Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona at golden hour is nothing short of magical. Add in a gorgeous bride and groom and 60 of their closest family and friends bathed in the warm desert light and you have something like a dream. Sheri + James said their joyful, tearful “I dos” earlier this month canyon side and I had the honor of being there to capture it all.
Here we are in the heart of a frigid winter (even for us Floridians at times) and I’m dreaming of warmer days. So why not share a peek into Alexa and Jordan’s seaside Sanibel Island wedding from this past summer. Revisiting these images is like a treat! I can almost hear the lull of the waves and the rustle in the palm leaves and nearly feel the sweet summertime sun on my skin…
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…
Anna Grace’s Senior Session at Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch was nothing short of a dream…
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
