Life & Work with Faith Teasley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Faith Teasley.

Hi Faith, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Carolina coast has always had my heart. There’s something magical and mysterious, yet always familiar, about Coastal Carolina. To breathe in the salty air while listening to the crashing waves and the seagulls serenade is what makes my heart sing. When my feet touch the sand and feel the ocean’s embrace, I feel alive and full of wonder. 

Photography has been a lifelong journey for me. In 2010, I photographed my first wedding and was hooked. For well over a decade, I photographed hundreds of weddings across the Carolinas. At first, I used digital cameras – but it wasn’t until 2014 that I picked up a film camera for the very first time. 

From the moment I photographed my first role of film, I was instantly in love. My first subject on film was the charming coastal town of Southport, North Carolina. It was here that a dream was born – what if I photographed the entire North Carolina coast on film? 

I started photographing my local beaches in Wilmington and Brunswick County. I planned trips to the Crystal Coast and the Outer Banks. Every chance I had, I was photographing Coastal Carolina – one roll of film, 16 frames at a time. I have found that the fine grain and natural nostalgia of film photography is the perfect medium for capturing the magic of the Carolina coast. 

This adventure continued over several years. I photographed the coast from all perspectives: land, sea, and air. I enjoyed ferry rides and even chartered my first helicopter tour. Photographing the Carolina coast from above was exhilarating – the doorless helicopter offered unparalleled views of my beloved coastline. It was wildly beautiful. 

In 2019, I officially founded the brand Saltwater Collection – a community built upon intentional slow living and life by the sea, where salt air fuels our soul, and summer is a state of mind. Our mission is to bring the magic of the Carolina coast to your life through curated coastal wall art, lifestyle products, exclusive travel guides, and more. 

This fall, we are releasing our most exciting project to date. 

Introducing Saltwater: Coastal Carolina – our debut coastal coffee table book!  Watch the official book trailer on YouTube. 

Featuring nearly 200 curated film photographs and hundreds of miles of the North Carolina coastline, this book is a must-have for coastal lovers everywhere. Inspiring travel guides, fun facts, and watercolor maps by Laura Lobdell of Printed Hues are woven throughout the book, making it a truly immersive experience. I share musings of my childhood summers on the Pamlico sound and how my Grandma Betty has influenced my journey.  Saltwater: Coastal Carolina captures the magic of North Carolina’s shoreline, from the renowned Outer Banks, tranquil waters off the Crystal Coast, serenity of the Brunswick Islands, and sun-drenched surf towns of the Cape Fear.  Dive into the pages of Saltwater: Coastal Carolina and you will feel the ocean breeze, taste the salty air, and hear the sound of waves crashing over and over again. 

The coast is calling.  Can you hear it? 

For book updates and more, join the community at www.saltwatercollection.com and on Instagram @saltwatercollection. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Saltwater Collection started as a passion project and a true labor of love. It’s taken a lot of patience and endurance over the years to successfully photograph the entire North Carolina coastline on film. Every obstacle and challenge, and the literal blood, sweat, and tears to see this book through, has absolutely been worth it. 

Additionally, I’ve faced multiple disabling health challenges. My battle with chronic pain began as a child, and every day is a struggle. Between doctor visits, unexplained symptoms, surgeries, occasional need for mobility aids, and more – I continue to press on. My faith in God grounds me and gives me the strength I need daily. 

As difficult as it has been, I hope that my unwavering desire to pursue my dreams will inspire others who face chronic illness to always strive to live life to the fullest. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In today’s digital world, the art of film has become even more satisfying. The process of slowing down and manually focusing each frame helps me be very intentional with each click of the shutter. There’s also the mystery and surprise of waiting to see your film scans. Every time I receive a “Your Scans are Ready” email from my film lab, it feels like Christmas morning! 

My goal is for my photographs to make you feel something – and to appreciate the natural beauty of North Carolina’s coastline. 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, to me, is living a life of no regrets. To always pursue your dreams by doing the “next right thing” until you get there. To always strive to help others by loving deeply. Success is never giving up. It’s knowing you will be 80 years old one day and will sit in your rocking chair feeling content, not wishing you had done things differently. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.saltwatercollection.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltwatercollection
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100038545519915
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saltwatercollection
• Other: https://saltwatercollection.com/pages/saltwater-coastal-coffee-table-book