hi! I'm mary beth
the photographer, designer and lead creative behind Carolina Gypsy Co.
I’M a thirty something who loves Jesus, my dogs, my family and am entirely
too codependent on my bffs. Warm chocolate chip cookies
and a good joke are my love languages and if you send me a “this song made me
think of you” text, I’ll love you forever. I grew up on a cattle and crop farm and still
work it with my dad, so there’s a solid chance if you’ve been around me you’ve
heard me talk way too much (and too long) about cows - I would say I’m sorry, but I’m really not.
Important things you should know about me: the trial scene in Legally Blonde gives me actual chills,
I can (& do) quote every single word of the Parent Trap - no, like every. single. word. I have
the mouth of a well educated sailor and tend to not even notice when things slip out, and if
you’re in a pinch and need an answer on jeopardy, I probably know it -
but don’t ask me to remember what I had for breakfast.
sweet home alabama & the parent trap
friends, new girl or law & order: svu
captain america
iced matcha with chai
sad cowboy music or pop punk
a little bit of me
favorite movies
favorite binge
favorite superhero
go-to coffee order
what's playing?
I approach each session with two goals,
I don’t really love a bunch of posing and stiff photos so I very much lean into prompts and movement in photos. My main goal is, when you look at your final gallery, to evoke romantic feelings and emotion. I want you to be able to feel the love, and to give you a hard copy reminder of those moments. I want you to see yourself how I see you. I know that being in front of the camera can be intimidating and scary, but have no fear, I will be with you throughout the whole process to ease your nerves and hand you a beer, as needed. I love my job because I can create emotive moments with movement and raw emotions for you and generations to remember. The candid moments between all the crazy are my absolute favorite, so buckle up for a bunch of jokes, conversation and laughter!
make people laugh & have fun
my philosophy
long story short - I truly, honestly, don't remember a time when a camera wasn't in my hand. growing up, my grandpa was a detective and worked out of his home office - with tons of cameras around. i took this as a sign and permission that whenever he wasn't using them, i could. after stacks and stacks (.... and stacks) of polaroids of stuffed animal tea parties or my mammaw in the kitchen, he gave me an old film camera with to play with while i was there. this turned into rolls of film, field trips to the one hour photo department and stacks of albums of every part of my childhood. i didn't realize it then, but i was telling stories of my childhood and am so lucky to have those memories.
just like polaroids turned into film, film eventually turned into digital and my documentation of life continued. after i walked across the stage at appalachian state (roll 'neers!) with a fresh criminal justice degree, i went to work as a criminal law paralegal - still documenting my life and my friends with my constant digital camera companion. after a few years i realized that while working in such a serious career, i needed a creative outlet again. i took my bff and her now-husband to a local cidery and just took photos of them, in the moment, while we were hanging out. i posted it on instagram, it went viral in my community, i started getting consistent bookings and three months later i was putting in my notice and working for carolina gypsy full time!
HOW I ENDED UP HERE
Saying “I love my job” doesn’t feel like it has enough passion in it to describe how I truly feel when I have my camera in my hand. Being able to capture the in-between moments, the quiet and sometimes unnoticed moments of a wedding day, or while dancing in a field it brings such joy to my heart it makes the late nights and wedding hangovers 100% worth it. One of my favorite parts of this job is getting to know really cool people and how they tick while they’re getting photographed. I love when I catch a glimpse of someone looking at their partner when they’re not looking, the perfect breeze for that romantic wispy hair in your face, a good solid hug, belly laughing (even if it’s because you feel awkward) - I live for those moments. I have the power via my craft to make these intimate moments stand still and cherished forever - that’s why I do what I do.
I’m so thankful I get to go on this ride with you,
- Mary Beth
