Photographing Quints

Episode 4 // TLC's Hodges Half Dozen Featured Photographer

As I mentioned in my last  blog post  about my five favorite babies, the Hodges have been in front of my camera as long as I've had one.   So when Liz and Daniel found out they were pregnant with quints they asked if I'd take their photos.  Let's do a brief run down of a few of my anxieties on this topic:

1) FIVE BABIES
2) five babies
3) 5 babies
4) plus a toddler...
5) FIVE BABIES! 

Kidding aside, let's be real for a second.  I am a family photographer and I LOVE taking newborn photos but it is not something I do it as often as someone who has dedicated themselves to that industry alone.   I have never even taken photos of newborn twins never mind QUINTS.   We knew that these babies would likely be born preterm and have a long NICU stay which complicated the typical 2 week window you'd use photographing newborns.  Oh also, they have a TV show and will be filming this special occasion.   No pressure!  

I finally came to the peace-filled realization that God did not bring me to this point in my photography business to let me fall on my face on national TV.  The Hodges believed in me and were insistant that I do this for them and so I did.   I prayed mightily that God would bless this gift and talent He's given me to give my dear friends treasured photos of their amazing miracles.    Ultimately that's all that really matters.  

So here was the game plan: We prioritized shots and went for the quints, siblings with Rowan, each baby individually and then the family of 8.  To play it safe we planned swaddled basket shots.  To keep it simple we used only one set of wraps to minimize transitions and the same set up for the boys and a very similar set up for Teagan.  With Kelley, Donna, Daniel and Liz all there I knew we had plenty of capable hands and helpers.  And then we just prayed it would all come together! 

Just For Fun // How to Tell the Quints Apart

The Hodges get asked all the time if there are any twins in the mix.  Which is funny to me because they all look so different!   But there are still FIVE and it can be overwhelming just to remember their names.  After guessing and failing an embarrassing number of times...here are the memory tricks I use to tell the babies apart. 

TEAGAN >>>>

Too easy.  She's the only girl.   And always dressed girly-girl which makes it even easier.  She is the most petite in the group and to me has the most feminine features.

LIAM >>>>

"The Brows."  If you've got the whole bunch together, Teagan and Liam are the easiest to pick out.  Liam has a Long face (Liam-Long) and the eyebrows.   Also BROW has four letters and so does LIAM.

<<<< CONNELL

I think of the boys in pairs and to me, Connell and Liam go together because they both have long faces.  Connell - long name - long face.   But not the strong brow like Liam.  So long face but faint brows - that's Connell. 

DILLON  >>>>

Dillon I nicknamed Dilly-Bear.  Which I did long before I noticed his teddy bear like features.  Dillon has a round head, big sparkly eyes and ears that stick out just a little.  Like a teddy bear! 

<<<< NOLAN

If I'm going to get two mixed up it will be Nolan and Dillon because to me they look the most alike.  When they are not side by side or I don't get a good straight on view of them, it's 50/50 if I'll get it right.  Nolan looks a lot like Dillon because of his round head.  Like a baseball.  Nolan Ryan = Baseball. 

You can follow these sweet miracles on Facebook and Instagram  and I hope you'll watch their show on TLC on Tuesday at 10/9c   -   it replays on TLC's show page  or their app TLC Go. 

Hodges Half Dozen

TLC's Hodges Half Dozen // Family Photographer

Trust me, when I started taking this family's photos I never, ever dreamed I'd take their pictures as a family of 8!  

The Hodges moved in 3 houses down from us back in 2012.  Daniel was overseas before they got married and Liz had us picked out as potential new friends and began stalking us with their dog, Tyson.   We finally met, found out Daniel and Aaron were both Marines, and the rest is history.   Our friendship revolves around a love of all food, especially late night tacos, the mutual acceptance of our sweatpants, the sharing of inappropriate memes, and the  shared struggles and triumphs of infertility, pregnancy, and parenthood.     In 2016 we moved and then they moved and so now we find ourselves separated by a long drive down I-35 further complicated by our now combined 9 children (8 boys) under 5. But when we are together it's like no time has passed.   When you find the kind of friends that will shoulder the burden of grief, give sound counsel, pray with and for you, wash your laundry, and laugh with you when you could probably rather cry...hang on tight! These are our Hodges. 

Filling up the NV to go see the babies

So the Hodges were always willing guinea pigs as I began my photography business and I've taken their pregnancy announcements, maternity, birth, and newborn photos as well as family pics here and there.  While I've never photographed quints, they insisted I take their photos as I always have.    So you'll see me from time to time on their new TLC show Hodges Half Dozen - sometimes with my friend hat on and sometimes with my photographer's hat on.   

On Hodges Half Dozen // First Episode

If you caught the first episode (click the link to watch!) we did maternity photos, and the images during the birth were mine as well.   Some past images from their pregnancy/birth of Rowan were also mine.  It's pretty bizarre and neat to see my work on the TV.    Their show image is even one of my photos.  My images were also featured on this article   detailing their birth.

Hodges Half Dozen Quints are Born!

Just for fun I'll share some Hodges fun stories:

1. Their dog Tyson used to escape out their front door but we soon discovered he'd just run right to our house.  And we'd bring him back or just let him in.  He thinks he is best friends with our dog Gigi.  She does not reciprocate his adoration. 

2. Sharing our love of food we always have what we call a "Hodge Podge." We merge whatever is in our fridges to make a meal.   We are gold level experts at a big fatty breakfast.  Biscuits and gravy, hash browns, bacon and Liz's egg-grits.  

3. In our group text I'm known for texting too many messages, my husband is known for sharing videos/articles no one will watch or read, Daniel is always ready with his arsenal of memes, and thank goodness Liz finally did the update because the reaction button is her life right now since her hands are full of babies.

Our big boys enjoying a batman movie night

You can follow my dear friends on Facebook and Instagram  and I hope you'll watch their show on TLC on Tuesday at 10/9c   -   it replays on TLC's show page  24 hours later.