Cate Connery Bury
Cate Connery Bury
Photographic Portrait Artist
Photographic Portrait Artist
Your Family in Your Favorite Place
Nashville Outdoor Family Portrait Experience
The Heirloom Portrait Experience is an elevated outdoor experience designed for families who want something polished without feeling stiff. Warmth, belonging, and a pride you can feel reflected back to you.
Heirloom
Outdoor Portrait
Experience
For the years you
don’t want to
rush past.
Space to pause, breathe,
and honor this season
of your family.
Raising Grounded, Confident Teens
A Guide for Mothers Navigating the High School Years with Intention
Ways to Get Outside and Be Together in Nashville and Middle Tennessee
A thoughtfully curated guide for families in full seasons of life who want meaningful time together without adding more to their plates.
Life is Full Right Now
At some point, you realize the way your family needs you is changing. Not all at once, but enough that you can feel it.
Days move quickly. Schedules overlap. Evenings feel more like logistics than pause. You are present for your family, but rarely still long enough to take it all in.
You've poured years into being the steady center, and it's easy to lose yourself in the roles that keep everyone else supported. You notice time passing in quiet ways. A birthday that lands differently than the last. A child who suddenly looks older. A season that no longer feels endless.
You want to honor this chapter, but finding the space feels hard. Planning something meaningful can feel like one more thing to manage. There is always the question of whether it will bring connection or just more pressure.
So you wait. You tell yourself next year will be easier. You choose convenient options that check a box but never quite reflect what this season feels like.
And when life finally gets quiet for a second, you're left with questions that feel tender and hard to name. Who are you, beyond what you do for everyone else? Did this part of our family story really get seen?
It is not that you are doing anything wrong. It is that this season deserves more than being rushed past. Because it shouldn't be this easy for the person who gives the most love to feel invisible in her own story.
Your family’s story holds depth, beauty, and significance.
I know that tender in-between when your family is still right here, but the shape of it is changing. You're proud of what you've built, and you're also wondering where you fit when you're not needed in the same way. That feeling is exactly why I do this work.
I understand this season because I live it too. As a mom of three, I know how full and fast-moving family life can be. Days stack up quickly. Schedules overlap. Even the moments that matter most are often happening in between everything else. I believe moms deserve to value the precious work they've been doing all these years, especially when the world does not always notice the quiet daily devotion that holds a family together.
Families come to me not because life is falling apart, but because it is full. They are doing their best to show up, to stay present, and to hold onto what matters while everything keeps moving. I've walked through that shift in my own home, and I've also guided families who want something refined and meaningful, without it ever feeling stiff or performative.
I believe this chapter deserves to be honored gently and without pressure. My role is to create a calm, guided outdoor experience that allows you to slow down and simply be together. Nothing forced. Nothing rushed. Just space for connection to surface naturally.
I take the time to understand what matters most to you and what this season feels like from the inside. From there, I guide you with care, creating artwork that reflects the love, effort, and presence shaping your family right now.
When we work together, you get to exhale. You'll be cared for, guided, and celebrated. And the result is not just something you see once. It becomes a steady reminder in your home that this season mattered, that you showed up for it fully, and that you know who you are beyond your roles.
About Cate
Hi, I’m Cate, and I’m a mom of three, based in Nashville, TN. One of my kids has already graduated and left for college, so I know exactly what you’re feeling when you’re standing in that in-between place.
You’re proud, and you’re watching things change fast. You’ve poured years of your life into this family, and now you’re starting to wonder what’s next for you, and where all that energy and love is supposed to go.
I believe moms deserve to value the precious work they’ve been doing all these years, raising these beautiful humans, especially when the world doesn’t always see the quiet daily work of motherhood. So much of what you’ve done has been behind the scenes. It’s steady. It’s constant. It’s real. And it matters.
That’s why I create a Family Portrait Experience for moms of teens, especially when one is on the cusp of graduating. From our first phone call, I want you to feel seen and celebrated. We’ll plan it all together, location, clothing, and a clear plan for the finished commissioned portrait artwork, so you feel taken care of every step of the way.
In the end, you walk away feeling celebrated for the family you have built, with a custom framed Wall Art Collection that’s proudly displayed as daily evidence of what you’ve done.
If you’re in this chapter and you can feel the shift coming, I’d love to help you see what’s true. You built this. You did this. And whatever is next for you, you can be just as successful there, too.
Your family is a work of art, shaped by years of love and devotion — and your home deserves artwork that honors the beautiful life you’ve created.
We Make it Simple for You
Step 1
Begin with a
discovery Call
We start with a relaxed Discovery Call so you can tell me about your family, what you want this to feel like, and what matters most in this chapter. You’ll leave the call with clarity and a simple next step.
Step 2
Start With Intention
Next, we meet in person to plan everything with intention. We’ll choose the outdoor setting, dial in the overall look and feel, and pre-design the portrait artwork for your home so you know exactly what you’re creating before we begin.
Step 3
enjoy your Photographic experience
Then comes your outdoor Photographic Experience - elevated, guided, and designed to feel polished without being stiff. You get to show up, be cared for, and enjoy your people in a way that feels natural and composed.
Step 4
design your artwork and Feel Grounded Pride Every Day
Finally, we meet for your Design Consultation to finalize your portrait artwork. And then, in the middle of real life, you feel it: every time you walk past it, you’re reminded that this love is real, what you built matters, and you are allowed to be proud.
Ready for something refined, warm, and unmistakably yours? Let’s talk through what you want this to feel like.
Ways to Get Outside and Be Together in Nashville and Middle Tennessee
A thoughtfully curated guide for families in full seasons of life who want meaningful time together without adding more to their plates.
Your home is beautiful, but what you want is deeper than beautiful.
You want to feel the truth of what you've built, reflected back with warmth and intention. There is a particular kind of peace that comes from seeing your life with that level of honesty. It settles you. It steadies you.
Each piece is thoughtfully styled and composed, set within the beauty of the outdoors, and created to feel refined rather than rushed. When you see the artwork in your home, it brings a sense of order and calm to the movement of daily life. It reminds you that this season was not only lived, but honored with care.
You feel proud in a quiet, grounded way. Not because everything is perfect, but because it is real. A steady reassurance that the years you are in right now were worthy of being marked beautifully.
This artwork does not compete with the pace of life. It anchors you within it. And with that steadiness, you move forward knowing you are more than your roles, and you are fully capable of creating what comes next.
Life will keep moving quickly. Milestones will come and go. Seasons will shift. And it will be easy to tell yourself there will be time later to slow down and mark what matters.
Without intention, this chapter risks blending into the next. Not because it lacked meaning, but because it was never paused long enough to be honored. This experience exists so that does not happen.
You do not need more noise, more effort, or more things on your calendar. You need a steadiness you can return to.
If you have been telling yourself you will do this when life calms down, consider this your permission to stop waiting. You are allowed to make room for what matters.
Schedule your Discovery Call, and let's talk through what you want this to feel like.
Testimonials
Mirella Neely
Cate is a talented photographer and a joy to work with! The photo sessions were relaxing and fun. Cate was knowledgable about the best places for photos and captured the beautiful light of the sunset. The photos are stunning!
Julie Fette
Cate created such a meaningful experience for our daughter. The session was so much more than photos—it was about making her feel seen, heard, and celebrated for who she is. The portraits are beautiful, and every detail reflects her personality.
Sylvia Braden
Cate is great to work with! Her personality and professionalism make it easy to get BEAUTIFUL shots without stress.
Heirloom · Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started & Booking
How far in advance should we schedule our family experience?
Ideally, as soon as you know the season you want—especially for peak fall and spring dates.
What sets this experience apart is that it’s not rushed or last-minute; it’s designed to feel polished without being stiff, and that takes a little intentional planning.
Most families schedule 4–8 weeks out so we have time to choose the right location, talk through what you want this to feel like, and make sure the date works well for kids’ rhythms (and for partners who don’t love having their portrait taken).
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and we’ll choose a date and season that fits your family’s real life.
Where does the experience take place—do you come to us?
Yes—these are outdoor-only experiences, and we’ll choose a location that fits your family and the look you want. Many families choose to do this right in their own beautiful yard, especially if home is part of the story you want to see on your walls.
Unlike a one-size-fits-all portrait experience, this is designed around your favorite place—a meaningful spot, a property you love, or a location that feels like “you.”
Clients choose this because it creates portraits that feel true and lived-in, with space for kids to move and connection to happen naturally. I’m based in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, and travel is available (including destination experiences).
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and tell me what kind of setting feels most like your family.
What makes your family portrait experience different?
The difference is how it feels: refined and warm, guided and composed—without forcing anyone into stiff posing.
I know many families worry their partner will hate this or their kids won’t cooperate. This experience is built for that reality. I’ll guide you clearly, keep things moving, and create space for real connection so the portraits feel like you, just elevated.
Time and again, clients tell me the biggest surprise is how calm it feels—and how much they love seeing their family reflected back with that kind of honest pride.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call so I can learn what you want this to feel like in your home.
Do we need to be perfectly coordinated or posed?hat happens during the Discovery Call?
It’s a relaxed conversation where we talk through your family, your season of life, and what you want your portraits to say.
The real value of the call is clarity—so you don’t have to figure out locations, timing, or how to get everyone on board by yourself. We’ll talk about your vision, how you want to display your artwork at home, and the next step if it feels like a fit.
This is perfect for someone who wants something meaningful and elevated, but also wants it to feel easy and well-held.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call, and we’ll map out a simple plan together.
Before Your Experience
What should we wear for our family portrait experience?
You don’t have to figure this out alone—we’ll talk through styling during your in-person planning meeting.
What clients love most is that we’re not aiming for “matching outfits” or something that feels costume-y. We’re creating a refined, cohesive look that still feels like your real life—polished without being stiff.
We’ll discuss colors, textures, and how everything will work together (including what photographs beautifully outdoors and what helps everyone feel comfortable and confident). If you’re dressing toddlers, teens, or a partner who wants it simple, I’ll guide you with clear options.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call, and we’ll start mapping out the look and feel for your family.
How much time should we allow for the experience?
Most families should plan for about 60–90 minutes of photography time outdoors.
The reason clients choose this is because it’s long enough to settle in and get both guided portraits and natural connection—without dragging on until kids (or adults) are done.
We’ll choose a start time that works with light and your family’s rhythms—whether that’s littles who melt down after dinner or teens who need a little warm-up time to feel like themselves.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and we’ll choose a time that makes this feel easy, not like a marathon.
Can we include our dog (or pet) in the portraits?
Yes—if your four-legged family member is part of your everyday life, they belong here too.
What sets this apart is that we’ll plan it so it feels refined and natural, not chaotic or gimmicky. During your in-person planning meeting, we’ll talk through the best way to include your pet (timing, who holds the lead, and what to bring) so it stays easy and polished without feeling staged.
And if you’re wondering about the practical side: we can keep things moving quickly, build in breaks, and create a plan that works whether your dog is calm, curious, or a little unpredictable.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and tell me about your pet’s personality—then we’ll plan a smooth, elevated way to include them.
What if we need to reschedule (or the weather doesn’t cooperate)?
It’s normal to wonder about this with outdoor-only experiences—weather and real life happen.
What makes this different is that we plan with intention, and we also build in flexibility so you don’t feel like you’re holding your breath all week. If the forecast truly isn’t workable, we’ll make a calm call and move to the next best option.
If someone gets sick or life throws a curveball, we’ll handle it with the same steady guidance—so you still end up with portraits you love, not a stressful story.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll walk you through how rescheduling works for your season and your calendar.
After Your Experience & Artwork
When will we see our portraits?
You’ll see your portraits at your Design Consultation, scheduled after your outdoor experience.
What sets this apart is that you’re not left with a gallery link and a decision spiral. This is designed to feel calm and guided—so you can choose what you love with confidence and create artwork that actually lives in your home.
We’ll set your Design Consultation date in advance so you already know what’s coming next, and you can stay present during the experience itself.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and we’ll map out your dates from start to finish.
How does the ordering / Design Consultation process work?
Your Design Consultation happens in my studio, and Zoom is available by request.
The real value of this meeting is clarity and confidence. In the studio, you’ll be able to see sample artwork and we’ll walk through your portraits together in a calm, guided way—so you’re not trying to make big decisions alone on your phone late at night.
Clients choose this because it turns “we should print these someday” into finished artwork that feels like a steady, daily reminder of what you’ve built.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and we’ll choose the best Design Consultation option for your family.
What products do you offer?
Most families choose custom wall art designed for the spaces you walk past every day—because that’s where the steadiness lives.
What makes this different is that we plan your artwork early (during your planning meeting) and then finalize it after you’ve seen your portraits, so what you purchase is intentional—not impulsive. In addition to wall art, I also offer albums and heirloom portrait boxes for families who want a tactile way to hold the whole story.
Time and again, clients say the finished artwork is what changes everything: it’s not one more thing on a hard drive—it’s daily proof of belonging and a pride you can feel.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and we’ll talk through what you want to live on your walls (and what you want to hold in your hands).
What if we don’t want our portraits shared on social media?
That’s completely okay—your privacy matters, and you’re always in control of what’s shared.
Unlike businesses that assume everything is content, I treat your family’s portraits as personal. We’ll talk through your preferences and honor them, whether that’s “share nothing,” “share only without names,” or “ask me each time.”
This experience is perfect for someone who wants something meaningful and elevated, while still keeping their family life protected.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and you can tell me what level of privacy feels right for you.
Investment & Value
What is the investment?
The initial investment is $1,100, and $800 of that is reserved for your artwork purchase.
The real value of this experience is that you’re not just paying for time outdoors—you’re reating finished portrait artwork that becomes a steady, daily reminder of what you’ve built.
After the experience, you’ll choose your artwork at your Design Consultation (studio, or Zoom by request). Wall artwork starts at $2,400. Albums and heirloom portrait boxes start at $3,300.
All wall artwork comes framed and ready to hang—and pricing is inclusive of the framing. I work closely with a local custom framer to make sure the frame fits the feel of your home, from traditional and elegant to modern and elevated.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll help you understand what makes the most sense for your home.
What is included in the experience fee?
Your $1,100 initial investment includes the guided planning and the outdoor portrait experience itself—and it includes $800 reserved toward your artwork purchase.
What sets this apart is that we’re designing with intention from the beginning, so you’re not guessing what to wear, where to go, or what you’ll do with your portraits afterward.
You’ll also have a Design Consultation to choose your finished artwork, with clear guidance so you can decide confidently.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and we’ll talk through what you want to create for your walls.
Do we get all the digital files?
Digital files are included only for the portraits you purchase in print—you’ll receive the corresponding digital file(s) for any artwork you order. Digital files are not sold separately.
What sets this apart is that the experience is designed around finished artwork for your home, not a giant download you have to sort through later. We’ll choose your favorites together during the Design Consultation, and you’ll leave knowing your portraits will actually live in your life—on your walls, in an album, or in an heirloom box.
If you’re wanting digital files for sharing with family, this approach keeps it simple: you’ll have the files that match the portraits you loved enough to make tangible.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll help you understand how artwork ordering and corresponding digital files work.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, payment plans are available.
Clients choose this because it lets you create the artwork you truly want—without feeling like you have to rush decisions or scale back to something that doesn’t fit your home.
We’ll keep it simple and clear, and we’ll talk through what feels comfortable for your family.
Next step: Schedule a Discovery Call and I’ll walk you through the payment plan options.
Still have questions?
You are always welcome to begin with a Discovery Call. It is simply a conversation — a chance to talk through where your family is right now and whether this experience feels like the right way to honor it.
2023 Ph0totgrapher of the Year
