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

Emily Hatch January 10, 2018

@thehatchesphoto - 2017 Best Nine - Instagram

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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*

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A Playful Sunrise Anniversary Session | Shira + Wesley | The Hatches - Memphis Wedding Photographers

Emily Hatch November 13, 2016

A PLAYFUL SUNRISE ANNIVERSARY SESSION

SHIRA + WESLEY | MEMPHIS TENNESSEE

WOW. That's what I'm going to start with. Shira and Wesley were every photographer's DREAM to capture. From the moment they stepped out of their car to the very last frame, they lit up the world around them. When Shira smiled, Wesley smiled. When Wesley laughed, Shira laughed. I had never met a couple more in sync like these two.

They both, despite the freezing cold, had me laughing until my sides hurt. They were so... energetic and full of love and emotion for each other, I had VERY little direction to give them. I literally sat and soaked up every second of their relationship. And I have ZERO complaints.

Shira is also a photographer, Shira Marie Photography, so photographing them came as easy as their love for each other. Wesley admires Shira. You could see it in his face. And Shira adores Wesley, you can see it in her smile. I LOVE these two, I hope I get to photograph them again!

Here are some of my absolute faves, I hope you guys enjoy! <3

The Hatches | Sunrise Anniversary Session | Shira + Wesley | memphis-tennessee-sunrise-anniversary-session-marriage-intimate-fun-eccentric-bright-couples-romantic-adventurous-playful

A Moody and Adventurous Engagement | Fall Creek Falls | The Hatches - Memphis Tennessee Wedding Photographers

Emily Hatch November 10, 2016

A MOODY & ADVENTUROUS ENGAGEMENT

FALL CREEK FALLS

JEREMY + AMANDA

The Hatches | A Moody and Adventurous Engagement Session | Falls Creek Falls | Cookeville, Tennessee | Memphis Tennessee Elopement and Wedding Photographers | memphis-tennessee-elopement-and-wedding-photographer-fall-creek-falls-cookeville-utah-colo…

Jeremy + Amanda contacted us for an Adventure Session as their engagement session a few months ago and we immediately started looking for a new park to go explore. She sent me a few waterfall choices and we were totally in love with Fall Creek Falls in Cookeville, TN.

We got to know Jeremy + Amanda and they got to know us. We talked about hobbies, bands, movies and laughed at ourselves more than anything, we found out none of us are very coordinated when walking narrow trails haha.

We met at the suspension bridge and then proceeded to walk further into the woods. I tell you there is nothing better than a few walks in the woods. I say a few because we walked the same trail 3 times due to being unsure which way to go lol. Needless to say we always have fun on these types of sessions.

Locked away from cell phone service, we let Jeremy + Amanda take their time with each other and really embrace their love for each other. Its hard to narrow down when we get couples like J + A who make our job so easy. Here are some of our favorites from their session!!

Now.... let's schedule a movie night ;)

" I'VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ADVENTURES; SO I BEGIN TO WONDER, IF THAT'S WHY I'VE FALLEN FOR YOU."

An Affectionate Waterfall Engagement | Nathan & Allie | Petit Jean State Park | Wedding Photographers - The Hatches

Emily Hatch October 5, 2016

NATHAN & ALLIE

I will start this blog off by saying, my legs are STILL SORE. Although that could be argued with the fact that I'm always on a trail of some sort, hiking into some kind of wooded area.

We took separate vehicles and used Snapchat to fire questions back and forth to each other. We probably had the most fun with this. It helped us get Allie and Nathan's interests and hobbies and quirky little stories and helped them open up to us and really let us in on their love life.
Not in a "nosey" kind of way but in a way where we could all trust each other enough to get the emotions and vibes we were trying to pull from them.

"What is something that Nathan is stronger with where you are weaker?"

"What's your favorite thing to do on Sunday mornings?"

"What is something that you two are looking forward to on your wedding day?"

We were completely blown away at the chemistry between these two. The laughs, the talks, the movements, all of it, simply intimate. We didn't pay attention to time or the people around us, we were just living in the moment and connecting with new friends. I, for one, am SO excited for their spring wedding at the beautiful venue, Bonne Terre.

May can't come fast enough and we cannot wait to celebrate you guys ALL DAY as you take your next step into the adventure of marriage <3

Thank you both for allowing Jacob and I to invade your personal space and make some magic with ya ;)

The Hatches | Petit Jean State Park | Waterfall Engagement Session | Destination Wedding Photographers | petit-jean-state-park-engagement-session-moody-romantic-unique-adventurous-wedding-photographer

Embracing the Adventure of Marriage | Emily + Jacob Photography | Memphis, TN Wedding Photographer

Emily Hatch June 21, 2016

EMBRACING THE ADVENTURE OF MARRIAGE

By : Jacob & Emily Hatch

“I’m not interested in light little flings, skin-deep attractions, or long loveless marriages. With you, I only want raw, full-blooded connection, to share a bond full of passion and breathtaking adventure. After all, love is not a pastime, but a privilege.” - Beau Taplin

The journey into marriage is exactly as Jacob and I want to document it; an adventure. What better person to take on this remarkable and moving quest with, than your best friend.

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One of our favorite things to do when we have free time, is to explore. It doesn't matter where we go initially, we just want to see and see it together. It seems funny now, but it never fails that we wind up having a day to ourselves at just the right moments in life. We've both had an exhausting and trying last few weeks with life in general that we had began to close up and become frustrated with ourselves enough that it affected the other.

Marriage is hard, but marriage is worth it.

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Every single time we venture out together just to walk in silence side by side we find a new piece of ourselves falling in love all over again. The bond that we have when we dedicate our full attention on each other, is unlike any bond I've ever experienced. We've managed to discuss our future and things we were hesitant about. It's made for intriguing conversation and some hilarious stories to share with our kids and grandkids one day. We discovered new weaknesses and strengths. We found ourselves again. That one on one time with each other is so vital to your relationship. Yes we, as women, tend to need a little more attention than normal but men need it just as much, if not more.

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We can get so caught up in today's advantages such as social media, tv and internet that we tend to neglect those who matter more to us than how many likes we can get on a picture we posted. It's so easy to get distracted because it's all right there at your finger tips, but so are the hands of your partner.

Too often we take for granted the time we spend with our better half. We want to change that. We want to help you guys practice putting down the distractions in your life and get that connection between you two, back to its roots. What better way to connect than in the middle of nature?

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Our focus behind : Embracing the Adventure of Marriage is a self explanatory title. We want to encourage you and your partner in your adventure together along your journey from relationship to marriage. We want to reveal your story from within you and bring it to life in photographs that you could hang on your wall for your friends and family to enjoy every time they come by for a visit. And think about the stories YOU will tell from those images! We know how important it is to have that one on one time with your significant other because no one understands you better than them. We want to give you that one on one time.

We are offering a special session for our couples (married or not) in order to have that necessary bonding time with the love of your life. We call them; Adventure Sessions. You guys and Jacob and I will load up into our cars and head out to explore while documenting the chemistry between you as a couple and as individuals. We have a list of locations all around the mid-south that have walking trails, impeccable parks and breathtaking landscapes.

If you are interested in doing an adventure session with your partner click the button below!

BOOK AN ADVENTURE SESSION

Urban Kidz

Emily Hatch March 8, 2016

URBAN KIDZ

It's Tuesday. The sun is shining, and I'm pretty tired of sitting inside. My kids have been sure to let me know, too.

You know what, guys? Yeah. Let's go exploring.

We trotted along the streets of Memphis and happened upon some awesome buildings with enough room to let them loose. They had an absolute blast! They fight often but they're best friends. No doubt in my mind.

I think it takes a very special person to be a mom to boys. They are one, wild ride. The most adventurous little beings I have ever seen. I imagine all kids are this way but I have never seen a pair of boys who love jumping off of any plato they can reach as much as these two. I think my favorite part about today was listening to them in the backseat while I'm driving to and from each place we stopped. The laughing and giggling and eventually snorting, they were laughing so hard! Over NOTHING!

Boys are tough. I know some may disagree with me but boys are so rambunctious. They have an unlimited supply of energy. Makes me wish, sometimes, I was a boy, haha. There are quiet moments and they are rare, but it usually means they are up to no good.

For those of you who don't know me personally, the tall lanky one is Braylen Gage. He is 6 years old and loves Superheroes and Ninja Turtles. And being a super ninja turtle hero. The short chunky monkey is Joseph Aiden (goes by Aiden). He is 3 years old and loves Paw Patrol and Thomas the Train. And anything Braylen loves. He is a monkey see, monkey do kinda kid. Gotta love 'em.

I saw the many stages of "Brotherly Love" today as well.
"Hey Aiden! Come over here and look at this!"
"Aiden, go look over there for something."
*sigh of irritation* "Aiden stop following me."
"Aiden! Are you okay!"
"Mama! Aiden is picking up that stick."

You'd never know that they didn't get along from the pictures because they had an absolute blast today. (And I wasn't necessarily shooting when I was having to separate them haha) There are days where Braylen wants to be independent and I try to let him have his independence from time to time because I want him to be able to depend on himself naturally and enjoy being on his own, so I tend to keep Aiden on a tighter leash around me. There are also days where I can't separate them far enough from each other to get anything done! HA. Lunch together in the living room unattended? Nope. That lunch will be scarfed down by the dog and Aiden will have found some activity that allows him to be pants-less. Simple coloring and coloring books? Not a chance. Crayons will be shoved into the Mega Blocks and couch cushions and lots of tiny "A's" (Aiden has learned how to write an A) up and down the hallway walls.

I wouldn't trade being a mom to boys, for anything. They have told me some of the funniest stories I have ever heard. I'd give anything to live inside their world for a whole day.