ENGAGED: Beth + Jon

“If you wait for the perfect moment when all is safe and assured, it may never arrive.”
— Maurice Chevalier

The Blue Ridge Parkway is an unpredictable place. Darkness can fall quickly, frigid temps can surprise you, views become clouded by sudden fog, and glorious fall color can become wintery bare branches with just a subtle increase in elevation. Scheduling a photo session on the Parkway is always a bit of a gamble. Lucky for us, Beth and Jon's sunrise engagement session at Waterrock Knob was a risk worth taking, and even though it was a bit chilly the beautiful light and perfect fall color made for a beautiful setting. 

Congratulations on your engagement, Beth and Jon, and best wishes for a lifetime of risks with beautiful payoffs. 

 

ENGAGED: Stephanie + Bryan

“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”
— Henry David Thoreau

Stephanie and Bryan bravely met me in downtown Asheville for an early morning, chilly engagement session in October. We had a great time exploring some old buildings, visiting the south slope, and the Botanical Gardens. Their two dogs even joined in for a few photos. The best part was getting to know these two great people and to see their relationship unfold in front of my lens. I'm so looking forward to photographing their wedding next year. Thanks for a great morning, Stephanie and Bryan! XOXO. 


WEDDING: Taryn + Mike

“Keep close to nature’s heart”
— John Muir

For two people who met in the wilderness of Western North Carolina, there could not have been a more-perfect day or location for Taryn and Mike's wedding. They were married on a glorious fall day at the Pines Country Inn in Pisgah Forest, NC. Their ceremony spot was surrounded by friends, family, and the beautiful scenery of nature. From her handmade shoes to a bright and sunny bouquet to goldfish centerpieces at the reception, Taryn's creativity infused the entire day with a fun, colorful touch. Lots of joy and laughter filled the day, and it was such a pleasure to be there to document it. Best wishes for many years of adventure, nature, and love, Taryn and Mike! 

Many thanks to my good friend Kendra Stanley-Mills for collaborating with me to photograph this wedding. Other talented vendors include:

Wedding Planner: April Gladieux, Your Perfect Day • Venue: Pines Country Inn 

Flowers: Farm Girl Garden Design • Catering: Square Root Restaurant

Cake and Cupcakes: Blue Ridge Bakery • Rentals: Classic Event Rentals

DJ: Adrian Sethi


WEDDING: Hilary + Douglas

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
— Rabindranath Tagore

Fall in Western North Carolina this year brought with it some serious rainstorms, and Hilary and Douglas were married on our second weekend of all-day rain in October. The rain seemed to just intensify the changing colors all around us, though, and meant that during the ceremony family and friends crowded close to the couple. It was in that intimate space that these two were married by a friend, with their dogs at their feet and umbrellas all around. It was a beautiful day and the rain became just an afterthought. 

Special thanks to Ashley Gillett for photographing with me. 

Thanks to the following for their contributions: 

Venue: private residence • Flowers: Merrimon Florist • Tent rental: Classic Event Rental 

Catering: Lady Fingers Catering • Cake and Cupcakes: Gimme Some Sugar Sweets • DJ: DJ Malik 

WEDDING: Caroline + Daniel

“And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.”
— Gilbert K. Chesterton

If rain on a wedding day is truly good luck, then Caroline and Daniel will have the luckiest life ever. Hurricane Joaquin was an uninvited guest at their wedding in October, but that didn't stop Caroline and Daniel, and their family and friends, from celebrating in the most-joyful way possible. It was a beautiful day full of laughter and tears, and you'd never have known the day-long downpours weren't all part of the plan. 

Thank you, Caroline and Daniel, for sharing your beautiful wedding day with me and for happily weathering the rainstorm. You two were amazing! 

Special thanks to Abby Moore for second shooting with me. 

Special thanks to the following talented vendors:

Ceremony: Dutch Cove Missionary Baptist Church • Reception: Canton Armory

Cake: Just Simply Delicious • Catering: Gerald's Fireplace Restaurant

Makeup: Flawless Asheville Airbrush Artisty • Wedding Coordinator: Monique Worley

BRIDE: Caroline

“There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm”
— President Theodore Roosevelt

When Caroline suggested we do her bridal session in the Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I was worried we might be interrupted by crowds flocking to the Valley for a glimpse of the elk herd. Worse yet, I was afraid we wouldn't even be able to shoot there with the elk at their peak of activity and the Park therefore closing sections of the Valley to keep visitors safe. 

When we arrived, though, it was a beautiful day, and we found the historic Palmer Chapel completely empty. Fall was just beginning to color the leaves, the afternoon sun was warm and golden, and Caroline was perfectly at home in her beautiful gown, cowboy boots, and handmade antique brooch bouquet. There were many visitors, and lots of elk, but we still found many lovely spots for photos where we could capture both the awesome natural beauty of the valley as well as this magical time in Caroline's life. 

Thanks for sharing this day with me, Caroline! 

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. 

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.