Executive Portraits at The Gaillard Auditorium

Last week I had the honor of photographing a high-profile corporate event in Charleston with a wonderful group of amazing people! Through out the conference, which was held at The Gaillard Auditorium, I continued photographing various executive portraits during breaks.

Welcome Reception at Lowndes Grove Plantation

Last week I had the honor of photographing a high-profile corporate event in Charleston with a wonderful group of amazing people! Everyone was officially welcomed to Charleston during a fabulous welcome reception at the picturesque Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Executive Portraits at The Dewberry

Last week I had the honor of photographing a high-profile corporate event in Charleston with a wonderful group of amazing people!  Before the program started, I had the opportunity to photograph some executive portraits at The Dewberry Hotel…

Headshots for DHG

When Dixon Hughes Goodman, one of the largest accounting firms in the country, hires new associates, I have the privilege of going in and photographing their head-shots. It was a pleasure meeting and photographing some of the latest additions to their amazing team yesterday!!!

#LittleDittyBoutJeffAndDiane

Diane was a former co-worker of Cami’s, a neighbor of ours down the street, and a close friend to both of us for many years. Getting to know Jeff through Diane has meant a lot to us. He is such an amazing and kind gentleman.  And he is so good to Diane! We could NOT be happier for the two of them!!!

Cami & I were absolutely over the moon when Jeff & Diane asked us to be their wedding photographers! It’s a real joy to be invited to capture any wedding. But when that special day belongs to a couple that is so close to our hearts, it makes it EVEN MORE special!!!

The morning of their wedding opened with a beautiful clear blue sky as we made our way to Wild Dunes, where Diane was getting ready. She was absolutely stunning in her simple, elegant wedding gown. I particularly loved her father’s expression when she came downstairs and he saw her for the first time!

The ceremony was held at Goldbug Island, on a picturesque lawn overlooking the inter-coastal waterway. Our friend Sue officiated the ceremony with some sweet words. The recessional, with bubbles blowing in the breeze, was a particularly exciting time for all…clapping and cheering the newlyweds all the way!

After some fun family photos, Jeff & Diane joined me on Sullivan’s Island for a few romantic shots on the beach. Then it was back to Goldbug Island for a wild and crazy reception. Lauren Moniz of Serve Catering delivered delicious treats to eat. Rob Duren, our fantastic DJ and MC, rocked the tunes that carried the chatting, dancing, and partying long into the night!

To see the rest of the images, visit:  http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/jeffanddiane.

CONGRATULATIONS Jeff & Diane!!! We wish you all the love and happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together!  🙂

Volvo Car Open 2017 – Day 9

Day 9 of the Volvo Car Open was an epic finish to a fantastic week of tennis!

Bethanie-Mattek Sands and Lucie Saffarova showed why they are such good friends, and why they are the #1 doubles team in the world!!! After clinching this, their second title in Charleston, defeating Katerina Siniakova and Lucie Hradecka, the dynamic duo shared an adult beverage before meeting up with me to photograph their Doubles Champions Photos.

Later, in the battle of the 19-year-olds, Daria Kasatkina prevailed over fellow youngster, Jelena Ostapenko, to claim her very first WTA tour title. Overwhelmed with raw emotion during her trophy presentation, she nearly had me in tears!!! What a special moment for this adorable young lady!  “I’m just enjoying it every moment, every second,” she said. “And really, when I was on the court after the last point, I just wanted the moment to stop because it was one of the best moments in my life.”

After a celebratory meal with her team, Daria met up with us in downtown Charleston for her Champions Photos.

Many thanks to all the amazing players, tournament staff, the WTA, all the volunteers, grounds crew, ball kids, umpires, line judges, marketing team, and my photography partner, Alice, for another AMAZING Volvo Car Open!!!

Volvo Car Open 2017 – Day 8

Day 8 of the Volvo Car Open left two VERY HUNGER teenagers standing!!! Not since Anna Ivanovic in 2001 has a teenager won this tournament. This year, it’s guaranteed that another teenager will take home the title! Both Daria Kastkina and Jelena Ostapenko are 19 years old. Both are rising stars. Both are seeking their first WTA Tour title!!!

Volvo Car Open 2017 – Day 7

Day 7 of the Volvo Car Open brought us down to JUST FOUR playeers left!!! Each of them survived the round of 16 through fearless play, upsetting all the top seeds along the way. I look at each of the four players left in the draw and find I like every single one of them for different reasons: Laura Siegemund, Daria Kastkina, Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, Jelena Ostapenko. Who will YOU be cheering for as we enter Semi-final Saturday?!?

Volvo Car Open 2017 – Day 5

Day 5 of the Volvo Car Open had a number of major upsets…as well as some huge triumphs. Not the least of which was Charleston’s own Shelby Rogers, who defeated the Number 1 seed, Madison Keys, in 3 sets!!!  And who can forget Laura Seigemund’s battle over Venus Williams?!?

Volvo Car Open 2017 – Day 3

Day 3 of the Volvo Car Open started with me hanging out with Jennifer Brady at Charleston Day School. The kids LOVED her!

Then it was on to the MUSC Children’s Hospital where Darija Jurak and Misaki Doi took time out of their busy practice schedules to go and play with some kids that really needed some cheering up!

I then zipped over to the Daniel Island Club to photograph the All Access Media Hour, where 8 of the top seeds gather to be interviewed by various media outlets. Madison Keys, Johanna Konta Venus Williams, Samantha Stosur, Elena Vesnina, KiKi Bertens, and Daria Gavrilova were among the stars I got to photograph. Even last year’s Champion, Sloan Stephens, made in appearance, in spite of not being able to play this year due to injury.

Finally, I headed to the Family Circle Tennis Center to photograph several matches, including former Champions Andrea Petkovic and Jelena Jankovic, plus local home-town hero Shelby Rogers, before the rain drove us all indoors.

It’s all in a day’s work when you’re the official photographer at this world-class professional women’s tennis tournament!!!

Volvo Car Open 2017 – Iconic Photo Shoot

Day two of the Volvo Car Open had me photographing what’s known as the Iconic Photo Shoot. This is where we photograph two of the top players at an iconic Charleston location. Previous locations have included the beach on Isle of Palms, and the flight deck of The USS Yorktown!

This year the selected location was The Cistern on the College of Charleston campus. The team from WTA even set up a net across The Cistern so the players could play a few points during the photo shoot. Before the players arrived, the C of C tennis team arrived for a couple cool photos!

Eventually, Elena Vesnina and Daria Gavrilova arrived for the shoot. We all had a BLAST and came away with some really cool images with which to promote this year’s Volvo Car Open!!! 🙂

Volvo Car Open 2017 – Qualies

A big sight of relief! After another year of anticipation and preparation, day 1 of the 2017 Volvo Car Open is under the belt.

The first Saturday is always full of fun. It’s not only the first day of qualifying for the un-seeded players, but it’s also Family Day. There are tons of activities for the kids, tennis clinics, autograph sessions, and of course world-class tennis matches!

To add to the excitement, this year the PowerShares series was moved from the second Saturday to the first Saturday of the tournament. Featuring legends of the game like John MacEnroe, Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Mark Philippousis, the evening was not only a showcase of the men’s talent, but also entertaining with the humerous banter between them!

Stay tuned for tons more action to come as I cover this annual WTA tournament, my 16th as their official photographer!!!