Here are a few images from Emily and Thomas’s weather shortened day-after session at Folly Beach. Tracy and I were surprised at how long these two lasted in freezing, breezy temperatures while having to deal with burrs that were scattered everywhere in the sand. Thank you to both of you for lasting even an hour in those treacherous conditions and I look forward to finishing up their day-after session here in Asheville in the spring.
It is impossible to begin writing this because I could write a novel on Tracy. The hard part is even saying it, but my soulmate, best friend and partner Tracy has passed away. To begin to talk about this brings great and unimaginable sadness, but I remember that for the past year and a half that very moment has been full of joy. Joy is what Tracy brings to life. I know you can see through her images that they encompass joy or any other pure emotion. Tracy has such an amazing eye for beauty and for living life. I am so grateful for my time with my soulmate and know that few people in their lives find and feel what we had. Tracy has taught me how to take in every moment and we thoroughly were involved in life with each other for every passing moment. We were lucky to be a part of other soulmate’s weddings and to capture the gift of love. I am so happy that all those couples she has been there for have their images taken by the eye of such a passionate and creative individual.
I have gotten the question about the future of the photography business. I am going to continue on her legacy of capturing joy and love to the best of my ability. I always aspire to be like my love and want everyone in the world to always see her beauty. As I always told her, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” She is the most significant and beautiful person I will know and she will be a part of me forever. I am happy to all her friends out there who acknowledge Tracy’s talent and hope that you all believe I am honoring her talent as I continue on with photography. Tracy taught me how to photograph and I will never be able to be as perfect as her, but I will try to make her proud.
My heart breaks for her amazing mom Cathy, sister Roxanne, Jimmy, Tom and Tracy’s son Evander who I look at as my own plus the many other family and friends of Tracy. I am honored to call them all my family and friends and am so happy they have experienced such a tremendous person in their lives.
We would tell each other a Robert Fulgrum quote we thought wrapped our love up:
“We’re all a little weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatable with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness- and call it love- true love.”
Without an ounce of doubt we had that and I am forever grateful to be extremely weird alongside Tracy.
show 46 comments
I am deeply sorry for your loss. May Tracy’s legacy live on through you, her son and all of her followers. God bless.
Tyler-
I am so very sorry for your loss. I never had the honor of meeting Tracy, but her work is absolutely beautiful. She will always be remembered.
I never knew either of you. But an old friend shared your photography with us. I must say you all had some amazing work. These pictures are just a small testimony of the much love and laughter you all shared. I pray that each of you find your own strength and courage to continue on such an amazing talent and legacy. May God bless each of you. Take care.
This is so Touching… i guess i can feel it… In the end, it’s all about Love you know! 
God Bless!
What a beautiful tribute to an extraordinary person. My heart breaks for you, Tyler…let your talent shine…you remain here to continue a legacy of capturing love and beauty and all those amazing qualities that live within you. I,for one, would love to follow your passion for photography.
I am so shocked I cannot work this morning. I met her about five years ago at a wedding at Hilton Head. She was one of the inspirations into moving from sports to wedding photography, from a hobby to a profession. When I needed a creativity uplift she was one of the photogs whose work I went to. She was an amazing free spirit whose spirit has been set free.
what a beautiful tribute. I am so sorry for your loss.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Tracy, but knew of her work and incredible talent. What a beautifully thoughtful post and tribute to her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of Tracy’s friends and family!
My thoughts are with you & your family. I am so sorry for your loss. Stay strong and keep your head held high.
This is an absolutely beautifully written and heartfelt tribute. Please know you, Evander and all of Tracy’s family and friends are being prayed for. ~ As i look once again at the photos of the two of you together, i have to believe that God already knew she would leave this imperfect world soon and because of your devotion to one another, left you pictures and memories of a lifetime of the wedding that was meant to be. ~ Hugs, love & prayers ~ ♥ ~
Tyler,
How beautifully written, I can’t even imagine what you and the rest of her family are going through. Tracy’s beauty will live forever with her amazing talent and legacy that she leaves behind. It was such a pleasure working with the two of you and I wish you all the best in the future.
My deepest condolences to you, your son and your family.
WOW- that was written so well and her images will live on way past our time here on earth. My God bless and give you peace on your journey of healing with her family and cute son!
Tyler – I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and Evander and Tracy’s family and friends. My wife and I shoot together and have been for 8+ years now. Shooting together is always like a “date” for us.
We compliment each other and just know each other in our work. She too is my soul mate. When I heard about Tracy, I cried and I prayed for you. You have a part of you that has been taken…too early.
While I don’t know you, I am mourning with you. I only knew Tracy by the work and because we are in the same “circle” of wedding photographers.
There is a community here to support you in your work going forward. Please let us know if you need assistance and know that we are here for you for anything that you might need.
Dearest Tyler, Tracy and Roxanne are my hanai daughters. I just wanted to tell you how much Tracy loves you, and that will never change. The last time Tracy was here, we talked and giggled late into the night about her getting to know you and what a special person you are. In all of our communications since you, Roxanne and Evander were always the bright spots of her life. When you lease expect it a breeze or a stillness will envelope you completely with her essence. You will see something so beautiful it will almost break your heart, photograph it as she did… She will continue to live on in our hearts and minds for ever…
All My Love, Leslie Jean…
I am so very sorry for your loss, Tyler, and the loss of Tracy to our photography community. Please know that you have all of our support whenever you may need it– please don’t hesitate to ask! Thank you for your strength in continuing her legacy!
My deepest sympathy for you and your family. Tracy is a beautiful soul, and will forever be with you even if not physically. Many blessings to you during this time.
I was so shocked to hear this news. She was such a role model for me and my photography. Since she did our wedding more than 4 years ago, I’ve followed and admired her work. She is truly one of the most talented people I’ve ever known. My heart breaks for your family and you will all be in my prayers. We’re all blessed to have known her.
God called for an Angel !
words as beautiful as the images the two of you created together…..it seems to me that with the connection you must have shared, you will be infused and filled with Tracy’s spirit with every click of your shutter. so very sorry for your untimely loss. her smile was just amazing
Words cannot express how incredibly sorry we are for such a great loss. Our hearts are with you.
J&M
Tracy was a wonderful friend of my family and I, growing up in the same church in Weaverville when we were younger. Since moving I’ve followed her through her works of art and was very proud of all of her accomplishments. My condolences go out to you, your beautiful son, and her family that I knew for many years.. May you continue to carry on her legacy in photography.
Your loving connection, talent, and strength breaks my heart and touches me with the fragility of life and the importance of love. I know you will carry on your work together with grace and genius.
Hi Tyler,
You and Tracy were due to photograph my wedding on April 7th. When I found out Tracy passed away yesterday, my heart just broke for her and for you and the family she leaves behind. I cannot bear the sadness of it. She was so talented and cannot conceive of how she can’t continue to be here to share the beauty she created.
I had seen wedding photographer’s websites over the years, before I got engaged, and never really felt very strongly about any of them. When I got engaged, Tracy happened to be the first website I looked at. I was so blown away that I didn’t need to look at anymore. I hired her immediately, no questions or concerns. The most exciting thing about my wedding was that she was coming to take the photos. Nothing else was as important. I truly fell in love with her as an artist and have been so captivated by her work. I am so sad I missed the very special chance of working with someone so brilliant. I will remember her always.
Juliana
You two were truly blessed to have found one another and spend what time you could learning and growing as one. My thoughts go out to you and the family.
Tyler, Tracy’s love and talent will live on through you. Sometimes we don’t realize just how fleeting moments can impact our soul forever. I know God is beside you right now and we don’t understand things, but he will bring you through. You have been so blessed by Tracy’s presence in your life. You have always been so talented, I know you will find peace through continuing Tracy’s legacy. I love you.
Beautiful photos Tyler. I can’t imagine having to go through and choose them. I think that quote is perfect. I can’t think of anything more fitting than your mutual and wonderful weirdness. <3
Tyler, I can’t imagine what it must feel like for your little boy to be without his mother and for you without your lover and soulmate. My heart breaks for you and her family. I will pray that God will bring you peace. You wrote such wonderful and beautiful words about her.
Sixth one down told the whole story.
My heart goes out to you. You’re in my thoughts.
beautifully written. prayers for your families.
Thank you for writing this. Thank you for sharing about who Tracy was. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending love and blessings your way.
i lost my mom young and have four young kiddos of my own, i feel so much of your pain and the pain you feel for your son through the expression of your words. what a difficult and heart wrenching part of your life to have to write, and out of that comes beauty. your heart is beautiful and all of your photographs are beautiful. the partnership you and tracy had in life and photography is beautiful. your son is beautiful. may god wrap his arms around you and take you in, you and your son. i am so so sorry for your heart. it will shine on for her and for your son. i promise.
I met you and Tracy at my girlfriends wedding when she was heavily pregnant with Evander. You both were lovely and gracious and kind and I have followed your work here through the blog. I am stunned and devastated to hear of Tracy’s passing. As a nurse I came to the hospital this morning and saw a patient name identical to Tracy’s last, but spelled a little differently. I had been thinking of her all morning when I saw the name….to come and read this leaves me full of sorrow for you all. My heart aches for the loss of your beautiful wife, partner and friend.
My heart breaks for you and the whole family. I just recently found your work and became a fan. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sending love and light to you and your family in your loss and grief. And prayers that the love you share even now with Tracy will continue to guide and support you.
Tracy had such a beautiful soul. I had the honor of meeting her at my best friend’s wedding several years ago. She had such amazing talent and had the ability to find the most amazing shots. I am truly saddended to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this incredibily difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry. I never met either of you but loved looking at Tracey’s photographs. She is amazing! My heart aches for your family. Praying.
[...] Sunday, Tracy Turpen, a young and inspired photographer based in the Carolinas, passed away at the age of 27. The photography world has truly lost one of its brightest and most talented [...]
I knew Tracy briefly as my sister in law and she was a wonderfully talented person and I always enjoyed the times we got to visit. She was a wonderful person and a wonderful mother to my nephew, Evander.
I know she loved you very much and Evander is blessed to have you as a step father in his life.
I am so very sorry for your loss, I can’t begin to understand the pain you and your family are feeling. It is such a tragedy to lose someone so young, so talented and with so much to live for. My love to your families and to you. xx
I was very shocked to read of Tracy’s passing away at such a young age. My deepest sympathy to you, Tyler. I only met you once when you both photographed a wedding in the UK last year. The results were stunning and we will always remember you both with fondness – you were great to work with. Her legacy will live on through your talent
I’m so sorry for your loss. Tracy did our engagment photos a few years ago and couldn’t have been any kinder. She climbed trees, shot in the rain, smiled and laughed the entire session. We were blessed to have known her, even if for a day. My heart goes out to you and your family.
I am absolutely heartbroken for you, her family and Evander. I am fascinated with photography and researched photographers for hours/days/weeks before coming across Tracy’s site. We clicked instantly and I am certain it was because of her passion – not only for photography, but for life and moments created out of love. Tracy captured our wedding in the most amazing way and for that I am forever grateful. I am so sorry for your loss.
All of us at Chippenham Park are so shocked and deeply saddened to hear the dreadful news. We loved meeting you both last summer and were totally wowed by the creative talent.
We are so very sorry for your loss.
Last July Tyler and I decided to have our engagement photos taken. It took a while for us to decide on a location but once we booked Crystal and Ben’s top secret wedding in Arizona we decided to make a trip out of it. After google imaging deserts in the world I came across this gorgeous white desert in the middle of no where. It’s called the White Sands National Monument and it’s 250 square miles of pure white gypsum. We thought it would make a fantastic backdrop, and it did! We had the talented Brett Butterstein meet us out in Alamogordo, NM to get our photos taken. We were overwhelmed with the results! It’s good to know how our clients feel when we do their pictures. Boy was it a workout.
show 4 comments
<3
So sorry for your loss. Please leave this blog and website up as a testament to Tracy and her amazing art, and as an inspiration to the photography community. <3
Rest in Peace Tracey. You were taken far too soon. Condolences to the man who holds your heart, your son and your Family.
My sincere condolences for your great loss. Be patient, you will be together again.
Emily and Thomas’s wedding at McCrady’s in Charleston was gorgeous and Tyler and I are happy they chose us to be the ones to capture it. They have seen their relationship grow despite living on opposite coasts as Emily continues in her studies while Thomas flies for the Air Force. You can see how much Emily and Thomas value their time together due to these circumstances. Their wedding was very upbeat as everyone was ready to celebrate their union. No one was immune to the dancing bug as everyone from the newlyweds to the grandparents were grooving to the music. It was such a special night for Emily, Thomas and all of their guests and we know that these two will continue to make each other happy for years to come.
show 2 comments
Fantastic photos!!Bridal magazine quality!!
Damn! The water sprinkler ones were awesome!!! Love love love!
It is funny how often a couple’s wedding resembles their personalities. Take Sarah and Colby, they had an outdoor ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island in November a week after the northeast was hit by a huge snowstorm. It was bold, beautiful and full of love. The ceremony had many distinctive moments like Sarah, her mother Laurie and her two brothers grooving down the aisle as well as the emotional vows Sarah and Colby read to one another. The reception at the Belle Mer was packed with dancing as their family and friends celebrated their union. You may remember Sarah and Colby’s engagement shoot we did in Boston a while back. Tyler and I learned a lot about Sarah and Colby’s view on life and appreciate all the optimism and that thirst for life they exhibit. We wish the Swettbergs a continued thirst for life as they continue down the blissful road of being married to your best friend.
show 3 comments
Love it!!!
Absolutely incredible. Those ceremony shots are so vibrant and emotional.
Stunning! I love me some Sarah and Colby! What a treat to get to work with them;) Pure love
show hide 6 comments
Elizabeth B. - Tyler…these are absolutely gorgeous! Can’t wait to see what you produce with these two in the spring, but until then…this is a great appetizer.
Trish Drury - just love them…when were these in December?? I can imagine how cold it was, but glad they stuck it out for a while and got these pics
Emily Ritchie - We can’t get over how many amazing pictures you and Tracy were able to get in such a short, windy time. We are really looking forward to seeing you in April and doing it again. xoxo
Jennifer Trout - These are fabulous, Tyler!
Cheryl - Beautiful pictures! The one against the rocks is my favorite!
Carolyn stout - Beautiful pictures of a beautiful couple!! Can’t wait to see more in the spring Tyler.