This isn’t just a photoshoot—it’s an exhale. A slow, golden hour where time stretches, little hands find yours, and the noise of daily life fades into something softer. Grain & Glow is about capturing the fleeting, breathtaking moments of your family’s story—wrapped in light, warmth, and the magic of analog film.

There’s something about film photography that keeps us coming back. Maybe it’s the way it slows time down, how it demands patience and presence. Or maybe it’s that intoxicating feeling of holding something real in your hands—an image you made, not just pixels floating in the void. And let’s be real: the anticipation of developing film is its own kind of high.

Today I had a reading for what my spirit animal is. I went into this meeting with literally no expectations. If you asked me what animal I would be, I truly would have no idea. I’m not really an animal person (despite having two dogs) and maybe that’s why I couldn’t answer the questions. If asked what flower or element I would be I easily could answer Rose or Fire. But animal? I draw a blank.

My youngest son turns twelve this weekend, and I’m in complete denial. I haven't done a bit of party planning, no gift shopping, and certainly no emotional preparation for the fact that my baby is about to be another year older. My heart just can’t take it. I mean, wasn’t it just yesterday that he was toddling around in diapers? (Or was that me, chasing him down?)

Encinitas, with its charming streets, stunning beaches, and golden sunsets, is a photographer’s dream. For those seeking to preserve life’s most beautiful moments amidst this idyllic coastal backdrop, Alison Hatch Photo (little ol’ me) offers a personalized and artful approach to photography. Based in the heart of Encinitas, I combine my passion for storytelling with a signature creative style to deliver images that are as unique as the people in them.

As a photographer, I travel a lot. Sessions in people’s homes or at beautiful locations like Headlands Beach, Balboa Park, Montage Beach Laguna, or Los Penasquitos Canyon Park sometimes require me to travel a ways from home. I am happy to travel and include certain mileage into my package pricing. Here I will lay out the specifics of travel so you can see if the location you’d like for your family photos is a covered cost, or if a small extra fee will be added.