2011 November Archive - Caroline Joy Photography

Archive for November, 2011

The JOY is in the journey
November 28

It’s official! The holiday season is here and it’s officially time to start listening to Christmas music! I’m giddy. I love Christmas.

I sat in the living room last night trying to plan out everything I had to do in December. Christmas shopping, preparing to teach Branches & Light, designing albums, delivering wedding photos, the last marketing push before 2012, writing thank you notes for all our amazing wedding gifts, traveling for shoots and for family time…it’s a list that’s bursting at the seams!

I sat back from my list, sighed, and went upstairs. At first I was stressed. This is my favorite season ever, and I have to manage all this?! How will I enjoy it?

The joy is in the journey.

It’s something we hear oh so often. But it gives me great comfort to know that I can decide to find joy in all the tasks I have to do. And why in the world shouldn’t I? Every last thing on my to do list has a blessing with it.

Christmas shopping will be a sweet memory that my husband and I share our first Christmas.
Preparing to teach Branches & Light which is the most energizing thing I’ve ever done. I’m so grateful to get to encourage and build relationships with such talented ladies.
Designing albums, delivering wedding photos, the last marketing push before 2012 — all things having to do with my business; I am blessed beyond blessed to do something I am passionate about for a living!
Writing thank you notes for all our amazing wedding gifts because a miracle happened this year and I met the strongest and sweetest man, and married him! And then we were blessed enough to have friends and family come celebrate with us!
Traveling for shoots and for family time — again, blessed to have work. Super blessed to have a loving family.

I know you probably didn’t need to read all that detail, but simply writing it out made me feel 10 times lighter. All I want to do is encourage you to do the same. Find the blessings in each of your to-do’s and write them out. I pray that you have a Christmas season that is full of joy, hope, quiet moments, loud laughter, and SO.MUCH.LOVE!

( Emily Ley, who designed my brand, created the print above. I love it dearly, and she has a shop full of goodies and fine paper goods. See for yourself! )

Posted in Personal | 1 Comment »

Bonnie & Ryan
November 23

Bonnie was on a trip to NYC when Ryan totally surprised her by flying there and proposing at a sweet little breakfast cafe that had been a favorite of theirs since they discovered it together. These two have a special place in their hearts for the morning meal and coffee, so they came up with the idea of shooting their engagements at Oddfellows in Dallas. I am typically drawn to color images, but the classic feel of these three in black and white has me swooning!

Posted in Engagements | 1 Comment »

The Almaguer Family
November 20

How sweet is this little family? I photographed the Almaguer’s last year when they were a family of three. They recently had a new baby boy, so I was incredibly excited to photograph their growing family again!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Audrey + Jordan
November 16

Oh how I love the Fall weddings!

Audrey and Jordan married on October 15th–the most crisp, clear Fall day you can imagine. Their wedding was perfectly styled to the season and was held on their family farm near Huntsville, AL. They have hearts as big as Texas, and I loved getting to photograph their wedding.

Posted in Weddings | 4 Comments »

The winner is…
November 14

Friends, thank you so much for celebrating the new brand launch with me! It’s been an exciting time for CJP and I’m so looking forward to what’s coming next!

SO. The winner of the $25 Anthropologie gift card is…Ruthie Allen! Ruthie, eMail me your mailing address, and I’ll send it over! YAY!

Here’s a peek at some of my new paper goods. Letterpress business cards, seed packets, vintage hankies, letterpress kraft CD cases, custom note cards, and lace to make it all pretty. Gorgeous!

Posted in For Photographers | 3 Comments »

Introducing the new Caroline Joy Photography
November 10

Oh friends. Right now my heart is so full. I get to introduce you to the most amazing little labor of love you’ve ever seen: my new brand! I’m so proud! Honestly, this is such a big day. I woke up way earlier than usual this morning and couldn’t stop smiling because I knew it was BRAND LAUNCH DAY!

There are so many new things! A new look on the blog, a whole new website, a new Facebook page, a twitter facelift, and gorgeous new business cards, stationary, and packaging! What better way to celebrate than with a $25 Anthropologie gift card to give away! To enter:

1. Go “like” our new Facebook page.

2. Update your Facebook status to say: Go like Caroline Joy Photography to win an Anthropologie gift card!

Simple as that! Make sure to tag Caroline Joy Photography in your status update so I can see that you entered. Winner will be announced on Monday, November 14th here on the blog.

Isn’t it lovely? I swoon.

All I can think right now is that I’m thankful. I’m so thankful for what wedding photography and business ownership has brought to my life. I’m so thankful for the people it’s brought into my life. To every single person who has taken the time to meet over coffee, give a hug, write an eMail, send a text – thank you. And to the three amazing ladies who made all this possible, Lara, Emily, and Cathy, I couldn’t be more grateful to you for the hours of work and care you put into crafting a brand that reflects CJP. I love y’all. xo Caroline

Posted in Personal | 18 Comments »

Rachel, Austin TX
November 9

A little set of Rachel on her wedding day in Austin, TX. My three favorite things about this set: Rachel’s amazing succulent bouquet, the cloudy skies that softened the colors, and the classic, symmetrical setup.

More to come…

Posted in Bridals, Weddings | No Comments »

Aimee & Vantana, West Hills CA
November 8

What a joy-filled, beauty-filled day! Aaron and I traveled to California for the weekend to photograph Aimee & Vantana’s wedding and engagement session. They welcomed us like they had known us forever, and we loved getting to know their kind and giving hearts.

To A & V: Thank you from the warmest place in our hearts for inviting us to be a part of your wedding. We loved it!

Posted in Weddings | 2 Comments »

Published to Love & Lavender
November 5

Recently, I had the sweetest honor of being published to Love & Lavender wedding blog. Their blog is filled to the brim with inspiration for brides who love vintage, romantic style. Feel free to check out the entire feature, including an awesome interview with the bride, here.