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

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

Photography by: Camilla Calnan Photography
Wedding planning and flora by: An English Flower Cottage
Venue: The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa