National Ethanol Conference in Nashville – Day 2

What an honor it was for me to be invited back to photograph another National Ethanol Conference!!! This year’s NEC was held in Nashville, TN. As a destination event photographer, it’s always fun to explore new cities!

Day 2 was jam packed with keynote presentations, panel discussions, scholarship winners, and networking! It was a long 12-hour day of non-stop shooting, injesting, culling, editing, and uploading images. My Nikon Z9 cameras just kept on ticking…and I did my best to keep up. Eventually, we wound the day down with live music, delicious food, and fun fellowship at the Nash Bash Reception!

The National Ethanol Conference (NEC) is the most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. Past events have welcomed industry leaders from across the United States and 20 countries. Since 1996, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has built this annual event into the premier ethanol conference to attend for the latest, timely information on marketing, legislative and regulatory issues facing the industry. The RFA is the leading national trade association for America’s ethanol industry, driving growth in sustainable renewable fuels and bioproducts for a better future.

National Ethanol Conference in Nashville – Day 1

What an honor it was for me to be invited back to photograph another National Ethanol Conference!!! This year’s NEC was held in Nashville, TN.  As a destination event photographer, it’s always fun to explore new cities!

Day 1 was all about the covering the various receptions. First I had a sponsor’s reception with live music at the famous Ole Red on Broadway. Then it was on to the Women’s Leadership Reception at the beautiful (and supposedly haunted) Union Station. The reception for the PAC Auction in the Grand Hyatt had some great fundraising action. And finally, the main Welcome Reception was also held at the Grand Hyatt, with three talented violinists filling the hall with beautiful music.

The National Ethanol Conference (NEC) is the most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. Past events have welcomed industry leaders from across the United States and 20 countries. Since 1996, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has built this annual event into the premier ethanol conference to attend for the latest, timely information on marketing, legislative and regulatory issues facing the industry. The RFA is the leading national trade association for America’s ethanol industry, driving growth in sustainable renewable fuels and bioproducts for a better future.

USGC International Marketing Conference in Austin – Day 3

It was such a pleasure to be back again this year, photographing the US Grains Council’s annual International Marketing Conference! This year’s event took place in Austin, TX.

Day 3 was was brimming with excitement and energy. President and CEO, Ryan LeGrand, had a big announcement about the future of the USGC. Major awards were handed out in recognition of service to the council. A-Team and Sector leaders presented their recommendations to the board. Other speakers and panels rounded out the day. The meeting concluded with high hopes for a bright future ahead!

The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability.

USGC International Marketing Conference in Austin – Day 2

It was such a pleasure to be back again this year, photographing the US Grains Council’s annual International Marketing Conference!  This year’s event was held in Austin, TX.

Day 2 was a long 12-hour day of constantly shooting, editing, and uploading. I bounced around from Sector Meetings to Advisory Team Meetings, and from Headshots to networking shots.  Plus since all the international staff members were all here, we did a big group shot! Every few hours I would run to my workstation, download a batch of photos, cull, edit, and export a few selects to upload for the team to use in newsletters and social media posts. The day ended in grand fashion with an off-site event at the famous Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden on historic Rainey Street!

The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability.

USGC International Marketing Conference in Austin – Day 1

It was such a pleasure to be back again this year, photographing the US Grains Council’s annual International Marketing Conference!  This year’s event was held in Austin, TX.

After several “working” breakfast meetings, the conference kicked off with keynote presentations during the general session. The afternoon was filled with Advisory Team meetings. A warm Welcome Reception wrapped up the first day.

The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability.

Seamon Whiteside Oyster Roast

I always enjoy working with the friendly folks at Seamon Whiteside!

From covering their employee’s headshots, to documenting their various projects, to capturing their company Christmas Party…every assignment for them is always well organized and a pleasure to photograph.

This week I had the honor of photographing their spring Oyster Roast! It had originally been planned in the fall. But Hurricane Helene had other plans!!! The new date turned out to be this beautiful spring day. It was absolutely perfect! And everyone had so much fun!!!

Many thanks to Denise for all her hard work organizing everything…twice! 🙂

Reeves Family Triplets Bar Matzvah

Capturing a Bar Mitzvah for triplets is a truly unique experience. Photographing this big day for Charlie, Evan, and Ray was no exception!

The day began with an intimate and meaningful service at the Synagogue Emanu-El, where each of the boys took part in the traditional readings. They all did an amazing job. It was clear how proud their parents were. The synagogue also providid a great setting for a number of individual and family portraits!

Afterward, we headed to the Daniel Island Country Club, where the celebration continued in grand style. The space was transformed into a vibrant, high-energy venue, thanks to the amazing work of Sha Sha from Loluma. She truly outdid herself with the details, from the fun photo booth to the kid’s lounge, and the bright, colorful decorations that reflected the boys’ personalities. Throughout the evening, DJ Neezy kept the party rockin’ and kept the energy flowing!

As an event photographer, it’s always a pleasure to capture moments of joy, laughter, and excitement—and there was no shortage of those at the Reeves Family Bar Mitzvah! Whether it was the kids playing games, candid shots of everyone dancing, the triplets being raised up during the Hora, family and friends sharing a laugh with each other, or the beautiful family portraits…this event was full of memories that will last a lifetime. This day was a true celebration of family, tradition, and fun!

Many thanks to Amanda & Josh for trusting me with capturing all the beautiful moments of this special day. Please help me in congratulating Charlie, Evan, and Ray!!!

CTAR Leadership Celebration at The Harbour Club

By promoting the highest standards of Professionalism, Ethics, Education, and Technology, the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR) ensures that the Realtor® members are the primary source for real estate services in the South Carolina Lowcountry. CTAR is dedicated to embracing and enhancing a culture where all Charleston Realtors® feel like they have a seat at the table, a voice in the conversation, and confidence that their voice will be heard. The organization prides itself in having a membership culture where everyone feels safe and respected as both a professional and an individual.

Each year I have the privilege of photographing the CTAR Leadership Celebration. It’s always a fantastic evening, with a festive Christmas atmosphere. Some of the key events throughout the night include the Installation Ceremony of the 2025 CTAR Boards of Directors, the 2024 Realtor of the Year Award, the CTAR Distinguished Service Society Awards, and the official handing of the gavel over to the new incoming president.

Congratulations to all the award winners and inductees. And many thanks to Claire, Autumn, and the entire staff for all their hard work and dedication in making this year’s event another resounding success!!!

The Citadel Foundation Holiday Gala

The Citadel Foundation knows how to party!!!

This year’s Holiday Gala was held inside the Johnson Hagood Memorial Stadium event hall. Everyone arrived all decked out in their finest Christmas sweaters and festive holiday outfits. Upon entering the double-glass doors, they were greeted with my portrait station. Everyone got into it and had so much fun capturing nice formal portraits in front of the Christmas scene that the staff had set up. After each portrait, we printed out a beautiful 5×7 and placed it in an elegant folder for them to take home as a party favor. Everyone also received digital copies that they could text, email, and share on social media.

Many thanks to Riviere and her team for organizing such an awesome event!!!

Destination Event at the Mohegan Sun Resort

When my friend and amazing photographer, Gary Coleman, asked me to join him in covering a big event he had to shoot for Comcast at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, CT, I jumped at the chance!!!

For those of you who don’t know, Gary and I have been great friends for several decades…even moving to Charleston together when the company we worked for at the time was expanding into the southeast. We always have a BLAST working together! And this event was no different.

Thanks for letting me tag along and play “second-shooter”, Gary!!!

Christa’s 50th Birthday Bash at John Holiday Alumni Center

It was an absolute pleasure to photograph Christa’s 50th Birthday Bash at The Citadel’s John Holiday Alumni Center last weekend. I first met Christa at The Citadel Foundation event earlier this year. She was so much fun and such a joy to be around. When she reached out to ask if I would photograph her birthday party, I was so excited! It was such a fun evening and I’m so glad I got to be a part of it!!!

Theme Party at Wild Dunes

This is always such a fun event to photograph every year!

My friend and amazing photographer, Gary Coleman, is the lead shooter, and this is his client. But it’s too big a job for one photographer to cover. In fact, he had 4 of us shooting the event this year. I was assigned to cover the preparations and the “celebrity portraits” of VIPs, once they were in costume.

Everyone was so much fun to work with…and we had a BLAST!!!