Emily Harper, a native of Asheville, North Carolina, grew up captivated by her father’s love of photography. As a young girl, she’d watch in awe as he transformed their bathroom into a darkroom, where black-and-white images slowly came to life beneath the glow of a red bulb. That early fascination turned into passion, and Emily stuck with her trusty vintage Canon AE-1 even as everyone else switched to digital.
One spring morning at 23, Emily set out for Lake Junaluska, hoping to capture shots of the returning swans. But her plans changed when she spotted one caught in the reeds—injured, bleeding, and barely moving. Without hesitation, she wrapped the bird in a flannel blanket, placed it gently in her backseat, and started a frantic search for help. Several clinics turned her away until Mountainview Animal Hospital in Waynesville agreed to treat the swan.
That’s where she met Ethan—a soft-spoken vet with calm eyes and steady hands. Together, they cared for the swan, who Emily named Grace. What started as an emergency rescue turned into daily check-ins, late-night coffee chats, and quiet conversations that slowly deepened their bond.
While juggling gallery deadlines and her visits to the clinic, Emily found herself looking forward to seeing Ethan. His thoughtful presence and dry wit became part of her routine. When Grace was finally strong enough, they brought her back to the lake and watched in silence as she spread her wings and returned to the wild. As they stood side by side, fingers brushing, something unspoken settled between them—something just beginning to bloom.
From there, the days melted into evening hikes, front porch talks, and eventually, a kiss under the fading summer sun by the French Broad River. Inspired by the experience, Emily began developing a photo series chronicling Grace’s recovery—a reflection of her own unexpected journey.
Then, as autumn leaves began to fall, Ethan asked her to meet him once again at Lake Junaluska “to catch the sunset.” With her camera slung over her shoulder and her heart racing, Emily had a hunch this was going to be more than just a beautiful view.
