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...

Baby Abby — Sebring, Florida Newborn Photography

I know I talk a lot about loving my job... I can't help it, I really do. One of my favorite parts is the invitation. I am honored and blessed to be invited into the most priced, precious and intimate moments in people's lives. On a wedding day I get to follow around the stars of the day. I am there when they see themselves for the first time in the mirror, dab away tears, hug their momma, kiss their dad on their cheek just on the other side of the chapel doors. I am there when the bride and groom get their first few moments alone as a Mr. and Mrs., when they laugh while talking about the day and when they stand in awe of the new journey and commitment ahead of them, from this day forward. I have to admit, I feel kinda special. And when I walk into a warm home with a little one, a star, just a few days old all bundled up and new I can't help but to feel honored. When the rest of the world goes on outside their doors the home of new parents stands in a world of it's own for a bit. It is a sacred place. You can feel it. And I get to be there. I get to ooo and aww and cuddle some of the most precious little things, long before the rest of the world gets to. Yeah, I love my job.

​Last month the little star I got to meet was the perfect little Abby Caroline. Thanks Dusty and Laura for inviting me in.

​xoxo,
​Caroline

Kassie Sneak Peek – Lake Placid, FL Senior Photography

This past Saturday afternoon I hopped in my car and headed south for a super idyllic Senior Session with perfect weather and gorgeous natural Florida landscapes complete with shimmering tall grasses, moss covered twisted oak limbs and a perfectly weathered old ranch cabin. And then there was the sweeter than sweet (and drop dead gorgeous) Lake Placid Senior Kassie as icing on the cake for it all. I just had to share a peak into the day with you all...

Daddy Daughter

I don't even really know how to begin writing this post. I guess I have always known that as an artist we take what we see in the world around us and we give it form, we express its heart, we give a platform to the stories that are forever being told. And we as artists are called to simply be open, to be observant and to cultivate a spirit of curiosity and reverence. It is such a blessing and such an incredible way of life that my job is to simply marvel at God's creation all around me. To stand in awe and point, saying "hey, look at this over here! Did you see it? Don't miss it. Isn't it just beautiful." This past weekend was full beyond all measure.​

​With my camera in hand I was fully immersed in my cousin Alaina's wedding to the man God made for her, Jeremiah. We moved throughout the day with simple ease and anticipation for what was to come. I marveled at the details of a blushing bride, the wind catching her sash and setting it gently to flight for a spell, the sun dappling through the limbs of oaks and palms, a moment between a mom and daughter beneath it's soft shadows. In a historic hotel ballroom I soaked in the sights of a groom unable to take his eyes off his bride, hands intertwined, tears being dabbed from cheeks, the afternoon sun softly brushing through the curtains and resting on the wooden floor, and the significance of a man laying down his right to himself and becoming a servant husband for his wife. It is exactly what Christ modeled for us 2000 years ago. Christ took the church as his bride and laid down his life for us.

​The next morning I woke before the sun and made my way to a clearing in a nearby state park to gather with a sleepy-eyed group of believers craving to celebrate that sacrifice. Nestled amongst the pines and creation all around us the moon set to my left and the sun rose to a breathtaking brightness to my right as the word of God, the story of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, literally echoed off the trees all around us. All of creation spoke of his love. 

​I marveled at two marriages this weekend. And my heart was full.

​Which brings me to the point of this post. The thing I am trying to grasp onto, to express. As we sat in the ballroom gazing upon Alaina and Jeremiah's marriage journey beginning, there was something, someone, missing. Alaina's dad, my uncle Dennis, didn't make it to walk his daughter down the aisle that day. He found out that he had terminal lung cancer last summer and six months later, on December 9, 2012, he passed away. Just one month earlier, on November 9th I had the blessing to be able to capture a dance between a daddy and his daughter before he became too weak to dance with his girl. Alaina, wearing a borrowed gown from her pastor's wife, her dad, her future groom and family gathered in a ballroom. And they danced while I stood in awe of a dad with his daughter in his arms, the exchange of knowing glances, joy and heartbreak in the the emotions of the family members gathered round, a hand around a waist, a man hugging his bride of two decades in a final dance together, love. Four months later family and friends came together at that exact spot where daddy and daughter swayed to the tune of "My Girl" that fall day in a bittersweet moment where Dennis' daughter became a bride. The below video, my labor of love, was debuted on the wedding day this past weekend to family and friends with not a dry eye in the house.

After the dance in November we ventured outside and I marveled through my lens at a family loving and losing and clinging to one another.​ What a cherished memory. What a bittersweet moment. What a gift it is to be an artist and be there to stand in awe of it all.

It is a gift to stand in awe of his people, in awe of their hearts, in awe of His creation, in awe of the sun rising up over the trees to shed the warmth of its light on us all. The resurrection changes everything. And it is because of Christ's love for us, His laying down His life, that marriage, that we will one day be re-united with my dear Uncle Dennis, and there will be dancing, I am sure of it. 

​

Love you Uncle Dennis!​

Though it was online for family to preview we kept the daddy daughter dance video private until it's debut this past weekend at the wedding. On Sunday night I flipped a switched and texted my Aunt Brenda to let her know that she could now share the video with her friends and then I stepped away from my computer. Come the end of the day on Monday Dennis and Aliana's dance had over 15,000 views and I was receiving messages from media agencies across the globe about featuring this story. What a blessing it is to know that my family's story touched the hearts of so many people. And that my Uncle Dennis' story is still being told.

Happy Birthday Sawyer! — Sebring, FL Newborn Photography

When people ask me where I am living now-a-days I typically respond with "I am temporarily indefinitely in Sebring (my hometown in Central Florida) … for 2 1/2 years now." Kind of an oxymoron, I know. I had no idea and no plan for my stay in the heart of the state to be this long. But God knows what He is doing. I don't doubt that. One of the incredible perks of having been around these parts for the past two years is that I have been able to be a daily part of one pretty awesome little guy's life. It has been amazing to watch this boy grow from a prayer in a momma's heart, to a reality and today into an incredibly bright and energetic little guy that melts my heart on a daily basis. And today he turns two. In honor of his birth I thought I would share with you all a backpost from his semi-newborn session two years ago along with the story of how this little fella arrived first in our hearts and then in this world.

Happy Birthday, Sawyer!

Post from July 1, 2011:

Just this past Sunday in church I stood belting out Matt Redman's "Blessed be Your Name," falling into rhythm in the standard "church worship sway." You know, the one that says I would be dancing if I didn't think I'd be tackled in the aisle by someone with a walker and a Southern Baptist disposition. Plus my arms were full with the weight of a baby boy I quickly stole from cousin as she made her way to the seat beside me in the row. And then we hit the "breakout" part of the song, "You give and take away. You give and take away. But my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name." And my thoughts went back to a little shy of one year ago when I sat at the top of a hill overlooking the city of La Misión, Mexico with my cousin, Bianca.

We were in La Misión on a missions trip with Be2Live and about 40 other folks from Bible Fellowship Church. We did service projects throughout the town during the day and at night we retired to our campsite just up the hill from Door of Faith Orphanage to have dinner and sit around a fire reflecting on the day. Each night our pastor, Todd, would randomly call on people to share their testimony and throughout the course of the week we heard stories of heartache, conflict and God's undeniable redeeming mercy and love. This had Bianca and I shaking in our boots. We both happened to be right in the middle of testimony building experiences and didn't quite know how to talk about it... without crying in front of 40 people, that is, (a concept I was much more comfortable with than Bianca.) So we made our way up the the top of the hill to discuss this dilemma one afternoon.

Bianca was struggling with the fact that she was even there on the trip. She had signed up thinking that she was going to be pregnant by the time the trip rolled around and would have to gracefully bow out. She thought, for sure, God would do that for her after everything she had been through. Not that she didn't want to be involved in missions and that she wasn't completely excited about work we were doing in Mexico but her heart's desire was for another child. And being on this trip meant that desire hadn't been fulfilled. Just a year and a half earlier she and her husband and son were preparing for a world with two more youngsters. She had found out she was pregnant with twins before losing them just at the end of the first trimester. I can't even begin to imagine what this feels like. My heart goes out to any woman out there who has lost a child. Watching my cousin deal with the pain the loss of not one but two lives broke my heart.

God, you take away.

And on the hill top a year and a half later Bianca was still struggling with being able to say "Lord, blessed be your name." It was a continued daily struggle when they had gone another year and a half since the loss without a baby. She knew she had to let it go. She knew this couldn't be "the thing" that stood between her and God for the rest of her life. She knew she must give up her idea and plan for her life and learn to accept a far better, yet mysterious, one that she didn't seem to understand. How do you talk about that in front of 40 people around a fire? But somehow she did, beautifully, honestly and without crying (might I add). And it was there on that trip that Bianca, from the darkness, could honestly sing, "my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name."

Fast forward to one month shy of a year down the road. I am swaying and singing in the church pew holding a precious three month old baby boy that belongs to, you guessed it, Bianca. And for those of you doing the math in your head right now, you guessed it again, Sawyer was with us in Mexico on that hill top and around that fire. We just didn't know it yet.

God, you give. ​

Baby Brantley Teaser — Wauchula, FL Newborn Photography

In the past week I have made my way across glorious old Florida backcountry to the neighboring county of Hardee three times and loved every minute of it. The charming place and its folks never cease to impress. Today I got to meet this handsome fella and had to share a few teasers with you all... Welcome to the world Brantley! ​

Tea Party Teaser — Wauchula, FL Party Photography

This past weekend I spent the good part of a sunny Saturday morning with a delightful group of little ladies celebrating the fifth birthday of precious Daveigh.​ In the shade of the trees on the lawn was set a table fit for a princess (or maybe the Queen of England) complete with heirloom china tea cups, vibrant spring blooms, scrumptious snacks and enough little surprises to keep a five year old's smile uncontained. It was the setting of dreams and I couldn't help to share at least a little teaser with you all (with many, many more photos to come).

Katie + Nate — Sebring, FL Wedding Photography

Two years ago (almost to the day) I ran into one of my sister's friends at a local event, the 12 Hours of Sebring Race Gala. Katie, donned in a gown and sash was officially Miss 12 Hours of Sebring that year. (This fact should have given me a hint into Katie's "secret skills" which made her easily one of my favorite brides to shoot but I was still in the dark at this point.) We chatted as acquaintances about my sister who was currently living in South America. As I spoke about my adventures visiting her, Katie's eyes widen. She began to speak with equal parts seriousness and excitement, "Tell me the next time you are making plans to visit her. I would absolutely love to go. Serious." A year and a half later Katie and I are hopping on a plane together, passports and travel itineraries in hand, with 15 days worth of clothing and gear for an adventure in Peru.  

When we landed in Lima Katie (quite the experienced traveler) was ready to hit the ground running exploring the streets of the city near my sister's apartment, the ocean front district of Miraflores. My sister (having a much better understanding of the intensity of our two week travel itinerary ahead of us where we would be up before the sun most mornings trekking all over Peru) opted for sleeping in and relaxing most of the first few days we spent with her in Lima. So I–determined not to miss out on adventure–hit the streets with Katie and my camera. Lima is rich with historical architecture and beautiful urban landscapes. Patterns and colors and textures were everywhere we looked. It was a visual artist's heaven. But I couldn't just photograph the walls around me. I needed "someone" in the image to bring it to life...

"Katieeeeeeee... would you mind going and standing next to that interesting looking gate-thing across the street?" Flashing my sweetest of sweet grins for my new friend.

And here is where the "secret skill" was revealed. Katie would casually stand next to the wall in just the perfect off center spot, gaze off to the side and snap... magic happened. Katie was a model in disguise. The girl could seriously rock a pose and quite effortlessly at that. She became my instant model for the trip and pictures of Katie in front of interesting blue doors, intricate iron gates, ancient Incan ruins and the occasional antique shop flooded my instagram feed. The girl never seemed to tire. We were a fantastic team. 

As the trip trekked on Katie and I, who were once casual acquaintances, became fast friends (let alone super compatible travel companions). And I came to find that the beauty I saw in front of the camera had a heart to match. 

I was already signed up to photograph her upcoming February nuptials and I couldn't wait to get this gorgeous girl in front of my camera again on her big day. Katie didn't disappoint. (Bonus secret: her hubby, Nate, is equally as sweet and awesome in front of the camera too.) These two make quite the gorgeous pair! Just you wait and see in the images below. 

Thank you Katie and Nate for your friendship and for inviting me to capture your glorious celebration of love on your wedding day! And Katie, I am up for our next adventure whenever you are.