After my first trip to New York City, I find myself wanting to return soon to keep exploring. I stayed in Manhattan, visited a friend in Brooklyn, walked from one end of Central Park to the other, saw some of Chelsea, took trains, ate a massive Katz corned beef, enjoyed LOTS of authentic Korean food, enjoyed so many great meals, and caught a few glimpses of other neighborhoods on my way in and out of town, I now have a bigger list of must-see places for when I get back up that way including Grand Central Station, Ellis Island, Natural History Museum and the Met, Broadway for a show, and so much more! I must admit that for my first visit, I fulfilled my goal to ‘experience’ the city.

One of my main agendas in ‘the city’ was to take in as much of the magic of Fredrick Law Olmstead’s FIRST landscape architect project. He and Calvert Vaux designed Central Park to be a ‘democratic greenspace in a growing metropolis’. This 843-acre park is such a unique experience with its beautiful winding pathways that circle around the reservoir and lake, the natural and curated gardens, an awe-inspiring array of historic trees, stonework, arches, and structures created with an artisan touch, and so many sculptures. I spent an entire day of my visit taking as much of it in as I could, traversing from one end to the other. Reeling in the sights kept me walking and seeing art along my way back to my hotel.

Somehow in Central Park, the jacket I saw with ‘It was all a dream’ on it then the squirrel posing for me alongside Dr. Seuss-like trees summed up the feeling of this magical place! Those three moments happened one after the other. I’m excited to share some of this awesome trip with you all!

When I found myself in the park alongside Museum Mile, I emerged from the huge gates to find myself looking at the magnificent Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum. I could not resist the call to enter that magnificent building. The Guggenheim Museum in New York has always been somewhere I wanted to see, not just for the art, but to experience being in that building. The architecture is one of a kind and a work of art unto itself. The art was spectacular- pieces on display from Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Manet, and amazing current exhibitions by Alex Katz ‘Gathering’ and Nick Cave ‘Forothermore’ (woah – that is some deeply moving and intriguing work – check him out!) .

Did you know that Asheville’s Biltmore Estate and NC Arboretum were also Fredrick Law Olmstead projects? I loved getting to see this special place – and am honored to help support this legacy by being a community partner of the NC Arboretum. These non-Asheville area photos actually do relate to our area and ultimately, it is all connected no matter where we end up. Have you been to NYC? If so, what are your favorite places to explore?

I am so excited to finally share some of my trip to NYC to wrap up the end of 2022 and start 2023.

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: all over New York City

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

It is such an honor to share some of my favorite portraits from this awesome session. I was thrilled to get to finally photograph the gorgeous family of a colleague turned friend with her adorably proud husband, and their ridiculously talented beautiful children on a perfect fall day near their home in the mountains.

It is one of the best things in my world to get to photograph families together. These fleeting moments preserved to look back on when these memories seem so long ago will be more important than you can imagine. If it has been awhile since you were photographed with your favorite people, isn't it about time? Give me a call or email so we can plan a session for you and yours.

So much fun working with these four! This family is truly changing the world in the best ways. I am excited for you to get to see these favorites from their fall portrait session.

Photographer: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: The Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina

I love getting to escape to the Blue Ridge Parkway and immerse in nature. If you have been following me for a while, you have probably seen ‘the Dragon Tree’ that I go visit any chance I get. This uniquely formed/shaped birch spurs lots of debate whether or not this tree is a native American marker tree. It was common for trees to be formed into unique shapes to indicate water sources, which is on the way to Skinny Dip Falls so it would make sense that it was used for that. There are many people that feel that this tree is not old enough to be an actual marker tree used by the tribes, but regardless, it is obvious that this uniquely shaped growth pattern was not by happenstance. If you want to go see the dragon, hit the Blue Ridge Parkway and go to mile marker 417, park at the Looking Glass Rock overlook, and take the trail across the road for a few hundred yards and you will see it.

Several miles up the road from there is Graveyard Fields, one of my favorite places to visit along the parkway, especially in fall. The views along the parkway are ever changing and never cease to amaze me, resetting my soul every single time. The fall colors are just starting to show, inspiring me to need to return soon. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk as there is a lot of life thriving in this special place. We happened to see a native brown snake (Storeria dekayi) with the most beautiful scale pattern along the trail. As far as venomous snakes in the area, copperheads and timber rattlers are native in the mountains of NC, so be sure to pay attention where you step on your adventures. If you visit, please know that tropical storm Fred caused all kinds of damage, the most obvious here being the footbridge over the lower falls has been shifted – it is still stable but worth being extra careful. There are lots of stairs on this trek if going to the lower falls. The forest service has done an amazing job working to preserve the delicate ecosystem by building walkways and steps throughout this spectacular area.

If you get a chance to visit the area, I definitely suggest visiting both of these spots near Brevard, North Carolina. Please remember to leave no trace when you adventure so we can all work together to conserve and preserve these lands for generations to come.

I hope you enjoy getting to vicariously join me on this fun little photo adventure! Happy fall!

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Location: Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard, NC

The North Carolina Arboretum has a must-see exhibit on display right now - Wild Art Sculpture Showcase!! This inspiring outdoor sculpture exhibition is on display until September 26, 2021. There are 18 sculptures by 17 artists that drew their inspiration from nature. The diverse styles and materials are a fitting complement to the Arboretum's ever changing gardens, exhibits, and educational offerings. This 434 acre campus has been cultivating so much in the Asheville community for over 30 years.

Camilla Calnan Photography is proud to be one of the sponsors of the Wild Art Exhibit at the NC Arboretum. The studio is a community partner along with an array of local supporters and partner businesses. I was honored that I was able to meet quite a few of the artists at the artist's opening reception, and in this post I have combined photos from the reception evening along with photos from other visits.  Hope you get to see these sculptures in person!  See below the photos for links to the artists' websites.  

Pieces & Artists:

“Big Al” by Grace Cathey

“Carp and the Acorn” by David Boyajian

“Raptor” by John W. Parker

“Leo” by Pokey Park

“Tangled Hare” by Todd Frahm

“Two Butterflies and a Moth” by Linda Pannullo

“Circumstantial Evidence” (fox) and “The Visitor” (otters) by Roger Martin

“Stillness Meets Trajectory” by Annie Mariano

“Sanctuary” by John M. Almaguer and Julia C. Burr

“The Great Monarch Migration” and “A Flock of Black Birds” by Jim Gallucci

“Hatchling” by Harry McDaniel

“Hope” by Jim Weitzel 

“Tributary” by Eli Blasko 

“Angelwing” by Susan Moffatt 

“Nesting” by Robert Coon 

“Without Them There’s No Us” by Lex Turnbull

Photography by : Camilla Calnan Photography **

**credit to Chris Bolm for the photos of me with two of the sculptures; truly appreciate all his work and so many great photos worked into lots of our posts and on the sites.

Location: NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC

Exhibit Sponsors: Asheville Citizen-Times; B.B. Barns Garden, Gift and Landscape Company; Camilla Calnan Photography; Friendship Park at Givens Estates; The Laurel of Asheville; Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty; RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide; Smoky Mountain Living Magazine; Tryon Estates, an Acts Retirement-Life Community; and Henco North Creative Imaging.