Headshots for Joye Law Firm

In a complex personal injury case, two sisters suffered severe and permanent injuries as passengers in a Tesla accident in Charleston. The case was handled by Attorney Mark Joye of the Joye Law Firm. The litigation involved challenging negotiations with the Cincinnati Insurance Company, which initially understated the available insurance coverage. Ultimately, Mark was able to get a $2,417,500 settlement for the sisters. This case highlights the importance of skilled legal representation in personal injury cases.

It was an honor to photograph updated headshots for the Joye Law Firm last week. I set up a portable studio in their atrium, with a white background, and a high-key Rembrandt lighting style. I used the Nikon Z9, Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 Z, Flashpoint speedlights (x5), Manfrotto supports, and Westcott umbrellas. Of course I created serious portraits of each employee. But my favorites are the fun “outtakes” that I frequently throw in to help people get relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera!!! 🙂

Many thanks to Nicole & Rachel for coordinating schedules and helping organize the shoot.

Why Use Flash for Outdoor Portraits?

A nice couple was walking by as I set up my lights for a photo shoot on Daniel Island. Curious, they asked “why are you using flash for outdoor photos?” I thought that was a great question!

Commonwealth Financial is a longtime client. Several times a year, they have me come out to photograph headshots of new advisors that have joined their team. Heather is always so good about organizing everyone’s schedules and coordinating these photo shoots. She had arranged for me to come out for some updates this week.

We always schedule their headshots in the morning, when the side of their building is in open shade. That way, the light is consistent each time I go out, and nobody is squinting in the sunlight. The even shade also gives me a blank canvas to work with. It creates the ambient light that illuminates the side of the building that we always use as the backdrop, plus provides a nice fill light to the faces. Yes, I could just shoot these headshots with natural light. The light would be nice and soft. But it would also be flat, lacking punch and directionality. Plus it would be inconsistent from shoot to shoot…on overcast days it would be extra flat with a cool color tone…on sunny days it would be warmer and more contrasty. For these reasons, I always blend in some lighting from off-camera flash.

For the main light (to the subject’s right), I set up a Manfrotto lightstand, with 3 SB-5000 flashes on a bracket, firing into an Westcott Apollo 50″ softbox. Since this is a very large light source, susceptible to wind, the stand is held in place by 4 10-lb BoaBags. On the opposite side, firing from behind the subject’s left shoulder, I place another Manfrotto lightstand. This one has a single SB-5000 flash, firing into a Westcott Apollo Strip softbox, and is held down by a single 10-lb BoaBag. This light provides a “kicker” that highlights the hair, provides a little fill on the cheek, gives a little edging to the shoulders, and helps separate the subject from the background. I shoot these portraits using my Nikon Z9 with the Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 lens on a Manfrotto tripod.

In the first photo, you can see the results without flash, which I shoot to get a “base” exposure. There’s nothing wrong with it. The light just doesn’t sculpt the face and provide the punch I like in a headshots! The subsequent shots show the final results with the off-camera flashes. I hope this helps answer the question of why I use flash for outdoor portraits!

Joye Law Firm Marketing Photos

I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Joye Law Firm over the years. This week we photographed a variety of new marketing photos for them. They are a great group and everyone is always so nice!

Reese Joye opened the doors of the Joye Law Firm in 1968 to guide people through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Mark Joye and Ken Harrell are the partners who carry on that tradition. Today, their South Carolina accident attorneys work diligently to do more than help their clients get the compensation they deserve – they help restore the quality of their lives.

Pierce Sloan Kennedy & Early for Super Lawyers Magazine

I have enjoyed being one of the designated photographers for Super Lawyers Magazine for many years.

Super Lawyers Magazine, which is a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters, recognizes the top attorneys nationwide, across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes, using a patented process of independent research and peer input. The lawyers selected include not only represent the seasone veterans with years of experience, but also the Rising Stars of the profession. This well-respected publications is a great resource, designed to aid those needing an attorney they can trust. It has grown over three decades with an unparalleled reach in print magazines and online content.

This week I had the pleasure of photographing the attorneys from Pierce Sloan Kennedy & Early for an upcoming article in Super Lawyers Magazine!

Seamon Whiteside Headshots

I always enjoy working with Seamon Whiteside! Their company has such a healthy culture to it. Every employee I’ve ever met there is always happy, friendly, and eager to help out!!! That statement certainly applies to my photo shoot with them this week. It was an honor photographing some updated headshots and marketing photos for a few of their newest team members.

Aero Logistics Warehouse for Trident Construction

AERO Logistics just moved into their massive new industrial distribution warehouse in Summerville!

If you’ve never heard of them, AERO Logistics is an asset-based service provider structured to support the cold-chain efforts of the 3PL and Freight Forwarding Community. Their operation is supported by a knowledgeable staff, a fleet of new well-maintained equipment, cutting edge technology, and robust warehouse operations. But it’s their customer-oriented service-driven approach that sets this organization apart from other distribution groups.

I had the pleasure of photographing this giant new warehouse for Trident Construction, the amazing team that designed and built it!

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architects and Trident Construction

McMillan Pazdan Smith is a regional, studio-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm. Their purpose is to create meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all. Their goal is to design a better future through thoughtful, creative, and purpose-driven solutions. Serving with integrity has always been at the heart of what MPS is about. Many projects stem from repeat clients, a testament to their focus on design excellence and customer service.

McMillan Pazden Smith recently moved their offices into the brand new and ultra-modern Morrison Yard building in downtown Charleston. One of my favorite clients, Trident Construction, was tasked with the uplift of the new office space. And I was honored to be selected to photograph it for them!

Headshots for McCabe Trotter & Beverly

Over the years, I’ve developed some wonderful relationships within the photography industy. Charleston…and South Carolina as a whole…has a wonderfully supportive cummunity of photographers. If a client contacts me and I’m not available, I find out what they are looking for and recommend several photographers who I know personally, and trust to do a great job for them. Frequently, that good karma comes back to me!

Last week, my friend and amazingly talented photographer, Clark Berry, passed along one of his clients for me. Clark is from Columbia, and photographs headshots for McCabe, Trotter & Beverly, P.C. But when they opened a new branch in Charleston, Clark’s schedule was too tight to drive all the way down here for one headshot. So he recommended me! He also sent me samples of how he photographed the ones in Columbia, what lights he used, and even a behind-the-scenes photo of his setup.

From that information, I was able to meet up with attorney Jim Lady at the new office, and capture a variety of headshots that mirrored the style Clark had used on the original photos!

Retina Consultants for Novus Architects

Novus Architects was founded 25 years ago by Tommy Smith in his living room, working for one client. It didn’t take long for the Novus family to expand, as the demand grew for Tommy’s creative process and commitment to exceptional customer service. That first client, and many others that followed, are still working with Novus Architects today. Many of the team members from those early days are still around as well. What started as a small family firm, has simply grown into a larger extended family.

It was a pleasure photographing the new revovations Novus Architect implimented at Retina Consultants in Mt. Pleasant!

Warehouse 13 for Trident Construction

You might think that photographing an empty warehouse would be kind of boring. On the contrary, it’s actually quite fascinating!!! I had the honor of photographing this brand new massive warehouse outside of Summerville for Trident Construction this week. Being the only person in this giant, empty space was quite overwhelming. But quitely capturing the repeating patterns of the steel beams, and all the graphical elements, without the distractions of fork lifts, workers, or piles of product, was kind of cool. Soon this place will be jam packed with goods, and filled with all the incessant noise that comes along with a busy warehouse in motion….constantly moving product in, out, and around the facility. So it was kind of cool to capture the calm before the storm!

Professional Portraits for Frank & Theresa

I first met Theresa and Frank when they hired me to photograph their big Birthday Bash! Theresa was turning 70, and frank was turning 80. It was such a beautiful celebration with family and friends gathering from all over the country!!!

Frank has had an amazing entreprenuerial career, and has written several books about it. As he approaches completion of his latest book, he needed a professional portrait to go on the back…as authors often do. Lucky for me, they asked me to photograph it for them! Arriving at their home, I set up my wireless studio in their home, with the low-key look they wanted. Then we went outside for some environmental portraits during the golden-hour light. When we were done, they invited me to sit with them for a chat…hanging out and soaking up all their business-knowledge and life-wisdom was truly special!

It was such an honor and a pleasure working with Frank & Theresa once again!

Headshots at Trident Construction

Today was a fun day, meeting lots of happy people. I had a great time photographing all the updated headshots for the team at Trident Construction!!!
(Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, Flashpoint strobes, Manfrotto stands, Westcott umbrellas, Lexar XQD cards)