Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Macks.
Hi Tanya, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started Frozen Exposure Photo & Cinema with one heartfelt goal: to tell love stories in a way that is romantic, authentic, and forever stylish. From the very beginning, I knew I didn’t just want to take beautiful images or cinematic videos—I wanted to create something truly meaningful for the couples who trust me with their most important moments.
I earned my photography degree at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where I built the foundation for the artistic and professional approach I bring to every wedding. One of the most magical parts of this journey has been seeing my little cousin follow in those same footsteps, earning her own photography degree from MTSU and joining my team seven years ago. Working alongside her has been such a gift—our shared vision and bond, and love for this craft make what we do even more special. She can read me like a book just by looking at me, she’s so dedicated and awesome, and we work so seamlessly together.
Over the years, every step has been shaped by the incredible people I’ve met. I’ve been honored to work with couples who inspire me with their stories, laughter, tears, and unwavering love. They’re truly the heart of everything I do.
I’m also deeply grateful for our amazing vendor family and community. Working alongside so many talented planners, florists, venues, and creatives has been one of the greatest joys of my career. The genuine partnerships and friendships we’ve built mean the world to me, and I truly believe the magic of a wedding day happens because all of us come together to serve our couples with care and excellence.
I’m humbled that doing what I am genuinely passionate about has led to recognition like The Knot Hall of Fame, several years of Couples’ Choice Awards placing us in the top 5% of wedding pros nationwide, and features in publications such as Southern Weddings, People, Essence, and more. My business and couples have also been featured on billboards throughout Nashville, on The Nashville Sign, on the billboard at Times Square NYC, our former studio gallery and studio in Green Hills, and on the covers of magazines. It’s been such an awesome experience revealing and sharing those moments with our couples. But those accolades only matter because they reflect the trust our clients and community have placed in us—and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
At the end of the day, this work is about love and faith. Love for the people I serve. Love for the craft of storytelling. And love for the community that makes it all possible. At my core, my faith that we are connected purposefully, and love of life’s remarkable moments are what drives me every single day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t all been smooth, but I’m grateful for every part of the journey—especially the challenges. I truly believe it’s the trials, not the comfort, that give our lives their spark and sharpen our abilities.
For one thing, it took me about eight years to finally have the nerve to go full time with Frozen Exposure. While working through college, I split my time between a children’s portrait studio and a law office. I shot on film for the first several years, waiting until I felt digital had truly “caught up” in quality. My college best friend, Jared, helped me get my first digital camera—a moment I’ll always treasure.
Early on, I photographed for The Nashville Scene and The Murfreesboro Pulse, focusing heavily on music and fashion. Then one day, a bride discovered me and called every single day until I finally said, “Yes, I’ll do your wedding!” It was at her wedding that I realized how much I loved celebrating with and capturing my couples—and how much I truly trusted myself and my gear to deliver for them.
In the beginning, I treated my work more like a weekend job, even though my heart was fully in it. It was really my client family, my vendor family, and my own family who urged me to give it everything. Their belief in my work pushed me to take that leap, and I’ll forever be grateful for that encouragement.
There were other hurdles too. Covid hit the wedding industry hard, forcing us to adapt quickly and support our couples through so much uncertainty. And on a personal level, there was a big shift in my own life during that same time. Navigating that season wasn’t easy, but it ultimately led to something beautiful.
I’ll never forget one moment in particular: I was quietly crying behind my camera during the anniversary dance at a wedding, grieving silently. At that exact time, so many little love stories unfolded in front of me—the groom giving high-fives to his groomsmen, the maid of honor gathering up her dress and running joyfully to hug the bride, the mother of the bride standing off to the side, glowing with love but holding back just a bit, letting her daughter have her moment. I recognized the longing in that mother’s eyes to be part of the big hug, paired with her graceful restraint.
And right then, my cousin Meagan—who had stepped up for me in such an incredible, supportive way—shimmied past me, camera in hand, wiggling her shoulders and raising her eyebrows, whispering, “You’re okay!” It hit me how many incredible love stories exist all at once in a single moment. Love between best friends. Love between husband and wife. Love between generations—grandmother, mother, daughter. Love between cousins.
That moment reminded me how thankful I am that we don’t get to write our own stories—they’d be easy and comfortable if we did, but they wouldn’t be nearly as intricate or rewarding.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m the owner and lead storyteller at Frozen Exposure Photo & Cinema, where we specialize in romantic, authentic, and forever stylish wedding photography and cinematography. Our mission is simple: to capture your love story with true artistry and care, in a way that feels personal and timeless.
We’re known for our heartfelt approach that goes beyond just beautiful images or cinematic films. For us, it’s about connection. I want every couple to feel seen, understood, and supported—from the first meeting to the final gallery delivery. That dedication to personal service is something our clients tell us they really value.
We offer photography and cinematic videography that honors real emotion while maintaining an elegant, editorial quality. Our style is classic but with an authentic, modern sensibility that truly reflects the couple and their day. We also love collaborating with planners and vendor teams who share our commitment to giving couples an incredible experience.
One thing that sets us apart is our family story. I have a photography degree from MTSU, and it’s been so special to have my cousin Meagan—who also earned her photography degree from MTSU—working alongside me for the past seven years. We bring that close family bond, trust, and shared vision to every event we capture.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built over the years. We’ve been honored with The Knot Hall of Fame distinction and decades of Couples’ Choice Awards that place us in the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide. Our work has been featured in publications like Southern Weddings, People, and Essence. But what really matters to me is that those honors reflect the genuine relationships we’ve built with our client family and vendor family.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that Frozen Exposure isn’t just about delivering gorgeous photos and films—it’s about creating an experience you’ll love, serving you with care and professionalism, and preserving your memories in a way that feels true to you for generations to come.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best about our city is the genuine sense of community. Nashville has such a welcoming, creative spirit that makes it easy to collaborate, connect, and support one another. I love how the wedding industry here feels like a true family. From incredible venues and talented vendors to the couples who value artistry and storytelling, there’s a shared commitment to creating beautiful, meaningful experiences. It’s such an inspiring place to be an artist and small business owner.
What I like least about our city is probably how quickly it’s growing. While it’s exciting to see Nashville booming, it does bring challenges—I believe we can all agree on not loving traffic and then there’s rising costs and the fear that some of the charm and personal connections might get lost along the way. But I believe that by being intentional and staying rooted in what matters most, we can keep that warm, connected, supportive spirit alive no matter how much we grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://frozenexposure.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frozen_exposure_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrozenExposure/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frozen-exposure-795aa323
- Twitter: https://x.com/frozenexposure
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FrozenExposure
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/frozen-exposure-photo-and-cinema-spring-hill
- My Blog: https://frozenexposure.com/blog/
