Perhaps it's the island that fuels her passion, but it is rare to find such honest enthusiasm for life in one human being. Infused within each image, wrapped around every word, and the driving force behind her connections, Caroline Jarvis is a photographer on a mission. “I want people to be reminded daily just how beautiful this life really is. How an image can make them smile and for a moment forget about anything else that might have affected them that day. I want to make people stay connected to the beauty that surrounds us.”

Like many, Caroline didn't discover her passion could be her career until after she had walked down a different path first. After studying Business and Fashion, this island girl ended up in New York City living in a world that many would believe to be the opposite of the one she currently inhabits. “I quickly realized exactly who I was and who I wanted to be during my year living in the most amazing city in the world. I loved fashion but I also enjoyed the simplest things in life more. I loved the city hype but nothing beat a quiet relaxing day on the beach with just me and my pup. I loved new trends and walking the streets of Soho admiring so many unique humans and window shopping, but love a bikini and flip flops more. I loved everything about an awesome nightlife, wearing killer shoes everyday and going to shows, but my heart didn't belong there; it belonged at the beach back on Hatteras Island. This is how my business started. I fell in love with the simplicity and beauty of moments that pass us by that truly make you stop and think of just how lucky we are to be alive.”

After heading back south to North Carolina, Caroline started to share her images and acquire bookings. Eventually, her style became so clear, the only thing Caroline needed was the perfect site as a virtual store-front to her studio. She had been working hard and saving her money to get her business up and running. When she figured out how she wanted her site to look, she didn't hesitate to spend the money to do it right from the starting-gate. “I literally learned about Showit one day, immediately starting researching featured designers, different websites, and the endless capabilities and was determined to get started right away. In just one week I had found out about Showit from Jen, contacted GoLiveHQ, bought a ticket to their next Go Live experience workshop in LA at Promise Tangeman's home and booked my flights and hotel.” For some, that would be be way too fast. For Caroline, it worked perfectly.

Following her passion with such a drive and intensity has worked so well for Caroline, she recommends the same to anyone in her shoes. “My advice would be to follow your heart, always. “Don't think, just do.” I have always been very self motivated and driven to follow my dreams and that would be my advice to anyone looking to start.“

That fuel and passion (not to mention talent) is why we are so excited to have Caroline Jarvis as our Featured Showiteer! If you would like to follow along with this passionate, island-native, and talented creative, you can do so on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And, as always, if you know of someone's story we should be sharing, don't hesitate to drop us a line.

Cassandra Campbell

Casandra is a born and bred East Coaster who finds herself braving the heat of the Valley of the Sun with her husband and three cute kids all for the love of Showit.