Chattanooga Musical Engagement | Diana & Ben

Sometimes, when you meet and fall in love with a couple (yes, I fall in love with my clients), you completely understand why the universe brought you together. Ben and Diana are so incredibly smitten with each other that when you are around them, you feel every ounce of it! They remind me incredible amounts of Robby and I, which only leads me to loving them even more! We also had beers and burgers after their session...I mean...really!?

It has been such a fun planning process with Diana and Ben, talking about their wedding day as well as thinking of ideas for their engagement session! When Diana told me that she would love to have their session at Ben's parents' house in Hixson, TN I was SO excited! There is something special about having a session where there is a strong connection. Ben's mom was so incredibly sweet, bringing quilts and blankets for us to sit on (it was a little soggy) and asking if anything needed to be clipped or cleaned up; I adore strong knit families and both B&D have them!

Ben is also a musician. Music has always played a large factor in their relationship so when I brought up the idea of having his mandolin they were SO up for it. It also gave us the chance to hear Ben sing to Diana...lets just say I couldn't stop smiling behind the camera! I asked Diana for a favorite song for their blog post...something I don't normally do (like ever), but it feels perfect for them! She sent me three songs and this one just STUCK with me. So perfect...so THEM. I got chillies listening to it while writing this!

"There are way too many love songs, and I think they've got it all wrong.. Life is not the mountain tops, its the walking in between and I like you walking next to me." - Ben Rector,  "I Like You".

"Love is friendship set to music." - Jackson Pollock

Smiles,

Kayla F

New & Notable Editorial | Wine & Spirits Magazine

This last year here in San Francisco has been a whirlwind! Rob and I have just celebrated being in the City for a year, and a lot of reflecting has happened. Moving across the country to one of the biggest cities in the world and where you know not one soul is daunting to say the least. On top of everything that we have gone through this last year, Rob and I had made the decision that I would put 100% of my focus on my photography business and not look for a full time "regular" job. Its been a LONG process. There have been nights where Rob has had to pick me up off the floor, told me to cheer up and stop being so glum. I've reached out to those in my amazing photography community back in TN and have received some of the most encouraging and uplifting messages. I'm truly one of the luckiest girls! With a some hard work, and putting myself out there (and feeling very vulnerable) I have slowly built an incredible network of photographers out here in the Bay Area that I can genuinely call friends! They have offered amazing advice, shared secrets and referrals, and given me SO much support over the last year! It's honestly wonderful to be a part of such a caring network! Ladies, you know who you are.

Through this network comes opportunities that I never would have known existed before. I've always felt very confident in saying I was a "Wedding and Lifestyle" photographer (and that is where my heart still and will always lie), but spicing things up every now and then is good for the creative soul. An opportunity arose for a very last minute project. At first, it didn't seem feasible, but after some work with Wine & Spirits Magazine, I was off on a 3 night adventure photographing 9 amazing restaurant & bars for their 2014 New & Notable feature in SF. Below are some shots I grabbed (with the used images noted) as well as the spreads of the feature.

It's honestly a completely different feeling to see your work in print. Photos are meant to be printed, shared and touched, so to know that these images will be in the homes, apartments and lofts of thousands of people is pretty crazy! It may not be my usual cup of tea...but man, oh man, I'm loving the taste of this! :)

 *San Francisco-based freelance photographer Kayla Fletcher shot our New & Notable Restaurants and Bars. The Tennessee native specializes in restaurant photography, enjoying it most when it ties in with hops or vines. *

ABV

*Selected image for ABV

Dirty Habit

 

 

*Selected image for Dirty Habit

Kin Khao

 *Image selected for Kin Khao

La Nebbia

 *Image selected for La Nebbia

Stones Throw

 *Image selected for Stones Throw (super yummy food!!!)

 

TBD

 *Image selected for TBD

 Tosca Cafe

*Image selected for Tosca Cafe

Trou Normand

* Image used for Trou Normand

 

Verbana

*Image used for Verbana

Wine & Spirits spread for ABV, Dirty Habit, and Trou Normand

Wine & Spirits spread for Verbana, Stones Throw and TBD

Wine & Spirits spread for Kin Khao

One final and rather *mushy* note. I honestly don't know what I would have done over this last year without Rob. He is my biggest cheerleader, my biggest support, and believes in me more than I do at times. He constantly challenges me, boasts about me, and is constantly dreaming of new adventures for my business with me. I wouldn't have done any of this without him right by my side.  We are The Fletchers in Fog City.