welcoming lincoln | asheville newborn photography

Two and a half years ago I photographed Whitney and Sam’s wedding on a snowy winter evening (my very favorite kind of evening). The wedding was the warmest, jolliest, intimate affair complete with homemade pies and a jam circle. This summer Sam and Whitney welcomed their son Lincoln into the world. I was very honored to be asked into their sacred postpartum space to capture the early days, which pass by so quickly.

The whole session was absolutely jam packed with authentic, precious moments, I teared up multiple times and pinched myself with how wonderful it was to be present for such wonder. The record player was spinning, Whitney whipped up some cookies, and we all just enjoyed the gift of this sweet baby. We also explored the river nearby and their garden. Their home was just like their wedding, dripping in warmth, art, and love.

As I left, with a handful of warm cookies, I cried happy tears and thought to myself, “I’m so glad they have each other.” What a precious family they are.

Enjoy!

www.helenjoy.com

andrew + blair | charleston, sc

I met Blair my Sophomore year in college. She was an incoming Freshman with bright eyes, a captivating smile, and the kindest heart. I knew immediately I wanted to be her friend. I’ve been to many a wedding with Blair and she would always lean in and whisper to me, “Whenever I get married I want you to photograph it!”.

Years have gone by and I always wondered to myself what jewel of a man would get to marry Blair Christie. And then Andrew came into the picture. Handsome. Tenderhearted. Grateful. And full of the same laughter as Blair. Before too long they were engaged to be married and I was beyond excited to be asked to photograph their wedding day.

Andrew and Blair’s wedding day was drinking gratefulness.

As flowers wilted and schedules got thrown out, they both remained present and grateful. As someone who used to do several dozen weddings a year, I will tell you how refreshing and heartwarming this is.

When Blair walked down the aisle to marry her love, she was singing at the top of her lungs about Jesus. The day before Easter, the resurrection and life was all wrapped up with the new life in their own marriage and how it wasn’t possible without Christ. I was both sobbing and smiling ear to ear. Andrew’s vows included saying that Blair had treated him differently from any other girl.

Not many couples are living their vows before they even say them, but these two have already been through so many trials and they keep choosing each other.

Their reception was filled with the most delicious low-country food chosen by the groom ( who is a trained chef), chilling with their closest people, dancing to live bluegrass, and catching the sunset over the Ravenel Bridge.

**Andrew lives with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy and as he and Blair start out their lives together, they are in need of a wheelchair accessible van. If you’ve read their story and want to send a little blessing their way, you can donate to their van fund here.

the fugate family | 20 year anniversary

I met Brandi one day when I peeled into our local Mexican food joint, saw her…thought she looked wholesome and safe….and promptly asked her to watch my babies in the care while I got take out. By the time I got back we figured out we had a mutual mentor in common (Joy Prouty) and a friendship was born.

This family has been in existence for 20 years, a new member added every few totaling 7 new members. There have been many years of hard and many years of glory. It was so fitting to photograph them all together on this special anniversary year. We shot the photos on the land on which the hand of marriage had been asked oh so long ago and the whole session was draped in gratefulness.

Photographing 7 children is not for the faint of heart, but these guys were champs and within minutes I already had all of “the shots” without even having to act a fool. That gave us plenty of time for the shots I love. The tender embraces, the baby lips, the gathered flowers. There is something to be said about having that one shot of everyone looking and there is also something to be said for the other photos that often come in second. Down the years, when boys have grown to men and the baby can’t fit in your hands anymore these photos will prick hearts and pour love over aches.

Thank you to this family for trusting me.