.big news!

Hello friends! I have exciting news for you today.

Two and half years ago, my older brother encouraged me to start a photography blog. It's funny, I remember thinking I wasn't even 100% sure what a blog was. Funny how quickly technology advances. 

In these 2.5 years, Life Through A Lens has been an outlet for me to create, experiment, and even rest. It has become a part of my life. I feel as though it has traveled with me and grown with me. It has seen the mountains of North Carolina, the Oregon waterfalls, and the tropical hues of the Bahamas. 

Life Through A Lens has been the host of some lovely photographs, as well as some not so lovely counterparts. There have been experimental victories, and there have been many experimental failures documented on the web pages of this blog. But it is the failures that have helped mold me into the photographer that I am today, and I refuse to delete these failures. 

Today I am introducing you (my loyal blog visitors), to my new and VERY improved website. www.carolynallenphotography.com

I have spent the better part of two months designing my own logo and creating a "professional" looking website. I am thrilled to share it with you today, and hope that you will follow me in the next step along my journey. 

Life Through a Lens will remain active, but for new posts and images please visit www.carolynallenphotography.com. My reason for doing this is simple. Life Through a Lens was an incredible learning experience for me and I refuse to eliminate and discredit it simply because I have moved on to bigger and better things. However, in order to take the next step in my career I felt I needed to make a little upgrade. 

2.5 years down the road I cannot wait to see, all of the changes and improvements that I have made to Carolyn Allen Photography. Will you join me on this journey? I sure would love it if you would!

Head on over to www.carolynallenphotography.com for a visual treat!

.haley, wedding shower

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of throwing a wedding shower for my cousin (basically sister!) Haley. Haley and Ross will be married in April, and I cannot be more excited.

The shower was at a nearby restaurant that is in an old Southern house. My Mom helped me make some flower arrangements of camellias (remember how much I love these flowers?), and they turned out lovely. We played a fun game called He Said/She Said that involved holding up fake mustaches and lips. It was great fun! I loved watching my sweet Grandma hold up the mustache. :)

I must confess I did not take all of these photos, as I was doing a lot of hostess-ing. My sweet friend Meredith took many of them, but I couldn't help but share! Thanks Mery!

Haley, you looked absolutely beautiful! I hope you enjoyed the afternoon as much as I did.

-Carolyn

PS I apologize for my absence lately. I have been working on a very exciting project. There will be big news coming soon on Life Through A Lens, so be on the look out! 

.food photography. peanut butter cornmeal cookies

I made a pact to myself for the month of January.

Sort of like a New Year's Resolution, but only for the first month.

I would not, no matter how badly I wanted to, no matter how many delicious recipes I came across, no matter what "occassion" begged, I would not bake one single thing in the month of January. 

How do you think that turned out? Well, it basically resulted in my eating lots of ice cream and Dove dark chocolates instead of baked goods. So!... I decided that the pact was counterproductive and therefore must be voided.

Here's what I saw, oh and what I baked:

Recipe found here, via Pinterest.

These cookies were a cinch to whip up, and also happen to be gluten free if you are one of those people who don't get along well with things like wheat and flour. They're also pretty delicious with either a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. 

Hope you have a sweet weekend, friends!

Carolyn

.a study in ranunculus

Two weeks ago, I assisted my boss at a wedding that had the most beautiful flower arrangements. The centerpieces featured all of my favorites- hydrangeas, ranunculus, and camellias. So before we left, I snatched one and brought it home to beautify and perfume my apartment. 

Since I did the study in camellias last week, I decided to continue the theme but with ranunculus. I photographed them first when they were perky and alive, and again once they had shriveled up. It's funny, I think I'm actually more partial to the shriveled up ones. I love the tan hue they take on. 

Here's what I saw of my stolen ranunculus:

Which do you like better?

Have a lovely day, friends!

Carolyn

.birth announcement

Y'all are gonna love me today. I'm about to start your week off in the best way possible.

Last week my two nieces came over to my apartment for a photoshoot for Elsie's birth announcement! It was great fun. I can't wait to someday show these to Addie and Elsie, and tell them about the one morning they came over to my tiny apartment and we laid on the floor by the window and took photos.

Here's what I saw last Friday morning:

Honestly, how could you not be in the best mood possible after looking at these sweet faces??

Have a great Monday, friends!

Carolyn

.have a great weekend!

What are your weekend plans? 

My dad is coming into town tonight, and tomorrow I have a wedding so I probably won't be doing much relaxing. But you totally should! Because it's the weekend, and you totally deserve it. 

Until Monday,

Carolyn

.not-so "professional" shots

A couple weeks ago, Emily and I decided we were going to take some "professional head shots" for our blogs. So we got all dressed and set out to one of the local parks. We both figured we'd find a pretty green area, pose for a few shots, and leave. 30 minutes tops.

One hour later, we were still at the park. Cranky and discouraged we had nothing to show for our efforts. It just wasn't our day. Feeling defeated we were about to call it a day, when we both spotted a side street with some beautiful leaves scattered on the ground.

So we gave it one more shot. And I'm so glad we did! These may not be the style of photos we were expecting to take, but they are definitely more fun.

Here's what I saw:

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Carolyn

.a study in camellias

My neighbors have a Camellia bush and occasionally I like to sneak over and clip some for my apartment. I think they are one of the most underrated flowers.

Have a wonderful Tuesday,
Carolyn

.welcome elsie

Friends, I have exciting news! On Wednesday of last week, I became an aunt to another precious little girl! (Remember the maternity photos I took of Amanda?) Eloise was born 7 lbs, 1 oz, and 20 inches long. 

I am so lucky to live nearby my brother and sister in law that I was able to arrive at the hospital right after Elsie was born. Here's what I saw a few minutes after the world welcomed Eloise Allen: 

Being an Aunt might be the greatest thing ever. I'm so excited to now have two sweet little girls to babysit, take to the park, and get ice cream with. 

For now,

Carolyn

.january finds

It's crazy how life moves on so quickly isn't it? Christmas parties and New Years celebrations were only a few short weeks ago, yet my life feels so far removed from that these days. Like I've already folded up my holiday spirit and tucked it away in a box marked Christmas- next to the the red velvet bows and stuffed snowmen. 

It's 80 degrees here in Florida. All analogies aside, I really have folded up my knit scarves and reluctantly tucked them in the back of my drawer. But yesterday, I took a walk (in my shorts and flip flops!) and discovered these tiny treasures outside my door. Little beacons of winter light, reminding me that it is only January 14, and life has plenty of hot cocoa and fuzzy socks left to enjoy in this winter season. 

Soak it up my friends. Don't let life pass you by too quickly. Stop and enjoy it. Look around. See the beauty that exists right outside your door.

Until next time,

Carolyn

.portland. stumptown coffee roasters

Fun fact about Portland: there are over 40 coffee roasters in the city alone. That kinda blows my mind. I guess when it rains, they pour. See what I did there. :)

Despite the many roasters, Stumptown Coffee Roasters rules the show. Originating in Portland, Stumptown has expanded to Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles. Oh, and not to mention the 4 storefronts in Portland alone. Almost every restaurant/bakery/ice cream shop/donut shop that I visited boasted "We proudly serve Stumptown coffee!"

Stumptown offers 20 (ish) roasts ranging from Honduras to Indonesia and even 10.5 oz bottles of cold brew. I tried the Ethiopia Duromina and it was pretty rad.

Here's what I saw one morning at Stumptown Coffee Roasters Belmont location:

 

Have a great weekend friends!

Carolyn