The Vance Family {Nashville Dog Photographer}

July 18, 2024 Heather Nelms

Say hello to the Vance Family: Ben, Tiara and their sweet twins Wiley and John. The boys are both five years old just like my Liam! Ben's sister Katie got them a gift certificate for Christmas for a session with me (gift certificates are always available for purchase!). The Vance’s invited me to come to their home to take some family photos with their sweet old pup Sawyer. He is 14 and doesn't travel too well these days.

Sawyer is a mixed breed and the family likes to call him a “Tennessee Brown Dog”, and whatever his mix is has given him the best personality! When asked how the Sawyer got his name, Ben said “When Tiara and I were first dating, we watched the show LOST together – he's named after Sawyer on that show because he's handsome and a little bit sneaky sometimes.” I can relate to that as our Don Draper was named while we were watching Mad Men, and he was very handsome and a little neurotic.

Sawyer loves his sleep time and sitting outside and dislikes bathing more than anything. Ben and Tiara really love that he has always had the most gentle and patient disposition when it comes to children.

The Vance’s rescued Sawyer off of petfinder.com. A random lady had picked up their handsome pup as a stray and posted it on the website. No organization to credit, but I am sure The Vance’s are thanking that lady for saving this sweet dog.

Below are some of my favorite pictures from their session.

~Mandy

Bring your pets to your family photo session!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

The Taylor Family {Nashville Dog Photographer}

March 27, 2024 Heather Nelms

Meet the Taylor family on the blog this week! The Taylors became good friends last year when their little boy, Oliver, and Liam became buddies while playing T-ball together. I was so happy to get to photograph them with their sweet pup Henry.

Henry is an English Springer Spaniel and was about seven months old when these pictures were taken. Henry got his name after a king of England. The Taylor family decided they wanted an English name for their new pup because Rob is English. Also, their last pup was an English springer spaniel named Louis, after King Louis, so we kept with the tradition of an English King name.

Henry loves taking rides with in the car, especially because he definitely does not like it when he is left home by himself. He REALLY likes having his ears rubbed.

Jodee loves this breed of dog because they love people and other animals. “They are so sweet and kind and very playful and very loyal”. And they love to cuddle, which Jodee loves so much. “He will just sit in my lap and cuddle.” Oliver’s favorite thing about Henry is that he is always giving Oliver kisses and hugs. Jodee’s favorite thing about Henry is how he follows her around, makes her feel loved, his sweet face and all his wonderful markings on his legs. For Rob, it is how he snores. I think this dog has found the perfect family!

The leash and harness we used for the shots are from The Oxford Dog, a family-owned business that makes durable and fashionable dog leashes and collars. Hope you enjoy my favorite pics of our friends!

~Mandy

family in fall with english springer spanial

child laying on wooden bridge with dad and dog behind him

boy with english springer spaniel in fall

man on bridge with english springer spaniel

Bring Your Pet to Your Family Photo Session!

Jen, Vanessa and their Pets {Nashville Pet Photography}

February 15, 2024 Heather Nelms

Meet Jen and Vanessa with their pet crew on the blog today! This fun winter session was taken at their beautiful home in Thompson’s Station. Jen and Vanessa have three dogs (all golden retrievers) and one cat who is possibly part ragdoll, and is a rescue from the humane society in Fort Lauderdale.

The three sweet pups are named Beaux, Rye, and Hank. Beaux is 12 years old and got his name as a play on LSU’s mascot, the tiger, which people often say “Geaux (Go) Tigers”. Side note, Vanessa played softball at LSU and is a HUGE LSU sports fan…so it’s fitting! Rye is two years old and is named after the couple’s mutual love for Rye Bourbon. The cat’s name is Mason and he is seven years old. Both Hank (three years old) and Mason (their cat) seemed like the perfect southern gentlemen names.

When I asked what Jen and Vanessa what their pet family loved the most and liked the least, their response for each were as follows:

Beaux: Most - ALL Food. Least - Baths.

Hank: Most - His Girlfriend Maisy, the neighbor’s dog who he runs the fence line with. Least: wearing sweaters.

Rye: Most - Affection from his moms. Least - being left alone.

Mason: most - wet food snacks. Least - his brothers barking!

I also asked the couple what their favorite things about their pets were: “Collectively, we love the joy our animals bring us. They make us smile and laugh and feel loved every single day.”

Individually they loved the following:

Beaux was their old faithful, predictable and chill in his old age.

Hank - is connected to them in the SOUL! They both believe Hank has some of their dog, Charlie, reincarnated in him. (He also gets away with the most)!

Rye - is their “love bug”, by far the sweetest and neediest boy they have.

Mason - a typical cat, only wants love on his own terms, but when he does it’s so genuine, it always makes us laugh.

The couple love the golden retriever dog breed because “they are so sweet and needy!” They love having them veg on the couch with them, but the dogs are also always up for adventures. “We love that what they want most in life is to be close to their people.” Hank and Rye are both rescued from Adopt a Golden Nashville.

I hope you enjoy all the sweet photos I got of this family!

~Mandy

two women with two golden retrievers sitting on their porch