Pierce Sloan Kennedy & Early for Super Lawyers Magazine

I have enjoyed being one of the designated photographers for Super Lawyers Magazine for many years.

Super Lawyers Magazine, which is a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters, recognizes the top attorneys nationwide, across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes, using a patented process of independent research and peer input. The lawyers selected include not only represent the seasone veterans with years of experience, but also the Rising Stars of the profession. This well-respected publications is a great resource, designed to aid those needing an attorney they can trust. It has grown over three decades with an unparalleled reach in print magazines and online content.

This week I had the pleasure of photographing the attorneys from Pierce Sloan Kennedy & Early for an upcoming article in Super Lawyers Magazine!

John & Shelby’s Wedding at Harborside East

As the official photographer of the Credit One Charleston Open for nearly two decades, it’s been an absolute pleasure to follow Shelby Rogers’ amazing tennis career! From starting out as a ball girl on the green clay of Charleston, to turning pro in 2009, and all of her amazing accomplishments on the courts since then, it’s been a thrilling ride. Her aggressive playing style and powerful groundstrokes contribute to her success on the court, which includes a thrilling quarterfinal run at the 2016 French Open!

I first met John the day before the 2023 Credit One Charleston Open.  He had reached out to me several weeks prior, asking if I would photograph his Surprise Proposal to Shelby!  It was so much fun getting to know him, and secretly planning that special day with him.  I could tell right away that he was an AMAZING young man, who truly wanted to make that day a special one for Shelby!  The photos from his proposal turned out wonderful:  https://chrisandcami.com/john-shelbys-surprise-proposal-at-white-point-garden/.

Last weekend was a tale of success on all fronts for this amazing couple! Shelby and John exchanged wedding vows in front of an intimate gathering of close family and friends. The picturesque charm of Charleston served as the enchanting backdrop for the union of John and Shelby, two amazing souls who are clearly meant to be together. I had the privilege of documenting their special day at the stunning Harborside East, nestled along the waterfront with the historic cityscape as a breathtaking panorama in the distance.

Earlier in the day, I met up with John and his groomsmen at the nearby Embassy Suites where they were getting ready. The air was full of excitement and anticipation as they prepared for the big day ahead. After leaving the guys to finish up, I headed over to The Cottages, where Shelby and her bridesmaids were making their final preparations. Shelby was absolutely STUNNING in her elegant gown! Eventually we all converged at the wedding venue, where Shelby & John shared a private moment of prayer and reflection together before guests started to arrive.

The processional started off with John being escorted by their adorable dog, Tilly, which brought smiles to everyones faces! But the real highlight was when Shelby started down the aisle to the acoustic resonance from her friend Brian’s guitar! She looked AMAZING…and John could scarcely contain his emotions!!! John and Shelby exchanged their vows underneath a beautiful cross, adorned with delicate blooms. The natural light streaming through the open windows highlighted the joy and emotion reflected in the couple’s eyes, making for truly authentic and heartfelt moments.

After the ceremony, family and wedding party photos ensued. Then, with the encroaching fog and waning twilight, we zipped off to capture a few romantic shots of John & Shelby down by the water. Meanwhile, guests encircled the patio in anticipation of John & Shelby returning for their First Dance as husband and wife. As the celebration shifted inside to the reception at Harborside East, the venue transformed into a haven of exuberance and joy. From the lively dance floor to to constant laughter, every moment was an opportunity to document the energy and love radiating from the newlyweds and their guests.

Photographing John and Shelby’s wedding was not just about capturing images; it was about preserving a story—a story of love, commitment, and the timeless devotion. As a witness to this unforgettable day, I am grateful to have been entrusted with the responsibility of freezing these moments in time.  It was wonderful how John & Shelby’s friends and family opened up to me, and made me feel like I was one of them. The images I captured serve as a testament to the enduring love between John and Shelby, forever etched against the backdrop of Charleston’s warmth and charm.

Many thanks to my friend Sarah Goldman for helping me cover this beautiful celebration.  And a huge shout out to Loraine of Invitation Only for helping make sure everything ran so smoothly in spite of the difficult weather.

CONGRATULATIONS John & Shelby! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together…

Firefly Distillery

Tucked away off the beaten path from downtown Charleston, a stone’s throw from the beautiful Noisette Creek, sits the newly constructed Firefly Distillery. Many of the materials used to build the elegant, barn-inspired space were taken from their roots on Wadmalaw Island, with elements purchased from local craftsmen or refurbished from rustic barns.

I had the good fortune of being able to photograph the property for the builder several years ago, shortly after construction. It was a pleasure to return to Firefly Distillery this week to photograph some of their recent additions and expansions. Many thanks to Cara for helping make this photo shoot possible!

Capers Hall for DWG Consulting

The Citadel has long been an iconic landmark here in Charleston. I’ve enjoyed photographing many graduations, senior portraits, weddings, events, and political debates at the military college campus.

Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of photographing one of the largest renovations the college has done in recent years. Plans to renovate Capers Hall, which is at the corner of the main entrance to the campus, have been in the works since 2017. And the construction has taken over two years. But now that it’s complete, the new facility looks AMAZING!!!

Many thanks to Cate with DWG Consulting Engineers for bringing me on board and trusting me to showcase this beautiful building for them.

Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church for Trident Construction

It was an absolute honor to photograph the new Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church on Daniel Island for Trident Construction the other day!

Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the statewide Diocese of Charleston. Established on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, the parish primarily serves Daniel Island and the Cainhoy peninsula, although it’s members come from all over the metro Charleston area. Father West presides over Saint Clare of Assisi. He was born in Charleston during the eye of a hurricane and was raised on Sullivan’s Island, where his family had been members of Stella Maris Parish for five generations.

* Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 14-30 f4, 24-120 f4, 70-200 f2.8, 400 f4.5, DJI Mavic 2 Pro *

Teddy E. Pryor Social Services Building for DWG

Built for the community, named for a public servant and Council Chairman. The Teddie E. Pryor Social Services building is now open and will house a number of Charleston County’s vital health services. The new 175,000 square foot facility is easily accessible and it houses all the services under one roof, making it easier for community members to get the care and help they need without having to visit multiple sites. Agencies represented in the new building include South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Services, Dept. of Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Services, Tricounty Crisis Stabilization Center, SC Dept. of Social Services, South Carolina Connections Medicaid.

DWG Consulting Engineers had done a fantastic job on this project! And I was excited to be selected to photograph it for them. Many thanks to Cate Smolinsky for all her hard work coordinating everyone’s schedules, and arranging for someone to to get me unfettered access!

Keith Summey Library for DWG

The Keith Summey North Charleston Library was opened in 2023 to replace a smaller facility erected more than seventy years earlier. The original structure was conceived in 1946, and dedicated to the “memory of the men and women of Cooper River District who died in service during World War II.” Use of the building was initially limited to White citizens. This and other branches of the CCPL system were opened to African Americans in 1963.

It took a bit of planning. But finally we were able to arrange a day and time to photograph the new Keith Summey Library outside of opening hours so that we had complete access without interfering with patrons!

DWG Consulting Engineers had done a fantastic job on this project! And I was excited to be selected to photograph it for them. Many thanks to Cate Smolinsky for all her hard work coordinating everyone’s schedules, and arranging for someone to to get me unfettered access!

A Day in the Beauty of Dorchester County

Dorchester county is rich in history and filled with unbelievable beauty!

Last week I was assigned the task of taking a single day to explore and capture as much of the county’s diverse nature, scenic beauty, and significant history as possible. I covered everything from the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, the Rosenwald School in St. George, Indian Field and Shady Grove campgrounds, Givhans Ferry State Park and the Edisto River that runs through it, Colonial Dorchester County Park, Middleton Place Plantation, and several stops in between.

It was a tough challenge, since I could have easily spent an entire day at each location! But I successfully completed the task and came away with a wonderfully diverse collection of images that showcase a day in the beauty of Dorchester County!

Dorchester County Marketing Photos

This has been a busy year for Dorchester County! With the new fire station, new ems vehicles, new mobile command station, all kinds of new streets and road repairs going in, and of course new employees constantly joining their growing team…I’ve been busy! It’s been a pleasure working with Michelle, the county’s Public Information Officer, to come up with new marketing photos to help promote transparency and keep their constituents informed of what’s been going on. A highlight of this week’s assignment included headshots of the Command Staff at the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office! Michelle works really hard and does an amazing job. I’m honored to be part of her team!!!

Lupus Clinical Investigators Network Conference

Lupus is debilitating. It affects each person differently. Which, for doctors and researchers, makes the disease very challenging. Lupus is one of the more complex autoimmune diseases known to science. And for years, the world’s best minds have worked tirelessly to find a cure.

“The Lupus Research Alliance is going to take the very thing that infuriates us about the disease and make it the one thing that becomes its cure. Decades of pioneering research has brought us to this moment. We’ve advanced science to the point that will allow us to look at each patient as a single case, to study their individual immune system and analyze the complexities of the disease as it exists within them. In the future, this will allow us to better treat that patient with precision medicine — giving the right treatment for the right person. The root of the problem has become the pathway to the cure.”

It was my pleasure to photograph the annual LuCIN Meeting (Lupus Clinical Investigators Network) at the Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms this week. The conference was held at the beautiful new Sweetgrass Inn. The program was brought to fruition by Lupus Therapeutics and the Lupus Research Alliance. You can find out more about this awful disease, and the passionate men and women who are striving to find a cure, at https://www.lupusresearch.org/.

* Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 14-24 f4, Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, DJI Mini 3 Pro, ThinkTank cases, Flashpoint flashes, Manfrotto supports, and Sony XQD cards *

CTAR Women’s Council Spring Social

What a beautiful day for a Spring Social!!!

The Women’s Council from the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors held their annual Spring Social at The Ritual Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge yesterday. This beautiful venue has great views of downtown, overlooking Marion Square. The weather was perfect. The food was terrific.  And everyone had an AMAZING time!!!

Many thanks to Clair and Jessie for all their hard work putting this great event together!

* DJI Mini 3 Pro, Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 14-30 f4, Nikkor Z 24-120 f4 *

Park West Recreation Complex

It was another fun day to be outside, flying the drone, and capturing photos of a fantastic Mt. Pleasant park!

Seamon Whiteside did an AMAZING job, engineering this space to incorporate so many different sports fields. The Park West Recreation Complex has been around for a few years. But they just resurfaced the track and made a few additions. So I was asked to get some updated drone shots and still photos of the facility.  It was fun to see people out enjoying the sunshine!!!

* Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 14-30 f4, Nikkor Z 24-120 f4, DJI Mavic 2 Pro