WEDDING: Samantha + Meredith

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. ”

— Justice Anthony Kennedy

There was a big rainstorm right before Samantha and Meredith's ceremony at Old Sherill's Inn. The guests were still enjoying a pre-ceremony coffee hour, which is now my very favorite wedding tradition that I hope gets repeated over and over again. Friends and family mingled with Samantha and Meredith as the rain came down. At ceremony time, the clouds parted and the sun came out, and together we all walked towards their ceremony site. Samantha and Meredith, and their dog Big, walked down the aisle together, following their parents and siblings into a space filled with love and joy. Their friend Heather served as their officiant, offering beautiful words as a starting point for their union. At one point, family members were invited to add soil from their homes to a pot holding a new tree to be planted at Samantha and Meredith's home. The soil, she said, carried with it memories of skinned knees and backyard games, each story a step in the path that led to this moment. 

I don't believe there was a dry eye during this beautiful and heartfelt ceremony, myself included. To say this was a genuine, joy-filled, loving moment would be an understatement. It was an honor to photograph it, and I left feeling like I had witnessed something profound, and made some new friends along the way. 

Blessings for your life together, Samantha and Meredith. You indeed create together something greater than you once were. XOXO 

Thanks to these wonderful vendors: 

Venue: Old Sherill's Inn • Flowers: Farm Girl Flowers • Cakes: Short Street Cakes • Catering: Luella's BBQ 

ANNIVERSARY: Gowtham + Madu

“A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. ”

— Paul Sweeney

One year after their wedding, Gowtham and Madu invited me to photograph them in their traditional Indian wedding attire and jewelry. The result was one of my favorite photo shoots ever, filled with bold colors, beautiful textures, and intricate adornments that had all played an integral part in their wedding celebration. I love that they took the time out of their busy lives to celebrate in this way, and am honored they asked me to help document it. 

Best wishes for a colorful, beautiful life together, Gowtham and Madu! 

WEDDING: Aurélie + Scott

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you. ”

— John Muir

Getting married is an act of bravery, but if you decide to add on a 45-minute, strenuous hike to the top of a mountain for your ceremony, that amplifies the bravery index a whole lot. It was a windy and chilly spring day when I hiked to the top of Mount Pisgah with Aurélie and Scott, along with a handful of their friends and a bunch of children. But the chill didn't seem to bother the bride and groom, and as we circled around them during their vows the sun broke through the clouds to warm us all. 

Aurélie and Scott - you two are off to a beautiful start. May the sun always break through the clouds for the two of you. xoxo

WEDDING: Sarah + Clinton

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.”

— Dr. Seuss

Sarah and Clinton poured their heart and soul into every element of their beautiful, handmade, homespun wedding at Black Mountain Sanctuary last year. Their wedding included flowers and food they grew on their farm, invitations they designed (featuring the Dr. Seuss quote above), handmade gifts they created themselves, and more. Not only do Sarah and Clinton have a deep connection to one another, they made sure their wedding honored their deep connection to family, friends, and nature. It was lovely to witness and a joy to photograph. 

Sarah and Clinton: here's to many year of mutually satisfying weirdness and love. And buttery biscuits, too. xoxo 

Many thanks to the fabulous vendors who contributed to this beautiful day: 

• Venue: Black Mountain Sanctuary • Officiant: Dianna Ritola • Cake and Cupcakes: Ruth & Ranshaw

• Transportation: Rockin' Black Mountain • Event Planner: Mary Bell Events 

WEDDING: Rebecca + Rob

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”

— William Shakespeare

My favorite moments during wedding portrait sessions are when I can get couples off to the side on their own, and give them a moment to just be. At Rebecca and Rob's sweet summer wedding at the Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill, we hiked down into the cool woods together, and the moments they shared among the green ferns were my favorite of the day. I think their laughter and smiles show how much they enjoyed those moments, too. 

Many years of love and kinship with nature for the two of you, Rebecca and Rob. xoxo. 

Wedding Coordination: Occasions by Emily Venue: Bed and Breakfast at Tiffany Hill 

PERSONAL: Food Truck Showdown

“Food trucks are to adults what ice cream trucks are to children.”

— Andrew Harrison

Oh, Asheville. One of the reasons we moved here was a restaurant. We came to Asheville on our honeymoon, and in search of a restaurant on our first night here we stumbled upon quaint little Wall Street in downtown. Without planning to, we ended up in a vegetarian restaurant with the atmosphere, food, and vibe to show us that this little town was charming enough to make us want to pull up our stakes in Ohio and come down the mountain. Since moving here 10 years ago we've seen restaurants come and go, and our own favorites and tastes have changed over time. We are now big fans of food trucks, which rotate their locations each day of the week so there's always something new to be enjoyed in the parking lot at the Wedge or at The Brew Pump down the street.

Last weekend food trucks participated in the Asheville Food Truck Showdown. Here's a little personal work from my family's visit to the event. Delicious! 

FOOD+DRINK: Isis

““Food is music to the body, music is food to the heart.””

— Gregory David Roberts

I've been living in West Asheville since I moved to Asheville 10 years ago, and over that time I've seen new restaurants come in, building undergo transformations, and the character of our little corner of the world evolve. When the old theater space on Haywood Road was being renovated, I stuck my head in one day to meet the owner and hear about plans for a new restaurant and performance space geared towards our burgeoning music community. Fast forward a few years later and I had the privilege of photographing the food and performance space housed at the Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, where I've had many a delicious meal and equally delicious listening experience. If you haven't been there yet, you are really missing out. Make plans to visit soon and, whatever you do, don't skip dessert! 

WEDDING: Britney + Brandon

“Love is friendship that has caught fire. ”

— Ann Landers

One of my favorite things about Britney and Brandon's beautiful wedding at Yesterday Spaces was their incorporation of the four elements into their marriage ceremony. Partaking of these elements - honey, lemon, vinegar, cayenne - reminded them of the sweet, bitter, sour, and fiery moments that take place in our lives, and the importance of honoring all of those times in a marriage. 

May their friendship and love always burn bright. 

GIVEAWAY: my favorite Asheville artists

“Each day provides its own gifts.”

— Marcus Aurelius

We are so fortunate in Asheville to be surrounded by talented, creative, and innovative entrepreneurs who make this a vibrant and special place to live. To celebrate that lovely creativity, and to help launch my *NEW* website, I held a series of awesome giveaways in February and March. To recap, here are the beautiful items I chose for the giveaway winners! 

Beautiful White Sapphire Disc Chain earrings in Oxidized Sterling Silver from Caro Designs. 

Handprinted letterpress notecards from Macon York

Locally-grown music from Brian Turner, Posh Hammer, and Caleb Johnson. 

A collection of items for house and home: Sow True Seeds, Little Sweet Cheeks organic baby soap from A Wrinkle in Twine, a hand-printed Cotton Flour Sack Towel from the High Fiber, and the Appalachian Trail Game. 

Favors from one of my favorite weddings last year served as the inspiration for this series of giveaways. 

A collection of tasty food and drink favorites: spice mix samples from The Well Seasoned Table, two Belgian-style cider glasses from Noble Cider, a bag of Organic English Breakfast Tea from the Panther Moon Tea Company, a bag of American Espresso from Mountain Air Roasting Company, and a bottle of Basswood/Sourwood honey from Wild Mountain Apiaries, carried by the Asheville Bee Charmer. 

Check out these incredible artists and makers online in the following locations: 

• Caro Designs 
• Macon York 
• Brian Turner 
• Posh Hammer
• Caleb Johnson
• Sow True Seeds 
• A Wrinkle in Twine 
• the High Fiber 
• Appalachian Trail Game 
• The Well Seasoned Table 
• Noble Cider 
• Panther Moon Tea Company 
• Mountain Air Roasting Company 
• Asheville Bee Charmer 

BIRTH: August

“On the day you were born, the round planet Earth turned towards your morning sky, whirling past darkness, spinning night into light. ”

— Debra Fraser, On the Day You Were Born

Certain moments take us to the most primal, most basic elements of life. Birth is most certainly one of these, when all the rest of the world fades away and all that matters is the power, struggle, and love that fuse together to bring a new life into being. To witness such a moment cannot be compared to anything else. I am forever indebted to my birth families for inviting me into such a sacred and beautiful space. 

Blessings on your family, Rachel and Steve, and thank you forever for allowing me to witness and photograph August's birth. xoxo 

Please note: All images in this post are shared with this family's permission. Some images may be considered graphic for some audiences. 

PORTRAIT: Maggie

“Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart”

— Rumi

I feel so fortunate to have shared a beautiful afternoon with Maggie as she stayed in Asheville to complete yoga certification. I have never photographed yoga poses, although I myself have done yoga many times, and it was really a joyful experience, a gift of connection with my subject in a new way. It was a reminder that photographing someone doing what they love is the purest form of art. 

Thank you, Maggie! xoxo

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LIFE: Luca's Baptism

“Baptism is faith in action”

— Watchman Nee

My mother always said that baptisms made her cry. I have to say I've inherited this trait, tears forming in my eyes as the newly blessed infant is held up to those gathered, presented into the care of the community for a lifetime of faith, love, and growth. 

As a photographer, my greatest honor is in being asked to witness and record important moments in my client's lives - be they extraordinary or everyday. In these moments, I am often so enthralled with the emotion of the day that I have tears in my eyes, blinking them away as I click the shutter. This was of course the case as I photographed Luca's baptism, surrounded by close family and friends, beside the waters of the creek that runs through Hickory Nut Gap Farm. It was indeed a beautiful place and time for such a moment, and a lovely step in Luca's life of faith.

Sweet Luca - blessings on you and your family, always. 

FAMILY: Aurelie + kids

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”

— Desmond Tutu

I met Aurelie in our early days of living in Asheville. I remember one of the first times I met her she stopped by our rental house with her little baby, Clara, still tiny and in a car seat, staring out at us with intense blue eyes. Now that tiny baby is a smart, inquisitive girl who reads books with fervor and whose blonde curls spiral wildly around those intense eyes of hers. I've photographed my friend and her children many times, and it's always my favorite kind of shoot - at home, being themselves, laughing and reading, with the family dog nearby. 

WEDDING: Allison + Mike

“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”

— John Wooden

One of the first photographs I remember taking was a detail of one of my mom's Morning Glories, growing against our house. I developed the film myself and printed the black and white image in the darkroom, watching with wonder as the contrast of delicate petals against lines of wood appeared. There began my fascination with noticing and photographing details, capturing contrasts in texture, color, and material, recording the patterns of nature and life in new and unique ways. 

There was no shortage of amazing details at Allison and Mike's wedding at Warren Wilson College. From the moment I arrived, discovering the beautiful bouquets and boutonnières from Flora lovingly arranged and waiting for their big day, I was surrounded by details, each one carefully considered and chosen to create the perfect celebration. It was a lovely and fun day, with lots of genuine joy and fun moments. From bacon jam to delicious food from the Lowdown Foodtruck to a dance-floor kept busy by DJ Whitney Shroyer, there was a lot to enjoy and photograph. 

One of my favorite moments featured a large group shot in which the bride and (nearly) all of her cousins posed with their grandmother and the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls she made for all of them. After the photograph, the bride's grandmother and I talked about the importance and love that comes from handmade gifts. It is moments like these - spanning generations, knit together with a little detail like a handmade doll - that make big days like Allison and Mike's wedding so perfect. 

Here's to a lifetime of beautiful details and bold adventures, Allison and Mike. xoxo

Special thanks to the people who contributed to this beautiful day. 

Venue: Warren Wilson College Wedding Planner: Events by Kiersa Flowers: Flora Ceremony Musician: Bobby and the Blue Ridge Tradition  

Reception Catering: The Lowdown Food Truck Decor/Rentals: Classic Event Rentals, East West Vintage Rentals 

Reception Music: DJ Whitney Shroyer