Jay & Bailey
5.27.23
In the magical month of September in the year 2021, Brit Taylor and Adam Chaffins embarked on a journey to unite their souls in the picturesque setting of Taos, New Mexico. Blessed with the honor of capturing their intimate union, my partner Cy and I joined forces to document this momentous occasion. Our presence was all that was needed, as it was an intimate affair, with only the two of us, Brit and Adam, accompanied by a talented HMUA who ensured their radiance shone through. To add to the charm, we lodged at the exquisite Hotel Luna Mystica, a charming vintage trailer hotel and celestial campground nestled amidst majestic mountains, providing the perfect backdrop for their love story.
Initially, the plan was to exchange vows during the majestic golden hour, with the mountains lending an awe-inspiring aura. However, Mother Nature had other plans, and rain disrupted our idyllic vision. Undeterred by this unforeseen circumstance, Brit and Adam embraced the unexpected and shifted the ceremony inside their vintage trailer. Their flexibility and resilience in the face of adversity exemplified the strength of their bond, proving that they are a couple capable of weathering any storm together.
Although the romantic event took place in the enchanting Taos, the celebrations did not end there. A week later, back in their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, Brit and Adam gathered with their cherished friends and beloved family to commemorate their love in an intimate reception. Surrounded by those nearest and dearest to their hearts, they continued to bask in the joy and warmth that their union had ignited.
As we reflect upon the beautiful memories shared during those fateful days in New Mexico and the subsequent celebration in Tennessee, it is evident that Brit Taylor and Adam Chaffins have set forth on an extraordinary journey filled with love, resilience, and unwavering commitment. Their story is a testament to the power of love's transformative embrace, and we are grateful to have been a part of their extraordinary tale.
Hello there!
It brings me great joy to finally have the opportunity to introduce myself and my partner in a more detailed manner. Allow me to grace you with a glimpse into our lives and passions, for we are eager to embark on a journey with you as your dedicated photographers.
First and foremost, let me acquaint you with myself. I am Natia, your reliable point of contact when it comes to all things photography. With my warm and welcoming nature, I am here to ensure that every aspect of your wedding day is captured beautifully. Originating from a quaint town in Tennessee, my name is an amalgamation of the strong women who came before me, paying homage to my great grandmother, Maria, and my great aunt, Nanita. Besides having a talent for freezing moments in time, I am also the proud companion of two adorable felines named Wizard and Marsha. Picture me, curled up at home, engrossed in a captivating book, savoring the rich aroma of black coffee, and with Marsha serenely nestled in my lap. Additionally, I find immense pleasure in the practice of yoga, the thrill of hiking, and the art of cooking, particularly when I am joined by my love and partner, Cy.
Now, let me illuminate the wonderful man that is Cy. Not only is he my partner in life, but he will also be my talented second shooter for your wedding, capturing unforgettable moments from different angles. Furthermore, he will skillfully craft a video highlight reel, ensuring that the essence of your special day is beautifully preserved. Beyond his photography prowess, Cy's true passion lies in music. He is a remarkable musician, adept at playing the guitar, enchanting audiences with his melodious voice, and composing soul-stirring songs for his band, Tattletale Saints. Additionally, Cy graces the stages alongside various renowned Nashville artists, lending his exceptional guitar skills to create unforgettable music experiences. Born in New Zealand, Cy has called Nashville home for the past seven years. When he's not immersed in his musical endeavors, you may find him joyfully running, cycling through scenic routes, or finding solace through the practice of yoga.
Twelve years ago, my sister and brother-in-law eloped. In that time, they have both served in the military, had 3 beautiful children, and are now building a farm. Even after all those years, they still look at each other with loving eyes.
So, I asked my big sister what marriage was like, what she’s learned from it, and how she has overcome obstacles along the way, and this is the sage advice she gave me:
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”
Marriage is an ocean.
It is a wonderous, beautiful, unpredictable thing. When two people commit themselves to one another through marriage, the journey they embark is never the same as another couple. Similar? Maybe. We can pass through the same waters, but the waves we face are ours alone. The ocean shifts and changes often. So does marriage. Beautiful, calm waters can be followed by treacherous, damaging waves. You can be content, happy, and in love, but make no mistake, everyone disagrees and sometimes you say things you don’t mean. It’s impossible to take words back. The ocean can provide sustenance for our bodies or can be the shadows hiding predators on the hunt. You can work together to build a life but beware of those who wish to see you fail…or worse, those who try to make you fail. It can be the source of tranquility or the catalyst of fear and self-doubt. When you love someone enough to commit your life to them, that love is deep. That love provides stability. It provides comfort and tranquility. It is a source of happiness. That love is also scary. It can be scary in many different ways. It can be scary because you’re giving up a sense of independence and autonomy. It can be scary to think that it can be lost (complacency, death, divorce). It can be scary to give your heart to someone with the chance of it getting broken.
Dwain and I have chosen to hold hands on the shore, merge into clear waters together, and set sail for an unknown destination. On our way to that destination, we’ve faced sharks, we’ve faced storms, we’ve faced fatigue. We have jumped into the deepest waters and come back to the surface, gasping for air. We have been driven apart by waves, but we’ve always found each other among the darkest seas. Facing the changing tides of marriage is a choice we make each day. -AD
I consider myself to be unconventional when it comes to following the rules of love. I do not believe that it is necessary to follow a step-by-step plan in order to achieve stability and harmony in a relationship. However, I am a romantic and some of the traditions involved in taking your love to the next level are too sweet to miss out on.
I’m talking about marriage and weddings. What kind of wedding should you have?
If you are someone who enjoys traditions and you have been dreaming of the day you meet your soulmate and get married, a full blown wedding is probably your only option. There is no way you will want to miss out on turning that dream into a reality and having all of your family and friends there to witness it.
But, if you are more of a spontaneous, sweep-me-off-my-feet, hopeless romantic kind of person, an elopement might be a better option for you.
Especially if you are less interested in picking out the perfect color scheme and bridesmaids dresses and more interested in spending an unforgettable day just you and your love.
Let’s break it down:
Weddings are for you and your families and friends to join together to celebrate your love. They require lots of imagination and attention to detail in order to turn your dream wedding into reality. Plus, for an entire day you are living out your own personal fairytale.
Elopements are for you and your love. They can be as simple as walking into the courthouse, saying “I do,” and ending the night cuddled up at home watching your favorite tv show.
Or they can be a totally spontaneous trip to Vegas where you find yourselves in the Little White Chapel.
The best thing about elopements is that there are no rules to what is possible.
Either way, a special day will be had and you won’t want to forget it. Your wedding photographer will be the one who will capture all of those details and moments that you might miss to create a visual story that you and your love will never forget.
If you decide to elope and do not plan to hire a photographer to come along, you can always do a photo shoot afterwards… even a year later, like my best friend and her man did.
A few tips to remember before and during your wedding photos (or any couple photos):
I believe that one of the keys to a happy and successful relationship is to have fun with each other. It is also the key to getting the best photos together!
1. Just forget about the camera and about what poses look best, and HAVE FUN!
*Keep moving. Don’t focus on static poses that you saw on social media. I promise you will get those same sweet shots with your love and they will be more personal to you if you go with the flow. Trust that I am doing my job at capturing your love in the most natural way and the direction I give is the most flattering to you. Sometimes there will be a lack of direction. Don’t get stiff, this is intentional and I am allowing the space for you and your love to connect.
2. Plan your wedding or elopement around golden hour, the hour right before sunset. If you have an outdoor wedding, plan for the sun to set behind you. In my opinion, golden hour creates the most magical photos and if I am shooting towards the sun, you get that soft and hazy look which is very flattering.
3. When planning for your wedding, plan for an hour (preferably golden hour) after the ceremony to step away to have a private moment together and have your post-wedding photos taken. This is your intimate celebration, pop a bottle of champagne or whatever you fancy, and refer back to tip number 1.
*You will also want to make sure you set time aside for family photos.
Thanks to my friends Shelby & Joel for the perfect example of a beautiful golden hour post-wedding photo shoot. <3