I have these friends who are AMAZING photographers. This spring, they graciously allowed me to shadow them on a few weddings here in the area. Aside from just LOVING being with them, I learned a ton.

These are a few of my favorites from the first wedding I attended. One valuable lesson that I gleaned, ironically, did not come from my friends, the photographers. It came from the bride. I told my friend, Jen, near the end of the evening that when I grow up, I want to be like Kelley.

Her special day was far from seamless, but she took it all in stride. She was truly a beautiful bride in every sense. Not just outwardly, but she also exuded poise and grace from with in that shows up in every photograph.

See for yourself….

You may remember the story I wrote on the miracle of Baby Caroline. It is definitely worth reading, if you are new to my blog. Not because of my retelling of it, but because stories like this never get old or lose their ability to inspire.

Though I still call Caroline McCollum “BC” which stands for  baby Caroline, she is no longer an infant. This December, she turned 3 years old AND became a big sister.

Nick and Julianna are friends, who also happen to be neighbors. This is such a wonderful combination with lots of life perks. But, for me, it also carries with its own strange form of exposure.

For example, our cul-de-sac is the McCollum Family’s exercising mid-point.They walk or run to our house and turn around to begin retracing their steps. Again, a HUGE, fun bonus, but not so much if you are the first person in the hood to have your Christmas tree by the curb…the day after Christmas. If you can even wait that long.

Two years ago,  I remember throwing open my front door to drag out four large garbage bags full of clutter shenanigans only to look up and see my friend/neighbor jogging by our house. I startled her with my frantic commotion and intensity, practically falling down my front porch steps, while never wavering in my grip of the clutter. I knew that if I could just make it to the trash can with this external excess, my internal life would begin restoring itself.

She stopped in her tracks and we just looked at each other for a second. Her face beginning to crack into a smile because, she knows and loves me well in every emotional state and episode.

“Hi, Julianna,” I said, panting harder than her in mid-run.

“Hey, Carrie,” she said with a knowing giggle.

“I’m just picking up a bit, nothing major,” I said.

“I see that,” she said.

She then smiled at me and went on her way.

This past Saturday, I went over to their house to snap a few photos of their new son, BG. Which is another perk of having friends in the neighborhood. They let you practice your photography on their budding family. That morning was actually one of the highlights of my holiday season.

and this is why…..

I confess that this picture brought tears to my eyes this afternoon, and it is probably my favorite that I have taken this fall. Maybe it is because I worried with such a large family shoot that I would not get “the shot” I set out to attain. And in my heart, this was the one I wanted.

Or maybe it was because, I just love my friend, Jean and think she is lovely and this captures that perfectly.

Though a mixture of all the above, I think my tears probably came from a place of gratitude that would have never predicted a year away from our home church would have reaped such a bounty of friendship.

Roger and I met years ago, and I like to refer to him as my publisher. The only two times I have ever had my writing in print, it has been due to this wonderfully delightful man. Really need I say more than this….

Roger has the unfortunate privilege of being one of the few who draws out my laugh to its fullest capacity. My father has a loud, boisterous laugh. My mom has a giggle mixed with a cackle. Well, I inherited both. Usually, I can make it be one or the other or temper it to be a subdued combined version, but not when I’m hanging out with Roger. And quite frankly, I am ok with that.

They are a special couple who have sacrificed a lot to store up treasures in heaven. But, their store house is not only unseen which is why I was so excited to get the opportunity to photograph their family. I love how you can see Jean and Roger’s smile in the faces of their children. Two of whom  were unable to make the shoot.

I read this week that “good writing can be like window pane.”(George Orwell) I have found the same to be true with a good photograph. And though I am just learning how all this photography stuff works, the last picture in this series speaks volumes.

This is the road that Roger and Jean take their daily walk on. It has become a holy ritual that has sustained them through all kinds of weather.

I have known Jeremy and Lindsay White for many years now. It is one of those special relationships of longevity where we have seen and experienced many of life’s changes together.

When we met, they had recently gotten married. Now they have three amazing boys and are a part of my family’s favorite ministry, Camp Lurecrest. I often refer to them as my “camp friends” and provide no further explanation.

I realize now that is because I don’t have adequate words to describe what this family means to me. They leave their Charlotte community each May and live in Lake Lure for 4-5 months so Jeremy can serve as the director for Camp Lurecrest. Lindsay has brought up her boys there and sacrifices so much of her time with her husband so he can pour into the lives of staff, college students, and campers hoping they will leave with a greater awareness of who Jesus is and how deeply He loves.

Some of my favorite pictures from this session are of Jeremy and his boys because it reminds me of how at camp, everyday he takes off work for “Daddy time.” You can see him with his sons all over camp whether riding in a ‘gator’, doing the zipline, tubing behind a boat, swimming in the lake or pool, or whatever activity strikes their little fancy that day. He also carves out special time for his wife, who is also an INCREDIBLE gift to her boys and all of the staff at camp.  I’m overwhelmed by their friendship and impact on my family.

You can read about some of our summer experiences with them and why we love camp so much here.

Meet The White Family and Lindsay’s parents, the Barth’s…..

“Simon says…..GO CRAZY!!!”

I really love this girl. so much.

I have told my friend more than once that I think she may have won the “Parent Lottery.” After spending an evening photographing her folks with their grandchildren, I now have no doubt.

What a pleasure it was being with the Webb’s and getting a glimpse into the legacy of love they are leaving behind.

These two share a name.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”