Maniesha & Travis Part 1: Boone Hall Plantation Wedding

Maniesha & Travis are so in love!!!  It was an honor to be a part of their beautiful wedding yesterday morning at Boone Hall Plantation.  It was a simple, elegant affair in the picturesque courtyard behind the plantation house.  The touching ceremony included God’s Knot, for “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  Many thanks to Cori of Reynolds Treasures for bringing all the details together!

Hailing from Colorado at the moment, Maniesha & Travis have traveled all over the country.  As a heavy equipment operator, Travis gets job opportunities both near and far.  Being a travel-junkie myself, I love that they are getting to see the world together.  Even their adorable son, Dallas, seem to be taking it all in stride!  🙂

After the ceremony we had a fun time exploring the plantation property, photographing beautiful images along the way.  Stay tuned for more awesome images of these two in Parts 2 and 3 of their epic elopement to Charleston!!!

The Kites of Allendale

Last week I managed to find a little time to go photograph a fun personal project!

I’ve heard of the amazing Kites of Allendale for several years, but never had a chance to get up there to photograph them. So I packed up the Nikon D500 and Nikkor 200-400 f4 VR…my favorite wildlife combo…and headed out on a road trip.

Allendale county is known to have huge fields of crops where tons of dragonflies and beetles congregate during the summer months. Swallow-tailed kites don’t normally come this far over. But during this time of year, they’ve discovered this bountiful feast-for-the-taking!  Here’s some info if you’re interested in seeing this majestic scene:  http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/sites/SC/allendale.html.

It’s a little late in the season. Normally July is the best time to catch them. But I managed to find a few swooping and soaring not far outside Allendale.  At first I just watched in awe as these expert flyers effortlessly circled and swirled overhead, periodically diving to grab a tasty handful, then climbing back into the wind to chow down. Eventually I grabbed the camera and enjoyed playing “target practice” with these fast-moving subjects.

It was a great challenge! I’m happy with what I got for as few kites as there were, and as short a window of time I had to work with. But my resolve to return next year during peak season has been doubled!!! 🙂

Ford’s 1-Year Portraits

This weekend I got to re-connect with one of my absolute favorite wedding couples from 5 years ago! Erin & Jay are perfect proof that eHarmony WORKS!!! 😉
 
Their adorable little boy just turned 1-year old. So to celebrate, I met up with Erin & Jay, as well as their whole family that came along to help celebrate. We met at picturesque White Point Garden to photograph some fun portraits of young Ford. After all, we want to capture these fleeting moments before he looses that childhood charm!!!
 
CONGRATULATIONS Erin & Jay…he’s a keeper!

Christina & Jeff’s Secret Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

Jeff and I have been covertly corresponding about his Secret Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend, Christina, since back in March!!! It’s been so much fun coming up with the perfect plan together. It really showed me how much he truly loves this amazing young lady!

The Big Day finally arrived yesterday. As they were enjoying the House Tour at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, I was getting the stage set and getting in my hiding place. When the tour was done, Jeff led Christina down a winding path and stopped underneath a gorgeous live oak tree. He read a wonderful speech he had prepared for Christina. Than got down on his knee to ask for her hand in marriage.

SHE SAID YES!!! 🙂

Afterwards we spent some time walking through the gardens, photographing fun engagement photos, and enjoying the evening together. Christina was so excited. She could hardly keep her eyes off her amazing new ring.  And she couldn’t stop hugging and loving on Jeff the whole time!  🙂

It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this special occasion for Christina & Jeff. CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!!

Mahoney Family on Isle of Palms

Last night we had the BEST beach portrait session weather we’ve had all summer! A late afternoon shower came through town and cooled things off. The wind wasn’t too strong.  And the light was soft and beautiful.  Add to all that, how much fun the AMAZING Mahoney Family was to work with, and you have the makings of a wonderful beach portrait session!

I met up with this crazy gang on Isle of Palms. Part of their family lives on IOP. Others drove down to visit from Ohio. So it was the perfect opportunity to gather everyone to gather in one place for some family photos!  Not to mention that we were celebrating a major milestone as well.

Many thanks to Emily for organizing everything.  And CONGRATULATIONS to Dan on turning 75!!!  🙂

Gaydosz Family on Kiawah Island

I’ve been photographing the warm and loving Gaydosz Family for many years now. Many thanks to Maria for organizing these fun shoots!
 
Each year the family grows and expand. It’s so much fun watching the children as their personalities develop and they truly come into their own! This year we missed big brother Steve and his family, with a prior commitment. But I look forward to seeing them ALL back together again next year for more fun times!!! 🙂

Kristin’s Senior Portraits

Visiting from Ohio, Kristin’s family thought it would be really cool to have her Senior Portrait Session in a unique and different setting than all her friends back home.

So we scheduled a 3-location shoot for her that included Folly Beach, downtown Charleston, and the Old Sheldon Church ruins. Many thanks to her brother, Andrew, for coming along and providing a lot of good laughs!

CONGRATULATIONS, Kristin! You’re a beautiful, talented young lady…we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!!!

Sam & James at St. Andrew’s Church

I love teachers. And I love computer geeks. So I was DOUBLE excited when Samantha & James asked me to be their wedding photographer!!! Cami & I owe a HUGE thank you to our friend, Sam’s mom Tricia, for steering them our way!  🙂

Sam & James tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in the old original sanctuary at St. Andrew’s Church. Sam’s wedding gown was absolutely GORGEOUS…she looked like a princess in a fairy tale.  James was looking pretty suave in his suit and suspenders too! One of my favorite moments in the whole day was when they turned around from the alter and took a moment to look back at all the friends and family that had come out to support and celebrate this special day with them!!!

After a quick stop for some fun wedding party photos at White Point Garden, the festivities continued with a fabulous reception at the Historic Rice Mill.  I always love shooting there.  What a cool venue! From the first dance to the dramatic sunset photos, from the cake “smashing” to the exciting glow-stick exit, the reception was a non-stop party like you’ve never seen before. Everyone had a BLAST!!!

To see the rest of their photos, visit http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/samandjames.

A big shout-out goes to all the vendors for helping make this day such a success. A giant hug goes to Cami for all her help and expertise. But most importantly, a huge CONGRATULATIONS goes to Sam & James! You guys truly have a love that is pure and true. We wish you all the best for a beautiful new life as you journey down this new path together…

Nester Family on Seabrook Island

It’s hard to believe…but it’s been TEN YEARS since the Nester Family began their annual tradition of coming to Charleston for the 4th of July!

I had the honor of photographing Suzanna & Jeffrey’s awesome wedding at Charleston Place Hotel in 2006. And each year, the whole family takes time out of their busy schedules to gather together at a beach house for the holiday week.  CONGRATULATIONS Suzanna & Jeffrey…it’s been a pleasure being your photographer, and your friend!

This year found the Nester’s back at a beautiful place just off the beach on Seabrook Island. Sadly, Suzanna’s brother and his family couldn’t make it this year. But they had an AWESOME excuse, as they recently welcomed a new little one into their family. Congratulations Tyler & Meghan! Another big congratulations goes out to Uncle Ron and Aunt Nancy, at the birth of their daughter Megan’s first-born! We missed you guys…but look forward to having you all back next year! For now, here are some picks to let you “absentee” family members see all the fun you missed out on this year…HA! 🙂

Let’s raise a toast to ANOTHER fabulous 10 years of crazy Nester Family Portraits!!!

Muro Family on Isle of Palms

I haven’t had THIS much fun in a looong time!!!
 
Many thanks to the Muro Family for another fabulous family portrait session at their beach house on Isle of Palms. Susan did a great job organizing everything, and bringing pinwheels for the kids. I always love photographing this wonderful gang. They make me feel like part of the family!
 
See what you missed out on, Christopher & Dana? That’s OK, you had a good excuse. We’ll see you next year with another beautiful “+1” for the group!!!  🙂

John Laurens, Radical Son

I can’t remember ever photographing on a film set before. So yesterday was a first for me!

I got to be the still photographer on the set of John Laurens, Radical Son. This documentary is based on the play of the same name, and features my friend and amazing photographer, Robbin Knight, as the lead character. Many thanks to him for including me in this project.

I can’t wait to see the finished documentary when it comes out!!!

Gilligan Family on Kiawah Island

Summer is a time for vacations, for flip-flops, for families, for fun, for sunshine, and of course…beaches. I had the pleasure of combining ALL these elements a few days ago with the wonderful Gilligan Family!!!

We scheduled their family beach portrait session on Kiawah Island to coincide with the cooler temperatures, less crowded beaches, gentle breezes, and of course that beautiful soft evening light of “golden hour”.  It was so much fun hanging out with this crazy crew! Since I have three brothers of my own, I felt right at home with the friendly ribbing Ryan and Kevin were dishing out.  🙂  Plus, Emilee and Reagan were absolutely ADORABLE!!!

Many thanks to Debbie for organizing everything, and allowing me to feel like part of their family for an evening…