“Love is the Flower You’ve Got to Let Grow”

Back in the Fall of 2015, I had the honor of photographing the wedding of Kaylan and John Petty. Little did I know that there was a seed planted that day that would end up blossoming into a romance between Kaylan’s maid of honor, Samantha, and one of John’s groomsmen, Blake! A little over 5 years later, these two lovebirds were married themselves in an open field on a beautiful Spring day, surrounded by family, friends, and flowers gathered from both their families’ yards. It was such a beautiful day!

This wedding was truly a DIY wedding, with so many services and details provided by dear friends and family of the bride and groom. Everything, from the flowers to the catering, had special meaning to Samantha and Blake.

Love Stories, Photography, Portraits, WeddingsKimberly CaubleJune 24, 2021The Cabins at Kings MountainComment

What I Learned from Teaching during a Pandemic

So now that school has been out for a week, I have had time to decompress from this year of craziness and reflect on the challenges and successes of the year. First off, these observations are coming from a hybrid middle school teaching model. I work in a fantastic school district that started back to school last Fall with elementary students in a family-model (in person, 5-days a week, smaller self-contained classes) and middle and high school students in a hybrid model (A/B days with classes from 10-15 kids, students coming M/W or T/Th and on Fridays for extra help). And, these are just my personal observations. I am sure there are others with different experiences, but these are mine.

I work with one of the most amazing ELA coaches on the planet, and she encouraged us to assess the things we were “done” with by flipping them around and looking at how they impacted our growth. I did this activity with my students on the last day of school, and it was so encouraging to hear what their reflections were, so here is my own “I Am So Done With…/On the Flipside…” analysis!

Education, Life, TeachingKimberly CaubleJune 23, 2021teaching in a pandemic Comments

10 Things That May Surprise You about your Teacher & Photographer

When I first started this blog in the summer of 2019, exactly 2 years ago, I published a little “Getting to Know You” post, but there are some things I didn’t tell you then and some things that have changed a bit! So I thought I’d give my readers a little update and some some tidbits of information you may not realize about me!

What’s the Craziest Thing You’ve Experienced as a Photographer?

“What’s the craziest thing you’ve experienced as a photographer?”

I actually get that question a lot! Thankfully, I have not had any horror bridezilla stories, been mauled by a drunk wedding guest, or fallen into a lake. But I thought it would be fun to reflect on my experiences over the last eight years and write down some of my crazy stories, “Friends”-style, of course!

How to Dress for Spring Portraits

Spring one of my busiest times of year as a photographer, and senior, engagement, and family portraits are a huge reason. Read the tips below to help you plan your outfits for your portrait session, and then take a look at some of my favorite Spring portrait color palettes from some of my previous sessions!

Children, Families, Love Stories, Portraits, Senior Grads, What to WearKimberly CaubleMarch 20, 2021Spring Portraits, what to wearComment

Wedding Tips from a Photographer

After 10+ years shooting weddings, I’ve learned a lot about the flow of the day and things that can make or break a wedding. It’s such an important day, and your photographs will be cherished memories, so you want to make sure you plan for them! Here is a list of many tips I have learned through the years for all my future brides as they prepare for their big days.

Photographers I Love to Learn From (and Kind of Idolize)

I love photography, and I love learning.

I learn best from hands-on experiences, but reading and listening to others’ experiences, especially when they speak in a way that I can understand, is a fantastic learning opportunity as well! There are a ton of amazing photographers out in the world, and I have been blessed to connect with and learn from some of the most talented. These are my top ten favorite photographers to learn from (in no particular order!)…

Understanding the Exposure Triangle | Digital Photography Education

Aperture. Shutter speed. ISO. The holy trinity of photography—the exposure triangle.

But what are these, and how do you make them work together?

First, you have to understand that photography is literally “writing with light.” As I teach the students in my ELA class every year, “photo” means light and “graph” means write. Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO all have to do with controlling the light you allow into your camera so that you can expose, or make clear, your image. But there are other effects that you can achieve by controlling aperture, shutter speed, and ISO that aren’t light related—bokeh, blur, and grain.

Where to Begin Learning About Photography | Digital Photography Education

Whether or not you want to become a professional photographer or not, learning photography can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding things you can do. There is SO MUCH information out there, but where do you even begin? First, you must master your camera. Then, you must master your craft.

Tynaiza & Devin Jump the Broom | The Barn at Cranberry Creek

When I arrived to The Barn at Cranberry Creek, ready to begin the day, Tynaiza and her ladies were having the best time in the bridal suite as their hair and makeup were completed. There was so much laughter and joking around, and everyone seemed so relaxed—there was no stress allowed at this wedding! The rest of the day followed suit, as Devin and his guys arrived and gifts were exchanged. And their gifts to each other were most impressive! Tynaiza gave Devin a Movado watch, and Devin gave Tynaiza the sweetest photo album he designed of their lives together and a spectacular pair of Jordans. It wasn’t surprising that his groomsmen were also decked out in different pairs of Jordan and Lebron shoes. (Apparently Devin has quite the obsession with shoes!) And then the ceremony began. One of the most special and symbolic parts of their ceremony was when Tynaiza and Devin “jumped the broom.” This tradition began during the pre-Civil War era to symbolize the union between and a man and woman and is still a popular tradition within the African-American community.

Corona School 2.0: Beginning the School Year in a Pandemic

When I asked this past summer what blog post ideas my followers wanted to see me write about, several mentioned wanting to know what it would be like for teachers during this strange school year. So I decided to compile my thoughts for them, but also for myself…so that I don’t forget what this experience is like! First, even though there are some pretty desperate situations in the state of SC, I know I work in one of the best school districts on the planet. Our administrators and school board have done a remarkable job planning for everyone’s safety and needs, and we already have top-notch technology for teachers and students. Second, everyone has their own experience and level of comfort with what is happening, and these are just my thoughts. There are definitely some concerns, but there are also a some bright spots that I am trying to recognize and celebrate.

Education, Life, TeachingKimberly CaubleSeptember 7, 2020Corona Life, Public Education, SCforEd Comment

Maura & Robert's Intimate Mountaintop Wedding | NC Wedding Photographer

I didn’t meet Maura until the day of, but I immediately fell in love with her and Robert and their families. They were some of the kindest, friendliest people I met and welcomed me as one of the family into the AirBnB they had rented for their big weekend. And this AirBnB was the perfect location for an afternoon, mountaintop wedding! The inside was bright and airy, and the porch had just the right amount of space for the 14 people in attendance to sit or stand and a gorgeous view of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Emily & Austin's Wedding | Charlotte Wedding Photographer

Emily and Austin were married at Grace Church in Harrisburg, Emily’s home church, and their officiant was a close family friend and the church’s associate pastor. His entire family helped with the wedding, including his daughter, who played the harp during the ceremony! One of the most beautiful details of their ceremony was a cross covered in gorgeous flowers. I remember Emily’s dad telling us that he didn’t want it to look too pretty—the cross itself was not a pretty thing. He knows his theology! But what happened on the cross was beautiful and represents the sacrificial love of Christ, and I loved that it was a centerpiece to Emily and Austin’s wedding ceremony. The ceremony was appropriately full of music, from the harpist to the songs that the wedding party and guests joined in singing together. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, there were many friends and family members who were able to attend.

Just Launched: KCP Fine Art Print Shop!

Well, I did it. I took another leap into the unknown parts of this home-grown photography business and opened my own Print Shop! Photography has always been a passion of mine, and before I even started this business, I was printing photos I took to hang on the walls of my home. Beautiful images are meant to be shared, so I thought, why not? Why not share some of the photos I have taken through the years of Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Disney World (of course!), the Florida coast, and some of the gorgeous locations right in our own backyards?

Visit the Print Shop to see more and order a print for your home or other gifts created from the photos (greeting cards, canvases, magnets, coasters, playing cards, Christmas ornaments, and more—which are also available to any of my weddings or portrait sessions)! The prices are very reasonable, and the quality produced by my gallery host is exceptional.

Rebranding Anxiety into Excitement | Teaching During a Pandemic

I have never not had a summer. I’m a teacher, and teachers look forward to the two months between school years to refresh and energize themselves for the next year. While many of us still work second jobs (I worked camps for 15 summers before I had my children, and now I operate my part-time photography business year-round), it’s still a couple of months doing something different, not having to make 14,000 educational decisions a day, and having time to think through some of the changes we want to make for the next school year. But this summer has been different. While I have been at home since March, there has been nothing refreshing or energizing about our current situation. E-Learning completely turned our school and home life upside down, and when it ended in June, things didn’t change much. Preparing for the upcoming school year in the midst of a global pandemic has created a tremendous amount of anxiety for every teacher, parent, administrator, and school leader that I know for our entire summer. And now that we know the date(s) we are expected to return, teachers are scrambling to ready their physical classrooms, virtual classrooms, and lesson plans to take on this new challenge.

Education, Life, TeachingKimberly CaubleAugust 1, 2020Teacher Life, Corona Life, Anxiety, ExcitementComment

Porch-raits for a Cause

I didn’t set out to start this big of a project, but it has been such a blessing as I’ve gotten to get to know so many new neighbors! My own two children are also learning the value of giving back and volunteering. Some amazing essential workers on the frontlines of the war this country is fighting know they are appreciated. And many families and children will be fed. During a time of great difficulty and isolation, this project has given me a mission, but most importantly, it has given me and so many others hope!

Willow's Drive-By Birthday Party #QuarantineLife | Clover, SC Family Photographer

I rode my bike up to the house and hid behind her dad’s truck while Willow’s friends and family lined up their parade of cars, minivans, trucks, and golf carts down the street. Some of the cars were decorated with streamers, balloons, and posters, and occasionally, I saw an excited little head poke up out of a sun roof. Willow was playing in the driveway with her sister and had no idea what was getting ready to happen. At 1:05, the party “guests” started driving by Willow’s house, honking and waving! Many handed a very surprised little girl birthday gifts through car windows. Willow’s face registered her complete and utter joy and excitement at seeing all of her friends and family in such a special parade! It was definitely a birthday to remember!

Our Spontaneous Stranger Things Tour

It’s no secret that I am a huge Stranger Things fan. I even help lead a Stranger Things Fan Club at my middle school! Stranger Things is my childhood (minus the scary monsters). I remember riding through the neighborhood on my bike with my friends, our parents having no idea where we were, having adventures until the setting sun drove us home. I didn’t grow up with a cell phone, hung out at the mall for hours with only $10 in my pocket, and wore scrunchies and baggy clothes before it was vsco. Now, as a Language Arts teacher, I love having conversations with some of my students about the well-developed plot, characters, conflicts, setting, and themes of the series. So when given the opportunity to visit some of the locations where the series was filmed, of course I was all in!

Just Because..., TravelKimberly CaubleMarch 1, 2020Stranger Things, Atlanta Comment

Maggie & Zach's Christmas Wedding at Pecan Ridge | Clover Wedding Photographer

A brand-new, family owned barn. Christmas trees and poinsettias. A surprise visit from the Grinch, and a sentimental gift that beats all gifts. Maggie and Zach’s wedding was one of the most memorable weddings I have ever photographed, for so many reasons!

How to Love on your Photographer

It’s Valentine’s Day! And yes, I still have Christmas cards hanging up. The ones my clients sent me with the photos I took for them are my favorites, and I just can’t bear to take them down! I love, love, love this job, and the love my clients show me fills my bucket in a way that sometimes even my own family can’t. So instead of a typical “Happy Valentine’s Day” post, I thought I’d share something a little different! Whether I am your photographer or you use someone else, here are five ways that you can show your love for us!