A Gift of Memories through a Photoshoot

They are not just another cancer story

In the home Lifestyle Photography -
Black and White Collection

   I walked into John and Wendy's home to find 2 sweet kids playing on a huge sectional couch. Wendy had their home spotless and decorated with things that don't scream "department store" but "this is who my family is."

   My local hospital had gotten us in touch... I have a kind lady on the inside that will pass my info onto cancer patients who she feels as though could use a photoshoot as a way to express themselves, or preserve a moment and then we gift them with that- the shoot, the images, all of it. John was the second gentleman this year she's gotten me in contact with who had terminal cancer.

   His wife Wendy was willing to sneak away from home for an hour of so for a good cup of coffee and to tell me about who they are as a family and how she imagined them being captured for one of the last times. Wendy used to work at The Time Herald so she's no stranger to photography. I was instantly excited for her to have a chance to be in front of the camera with her family. And her requests were simple- capture us doing every day things we love to do together. The tradition that was top on her list was getting John tucking the kids into bed, like he always does- immortalizing those moments that are pure and so simple.

   The day of I took a back seat as this family of 4 bonded over board games, baking cookies, or simply cuddling on the couch together.

   We ended the shoot with John tucking the kids into bed. At this moment, with the camera protecting me, creating a barrier between real life and photography, it sunk in that someday soon these kids wouldn't have their Dad there and I had to remind myself- this isn't your time to break down, Autumn. You are here to do a job for this family, you have a gift you want to give them and you need to make yourself numb right now, and so I did.  

   I watched as Wendy had this carefree way of making this serious man in front of the camera laugh so easily and lower his guard as they talked about their first date. I saw how much he enjoyed talking dolls with his daughter and listening to his son read. Surrounding them were picture books of their own photographs showing family vacations and fun times. That home was filled with air clouded with love.

   Less than two weeks later John unexpectedly passed away, but his memory surely lives on, strongly, as the husband who supported his wife in her dreams, and the Dad who smelled stinky toes and flexed his Superman muscles.   

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Check out our Full Family Gallery!

Check out all the love in The Werner Families Photoshoot!

To see another Memorable Shoot we gifted check out Mark's Blog!

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May I offer this act of sacrifice to you

White Rock in Lake Huron, Michigan

An artistic adventure out to the sacred
Indian Rock- White Rock.

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A sacred rock in Lake Huron marking the divide in territory between the white men and Indians back in the 1800s still sits in the water today, poking only it's head above water, known as White Rock.To show their appreciation of nature to the Great Spirit, Gitchi Manitou, Indians would take their game and food sacrificed and place it on the rock. People still make offerings on this rock today. In years to pass the Indians warned the white men to not trespass on the sacred rock, but they didn't all obey the call. The tale tells of White men arriving in a canoe and only 1 man who remained in the water surviving, while the others who went on the rock to dance were struck by lightening.

40 minutes later and we arrive by truck to the entry point of White Rock. What should be stairs leading down to the water is now an outlook spot with orange fencing and a sign that reads STAIRS CLOSED, do not enter. You can tell that the stairs that reach 30 ft above the shoreline are pulling away from their main structure and have a slight lean to them. We decide the risk is worth it and we hop the fence with our paddle boards. 4 flights down and we reach the empty beach, with White Rock off in the distance. It may be small but it's presence is mighty.

We turn around to realize our rebellion has encourage others to follow our lead and we're no longer alone. That all changes when we push off shore and into the Lake. We are again detached from what feels like the rest of the world. 

We paddle out 20 ft, 50 ft, 100ft from shore. Every push through the water gets us closer and closer to that feeling of freedom, with that feeling of familiarity still not too far behind us, as bottom is close and the crystal clear water allows us to enjoy what's underfoot. I watch as the birds perched on top of the rock scatter in unison. 1/2 mile out and White Rock is now directly in front of us and we have a choice to make- to trespass or not. We've already dismissed what the White Man tried to tell us and trespassed to get to the Lake, but in this moment I trust the Indians more than the White Man... I trust their tales, and I don't see them intimidating me with false fear. They know to respect the Land, and while I am here I will listen to them. 

With that being said I had this urge to show my thanks to the land too and in an essence "sacrifice myself" near the rock to nature and all that it has given me in this life. I entered the water, stood near the rock, and raised my arms to Mother Nature. I give myself to you. Thank You for your gifts. 

The wind blew and we fought to paddle back, but we made it, back up the leaning stairs, back over the orange fence, and back into the White Man's territory- where they tell you to stay off a leaning staircase for your own safety, but they will trespass on a sacred rock. Oh, we have so much to learn. I'll take my chances on the stairs, boys.      

And thennnnn you just have to release your inner fashionista while floating on top of the waves of then lake.

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Check out more of my Self Portraits!

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Forest Fairy Photoshoot

Woman creates art with her movement during this Dance Photoshoot

Whimsical Beauty tucked away in the forest

   Barefoot and beautiful, walking through the crunched up Fall leaves and the dried Spring mud. It’s a whimsical, natural type of beauty we’re about to capture.
   Next on Pointe and running with tule, Kayla creates art through her movement and dance. Watching her flow, unplanned choreography is like watching water flow.
   The whole shoot reminds you of a stunning little forest fairy hopping around the forest ground. The trees folded to make perfect tunnels and the road turning up the hill made for a more modern version.

   I love shoots like these… natural, gorgeous, a bit over the top! Take this experience to celebrate yourself with flowers in your hair, jumping off rocks, dancing in the middle of the road.

   Kayla is lucky enough to own her own company where she literally gets to be a fairytale princess every day… no… really…. you can have Cinderella come to your birthday party and secretly, it’s Kayla, but ssshhh, don’t tell anyone. How fun of a life is that!? She's also a professional Dancer. This was to be a mature yet innocent and wondrous blend of both of those worlds- truly reflecting who she is. 

   See what we created together below:

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View our Full Beauty Blog!

If you like the whimsical look of this shoot check out Taylor's session!

For more dance sessions check out Hannah's Photoshoot!

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Submerge yourself into this dramatic and stunning experience through video. Watch below-

a spark amongst the wreckage

Visiting the aftermath of the
Great Smoky Mountains wild fires

Among the charred forest in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Among the charred wood and black mountains, a spark lives, and it has nothing to do with fire.
It's an open flame, but it's built of hope instead of heat.

This is my experience in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park 4 months after the Forest Fire of 2016 hit.

Concept, styling, photographic direction, and editing done by Autumn Carufel (AJBC Photography.) Images shot by my husband- Jake Carufel.

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A deeper look

I remember standing on the top of Chimney Tops after scrambling to the summit. The whole hike was uphill. I was tired, pissy, and in awe of what I had just done. It was 2007 and my husband and I had been married for less than 2 months before he had convinced me to do a 4 mile, strenuous hike in The Great Smoky Mountains.

What he didn't tell me was we would reach the half way point, the tiny top, at sunset. I know what you're thinking- how romantic, being at the top of a mountain while the sun slowly sinks below the horizon. But what you need to think about, and what my husband should have thought about, was what happens after sunset. Well. Let me tell you- it gets dark. Really dark.

We then had to hike 2 miles, down hill, toes smashing the front of our boots the whole way down,  in the dark. With one headlamp. And bears. And no water.

And then. I twisted my ankle. And then I twisted it again. And again. And Jake told me I had to stop crying because he couldn't carry me down the mountain so I put my game face on and made it down.

The next day we went back to the look out area where you could see where we had hiked, and that's when I instantly I fell in love with hiking- the battle, the pain, and the feeling of conquering something larger than myself, something not everyone has done, seeing things some will only see in photos.

We've been back to the mountains every year since then. We've hiked to many peaks, fished a lot of rivers, and have made a deep connection to the area

After the forest fires hit we wanted to go back, not to be nosey, but to see the place on Earth we loved so much in it's current situation, as it sat, as a part of history.

In 2017, ten years later, Chimney Tops is now charred, crumbling, and closed. It's black, sad, and dead. I don't know if anyone will know the feeling of standing on the top of that peak ever again. All because 2 kids with matches decided to play with fire.

Looking at it honestly felt like someone had hurt someone I loved, and took away all their beloved memories of us, and left me with this skeleton. The very first place where my husband and I, my best friend, had started our path of adventure, bad ideas, and passion for the outdoors together was no longer.

But. The mountains refuse to give up. At first glance, pulling into the park everything looked amazingly alive. It was plush, green. Then we realized, the green was filling in where everything had burnt. Nature was taking it back again. And it looked more beautiful then ever. That just proves to you- Nature will always win, so be nice to it.

These are just a couple of photos taken with my phone of the homes affected by the fires, and this doesn't even begin to tell of the whole story, all the damage, and the sadness that has covered the area for the time being.

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Something to consider- becoming Friends of the Smokies.

The Great Smoky Mountains is a National park with FREE entry. They live off of purchases made at the park and donations. We've been members of the park for over 5 years now, maybe longer,  and I hope to continue to do it every year so it's still around for future generations to enjoy. The joy, the stories, the adventure, the calm that the park has brought us is something I will be forever grateful for.

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Check out my full Self Portrait Gallery!

If you like the outdoor feel, check out Elores Photoshoot on Lake Huron!

Check out Hannah's Session where we started our own fire to create a powerful shoot!