Happy Graduation Kassie! — Lake Placid, FL Senior Photography

Today this lovely gal, Kassie, walked across the graduation stage, and even though I wasn't there to see it I can guarantee you that it was with a poise and grace like no other.​ Just a year ago if you were to look at my client list and bookings you would have found maybe two entries from the town of Lake Placid, FL. But in the past year I feel like I have spent more time in the town of LP with it's charming people than anywhere else. And I am loving it. You see when my brother snatched up one of Lake Placid's most darling gals as his bride last year our family also got ushered into a community of some of Central Florida's finest folks. Don't get me wrong, I seriously love my "big city" of Sebring and its people but head south on HWY 27 just 20 minutes down the road and you feel like you've stepped out of time and back to a small town type of community where roots run deep, real deep, fellas tip their hats with genuine "how-do-you-dos" and local bonds are thicker than ever. The heart of small town USA is thriving here.

​Kassie is one of LP's cream-of-the-crop gals. I had seen her in passing from time to time over the past year. I mean, how could you miss such a gorgeous girl who seemed to always wear a smile. But not until I hopped into the car with her and her boyfriend, Brad, heading off to our shoot together did I really get to know this young woman. Kassie and Brad were truly sweeter than sweet and after two hours of shooting (and a 30 minute drive out to a gorgeous pasture in Venice, FL) the girl was still rocking the camera with that stunner smile (I think her few pageant crown's helped here). She is a beautiful young woman through and through. 

We shot until the sun had long dipped below the oaks along the horizon before starting out on the 30 minute drive back towards Lake Placid. In the back seat of the car with a camera card full of breathtaking images I got to hear a bit of the hearts of these two young folks about to head out on the next leg of their journey (not too far from home) and I got to share a bit of my own. Really, God, this is the job you have given me? Thank you.

Truly, thank you.

xoxo,
​Caroline

Happy Graduation Kevin! — Sebring, FL Senior Photography

Now as a youth small group leader to a pretty awesome group of girls at my church I tend to get tunnel vision. Typically when people mention names of the guys in youth group I give back a blank stare. The boys just aren't on my radar. Sorry fellas. ​I'm working on it. So when I showed up for Kevin's Senior photos I knew very little about the guy. I did however know his name (because he is the brother of one of my youth girls and the son of a couple I have done ministry with from time to time.) But after spending a bit of time with the guy that included plenty of gentlemanly "yes ma'ams", a hug for his mom as she began to tear up, sitting on the grass with him as he explained his favorite verse (Isaiah 40:31) and complete (and happy, might I add) cooperation (even with over 2 hours of shooting) his heart became quite evident to me. Kevin is the definition of a great guy and a godly young man, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes him. Happy Graduation, Kevin! 

​"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Happy Graduation Sheri! — Sebring, FL Senior Photography

​It is all over facebook this week in Highlands County. Schools are letting out and seniors are waving goodbye with a mix of happy and sad tears as they look to the horizon smiling at what their future may bring. So I thought I'd go ahead and share with you all the awesome 2013 seniors I had the pleasure of photographing this past year. Starting off today with the girls, and starting the girls off with the lovely Sheri. This girl is not only gorgeous inside and out but is talented too. I remember the first time I took a look at Sheri's photography portfolio a few years back. It was impressive with lots of not just good images but creative thinking behind the shots. And her talent has done nothing but grow, and grow and grow. She is heading off to Daytona State College in the fall to grow that gift even more and I can't wait to see what is in store for this girl in photography and in life. Thanks, Sheri for giving me the honor of photographing you. <3

Last night at church we honored our seniors and I had to opportunity to stand in front of a handful of girls that I have been able to invest in over the past 3 years as their Youth Group leader. Crazy cool. With a handful of emotions all the way from fear to pure joy. And sitting right there in the front was Sheri.

When I moved back to my home town "temporarily" and got involved as a youth small group leader almost 3 years ago I remember in my first meeting telling the girls "I am just here temporarily… basically, don't get too attached." I wasn't really that pompous about it, I don't think. But never-the-less I thought I was doing something for them by getting involved in their lives. And then a funny thing happened. I got attached. Through the course of this "temporary, indefinite" stay for the past 3 years in Sebring these girls worked their way into my heart and I have been able to watch them grown into incredible young women of God.

Last night we handed them tiaras and I encouraged them to look outside of their own head and their opinions of themselves, their friends and family's opinions of who they are and outside of all other influences to look to and focus their gaze on how God views them. "Set his words in your heart. Carry them with you." As they put the tiaras on their heads I asked them to remember that they are daughters of a king and to walk forward in their lives with that confidence, clothing themselves in "strength and dignity and smiling at the days to come." (Proverbs 31:25)

I borrowed one of the girls tiara's for a second to place it on my own head for a  little "demonstration"​ and I couldn't help but to feel the weight of such a thing. Now a girl just can't wear a tiara without her back straightening up a bit, her shoulder's going back as she draws in a deep, grand breath fixing her eyes straight ahead. Trying to hold back a grin I could feel the strength and dignity swelling up from within. I guess I am the daughter of a king too.

xoxo,​
​Caroline

Baseball Brothers Sneak Peek — Sebring, FL Family Photography

When a super thoughtful husband gets his wife a photo session of anything she wants for Mother's Day (take note fellas) it means I get to spend my Friday afternoon at the ball field with these handsome brothers. I'm one lucky gal.

Courtney + Dustin — Wauchula, FL Engagement Photography

After eight days of exploring and eating my way through Italy I am finally back on US soil and back to business inspired and ready for what this summer has to bring Caroline Maxcy Photography, including the north Florida nuptials of Courtney and Dustin. And after getting to know them better as a pair and in front of my camera I can't wait to help these two celebrate the beginning of their married life together later this summer. In the meantime I hope that you all enjoy these images of a couple in love, a family dairy farm and a borrowed vintage Ford.

xoxo,​
​Caroline

Follow My Italian Adventures

Caroline Maxcy Photography has been crazy busy over the past week editing and photo shooting away. I had my longest "photo day" to date on Saturday where I started shooting at 9:00 a.m. on a oak lined back country road, made my way to an art filled 9 year old's birthday party in Lake Placid and then spent the afternoon and evening capturing the sweetest country wedding at a ranch in Zolfo, FL wrapping things up around 11:00 p.m. with cards full of gorgeous images, incredible moments and breathtaking stories. The day was full. The thing that sustained me through this all (besides the beautiful people and places I was looking at through my lens) was the fact that come Monday I was hopping on a plane and stepping off the grid for a week long vacation with my very best friend in... Italy!! Eeeeek! We have been talking about a reunion trip to the charming country after studying abroad there together in college many moons ago. And it just so happens that everything lined up for us to spend the next eight days exploring, wandering, reminiscing and relaxing while gazing at scenery spanning from the Italian coastline, to a Renaissance city, to the Tuscan country side. Hallelujah.

​I, of course, plan to take hoards of photos (and maybe even some video) along the way but while I am checking out of blog posting for a little over a week I know myself and as long as there is space on my iPhone and a wifi connection I will be filling up my Instagram feed with fine Italian scenery. To stay up to date you can either head on over and start to follow me on Instagram by clicking here or just check back here at my blog for the images below (which will be continuously and automatically updated from my Instagram feed. Yay for technology!) Arrivederci! 

Update: So here I am, back on US soil after my loooooovely Italian adventure. The images below are no longer a "live feed" straight from my Instagram but rather a selection of some of my favorite iPhone/Instagram photos from the trip. "Big girl camera" pictures will be soon to follow. Enjoy!​

​Just a little peek into my Italian Adventures via my favorite Instagram images.

Colton Senior Teaser — Avon Park, FL Senior Photography

I headed north this weekend for another shoot with a Highland's County Senior.​ This two part session started out with a sunny afternoon at the ball field with Avon Park High School's Senior ball player Colton. And we wrapped things up with the outdoorsman, his brother and his loyal Golden Retriever, Yeller, back at the homestead. It was so hard to narrow the entire day down to four shots so I am just  giving you all a peek into part one with more images to come...

​Avon Park HIgh School 2013 Senior Colton Brock 

Daveigh's 5th Birthday — Wauchula, FL Lifestyle Photography

If you are a sister and have ever been with your sis on a photoshoot with me I can pretty much guarantee that I have sung to you. You know it.  Sing with me now, "Sisters, Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters…" I can't help it. Every time I am peering at sisters through my lens the soundtrack in my head turns to this Irving Berlin song from the 1950s musical White Christmas. On March 19, 1985 I got my very own my  sister.

"...Sisters, Sisters..."

I still remember what she was wearing the first time I saw her. She sat in her carseat in the driveway of my aunt Becky's house in a white onesie with purple flowers on it the day I meet my sister. I was so excited that day she came home from the hospital that I couldn't contain myself and skipped frantically about my mom and dad's room. So much so that I got a spanking. Yep, I remember that too.

Just one month earlier when I turned five on February 22, 1985 I had the most memorable birthday ever, complete with a polka dot dress and a cake in the shape of a gown cloaking my very first Barbie. Five was a big year. That Barbie cake along with the arrival of my baby sister became part of my most treasured first memories. It is funny the things that your memory holds onto. It is like something so blows your mind that your memory sensors (for lack of a more technical term) are on overload. They capture and hold so tight to things impressing them into your memory forever. There were 363 other days to that year but I don't remember a single thing about any of them. Only these two. These two cherished days in my fifth year.

When I arrived in Wauchula to photograph Daveigh's fifth birthday last month I knew that I was going to be capturing something special. I knew that I was not only going to be taking photos of memorable moments at a party but also I was invited into moments where memories were being made. I wanted to see the day from Daveigh's eyes, to stand in wonder, to reminisce. Even from the first moment we meet up that day I knew there was another special treasure to this day. Daveigh was about to experience might I say, one of the coolest 5th birthday parties I've ever seen, but she was also going to take in all those memories with her little sister by her side, holding her hand, pushing her in a swing, laughing together all along the way. As Daveigh's mom and dad finished up a few things in the house I poured into the lawn with the birthday girl and her little sister Harper and into a birthday party setting fit for a queen. They went straight for the swing covered in flowers like a scene from a storybook. Daveigh, the birthday girl, insisted that her little sister swing first. Next it was Daveigh's turn. Then they climbed into the swing together. Giggles abounded. 

"...sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters..."

Guests arrived and the day unfolded with hat making, manicures, make overs, a tea party lunch in the shade of the trees on the lawn, cupcakes and presents. As the girls were taking their seats at the tea party table Daveigh was already settled in with a full cup of warm tea in front of her, her sister by her side. She took a breath and peered from side to side. In her own little world she couldn't contain a dimpled cheek smile. I stood in wonder. Reminisced. And I knew it. That was the moment, the memory that was impressing itself into her mind for many, many years to come.

Spa Day — Miami, FL Lifestyle Photography & Videography

If you follow me on Facebook (and you should do that by clicking here and liking my page) you would have seen about a month back that I signed up for a 4 week DSLR Video class with the Define School online. Not that I am necessarily looking to add any videography into my professional packages (yet) but I have lots of ideas floating around up there that I feel would lend themselves quite nicely to the artistic medium of video. And in my true fashion if I am going to try something I am going to try it right and attempt get the best education on the subject available to me (that my schedule and budget will allow). The Define School DSLR Video 101 class has been just that and I gather each week in an online forum with a handful of other students to learn, to explore, to make mistakes, to encourage and to grow.

Each week we have to post a video as homework with varying challenges. Last week we explored the technical side of our camera, played with settings and looked at how that effected our outcome. This week we learned a bit more about support equipment and creative shooting styles and how they each tell a different story. Then were encouraged to get out there and explore with telling our own story.

My mom, my sis and I have been trying to put together a birthday spa day since February. This weekend the stars aligned and we were off to the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne (just 10 mins. from my sister's Miami apartment) for a day of relaxation. And, of course, I brought my camera along and thought I'd share. This is a feeble attempt at creating something that looks even the slightest bit professional. After learning about all the awesome support equipment out there available to up the professional production quality of your videos I was inspired and swiveled in my chair to look at my measly supply of equipment that includes a single tripod. But never-the-less I was going to work that tripod. And then... I forgot my tripod. The faux spanning, panning, tilting and trucking is painful at times. But I did learn through the process and at the very least have a little keepsake from the weekend.

Happy long over due birthday weekend, mom and sis!​

xoxo,​

​Caroline

A birthday spa weekend with the mom and sis. Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne Miami, FL April 20, 2013 Music: "Belle" by Jack Johnson

Madison Sneak Peek — Sebring, FL Senior Photography

Here is a sneak peek into last night's gorgeous Senior Sesh with the lovely Madison on the farm...