Catching Up: Life, Health, and Finding Joy Behind the Lens

Wow—where do I even begin? It’s been a minute since I last posted here (okay, more like since December 2024), and so much has happened since then. Life has had its fair share of curveballs, and I’ve been riding the waves the best I can.

In early fall, I had surgery—if you read my last blog post, you’ll know all about that radical hysterectomy (yes, still talking about it!). But just a month later, I was hit with another surprise: a diagnosis of Graves Disease. Not life-threatening, thankfully, but definitely life-altering. Managing my health, my energy, and all the shifts that come with an autoimmune condition has been a challenge, especially while trying to build and grow a photography business.

And yet, even with the tough days, picking up my camera has remained one of the brightest parts of my life. I’ve had the honor of working with incredible people over the past several months—from capturing senior portraits, to brand photography for United Voice Worship, to cozy winter family sessions.

Here are just a few moments that brought me so much joy:

It’s honestly hard to say which shoots were my favorite because each one has meant something special. These moments behind the lens have grounded me, reminded me of who I am, and why I started this journey in the first place.

One verse that’s carried me through this season is:

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10

Even on the days when strength felt hard to come by, joy found me in the faces of the people I photographed.

So, thank you—for sticking with me, for trusting me with your moments, and for being part of this beautiful, sometimes messy, always meaningful ride. I can’t wait to share more of the work I’ve done and the amazing people I’ve had the privilege of photographing.

Here’s to healing, creativity, and a whole lot more photos to come.

– Carolyn

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