Best of 2017 | A Year In Review | The Hatches - Tennessee Wedding & Elopement Photographers

@thehatchesphoto - 2017 Best Nine - Instagram

Where do we even begin? 

It's that time of the year where we reflect on our past year and reminisce on our memories. I don't know if many other photographers felt this way, but I had this overwhelming feeling, that I really didn't do much this year. (I know call me crazy, I was always somewhere doing something) I don't know why I was stuck in this mindset but I'm glad I got stuck there because it pushed me to start going through all of my images from 2017 and prove myself wrong. 

Well that was a mistake. Not a mistake as in that I couldn't prove myself wrong, (because I surely did) but a mistake as in - "shit, how am I going to narrow this down?"

I didn't get all of my stats together this year like I did last year with how many states we visited and how many weddings we shot and yadda yadda because, if we're being honest, the only people who genuinely are interested in that are other photographers so they can figure out how to "one-up" someone else.

JK. (only half kidding) LOL

This year we focused on feelings, emotion and how to sustain images that make you feel like you were there. We really wanted to put into perspective how intimacy meant more than something sexual, but being completely vulnerable with your partner in a way where empathy and adoration poured from your body language. Judging by the images below, i think we did a pretty good job. 

Our main goal was to find ourselves in our work. Meaning : to become what we wanted our images to interpret. Romantic, Fleeting, Intimate and Adventurous. Marriage is a commitment and a journey within itself, just embrace it. 

One of our biggest accomplishments in 2017 (besides bringing our 3rd baby boy into the world) was The Real Workshop. My dear friend, Elizabeth Hoard and I had the chance at hosting our own wedding workshop back in August of 2017. We held it at Petit Jean State Park with 9 incredible speakers, 50 new and established photographers and a rugged trek to a waterfall while 8 and 1/2 months pregnant. Didn't really think that last one through. But we made it out alive. Barely.

I'm not going to sell you on why we started this workshop or how we came across the idea but if you are interested, click the link above and read allllll about it.

We danced, laughed, ate, traveled and saw more this year than we ever have. We learned from mistakes and we broke new grounds. We couldn't be more grateful for 2017 than we already are. Especially, with the amazing clients and new friends it brought us. 

We have SO much to look forward to in 2018. Here's to this past year and all of its glory.

*cheers*

A Rainy Intimate Backyard Wedding | Lauren and Jon | Kentucky | The Hatches Wedding and Elopement Photography

LAUREN + JON AUTRY

Where do I even begin with this couple? Lauren and Jon have the type of love they write books about. Jon was attending a small town festival and Lauren was on her way when she was told there was someone she HAD to meet. 
When they met, it was as if everything had fallen into place in that exact moment. They instantly became enthralled with each other. 

"then we were we" - Lauren Crowder

Lauren is a singer from Nashville and wrote that lyric about their life together. She had it engraved in Jon's ring for their wedding day. 

Their love was ethereal from the day they met. And it continued to grow in that aspect as they decided to become one. They spent their wedding day with their closest family and friends on Jon's family farm in Central City, Kentucky. The property was insanely beautiful and held so much sentimental meaning to both Lauren and Jon. 

Hurricane Nate was brewing the week of their wedding and graced his presence later into the night but the rain held off long enough for their ceremony. Tents went up just in case the rain snuck in. Their ceremony was meaningful and invested. Their vows to each other created this ambience of romance and intimacy that sent goosebumps down your spine. Lauren entered on a horse drawn carriage just after dark. The ceremony was supposed to take place right at sunset but with the storm clouds and scattered rain, it was pushed back just a bit. Honestly, it felt even more surreal to have it in the dark. So romantic.

The details from this wedding were impeccable! Jon had custom made feather bow ties from over seas made just for his groomsmen and Lauren gave each of her bridesmaids a special broach that reminded her of them. Their plates for reception were all distinctive and vintage yet subtle and intricate. Lauren had stephanotis flowers in her hair and laid out in various places throughout their wedding venue because it was the flower that meant "marital bliss". Talk about putting some thought into the smallest details. *holds back tears*

They spent their reception under the tent, as the rain came pouring in. They even did their first dance as husband and wife in the rain. My heart was overjoyed at the closeness shared between them and their guests. Backyard weddings have a special place in my heart as they are more sentimental to the couple which always makes for those emotional images that make hearts skip beats. 

Jacob and I were so honored to have been chosen to photograph this affectionate wedding for Jon and Lauren. This is just a small preview from the day but we hope you enjoy!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Autry. <3

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A Cozy Lighthearted Fall Engagement | Payton and Canaan | Memphis Tennessee | The Hatches Wedding and Elopement Photography

PAYTON + CANAAN

I first met Payton when she helped me with a Prom Photoshoot and was one of my models that attended. We then met up again at my cotton sessions I held one fall. Naturally when she got engaged to Canaan a little while later, she reached out to me again about their wedding! I was beyond honored that she decided to come back and work with me because she was so incredibly sweet and so much fun to work with. 

We talked about their engagement and their engagement shoot and their upcoming wedding in November. Which we are SO thrilled to be a part of!

I didn't realize how much time has passed and I got excited all over again, when I noticed it was October. I went back to the day of their session with me and just smiled from ear to ear as I remembered how much we laughed this day. 
The weather was perfect and we made the most of that cloudy morning by cozying under my trusty ole blanket. (it's my fave blanket, ever)

Payton and Canaan are two of the sweetest souls. She sends me cards, notes and little gifts in the mail. The most recent being the cutest freaking onesies I've ever seen for our newest little Hatchling, Forrest Gabriel, that we welcomed to our little family back in September. Payton has always been so thoughtful towards me and my family and I appreciate her beyond words for that. <3

I loved the laughter and cozy moments as we went through their engagement session, and we got a ton of them. They are so precious together and their love radiated in each photograph. We cannot wait for their wedding next month as it quickly approaches. 

I had a hard time narrowing them down but here are some of my favorites. Congratulations you two! 

<3

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A Waterfall Engagement | Rock Island State Park | Tennessee | The Hatches Wedding + Elopement Photography

ALISHA & SPENCER

Intimate Waterfall Engagement Session at Rock Island State Park

First of all, I have to give a HUGE shout out to Kaila Lassey from Klassey Productions for introducing Alisha to me. THANK YOU. 

Alisha and I met at Barista Parlor in Nashville over some delish coffee and got to know each other a little better after emailing back and forth for a while. Needless to say, within the first 10 minutes, I was obsessed with her and Spencer's relationship. Dreamy McDreamboat. Mostly I just wanted her hair. 

We talked about everything! Interests, hobbies, favorite wedding details, her dress, her venue, Spencer's family, her job and of course, her videographers... Kaila and Jay. Whom just so happen to be our very best friends. 

Fast forward to a couple months later when we all decided to get together so that Kaila and Jay could film their Love Story. (If you don't know what a Love Story is, hire Kaila and Jay and you WON'T be disappointed) We decided on Rock Island State Park because DUH, look at that waterfall!

As Klassey Productions filmed the ever flowing beauty that was radiating from Alisha and Spencer, Jacob and I were steadily documenting the still moments. Alisha and Spencer dove right into their feelings for each other and gave us some of the most inspirational images we could have gotten in a short amount of time (it was HOT). Their chemistry was one for the books. We were so in love with the romanticism that was pouring from their bodies. 

UGH be still my heart. One thing I love the most about my job, is the different stories that come from each couple that we work with. No two stories or couples are ever the same. And that is something that blows me away every time I work with someone. I am a hopeless romantic, so getting couples who are just as hopeless as I am, make me squeal with excitement.

We are so honored to be with Alisha and Spencer on their wedding day at Mint Springs Farm in Nashville, Tn this fall. Even MORE honored that we get to work alongside Klassey Productions.
CONGRATS YOU TWO. 

Here are some of our faves from their Love Story! (Also, be sure to check out their video below!)

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