Destination Weddings

Cami & I LOVE to travel. So being invited to fun places to photograph fun weddings is like that old Wrigley’s commercial…double-mint fun!!!

We just returned from photographing Julie & Erik’s AMAZING destination wedding on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Several of you have asked me what gear I pack for these out-of-town shoots. With new TSA regulations and airline carry-on restrictions, it has definitely become more difficult to get all your priceless equipment there in one piece.

I NEVER check my camera gear! I use one of Tamrac’s airline approved rolling backpacks. And I narrow down my kit to the most essential gear so that it fits. This is my carry-on. If flying domestic, I’m also allowed one personal item…so I bring our smaller 14″ laptop. Cami usually carries a backpack with our toothbrushes, reading material, and what we’ll wear on assignment. So if our bags get lost, we have everything we need to do the job! If it’s a really big job, she’ll carry a second smaller camera bag with D300 and additional lenses, chargers, etc. as her personal item.

From my gearbox, here’s what I selected to carry on the plane: a pair of D3 bodies and what I consider to be the “Holy Trinity of Lenses”, the Nikkor 14-24 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, & 70-200 f2.8. I also included 5 – SB800 strobes, a Canon 500D Close-Up Diopter (more compact than my favorite macro lens), 10.5 mm fisheye, radio poppers, batteries, and cleaning supplies.

My light-kit, consisting of 3 – Bogen 3333 light stands & 2 – 43″ Westcott umbrellas, packed in my long thin Bogen case, was my checked bag. Our suitcase was Cami’s checked bag. That’s it!

Photoshop Magic

Here’s a problem I encounter all the time! I photograph a number of corporate team photos. But it’s an ever-evolving process…people leave the company, new employees are hired, etc. Here’s a team photo I took for one of my favorite clients, Caldwell Commercial, last year.

Larry just joined the team this year. Instead of dragging everyone back down there, I met up with him at the same spot I had taken the team photo. I brought along the previous team photo on my iPhone so I could position him and light him as close as possible to the original group shot.

Finally, he gets merged in with the others. MAGIC! 🙂 The key is, by paying attention to details and photographing Larry’s image with the same variables as the one I’m trying to fit him in to…the Photoshop work is a piece of cake!

Julie & Howie’s Wedding at The Citadel Beach House

I can’t believe it’s been EXACTLY one year since Howie & Julie first filled out that contact form inquiring about our photography services for their wedding! A few months later I got to photograph their AMAZING e-session on Seabrook. It feels like this all happened just a few weeks ago! Where does time go?!? 🙂

I originally met Julie & Howie at a Johnson & Wales Alumni Event that I was photographing. We hit it off right away because we have a lot in common…we love dogs, the great outdoors, and hanging out with friends ALMOST as much as they do. Their cool website reads:

“It’s no wonder Julie and Howie fit together so well. They will often take off for a weekend with their dog Riley for mountain biking, hiking or camping on one of the many islands around Charleston. They enjoy taking friends out on the boat to experience the amazing sunsets that only Charleston can offer! And if Howie has any reason at all to fry a turkey, you can rest assured — he will! Truly two kids at heart, these two love to have a good time with good company!”

I had an UNFORGETTABLE time photographing Julie & Howie’s wedding. My favorite parts were Riley’s role as the ring bearer, the dramatic beach shoot, and the surprise fireworks display at the very end. After the slideshow, Click Here to see rest of the wedding photos. CONGRATULATIONS you guys!!!

Claudette Bell

Recently I had the pleasure of photographing the AMAZING low country artist, Claudette Bell. Those are her beautiful paintings behind the lamp and above the mantel. Her husband, Bill, has commissioned me to do several shoots for his company. So it was neat to see their beautiful home and get to meet his lovely wife. Visit her website at http://www.claudettebell.com/ or stop by Spencer’s Art Gallery and the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery where her fine work is featured.

PGA TOUR Nationwide Championships at Daniel Island

Matt Every, the former University of Florida All-American, posted a 5-under 67 Sunday to outlast Michael Sim (teeing off on the 17th), who has had the most dominating year in the 20-year history of the Nationwide Tour! This win at the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at the Daniel Island, was his first since joining the tour last year.

“I’ve always felt I’m talented enough to win,” Matt said. “I couldn’t have waited any longer to do it though, I’ll tell you that. I’m going to enjoy it.”

Matt and Michael join 23 others to make “THE 25”, the top players on the money list at year’s end. Chad Collins finishes the year No. 2 on the money list. And Blake Adams (chipping out of the sand trap on the 12th hole) finishes the season No. 3 on the money list with a Nationwide Tour record for the most money won in a single season without a victory.

I had a great time photographing the action this year. Many thanks to Kathleen Cartland and the Charleston Sports Council for sponsoring me and helping bring the Nationwide Tour back to Charleston! And thanks to Mike Saia and the entire team at the Family Circle Cup for the help in organizing the event!

Tara & Will’s eSession

I had an AWESOME Engagement Shoot with Tara & Will the other day. Will drove all the way down from Charlotte to make this thing happen. YOU ROCK, Will! It was one of those days that less “adventurous” couples would have called off due to weather…kind of overcast with pockets of rain throughout the day. But Tara & Will were all hyped up to create some unique and dramatic images. I get excited when clients are willing to push the envelope a little bit! Everything just clicked and the three of us knocked this one out of the park! 🙂

Apryl & Ben at The French Huguenot Church

Apryl & Ben were a kind referral from my friend and wonderful fellow photographer, Karyn Iserman. We originally met on Valentines Day last year. As much “in love” as these two are, I thought that rather fitting. 🙂 Since then I’ve enjoyed getting to know them through their fun Engagement Session and Apryl’s gorgeous Bridal Shoot. We photographed the Bridal Shoot on historic Church Street since that’s where Ben proposed to Apryl. Awww….

Apryl grew up in Charleston. Ben’s family moved around a bit, but finally settled here. The two met in high school. But they didn’t really start dating until they re-connected at a football game during her senior year of high school when he was home visiting from college. How romantic!

Their wedding day was absolutely perfect. After a rainy week, the weather was beautiful! They were married at the very photogenic French Huguenot Church downtown. The fabulous Melissa of Charleston Celebrations kept everything running smoothly. And the reception was at the Society Hall, just a few blocks away, where the Mighty Kicks rocked the house!

Apryl & Ben were so much fun to work with and so photogenic in front of the camera! Click Here after watching the slide show to see the rest of their photos. CONGRATULATIONS, Apryl & Ben!!!

Amy & Evan at The Mills House

Amy & Evan were married at The Mills House on Saturday. My good friend, Robbin, was helping me cover the action. We had a BLAST from the minute we got there until the Carriage whisked the happy couple into the night. 🙂

I photographed Amy & Evan’s eSession out on Folly Beach earlier this year. They did such a great job that we ended up with tons of fantastic images. So we picked a bunch to put in one of our popular Photo Guest Books, which was a hit!

Amy & Evan went to MUSC together, working there before moving to Richmond, where Amy is a nurse and Evan is a Doctor of Internal Medicin. They are so AMAZING together! After the slideshow, Click Here to see the rest of their photos.

CONGRATULATIONS Amy & Evan!!!

Nikon D3s Announced

Last night Nikon announced the release of the BRAND NEW D3s. The new pro-series camera capitalizes on the formidable D3 features, adding increased ISO capability to 12800, a dedicated Live View button, and a built in sensor-cleaner. But of most interest to me is the addition of HD Video capability.

Check out this really cool multi-media video created by legendary Sports Illustrated photographer, Bill Frakes. As a special note, Bill will be conducting a workshop this weekend at the Charleston Center for Photography. I’ve met him a couple times and he’s an AMAZING photographer. So if you want to learn from the master, sign up right away!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JGQHWGpe5s]