black and white Archives - Caedy Convis Photography

April 26, 2017 — 3 Comments

Annie + Stephen | Proposal

This was one of my favorite shoots of the year thus far. The lighting was terrible restaurant light, the shots were taken hurriedly and surreptitiously, and therefore these photos aren't technically perfect. But I've found that genuine emotion is what makes an image truly memorable, and boy were the emotions in abundance for this night.

When Stephen asked me if I would photograph his proposal to Annie, I ecstatically agreed and immediately cancelled all my previously made plans for that weekend. Annie is a dear friend, a truly delightful person, and a kindred spirit, and I was thrilled at the thought of being there for that moment for the two of them. There was so much joy that came from seeing someone I love so dearly agree to spend the rest of her life with someone who treasures her as much as she deserves.

As a photographer, this shoot was stressful and difficult--unpredictable moments, the challenge of keeping myself inconspicuous while also getting all the important moments, and the difficulty of dealing with terrible restaurant lighting and waiters swirling all around me. But I loved every second of it. One of the things that delights me about being a photographer is capturing real moments of emotion and creating art out of them. There is something so beautiful about the genuine love these two have for each other, and I'll take photographing that any day over a shoot in a perfect location with perfect lighting and perfect posing.

Because there is nothing more perfect than love.

Stephen proposed with a journal -- he had many of Annie's closest friends write her notes in the journal, and interspersed throughout their writings, he had notes of his own and memorabilia from dates they had gone on.

At the end of the journal, he had burned a hole in the pages and nestled the ring down inside the hole, and had written "will you marry me?" on the page opposite. She checked "yes".

Cheers and all my love to you two <3

p.s. Many thanks to Sava's Restaurant for being so accommodating and providing the perfect setting for the start of this happily ever after story 🙂

Published by caedycon in Uncategorized

January 7, 2017 — No Comments

New Zealand | Week Two

If you missed my post for week one, have no fear! You can find it here.

| day one |

Paths of the Dead (aka Putangirua Pinnacles). All credit for this day goes to Chelsea. I was convinced the Pinnacles would be kinda lame in person, and didn't feel like making the four-hour round-trip drive from where we were staying in Wellington to do the two hour hike. So I very nearly didn't go, but in the end Chels convinced me that I wouldn't regret it, and what's four more hours driving mountain roads in the grand scheme of things? And boy am I glad I went for it. The day was drizzly and spooky and all around perfect for the mood of the place.

| day two |

Wellington + Christchurch

Started the day exploring the super fun, funky city of Wellington; hopped on a plane and ended the day watching the sun set and chasing seagulls on New Brighton pier in Christchurch.

| day three |

In which we explored Castle Hill, experienced a sheep roadblock, and made noodles of our legs at Arthur's Pass National Park. We hiked without seeing a soul for 3 hours. And by hiked I mean clambered straight up the side of the mountain using roots and branches to pull ourselves up. "For VERY EXPERIENCED hikers only", the sign at the beginning of the trail warned. Challenge accepted.

| day four |

Lake Tekapo, where the flowers are to die for, and Mount Cook, where we got soaked to the skin.

| day five |

Wanaka. A day of adventuring with new friends and finding a puppy named "Bigly". à la Donald Trump. Yep.

| day six |

Featuring lots of deer, and lake Te Anau

Published by caedycon in travel

January 5, 2017 — 1 Comment

New Zealand | Week One

This past December, I went to the most overwhelming beautiful place on earth for three weeks. Three far too short weeks, but so filled that even three days there would have been worth the travel. I have been asked constantly how my trip was, but I'm no poet, and every time I try to express how overcome I was every moment of being in that mountainous perfection, the inadequacy of my words stops me. So, even though photographs also fail at fully displaying the wonder that is New Zealand, hopefully they'll do a better job than my flimsy words. There's only so many ways to say "beautiful", but a picture is worth... you know ; )

Oh, and I also got to experience this country with one of my very favorite people on earth, my big sis. It doesn't get better than that 🙂

| day one |

Actually several days, as we left Grand Rapids on Nov. 25, and landed in Auckland late on the 27th, skipping my birthday (the 26th) by crossing the international date line and successfully surviving around 25 hours total sitting on a plane. But surprisingly not so tough when the views out airplane windows are endlessly fascinating. Also had a 10hr layover in Sydney, where we wandered around the city jet-lagged and bleary-eyed, and I mostly forgot about my camera until we got to the botanical gardens. Hence why my Sydney photos are all trees and plants and no Opera House.

| day two |

Auckland city wanderings. Included: an embarrassing lack of photos. To be compensated for by an overabundance to follow.

| day three |

Picked up from our host family's house by a dear friend I hadn't seen in ages who took us on a delightful hike where we promptly went off-trail and clambered up boulders through a mountain river for the next few hours, including a swim in a pool which I will describe as FRESH. aka GLACIER-RUN-OFF-COLD.

| karamatura falls |

| day four |

HOBBITON. Need I say more? Lord of the Rings fans rejoice. Impossibly idyllic.

Enjoying a drink at the Green Dragon to end our tour. The life.

| day five |

Rotorua. Home of Maori Haka dances and turquoise hot springs.

This village is named Whakawrewarewa. Try saying that three times fast. Or even one time slowly.

| day six |

Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Also where Mordor was filmed and where Mount Doom (or Mount Ngauruhoe, if you prefer its non-LotR name) is located. Yeah, we hiked around Mount Doom. No big deal.

But seriously, this 7hr hike was magical and spooky and desolate and rich. The scenery and the winds and light were constantly changing; one second you'd be sweating under stark sunlight with crowds of hikers all around you; the next you'd be entirely enveloped in mist without another soul to be seen. Feast your eyes.

| all of these photos are available as prints; contact me here if you have interest in any of them |

Published by caedycon in Uncategorized

November 19, 2016 — No Comments

Baby Brynn | Lifestyle Newborn Session

Baby Brynn in black and white. Simple and sweet.

I loved this in-home lifestyle session. There's something so special about capturing a baby in her own home, with her parents and brother and dog all gathered around 🙂