On a perfect cool summer morning, I met a friend and fellow adventure lover for her first visit to Catawba Falls. This was apparently the year for first time treks to this awe-inspiring 100 foot waterfall near Old Fort in Western North Carolina as we hit the trail earlier this year for our inaugural hike. Even though it is only a few posts back on the blog, I cannot resist sharing this beautiful place again, covered in summer greens, lush fern and moss, and so much life thriving in the woods and the water. The last visit was in winter so it was a totally different experience. Click here for the winter Catawba Falls visit blog post. This hike is about 1.3 miles to the falls, meandering along the Catawba River with so many gorgeous sights along the way. There are several historic structures remaining from an old hydroelectric plant, and stepping into the thick walled structures gives such an interesting perspective worth exploring.

If you have ever been with me in the woods or literally anywhere a fern is on display, you probably know I’m pretty obsessed with all the types of fern. This area was covered with so many different types – I was over the moon to see them all in the same area. I really love the collage below that shows a variety of fern we saw to give you a taste of the fern magic on this trail. 

We saw a lovely black snake *and* curious water snake, quite a few brachoria dentata (Appalachian mimic millipede), so many beautiful snail, crawfish, trout, and the cutest little furry white caterpillar that I know better than to try to touch. This little guy is possibly a White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillar that can sting badly – do not ever touch these! – most of the soft/furry looking ones are covered in toxins and spines that can cause major reactions. My friend, Star, is great at spotting wildlife and helping me slow down to see all the life around me. I typically hit the trail and want to cover as much ground as possible so I can see it all, photograph it all, and share as much as I can, but am finding a new joy in lingering a little bit longer and am often rewarded for stopping to take it all in. The film camera getting back into rotation has helped with this too. CANNOT wait to get the film from this trip processed soon – always a mystery with what I end up getting and it is SO much fun!!

If you get the opportunity to visit this trail, keep in mind that snakes love living in areas just like this with rocky crevices to hide in and water to attract prey. Dogs are allowed on this trail, but keep an eye out for snakes and be sure to pack out anything you bring in.

Truly hope you enjoy getting to see this magical place – even if just through the photos. Stop and take it all in if you get the chance to visit Catawba Falls.

Star is the talent behind Mountain Thread Art – amazing embroidery art. Check her out!

Photography by Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Catawba Falls

Lindsey and Seth are one of the most wonderful couples that I have had the pleasure of photographing. This big-hearted duo adopts, rescues, and fosters cats and dogs, volunteers their time to do wildlife rescue work as well as owning two doggy daycare/boarding/grooming facilities in the Asheville area. It was such an honor to get to meet them, their pack of 6 lucky dogs, two of their kitties, and some of their favorite family and friends while photographing all the fun!

They chose to celebrate their love by having a small gathering in the gorgeous field near their home in lovely mountain cove on the most perfect day. Lindsey knew she wanted to incorporate a wildlife release into their wedding day, and Seth was more than happy to oblige. After the ceremony, they led the guests to a nearby wooded area, opened the crate door, and three opossum rescues emerged to discover their new home. The wildlife rescue she volunteers with, Edith Allen Wildlife, had some of the most adorable opossums that were ready to release right around the wedding date, so it worked out perfectly to surprise the guests – and me. It was the best wedding surprise I have gotten to capture!!

It was an inspiration to spend a special day getting to photograph the magic this couple creates together. I am the luckiest person to have met this pair and I’m humbled by all they do to help animals and people everyday. Between their work at Wonderdog caring for so many people’s dogs and all the foster and rescue work, they do so much to help so many animals have better lives. Truly thankful we connected through their wedding and I hope to get to photograph more chapters of their story as the years go by!!

I adored every moment of Lindsey and Seth’s wedding – so excited to share this joy with you all! Wishing all the best to Lindsey and Seth!!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Wildlife rescue the bride volunteers with: Edith Allen Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: near the couple’s home in Weaverville, NC

Their awesome doggy daycare/boarding/grooming business: Wonderdog Asheville, Wonderdog Merrimon

On a crisp winter day we ventured to Catawba Falls located in the Pisgah National Forest near Old Fort, NC. The 100 foot waterfall has been on the list to visit for much too long - so thankful we finally made the trek!

The trail winds along the Catawba River, unveiling serene scenes along the way. There are so many beautiful spots tucked away off the trail leading to the main falls, we just had to stop and capture it all along the way. The moss covered remnants of an old hydroelectric plant from the early 1900s remain just off the trail, inviting you to step back in history entering the roofless structure. The old pump house juxtaposed with the modern footbridge give an interesting contrast to the natural beauty along the river. This 1.3 mile hike to the main falls made for the perfect adventure on a winter day for just shy of 3 miles back to the car. This magical place is located in the Pisgah National Forest near Old Fort, North Carolina. We will be back to visit again as I would love to see it in all the other seasons. :)

Even after 20 years in this part of the world, it never ceases to amaze me how many more wonderful places we need to visit that are right in our 'backyard' in Western North Carolina. Love the mountains and hope to get to keep discovering more of the Appalachian magic nearby! We will keep photographing and posting - hope that you are inspired to get out there or to keep checking out our blog and visit these places vicariously! Thank you for checking out our post!

Photography by Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Catawba Falls

Nathalie and Mark chose to elope in downtown Asheville for their destination wedding. They found a gorgeous rental close to town with the most spectacular views and invited a few of their favorite people to come celebrate with them.  All the perfect details, the most genuinely sweet and stunningly beautiful people, the best locations, the most lovely day, and a couple so obviously overjoyed to be getting married, I was in photographer heaven!  I am so lucky that they chose me to photograph all this love and gorgeousness!!  
From the rental to the courthouse, the modern architecture of the rental to art deco magic in the historic buildings downtown, Asheville is an awesome backdrop for wedding photos!  Inside the courthouse is gorgeous and any opportunity to photograph there is such an honor - especially with a couple as beautiful as these two are!  I always swoon over the sweet moments after a couple is just married!  This is exponentially true when they marry at the courthouse and are so excited to make it official that they walk directly to the Register of Deeds office as these lovebirds chose to do.  We took some time for romantic portraits of the newlyweds and photos as we walked through downtown before rejoining their party to celebrate with a toast at Sovereign Remedies just blocks away.  This restaurant’s speak-easy inspired vibe fit this couple’s timeless style perfectly. 

I am still reeling in how spectacular this destination elopement truly was!  It is such an honor to work with my couples to make *their* wedding vision come to life, helping to plan as needed, and capturing it all so they can relive it for years to come.  It is my goal that they go back to the feeling of that moment every time they look at the photos .  I love getting to photograph such special moments and hope you will get in touch if you or someone you love needs big (or small) moments captured!

Photography by Camilla Calnan Photography

Ceremony at the Buncombe County Courthouse

Reception at Sovereign Remedies

The call of the snow on the closed Parkway was impossible to ignore and I finally was able to make the trek on Blue Ridge Parkway to visit the Dragon Tree during the winter!  Tracks from hikers that had passed days before remained but after the first few miles of trekking through this other-worldly winter wonderland, I found myself making the first tracks of the day. Since the parkway is closed during the winter, I had to park at the intersection with 276 near Brevard, North Carolina and hike south to see how far I could make it. 

On the way in, the snow covered ridges on the Mountain to Sea trail opened up to the most magical scenes. From deep snow drifts, massive trees, and ice covered rock faces, the most beautiful views appeared around each corner along the trail. My hike began with being enveloped by misty clouds and a wintry fog that slowly dissipated to reveal spectacular frost covered treetops against a bright Carolina blue sky.  The changes from moment to moment in the mountains have never ceased to amaze me - this day was no exception, keeping me in awe of the mountains I call home.

We have visited the 'Dragon tree' year after year in all kinds of weather conditions but with the Blue Ridge Parkway closed most of the winter, making it there never seemed like an option during snowy weather.  Inspired to finally see and photograph it in the snow, I had to make it happen.  When weather conditions were right, I headed up early, and started walking south along the Parkway.  It could have been 9ish mile round trip, but I couldn't resist the Mountains to Sea trail's call, adding a few extra miles to this most gorgeous and intense snow trekking adventure. After many miles, plus the MTS trail diversion, the snow and ice covered face of Looking Glass Rock at the overlook near the trail head was a welcome site. I was delighted to make the first footprints in the snow on the trail that day leading to to the Dragon Tree.  I wish there had been more time to linger and photograph this one of a kind tree before departing, but it was a long hike back to the truck, so I bid our old friend adieu until next time. This unique tree has inspired us so much over the years and it means the world for me to get to share this magical snowy scene with you all!

This is the first time I have gotten to experience the parkway in winter like this.  It was so quiet and magical to walk on the snow covered parkway road that we (and so many others) have driven so many times.  I live in constant awe of the mountains, and this adventure has me even more in love with where we live!  Truly hope you enjoy getting to join me on this magical winter adventure!

Contact us if you are interested in wall art or prints from these or any of our adventure photos - I would love to bring these scenes into your home or office. You can visit our new online store and check out some of the nature, landscape, macro, and urban photographs we available for purchase. We can also offer custom prints and wall art if you have something particular in mind.

Photography by Camilla Calnan Photography