Luster Studios » North Carolina Photographers Craig Carpenter

Jay and Ann worked together for the first time at Camp Kanata in the summer of 1996. Camp Kanata is a YMCA day and resident camp located outside Wake Forest, NC. It was her first year as a counselor, though she had gone to the camp since she was 5!

Jay was the waterfront director at the time and they both shared one of their favorite stories with me. Jay said he assigned Ann to teach swim lessons because he thought I was cute in my white bathing suit and wanted to “check her out.” Ann quickly corrected him that she never owned a white bathing suit, so he must have been checking someone else out the whole time! Regardless of the mixup they eventually got together later at a camp reunion and started dating.

Ann’s ring is made from stones from Jay’s family. He ( understandably ) shortened his name to Jay from “John Reeves Goldfinch Jr.” and wins the “longest name” award so far of any of my couples. I guess with a name like that you’ve got to have the family jewels to back it up. :) The official proposal took place under an umbrella on Glenwood Ave. as they walked to his car in the rain after a wonderful dinner.

Before it closed their favorite date night was going to “The Grape in Cameron Village” on Saturday nights to hear their friend Steve Hobbs play jazz with his combo. Steve’s trio will be playing at their rehearsal dinner. Ann loves music and now teaches PreK through 5th grade music at the Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary School. Jay also love to read and plays music in several bands. He’s told me he’s constantly trying to learn new things about current events and issues.

When the three of us first met when they were “selecting their photographer” the thing that became evident to me is how deeply they care for each other and how supportive they are towards each other. They told me that this past year has been really difficult for them with several family members ( and Ann herself ) in and out of the hospital. I’m actually tearing up a bit as I write this because they also shared with me that Jay’s dad passed away this year due to pancreatic cancer. It makes me think of my own dad and what it would have been like if he had not been able to be at my wedding. I’m sure that they will find a way to honor his memory during the ceremony and I guess I’m taken a back a bit that I’m able to document those moments. They’ve definitely experienced the “when it rains, it pours” phenomenon and worked really hard to support each other when things get tough.

I really enjoyed hanging out with them and hearing the history of Camp Kanata and their relationship. At the end of the shoot they told me how much fun they had and that it was an amazing walk down memory lane. I feel that a lot of those feelings are translated in the e-pics! The camp was full of picturesque scenery so their are a lot of them!

There’s a zip-line at the top of this climbing wall. If only it would have been open we could have gotten some great zip line photos! In my enthusiasm I’m sure I would have broken either my camera or my back though.


Each year, kids that attend the camp paint their names on the wall of the arts and crafts building. It’s quite colorful and fun!

Ann helped paint this cow many years ago and it still remains today



I really love this and how it speaks to the idea of them “looking to the future” side by side

Group photos posted on the wall of the mess hall.


This is a set up shot of an idea I had. Do you notice an prominent shapes in the middle?






I think this sums up the day pretty well. I really love this shot.