Charis Kendrick Photography

The Douglas’s are ready to welcome their little princess to the island! 🥰

This sweet family paused packing up their house for an international move to come take photos before they leave. We captured their love & joy at a location they could see from their house! So so special 🫶🏽

Anne is such an absolute JOY! This day was full of all the best things: a new (to us) cliff over the sea, sleeping at last, business start up talk, pit stop coffee and a white flowy dress.

A little something from last weekend!

Daisy + Erich + Millie are our neighbors and sweet friends! This was such a special evening capturing their love and life out on our beach.

Hi! It’s classic charis with an oversized tee and coffee in hand. I’m so glad you’re here! Hopefully someday we’ll meet and I’ll pronounce my name for you and all confusion will be dissolved 😋 I’ll probably also tell you all my favorite cafes in okinawa because my list is too long to not share :) but for now, let’s talk about you! What’s something you get excited about?

These mountains remind me of my hometown, Lynchburg VA. There’s nothing quite like a long morning drive on the blue ridge parkway. I can hardly wait to be back there in just six weeks! If you’d like to snag a session with me, you know where I’ll be ;)⛰️

Would you believe that in real life it was a stormy day and there was an ugly steel fence behind them? 😳

I have two last minute sessions available this weekend and next! Email to inquire 🤎

Who else would wear his overalls? 🙋🏽‍♀️

I have two more bookings available for this month!!

Email me to lock down your session!✨

Charis Kendrick Photography

Happy Wednesday! Harrison and I are heading into a long weekend together off island - we’re going to Hakuba Village in Japan for some skiing. The weather looks a little warm, but it was our last chance to go so we’re sending it!

Editing this family’s gallery was on the to-do list today and let’s just say I didn’t mind a bit 🥹

What a joy and honor to capture this family as they celebrate the arrival of their newest little princess 🤍

The love of a father.

Can you tell we had fun?! When in doubt, let the kids run and play!

Kalani + Melanie!

Melanie + Kalani 🥂✨

I felt so honored to get to capture these two as their life as newlyweds began! Because they live across the world from each other serving on different bases, they decided to elope on this beautiful island, and now have forever to spend with each other.

“Life is a gift. Knowing that truth at a deep heart level is a shift in heart posture from “I deserve” to “thank you”

I was listening to a podcast the other day and I felt my life slow down when I heard that line. Often I feel my attitude shift from gratitude to consumerism - taking on a false view of reality where I’m the center of the world (yikes)

What are you thankful for today? My answer is the guy in the photo. ☺️🤍

One or two? ✨

Tia said “our babysitter isn’t available now - could we bring little Greyson along?” umm yes?!! We had such a precious sunset shoot and baby G made it all the more special! If you’re ever wondering if you should bring the baby/puppy/guitar/____, the answer will always be YES from me!!

📷
MY WHY🫶🏽🫶🏽

I’d like to say that I’ve always wanted to be a photographer, but that’s not my story. In fact, I didn’t even like being photographed.

Until one day, I experienced something more than a photography session. It was my senior year, and time to get pictures done. I was in the middle of a heavy test load, had a long day of practicing piano in a stuffy room, my hair was a mess, and my heart was even messier. I was struggling through a dark season of life, and found it hard to feel happy, much less look it. But this day, I caught a glimpse of light. It was unexpected. It was life-giving. It was a senior photoshoot - but I didn’t just leave with beautiful photos.

I jumped in the car with a dress that I wasn’t crazy about, and some makeup that I didn’t have time to put on. A family friend was taking my photos, and to be honest, I was discouraged with life, tired, a little nervous, and just didn’t feel beautiful at all. I walked into their home, and was welcomed with their favorite “secret recipe” strawberry smoothie. They put on calming music and asked if I had brought anything I was excited to wear. I had brought a dress, but it didn’t really feel like me. They helped me fix my hair and makeup, put coffee in my hand, and whipped out a beautiful white lace flowy dress. They took me out to a favorite field and pine forest, and ooo-ed over the light bouncing off the grasses and the way the dress flowed in the windy winter breeze. In that moment, for the first time in a long time, I felt truly beautiful. It was a senior photoshoot - but I left with more than just pretty photos. I felt cared for, supported, confident, and celebrated. I felt loved.

I know I can’t replicate that exact experience for all of my clients, but I want to try. I want to give you excellent, timeless photos, and care for YOU in the process. Whether we’ve known each other for years, or just met yesterday, my goal is to leave you feeling the way I did after my senior photoshoot - with the knowledge that you are cared for and truly valued. YOU are my why. 🫶🏽

And if you’re wondering who this amazing friend + photographer is, meet !!

Yesterday and I explored a jungle area here and it was SO COLD. (It was only ~50 degrees but I had goosebumps😋) Today is so sunshine-y and beautiful it’s making me wanna run out with my camera for an impromptu shoot!

Hi! It’s me - that girl you’ll probably see with three camera bags falling in the water trying to get a good shot. I wanted to get a nice, well groomed photo that looked like I know what I’m doing, but these ones show my genuine, authentic self so here ya go 😝😋

Get to know the face behind the camera:

- At any given moment, I’m probably wearing a big baggy t-shirt and planning my next adventure (which will probably include a new coffee shop and playing outside somewhere)

- I’m married to my best friend, and we’re about to celebrate one whole year of being a couple! He’s my rock + constant support.

- I’m from VA, and studied piano in college. Lover of trees + waterfalls + the colors of the sea.

- But what’s most important to me is Jesus.

Today I was reminded that He came to us first, not the other way around. “This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son.” What a sweet mercy! It’s so comforting to know that a relationship with Jesus doesn’t rest on my ability to love him, or my efforts to be good, but on His demonstration of love for me on the cross + every day. What freedom there is in following a Savior like that! I don’t have to struggle to hide the ugly parts of me from him because he’s already seen it, taken it from my shoulders and buried it once + for all. By His grace I am welcomed at his table + he has a place for anyone who will confess their need for Him!! If you don’t know the love + grace of Jesus, please know that I am here to listen to your story, cry + laugh with you, meet you for coffee or donuts (👀)In fact, I’d love nothing more 🫶🏽

I’m hopeful that this page will be a door that you know is always open - if you need a prayer at 2am, or a friend to snorkel with on the weekends, I’m your girl.🤍🤍

Okay, that’s Charis in a little nutshell. Welcome to my life, we’re friends now! Tell me something about you!!

Where class + charm meet 🥂✨

This session could not have been more fun!! Jess + Ricky were rockstars - it was drizzling, cloudy and so windy this morning, and you wouldn’t even have guessed!

👋🏽Hi, it’s Charis & Harrison! Welcome to the fam! ✨

If you don’t know us yet, here’s a little glimpse into our life. Harrison and I are newly weds (October 2022!) and moved out to Okinawa, Japan five days after our wedding. We like to tell people we’re on a three year honeymoon here 😋

We have both loved photography growing up, so getting the chance to create art for others now is truly a dream! I am the main shooter + big dreamer, and Harrison is the brains + voice that brings my wild ideas to life. The things we value most: Jesus, still quiet mornings together while the coffee is brewing, time spent with family and long hikes in the mountains. Right now I’m on an orange vanilla latte kick & attempting to make sourdough but failing pretty miserably (tips??)

We get so excited about beautiful light and stunning backdrops, but what really drives our passion for photography is getting to know YOU and telling your unique story authentically through art. Bottom line: we want to care for and support you, and give you pretty photos in the process. 🫶🏽✨

📷 Sydney Biggs - our engagement and wedding photographer!

My husband took these photos, so this one’s for him! He encouraged me to start learning photography and it took me about .2 seconds to fall in love with it. You’ll see his face & work here as he’s my second shooter, gear guru, and best friend!!

Intimate in home sessions are quickly becoming a new favorite for me!

These two were nonstop smiles & snuggles!!