Well Gang, it’s that time of year again! Qualifying rounds of the Family Circle Cup begin today. As one of the official tournament photographers, I’ll be out here all day every day until a new champion is crowned next Sunday, April 20th. As always during this period each year, I’ll be difficult to get a hold of. But I’ll be sure to get back to everyone as soon as I come up for a breath of fresh air on the 21st! š In the meantime, look for my images all over the tournament website, the tournament program, and on the banners hanging from the stadium walls. If you come out to cheer your favorite player, and spot me hustling from one court to the next, don’t forget to say “Hello”!!!
Win a “Photographer for a Day” Pass
As I begin preparing to cover the Family Circle Cup this week, I wanted to let you all know you could bid on a press pass to shoot with me and the other professional photographers as a Photographer for a Day. “The 2008 Family Circle Cup has selected the Center for Women as its charity of choice for the third consecutive year. The following activities and auctions are designed to raise money and awareness for the Center for Women… The proceeds will fund many of this organization’s important programs.” Don’t worry, it wasn’t MY IDEA to put this ugly mug on the auction site. But the money goes for a really great cause. And there’s tons of other cool items in the auction as well. So start bidding!!!
Grandma & The Grandkids
Cami’s brother and his family were in town visiting this week from Ohio. Too bad they have to head home today. š We had a great time touring the town, playing card games (which Kristin won EVERY time), and getting schooled on the computer game “Rock Band” by Andrew. Last night we had a fun impromptu photo session and here’s one of the fun ones with “Grandma”. š
40-Under-40
I had the privilege of photographing the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s “40-Under-40” again this year. “The Forty Under 40 Awards recognize business people under the age of 40 who balance bottom line results with a desire to participate in charitable and community activities.” I get to meet a lot of really neat people through this project. This is Kristin Kuhlke, owner of Cupcake. Although you might imagine her with a pink apron on, during her off time she enjoys building projects of all kinds. š Her enthusiastic spirit and joie de vivre made the session extra fun. And since cupcakes are becoming so popular at weddings, I’ve added her information to our Links page of recommended vendors. Next time you’re hankerin‘ for something sweet, stop in her store downtown on King St. for some instant gratification!
April & Marcus
I had SOOO much fun photographing Joey & Crystal’s wedding two years ago that I was ECSTATIC when his sister, April, asked me to photograph her wedding too! And my expectations were right on…I had a BALL!!! April got ready upstairs in the Summer House, where the wedding took place. This is such a beautiful location. And the staff there is FANTASTIC! Marcus got ready in an adjacent room. I love that shot of him talking to Thiago, one of his groomsmen who was running REALLY late. After the wedding we went over to Azalea Park for photos in the beautiful gardens. Then it was back to the Summer House for dancing, cake cutting (boy she got him good!!!), and all the other fun events of the evening. As the day came to an end, April & Marcus drove off in this really cool classic car. Click here to see the rest of the photos. The wedding was filled with a diverse group of family and friends. Marcus & his sister are from Puerto Rico. And others came from Chile, Argentina, Guatemala, and even Wisconsin! š It’s just INCREDIBLE to see folks from so many different parts of the world come together to celebrate the love and commitment between April & Marcus. CONGRATULATIONS you guys!
Canoe Adventure
We just got back from an AWESOME canoe and camping adventure with our good friends Byron & Kathleen. This has turned into an annual trek for us, picking a new remote location each year. But this was the first time they brought their wonderful daughter, Amelia with them…and she did GREAT! Byron is the mastermind and does all the research to find the cool locations we go to. This year we paddled a 34 mile stretch of the St. Mary’s River. Byron is also a big fisherman. But more importantly, as you can see in the last photo he provides me with a good subject to photograph. š
Playing “Tourist”
Last week Mom & Dad came to visit ALL THE WAY from Pilgrim Place, California! š I have the BEST parents in the world!!! And I don’t get to see them often enough. So this was a real treat. Of course we had fun playing “tourist” while they were here. We visited Drayton Hall (one of the few plantations in town they hadn’t seen yet). That’s Dad taking a picture of it. We also visited downtown and took the tour of the Edmonston-Alston House. I photographed their carriage house for an article in Charleston Magazine last year. I was stunned that we’d never taken them to the Angel Oak. So we visited that oldest of living things east of the Mississippi. And what good is a trip to Charleston without going out to eat?!? So here’s a shot of our excellent cook at Miyabi’s Japanese Steakhouse.
Easter is Cancelled
My CRAZY brother-in-law, Scott, sent this to me and I laughed and laughed! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Does EVERY family have a crazy brother-in-law like this?!? š Of course the Easter Bunny is NOT what Easter is all about. So as we contemplate the weight of this special time of year, may the power of true love infuse your minds and hearts with unending joy!
Allison & Brett
What better way to top off my fun birthday excursion Saturday morning, then to hang out with the COOLEST BRIDE & GROOM ever! Allison & Brett tied the knot on Folly Beach amidst the drama of gale-force winds and tornadoes in the vicinity that eventually knocked out power to the whole town. But that didn’t faze them ONE BIT! I arrived at the beach house they had rented to get ready in. And after getting some cool shots of each of them preparing for the Big Day, I photographed their “First Glance” from a distance while they embraced, exchanged gifts, and Brett shared with Allison the long-held secret of where they were going on their honeymoon!!! š Then off to Charleston on the Beach where they had a beautiful service, performed with style by Travis (Brett’s brother-in-law), accompanied by Christopher Teves (who’s CD Cover I had the honor of photographing last year), orchestrated by Rory Welsh (a fantastic wedding planner I must say) and cheered on by the crowd of Saint Patrick’s Day partyers that had gathered on the terrace. Later, the storms had whipped up a dramatic sky that I REALLY wanted to use for some beautiful images of the two of them. I remember is was SO WINDY at this point that most brides wouldn’t have been CRAZY enough to endure it for a photo! But Allison and Brett were AWESOME and I got tons of prize-winners as a result!!! Click here to see the rest of the photos. Allison & Brett, you guys were WONDERFUL to work with and it was such an honor to spend my birthday with you two and all your friends and family who came out to help you celebrate this special day in your lives!Birds of Prey
Saturday was my birthday – YAY! So when I got invited to an advanced preview of the Center for Birds of Prey, opening to the public this May, I thought “what a GREAT way to spend my birthday!” š I had a wonderful time photographing these BEAUTIFUL creatures…simply MAGNIFICENT!!! If you’ve never seen one of these amazing hunters up close and personal, you’ve GOT to go out and see the center once it opens up. The staff is wonderful and very informative. I shot most of these with my favorite “long glass”, the 200-400 f4.0 VR, on the D3.
Happy Birthday To Me!
For dinner Friday night Cami and I went out to Basil’s, our favorite Thai restaurant in town. I thougth we were just meeting up with our friends and fellow photographers, Bill & Kelli Nixon. Well, Cami had ALTERIOR motives and had arranged for them to secretly bring a birthday cake she had ordered earlier. So after the meal was done, I was TOATLLY SURPRISED when our waitress brings out this awesome birthday cake ablaxe with candles. Bill kindly grabbed this shot of Cami and I with their new Nikon D300, lit only by the light from the candles. Thanks Guys!!!
SoCon Basketball Championships
Last weekend I had an AWESOME time photographing the Southern Conference Basketball Championships at the North Charleston Coliseum for the Charleston Metro Sports Council. Here’s a few shots from the College of Charleston vs. The Citadel game. These were all taken with Nikon’s new D3, which produces AMAZING quality even in dim lighting situations like this. I got to photograph next to my good friend and fantastic photographer Gary Coleman who also has a D3. We had a ton of fun!!!