Welcome to the 

blog!

Hey, I'm Alyssa. A Chattanooga photographer. Systems strategist. Boy mom. Recovering perfectionist (mostly with chai lattes and deep breaths).

Around here, you'll find messages from the heart, tools + resources that actually move the needle (no fluff), and — if you're a Chattanooga local — the guides and roundups I keep coming back to for my own family.

Grab a coffee (or a chai, like me). Dig in. So glad you're here!

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If you follow my work at all, you know by now how much I like to write a little somethin’ somethin’ about my clients. One of the most fun parts of my job is forming genuine friendships with my clients. This blog post is a little extra special, because it’s about my sissy and our […]

Ooltewah Sunflower Photos

This month I’m hosting Sunflower Mini Sessions at one of my favorite seasonal locations—Smith-Perry Berries. So, I thought it’d only make sense to feature them, especially for anyone who may love the fun seasonal photo opportunities they offer throughout the year! A portrait session or wedding day is a big deal. Shouldn’t it be fun? […]

Smith-Perry Berries Farm

Since I met the Wagner family, Max’s sweet nature and gorgeous blue eyes had me itching to photograph him. I’m so excited that it finally happened! What a fun way to celebrate his second birthday with a construction site photoshoot! Jennifer coordinated a spectacular construction-themed party where Max was gifted a CAT V6 Quad ride. […]

Construction Site Photoshoot

Senior sessions are a joy to photograph because it reminds me of some of my favorite times in life when I wasn’t “adulting” quite yet, my clothes fit perfectly, and I felt like I could take on the world. 🙂 Photographing Madi’s Senior Session was no different, such a joy. In fact, when I was […]

Lee Campus Senior Photos

I adored this mommy & me session in Apison TN! I first met Sara & Abby during my pregnancy when I was trying to meet other local, first-time mommies. I started a “PJ Date” group with a few mommies I already knew. We met once a month in our pjs, with unwashed hair and teeth, […]

Apison TN Family Photos

For his 2nd birthday, we decided to include almost all of Jameson’s favorite things—Chattanooga’s famous Coolidge carousel, “ooo-ooo-ah-ah,” bubbles, blocks, Pout Pout Fish, “‘raffe,” a ball, and, of course, Mickey. I’m unashamed to admit that I probably had just as much fun as Jameson! It’s NO FUN for anyone when a photographer expects a kid […]

Birthday Photos at Coolidge Carousel

As if the last calendar year hasn’t been exciting enough with Beckett’s arrival…WE’RE MOVING! Don’t get too worked up, we’ll still be in the Chattanooga area. 🙂 This is such bittersweet news. Lots has changed—jobs, career paths, adding a baby (who also has some rather pricey medical needs), our property taxes have more than doubled […]

We’re Moving!

sleep training tips, resources, and product recommendations for the baby who won't sleep

Friend, sleep training’s such a hard topic. I’ve always loved my sleep. I don’t feel good unless I get 9-10 hours. Naturally, my firstborn decided it would be fun to be a HORRIBLE sleeper. UGH! But since nine-weeks-old Beckett self-soothes to sleep. We don’t spend hours rocking or playing paci-pong. We lay him down wide […]

Sleep Training Tips, Resources, and Help for the Baby Who Won’t Sleep

In a previous post I shared why Jimmy, Beckett, and I have all earned our 12-hours of sleep each night, the resources that helped get us there, and probably FAR too much insight into my Type A personality. 🙂 One of the formal sleep training methods I mentioned was the Ferber Method. I believe this […]

Sleep Training with the Ferber Method

2018 was a HUGE year for me! It was the year of all-things-Beckett James and rebranding. Here’s a really quick recap of my year: I started the year finding out that I was pregnant with Becks (shameless mommy plug for you to visit his latest blog post!). Shot the entire year’s sessions pregnant! This was […]

Best of 2018

January 17, 2018, was the day that every part of me and my world changed. After a few weeks of anxious waiting, and a negative home pregnancy test just two days before, I found out I was going to be a mommy. After wondering all my life how I would react when this day came, […]

Pregnancy Journey with Beckett James

Can I share something exciting with you?! I completed Phase III of my rebranding project FOUR MONTHS EARLY! What?! God’s given me a different kind of laser focus during these last few weeks of pregnancy, and pregnancy insomnia’s real ya’ll. Initially, I planned to complete this during “Baby Leave,” while Beckett naps or Jimmy takes […]

Rebranding Phase III: Blog Site Launch