Christian's Senior Sneak Peek — Sebring, FL Senior Photography

At last night's photo shoot at Highlands Hammock State Park... we were on our 3rd rain reschedule, literally almost got struck by lightening, had to take a 45 minute rain delay, stumbled upon a giant wild hog (on foot!), almost got carried away by mosquitos and could have used a canoe for 99% of it... but you wouldn't have been able to tell any of that by the contagious smile and beautiful images we captured of this joyful, charming and all around gorgeous gal. Happy Senior Year, Christian!

Christian's Senior Session at Highlands Hammock State Park.

Courtney + Dustin Sneak Peek — Honey Lake Plantation Wedding Photography

Caroline Maxcy Photography happily hit the road this past weekend for the destination wedding of Courtney and Dustin. These two are a genuinely laid back pair and opted for an intimate gathering of their closest friends and family at Honey Lake Plantation in Greenville, FL, five hours away from both of their home towns (and mine too). So we all ventured out just a few miles from the Florida Georgia state line to celebrate this sweet pair at this gorgeous old Florida property covered in giant oaks dripping with spanish moss, ancient cypress forests, miles of wooden fences, meandering roads and it's very own shimmering lake. I just returned on Sunday and am, of course, sorting through the hoards of gorgeous photos from the weekends festivities involving everything from a mid-morning skeet shoot to an hour long bridal portrait session in the most gorgeous of opulent white ballrooms. But I couldn't help but to let these few sneak peeks slip out... Enjoy!

Chelsie + Corey — Central Florida Wedding Photography

After spending two weeks away from the professional photo side of things doing ministry in Mexico and my own community, this past week and a half has been full on business. I've been returning inquiry emails, keeping up with current clients, booking weddings (include my first 2014 wedding set for March in Raleigh, NC), and gearing up for this weekend's upcoming destination wedding at Honey Lake Plantation in Greenville, FL. There is a five hour drive ahead of me today, but I couldn't leave without sharing with you all a little bit about my process involved in getting ready for a wedding. While wedding blogs, my fav photographers sites, Pinterest and such provide a sea of inspiration which encourages me to challenge myself to look deeper and stretch farther to capture the true essence of a bride and groom's wedding day; there is always something so refreshing and inspiring about taking a look back at my own wedding photography experiences, remembering the excitement of the day, the beauty in the unexpected and the genuine love that spilled over all along the way.

Chelsie and Corey's Zolfo, FL wedding just this type of wedding. Thoughtfully planned at Chelsie's family's ranch, perfectly crafted with exquisite details and overflowing with evident love between the pair this wedding was rich with detail and charm. It was gorgeous to say the least and I have spent the past week immersed in the images from their day as I wrapped up editing these photos. From a gorgeously sunny, breezy day, to joyful flower girl that wants to stand just ahead of everyone else, to a surprise round or two on a go-cart track, to the sun setting over a happily married at-ease pair of newlyweds; it is never a bad idea to approach the day with a vision, ideas, hopes and a plan but to hold it all lightly in open hands ready to embrace the authenticity of the moment and the unexpected delightful surprises along the way.  

From my Backyard to Mexico and Back — Mexico Missions Trip Videography

Not that anyone is holding their breath for my blog posts but I know that it has been a bit of a long while since I last shared with you all. This summer has been wonderfully full. And while I have been booking and photo shooting all the long the way from a family session at a blueberry farm, to a beautiful baby bump, to my very first boudoir session, to a vintage guitar with a story, a good chunk of my summer has been filled with some incredible opportunities for ministry (my other full time, volunteer, job).

Mid June I loaded up a handful of youth girls in my car on a Sunday night and didn't leave their side until that Friday. We had our Summer Youth Camp, entitled "Be" right in our home town of Sebring, FL where we learned to serve and love our neighbors, being the "hands and feet" of God, right in our backyard. The week took us everywhere from the basketball courts of an inner city neighborhood to singing in the halls of nursing homes and I was the 24/7 mom to an incredible group of young women walking alongside them all along the way. But that is a whole post all on it's own that'll come at a later date...

With just two days to catch up on sleep and laundry I hopped on a plane with another group of incredible youth kids to journey across the US then across the border to spend a week in the Gaudalupe Valley of Mexico. On a missions trip lead by Phil and Mindy Steiner of Be2Live we served and loved on the kids of Casa de Paz orphanage in El Porvenir, Baja California, Mexico. While my head and body is still exhausted from the trip my heart is full and I hope to share more about all of these experiences soon (after I get a little caught up on all the photo work I have been neglecting over the past few weeks). In the meantime I wanted to share with you a glimpse into my Mexico experience through a video I pulled together for a presentation in church this past weekend. This was a seriously quick edit but definitely gives you a feel of the work God allowed us to be a part of for a time.

Jen's Maternity Sneak Peek — Central Florida Maternity Photography

Snuck in a few pics of my gorgeous and glowing, expecting sis-in-law this weekend before we were run off by the rain (oh, Florida summertime). Less than two months now until I get to meet my nephew!!

Caroline Maxcy Photography / Lake Placid, FL Maternity Photography

Happy Graduation Madison! — Sebring, FL Senior Photography

Last but certainly not least for my Class of 2013 Seniors I share with you all images from my session with the lovely Madison (and crew). Madison reminds me a lot of myself in high school keeping herself busy as a bee with a whole slew of activities on and off campus. But one thing that is evident about this girl is that she seems to always carve out time for the most important things in life by cultivating family ties and solid bonds between friends.

When I pulled onto the family horse farm for Madison's session, six people and a pup poured out the door to join the shoot. One friend was there to simply help with styling and props, two others were there to actually hop in a shot or two and mom and dad were there... well because they evidently adored their daughter and it would have been physically impossible for them to stay away and hold back their proud ooos and ahhs. When the sun dipped below the horizon before we could wrap up all our planned shots we had to finish things up on another day where two completely new people, Madison's boyfriend and brother, joined the shoot. Between Madison's friends and family (and pup) there were seven folks joining Madison on her shoot to celebrate, honor and love this incredible girl during such an exciting time in life. Thank you Madison (and crew) for letting me into your world to capture a bit of the love you all share! And good luck Madison in what the future holds for you at The University of Florida and beyond!

xoxo,
Caroline

Happy Graduation Colton! — Avon Park, FL Senior Photography

As the oldest of two Colton is the first born through and through. Focus, determined and talented, with a quiet confidence about him, the guy seems to excel at most anything he does. He makes news on the baseball team, shines as the lead singer in his church youth band and makes his momma all around proud as he grows into an incredible young man. I could expect nothing less of him in front of the camera on our two part shoot from the ball field to the 10 acre family homestead. He was a natural and knew exactly what he wanted out of his senior images where his focus, determination and complexity shines through.

Every once in a while I convinced Colton to flash that genuine smile of his but it wasn't until his full grown golden retriever, Yeller, piled onto his lap at the end of the shoot that the "boy" broke through. How can a boy (or man, or anyone for that matter) hold back a grin with a giant, happy-go-lucky dog trying to fit in their lap? 

​Thanks Colton for being such a gentleman and for allowing me to follow you around with my camera for a bit. Goodluck in what the future brings!

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