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It was such an honor to be the Official Photographer of the Family Circle Cup for the 8th year in a row this spring.  I’ve shared tons of images in previous posts.  So here I just wanted to share this recap video, produced by the wonderful folks at PDA, which I had the pleasure of working alongside throughout the week!  Enjoy!!!

One of the most OUTSTANDING private events held in Charleston each year is the Clore Law Group Spring Party!

I’ve had the privilege of working with Mark Clore and his band of merry fellows, ever since I got to photograph him for Super Lawyers Magazine many years ago. The camaraderie, atmosphere, and personalities of these fine folks is truly a pleasure to be around.

They really pull out all the stops for their annual party. The food is amazing, the location is superb, and with the East Coast Party Band rockin’ away all night…it’s just a magical experience I feel super lucky to be a part of every year!!!

Jeremy called me way back around Valentines Day…he was planning a BIG SURPRISE!!! He and his girlfriend, Corinne, were going to be taking a trip to Charleston this past weekend. Since he know how much she loved the beach, having grown up near one as a child, Jeremy wanted to ask for her hand in marriage on the beach.

Together we hatched a grand plan that involved him taking her for a tour of Fort Moultrie, then walking up the Sullivan’s Island Beach, where I would be hiding in the sea oats near the Station 16 beach access. On the day of the big event, traffic was a little heavier than usual. I was sweating a little…but had left early just in case this happened…WHEW!

I settled into place with my 200-400 on the D7100 (giving me the equivalent view of a 300-600mm lens), and the 70-200 on one of the D4s (just in case they came closer than expected). Not 5 minutes later, I saw them strolling down the beach towards me, hand-in-hand.

I started to get a little nervous when another couple walked passed them, heading the opposite direction. But Jeremy was focused. He stalled a minute by pulling out his iPhone and getting Corinne to pose for a few snapshots. Then as smooth as Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, Jeremy bent his knee into the soft sand, pulled a ring from his pocket, and asked Corinne to be his wife!

I had to focus on the task at hand in order to keep the tears at bay. It truly was a beautiful moment. THESE are the life-moments that make me so honored, humbled, and happy. I have the greatest job in the world!

CONGRATULATIONS Jeremy & Corinne!!!

Earlier this spring, I had another opportunity to go photograph the amazing winged creatures at the Charleston Center for Birds of Prey! It’s just fascinating to have such a personal encounter with these exotic wild animals. Plus I feel honored to be able to support the amazing rescue, rehabilitation, and education work the folks at the center are doing for their avian friends. Located just north of Mt. Pleasant, they have programs running all the time. So check out their website and pay them a visit. You’ll be glad you did!

Austin is such a bright, clear-headed, and charismatic young man with a great sense of humor! I had photographed his older brother’s Senior Portraits a couple years ago. So it was an honor to be asked to photograph his as well! We chose an area of downtown Charleston encompasing Waterfront Park, the French Quarter, and Rainbow Row.  Keep an eye out for this young man…he is going places for sure!!!

Another favorite corporate client is Colliers International! Anne recently joined their team. So she stopped by the studio on her way home one day and we got some new high-key headshots for her. She was super sweet and easy to work with!

A few days ago I had the pleasure of photographing headshots for a new attorney at Clawson & Staubes! They are one of my favorite corporate clients, and I always enjoy meeting the new folks who join their team. 🙂

It’s been a looong week! But as usual, it was also very exciting and fulfilling.

I got to meet some really neat people, hang out with the world’s greatest tennis players, be a part of some amazing action, and get involved in oportunities I never would have had the privilege of participating in if I wasn’t the Official Photographer of the Family Circle Cup! Congratulations to Serena, our new Singles Champion, as well as Lucie & Kristina, our new Doubles Champions!

From the tournament website:

It was a charming third time for Serena Williams Sunday at the Family Circle Cup.

The world No. 1 won her 15th straight match in Charleston, beating No. 9 seed Jelena Jankovic, champion here in 2007, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 in an entertaining final on Billie Jean King Court.

Serena adds to her 2008 and 2012 hauls here, and joins an elite club of women who have won three or more titles at the Family Circle Cup: Chris Evert (eight), Martina Navratilova (four) and Steffi Graf (four).

“It’s definitely a really cool accomplishment,” said the American of her win. “Especially at this particular tournament that has been around for so long. So I really I just try to keep doing things and making different accomplishments.”

In doubles, Lucie Safarova and Kristina Mladenovic upset No. 1 seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Liezel Huber earlier in the day, capturing the crown 6-3, 7-6 (6).

“It was an amazing day, an amazing feeling to win this title here with Lucie, especially [since] it was our first time playing together,” said Mladenovic, the Frenchwoman. “I really enjoyed my week here, and we played some really great tennis.”

Safarova won here a year ago with a different partner. Both of her two career WTA doubles titles have come in Charleston.

For Serena, it was a 49th win in her professional career that included a 6-1, 6-2 victory over her big sister Venus in the semifinals. She had also beaten Safarova, the No. 6 seed, in the quarterfinals.

“I never go in a tournament expecting to lose, so I just expect to do the best I can,” said the world No. 1. “If that meant that I won, then that’s great and if it meant that I lost but I played a good match, then I have to learn to be okay with that.”

But she didn’t lose Sunday or all week long and now holds a 22-3 record at the Family Circle Cup in six appearances. She is 23-2 in 2013, claiming titles in Brisbane and Miami, as well.

“She played really well, and like I said, she is No. 1 for a reason at this moment,” said the Serbian, who is ranked No. 18 in the world. “She is serving very well and she hits the ball harder than anyone else. Physically she is the strongest out there.”

It was a strong week for the 28-year-old, as well, who registered her 500th professional win in the quarterfinals, making her one of just seven active players to achieve such a feat. She is now 17-6 in 2013.

“I gave my best. It’s the end of the tournament, the finals … I’m pretty pleased, and I had a great tournament overall.”

It was a great tournament as whole, seeing a record-breaking single-session attendance record Saturday afternoon for the semifinals with 9,538 fans. Some 8,000-plus watched Sunday’s final.

“I can’t wait to come back next year,” Serena said on court during the trophy presentation.

Next year’s tournament is March 29-April 6, 2014.

Super Saturday, as it’s called, had record breaking crowds out at the Family Circle Cup to see the Williams Sisters battle it out to go to the finals. But most would agree the best match of the day was between Jelena Jankovic and Stefanie Voegele!

With all the postponed matches from the day before, Day 4 of the Family Circle Cup was an amazing day of high-caliber tennis! Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Jelena Jankovic…all former #1s in the world, and all former champions here…made it through to the semi-finals. Caroline Wozniaki…also a former #1 and a former champion…was upset by brilliant shot-making by Stefanie Voegele. So the stage is set for some HUGE matches to happen today!!! Stay tuned…

Day 4 of the Family Circle Cup was a washout for tennis action. But we had a lot of fun “off-court”!!! I got to shoot some really neat VIP appearances with rising star Sloan Stephens, American upstart Meagan Moulton-Levy, and past-champion-turned-commentator Renae Stubbs!

Day 3 of the Family Circle Cup was full of amazing photo ops…including a private photo shoot with American star Bethanie Mattek-Sands on a C-17 at the Charleston Air Force Base!