Ellie’s 18-Month Portraits in Old Mt. Pleasant

It’s been such a priviledge, photographing little Ellie and her family over the years. She’s brought so much joy into their lives…such a sweet, special little girl!!! Here are a few fav’s from her 18-month session in Old Mt. Pleasant…

Magnolia Gardens Audubon Swamp

Last week I managed to find some time to go photograph some personal work.

I love keeping up with the rookery at Magnolia Gardens Audubon Swamp…so I headed there. There was a fine drizzle, but the light was pretty, which made for beautiful colors in the wet greenery. I sat and watched this nest of anhinga chicks for quite some time as mama came and fed her chicks. It’s really quite remarkable that she doesn’t get her neck pierced when the rambunctious youngsters jam their beaks down her throat!!!

Soon this litter will find its wings and take flight to find their own path in life…

Stein Family on Sullivan’s Island

To celebrate their 15-Year Anniversary, our friends Chris & Vicki were staying at the beach last week. So we caught up with them for dinner and a fun family photo shoot. Their girls are growing like reeds…and so adorable! We had a great time hanging out with them and catching up!!! 🙂

Kelli & Tom’s Wedding at The Citadel

One week ago today, Kelli said “I DO” to the love of her life!!! 🙂

Their ceremony was held at Summerall Chapel at The Citadel, with a really fun reception following at The Citadel Beach House. Many thanks to my team of Laura & Charlie for all their hard work. And a huge thank you to Missie at Red Letter Events, and all the other fellow vendors, for making everything go so smoothly.

I’ve been photographing Kelli’s extended family for years. What a blessing to watch her grow into the beautiful young lady she has become…and to see the joy Tom has brought into her life.

CONGRATULATIONS Kelli & Tom! May God Bless you as you embark on this new journey together!!!

Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks

At the Southeaster Wildlife Expo earlier this year, a fellow photographer was telling me about the incredible Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks.  I immediately tucked it into my mental bucket list!

Shackleford Banks, the southern-most barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore, is home to a little over 100 wild horses. This is one of the few places left in the eastern United States where wild horses can still be found!

DNA studies prove they are descended from the Spanish mustangs brought to the Carolina coast by explorers beginning in the early 1500’s. Turned loose from shipwrecks, or left behind when explorers had to flee failed attempts at colonization, they adapted to the harsh environment.

These last descendants of a bygone era have survived in the wild, isolated on Shackleford and other coastal barrier islands away from the mainland for almost 500 years! Shackleford Banks has never been suitable for any significant human population, which has left it virtually pristine to this day, preserving a natural way of life for these beautiful animals.

On a break from a recent shoot in Wilmington, I had a chance to finally go out and look for the horses. A weathered old couple, just coming off the island when I arrived, hadn’t been able to find them. But with patience and perseverance, I finally came upon a small herd on the inner banks. Laying quietly in the sea oats, or settling down on the sandy shore…the horses soon acclimated to my presence, actually coming quite close at times.

It’s hard to describe the emotions of awe and wonder of being in the company of such wild, majestic, yet gentle creatures! I only regret that my time was limited. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to return and visit longer with these these gentle giants of another time and place…

Martin Family on Seabrook Island

I had so much fun with Rachael & Jimmy’s Family last year. So I was SUPER EXCITED when they called to let me know they were coming back to Seabrook again…this time with Jimmy’s side of the family!   🙂

Britt & Trevor’s Costa Rica Wedding

After all the fun from their Engagement Shoot and Rehearsal Sailboat Cruise, I didn’t know how things could possibly get any better. But the Big Day finally arrived…and WOW!!! We had the most amazing weather, the most gorgeous sunset, and of course the most stunning bride to work with! 🙂

Here are just a few favorites from Britt & Trevor’s beautiful destination wedding on the beautiful beaches of Bosque del Mar in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. What an honor and a pleasure for Cami & I to be a part of this wonderful celebration of love.

Congratulations Britt & Trevor! We wish you all the best for an AMAZING journey together…

Britt & Trevor’s Costa Rica Sailboat Cruise

After photographing Britt & Trevor’s fun engagement session, Cami & I had a light lunch at the resort while they changed and got ready for the afternoon’s activities!

First up was a casual rehearsal so everyone knew the plan for the following day. Just as we were wrapping that up, the transfer boats arrived to load everyone onto the huge catamaran sailboat that would take us on a harbor/sunset cruise, complete with snorkling, dolphin-watching, dinner, and desert. We had a great time getting to know Britt & Trevor’s friends and family.

It was very kind of Britt & Trevor to invite us on the cruise. We really enjoyed getting some fun candids of everyone in this more casual setting before the more formal festivities the following day!!!

Britt & Trevor’s Costa Rica Engagement Session

I’ve been looking forward to finally meeting Britt & Trevor for a looong time!

Although they are from Colorado, through the kind referral of our friends Bill & Kelli Nixon, we “connected”. Over the past months leading up to their Costa Rica destination wedding, I feel like I truly got to know them. So when we finally met in at their resort on the beautiful beach in Playa Hermossa the day before their wedding, it was like meeting old friends!!!

Britt & Trevor had arranged for us to fly down a couple days before the wedding. The day before the main event, we got to photograph their engagement session on a nearby black-sand and lava-rock beach at Playa del Coco! We had so much fun getting to know them and creating these beautiful images to compliment their wedding photos that would come the following day!!!

Mary & Todd’s Wedding at Honey Horn Plantation

Todd used to think he was too grown up for Disney World. Then he met this stunning princess named Mary, who re-introduced him to the park and helped me re-connect with his inner child. One day, not long ago, he built a special box out of Legos and put a diamond ring in it. On their last trip to Disney World, he gave it to Mary in front of Cinderella’s castle. Now Todd and Mary have started a fairytale of their own!!! 🙂

Todd is a Military man, and a huge photography aficionado. I had a BLAST working with him and incorporating all his fun ideas into their wedding photos. Mary now has her Masters in Psychology and is the sweetest young lady you could ever hope to meet. They met in Charleston, but live in Massachusetts where Todd is currently stationed.

Mary’s parents live in Hilton Head. So they decided to have the wedding under the beautiful live oaks draped in Spanish moss at the historic Honey Horn Plantation. We had a gorgeous day, with gentle breezes, and soft light. Their families welcomed me as one of their own. Truly it was an event I’ll never forget!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Mary & Todd! We wish you all the best as you begin writing your new fairytale together!!!

Brook’s Bridal Portrait

I thoroughly enjoy photographing Bridal Portraits. And Brooke’s was one of my absolute favorites this year!!!

We met at Middleton Place, which is a gorgeous venue to begin with. It was a beautiful day with lots of nice natural light to work with. But I knew that as the shadows got longer and the sun faded, I’d need to add supplemental lighting. Plus even with nice natural light, I love the option of adding an accent light to kick it up another notch!

If you want to see some notes on my lighting techniques, and some behind-the-scenes shots, head over to www.lightbending411.com.

Brooke was a BEAUTIFUL bride and so much fun to work with! I hope you enjoy the images…I sure had fun making them!