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Welcome to the blog!

Hi! My name is Caroline and I'm so glad you're here! I'm a photographer based in Texas. This blog is the spot where you'll find all things current with my photography and my life. Take a look around to get a feel for what I love to do. I'd love to hear from you...leave a comment or two, don't be shy! :)

And if you're looking for the main Caroline Joy Photography website...it's right here!!

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hi!

it's wonderful to have you here! thanks for visiting my blog. i'm caroline joy, a wedding and family photographer based in abilene, texas. this is the spot where you'll get to glance into my every day life as i live what i love.

hang out here for a while. take a minute to read a few posts, check out some photos, and leave a comment or two- don't be shy! i'd love to hear what you think. enjoy!

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Wednesday
10Mar2010

sarah & chad {engaged}

I left Sarah and Chad's session feeling more alive and content than I had in weeks. Over the span of our three hour session (which included cooking and eating...win!) I witnessed, between them, a gentle, deep kind of love. Love with a maturity that's beyond their years. It's not really surprising, though, because if you know Sarah and Chad, you know that they are people of wisdom. I watched them cook a meal together and it was incredible to see them work side by side. Not a careless rude word was spoken, and their love and care about the other's well being was evident. And the best part of all this, is that they don't just treat each other this way--they treat the whole world this way. The respect, thoughtfulness, and care translate into how they treat complete strangers, friends, even the planet. Their sweet example brought peace to my heart. I can't even tell you how refreshing it was. Besides being the most genuine people on the face of the earth, Sarah and Chad are just way too much fun! They love life and it shows. Sarah's joy and giddiness, Chad's happy laugh...it just shows. :)
This first set is something I've been dying to try for ages! I loved the results so much that I'm pretty sure I'm going to incorporate one of these little sets into every session.

Below: Favorite, favorite, favorite shot from the day. Sarah's flower in her hair is the one she's going to be wearing on the wedding day! 

Cooking in Sarah's ADORABLE apartment. I was so inspired. She walked me through the place and told me all about her DIY touches. It gave me some seriously great money-saving ideas for my new place. More news on that coming later. :) Did I mention that Sarah and Chad actually let me eat a plate of the deliciousness that they cooked? How can these people get any cooler?!
 
Sarah and Chad, I really want to be just like you some day. Thank you for so graciously sharing your last bit of time together with me. It was an honor, and you challenged and inspired me. I know you will do the same for so many other people. You will be blessed. Can't wait until your wedding. Much love! -Caroline
Tuesday
23Feb2010

in my bag {personal}

I'm snowed in today (a lovely rarity for Texans) so, despite a sore throat, I'm feeling all cozy and inspired. The white snow outside is reflecting even more light than usual into my windows, and I just love the brightness of my little apartment. I think I may build a tent out of blankets in my living room after I press "publish" on this blog post. :)  

I've seen lots of these "in my purse" blog posts floating around the internet the past few months, and while I've always enjoyed looking at them and reading them, I've never done one of my own. But today, with the given snow and perpetual indoors time, I thought this would be THE perfect time to try one of my own! Enjoy reading, and hopefully you'll get to know me a little better. :)

 

1. My purse: I am a clutch carrier to the end. Me carrying a big bag purse means I'll be knocking over lamps and glass objects in antique stores all day long. Really, I'm no good at big bags...they become dangerous on my shoulder. I've been carrying little clutches for about 5 or 6 years now. This little Fossil jewel was a Christmas present. It's deceivingly roomy inside, and I love how I can fit all my essentials inside (I really am a minimalist at heart). The Fossil designers knew what they were doing, because it usually serves as a great conversation piece as well. 

2. iPod headphones: My sis-in-law gave me this cute yellow case to keep the wires untangled and out of the way. I believe she got it at the Container Store. 

3. Phone: You now know my secret. I don't have an iPhone. I have a Sprint Instinct. I can't really say it's horrible, or anything, but I do know that deep down, I can't wait for my contract to be up so that I can run stand in line for an iPhone. 

4. Hotel Pen: I've never been much of a collector, because I don't like clutter. However, I found my collector fix in middle school, when I decided to collect hotel pens. Practical, no storage, no clutter--perfect! I have about a million and trust me, I never have to buy new pens. Friends now bring me hotel pens when they return from trips, just because they know I have a thing for them. 

5. Lip Balm: Nivea Lip Moisturizer. Basic yet amazing. It's all I ever use.

6. Wallet: There's no room for a typical wallet in my bag, so I use this little card case instead. It holds the basics. Scott got me this particular one from JewelWeed's etsy store. Check out her stuff...it's all so beautiful and eco-friendly!

7. Lip Gloss: On the very rare occasion that I wear lip color, I wear Almay. Really though, I pretty much threw this in my bag just to feel like a grown up. :)

8. Instant Hand Sanitizer: Another gift from my sis-in-law. It's the tiniest bottle you've ever seen, but it has lasted me a long time. What can I say? I don't really like germs.

9. iPod: Since I don't have an iPhone, I still have to carry my iPod with me. Old school. That's fine with me though. At least I can jam out anytime I want. And trust me, I do. :)

10. Keys: The best part about my keychain is how deceivingly macho it is. I have a dad who really likes to keep the girls in his family prepared, thus the swiss army knife, and yellow thing. What is the yellow thing, you ask? Well, if I ever drive my car into a lake or other body of water, I can break out my windows just by pressing it against the glass, AND (of course there's more!) I can slice off my seatbelt with the other side. Prepared. Yes.

So there you have it! Now it's your turn. :)

(And here's a photo just to prove that you that everything CAN indeed fit into my purse.) 


Friday
19Feb2010

sarah & chad {sneak peek}

Meet the most beautiful couple ever. And when I say beautiful, I mean inside and out. Wowza! I can't wait to share their entire session with you, and I especially can't wait to tell you what I learned about life from these amazing people. For now, let this happy, sun soaked photo tide you over. :) 


Friday
19Feb2010

eat soup. end hunger. ::: empty bowls 2010

Guess what? You're on the guest list. I want to see you there. :)

If you're in Abilene this weekend, come by Empty Bowls this Saturday at Highland Church of Christ between 11am and 7pm. What is Empty Bowls you ask? Only the coolest thing ever!! Just stop by, pick out a hand crafted ceramic bowl (made by local artists), donate $10 or so, fill up your bowl with delicious soup, and enjoy the meal. Best part? You get to take your bowl home! Keep it as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in this world. Other best part? 100% of the proceeds from this event will go toward ending local and global hunger.

I'm so excited to be donating a portrait session for the silent auction. There will be lots of fabulous things to bid on, and again, all proceeds go to ending hunger. Watch for my little table, and bid to have a portrait session with CJP!

So you've been invited. See you there!

 

 

Wednesday
17Feb2010

heart heart {personal}

Okay, confession: I am one of those people who LOVES Valentine's day. Who cares that I've spent lots of V-days without a significant other...I still adore it. A holiday about love?! I'll take it! I'm not so much about the ultra sappy part, but I've always been beautifully blessed to have so much love in my life worth celebrating--friends, family, and yes, my Lord Jesus. We should celebrate (and live) love every day. V-day always helps remind me of this.

Here's a little walk through my Valentine's day weekend, via the worst video ever made. :-D Seriously, the quality and everything is just THE worst. I am no videographer. But I still wanted to share, because, my goodness, it brings the biggest smile to my face. Scott and I went to Austin to visit his brother, and we had so much fun. Enjoy an unedited peek into our [very silly] weekend. And note the part where we see the first photograph ever taken! That was a surprise planned out by Scott, and I loved it! :-)

Scott's gift for me this weekend was the best! An Anthropologie skirt and shirt that are just delightful! (And a super sweet card as well. :-) ) Hope your Valentine's day was lovely!