Author: Chris Smith

So what do I do in my spare time? I devour a plethora of photography magazines of course! 🙂 One of my favorites is Studio Photography & Design. Recently they asked a bunch of us “pros” the question “Is a Pro Photographer Wannabe Cutting Into Your Business?”. It’s an interesting article. And since they quote me in it, I thought I’d share it with you. Here’s the link. Scroll down to the Quotable Quotes section to see what they quoted me on.

This is one of my favorite images from a portrait session I did for Scott & Nyoka at Two Meeting Street Inn last week. There’s just something about the synchronicity in their gaze that grabs me!

Take a GOOD LOOK…this is where it all starts. This is where I visualize the images I create!

Cami and I work hard to stay fit, eat right, and live healthy. Of course part of that means visiting our health care providers to make sure everything looks good. So I paid a visit to Dr. Elizabeth Sharpe to make sure my eyes were healthy. After all, my passion and my life DEPENDS on my eyes! Anyway, as part of the check-up, she has her staff photograph my optical nerve so that she has a visual record she can refer back to if something ever becomes amiss. I just think that’s SO COOL!

I frequently have the privilege of traveling to other cities to photograph weddings. I enjoy the change of scenery and the chance to work in NEW venues that I haven’t photographed in before. It keeps my photography “fresh” and helps prevent me from getting complacent or stuck in a creative rut. Last weekend I was in Columbia, SC at the historic Rutledge Chapel for Carolyn & Bill’s BIG DAY! Named after South Carolina statesman John Rutledge, and located in USC’s famous “Horseshoe” area, this was the first building built on the campus.

Having photographed Carolyn’s Bridal Session, I already knew how beautiful, witty, and full of life she was. What I didn’t realize was that Bill was going to be JUST as much fun to work with. He’s easy going, quick to laugh, and does a FANTASTIC “Blue Steel” pose! 🙂 Needless to say, we all had a BLAST throughout their wedding day.

Their reception was held at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce…a beautiful red brick building on a well manicured lawn. The food was delicious, the cake was a delightful creation, and everyone danced so hard the make-shift dance floor started coming apart! As the evening came to an end, everyone cheered the newlyweds off with sparklers held high. I love that last shot as they stopped for one last kiss before heading off into the night.

Bill & Carolyn, all I can say is THANK YOU! Thank you for reminding me that life is too short NOT to find JOY and EXCITEMENT in every moment of every day…even when it’s 104 degrees in the shade on your wedding day!

See the rest of the photos in their Online Gallery…

Anchor Commercial has been a favorite client of mine ever since I first photographed them for the Charleston Regional Business Journal years ago. They use an all-white background which I think has a clean, dynamic look to it. I set up the background, studio lights, and laptop in their lobby. That way, each team member can pick out their favorite shots and then go back to work while I’m photographing the next person. It really works out great! This shot is of Jessica from a follow-up shoot I did this week. She’s SO AWESOME, TOTALLY ORGANIZED, and ALWAYS UP-BEAT! I don’t know what Bob’s been putting in the water over there. But his team is always a WONDERFUL group to work with!!!

Abby & Dan picked Charleston as kind of a Destination Wedding for them and their families. They are from Philadelphia and almost everyone you see in that enthusiastic group photo came from SOMEWHERE out of town! 🙂 That’s GOT to show Abby & Dan how much their friends and family love and support them. But if that isn’t enough of a demonstration, you should have heard all the heartfelt toasts given by everyone at the reception! I could just tell in hanging out with these two, plus mingling and talking to their friends, that they “got it”! They truly understood that life is about relationships. The relationships they have with their family and friends are very deep. And the relationship they have with each other is TRULY special. With this kind of a support group around them, these two really don’t need any well-wishing from me. 🙂 But Abby & Dan, I DO want to wish you guys all the love and all the laughter your heart’s can hold. And I DO want to challenge you to always look at each other the way you looked at each other this night!!! (I LOVE that shot of you guys in the stairwell before being introduced into Alhambra Hall.)

I also really like the last shot with your rings in the sand. Each ring is kept in perfect alignment by leaning on the one next to it. So always remember to lean on each other and trust one another to keep each other in perfect alignment.

See the rest of the photos in their Online Gallery…

Last week I had the honor of photographing the many meetings, luncheons, & receptions surrounding the Google/CNN Democratic Presidential Debate. The debate itself was held at The Citadel Field House. But I covered various events at Charleston Place Hotel, Deas Hall (and the high-profile VIP Tent beside it), the Holiday Alumni Center, and High Cotton Restaurant.

It may have been a misty, foggy, rainy day…but Amanda & Ben’s wedding was FILLED with sunshine! From photographing her Bridal Portrait several months ago, I already knew what a gentle, kind-hearted person Amanda was. So I figured Ben would HAVE to be a great guy to have caught HER eye. 🙂 I was right! I know how much guys hate having their photos taken. But he was a real trooper and put up with me the whole day!

The ceremony was held at Summerall Chapel on The Citadel campus. What a GORGEOUS sanctuary…I always love photographing here! And as you can see, Amanda’s dad had secretly arranged for a horse and carriage to take them to the Alumni House for the reception.

Ben & Amanda…I had an AMAZING time hanging out with you guys and feel privileged to have experienced the warmth and the joy that you guys share for each other and for those around you! May NOTHING as trivial as the weather ever dampen your spirits!!!

Nicole & Alex planned THEIR big day around Quintuple Sevens. Yup, I’m not kidding. Last weekend they got married on 7/7/07, and the ceremony was at 7:07PM! How cool is THAT?!? But it doesn’t stop there! I absolutely LOVED all the interesting, unique ideas these two came up with. But I digress…I’ll mention them as I go along.

First, I just wanted to say what an AWESOME couple these two are! When I met Alex a while back I was so impressed with how he thinks outside the box, is a strong individual, and CHOOSES to have a mind of his own instead of just following the status quot. THEN, I met Nicole. And I’m telling you…she is EQUALLY as comfortable with her individuality, just as unique a spirit, and every bit as driven to think for herself and not just conform to what those around her might say. I was told Nicole & Alex have been dating FOREVER! And I KNOW all their friends and family have just been waaaaaiting for this day. Now that I’ve had the privilege of spending some time with these two, I totally agree that this day was destined to be…it was just a matter of timing. Alex and Nicole were TOTALLY meant for each other. And I’m so happy for them that this day has finally arrived!

Their wedding was on the peninsula at Sunrise Park. And after their unique departure by golf cart, the reception was held at Charleston Place. You’ll notice that the cake design is based around a chess board. Alex totally created the design himself. In appreciating how intellectually gifted these two are, he chose this theme because he and Nicole first met at a chess tournament! It was a complete surprise to her and she LOVED it! The center pieces on the tables also had a beautiful chess theme to them. The other really unique thing was the fact that Nicole had her dress specially crafted with optical fibers woven into it that would emit tiny pinpoints of glowing light. When she danced, it was MAGIC! At the end of the night, I got this last shot of them heading up to their suite. I just like the connection between this beautiful double-winding staircase and the double-winding staircase Alex designed into the cake! OK…I know I get a little TOO excited over the little things!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Nicole and Alex! I had a BLAST at your wedding celebration and can’t thank you enough for inviting me to tag along! We wish you ALL the BEST…

Visit their Online Gallery to see the rest of the images…

The Premiere of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner was broadcast live in 9 different languages. It connected all the major manufacturing plants simultaneously via satellite, including Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, Canada, and…you guessed it…Charleston. My friend, Gary Coleman, and I were THERE to photograph the event at the Vought manufacturing facility here in town!

With pre-orders of over 600 of the new airplane, this is the MOST SUCCESSFUL launch of a commercial aircraft IN HISTORY! Boeing has incorporated ergonomic concepts in designing the interior with aesthetics and extra creature comforts, including the largest windows of any commercial airplane. They’ve also used radical new designs that include increased use of lightweight composites and advanced aluminium alloys, making the aircraft more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. It will be able to fly up to 16,000km at speeds up to Mach 0.85, yet still be able to land at smaller airports on their shorter runways.

In the first photo, you’ll see the two largest sections of the fuselage, which are the main components manufactured at the plant here in Charleston. The second image is the “money shot” that was seen around the world with all the employees holding their “Building the Dream” cards. I was standing on a 40-foot lift, right next to the TV Camera Operator who was shooting for the live broadcast. About 60-seconds before he went live, he leaned over and whispers to me “don’t breathe”. I included the third image just to give you some perspective on the precarious nature of our location! 🙂

Anyway, you’ve probably seen plenty of hype on TV and in the press about this amazing new breakthrough in aviation. For me it was just a pleasure to be there in person, knowing that I was witnessing and preserving a part of aviation history!

Erika & Robbie’s wedding last weekend was such a DELIGHT to photograph! I also photographed Erika’s Bridal Session as well as Erika and Robbie’s Engagement Session. So it’s been really neat to get to know these two over time…both as the unique individuals they are…and as the combined persona they exhibit as a couple. I thought it particularly touching that Erika had her mother’s bridal gown modified for her to wear on HER wedding day. And of course Robbie’s tux was SOOO “Him”! Robbie, only a REAL man could pull that off the way you did!!! 🙂

The wedding was held at the Rutledge Chapel on the USC campus in downtown Columbia. It’s in what’s known as the “Horseshoe”. And that whole area is just incredibly PICTURESQUE! On top of THAT, the historical significance of this part of our state really made for a fitting location for these two to celebrate their wedding since they are both intellectually in tune with the our world, appreciative of it’s history, and aware of the value of our heritage there in. (Erika’s chosen vocation is in Archeology.)

Robbie & Erika, thank you SO MUCH for letting me be a part of your BIG DAY! As you begin building your NEW life together, may these images be a happy reminder of this special day in YOUR history…

Visit their Online Gallery to see the rest of the images…