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

Making the hike to the Linville Daffodil Flats has been on my wish list, but it seemed too daunting to attempt…until this year.  After lots of research, buying better hiking boots, and taking longer hikes to prepare, the weather and my schedule lined up perfectly with peak bloom.  I had to try and I’m over the moon to share photos of the epic journey.  I pulled into the parking lot around 7:40 behind one other SUV (note – road can be tricky for cars/low clearance vehicles as the last 8 miles is gravel with washouts to keep a lookout for).  From all the spider webs I collected on the way down, it seems that I was the first to head down Pinch In Trail that lovely morning. I arrived at the flats at around 10 am, just behind the couple I saw at the parking area.  Ended up taking a diversion upstream and having to backtrack after not noticing the turn in the trail near the huge boulder covered in fern and moss (GORGEOUSLY distracting location!!).  Missing that turn made my 7 miles in and out hike closer to 10 miles round trip but the river views, beautiful streams, rocks, and trees kept me exploring even though I knew I should turn around.  No regrets, even with the last 1.5 miles going straight up the mountain to get out – so thankful I was prepared and started early in the day.

To get to this former homestead covered in bright yellow narcissus, you have to descend into the Linville Gorge and there is no easy way to do that.  The shortest access is via the Pinch In Trail – 1.5 miles with around 1500 feet in elevation change.  You basically climb straight down the mountain over rock faces, roots, around ancient trees, and then follow the flow of the river 2 miles to access this magical spot. After miles of walking through the muted colors of the late winter landscape, seeing the bright yellow field of flowers was such a wonderful view to behold.  The hardest part of the adventure awaits after you leave the flats, I trekked in with both digital and film gear, so even after all it took to make it there, I had to quickly capture the flower covered scene before starting the ascent to get out of the gorge.  I spent a little time photographing the plethora of blooms, staying mindful that I had to make myself start heading back asap. After 20 minutes taking in this unique place, it was time to go.  

The gentle trail by the river was such a lovely walk, but knowing what was ahead kept me from lingering.  With the big photo backpack loaded with water, snacks, and all the photo gear I could justify bringing, there was an extra challenge to the climb.  One step at a time, straight up the side of the gorge, climbing a mountain that was starting to seem familiar by now, I made it back up.  It was hard for me to focus on pacing it, stopping lots to take breaks on the way, and drinking lots of water.  After this epic journey, I am so thankful that I am able to make it to these places and I’m ecstatic to share some of my favorite photos from the trek. 

If you decide to try this one, please do lots of research and preparation as Linville Gorge is a wilderness area, so trails are a little hard to find, and if anything happens, cell service is non-existent.  In the event that you needed to be rescued, texting 911 may help, but unless you know exactly where you are, the volunteers in that area can only do so much to help.  Be mindful and stay safe!

Photography by Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Daffodil Flats on the Pinch In Trail

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

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