Horizons Unlimited Virginia

Founded by Susan & Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited has been inspiring, informing, and connecting overland travelers since 1997.

Their events are all about overland adventure! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran with wisdom to share or a complete novice that’s hungry for ideas and guidance, it doesn’t matter if you ride a motorcycle, a bicycle, or drive an expedition vehicle…Horizons Unlimited meetings are for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less traveled.

Each year Horizons Unlimited hosts 20+ events around the globe. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching photography workshops and presentations at the meeting in Virginia, and at the one in North Carolina. It seems adventure travelers are always keen on improving the quality of the images they take while they are riding around the globe on their epic RTW, or “Round the World” trip. This year, instead of presenting, I got to photograph the event in Virginia. The photos were so well received, I’ve already been hired to photograph the event in North Carolina this fall!!!

Here then are some of my images from the Horizons Unlimited VA event. I’ve also included a number of behind-the-scenes snapshots from my phone, depicting my personal experiences at the event, as well as my travels to and from. Enjoy!!!

Carowinds Theme Park

Carowinds is a 400-acre amusement park located on the border of North and South Carolina. The park opened on March 31, 1973, at a cost of $70 million. This was the result of a four-year planning period spearheaded by Charlotte businessman Earl Patterson Hall, who was inspired to build the park by a 1956 trip to Disneyland.

The hero of Carowinds is Fury 325. This giant “giga coaster” is loosely themed around Charlotte’s nickname, The Hornet’s Nest. It has a height of 325 ft, making it the tallest giga coaster. It’s the fastest non-launched roller coaster in the world! With a top speed of 95 mph, it’s also the sixth fastest in the world overall. Fury 325 is the single largest investment in the park’s history.

Using the DJI Mavic Pro, I had the pleasure of creating this aerial drone image of the park before their crazy summer season begins!

Anastasia & Alex are Married at the Greek Orthodox Church

Congratulations to Anastasia and Alex!!! Their absolutely GORGEOUS wedding was held at the Greek Orthodox Church, with the reception following at Circa 1886, and home-base being the Wentworth Mansion.

With their blended international families, Anastasia, Alex, and I “clicked” right from the start. Anastasia was an absolutely STUNNING, elegant, and easy-going bride! Her Greek heritage had a lot to do with that, I’m sure. Alex was this tall handsome groom with a great sense of humor. Having recently returned from visiting his great country, I’m convinced his Australian heritage had much to do with that.

We had an absolute BLAST together on their wedding day!!! And I couldn’t be happier for these two! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together!!! 🙂

For more of their images, visit: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/anastasiaandalex.

K-Con Team Photos

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of photographing headshots and team photos for K-Con.

K-Con, Inc. is a Design-Build General Contractor offering turn-key construction & renovation/up-fit services, engineering, site preparation & installation. K-Con serves Commercial and Government entities in the local Charleston, SC area and throughout the United States. They proudly offer Government and Military building clients the advantages of GSA Federal Supply Schedule ordering nationwide.

I had so much fun photographing this amazing group. The really cool part was discovering how many connections we had in common! It turns out I photographed pre-school photos of one of the team’s sons. I also happen to be good friends with one of their good friends. But the biggest surprise was re-connecting with one of our first friends from when we moved to Charleston many many years ago! We had lost touch over the years. It was so neat to run into each other again!!!

I found everyone at the K-Con Team to be friendly, professional, accessible, and responsive. If you’re ever in need of their services, they will exceed your expectations!

Frankie & Rebecca’s Hidden Garden Proposal

Frankie’s Surprise Proposal in a private hidden garden in downtown Charleston is easily one of my absolute favorites EVER!!!

When Frankie contacted me back in March, I knew this was going to be a really special one. He had so many great ideas, and had really gone out of his way to make this extra special for his longtime girlfriend, Rebecca. He had contacted a friend, who knew someone with a beautiful home in the old historic district of downtown Charleston, that had an amazing hidden garden in the back. The home-owners had graciously allowed us to use this beautiful spot where Frankie was to ask Rebecca for her hand in marraige.

I made a special scouting visit several weeks prior to figure out the logistics of where the best place to propose would be, where the best place for me to hide would be, etc. When the Big Day finally arrived, everything went off like clock-work! The home-owners had even arranged for friends, Cory and Kayla, to hide with me and pop some Champagne for the beautiful couple when she said “YES”!!! It was such a beautiful moment, and I’m so honored to have been a part of this AMAZING secret marriage proposal.

CONGRATULATIONS Frankie & Rebecca! May your journey ahead be full of love and laughter all the days of your lives.

Aerial Drone Photography for Knight’s Companies

Earlier this week my good friend and AMAZING photographer, Mic Smith, sub-contracted me to photograph aerial drone images for one of his clients. He was hired by Knight’s Companies to provide a fresh updated series of photographs to go with their revamped new website. As part of his team, it was my job to get beautiful aerial photos of their property and the activity there in.

Originally founded in 1969 by CEO, Michael “Bud” Knight, Knight’s Companies encompases a series of operations, all of which strive to provide quality products and service to the Charleston construction industry.

Larry & Joanna’s Surprise Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

Larry & Joanna first met at CrossFit. Joanna had moved from New York to Tennessee and started attending some classes at the gym where Larry was a trainer. She says he used to pick on her more than the others. Which, as we all know from our days in grade-school, when a boy picks on a girl it means he REALLY likes her!!! Am I right? 🙂

Sure enough, Joanna put out a couple vibes, and next thing you know Larry asked her out. The rest, as they say, is history!!!

Fast forward about a year and Larry knew in his heart that Joanna was “the one”. He booked a fun vacation for the two of them to charming Charleston. And he connected with me to help him capture that very special moment when he asked Joanna to be his wife.  It was such a beautiful secret proposal under a cathedral of giant oak trees at Magnolia Plantation.

To see the rest of their photos, visit: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/larryandjoanna.

I’m so honored to have been a part of this AMAZING day!!! Congratulations Larry & Joanna! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together…

Aerial Drone Photography for Select Health

As a leading aerial drone photographer in Charleston, we often get requests for commercial assignments. We are FAA Part 107 Certified, licensed, and insured. I’ve been working with Select Health as a client for many years. Here is one of the projects I photographed for them recently.

“At Select Health, we’re true to our mission…to help members get care, stay well, and build healthy communities…and we always will be.  First Choice is the only plan in the state with a five-star rating for overall consumer satisfaction from CAHPS, and we maintain the highest levels of enrollment, transfer, and retention in South Carolina. We are proud to be the market share leader in the state and the preferred plan for South Carolinians.”

Many thanks to Reid and her amazing team for organizing this project!

Preston’s Secret Proposal to Stevie at Magnolia Plantation

Preston is quite the gentleman! He contacted me way back in October to set plans in motion for his Surprise Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend, Stevie. He wanted everything to be PERFECT for her!!!

Well, the big day finally arrived. And everything DID turn out perfect. We had beautiful weather, very few tourists, and Stevie said “YES”!!! What could be better than that?!?

Preston proposed at the middle of the famous white bridge at Magnolia Plantation. What an iconic location to become engaged, right? Hailing from Kansas, he and Stevie have been dating for 8 years now. We wish them all the happiness in the world as they begin this NEW journey together as husband and wife!  🙂

VCO Champion’s Portrait

As the Official Tournament Photographer for the Volvo Car Open, one of my distinct honors is photographing private portrait sessions with each year’s champions.

I caught up with Alla Kudryavtseva and Katarina Srebotnik shortly after their triumph, trophy presentation, and interviews with the Tennis Channel. At age 37, this was Katarina’s second doubles title at this tournament, winning her other one 10 years ago!!!

With the weather delays throwing off the schedule, we weren’t able to execute our original plan of taking Kiki Bertens downtown for her portrait at one of the iconic Charleston landmarks. In fact, we barely made it to a suitable location on Daniel Island as the last remaining rays of twilight faded to dusk.

Kiki was a kind and gracious champion, working quickly with us to capture a variety of shots before heading off to a celebratory dinner with coaches, friends, and family.

CONGRATULATIONS to Kiki, Alla, and Kata on an incredible tournament!!!