Julie & Shawn’s Phoenix Wedding

When Shawn & Julie got engaged, everyone knew it was coming. They were just too perfect together for it NOT to happen! Cami and I were even more excited when they asked us to do the honor of photographing this special day for my nephew and his fiance!!!

Their wedding was held in Phoenix, a city that we’ve grown to love. When the big day arrived, Shawn & Julie got ready at the picturesque Talking Stick Resort, where they also shared a First Look before heading over to the wedding venue. The ceremony was held at this really cool rustic location called Desert Foothills Resort. It was an absolute dream location for photography, with an old wooden barn, beautifully decorated, and surrounded by wild cacti.

We had so much fun meeting Shawn & Julie’s friends and family who all came out to help them celebrate! Many thanks to Shawn’s brother, Tyler, who officiated the ceremony, to Anne and her family for all their hard work putting together the gorgeous decorations, to Dan & Linda for keeping everything running smoothly, to Lisa at the venue for all her help with planning, to Julian at Heidi’s Events and Catering, to DJ Eli for rockin’ the night away, and to Cami for all her help with navigating and being my lighting assistant!

CONGRATULATIONS Julie & Shawn! We wish you all be best as you begin your new journey together!!!

Headshots for Commonwealth Financial

It was a pleasure photographing new headshots for my friends at Commonwealth Financial the other day!

I’mages captured on a Nikon D5, with Nikkor 70-200 f2.8, shot at ISO 400, f5, 1/250sec. I used a large Westcott octobox with three SB-5000 flashes in it as my main light. And I used a small Westcott striplight with one SB-5000 flash in it as a kicker light. The light of the open shade served as the fill light. Manfrotto light stands and a Manfrotto 055CX Pro tripod served as support. It was really windy!  So a bunch of BoaBag sandbags held everything in place.

Birds & Brunch

I absolutely LOVE the open-jawed expressions of wide-eyed-wonder when people witness the amazing raptors from the Center for Birds of Prey swooping over their heads for the very first time!

Last week I had the honor of again photographing the annual fundraiser gala for the Avian Conservation Center. This year’s theme of “Birds & Brunch” was a little different than in the past. In stead of an evening banquet, the event was configured as a fun Sunday brunch. It was hosted by the new Bennett Hotel in downtown Charleston, which is a gorgeous venue on the corner of Marion Square. The program was a huge success, raising operating funds to help keep the center improving and doing great things for these amazing birds in it’s care.

Many thanks to Jim, Kara, Daniel, Stephen, Audrey, Natalie, Jessie, Lance, and the rest of the AMAZING team at Center for Birds of Prey for all that they do to help our planet and save the beautiful creatures we share it with!!!

I’d also like to thank my friend and amazing photographer, Ferris, for capturing the images of me in action.  🙂

Amerisure Champions Circle

As a full time professional photographer in Charleston, it’s good to have a great network of trusted colleagues in the industry. Often we get multiple requests for assignments on the same day, or requests for assignments that are so big that they require multiple photographers all shooting at once.

My friend Gary at Coleman Photography is one of those trusted shooters that I can always count on when needed. Earlier this week, I had the honor of returning the favor when he asked me to cover an awards banquet for Amerisure while he was on another assignment.

The Amerisure Champions Circle was an awards gala in honor of their top performers. It was held at the beautiful old historic William Aiken House. And it was planned and orchestrated by the amazing team at Destination South. CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners!!!

The Scott Family at Christ Our King

Last evening was some of the prettiest fall weather we’ve had all year. It was absolutely perfect for the Scott Family’s portrait session at Christ Our King Catholic Church!

I met up with The Scott’s at their church, just as the sun was starting to turn that perfect warm golden color. Taking advantage of the picturesque gardens behind the church, we found tons of great backdrops, and photographed a wonderful variety of fun portraits for them. Their three girls were absolutely ADORABLE!!! And the addition of their grandparents, who were down here visiting from Connecticut, made it even more special.

Many thanks to Beth for all her hard work in coordinating everyone’s busy schedules! 🙂

Engineering Projects for Seamon Whiteside

Over the last few weeks I’ve had the privilege of photographing a number of amazing engineering and site-design projects for Seamon Whiteside.

“SW+ IS A LEADER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS, LOW-IMPACT ADVANCEMENTS IN ENGINEERING AND SITE DESIGN. WE BLEND CIVIL ENGINEERING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TO CREATE HOLISTIC ENVIRONMENTS.”

The assignment involved photographing key environmental, ergonomic, and human comfort aspects of properties developed by their team of engineers, including: the new Blackbaud property, Governor’s Park, the Family Circle Tennis Center, Wharf 7 Apartments, 254 Seven Farms Drive, Bridgeside at Patriots Point, Hyatt Place at Towne Center, and Oyster Point subdivision.

American Board of Criminal Lawyers

Last evening couldn’t have been more beautiful! Fall has finally arrived in Charleston. We had a gorgeous sunny day, and a comfortably cool evening for the annual American Board of Criminal Lawyers event.

It’s always been a pleasure to photograph this event. And this year was no different! Everything was absolutely perfect…from the amazing band to the delicious food, from the creative decor to the friendly staff.

Many thanks to Andy & Cheryl’s Savage for their generosity in opening up their lovely home for this event, and for inviting me to be a part of it!!!

Julia’s Bridal Portraits

Julia & Woods tied the knot yesterday. That means that I can FINALLY share a few favorites from Julia’s gorgeous bridal session!!! 🙂

Several months ago, Julia, her sister, her mom, and her grandmother all met up with me at Middleton Place, where we had received approval to photograph her bridal shoot. It was a beautiful summer evening. And Julia was absolutely STUNNING!!!  We had so much fun exploring the picturesque grounds, and photographing a variety of portraits for Julia in her elegant wedding gown.  Many thanks to the amazing staff at Middleton Place for allowing us this privilege.

Congratulations Julia & Woods! Rachel…you are next!!!  😉

Cocktails for Community

Every fall, the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors hosts “Cocktails for Cummunity”, a fabulous fund raiser to help support the Realtors Housing Opportunities Fund.

The RHOF is an endowed fund created by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors supporting non-profit organizations to make a positive difference in the local community. RHOF’s giving mission is three-pronged: the repair or rehabilitation of low-to-moderate income housing, creation of new affordable housing, and education to encourage responsible homeownership. To date, RHOF has provided OVER $1 million in funding to Lowcountry nonprofits!

It was my pleasure to photograph this wonderful event again this year!

Lobster Fest for Iron Gate Realty

For their client-appreciation dinner this year, Renee & Paul at Iron Gate Realty organized a phenomenal Lobster Fest!!!

It was held at the Pierce Park Pavilion on Daniel Island.  After photographing portraits of Renee and her brother (and partner in crime), Paul, I set up and did couple’s portraits in front of the step-and-repeat, as well as with the beautiful park greenery in the background. We also did a big group photo of everyone that attended. And of course I got tons of candids of everyone having fun digging into their fresh “lobstah”! 🙂

It was a really fun event! I’d like to say a HUGE “Thank You” to Renee & Paul for allowing me to be a part of it.

Private Event on the USS Yorktown

Last night I had the privilege of photographing a private high-profile event on the U.S.S. Yorktown. For privacy reasons, I’m unable to show any people pictures. But here are some shots of the beautiful setup, orchestrated by Lee and the amazingly talented team at Absolutely Charleston…