It is always an adventure getting to explore the NC Arboretum campus, and it has been a long time since my last snowy visit. Throughout the visit, I was greeted by the most wonderful sights, icicles along the side of the road, snow covered trails and gardens, creeks and trees accented with remnants of the last winter storm. We are proud to be Leader level Community Partners of the The North Carolina Arboretum and really enjoy being able to see all of the seasonal changes on the campus. It is the most wonderful project archiving the constantly evolving spaces over the years.

This visit was so beautiful, I had to capture as many places on campus as possible. The Winter Lights setup this year is a drive through style (COVID safe) approach, so seeing these creatures and creations against the wintry backdrop was a special treat. The icy details and dramatic landscapes kept me photographing around every turn - simply magical to get to go somewhere so often that continues to surprise us year after year!

I hope you enjoy getting to see some of my favorite spots at the NC Arboretum in Asheville. It is a wonderful place to explore, learn, hike and play for 'kids' of all ages!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: North Carolina Arboretum

I have had the honor of photographing this awesome family annually for 6 years now!! Each fall, we choose an amazing location to go play. This year we revisited to the NC Arboretum, which is one of our favorite places in any season and has a million ever changing backdrops to work with. With the Winter Lights displays still set up, we were treated to over-sized insects and flowers plus *unicorns* that were so much fun to work into their fun family photos. You can feel the love between them all - and I am so so lucky to get to capture them together!! I could gush forever about these four, but I think the photos will say more than words can.

Getting to photograph chapters of my clients (friends) lives is just the best! Creating an archive of family photos to have to look back on as the years fly by seems like the best gift I can give. Preserving memories by freezing moments in time to cherish forever is my goal. I look forward to helping to create timeline albums, prints, and wall art to be lived with so they can enjoy be enjoyed off the phone or computer. Let's create new family heirlooms that can live on for years to come!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: North Carolina Arboretum

Amanda and Kevin celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary this past fall! Despite the crazy times of COVID, we made our annual session happen and I was ecstatic to capture the love and celebrate such a happy occasion. I have been shooting from behind a mask, staying further away than usual since last March, adapting to the times, making efforts to take any precautions needed to keep everyone safe while shooting. Needless to say, it was a bit different shooting this year, but truly thankful we were able to make it happen! It has been such an honor to be their photographer from engagement to wedding to annual anniversary portraits. This year, we visited a north Asheville park on a surprisingly blustery day then continued onto the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore Village. The Bohemian is a boutique hotel that is full of amazing art, inside and out, and is always a stunning place to visit. A one of a kind venue for one of a kind people - it was truly the perfect backdrop to capture these adorable anniversary portraits for these clients that have become dear friends. It means the world to get to capture chapters of a couple's story over the years!! Wishing Amanda and Kevin many many more happy anniversaries!!

I hope you enjoy getting to see some of our favorites from the session. If there are milestones or occasions you have been putting off memorializing with photos, please get in touch. I would love to help capture portraits of those you love to share with the family and friends that you have not been able to see as much this past year. Especially during these crazy times, it is even more important than ever to preserve these fleeting memories and share photos with our favorite people before more time flies by. Please do not hesitate to reach out; I would love to be your photographer!

Photographer: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Grand Bohemian Hotel, Biltmore Village, Asheville, NC

Roan Mountain adventures are such a magical experience in all kinds of weather. This is the first time I made it up there during the winter. It was covered in snow and a heavy misty fog, a winter wonderland; no views this visit but that added to the mysteriousness of the trek. A few days after a Christmas snow in the mountains, I felt like I could safely make the drive and the hike up with my minimal gear. This was the magic I needed to end the year with; thankful everything lined up to make this happen!!

Over the years, I have gotten to visit during the spring, summer and fall. I am so glad I was able to experience this during the winter! If you decide to head up there after a recent snow, be prepared for iced over parts of the trail. Without spikes for my boots and poles to help climb, there was no way to make it all the way up this time, but I enjoyed every moment of the hike that I was able to make.

Roan is a unique geological formation, being a series of peaks, it is technically a 'massif' which is a mountain range, not just a mountain. Roan Massif is one of the highest ranges in the Southern Appalachians with peaks reaching over 6200 feet! Roan lies at the North Carolina/Tennessee line that divides at NC Highway 261 and TN Highway 143. When it is not wintertime, you have the option to drive up to Cloudland for a completely different experience with wooded trails up to the historic Cloudland hotel site. Another option is to hike up the Appalachian Trail, climbing 1000' through the forests on well maintained trails to reach Cloudland. I look forward to making that trek one day, but so far, the balds keep calling me over to the eastern side. The few times I've been up to Cloudland, I drove up as I did not realize the awesome trail I was missing out on. ...until next time Roan!

Have you gotten to experience the Roan Highlands? It is one of my favorite places for an adventure!!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Roan Mountain, Carver's Gap

This awe-inspiring, creative couple chose an epic location for their dream adventure session to celebrate their elopement! Jenni and Nolan hiked Black Balsam through the evergreen forest, up rock outcroppings, and past fairytale trees and views that would disappear into the most magical mist. They needed a spectacular location for such a special session - I think we found it on the perfect day!

Her one of a kind boots, accessories, and dress were perfectly complemented by his custom three piece suit. All of the loving details they chose were the perfect accents to accompany one of the most magical wedding dress up adventure sessions ever. We are so honored that they had us photograph their adventure and that we were able to fulfill their vision. Congratulations, Jenni and Nolan! I hope your session inspires more couples to dress up for once in a lifetime photo adventures like this!

Photographer: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Black Balsam off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, NC

Dress: David's Bridal

Suit: Indochino

Bride's boots: Freebird by Steve Madden

Rings: Bride's by Belle Meade Family Jewelry; Groom's by Rustic and Main

Bridal Alterations: Emily Dukes