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Nicole Hester

@nshester

6.5K

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Photojournalist at The Tennesseean
Nashville | TN
"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."

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K. Michelle sits for a portrait at Urban Cowboy in Nashville on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (📸 @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Thank you @kmichellemusic for spending some time with us.

Be sure to also check out✍️ @cachemcclay exclusive article “Inside K. Michelle’s new country album ‘Jesus and Whiskey’ “ more photos and a video featuring @cachemcclay one on one interview with K.Michelle now up on @tennesseannews

K. Michelle stands behind the bar for a portrait at Urban Cowboy in Nashville on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (📸@nshester | @tennesseannews )

K. Michelle stands for a portrait at Urban Cowboy in Nashville on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (📸 @nshester | @tennesseannews )

K. Michelle is seen reflected in a mirror as she stands behind the bar for a portrait at Urban Cowboy in Nashville on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.
(📸@nshester | @tennesseannews ) by @nshester

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2 days ago

Nicole Atkins sits for a portrait in her home in Nashville on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Thank you Nicole Atkins, @nicoleatkins
Check out her latest album Drama that just dropped last month. And be sure to read Audrey Gibbs’ @audreyraegibbs article “Nashville’s Nicole Atkins woke up from a six- year fog and made ‘Drama’”

Photos from Atkins home and backstage at the opry before her debut.

Nicole Atkins sits for a portrait in her home in Nashville on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nicole Atkins looks in the mirror as she has her hair and makeup done, backstage before her debut at The Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nicole Atkins sits for a portrait in her home in Nashville on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nicole Atkins has her hair and makeup done, by @risarodriguezhmua backstage before her debut at The Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nicole Atkins takes a break and has a peice of pizza while preparing backstage before her debut at The Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nicole Atkins’ husband Ryan McHugh helps steam her dress, backstage before her debut at The Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nicole Atkins talks with Chris Isaak while she has her hair and makeup done, by @risarodriguezhmua backstage before her debut at The Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nicole Atkins has her hair and makeup done, by @risarodriguezhmua backstage before her debut at The Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nicole Atkins sits for a portrait in her home in Nashville on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews ) by @nshester

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8 days ago

Members of the Nashville Fire Department walk in the 9/11 memorial procession in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (@nshester | @tennesseannews )

“Nashville memorial ceremony reflects on 25 years since 9/11”
Full gallery on The Tennesseean

Richard Hooker, who was a first responder during 9/11 served as a Chief of Mount Kisco NY, is given a rose to wear by Doug Pinkerton before the 9/11 memorial procession and ceremony in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (@nshester | @tennesseannews )

“Nashville memorial ceremony reflects on 25 years since 9/11”
Full gallery on The Tennesseean

Members of the Nashville Fire pipe and drums play during a memorial procession for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 i in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
(@nshester | @tennesseannews )

“Nashville memorial ceremony reflects on 25 years since 9/11”
Full gallery on The Tennesseean

First responders stand during the 9/11 ceremony in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
(@nshester | @tennesseannews )

“Nashville memorial ceremony reflects on 25 years since 9/11”
Full gallery on The Tennesseean

A Nashville Police Chaplain wears photos of 9/11 first responders who died during a ceremony for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (@nshester | @tennesseannews )

“Nashville memorial ceremony reflects on 25 years since 9/11”
Full gallery on The Tennesseean

Nashville Metro Police Chief John Drake, Mayor Freddie O’Connel and Nashville Fire Director Chief William Swann, stand together on stage before the ceremony in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
(@nshester | @tennesseannews )

Nashville memorial ceremony reflects on 25 years since 9/11
Full Gallery up on The Tennesseean

Nashville Fire Department engineer Benjamin Watkins shakes hands with Kevin Kline, retired captain from the DC Fire department and 9/11 first responder during a ceremony for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 i in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (@nshester | @tennesseannews )

“Nashville memorial ceremony reflects on 25 years since 9/11”
Full gallery on The Tennesseean

9/11 First responders listen as Taps is played by the Nashville Fire Pipe and Drums during the 25th anniversar taken in Nashville, Tennessee by @nshester

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a month ago

Lt. Ralph Thompson who worked for the DC Fire Department and was a first responder on September 11, 2001, begins to weep as taps is played during the 25th year anniversary since 9/11 on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. “Taps brings everything back to the moment” he said, “You know who is no longer with us, and who we have lost since then.” Thompson is seen wearing a photo of his friend Gerard P. Dewan, a Ladder 3 New York Firefighter who died during 9/11. (@nshester | @tennesseannews ) by @nshester

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a month ago

Dolly Parton’s last public appearance was at the opening of her truck stop in Cornersville Tennessee on Wednesday June 24, 2026. (@nshester | @tennesseannews )
-Other moments through the years I was fortunate enough to be in her presence and photograph her and see the way she influenced anyone in her vicinity.
Dolly you are so loved and missed by us all 🖤🦋 by @nshester

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2 months ago

Valerie Araujo listens as Cathy Carrillo speaks during a vigil organized by Araujo and The ReMIX Way honoring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero at Southeast Community Center in Antioch on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (📸@nshester | @tennesseannews )

Photographs of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Joan Sebastian Guerrero, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti during a vigil held by Valerie Araujo and community members with The ReMIX Way outside the Southeast Community Center in Antioch on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The four were killed by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (📸@nshester | @tennesseannews )

Briana Martinez and Ashley Martinez, sisters, hold each other after a vigil organized by Valerie Araujo and The ReMix Way, honoring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero outside of the Southeast Community Center in Antioch on Thursday, July 16, 2026. “My dad is an immigrant too, and everyday we’re just so scared for him,” Ashley Martinez said. (📸 @nshester | @tennesseannews )

A photograph of Joan Sebastian Guerrero during a vigil organized by Valerie Araujo, honoring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero outside of the Southeast Community Center in Antioch on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Guerrero, was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Biddeford, Maine. ( 📸 @nshester | @tennesseannews )

Crystal Galvan, listens during a vigil organized by Valerie Araujo, honoring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero outside of the Southeast Community Center in Antioch on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (📸 @nshester | @tennesseannews )

A photograph of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo is displayed during a vigil organized by Valerie Araujo, honoring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero outside of the Southeast Community Center in Antioch on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Araujo was shot and killed by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Houston Texas on July 7, 2026

Cathy Carrillo is hugged by Valerie Araujo after the two spoke during a vigil organized by Valerie Araujo, honoring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Guerrero at Southeast C by @nshester

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3 months ago

Willow Avalon, stands for a portrait at Electric Feel Studios in Nashville on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Photo by @nshester | @tennesseannews
Full story « Willow Avalon sings about feisty Southern women in ‘Pink Pocket Pistol’ »by @bryanwesttv on @tennesseannews taken in Nashville, Tennessee by @nshester

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3 months ago

“Jane” holds one of her notebooks up guarding her face while a pile of her books and other personal journals sit in front of her during a portrait at The Tennessean in Nashville, on Monday, March, 30, 2026. Jane, referred to by a pseudonym as to not identify her or her child, signed an NDA in a lawsuit against Fellowship Bible Church that alleged her toddler was sexually abused in the facility in 2015. A recent Williamson County court ruling states that child sex abuse allegations cannot be silenced by NDA agreements as parts of settlements, now giving her the opportunity to speak up.
(Photos by @nshester | full story “Tennessee ruling says NDAs cannot apply to child sex abuse allegations
For over 10 years, a TN mom was silenced by an NDA signed after her child's sexual abuse case at a Brentwood church. A new ruling changed that — and might give other victims their voices back. “ written by @angelelatham_reports on @tennesseannews ) taken in Nashville, Tennessee by @nshester

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4 months ago

A few fashion favorites from Bonnarroo 2026. (Photos by @nshester
More up on @tennesseannews )

Mel Rodriguez stands for a portrait during the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival at The Farm in Manchester, Tenn., Friday, June 12, 2026.

Sunshine stands for a portrait on the first day of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival at The Farm in Manchester, Tenn., Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Glow Job dances in the Pride parade during the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival at The Farm in Manchester, Tenn., Saturday, June 13, 2026. by @nshester

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4 months ago

Yungblud performs at the Bonnarroo Music and Arts Festival at The Farm in Manchester, Tenn., Friday, June 12,2026. (Photos by @nshester | @tennesseannews ) by @nshester

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4 months ago

Recent portraits of Lt. Gov. Randy McNally at the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville on May 4, 2026. (Photos by @nshester | @tennesseannews )
Story by ✍️ @vivian_e_jones
“McNally, ‘fiscal conscience’ and FBI informant, reflects on legacy Lt. Gov. Randy McNally first visited the Tennessee Capitol on his honeymoon: “I never thought I’d be back here.” Now he’s retiring after 48 years.”
Full story on @tennesseannews taken in Tennessee State Capitol by @nshester

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4 months ago

Tonya Carruthers hands over a box of signatures and other documents in support of her brother, Tony Carruthers, as she speaks with members of Gov. Bill Lee’s staff outside his office in the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, May 18, 2026. Her brother is scheduled to be executed May 21 at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. Tony Carruthers is on death row after he was convicted in a grisly 1994 triple murder in Memphis. Marcellos Anderson, his mother, Delois, and Anderson’s friend Frederick Tucker were kidnapped, shot and buried alive. His family, death penalty opponents and many other supporters doubt whether Carruthers is guilty and point to numerous issues present in his case, including the fact he was forced to represent himself at trial. Carruthers also has mental illness, they say. To this day, there is no physical evidence linking Carruthers to the crime, and DNA found at the scene remains untested.
(Photos by @nshester | @tennesseannews )

More coverage and story by @evancmealins on @tennesseannews by @nshester

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5 months ago