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

It is the best thing ever to have the NC Arboretum so close for a quick adventure. Between the seasonal change and all the constant hard work by the grounds crew, it is never the same on campus. It has been awhile since I shared any photos from the gardens, so I created a small collection of images from a few visits this summer. The art integrated into the landscape is so inspiring! The gardens and trails are always the perfect escape - and they make the best location for photo sessions.

I am looking forward to being a vendor at the Arboretum fall Plant Sale September 16-17. If you haven't gotten a chance to go to the plant sale there yet, mark your calendar and make sure to come visit. Do not miss out - SO many great plants and plant related goodness! If you can't make it those days, if you make it on campus, I have an assortment of cards, coasters, prints and more for sale at the shop in the Baker Center. I am happy to ship if not in the area or if you visit and don't want worry about transporting your photo art home. Contact me for more info.

Thanks for checking out my blog!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: NC Arboretum, Asheville, North Carolina

On the last Saturday morning before the Forest service closed the trail to Catawba Falls until spring 2023, I am so glad I was able to make one more trek to this spectacular place. They will be working to make viewing the falls safer for the public “by building retaining walls, boardwalks, staircases, and overlooks along the trail from the second bridge to the base of Lower Catawba falls along the creek to Upper Catawba falls.” (Quoted from Forest Service signage) If you have been following the blog or posts about my adventures, you have probably seen that I have visited these awe-inspiring falls several times lately since my first visit not long ago. This visit was the first time I made the climb to Upper Catawba Falls. This was only possible with the help of some new friends I met on the trail; we helped encourage each other to continue as none of us had been to the upper falls before. So grateful we met when we did! It was quite the climb, scaling rocks and using roots to scramble up the mountain. There is no question that it was totally worth it to see this magical place.

I am not sure how I timed it on a weekend to catch this place just before being closed perfectly. I parked with 4 other cars in the lot and a few hours later, walked out to big crowds and not a single spot in the lot – cars parked anywhere they could be squeezed. I am truly over the moon that I went and saw the falls before the structures are built, glad I made that climb, but most grateful that I somehow had quiet moments with no other people at both sets of falls. It was insanely busy with visitors everywhere when I climbed down. People wanted to say goodbye to what they have known these falls as for so long and had gathered en masse to do so. I understand that the closure and repairs are needed to make it safe with so many people flocking to these sites; I can only hope that the magic of the place is somehow left intact after all the construction. If you haven’t been, you will have to wait until it reopens, hopefully by spring 2023. Forest service site with updates is linked below.

I will go visit when it reopens as I cannot wait to see these beautiful falls again. Hope you enjoy seeing a bit of this adventure. I still wonder how on earth I ended up there on a beautiful weekend with time before all the other people arrived (kismet!). Wading in the pool of upper Catawba and finding a rainbow in the mist of the falls has to have been one of my favorite moments of zen lately. Truly a special place. Ecstatic to share these.

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Catawba Falls, Old Fort, North Carolina