Charleston has so many cool venues…yet I keep discovering new ones ever day! Here are a few photos from a fun “Sip & See” event I photographed for my good friend and amazing photographer, Gary Colemen. I met up with the group at the Estuary Beans & Barley and the adjoining Charleston Distillery on Johns Island. Afterwards, we all stopped and admired the iconic Angel Oak. Exploring this beautiful 500-year old tree never gets old (pun intended)!
I always enjoy working with my good friend and amazing photographer, Gary at Coleman Photography!
This was the second event I shot for him out at Wild Dunes Resort this weekend…and it was absolutely AWESOME!!! We had covered this awards conference for many years up until the pandemic put things on hold. But this year it was back…and bigger than ever! It was so much fun catching up with their amazing staff that we haven’t seen in a couple years. 🙂
My kit for covering the event included the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Nikon Z9 (x2), 14-30S f4, 24-70S f2.8, 105G f2.8 Micro, Flashpoint flashes, Manfrotto stands, and Westcott modifiers.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners!!!
I always enjoy working with my good friend and amazing photographer, Gary at Coleman Photography!
This week we tag-teamed to cover several events for the Dart Container Summit. Gary had me cover the rooftop reception and awards banquet at the new Sweetgrass Inn on Isle of Palms. This new property is part of the beautiful Wild Dunes Resort. The views from the rooftop deck outside the Indigo Ballroom are AMAZING!!!
It was a fantastic evening of fellowship and fun, which I covered with the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Nikon Z9 (x2), 14-30S f4, 24-70S f2.8, 105G f2.8 Micro + FTZII, and Flashpoint flashes.
Who doesn’t LOVE a cool Fire Engine? I mean, every little boy dreams of becoming a fireman when they grow up, right?!? So it was with great excitement I accepted the opportunity to photograph the brand new Sullivan’s Island Fire Station for Trident Construction!
“The $8 million project is nearly two years in the making. Before this renovation, the station was built to the standard of the late 1980s to early 1990s. Fire Chief Anthony Stith says there have been a lot of upgrades since then. The station has features like hurricane-strength windows and siding, bi-fold garage doors that open in seconds, an exhaust system for the trucks in the garage, and industrial washers that remove carcinogens from gear after it’s worn at a fire. The project also built a storage facility behind the fire station to hold the town’s maintenance equipment and extra fire and police items to protect them from the elements.”
Many thanks to Elizabeth and Larry for making this happen!!!
When Lindsey & Brock described their hopes and dreams for the wedding they were planning at their parent’s pine tree farm out in the middle of the country, I had NO IDEA what a beautiful “fairytale wedding” it would turn out to be!
Lindsey tells a funny story about how she and Brock met! They both attended the same gym for 2 years. But they never spoke to each other during that time. After she move to a different gym and started dating on Tinder, she noticed he was on there too. Back when she was at the other gym, she had heard he had a girlfriend. So she messaged him to say “why are you on a dating app when you have a girlfriend?”. To her surprise, Brock let her know they had broken up a while back. And pretty soon Lindsey & Brock became an item!!! 🙂
Last weekend the Big Day finally arrived! Entering the property down a long avenue of oak trees, a beautiful arbor had been constructed on the front lawn where the wedding would take place. The giant work shed had been transformed into a gathering area for cocktails. And the massive oak tree over by the lake had been beautifully decorated for the reception. There was even a white tent, a stage, and a dance floor set up for the band to kick things up a notch when the time came!
As she walked down the white aisle runner, Lindsey was absolutely STUNNING in her elegant wedding gown! The light danced and shimmered off her cathedral length veil. Smartly dressed in a classic gray 3-piece suit, Brock couldn’t keep his eyes off of her! Surrounded by their closest friends and family, Lindsey & Brock exchanged their heartfelt vows under beautiful blue skies, shaded by the canopy of trees overhead.
After family photos and couples portraits, Lindsey & Brock joined everyone for a few cocktails before heading over to the oak tree by the lake where their reception awaited. As dusk turned to dark, the silent oak came alive with thousands of twinkling lights strung among the branches. It truly was a magical experience to be together, enjoying their first dance as husband and wife, embraced by the outstretched arms of this gentle giant above!
After a delicious meal with warm company, The Significant Others helped everyone shake off the evening chill. Their foot-stomping, arm-pumping, classic rock and pop tunes had everyone on the dance floor all night long!!! But eventually it was time to send Ken & Barbie…er…I mean Brock & Lindsey off. And what a send-off it was!!! Between the bright red classic Buick “escape vehicle”, the fancy fireworks lining the avenue of oaks, and everyone cheering them off…it certainly was a night to remember.
Cami and I would especially like to thank her cousins, Beth & Ken, for recommending us to Lindsey & Brock. It was such an honor being a part of this special day for this AMAZING couple!
To Lindsey & Brock…we wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin this new chapter in your lives!!!
It was such an honor being a part of Stephen’s Secret Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend, Izzy, last night!
Stephen & Izzy have been together for 3 years now. Although her family now lives in Florida, her dad is originally from Colombia, which explains her gorgeous Latin complexion. His is lives in North Carolina. The two of them met at a college in NC and have been dating ever since. They live near Charlotte, where she works for a marketing agency, and he works for the Whitewater Center (like a Theme Park for outdoor enthusiasts).
When his company purchased the gorgeous Middleburg Plantation in Huger, Stephen knew EXACTLY where he wanted to propose! So he called me and we came up with a plan. Because his company has had surveyors, maintenance workers, photographers, influencers, and marketing teams out at the new property to get it ready for launch, he said it would be easy to pretend that I was out there to photograph the grounds for the company brochures. We agreed on the perfect spot under the long avenue of amazing oak trees for me to photograph his surprise proposal. And sure enough, it worked like a charm!!!
CONGRATULATIONS Stephen & Izzy! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together…
This was a fun photo shoot! I got to see some of the inner workings of the judicial system, and meet some powerful players like Judge Jenkins. It’s always a pleasure working with Michelle at Dorchester County Government to capture headshots for their team, photograph drone photos of their facilities, and create beautiful images for their marketing program!
I was so honored when my friend and amazing photographer, Kim, recommended me to Andrew’s parents (who are friends with her parents) when they were inquiring about a wedding photographer for their son and future daughter-in-law.
Shortly after we all connected, I felt like Dannielle, Andrew, and I were a perfect fit. Later, when Danielle wrote me this note, I KNEW we were going to have a great time working together: “My fiance, Andrew Wallace, and I have looked through your blog and website and love the photos you and your wife take. Quite impressive. We are so happy you are available on our wedding day!”
Although they were both born and raised in California, this amazing couple met each other while living and working in Washington D.C. I mean, what are the chances of THAT?!? They then relocated to Greensboro, where Dannielle is doing important research in the long term effects of tobacco use, and Andrew is specializing in infectious diseases. They spend quite a bit of time visiting Charleston, which is where Andrew’s parents live now. Luckily for me, this is how their wedding came to be held here at the picturesque Isle of Palms Exchange Club! 🙂
After getting to know them, and photographing their engagement photos, which you can find at: https://chrisandcami.com/danielle-andrew-are-engaged/, I could tell they were a match made in heaven!
Their wedding day was a beautiful affair, intimate and relaxed, surrounded by their closest friends and family! The ceremony was held on the dock, with dolphin peacefully swimming below us, seagulls floating effortlessly in the breeze above us, and Dannielle’s dad performing a heartfelt ceremony. The weather was absolutely perfect as well, culminating in a dramatic sunset, scattering vibrant colors across the sky behind the beautiful couple. A fun-filled reception followed on the deck of the Exchange Club. A candle-light sit-down dinner was held inside, with a special menu picked by the couple to represent the meaningful places where they have lived.
Many thanks to Taylor at Experiencing Holy City for keeping everything on track and organized. And a huge shout-out to all the other vendors for making this day so perfect!
CONGRATULATIONS Dannielle & Andrew!!! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together…
It’s been a pleasure to work with the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors over the years. They are a wonderful organization, and their members are always so friendly and fun to work with!
This year their annual Commercial Real Estate Market Forecast Conference was held at The Gaillard Auditorium. With top notch speakers, and high-profile sponsors, it’s no wonder the room was packed to the brim! It was neat to hear positive messages about how the housing economy is doing, what the work force is looking like, and other insider tips from those who are “in the know”.
Many thanks to CTAR for inviting me back to photograph their event again this year!
As Hurricane Ian barreled down on a direct path to Charleston, I have to admit I was a little worried. We called Kelly on Thursday to see what she wanted to do about her family session. To her credit, she said, “let’s wait and see.” I am SO GLAD SHE DID!!!
Ian skirted past Charleston on Friday with no major damage. And Saturday turned out to be absolutely GORGEOUS!!! So we all met up at Folly Beach County Park as planned. 🙂
I had so much fun photographing the Fairfax Family. It was a nice cool evening. The sunset was incredible. And we came away with some beautiful images for them to commemorate their family vacation!
Trident Construction has been busy building a brand new Learning Center for the historic First Baptist Church in downtown Charleston.
Founded in 1682, the FBC is one of the oldest Baptist congregations in the American South. The church congregation was originally organized in Kittery, Maine (then part of Massachusetts) under the guidance of the First Baptist Church of Boston. In 1696 twenty-six congregants followed Pastor Screven and moved to Charleston after being pressured by the New England Congregationalist authorities. The relocated congregation became the First Baptist Church of Charleston.
Replacing the nearly 70-year old building that used to stand on this site was no easy task. The congregation had to temporarily relocate while demolition made the area unsafe. The new facility includes a welcome center, a nursery, a music room, a library, a preschool, eight classrooms, a conference room, several balconies, and a massive new cafeteria on the third floor that also doubles as an event space. Associate Pastor Walker Maginnis says the facility will house hundreds of students for the First Baptist School, as well as hundreds of congregates on the weekends during worship studies and church services.
Having photographed many brides getting ready for their wedding day in the dark basement “bridal suite” of the old facility, it truly was amazing to see the transformation this new building brings to campus!
