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 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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Spring Inspired - Intimate Backyard Elopement | Memphis Tennessee | The Hatches Wedding and Elopement Photographers

AARON + ANNA

Connor & Co. and I were itching to play around with lots of florals since all of the greens from spring rains were starting to pop through this dreadfully dead season we've been in lately. We popped into Fresh Market and got lots of pretty colors to use and spent the day making the arrangements and bouquet. 

Aaron and Anna were available to come hang out with us and fight off all the summer bugs for a few hours and boy were we glad! Their chemistry was unbelievable. Not needing any direction from us, they became one together in their movements right before my very eyes. I WAS IN LOVE.

Having been recently married, their love poured outwards even more than I had originally planned to shoot. But I wasn't going to stop them. Sometimes when you just feel it, you go with it. No matter what. And 9 times out of 10, it turns out way better than you anticipated. 

Wall Doxey State Park was our "backyard" for this bright and intimate Spring Inspired Elopement. One of my favorite places to shoot. 

I had an absolute blast getting to know Aaron and Anna this evening. They made me feel like a cool kid. 

One thing I wanted to capture with this styled shoot was the emotion and chemistry between a couple and their interactions to bring out the heart gripping feelings when you're in the presence of someone you love deeply. Anna and Aaron made that extremely easy for me. I love the happy and joyous moments but I also love the soft and serene moments between two people. Every marriage has both along with many other moments. It isn't easy, but its worth it when those hard times pass. There is nothing greater than going through life and all of its curveballs with someone who knows you inside and out better than you know yourself.