Carrie Turner Photography: Blog

PORTRAIT: Maggie, yoga poses and portraits

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 21:52:49 GMT

“Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart." -RUMI

I feel so fortunate to have shared a beautiful afternoon with Maggie as she stayed in Asheville to complete yoga certification. I have never photographed yoga poses, although I myself have done yoga many times, and it was really a joyful experience, a gift of connection with my subject in a new way. It was a reminder that photographing someone doing what they love is the purest form of art.

Thank you, Maggie! xoxo

FAMILY: family at the park

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 03:08:35 GMT

I love spending time with families just enjoying each other and having fun. Even more, I love having the chance to revisit families as they grow and change. I photographed Eve and her family back when baby William was about to be born. This time I got to see the relationship forming between little William and big sister Emmy. So much sweetness and laughter. Thank you for sharing this time with me!

ENGAGED: Madu + Gowtham

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 02:15:29 GMT

Photography is many things to me: my outlet, my first love, my way of seeing and speaking about the world. At it's heart, though, photography is really about connection - with the subject, with light, with nature, with moment. Recently I spent a lovely spring morning at the Biltmore with Madu and Gowtham - and a few thousand of our closest friends - and what I found again is that photography gives me the privilege of connecting and participating in people's lives who I otherwise would never meet. We had a wonderful time, snapped some beautiful photos, and shared stories of food, family, tradition, life, and love. That, my friends, is what it's all about.

Thank you for sharing your love with me, Madu and Gowtham! Blessings to you always. xoxoxo

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ENGAGED: Sarah + Clinton

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 01:33:48 GMT

Lucky me, I get to hear a lot of sweet love stories - how people met, when they fell in love, how they got engaged. I have to say that the story Sarah and Clinton shared with me about their engagement is one of the best stories ever. Christmas morning, a handwritten poem, a single line of blue yarn threaded from point A, through the yard, through a hole in a beloved tree, through the vineyard, to a beautiful ring and a beautiful proposal, on the porch of Sarah's grandfather's home. Photographing their engagement session in this same setting, on a warm early spring evening, was so perfect and now holds a coveted spot as one of my favorite shoots ever.

Sarah and Clinton - May you have a lifetime of incredible stories like this one. I can't wait to share your wedding day with you!

FAMILY: baby Eli

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 01:39:16 GMT

I've been kept warm this winter by a few cozy photo sessions, including this sweet baby session. I love nothing more than a session that takes place at home, where everyone is comfortable (especially the dog)! Dogs, babies, love - what else is there?

Thanks to Kara and Ric for sharing this beautiful experience with me! xoxoxo

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FAMILY: childhood friends + family

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 02:10:00 GMT

Some friendships go back so far, I can't remember when they began. Last fall, I was entrusted with photographing several childhood friends and their families. I found, to my surprise, that photographing these people from my past was actually quite emotional. I've reconnected with these people through Facebook, so I knew something of their lives and loves even though years have past since we've actually seen each other in person. Still, coming face-to-face with a childhood friend you haven't seen in years simultaneously brings back your childhood and punctuates just how many years have passed. Add to that the genuine love, connection, and emotion between the subjects of my photographs and it's a miracle I wasn't a blubbering mess the entire time.

The takeaway for me is that photography never ceases to amaze me in it's ability to help me find new places within myself, to discover that love and connection and life are more complex and intricate than I ever could have imagined. Only because of my camera do I have this opportunity to enter places old and new, to glimpse the purest expression of the human condition in the extravagant and the everyday. The photographer, truly, is the luckiest one of all.

Thank you, my friend, for showing the beauty to me. xoxoxo

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LOVE: Kathleen + Mark

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 03:26:24 GMT

I do love a sweet, intimate, private wedding. Officiant Michelle Smith referred this lovely couple to me, and their fall wedding at the North Carolina Arboretum was lovely and heartfelt. I feel honored every time I'm asked to enter into a sacred space with my camera, but somehow it feels even more momentous when I'm one of the only other people there.

Wishing you years of happiness, Kathleen and Mark. Thank you for sharing such a sweet space with me. xoxoxoxo

FAMILY: Aurelie + her girls

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 03:28:59 GMT

One of my very favorite things is documenting love in its most familiar and comfortable place: home. Aurelie and her beautiful daughters have blessed my life for years now, and photographing them together is a joyful thing.

Thank you for sharing your life with me! xoxoxoxo

BRIDAL: Meredith's bridal session

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 21:30:00 GMT

My new FAVORITE thing - bridals on a day other than the wedding. Meredith is one of my lovely brides from last year, and having a peaceful and relaxing fall morning to capture her in her beautiful gown was just fabulous. Isn't she gorgeous!?

LOVE: Suzanne + Josef

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 15:15:00 GMT

Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words. --Plautus...............

These beautiful images come from a sweet October wedding at Fontaine Vineyards. There were many sweet words, and lots of smiles, laughter, and incredibly great moments that are the joy of the documentary photographer. I felt truly welcomed by Suzanne and Josef and their friends and family. May the sun always shine so warmly on these two wonderful people.

FAMILY: a walk in the woods

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 03:45:00 GMT

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. --John Muir

A lovely day in the woods at Bent Creek with this beautiful family.

LOVE: Angela + Kevin

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 03:30:00 GMT

Vintage bicycles, bagpipes, and a collection of family and friends from all corners of the globe shared in Angela and Kevin's glorious fall wedding. I shared this beautiful day with some of the nicest, most interesting, most adventurous people I've ever met - at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Claxton Farm. I laughed, I cried, I had chills. It was amazing. Years of love and good wishes to you, Angela and Kevin. Wear your helmets!

LOVE: Callie + Aaron

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 02:45:00 GMT

Picture this: an intimate wedding on the family farm in rural Virginia, on a gorgeous September day, with a view that takes your breath away. Add to that a beautiful lace gown, a handmade fascinator, and a circle of warmth created by family and friends. I know it sounds lovely - because it was. Here are a few of my favorites from Callie & Aaron's lovely fall affair. xxxooo you two.

BIRTH: Joanna, Xavi, and Isaac

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 02:45:18 GMT

Take a deep breath and imagine what it is like to share the space and time of a woman giving birth. The world stands still and gets quiet, love pulses through the room like an electrical charge. The whole experience is about love: brought about because of love, bearable only with love, creating a new love so powerful, no one comes into it fully prepared. It is a rare and sacred thing to watch this as an observer, to see the power of connection between two people, to see the divine, eternal strength of a woman becoming a mother. Honestly, words fail me when I try to explain the power of this experience. So, here are the images, instead.

Joanna, Xavi, and Isaac - thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me into this sacred space with my camera. Blessings for your family, now and always. xxxooo

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LOVE: Dale + Erik

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 02:07:39 GMT

Even when you know most of the details going in, weddings tend to be a bit of a mystery. There are a lot of unknowns, details out of everyone's control, dynamics created by a blending of two families that are, well, unpredictable. As you arrive to start shooting, when you knock on that hotel room door where everyone is getting ready, you really don't know what you'll find. When I arrived to photograph Dale and Erik's wedding, I headed down to the groom's room before the bride finished getting dressed. Erik opened the door, smiling and laughing, surrounded by FOUR little boys in tuxedos. At that moment, he was there alone, getting all these little guys ready for the wedding. It could've been totally stressful but it was one of the cutest things I've ever seen. I knew as soon as I saw how he was handling all those little guys that I was going to have a great time. I did, and later that night as everyone circled the newly married couple to sing "That's Amore!" to them, I was reminded that sometimes unpredictability is the best part of love.

Dale and Erik - may your life together be unpredictable in the very best of ways. Thank you for sharing your joy with me. xxxooo

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dale_erikwedding298-3 Details:

Hotel: The Renaissance Asheville

Portrait location: The Botanical Gardens at Asheville

Venue: The Venue

EXPECTING: Joanna

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 02:37:19 GMT

Motherhood is near and dear to my heart. There is a beautiful, quiet power in expectant mothers. They are literally lit up from within, glowing with every bit of natural sparkle available in the universe. Spend a little time with a woman about to bring forth life and you will feel the pull of the moon, the turning of tides, the evening star, the rise of the sun. It's like she holds every force of nature in the palm of her hand. After all, she's about to harness that force, crossing the bridge from expectancy to mothering. Few things in this world are more mysterious or magical.

Joanna opened up her hands and her heart to me, inviting me to capture not only the beauty of expectancy but also the power of birth. I left this photo shoot walking on air, it was so spectacular. A few days later, I joined Joanna and Xavi in the birth of their son. I'll be sharing those images soon, but for now, take a look at this beautiful, sparkling, powerful mama-to-be.

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FOOD: West Asheville Lounge and Kitchen

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 14:00:00 GMT

A few of my favorites from my shoot at WALK: West Asheville Lounge and Kitchen. This is one of our favorite neighborhood spots, and they also graciously allowed me to do a portrait shoot in their awesome space one particularly rainy day. Cheers to the WALK!

SELF-PORTRAIT: folly

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 02:09:42 GMT

We've just returned from our annual vacation to Folly Beach. I just love this place. Having grown up vacationing at the beach (on the Outer Banks in North Carolina) nothing says summertime relaxation like the sight, smell, and sound of the ocean waves. Add to this the joy of experiencing a week at the beach with my kids and husband, and there's almost nowhere I'm happier. So thankful for the beauty of this place, the opportunity to share it with people I love, and the privilege of documenting this time through photographs.

This photo of me and my son taken by my husband, Brian.

MUSIC: Jeff Collier

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 02:27:30 GMT

In case you haven't noticed, it's been raining a lot lately. I mean a LOT. Beyond soggy yards and muddy dog feet, all of this rain is wreaking havoc on photography sessions everywhere. When you have a client getting ready to release an album, and the only thing left to do is shoot the photographs for the album, you can't let the rain interfere. After a few cancellations due to weather, we opted for an indoor location: The WALK in West Asheville. The WALK is one of my favorite neighborhood joints, with great food and a great vibe located walking distance from my house. It turned out to be a perfect location for these photos of Jeff and his son, and we even got a brief reprieve from the rain to visit the lion wall.

Can't wait to see where this takes you, Jeff!

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LOVE: Katie + Jon

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:06:25 GMT

The first time I met Katie, months and months before I photographed her bridal portraits, she told me about her dress. It was being custom-made by Brooke Priddy at Ship to Shore. It was specially designed just for Katie, created collaboratively as a unique, personalized work of art. I knew then it was going to be special, and it really, really was. With an unusual silhouette, beautiful details, and a splash of color, this dress was a photographer's dream. Add to that the fact that Katie and Jon have perfected the art of seriously gazing at each other, this photography session was a real joy for me.

Congratulations, Katie and Jon, and all my best wishes for an amazing life together, with beautiful details and a splash of color.

BIZ: Noble Cider

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 02:19:46 GMT

I know you've been in this situation before: some friend of yours is really excited about a new idea.

You're a little skeptical - after all, they're talking a BIG idea, and imagining the route from here to there is a little impossible. You express support, even offer ideas of your own, but inside you think, "hmmm, I don't know".

This is exactly how I felt about a year ago when friends Joanna, Trevor, and Lief started talking about hard cider. Sure, Asheville did seem like the perfect location for such a thing: apples, craft breweries, a foodie culture, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. But it was a little hard to figure out how these guys were actually going to make the stuff, in volume, and my impression of hard cider was based upon some very terrible stuff I won't bother to mention here.

Fast forward a year later and these guys are DOING IT. Noble Cider is up and running, pouring out of taps at the Wedge, Pisgah Brewing, and the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, with more outlets on the way. And here's the other thing - the stuff actually tastes pretty amazing. It's refreshing and light, a little bubbly, not too sweet. It strikes a perfect balance between wine and beer, their summer blend just right for a hot Asheville evening. I'm counting the days until it's available in bottles...

This week, Noble Cider held their launch party at the Wedge. I went, kids in tow, to snap a few pictures, and to congratulate my good friends on having a BIG idea and making it happen. It's an inspiration, true to the core.

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MUSIC: Elijah Hooker

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:40:44 GMT

If you haven't heard of Elijah Hooker yet, you will soon. Their debut album was reviewed by Alli Marshall in this week's Mountain Express, and the early birds among you might have caught their live performance this morning on WLOS. That's right - this group of hard rock musicians, including my husband, got out of bed before sunrise just for your entertainment.

As I do with all of his musical efforts, I have to add a caveat to what I'm about to say. I'm not just saying all of this because my husband is in this band. These guys are good. Really good. The real deal. They're young, creative, and talented. As a lifelong music fan, and amateur musician myself, I love seeing talented musicians on the cusp of greatness. After all, who doesn't want to see the underdog band nerds make it big? And when my husband is in the mix, it's even better.

You can catch Elijah Hooker live this weekend at their CD release shows on Friday, June 7 at The Emerald Lounge in Asheville, starting at 9 PM and on Saturday, June 8 at the LAB in Asheville. Be sure to be there. Then you can say you knew them when...

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FIRST LOOK: Emily + Ryan

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:44:23 GMT

By the end of the night, we couldn't leave without saying goodbye, not just to the bride and groom, but to parents, siblings, bridesmaids, groomsmen. Hugging like old friends, exchanging words of thanks, sharing real gratitude. Emily and Ryan's wedding at Crystal Mountain Resort in Michigan was so full of love, warmth, and genuine kindness, I couldn't help but feel completely welcome, even though it was the first time I'd met any of these wonderful people. I had the pleasure of second shooting this wedding with one of the most talented photographers I know, who also happens to be one of my absolute best friends. Thank you, Emily and Ryan, for making Kendra and I feel so completely welcome. We loved every minute of our time with you and your amazing family. Enjoy this first look - we have so much more to share soon.

And be sure to check out Kendra's glance at Emily and Ryan's wedding, too.

If you love the way Kendra and I work together as much as we do, you should check out our formal partnership at www.f2photographie.com.

ESSAY: New home part 3

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Sun, 26 May 2013 01:30:00 GMT

I don't get to hand-select all of my projects, but if I could, this would be just the sort of thing that would make my list. My wonderful friend Rebecca asked me to help document her new home, over the course of several weeks and three photo sessions. Her request? To help capture this important rite of passage, to create images of the transformation both she and her new home would undergo together. Beyond that, it was up to me to interpret the visual story that unfolded in front of me. As an artist and storyteller, I can think of no greater honor or joy than to be asked to simply use my eye, in my own way, to tell a story.

Blessings on you and your new home for years and years to come, Rebecca.

LOVE: candace + al

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:33:07 GMT

Sometimes I think my very favorite weddings are the smallest. It's always an honor to be asked to photograph someone's wedding, to share in such an intimate and important day. By the time each wedding day ends, I really feel like I've become part of the family of the couple. I get a little choked up hugging the father of the bride before I leave, or the maid of honor and I exchange a heartfelt arm-squeeze as we say goodbye. This happens every time, whether the wedding is big or small, and it's truly a blessing. But in the small weddings, it's all intensified a little. When you're one of just a handful of people there witnessing the vows, the sensation is heightened, the responsibility of the moment increases.

For their engagement session, Candace and Al and I went hiking with their dogs. I really felt more like a friend than a photographer. At their wedding, I was warmly welcomed. Every single person involved in this sweet day was kind, loving, and completely invested in the happiness of these two people. Their wedding took place in a light rain on the deck at Laughing Waters Retreat, with the verdant green of spring raising her arms around us, and the sound of mountain streams as the backdrop. It was a magical, beautiful day.

Candace and Al, every good wish to you for a long and happy life together. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for asking me to be there on such an important day.

Vendors:

Hair and Makeup: Lindsay Barnett, Wink Salon

Venue: Laughing Waters Retreat

Cupcakes: West End Bakery

Catering: Laurey's

FAMILY: welcome baby Anna

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Sun, 19 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT

New babies...is there anything so sweet? What's really sweet about new babies, honestly, is how they are ferociously loved by those around them. They are so tiny and helpless, yet so powerful. Now that I am a mother of two, it's even sweeter about being asked to photograph a family welcoming it's second baby. There's something magical about the way the love just expands beyond measure when a second infant enters the picture.

The baby in question is Anna, second daughter of one of my oldest and dearest friends. That we can continue to forge through life together, taking on new challenges and joys as friends, is made more lovely for me by the fact that I get to bring my camera along. Thank you for always inviting us in, Maria. All my love to you and Mike, and Anna and Kathryn.

MUSIC: Posh Hammer

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:45:00 GMT

Hours of practice, music lessons with some of the most talented musicians around, mastery of multiple instruments, painstakingly turning ideas and snippets of harmony into original songs, recording with a legendary producer in a state-of-the-art studio. All of this serious musical dedication sounds like the stuff of true rock stars, and it is. The members of Posh Hammer, siblings Navied, Tiam, and Tasmin, live up to all of these rock-star descriptors and more. This week, they played to a packed house at Tressa's, jamming out to hard hitting originals, dazzling covers of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and heartfelt ballads sung as simple and beautiful acoustic duets. With the stage presence of seasoned performers and musical talent galore, it's nothing short of incredible to learn that these musicians are only teenagers: twins Tiam and Tasmin are days away from turning 14, and big brother Navied is just 15.

In spite of their young ages, the group shows a lot of promise. Having just completed recording their first album with legendary producer Karl Richardson, Posh Hammer is on the threshold of what's sure to be an exciting musical journey. Lucky for me, I've had the opportunity to photograph twice - once for portraits and once to document their recording session at Echo Mountain Studios. In my mind, all of my subjects are rock stars. It's just not that often that my subjects make me feel like I'm a Rolling Stone photographer. Thanks for inviting me along for this amazing ride, Posh Hammer. I can't wait to see what's next for you!

NEW BLOG

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:15:00 GMT

My photography blog has a new home - and you're here! How exciting!!! As I work to upload new work to this blog I'll also be archiving old posts from my existing photo blog. For now, I invite you to visit http://carrieturnerphotography.tumblr.com/ for earlier posts.

Thank you for your patience as I start this exciting new home for my work! Leave a comment, share with friends, visit often.

Love!

self-portrait: goodbye murphy

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:14:09 GMT

I’m a photographer, so it’s no secret and probably no surprise that I frequently document my own life with images. This week, my family lost a long-time and very loyal companion, our dog Murphy. With the help of my husband, we photographed our last goodbye to a truly beloved family member. We will miss you forever, Murphy.

If you’re interested in reading more about Murphy and our story, please visit my personal blog: http://www.iwantnina.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-little-dog.html. For more examples of my photography work, please visit my website: http://www.carrieturnerphotography.com.

family: the mattssons welcome baby Nora

(Carrie Turner Photography) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:29:00 GMT

What did I say before about the Mattssons? That they are sweet and kind, and beautiful. All of this is still true, but has been compounded by the fact that they’ve been joined by their wonderful baby Nora. I so enjoyed visiting with them and photographing their new little family right before Christmas. Their house is full of sweet details and bright colors that made it even more enjoyable.

Congratulations on your two beautiful daughters, Martin and Destiny! Thank you so much for sharing this time with me. Sending you lots and lots of love.

To see more of my photography, please visit www.carrieturnerphotography.com.