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James Eaker

@thatswildjames

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Archer was the best part of every adventure we've been on, and I know we'll be bringing these memories with us on every adventure yet to come.

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The southern stretch of the Appalachian Trail means more to me than I can explain. When I was 15, my parents sent me to a hardcore wilderness program deep in these mountains. It was me, eight other troubled boys (getting Lord of the Flies vibes yet?) and two staff members. We hiked over fifteen miles a day, learned to bow drill fire, forage for food, and live off the land. It was the first place I ever felt truly alive.

I fell in love with the terrain, the history, and the quiet strength of this region. The mountains taught me how to pay attention, how to struggle, and how to grow. Even after seven years out west, the land and the people of Appalachia still feel like home.

These hills share something ancient with the Scottish Highlands. Not just in the way they look, but in their roots, their stories, and the people who shaped them.

📸 : @thatswildjames

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Social media is often talked about in a negative light.

People say it leads to comparison, wastes time, and is used for the wrong reasons.
And honestly, that can be true.

But for me, it has been one of the most powerful tools in my life.

I have met some of my best friends through it. People I never would have met otherwise.
I have learned about the things I care about on a deep level, with faster access than ever before.
I have experienced moments I never would have known existed.
And I have been able to share a message that matters to me.

Technology is a tool.
Like a hammer, it can build a house or it can destroy something important.

It depends on how you use it.
So use it to learn.
Use it to connect.
Use it to build.

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2024- the unluckiest and luckiest year of our life

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Oh goodness, this was a GOOD one.

Rose & James were a Hurricane Helene couple. And I mean they were TRULY a Hurricane Helene couple. Nobody could reach their venue on wedding day, so they said screw it and had themselves an unplugged (forced by Helene) ceremony anyways with the loved ones that had already arrived on site. From what I was gifted to hear, it was an epically magical moment made out of a disaster.

Unfortunately, my team and I could not reach them safely and, like the majority of their wonderful vendors, we did not make it. I was devastated. Rose is a childhood friend and this particular client means quite a lot to me.

So, Rose and I cooked up the makeup elopement of a lifetime, and we all felt as if things ended up how they were always meant to be.

Our Buku 🍍 team got to witness some serious true love on a mountain top in Tennessee. I was lovingly given the gift of reading some of their ceremony. To say I was honored is an understatement. UNDERstatement.

We got to hear about their original wedding weekend, heard the story of why this particular location meant so much to them, and to my delight, the sharing of a multitude of nature and critter facts about the ground we tread on from James.

There were sad tears, happy tears, a lot of giggles at our team tripping and misstepping through rough terrain (we had a hard time watching our step the shots & views were SO good), and happy puppers pets.

As we concluded our session and marched our way down the mountain, Rose turns to me and says “I feel like I’m already healing”.

Words canNOT describe the way that moment made me feel. When a transactional relationship transcends all transactions, and you just make people happy… THAT is why I do what I do. Endless hours, working days to nights to weekend, texting and calling my brides constantly throughout the year, missing family functions, missing time with friends. This people is the WHY.

So, add us to your wedding day chapter by celebrating with those that do it for the WHY. We got you, and we’ll love you too 🤍

Photographers @buku.bride.boudoir & @camera.with.a.guy
Videographer @iandouglasmedia

#ncwedding #ncweddingphotographer

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MI sunsets never get old

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snow zoomies for all

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Rose & James

Engagements during fall golden hour. Perfection.

There were a lot of wild, special things about this session. Besides having an incredibly kind, fun, adventure couple with their fur baby Archer (love me a fur baby at a session)… we had a lake with water so low you could see the old roads and foundations of the town that used to reside there AND there was a small forest fire happening just off shore. Don’t worry, there were plenty of firefighters there, they all said shooting there was safe and enjoyed watching us make some art by the water. But that fire smoke made an incredible haze just as the sun was going down. It was incredible. And my favorite part of the lake floor, that was above water, was one of the old roads that led straight out into the middle of the lake.

Rose and James enjoy being outside, so naturally that was our first choice for shooting. But we added a little flair and ended up all shooting through golden hour into the night and having a campfire 🔥 together.

Your engagement session doesn’t have to be what your photographer wants or what they necessarily think is “best” for an engagement shoot. They can be exactly what you want them to be, show who you are just by doing something you both love to do. I love coming at these sessions from this angle because not everyone enjoys being on camera or is even comfortable with it. Have something to do, and have something to do that you enjoy and is REAL for your lives. Way. More. Fun.

If this sounds up your alley, send me an inquiry through our website or email in my bio, let’s have some fun!

Photographer @buku.bride.boudoir @bukuphoto
Videography @iandouglasmedia

#engaged #engagementphotos #ncengagementphotographer #ncweddingphotographer #lake #golden #goldenhour #fire #firehaze #furbaby #furbabies

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hbd wild guy❤️

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