A beautiful at-home newborn session for this family of four.
Cozy at-home newborn session
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in Clarksville, TN
In-home newborn photography in Clarksville // newborn photos by Jacquelyn Smith of j. photography
I absolutely loved being invited back to this sweet family’s home to photograph their newest arrival. For their firstborn, we split the newborn session between my studio and their home, so of course, we had to do the same thing for their new baby boy.
This session took place in early fall, and we lucked out with the most beautiful weather. (Also, while I didn’t include them here, we definitely snuck in a few adorable shots of baby in a Santa hat for their Christmas card!)
One of the best parts about doing your newborn session at home—especially when there’s a toddler sibling in the mix—is that we can roll with the rhythm of your day. If a nap is needed mid-session, no problem… which is exactly what happened here. You might notice big brother missing from the last set of images!
I may need to do a separate blog post with highlights from the studio portion of this newborn session because I had way too many favorites just from the in-home portion alone.
Wardrobe notes: Mom, Dad, and big brother’s outfits were their own and newborn baby boy was wrapped in swaddle and cozy blankets from my studio. Everyone who books a full session with me gets free access to my online styling assistant software, which simplifies outfit selection by automatically coordinating wardrobe pieces that are both stylish and photography-friendly. Many of my clients find it helpful for shopping within their own closets. Ready for a session where your family is coordinated beautifully but with zero stress? Send me a message for your in-home newborn photography session!
Photographed with the Canon R6 and edited with Refined Presets.
In-home newborn photography in Clarksville // newborn photos by Jacquelyn Smith of j. photography
Hi, I’m Jac – a newborn and family photographer based in Clarksville, Tennessee, and the heart behind j. photography. I specialize in relaxed, lifestyle family photography that captures real connection, genuine emotion, and the beauty of your everyday moments – whether we’re in your home capturing in-home newborn photography in Clarksville, your backyard, my studio, or your favorite local spot.
As a mom and photographer with over a decade of experience, I know how fast the seasons with your kids can fly by. That’s why my sessions are designed to feel playful rather than a photo shoot – no forced smiles, no awkward posing, just natural moments that reflect the heart of your family.
Whether your babies are brand new or heading off to high school, your story deserves to be told in a way that’s honest, timeless, and true to you. From snuggles on the couch to giggles in the yard, I’m here to help you press pause and preserve this season – because these are the days you’ll want to remember.
If you’re looking for a Clarksville newborn and family photographer who values authenticity over perfection and storytelling over stiff poses, get to know more about me or reach out here. I would just love to create images you’ll love hanging on your walls – and holding onto forever.
In-home newborn photography in Clarksville // newborn photos by Jacquelyn Smith of j. photography
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This newborn session was extra special to me. Not only because this family is a part of my family, but because of what they went through to have this sweet baby boy. After I had already delivered the photos to Makenzie, I told her that I would love to blog the photos on this website. I asked her if she would want to share what they went through. I wanted to make sure that I made it clear that I didn’t want her to share her testimony for me or my business, I could share Grant’s images without ever mentioning what happened. I asked her if she wanted to share for other women who might be going through something similar and think that they are alone. Below is what Makenzie sent me for this post…
The pain was unexplainable. I was glad the kids weren’t home, and Adam had to be at work. I was able to scream, wail, and just mourn for the loss of my sweet baby. Telling the kids the next day was impossible, I had to have Adam tell them. Their sadness broke me even more. We told them that we would see the baby in heaven one day, and Jesus would watch over him or her until we got there. Trying for another baby was definitely something we were planning for now. Months went by and I felt as though I was healing, I clung to God after that. If nothing else, just to cling to hope for Him to answer my prayer yet again, and in accordance to MY plans. We found out in early March we were expecting again! We were both excited, but more cautious this time. We didn’t tell the kids, and we only told very few people. I was over the moon, but this time of year was hectic. Braedyn & Colton’s birthdays were coming up, I was preparing for a spring break camp at church, and still was trying to do everything in my power to nourish this growing child inside of me. I had gone to visit with a friend, when I noticed I was spotting again. I immediately left and told Adam what was going on. I went home and rested. I hadn’t experienced any more spotting until the next morning…it was happening again. And again I was alone. The kids were at school and Adam was working. I decided to clean. If I was going to be alone on this terrible, terrible day I was at least going to be productive. I was able to clean (angrily) for a good two hours before the agony hit. I lied down in the floor where I was and just lost it.
“Why was this happening when other women were having babies that didn’t want them?” “Why again?” “Was this punishment for past decisions?” I know all these questions were seeds of doubt placed in my mind by Satan, that maybe I was unworthy of God’s love and unworthy to have Him answer my prayers. I mourned again. This time more brief than the last. I had to move on and stop feeling sorry for myself. My family needed a wife and mother that was present and not couped up all the time. I went about life as usual except for one BIG thing…I was one angry Momma. Nobody really shares the nasty parts because quite honestly…it’s embarrassing. I may have been present, but most of the time I was not nice. I thought I was really good at masking it until one day, a couple of friends gently told me they could see how I had changed. They could see the anger and the hurt that had built up and they wanted me to know that they were there for me and praying for me. Boy, did that sting. If they could see it, who else could? I was so angry at God during this time that I hadn’t allowed myself to spend time in prayer an in His word, which were the only two things that were going to help me out of this pit. But how could I let go of this anger long enough to actually spend that time with Him? Pridefulness is something that I was struggling with. Why did I think I could be a better Momma than anyone else (especially the way I was acting at this point)? Why shouldn’t I have things to struggle with in this life? Don’t they make you stronger? Aren’t the trials we struggle through the things that build endurance? Why would I think that God, who is Master and Creator, the Saver of my soul, would want to punish me for the things He has already wiped clean? He wouldn’t. He is a Good and Sovereign God that knows my needs and my family’s needs more than I do. He is in control. Let go of the reigns control freak, and let God do His thing!
In early June, we found out we were expecting again. Unfortunately, as soon as I found out I began to allow Satan to steal my joy again. But this time, there was a kind friend that reminded me of the aforementioned Good God we serve, and how much more mighty He is than the thief of my joy. I was still apprehensive and this time we literally told a handful of people. I began hoping for weeks. At the 12 week mark we should be safe…At the 20 week mark we are halfway…At 27 weeks he would be viable…at 30 weeks we are in the home stretch. Within those last few weeks Satan was trying his hardest to try and steal back the joy he once held onto so tightly. “What if something happens to him in the womb and I don’t notice till it’s too late?” “What if something happens during labor and delivery?” “What if everything goes smoothly, but when I get him home and something happens in his sleep?” NOPE…Not today Satan. God is in control, not you OR me…so back off! On March 1st in the weeeeeeeeeeeeee hours of the morning…3:09 AM to be exact. Grant Collier Bryant came into the world, as happy and healthy as could be. You better believe I was praising the Lord after all we had gone through. To see the joy in Adam’s eyes when he saw his newest baby boy was so warming! I know that even as he had to be strong for me during all the pain of the past year and a half, he had felt the losses too. To say we were grateful for this beautiful and precious gift would be an understatement. Grant is our Rainbow Baby. The rainbow that comes after the storm and rain.
To see Makenzie’s at home maternity session, click on the following link: VIEW THE POST
Last fall, when I first made the announcement that I would be resuming my photography business, I got a message from Mary…
“I’m so happy and excited for you getting back into photography! Please keep me posted on how everything works. Would love for you to do another newborn session for us in March :)”
and my response…
“OH. MY. GOSH!!!! So excited for y’all!”
I can’t even explain how affirming it is to me as a newborn photographer when amazing clients come back to me when they have another baby. Corrine was such a joy to photograph during her first year and some of my all time favorite photos came from her first year baby package sessions. I have no doubt that I will feel the same way after Rhett’s first year too.
Another reason I love working with this family is their HOUSE! Mary has such great taste when it comes to putting together nurseries. I know I gushed over every detail of Corrine’s nursery when I first saw it. I was anxious to see Rhett’s nursery since they weren’t finding out the gender ahead of time. Let me just tell you, it is PERFECT. I love all the tones that were used and the sweet animal prints above the crib! I want them for my own house! This sweet gender neutral nursery just screams to be in a magazine somewhere. It’s just so cozy and warm.
During this session, it was also important that we took time to take some photos of just Corrine. Lifestyle newborn sessions are a great time to also get updated photos of the big kids too! I just love the playful photos that we were able to get. Corrine’s bedroom gets a ton of natural light which makes for some beautiful and timeless images. If you love the idea of a lifestyle newborn photography session, please make sure that your photographer is going to plan on getting other special family photos too.
To see all of the images from this lifestyle newborn photography session, just click on this link : Rhett | newborn
To see a beautiful newborn baby girl session, just click here: Sadie James | lifestyle newborn session
And here is Corrine’s newborn session : Corrine | newborn photography session
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Oh how I love this latest newborn session! Miss Sadie James was the BEST sleeper during this session and she just let me pose her and love on her throughout her entire session. This at-home newborn photography session is going to be one of my all-time favorites. I just love how Kathryn decorated the nursery with pale pinks, peaches, and gold tones. I really think her beautiful nursery should be in a magazine and I seriously want to steal that huge dream catcher for my own house!!
Something that I love about being a lifestyle newborn photographer is that there is no schedule to the session. We go with the flow. If older brother doesn’t want his picture taken right that minute, we wait – we get other photos while he warms up to me and gets in the mood to have his photo taken with his new baby sister. I really try to let parents know that their newborn session does not have to be stressful. Also, something will go wrong – it ALWAYS does. Especially when you also have other children who are younger. And as you will see below, we were able to get some oh so sweet photos with older brother
Photography below by J. Photography located in Clarksville, Tn and serving Nashville and the Middle Tennessee areas.
If you would like to see all of the photos from Miss Sadie James’s newborn session, just click on this link: Sadie James | Newborn
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I’m so glad that I got to take sweet Fenn’s 12 month photos. We kept getting delayed by weather so I was afraid he was going to be 2 by the time we got to take photos! One of these days, we are going to build me a studio so that I don’t have to worry about this stupid Tennessee weather. Oh how a girl can dream! I do think that these turned out so so cute. The photos of Fenn with his sister are so adorable. I hate that he was in a weird mood and wouldn’t let his momma hold him for a few photos. It was almost comical how he would freak out anytime she tried to get a photo with him ….(and you can maybe see a photo or two of a freak out if you click on the full gallery link)
To see all the photos from this session, just click on this link: Fenn is ONE
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One of the best things about a photograph is that it can take you right back to a moment in time –– right back to the love and joy you felt when that image was taken. My goal is to freeze all those beautiful moments, whether it's welcoming a brand-new baby or capturing the love and connection of your family. During sessions, I am the ultimate tickle monster, giggle maker, and baby whisperer. My family sessions are play-based and fun, while my newborn sessions are gentle and relaxed, allowing for sweet, natural moments to unfold. No matter the occasion, I always strive to capture you authentically.
ALL ABOUT Jac
