It was such a lovely weekend celebrating with Vanessa and Matt in Orlando! Twinkle lights, beaming smiles and lots of laughs made the day a delight through and through. Congrats you two!
xoxo, Caroline
Sugarcane Inspired Styled Shoot — Florida Film Photography — Lake Placid, FL
In reflecting on the last year I took some time to note things that had given me life or drained me in the past. (It’s an effort in aiding in decision making for this “decision fatigued” gal right here. And the idea is all thanks to Emily P. Freeman and her “The Next Right Thing” podcast!) Something that undeniable breathed life in to my work and inspiration was the process of shooting creatively with film. (You can check out my past blog post about the process and love affair by clicking here and here.) So I set out to spend more time behind my film camera pointing it at beautiful things and lovely light by marking down a few “inspired styled shoots” in my calendar. This is the very first of them…
A New Years Reflection for 2019
Happy New Year! It’s only taken me 14 days to pull myself together for a New Years post. A little over a week ago I was fresh off of a reflecting, dreaming and goal setting night away with lots of stirrings in my heart and plenty of things to process. Instead of leaving the weekend with a “word” for the year the sweet Lord took me on an unexpected journey through His Word where He gave me lots and lots of life giving words of truth and three things to hold on to; a reminder, a promise and a plan…
Anna Grace Senior Session — Senior Film Photography — Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch, Sebring, FL
An Unexpected Christmas
A Shepherd’s Field on the hills surrounding Bethlehem, Israel | Contax 645 , Fujifilm Pro 400h 120
I started writing this Christmas post to accompany this image from the hills surrounding Bethlehem early in December. With anticipation and expectation I had asked the Lord to teach me something new about the Christmas story this year and a few weeks into December I thought I knew what it was going to be...
When we toured the holy land we found ourselves standing in the blinding sun squinting, peering out at shepherds fields and ancient gardens that hold stories from the black of night. A place transforms based on light. A field doesn’t seem so far away from a city in the daytime when you can see it in the distance. You can’t even glimpse the stars, though they are surely there behind the veil of brilliant blue. The fullness of the light of the sun oftentimes blinds us from the small moments in powerful stories told in the dark. Yet there we stood in the shade squinting our eyes because our tour didn’t include any nighttime stops though the stories they held surely did. On that first Christmas Day a new beginning came in the dark of night lit by handheld lamps and far away stars.
I thought that was it. God comes down in the silent black of night to bring us the everlasting light. Yes, what brilliant truths that message holds! I planned to pray and ponder over it all throughout this season as my work slowed and the holiday festivities commenced.
And then the unexpected happened. An unexpected death, an unexpected whirlwind of a trip for a funeral, unexpected sleepless nights, unexpected tears, unexpected stories. Missed meetings, rescheduled photoshoots and unsent Christmas cards and gifts all added to the list of the unplanned.
The unexpected interrupted the well laid plans I had for this Christmas season. But then isn’t that just the very heart of the Christmas story?
And there it was. If a baby born to a virgin isn’t the most unexpected story I don’t know what is. I’m sure those shepherds in that dark Bethlehem field were never in a million years expecting the heavenly hosts that would interrupt their silent night. Certainly no one thought our Savior would ever come as a humble baby boy born in a back room stable within cool stone walls.
Our God is a God of the unexpected. Though none of it is a surprise to Him.
Maybe this Christmas season what I really needed to learn is instead of agonizing over unwelcome surprises in the night to lean in and look for Him there too, like the shepherds on a Bethlehem hill lit by starlight on that very first Christmas night.
“O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight”
Loss at Christmas Time
As the Christmas season has been coming upon us my heart has been heavy for those who lost someone dear to them this year. Christmastime can oftentimes be the hardest. I think back to that first Christmas without my dad. After 34 years of celebrating alongside him, things were painfully different. I know the ache. If you've experience loss, you know it all too well too. And for anyone whose lost someone this year you are in my prayers and have been on my heart for the past few weeks.
And then...
Brandie + Ryan Preview — Whipporwills Wedding — Bartow, FL
Hello gorgeous wedding weekend with Brandie + Ryan! This was a true celebration from start to finish. The groom even swept the bride off her feet for their first kiss as husband and wife. (Like they literally fell on the ground together after a dip that went too far and it was the cutest, unexpected thing!) Congrats you two!
xoxo, Caroline
Carrie + Rob Preview — Highlands Hammock State Park Wedding Photography — Sebring, FL
Carrie and Rob, your love for each other and the Lord is so evident and celebrating alongside you all this past weekend (plus watching your love grow from the start) was an honor and pure delight! Thank you for the blessing of being your photographer and friend!
xoxo, Caroline
Katie + Adam Wedding Preview — The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne Wedding Photography — Orlando, FL
Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Curtis who invited me to capture the sweet celebration in Orlando this past weekend! Thank you both so much for having me and for being so amazing, kind and beautiful through and through!
xoxo, Caroline
Courtney + Josh Wedding Preview — The Don CeSar Wedding Photography — St. Pete Beach, FL
Courtney and Josh and their St. Pete Beach, Don CeSar wedding celebration was the definition of modern sophistication with lots of room for fun! I loved their colorful details and easy going spirits. (And believe it or not I took more photos on the dance floor than the entire rest of the day combined.) Needless to say it was quite the sweet celebration from start to finish. Thanks for having me and congrats you two!
xoxo, Caroline
Vendors:
Photo - Caroline Maxcy Photogrpahy
Planning - Natalia Day | Days Remembered by ND
Venue - The Don CeSar
Dress - BHLDN
Florist - 2Birds Events
Hair and Makeup - Kristy's Artistry Design Team
Desserts - The Artistic Whisk
