Each year I look forward to photographing the Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum! As the temperatures drop and the edit queue is full of weddings, portraits, corporate, commercial, events, and adventures, capturing Winter Lights has become the best holiday tradition. I am so glad I wrapped a session just in time to make the last hour of the preview night last week! It was a perfect night to walk through some of this year's displays and take it all in. It is spectacular! Each year has gotten better and this year is no exception so be sure to go check it out!

Visit the click here to visit the Winter Lights page on the NC Arboretum site for more information about tickets and event info. 

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Linville Falls Overlook Trail

When the stars align, magical things happen. A lot of stars had to align to make a long standing dream for Bob Jordan’s debut album to become a reality. I am so grateful that things worked out for me to photograph Bob Jordan and the talented musicians that joined him in the studio recording his debut album. It is an honor to share some of his story, a selection of the photos, and pictures of a hard to get printed copy of the album, “If this Dream Stands”.

Bob is a singer-songwriter that dreamed of being John Lennon after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show as a kid. He began writing these songs 10 years ago and it took meeting the right musicians to bring it to life. With the support of a group of talented musicians and the inspiring space to record, the dream became a reality with the album being released in August 2022. The album was recorded and mastered at Seclusion Hill Music in Asheville, North Carolina.

Bob’s folky-rock guitar led songs inspire memories of the great music of the 60’s with an updated yet nostalgic feel. I have really enjoyed listening to this album! It was such a pleasure to get to hear the early versions evolve into the mastered versions on the final versions. I cannot wait to get to see him perform later this year – December 4 at Whitehorse Black Mountain. Excited to see how it all evolves as his dream becomes reality!

If you want to check out his music or purchase for download click here or click here for the amazon link.

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Musician/Songwriter: Bob Jordan Music

Recording Studio/Location: Seclusion Hill, Asheville, NC

CD Printing/Distribution: CD Baby

The Asheville Symphony in the park 2022 is happening this evening, and I realize that I never shared the photos from last year's amazing performance. We are so lucky to have this awe-inspiring opportunity to see the symphony in the middle of downtown.

I hope you enjoy seeing a bit of the lovely evening from last year.  

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: McGuire Green, Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville, NC

Performers: Asheville Symphony

It is such an honor to tell you about Mountaineer Motor Tours, a historical tour company where you get to ride in a 1923 Model T. Heath, the owner, tour guide, and driver has worked hard getting ready for tours in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Heath, his wife, Sara, and their border collie, Kira, are just the best. I am thankful for such wonderful friends and clients that bring me in on the most amazing projects. I am ecstatic to share some of the photos from our recent shoot capturing the inaugural tour. It has been so much fun working with them along the way!

Heath has such a passion for history, automobiles, and Asheville, this is a perfect way for him to share what he loves with his guests. His attention to detail and inspiration shows on all levels. This unique experience will leave you wanting to learn more about the area and likely wanting to take another tour.

From the Mountaineer Motor Tours website: “Heath Towson is an Asheville Native – born and raised in the “Land of the Sky.” Driven by a love for history of the city and automobiles, he decided to create Mountaineer Motor Tours. He wanted to share Asheville by touring folks around in a vehicle that truly evoked the Golden Age of Asheville – the 1920s. Heath believes in historic preservation and currently serves on the board of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County. He also serves as a weekend docent at the Estes-Winn Car museum in Grovewood Village.”

This is the perfect opportunity to learn about Asheville history while riding in a 100 year old car. I linked the website below for more info and to schedule your tour.

Tour/Model T: Mountaineer Motor tours

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Grovewood Village and around Asheville, NC

Kasia and Kevin had the most romantic winter wedding day in Asheville, North Carolina. Their ceremony was held in a gorgeous church in downtown Asheville, the Basilica St Lawrence. The reception was at Homewood, a castle-like venue that was a perfect location for this Game of Thrones loving couple. The couple got ready with their family at the Hilton, gathering at the Montford Rooftop Bar in the hotel for the couple’s first look on the patio. It was the sweetest first look as Emma, the couple’s daughter, joining her dad for mom’s big entrance. After some sweet family moments, they enjoyed the most delectable lunch before they headed to the church for the ceremony.

I love this couple and their family so much. I especially adore their sweet little girl, as you can probably tell from the photos. We had so much fun! The locations were swoon-worthy on their own, but the details, colors, and loving touches they added throughout were spectacular. Kasia’s blush pink gown and her bejeweled shoes, the fur-edged shawls for the girls, the kilts on the groom’s party, the flowers, the cake, the food…it was like the best scavenger hunt ever seeking to photograph it all!

Huge thanks to Nikki with Carolina Love Events and Homewood for coordinating the perfect evening to celebrate Kasia and Kevin! Nikki’s team also created the wonderful floral and created the event design. Black Eyed Susan Catering did a magnificent job creating a wonderful menu for the evening and fulfilled some very important special requests (pirogi anyone?). Just Simply Delicious created the perfect cake designed to look like a birch tree and it was truly delicious! Flawless did a fabulous job on the bridal hair and makeup making Kasia even more gorgeous than she already is.

The whole event was a photographer’s dream and I was so lucky to get to be there to capture it all. Wishing Kasia and Kevin many many more happy years!! I wish I could share all the photos and sweet, silly, loving stories behind the photos, but I have a feeling the ‘a photo is worth a million words’ applies ten-fold to wedding days that are as special as this one. Each person there (and those that joined remotely) were ecstatic that the big day was finally happening and that made it all that much more magical. It was an honor to be there to photograph their day. I hope you can feel the love!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Getting ready/first look location: Doubletree by Hilton Asheville; Montford Rooftop Bar

Ceremony Location: Basilica St Lawrence

Reception Location: Homewood

Planner & florist: Carolina Love Events

DJ/reception music: Mr C’s Mobile DJ

Cake/baker: Just Simply Delicious

Caterer: Black Eyed Susan

Hair/makeup for bride: Flawless