I’ve been working on a really neat project with the Charleston Regional Business Journal to photograph some of Charleston’s FINEST Chefs. The story will include some of their favorite holiday recipes. Here are a few of the images that I really enjoyed creating. The first one is of Fred Neuville at The Fat Hen. I had such a great time with Fred and was so impressed with his kitchen that Cami and I took our friends Nick & Sharon there for dinner last night! The second image is of Kevin Ives of The Ocean Room, which is at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. And the third is of Mike Lata of Fig. Mmmmmm…bon appetit!

When Jessica & Paul were planning the photography for their wedding day, they decided they didn’t want a traditional Bridal Session or Engagement Session. Instead, they wanted something special! So when I showed them photos from a previous Trash-the-Dress session, it clicked. So the day after their wedding, we went out to one of my favorite beaches and HAD A BLAST! I’m quite certain some of these images will end up gracing the walls of our studio very soon…

Jessica is this sweet “California Girl” that I absolutely LOVE to death! Paul is this suave, studly “Firefighter Dude” full of romantic charm. They compliment each other PERFECTLY!!!

Their wedding was held at St. Luke’s Chapel…one of my favorite little chapels here in the Holy City. The exposed wood rafters and bright stain glass windows make for a beautiful combination that’s hard to beat. Their reception was held at The Mills House…another one of my favorite venues with it’s classic old-school attention to detail. In between the two locations, Jessica & Paul had their limo driver drop them off at Waterfront Park so we could create some fun and unique images in the soft light of the setting sun. The very next day, we met again for an AWESOME Trash-the-Dress session at Folly Beach before they headed out to catch their Mediterranean Cruise.

Jessica & Paul, you guys were THE BEST! I had SO MUCH FUN working with you guys and getting to know all your family and friends. You are truly blessed to be surrounded by such a strong support group. I wish you ALL THE HAPPINESS in the world!!!

See the rest of the photos in their Online Gallery…

As most of you know, I’m the Official Photographer of the Family Circle Cup Tennis Championships. But I’m also a huge tennis fan and love to play the game! One of the local USTA teams I play on won our city league earlier this summer and got to compete in the State Championships this weekend. On top of THAT, the US Open has been going on and I enjoyed watching my favorite pros strut their stuff. Knocked out fairly early at the US Open this year, here’s a shot of Serena Williams from last year’s FCC Championships.

It may have been sprinkling that afternoon, but Leigh & Matt’s personalities have a strong polarity towards the positive…so their spirits weren’t dampened ONE BIT! I really think that says a lot about these two. Their love for each other and their EXCITEMENT about finally being together just wasn’t going to allow any negativism to creep into their wedding celebration! Since I’ve been accused many times of possessing just such a positive personality myself, I felt an instant connection with both Leigh & Matt…as if we were already old friends. Needless to say, we had a GREAT time together!!!

Their wedding and reception was held at the Sand Dunes Club on Sullivan’s Island. I love the huge open rooms, safari-style furniture, and old-school hardwood floors in this private facility. I’ve included just a few of my many favorites from their day. But I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the image in the middle of Matt & Leigh exiting the great hall at the conclusion of the wedding. As a full time professional, I work very hard to train my eye, have an intimate knowledge of my equipment, and constantly be aware of my surroundings. So it’s SUCH A JOY to be rewarded with an image like this every now and then. As the newlyweds walked past me, I don’t know WHAT possessed me to switch off the flash, ratchet the shutter speed down to expose for the shadows, and whip around to focus on their backs. But when Leigh tossed that “I-can’t-believe-I’m-finally-married” glance over her shoulder at me…well it was like the photo gods had tossed me a GIFT from heaven to reward me for all my hard work and dedication!

So Matt & Leigh, I just wanted to shout out a HUGE thank you for allowing me to share in the positive energy of your wedding day…and for giving me the best gift a photographer can ask for!

Visit their Online Gallery to see the rest of the photos…

I’ve been working on an assignment commissioned by the Charleston Regional Business Journal entitled The Legal Elite. It involves photographing the top legal minds in Charleston. Today I had the privilege of photographing Eric Schweitzer of Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart.

Their firm is one of the most respected in the field of Labor and Employment Law. According to a recent press release: “77 Ogletree Deakins attorneys have been named to the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Of the 77 lawyers, 70 were named top lawyers in the area of Labor and Employment Law. This gives Ogletree Deakins the most Best Lawyers in the field of Labor and Employment Law in the U.S.”

Eric has been with the firm some 27 years and runs the Charleston office. He had just finished moving over the weekend, so we had a great time commiserating over the aches and pains of moving since Cami and I had recently done the same. Eric has a passion for sailing. So when I saw the original painting in their lobby depicting the historic Charleston Harbor with the sail boat, I knew right away this was where I wanted to create his portrait. We moved the furniture around to give me the angle I wanted and flipped the reading lamps on in the background for ambiance. Add to that Eric’s charismatic smile and we had the shot I was looking for!

Following all the fun from the previous evening at their Rehearsal Dinner Party, I wasn’t a BIT surprised at how DELICIOUS Jessica & Avery’s Big Day was! I use that adjective with great purpose because the scenic beauty surrounding their wedding day was like eye-candy to me. I was gleefully capturing moments as if I was a kid lost in a chocolate factory!

Their wedding was at Christ Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant. It’s a wonderfully open sanctuary with huge windows that let in this soft glowing light that I love to work with. One of my favorite shots is of Jessica and her father, bathed in that beautiful light, waiting with eager anticipation to walk down the isle together. Anyway, I had so many favorites just at the church that I didn’t get a chance to share with you any of my favorites from the Reception!

Held at the Charleston Visitor’s Center, this was THE PARTY to attend!!! It’s such a cool venue and we had such a BLAST that you’ve got to check out the rest of the photos in Jessica & Avery’s Online Gallery to see some of these. At the end of the night guests lit the corridor with candles held high as the newly-weds exited the building to take their carriage ride off into the night.

Jessica & Avery, as you grow old together, remember to keep your hearts young, remember to give each other those “looks” EVERY day, and remember to keep your love for each other as fresh and delicious as if you are just two kids lost in a chocolate factory!

Although I’m asked to photograph quite a few Rehearsal Dinner Party’s, images from the “Main Event” often trump photos from the “Day Before”. But Jessica & Avery’s Rehearsal Dinner Party was something special so I wanted to share a few with you.

The Rehearsal itself was a very fun, relaxed affair…lots of laughing, smiling, joking, and once in a while I even saw Jessica flash Avery “the look” like in this first image. Then we all headed downtown to the historic Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon. Cocktails were served on the main floor while a live trio filled the air with magical music. Everyone got personalized guided tours of the dungeon downstairs while the upstairs was beautifully decorated for the dinner.

I’ve covered many corporate functions here, but choosing to have their Rehearsal Dinner Party in this romantic setting was an AWESOME idea!