Caroline Fontenot

Steve + Kate

Steve and Kate met in the parking lot of this dive bar. Unfortunately, it was closed, but who’s to say that some run down picnic benches and empty beer bottles don’t make for a good backdrop? 

Photographed in Houston, TX

The Russos (Again)

There’s nowhere I love to shoot families more than in their yards and on their couches. Here’s set of favorites from my latest family shoot with the Russos. It’s been a lot of fun to photograph their growing family, starting when Charlotte was one, Hannah’s maternity photos with Skip, and a family of four last December. It was so cute to watch Charlotte now interact with Skip during his one year portraits and put on a show for the camera when it was her turn to jump in.

Photographed in Houston, TX

The Craddock Wedding

Jon-Mark and Bobbi. A South Carolina boy meets a Hawaii/Colorado girl in San Fransisco, where they now live. This was my sixth wedding of couples who live in San Fransisco but got married elsewhere (five of them in the South). This was also the best DIY wedding I’ve ever seen. JM is the master behind Chubbies retail builds and literally built all of their wedding details. They made their dream of a “Southern Luai” come to life, complete with a pig roast courtesy of the groomsmen’s combined efforts. Their recommended attire was “Aloha Casual.”  They had their friends sign up to bartend. Every single bit of it was so chill and sweet and fun and we were so happy to be a part of their beach weekend. And to top it all off, my dear friend Candice was in charge to make sure everything turned out as perfect as it did. Dream team, together again.

Photographed in Isle of Palms & Mount Pleasant, SC

Coordinator – Candice Lorraine
Reception – Gold Bug Island
Wedding dress – Willowby by Watters
Bridesmaid dresses – Show Me Your Mumu
Groom’s suit – Indochino
Groomsmen attire – Custom Chubbies, Artemis Design Co. shoes
Band – Emerald Empire Band
Flowers – Consider the Lillies
Hair & Makeup – Paper Dolls

10 Years

10 years ago today I shot my first wedding. My Canon Rebel and I had no business doing it, but Jen and JD took a chance on me. I left, called Mark (then, fiancé) and said that I was pretty sure I wanted to be a wedding photographer. I was weeks away from completing my degree (not in photography), but I focused the rest of my summer building a “website” (thanks, bludomain!), editing my first wedding (in iPhoto 😂) and claimed myself a photographer. Yeah, I know 🙄

Though I don’t shoot a lot of weddings these days, I’m forever grateful for the seasons where they consumed me. They made me fall in love with storytelling. It took a while, but I learned to care more about real moments with real humans over epic portraits for likes and enough details to get me published (what a waste of stress that was). What has always prevailed is PEOPLE.

People are why I created Back Down South (RIP ☠️). People are why I fell in love with editorial work and mourn the days full of it alongside Jess Graves. People are why I now love shooting families. People taught me to stop being cynical about this work when I felt over it time and time again.

10 years. I’m so thankful to all the people. All the clients who trusted me and all the friends made along the way. All the stories that I’ve been invited into and all the love I’ve been honored to witness. And, of course, I’m thankful for every dance party that I got to join. Here is a little collection of good times with good hearts.

PCM & WSPD

A selection of some favorite images that I shot last Fall/Winter in Atlanta for Ponce City Market and Westside Provisions District.

Sid Mashburn

Ann Mashburn

JCT Kitchen & Bar

Jeni’s Ice Cream

Brick+Mortar

Marcel

Little Trouble

Core Power Yoga

Boogaloos Boutique

Minero

Nine Mile Station

Elk Head Clothing

Lucky Lotus

Goorin Bros Hat Shop

Tree Elves

Dub’s Fish Camp