoy are two of the greatest French Bulldogs. Visit Adrian's new blog to see these characters.

Dog Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

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DEXTER THE AUSSIE POO - NASHVILLE DOG PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-22T12:46:00.001-06:00

This is adorable Dexter! Do you know what an Aussie Poo is?

Check out Adrian's new blog to see great photos: Nashville Dog Photography

Dog Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

Nashville Lifestyle Photography

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FALL WEDDING - NASHVILLE LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-22T12:42:00.001-06:00

Check out yet another fall wedding in Nashville:

Lifestyle Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

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SWEET ADELAIDE - NASHVILLE CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-22T12:40:00.001-06:00

Here is an sweet one-year old with her wonderful parents!

Children's Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

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BENNY'S FRIEND - NASHVILLE DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

2010-01-22T12:31:00.001-06:00

One day last fall Max visited Adrian Hitt Photography for the day...Benny was particularly pleased to have a friend over!

Nashville Dog Photographer

Dog Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photographer

Nashville Lifestyle Photography

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MICHAEL AND KRYSTAL WEDDING - NASHVILLE LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-22T12:26:00.001-06:00

Check out this wedding in downtown Nashville photographed by Adrian this past fall.

Lifestyle Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

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BENNY DAY - Nashville Dog Photographer

2010-01-22T12:18:00.001-06:00

Check out these photos of Benny this summer. Looking forward to warmer weather!

Dog Photographer • Nashville, TN

Adrian Hitt Photography

POCKETFULS OF SUNSHINE - NASHVILLE CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-01-22T12:12:00.000-06:00

Want to see some sunny photos? Visit Adrian's blog: Nashville Children's Photography.

NASHVILLE, TN NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER - BABY BEN

2009-09-18T11:59:00.001-05:00

Visit the new blog to see full-size photos: Nashville Children Photographer

When I photographed Ben he was a very young 13 days old. Oh, so sweet and tiny! He is so good natured and barely made a peep during our entire newborn session. Enjoy a few favorites of mine …

His parents are such nice people and incredibly smitten by this little guy.

Newborn Photographer - Nashville, TN
Adrian Hitt Photography
www.adrianhitt.com
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SPLISH, SPLASH TWO DOGS TAKING A BATH - NASHVILLE, TN DOG PHOTOGRAPHER

2009-09-18T11:25:00.001-05:00

Check out the full-size photos at the new blog: Nashville Dog Photography

Meet Henry and Charlotte. The most precious Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies you'll ever meet. Seriously, how adorable are they?! They know how to beat this Tennessee heat! They gave me so much love. Can't wait to share more.

Dog Photographer -Nashville, TN
Adrian Hitt Photography
www.adrianhitt.com
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GUADALAJARA, MEXICO CHILD - NASHVILLE, TN PHOTOGRAPHER

2009-09-18T11:15:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog: Nashville Photography

Short on time today, but couldn't get away without sharing this photograph for the weekend.

Travel Photographer - Nashville, TN
Adrian Hitt Photography
www.adrianhitt.com
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LOOKING FOR A HOME - DOG PHOTOGRAPHER NASHVILLE, TN

2009-09-18T11:10:00.001-05:00

Check out the new blog here:

Nashville, TN Photography

Don't you wish you could do this right now? Just bask in the hot, July sun under a nice shade tree? I sure do! (just not on top of a rock )

Dinah is a sweet girl full of lots of personality and is looking for a home. You can see the original story about her other dog friends looking for homes. Please contactBonaparte's Retreat if you can help!

Dog Photographer - Nashville, TN
Adrian Hitt Photography
www.adrianhitt.com
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Nashville, TN Dog Photographer - Dog Days of Summer

2009-07-08T10:28:00.001-05:00

Check out the photos of Benny at the new blog:

Nashville Dog Photography

Last Sunday was the Music City Muttfest hosted by Loew's Vanderbilt Hotel. It was a highly successful event and oh so much fun! After the teardown, Loew's was so kind to offer this amazing ice sculpture in the shape of a fire hydrant to us. Brian and I towed it down to Benny's favorite dog park for all pups to enjoy. What better way to bring in the dog days of summer?

People of Guadalajara, Mexico - Nashville, TN Photographer

2009-07-08T10:26:00.001-05:00

Check out the new blog to see these colorful photos:

Late September of last year, I traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico to document the lives, culture, work and children of this great city for the International Mission Board. It was wonderful to get out of the country. It had been several years since my trip to Africa and I was itching to experience a different culture again … this time with camera in hand. The trip was so many things. Met sweet people, caught up with an old friend, cleared customs without a problem, used my very broken spanish, hugged a lot of kids and was starkly reminded that we live in a very broken world. Fortunately, it doesn't end there. We can all work together to improve the lives of those who live in dire situations. A quote by Nelson Mandela illustrates this: Poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Small acts of kindness and love really do make a difference.

Anyway, as you may know, every Friday in July I plan on sharing photographs from this trip. Just something to change things up a bit! I hope you enjoy. Have a safe and relaxing Fourth of July everyone!

English Bulldog - Nashville, TN Dog Photographer

2009-07-08T10:24:00.001-05:00

How could you ever resist such a face?

Visit the new blog to see a full-size photo!

Nashville, TN Dog Photographer - Wednesdays with Laura

2009-07-08T10:21:00.001-05:00

Travel Time!

Happy July! Is anyone getting ready for summer vacation? We've got some great dog-friendly travel resources and tips for traveling with kids to share with you. And, to prepare you for vacation time, here is one of Adrian's photos from a trip to Pensacola Beach, Florida last summer.

Dog Friendly has answers to all dog-travel questions ranging from pet-friendly beaches to restaurants to campgrounds. The website even offers dog city guides and lists places along interstate highways that are dog-friendly. I would definitely check this out before hitting the road with your pup!

If you are looking for a luxury hotel, visit Pet-Friendly Accommodations Worldwide (PAW). This is a website that lists a "curated collection of luxury (3 stars or higher) pet-friendly hotels." PAW also reviews hotels and provides updates on special offers at hotels worldwide.

For those of you whose vacation destinations require flying, Pet Airways is an airline that "flys pets in the main cabin, NOT in cargo!" Don't worry, the pet owners don't fly in the cargo either. This is the first airline exclusively for pets, with dedicated pet attendants who care for your pet the entire flight. The flight cities are limited at the moment, but check back as the company grows. And, if you want to learn more about regular airline pet-travel policies, Trips for Pets has a list of phone numbers to call.

Also, Nashville Paw Magazine has a fantastic article on traveling with dogs. Be sure to pick up a copy!

Although there is not a Kid Airways (just kidding!), we found some websites that suggest cities, hotels, activities, restaurants, and more that are great for kids! Best Kid Friendly Travel offers tips from packing to destinations and has guest posts about specific cities. Travel for Kids is an international trip-planning website that features practical tips, best-bet hotels for families, and book recommendations for destinations all over the world. Definitely worth checking out these sites before your next big adventure!

Also, every Friday in July Adrian is going to share photos from her adventure in Guadalajara, Mexico…be sure to check back on Friday to see some amazing photos!

Have a great day!

Why Photography is Important - Nashville, TN Dog Photographer

2009-07-08T10:19:00.001-05:00

Visit the new blog to see this precious photo: Nashville Dog Photography

I had the greatest honor of photographing this sweet, sweet dog family last week. Kristen is one of the kindest, strongest individuals you will ever meet. From our very first phone conversation, I knew we would click well. To give you a back story, five years ago she tragically lost her husband in a single car accident one mile from their home. She was left with her son Will, Labrador Dewey and Golden Retriever Trace. In spite of that great loss, they have made a wonderful life together and the deep bond that her and Will share is so ever evident. Trace and Dewey are fully integrated in their lives and it's simply beautiful. About a week and a half ago, Kristen received news that Trace has cancer behind his right eye and it is too far along and in too rough of a place to perform surgery. As a result, Trace has only been given a few months to live. That is when Kristen called with interest in dog photography, and I'm so glad she did. This was probably one of the hardest dog sessions for me, but the photograph below makes it so incredibly worth it. I hope it is always a reminder to Will as he grows up how much his pups were loved and how much they loved him. Trace has the quietest spirit and the sweetest soul. He has lived a short nine years and I hope these last few months are some of the best for him. Be strong, sweet boy.

A Favorite of Benny - Nashville Dog Photographer

2009-07-08T10:17:00.001-05:00

To see the photo of Benny, visit the new blog - Nashville Dog Photography

We have been busy bees this past month, but we still made time for the dog park this weekend. I'm so glad we did. Not only does it wear Benny out, but I always have a fun time as well. I love all of the shadows and yummy light in this portrait. Hope your week is off to a refreshing start!

Family on the Farm - Nashville, TN Children's Photographer

2009-07-08T10:08:00.001-05:00

Visit the new blog to see photos of this great family - Nashville Children's Photography

Happy Friday to you. I met this family out at the farm and oh was it humid! We still had a great time. McKenna has recently made this family a family of four so it was time to update the family portraits. This first one is different from my typical photograph, but I love it. There is so much story to know here.

Trace the Farm Dog - Nashville Dog Photographer

2009-07-08T10:04:00.001-05:00

Visit the new blog to see photos of Trace - Nashville Dog Photography

Meet Trace the farm dog. He lives a life that I believe the majority of dogs would be quite jealous of. Numerous acres of land to roam and chase down wildlife, a barn to nap in and this great tree to seek shade under. His puppy-like face immediately stole my heart.

Nashville Children's Photographer - Wednesdays with Laura

2009-07-08T09:59:00.001-05:00

Visit the new blog for the full post - Nashville Children's Photography

Movies, movies, movies–Oh My!

Wow! I am definitely a bit late on this one, but I just checked out some still photos from Tim Burton's remake of Alice in Wonderland. Can we please fast-forward to March 2010? The characters from Walt Disney's 1951 version are wonderful, but Mr. Burton has, yet again, created a twisted masterpiece with the likes of Johnny Depp (The Mad Hatter), Anne Hathaway (The White Queen), Michael Sheen (The White Rabbit), and Helena Bonham Carter (The Red Queen). Alice Kingsley will be played by upcoming Australian actor Mia Wasikowska–I'm sure she'll be quite the star after this movie. Many thanks to Lewis Carroll for his sharing his imagination and to Tim Burton for taking us back to Wonderland 10 years after Alice's first visit.

Puppy for Adoption - Nashville Pet Photographer

2009-07-08T09:57:00.001-05:00

Check out the photo of Shirley here:

I met this little gal this past weekend. She is only a few weeks old and is looking for her new family. If you are wanting to adopt, you won't be able to resist this cute face. Be sure to drop by Nashville Humane Association and check her out in the puppy room. Also, the dogs at Bonaparte's Retreat are still looking to join their families. Please note that Shirley was adopted!

Labrador Retriever - Nashville Pet Photographer

2009-07-08T09:51:00.001-05:00

Visit the new blog to see photos of Sage and Coco - Nashville Dog Photography

The dog session with Sage and Coco was a special one as I grew up with a black Labrador Retriever. His name was Splash and he was full of so much life and energy right up until he passed. Because of him, I have a soft spot for Labs. Anyway, as you'll see, Sage and Coco make quite the lovely family. Their dog parents, Jimmy and Seema own a delightful French restaurant in Sylvan Park, called Miel. If you haven't eaten there yet, click here to find out more. They are two very passionate people who practice cooking as an art and I'm sure you will greatly enjoy your dining experience. Thanks so much for having me.

Nashville Dog Photographer

2009-07-08T09:48:00.001-05:00

Visit the new blog to see photos from the creek adventure - Nashville Dog Photography

Happy Friday everyone! This week I've shared a wedding and photographs of my brother - it's time to take it back to the dogs! Meet Gus and Folley. Sharing part of the same fence with Benny, I've known these two for a few months now. Our session had a few surprises - trip to the creek, finding a stray dog at the creek and heading back to Haley's house with 3, yes THREE, wet dogs. Fortunately, Lilly the stray had tags on and we were able to quickly reunite her with her parents that evening. Thanks to Haley for being willing to bring her back. It was quite the team effort!

Photographing dogs is always an adventure and as you might guess requires an extra dose of patience - not just from me, but from the pet parent as well. Haley was no exception - she did so great with her dogs. I really am so fortunate to get to do this for a living. I couldn't be happier! Haley thanks for choosing me and I'll see you soon!

Nashville Photographer - Happy Birthday Aaron!

2009-07-08T09:45:00.001-05:00

To see the photos of my brother, visit the new blog - Nashville Photography

Today, 23 years ago my younger brother entered the world. In addition, his birth happens to be my first memory in life and even though he was a brat growing up, I'm okay with that. He now lives in Los Angeles and is pursuing a career in acting. I'm so proud of what he has accomplished already and can't wait to see what the next year holds for him. Great things await you, Aaron! Hope you have a fun day celebrating at Disneyland.

Brian and I visited him earlier this year so I thought it only fitting to photograph a few headshots. Here's the birthday boy!

Nashville Dog Photographer - Wednesday with Laura

2009-07-08T09:41:00.001-05:00

Happy Father's Day!

Thunder, lightning and rain–oh my! Good thing I'm inside researching gifts for Father's Day. My dad is a minimalist, not in the aesthetic meaning of the word, but in the sense that he just doesn't like or feel the need to have stuff. Lucky for me–I only have to send a card, but I wanted to share some great ideas for those of you who are looking for the perfect gift.

I'll start off with a couple of gifts recommended by the Woof Report for dog dad's who love their wine. This "Leader of the Pack" custom wine label allows you to feature a photo of your favorite pup on twelve bottles of Sonoma County red wine. You could give all twelve to dad, or just six and distribute the rest to other family members. Just be sure to keep one empty bottle!

I'm sure you've all seen the Tennis Ball Throwers, but now there is a launcher that involves golf. Hyper Products has developed the Doggie Driver. This is a great way for your dad to get exercise and practice his golf swing (we know he needs to!) while also allowing the dogs to train and get exercise. Of course, you'll need a big backyard or dog park because I don't think there will be Doggie Driver golf courses anytime soon…

For the environmental and energy-conscious or traveling dads, check out the Voltaic Solar Messenger Bag. This padded bag has three solar panels that charge up to 4 watts of power and can charge cell phones, sat phones, PDAs, GPSs, iPods, cameras, etc. The bag is also available as a day pack and for something less expensive, check out the Solstice 2.5 Solar Charger. I wouldn't mind having one of those for myself!

And, as usual, I browsed Etsy for gifts and wanted to share these two fun items. You can customize a Dad Tag keychain with your own words or change it to Daddio or Grandpa.

And, if your father is the handy-man, suit-wearing type who appreciates a funky accessory, he might want to don these classy cuff-links.

Good luck on your search and let's hope Sunday brings sunshine!

Nashville Lifestyle Photographer - Maple Wedding

2009-07-08T09:39:00.001-05:00

To see these great wedding photos, visit the new blog -- Nashville Lifestyle Photography

Just to change things up a bit, I wanted to share my last wedding from 2008. Even though I specialize in children's and dog photography, I do photograph a few weddings a year. I have been wanting to share the art from their fall wedding for a while, but am just now getting to it! The Maple's are one extremely loving, deeply affectionate and caring couple. (If you check out Hannah's blog, you will get a taste of what I mean!) Their wedding day was filled with gorgeous sunlight, fall weather, friends, family and a contagious love. Their relationship is one that I admire - I can't be around them without longing to be with my Brian. Thanks, you two, for letting me into your lives and sharing your day with me. Here's to a lifetime of contagious love!

This is a bigger post than normal. Hope you enjoy!

Nashville Dog Photographer - French Bulldog

2009-07-08T09:38:00.001-05:00

Visit the new blog to see a great photo of Toby!

Happy Friday everyone! I've had a long week and am looking forward to relaxing this weekend! Brian and I had our third wedding anniversary this past week but didn't get to really celebrate. So, we're looking forward to hanging out and hopefully spending a lot of time outdoors if the weather cooperates.

I wanted to leave you with one of my favorites from the French Bulldog photo session. Toby is something else … I like this photo because of the context. We took this on a farm, a farm that Toby felt at home at, pulled in his dad's cowboy boots and Corona in the background. Enjoy.

Nashville Dog Photographer - Top Dog Competition

2009-07-08T09:34:00.001-05:00

Visit our blog to see some highlights from the Coronation Pawty:

As you know, this past weekend was Brown Dog Foundation's Top Dog and Top Cat Competition. Benny was a contestant, but sadly didn't take the crown. However, through the wonderful clients of Adrian Hitt Photography, he raised right under $1100! All of that directly benefits the foundation. Thank you for playing a part in saving animals' lives.

Nashville Children's Photographer - Wednesdays with Laura

2009-07-08T09:20:00.001-05:00

Beginning tomorrow, downtown Nashville will be saturated with country music. The CMA Music Fest has already taken over the waterfront and several locations throughout the downtown vicinity. If you plan on attending and bringing your children along for the festivities, we wanted to make sure to highlight all the wonderful children's activities taking place this weekend. The CMA has organized a plethora of FREE activities at the Family Zone Mainstage, located at the Hall of Fame Park at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Demonbreun. There will be arts and crafts, face painting, balloon art, cupcake decorating, and of course a fantastic line-up of musicians and comedians. Visit the website for full schedule.

If the CMA Fest is a bit overwhelming for your family, today and tonight you can celebrate at Happy Tales Humane's fourth annual One Big Wag. The all-day-and-night event features food, art, music, and dog and cat competitions! Kids can enjoy the Animal Gambill Show, participate in the Bow-Wow Boogie, and enjoy live music by O'Shea, Marcel, Kristi Rose and Fats Caplin, Hank Williams III and more. All proceeds from the event benefit Happy Tales Humane, an organization that rescues, cares for, and finds healthy homes for unwanted pets.

The event takes place at The Factory at Franklin located at 230 Franklin Road from 12 to 10 pm. Tickets are $20 (adults), $5 (ages 6 - 15), and free for children 5 and younger. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome.

And, finally, if you interested in a low-key activity for your family, be sure to check out the Movies in the Park. Every Wednesday evening at sunset (usually around 7 pm) there is a movie at Centennial Park. Tonight (depending on the weather) is Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. For additional information, check out the listing on Nashvillest.

Whatever you decide to do, have a safe and fun time!

Nashville Baby Photographer - Paisley

2009-07-08T09:17:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to see the photos:

Nashville Baby Photographer

Meet sweet Paisley's family. This was her first photo shoot, but she did exceptionally well. She is now seven months old and has quite the blooming personality. Her parents are the cutest and are pretty crazy about her. Enjoy the sneak peek!

Nashville Family Photographer - Sowell Family

2009-07-08T09:03:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to check out the family photos:

Nashville Family Photographer

Rick and his family are very special people in my life. We met only four years ago, but they quickly became a second family to me. His kids were all in my wedding and they're growing up too fast. Since they live in Oklahoma City, I don't get to see them nearly as often as I would like — I miss them. I wanted to share a few favorites from the last time I visited. This was shortly after he married Stephanie, so new family portraits were in order!

Nashville Dog Photographer - Vote for Benny!

2009-07-08T09:01:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to see photos of Benny!

Nashville Dog Photography

Tomorrow night is the Coronation Pawty for Nashville's Top Dog and Top Cat Competition! It is an annual fundraiser for the fantastic organization, Brown Dog Foundation. Brown Dog provides financial assistance with vet bills as an alternative to euthanasia. You can click here to see the dog photography I did for Carol Smock, founder of Brown Dog. As you may remember, any sessions that were booked during April and May had $50 donated to the foundation to help raise money for Benny's campaign. All of the proceeds go to Brown Dog to help dogs across Tennessee who have fallen ill.

As mentioned, there is a great Pawty going on tomorrow night at The Farm at Natchez Trace to celebrate the work of Brown Dog and to crown Nashville's Top Dog and Top Cat. The party is from 6-8p and will have BBQ, live music, doggie treats and kissing booth and a silent auction. If you'd like to purchase tickets, click here to get them in advance. Of course, we're hoping Benny raises enough votes to take the crown! They are still taking last minute votes (each vote is $1) until midnight tonight. Here is Benny's page if you are interested! If you can't make it tomorrow night, but would like to know whether or not Benny gets the crown, follow me on Twitter as I will be updating from the event. Okay, enough about that - time to see some recent photos of the dog of the hour!

Nashville Dog Photographer - Toby the French Bulldog

2009-07-08T08:59:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to see photos of Toby:

Nashville Dog Photography

To say that I had a good time with Toby and his parents would be a complete understatement! We met up late in the afternoon, hit several locations and shot for a few hours. Toby kept us laughing the entire time with his typical Frenchie antics. He's still a puppy but is such a little lover boy. Before this dog session, I had never photographed a French Bulldog but am absolutely in love with this breed. I wanted to dognap him and leave with him in my camera bag. (One of these days I just might actually do that, especially if we don't get a second dog soon!)

Nashville Dog Photographer - Wednesdays with Laura

2009-07-08T08:56:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to see the full post:

Nashville Dog Photography

Animal Awareness

In follow up to Adrian's post about the amazing work of Bonaparte's Retreat, we wanted to share information about other animal issues and products that our caught our attention this week.

As the summer days encroach on the lovely spring weather, it is important to make sure your dog stays cool too. Woof Report, an informative daily newsletter, just sent out information about the dangers of leaving dogs in cars. "When it's 85° outside, the temperature inside a car – even with the windows left slightly open – can soar to 102° in 10 minutes, and reach 120° in just a half an hour." And dogs can not withstand these temperatures, even for more than a minute. The United Animal Nations has a great website, My Dog Is Cool, with additional information and safety posters you can download and print to post in your community.

For fun, here are a few doggie products that we couldn't resist sharing!

If you're not into doggie doors or don't have one, check into the Ultimate Dog Door, an instant screen door that works for people and dogs! This easy-to-install screen has a magnetic closure that hooks at the bottom to stay in place.

It might take some time to get used to wearing a ring with "spay" or "neuter" engraved on it, but it shouldn't be too difficult knowing that the ring carries a strong message. The artist, Metalsmitten, creates these rings to encourage people to spay and neuter their pets and adopt from animal shelters. "Spaying and neutering are important steps in ending the cycle of companion animal overpopulation that results in the euthanasia of millions of unwanted pets." Thank you Metalsmitten for your creativity and dedication to such an important cause!

If you haven't checked out Mod-Dog, you are missing out on some fabulous modern dog art. There are prints, cards, jewelry and much more. We were particularly drawn to the French Bulldog print below…which is also a hint for Adrian's upcoming dog post. Enjoy!

Nashville Dog Photographer - Dogs to Adopt from Bonaparte's Retreat

2009-07-08T08:52:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to see photos of these wonderful pups!

Nashville Dog Photography

In yesterday's post I shared photographs from the cover shoot with Emmylou Harris and the dogs of Bonaparte's Retreat. As mentioned, all of those dogs are seeking adoption into their forever home. I wanted to share more about them and highlight this ever important work that Emmylou and Bonaparte's are engaged in.

Did you know that just in the first two months of this year, Nashville Metro Animal Control had to euthanize 949 dogs? That boggles my mind and leaves me with a heavy heart. That's only one facility in one city. Fortunately, rescues like Bonaparte's take in the dogs that are on "death row" at Metro. And they are committed to those dogs. They seek to find new homes with loving families. But, they can only take in so many dogs at a time. Once a dog is adopted, that frees up a space for another to join the team at Bonaparte's Retreat.

Commercial Dog Photographer - Emmylou Harris and Bonaparte's Retreat

2009-07-08T08:47:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to check out the photos of Emmylou and Bonaparte's Retreat!

Nashville Commercial Photographer

I am very excited to kick off June with this post! A couple of weeks ago I had the great honor of photographing Country Music Hall-of-Famer, Emmylou Harris with her adoptable dogs from Bonaparte's Retreats. Bonaparte's was founded in memory of Emmylou's beloved dog, Bonaparte, to rescue dogs whose time had expired at Metro Animal Control. By rescuing these dogs, they not only save the lives of numerous dogs but are committed to finding them loving, forever homes. The team at Bonaparte's is incredibly compassionate and Heather, the editor of Nashville Paw Magazine, and I had such a great time with them and the adoptable pups. I just feel so fortunate to get to work with those who lead such inspiring lives and everyone at Bonaparte's Retreat and Nashville Paw do just that. If you are looking to add a furry companion to your family, please contact Kate at Bonaparte's. All of these dogs are looking for their family.

Nashville Photographer - Inspiring Speeches

2009-06-29T13:35:00.002-05:00

May is the month of many things, one of which is graduation. Whether you are moving on into the "real world" or your child is going to kindergarten or high school next year, graduation is a big step forward. Although it may be a tad bit scary, it should mainly be an inspirational and exciting moment.

The keynote speaker at my college graduation was interesting, but I don't recall being particularly inspired. Fortunately, one can look to YouTube for daily inspirational speeches and we've picked two to share with everyone.

Check out the new blog for links to speeches by Ellen DeGeneres at Tulane University and Steve Jobs at Stanford University (about 4 years ago).

Nashville Photographer

Nashville Dog Photographer - Boston Terrier Family

2009-06-29T13:31:00.001-05:00

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I posted a portrait of Jada the Boston Terrier last week and wanted to be sure to share her gorgeous family with you! Jada has been with Cherie 12 years and Caleb joined them 4 years ago. We had absolutely splendid weather on the day of their dog session and hit some great parts of Nashville. I love being able to shoot in a client's home and then venture out to other locations. Jada was quite the character and as you'll see Caleb and Cherie are quite in love with her and each other. Enjoy these!

Nashville Children's Photographer - Wednesdays with Laura

2009-06-29T13:29:00.001-05:00

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Summertime Fun!

Although summer does not officially begin until June 21, as the school year winds down, the summer activities begin to pick up. In Nashville there are an abundance of parks and museums to visit when there is some downtime, and I wanted to share a couple of my favorites.

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is centrally located between downtown and Germantown. The 19-acre state park features a lawn space to run around on, fly a kite, or have a picnic. Afterwards, children can cool off in The Rivers of Tennessee Fountains, 31 vertical fountains each representing a major waterway in Tennessee. The park also features several monuments that highlight the significance of Tennessee's history—it is a wonderful educational tool for older children. For lunch, families can explore the Nashville Farmers' Market, which has several international food stands in addition to the farm vendors. It is an adventure just walking through the aisles of fruits and vegetables!

If it is too hot outside, the Adventure Science Center and Sudekum Planetarium is the place to go. The museum has fun and educational activities for children of all ages. I spent the day there with my four-year-old nephew and there was endless entertainment! The exhibits focus on air and space, the body and health, light and sound, and energy. The Adventure Science Center also has special summer events including National YoYo Day (June 6) and the Laser Music Show on Saturdays throughout the summer! Visit the website for additional information: www.adventuresci.com. If you've got any other summertime adventures, we'd love to hear about them! Have a great afternoon!

Nashville Children's Photographer - Stella

2009-06-29T13:27:00.001-05:00

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This was my second time photographing this family and I am always so glad to get to see them. Stella has grown so much since the last time I've seen her and is quite the imaginative little girl. She's beautiful, creative and loves to sing. Thanks for having me, Marv and Tasha. Enjoy my favorites from our time together!

Nashville Dog Photographer - Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

2009-06-29T13:24:00.001-05:00

I wanted to leave you with this sweet Boston Terrier for the weekend. We will be back in the office on Tuesday. Have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Nashville Dog Photographer - Make My Heart Melt

2009-06-29T13:23:00.000-05:00

Oh, how I wish I had a picture of Benny and me like this. I just couldn't resist sharing this sweet moment. I couldn't decide if I like color or black and white better, so I'm sharing both! What do you think? Which one do you like better?

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Nashville Dog Photographer - Wednesdays with Laura

2009-06-29T13:21:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to see photos of these car safety devices:

Car Safety for Your Dog

One of my childhood friends had two standard poodles. The poodles were a major part of her family's life, and usually accompanied her parents to our soccer practices and games. I was always fascinated (or perhaps bewildered) when the poodles would sit upright in the van's bucket seats and wait to be buckled in—talk about obedience! Perhaps it is poodle habit, but these days, car companies are developing amenities to ensure that your dog is safe and comfortable during car travel.

This month, Bark magazine published an article about the most pet-friendly cars that included examples of cars that have pet safety elements. For example, the Toyota Venza–aka the "purebred DogCar"–partnered with Kurgo, a company that specializes in pet products for the car, to include an Auto Zip Line in the back seat. The zip line harness keeps dogs secure while allowing them to travel back and forth on the back seat. The Honda Element, advertised as a "man's best friend's best friend", has urethane-coated floors, wide-open cargo doors on both sides, and a forthcoming package will include a dog bed, water bowl, and load-in ramp and rear ventilation fan, among other things.

According to the Traffic Safety Evaluation Guide, about 98 percent of dogs travel unrestrained in a moving vehicle. Another study found that animals are the third leading cause of driver distraction, greater than cell phone use and food consumption. Keeping your dog restrained in the car is important, and, as you've learned, it is possible to do this in a way that is both safe and enjoyable for your canine companion.

If you've got a small dog, you might want to consider Kurgo's Skybox Booster. It's one way to have company in the passenger seat while keeping your pup in one place!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and if you're traveling with your dog, consider some of these car safety elements.

Nashville Dog Photographer - Pomeranian, Chocolate Lab, Jack Russell Terrier and Miniature Pinscher

2009-06-29T13:18:00.001-05:00

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I received the sweetest email from Monica stating that she would love to surprise her mother with a dog session of their two families for her birthday. What a great idea, right? We were a little nervous about the weather, but fortunately it stayed clear so that it could be a true birthday surprise. Our time together consisted of Monica, her mother, Precious, Zooey, Noelle, and Krystal - quite the dog family! I really had a fun time with them. Monica is such a giving person who is very involved with Nashville Humane and is actually quite the comedian as well - which always leads to a good time at a dog session!

Nashville Dog Photographer

2009-06-29T13:15:00.001-05:00

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We thought this session was going to get rained out (imagine that, right?), but it held off. And I'm so glad it did! This was a group session and here are a few of my favorites. Meeting multiple dogs of various backgrounds - I really couldn't have a better day!

Meet Taylor Mae and Riggs. I love the way Riggs is looking at Mary in this photo. And on the right, we have Ted and Kube. As I mentioned, I'm so thankful that the rain held off for this session. Later that evening Kube passed on. He had given a long, hard fight against bone cancer and I know he is greatly missed. Rest in peace, good boy.

Nashville Commercial Photographer - Nashville Paw magazine

2009-06-26T10:30:00.001-05:00

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Nashville Paw is a fantastic resource for animal lovers in middle Tennessee! I've been fortunate enough to work with them on several occasions - such an amazing group of selfless women. We always have a good time together and I wanted to share the past couple of covers. Enjoy!

Nashville Children's Photographer - Wednesdays with Laura

2009-06-26T10:11:00.001-05:00

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Miss Lynn–Fantastic Children's Musician!

As some of you may have noticed, Adrian's websites feature playful and cheerful musical accompaniments. The tunes compliment Adrian's photographic style—creative, fun, and vibrant—and carry a light-hearted feeling. The website for children's photography features music by Miss Lynn, a Nashville-based musician who creates fun and up-beat songs for children of all ages. Some of our favorites from Miss Lynn's CD are Clap My Feet, Easy Peasy, and Ready to Go. The rhythm and lyrics will have your child (and you) dancing in no time! If you want to hear more, comment on this blog entry and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a complimentary "Outside the Lines" CD from Adrian Hitt Photography! I'll announce the winner next Wednesday!

A couple of weeks ago, Adrian attended Miss Lynn's concert at the Edmondson Pike Library. There was an enthusiastic group of kids and adults! Miss Lynn will be on tour in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Oregon for the next month, but you can catch her next Nashville performances at Davis-Kidd Booksellers on June 12 and 13. For additional information, click on Miss Lynn's tour.

Commercial Children's Photographer - Coco BonBons

2009-06-26T10:08:00.001-05:00

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I occasionally do commercial photography work for Coco BonBons, a children's clothier that is carried in hundreds of fine children's boutiques across the country. Fortunately, Nashville is lucky to be the home of their warehouse. They carry both boys and girls clothes sized 6 months to 6 years. Trust me, you should definitely check out their cute clothing! Grab a few friends and outfit your wee ones for the summer.

Nashville Commercial Photographer - Fun Project

2009-06-26T09:54:00.001-05:00

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This week I got to be a part of a really great project. I can't say much yet, but here's this sweet guy to hold you over!

Nashville Dog Photographer - EWOK

2009-06-26T09:52:00.001-05:00

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Nashville Children's and Dog Photography

Just a quick post today! Doesn't this little girl remind you on an Ewok?? I think I wore out the VHS tape because I watched that movie so much as a child. Oh how I wanted to be Cindel!

Nashville Children's Photographer - Wednesdays with Laura

2009-06-26T09:49:00.001-05:00

Visit our new blog to see photos of these great gift ideas:

Mother's Day is fast approaching and if you haven't quite figured out what to do for your wonderful mother, I've got a few ideas to consider. Although it is very traditional, flowers always brighten the day and add a fresh scent to the home. I always send my mom a home-made card (I have an abundance of decorative paper scraps), but this year I decided to send flowers too. While researching flower delivery companies, I discovered Organic Bouquets. In addition to offering organically-grown flowers, the company has a Flowers for Good program that donates five percent of each purchase to a charitable organization. There are several different bouquets and organizations from which to choose—I ended up sending the Nature Conservancy flowers. And of course, if your mother lives nearby, visit the local flower shop…I'm sure they've got a beautiful selection of bouquets.

For those of you who have dog-loving mothers or just dog moms, please brace yourself for this next gift idea—a Mom Tattoo doggy collar! Bowhaus NY offers this hand-crafted collar complete with hand-painted edges, plated buckle, and of course, the Mom Tattoo in enamel and metal. No one will ever mess with you or your dog again!

Adrian shared a very special gift idea for mothers who adopted or who are waiting to adopt a child. This is particularly meaningful to Adrian because her sister is adopting a child from Ethiopia. Tracy at Junkposse creates amazing necklaces and donates thirty percent of each sale to a family adopting a child from Africa. The"Africa in My Heart" pendant is one of Adrian's favorites and Tracy also personalizes necklaces like this "I Chose You" heart pendant.

And of course, custom portraiture is a gift that mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers will always cherish. If you are in the market for vibrant and creative portraits of your children, dog, or family, Adrian Hitt Photography offers nicely-packaged gift certificates for photo sessions and packages. Adrian's photographs will have a lasting impression on your mother and family.

Nashville Children's Photographer - Anderson Family

2009-06-26T09:46:00.001-05:00

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Nashville Children's and Dog Photography

Meet the Anderson family. I never blogged about their session, so I thought now would be a good time to share! Every now and again I photograph large families. The Anderson's are that and growing! A great family with kids of all ages who look after each other. I'm so glad they chose me and made it through the cold, windy day.

Nashville Children's and Dog Photographer - New Websites!

2009-06-26T09:41:00.001-05:00

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So, I can finally make this announcement! I have new websites! Eek!! Can you tell I'm excited? At Adrian Hitt Photography, we have undergone a few changes and our websites now reflect that. You can see screen shots below, but be sure to check out all of the new eye candy at www.adrianhitt.com We now have two separate sites dedicated to both our children's photography and dog photography. Once you visit the site, just click on which one you would like to enter. As mentioned in an earlier post, I collaborated with a few people to make this happen. I would like to publicly thank them for all of their creative and hard work put into this. You all have completed the new look!

Blog Design: Phil from Hartzog Design and Phindy Studios - good friend that was gracious enough to put up with all of my annoying questions

Logo Design: Joe from MoJo Design - fantastic work

Children's Music: Miss Lynn - local children's artist and friend

Dog Music: written by yours truly and inspired by none other than Benny, but thanks to my talented hubby for recording it for me.

Nashville Dog Photographer - Walley Finds a Home

2009-06-26T09:33:00.001-05:00

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Earlier this week, I blogged about my work with Dogs Dig Nashville. One little guy that was intentionally left out of that post was Walley. He is a Catahoula Leopard/American Bulldog mix who was also looking for a home. I wanted to write a separate post to share this story with you. Shortly after our session, I sent off my photographs to be printed at my professional lab. One of the lab technicians saw my order come through and immediately called and asked about this guy. Alyssa had been looking to adopt and was immediately drawn to Walley. About a week later she flew to Nashville to meet him and take Walley home with her. He is now happily adjusted to his new family and their other dog, Maynard. Alyssa reports lots of kisses and cuddles between the two!

Commercial Children's Photographer - Kiwanis International

2009-06-26T09:26:00.001-05:00

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Some of my work has been on newsstands recently, so I thought I'd share! This is from this month's issue of Kiwanis International. The shoot was at the Country Music Hall of Fame complete with Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton and Minnie Pearl impersonators! A really fun day! For now, check out the magazine cover and my favorite of the kids from the shoot.

Wednesdays with Laura - Pupsicles!

2009-06-26T09:24:00.001-05:00

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When temperatures reach the 80s and 90s, we can grab an ice-cold beverage or an ice pop to provide temporary relief from the heat. But, what about our canine friends? What refreshing treats can we share with them? It's tempting to give dogs regular popsicles or other ice cream treats, but most of these contain artificial flavorings and sugars that are unhealthy for dogs. However, there are an abundance of holistic alternatives that can be made right in your home!

This past weekend, as the temperatures reached the mid-80s, Adrian discovered a great pupsicle recipe to help keep Benny refreshed and energetic in the hot weather. The recipe (see below) contains ingredients that are safe for your dog or pup, tasty and easy to find around your home. As you can tell from the photos, Benny absolutely loved his holistic pupsicles—I almost ate one!

Ingredients (for 3 dozen treats)

2 mashed bananas

1 c. strawberries (fresh or frozen)

1 c. organic apple juice

2 c. yogurt (plain or vanilla)

Methods

Puree all ingredients in a blender.

Pour into ice cube trays or small plastic cups and freeze for one hour or more, depending on the temperature setting.

Thaw just so slightly before serving.

Note: The apple juice can be substituted with a jar of baby food (any fruit flavor) because it has great nutritional value and is easy to digest. Just be sure to use an organic brand with no added sugars of preservatives.

This past week we came across this great Eco-Dog Kit. The kit shows you how to cut back on using dog products that contain household chemicals. It features instructions, ingredients, and bottles/jars that make it easy to make these eco-friendly products including a 100% natural Flea and Bug Spray. Wow! Your dog and the earth will definitely appreciate these new eco-friendly products.

Have a great rest of the week!

Nashville Children's Photographer - Sweet Maggie

2009-06-26T09:20:00.001-05:00

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Meet Maggie. She is two years old and is now a big sister to her baby brother William. We had such gorgeous, warm light the day of her photo session. This time of year is a great time to book sessions with that nice, yummy light! Enjoy this little peak for now …

Nashville Dog Photographer - Dogs Dig Nashville

2009-06-26T09:18:00.001-05:00

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Dogs Dig Nashville is a local rescue group that is dedicated to getting homeless and abandoned dogs off the streets of Nashville. Earlier this year, I met up with some of their adoptables for a little photo shoot in order to find them new homes. Almost everyone has a new family, but be sure to check out Luca and Toya as they are still waiting. And a special thanks to Earthdog for donating all of the collars for these pups!

Nashville Children's Photographer - Hutchins Family

2009-06-26T09:16:00.000-05:00

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Meet the Hutchins Family. I love it every time I get to see them. We always have a great time together and their mother is as sweet as can be. This time, Toby, their Goldendoodle joined in on the fun!

Commercial Dog Photographer - Brown Dog Foundation

2009-06-24T13:01:00.001-05:00

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Nashville Dog Photography

I recently met up with the wonderful woman, Carol Smock, who is the founder of Brown Dog Foundation. Brown Dog exists to offer pet owners in temporary financial crisis an alternative to euthanasia when their pet faces a treatable, life-threatening condition in order to restore the quality of life for pet and owner. I am so honored that she chose Adrian Hitt Photography to capture her with her two fur babies, Toffee and Goldie. We couldn't have asked for a better day! Also, because I believe in the good work that she does, during the months of April and May we will donate $50 from every dog and children's photography session to Brown Dog. We can all play a part in saving pet's lives!

Nashville Children's Photographer - Happy Earth Day!

2009-06-24T12:59:00.001-05:00

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Nashville Children's Photography

Happy Earth Day!

Hi, my name is Laura and I am very excited to be writing my first post on Adrian's blog. For those of you who don't know, I recently started working at Adrian Hitt Photography. Originally from Evanston, Illinois (first suburb north of Chicago), I've lived in Colorado, North Carolina, New York, and recently settled in Nashville this past December. It is a pleasure working with Adrian and I look forward to blogging about fun facts and news items every Wednesday.

I am particularly psyched that my first post coincides with Earth Day. I hope that everyone is able to spend time thinking about the Earth and considering ways to reduce your ecological footprint–there are oh so many ways! As a child I remember reading "50 Ways to Save the Planet" and running around my house making sure the faucets didn't leak, turning off the lights, and asking my parents about recycling. Today, there are so many ways for children to be involved in reducing their carbon footprint and having a positive impact on the earth–and it is educational and fun! Why not start a compost or make an arts and crafts project using recycled materials or spend the afternoon in the garden. Visit the Earth Day Network to learn more: www.earthday.net.

Have a great afternoon!

Nashville Dog Photographer - Mo the Blue Tick Dog

2009-06-24T12:53:00.001-05:00

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Nashville Dog Photography

I love that I get to be a dog photographer for a profession. Dog sessions are always a lot of fun, filled with surprises and I often walk away with a funny story. I first met Amy and Mo at the Dog Days Festival in Nashville. Later, Amy called to book a session. At the beginning of our session, we decided it'd be best to put on Mo's harness. I was holding his leash while Amy grabbed his harness and would you believe that he wrangled out of his collar in no time and took off in a dead sprint across the campus?! At this point I hadn't even set up one photo and there I was holding his leash and collar in hand. To make a long story short, Amy and I spent the next 5 minutes chasing him and fortunately we were able to corner him with the help of another person. After his leash and harness were back on, I couldn't help but laugh. Dog photography definitely keeps me on my toes and gives me my workout! The rest of the session went fantastic.

Nashville Children's Photography-Where the Wild Things Are

2009-06-24T12:49:00.001-05:00

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Nashville Children's Photography

Today I'm remembering story time with Mrs. Dix in that tiny library next to the elementary cafeteria. She often read Where the Wild Things Are to my classmates and me at the end of our library hour. It was one of my favorites then and still is :).

On October 16 this gem hits theaters - I'll be there soaking in the wanders of childhood.

Nashville Children's Photographer-Franklin Family

2009-06-24T12:35:00.001-05:00

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Nashville Children's Photography

Meet the "S" family. The girls were full of personality and energy that gave way to a super fun session on this Saturday morning. It always amazes me just how different siblings turn out from each other. The older girl - bright, thoughtful, introspective and a leader. The younger girl - full of laughter, a little sassy, independent and super sweet - Both equally loved by their parents. My time with them reminded me how much I really do love what I do! This was the first time they hired a photographer to capture their family and I'm so glad they chose Adrian Hitt Photography! Enjoy.

Nashville Dog Photographer - Goldendoodle

2009-06-23T20:12:00.001-05:00

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