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It’s been a looooong process, but Cami and I are FINALLY starting to feel settled in to our new home. We still have plenty of nick-knacks to hang on walls and sample portraits to hang in the studio upstairs. But yesterday we finally completed the last of the major modifications. So I went out this morning and took this photo. Our first big project was to get our golden, Henry, a nice fence in the back so he could relax outside when he wants to without our supervision. 🙂 Then yesterday, the two nicest guys, Jerome & Shawn, finally finished installing the hardwood floors in the studio upstairs. So now I can start bringing all my studio lighting and backdrops in from our downtown location.

What we LOVE about the inside is how open and spacious it is. When you go in, there’s a nice big hallway that leads straight back, past the stairs leading to the studio and the formal dining room on the left, past the two guest rooms and full bath on the right, and into a huge open area with high vaulted ceilings. This is the family/living/entertainment room. To the left of that is the kitchen and bar area, as well as a breakfast nook. Strait past the family room is the master bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet. And to the right is a nice screened in porch. There’s another screened in porch outside the breakfast nook on the far side, and a deck outside the master bedroom that overlooks the back yard and community pond behind us. The upstairs is completely dedicated to our photographic passion. In the photo, the top right-hand window is where Cami’s office is. This is where all the accounting, preliminary editing, and business management takes place. The top left-hand window is my office, where all the final editing, image management, and web development takes place. Outside these rooms the entire upstairs is a completely open floor plan for the studio. On the far side of that is a full bath for clients and closets for equipment storage.

Anyway, we’ll have an open-house soon. But so many of our clients, family, and friends don’t live in Charleston. So we wanted to share all the exciting progress with EACH ONE of you! MANY THANKS for all your kind thoughts and helpful support throughout this process!!!

Rafael and I play on the same USTA Tennis Team. So photographing his wedding was kind of like hangin‘ out with a friend for a day! In fact, I tried to get him to pose in his tux with a tennis racquet over his shoulder, but of ALL the days that neither of us had our gear in our cars, this was one of them. Oh well, I still love the shot of him leaning back and looking out the window…Rafael, you’re SUCH A STUD! 🙂

Rebecca and I got to know each other when I photographed her Bridal Session at Azalea Park. She is the gentlest, kindest sweetheart you could EVER meet. I just LOVE that pensive shot of her looking at her flowers with the light streaming in behind her. It really captures her thoughtful spirit. Rebecca, it’s NO WONDER your friends and family love you so much. That image of you where all the girls have their arms around you says a lot about who you are!

These are just a few of my favorite shots from Rafael & Rebecca’s Big Day. Their ceremony was at Summerville Presbyterian. In all my years photographing weddings here, I don’t ever recall covering one at this church. Let me tell you, I really enjoyed not only the aesthetics of the sanctuary, but also the pleasant folks who work here. Kathi Ward, the wedding director, was a PLEASURE to work with. And pastors John & Mike led a service that lifted my heart. The reception that followed was in the social hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal, where I photograph quite frequently. They have a GORGEOUS campus over there.

Check out the rest of Rebecca & Rafael’s photos in their Online Gallery…

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…