Samantha and Todd’s Extended Engagement Session

Flying in all the way from Missouri, it was just wonderful to see our good friend Samantha again last weekend! It was also such a pleasure to finally meet her fiance, Todd. He’s an amazing guy! They are absolutely perfect together!!!

Recently graduating from Veterinarian School and Dental School, respectively, Samantha and Todd can finally turn their attention to wedding plans. It’s an absolute honor that they have selected Cami and I to capture this special time in their lives for them.

As part of that process, we hosted them here in Charleston for a really fun extended engagement session! The entire weekend could be described as part reunion (we haven’t seen Samantha for several years), part introduction (we had so much fun getting to know Todd), part vacation (Samantha and Todd were celebrating finally earning their degrees), part tourist trap (Cami and I made sure to take them to all the best tourist attractions and iconic restaurants in town), and of course part engagement session (we photographed beautiful portraits of them all around Charleston everywhere we went). As such, we had an absolute BLAST the entire weekend, while capturing more variety than any other engagement session we’ve ever photographed!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Samantha and Todd! We love you guys, and can’t wait to be there for you on your beautiful wedding day!!!

Nick Proposes to Hannah on Concord Street

Hannah was absolutely stunned…not that Nick proposed to her, but that SHE HAD NO CLUE!!! Shaking with excitement afterwards, she said:  “I was certain that if and when Nick decided to propose to me, I would somehow know it. He’s not good at hiding things from me! But I truly had NO IDEA he was proposing today!!!”

For months, Nick and I had been secretly planning all the details of his surprise proposal to Hannah. May 6th was her birthday. And May 8th was the anniversary of when they started dating. So he had planned a fun get-away trip to Charleston for the weekend to celebrate. Nick was so clever in using those other big occasions to conceal the REAL reason for the trip.  Now they have ANOTHER big day in May to celebrate!!!

It was an absolutely perfect afternoon in Charleston! With beautiful light, and gorgeous weather, I headed down to our predetermined location to get set up and hide before they arrived. To my horror, the normally deserted corner near Waterfront Park was packed with graduates out celebrating and having their portraits taken. Fortunately, everyone was super understanding when I told them what was about to happen on that historic street corner, and happily moved on to other beautiful backdrops for their photo shoots. With beating heart, I raced back to my spot just in time as Nick and Hannah rounded the corner!

To see the rest of their photos, visit:  https://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/nickandhannah.

I’m SO EXCITED for Nick & Hannah! We had so much fun during their authentic engagement session afterwards. They are an AMAZING couple, and absolutely perfect for each other!!!

Mary Beth & Bryant at Brittlebank Park

I’ve been looking forward to meeting Mary Beth & Bryant for a VERY long time! We finally met up this weekend, on a gorgeous spring day, to capture some beautiful engagement photos for their up-coming wedding. 🙂

Starting off at Hampton Park, I was quite surprised at how many flowers were already in full bloom! With vibrant colors from the flowers, huge oak trees, a black iron bridge, and long wooded walkways, we came away with some absolutely MAGICAL images! But to top it all off, we zipped over to Brittlebank Park to capture the last rays of a gorgeous setting sun over the Ashley River… and of course the beautiful twilight that followed.

I had such a blast getting to know Mary Beth and Bryant. I can’t wait to be there for them to preserve all the special moments of their amazing wedding this summer!!!

Stephanie & Eric at Deep Water Vineyard

Last night I had the best time ever!

Stephanie & Eric met up with me at Deep Water Vineyard, which is where the Firefly Distillery is located on Wadmalaw Island. They had called ahead to get permission to have their engagement session on this beautiful property. What a unique and interesting location for a photo shoot!

I had SUCH A BLAST getting to know these two…hearing about Eric’s INCREDIBLE proposal in Iceland…learning about all the wonderful countries Stephanie has traveled to…and talking about all the big plans for their wedding! Along the way, we captured some beautiful images in the gorgeous late afternoon light.

It was an absolutely perfect evening. I am so excited about photographing Stephanie & Eric’s wedding celebration!!!

Pat & Adrienne’s Surprise Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

Sometimes I feel like I get MORE nervous than my clients when they are about to pop the big surprise marriage proposal!!!

This morning, Pat was as cool as a cucumber as he escorted his beautiful girlfriend, Adrienne, onto the famous White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation! He and I had been working out the details for me to capture this very special moment for the two of them. He had carefully picked out the PERFECT spot, with a gorgeous southern background, that would take her breath away. My heart pounded in my chest as they reached the top of the bridge. But Pat calmly dropped to his knee and surprised her with a GORGEOUS diamond!!!

Afterwards, we enjoyed a fun walk-about together. While exploring the plantation, I captured some AUTHENTIC engagement photos for them to remember this amazing day and this special time in their lives!

CONGRATULATIONS Adrienne & Pat! We wish you all the best as you begin this new journey together!!!

Paul’s Secret Proposal to Amber at White Point Garden

When Amber & Paul were trying to figure out if they wanted to move to Charleston, one of the places they fell in love with was the picturesque Waterfront Park.

It was the PERFECT spot for Paul to ask Amber to be his wife!!! So he and I hatched a sneaky plan to entice Amber to the dock at the southern tip of the park, where he would pop the big question, and I would capture the amazing moment! 🙂

Arriving at the spot early, I was delighted that the dock was empty, and the lighting was perfect! Spotting Paul as he and Amber walked hand-in-hand down the path towards me, my palms got sweaty and my heart quickened. Would she follow him to our planned spot? Would she spot me sitting there, pretending to read a map? Would a stray tourist walk in front of me and block “the shot”?

All my fears for for naught. Paul expertly guided her to our designated location. Everything worked out beautifully. And Amber said “YES”!!! 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS Amber & Paul! You two are such an AMAZING couple! It was such an honor for me to be a part of this special day with you!!!

To see more of their images, visit:  https://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/amberandpaul

P.S. Funny side story…my friends and amazing photographers, Valerie & Ed, showed up shortly after the proposal. They had just photographed another couple getting engaged on the other end of the park. Love is in the air! CONGRATULATIONS to their couple as well!!!

Dustin’s Surprise Proposal to Ashley at Waterfront Park

I’m SO EXCITED to share a few favorites from Dustin & Ashley’s Secret Proposal this evening!!!

Ashley & Dustin live in Nashville, where they met through mutual friends. Dustin is a manager at Lucchese Boots. Ashley practices law. In fact, she lived in Charleston for a bit while attending the Charleston School of Law. Which is why Dustin thought this would be the PERFECT place to propose!

He began scheming and planned a fun get-away for the two of them to visit the Holy City. She thought it was just a fun get-away so that she could show him all her favorite old haunts. But he had secretly asked her father’s permission to marry his daughter, had talked to all her closest friends to get ideas, had set up a fake Pinterest account so that he could see what kind of rings she liked, and had even contacted me about photographing it!

We spent weeks planning out every detail. Finally the big day arrived…and everything worked out perfect 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS Ashley & Dustin! You are a very special couple. I’m so happy that each of you will soon get to marry your best friend!!!

Cody’s Proposal to KC at Magnolia Plantation

Cody is an AMAZING guy. And he’s head over heals in love with KC!!! He and I have spent the last few weeks going back and forth to plan and prepare, making sure everything would be perfect for his Surprise Proposal to KC. 🙂

The big day finally arrived. Earlier this morning, on a beautiful summer day, on the magical white bridge at the picturesque Magnolia Plantation, Cody asked KC to be his bride!!!

Afterwards, we wandered around the gorgeous grounds, photographing their AUTHENTIC Engagement Session. KC is absolutely gorgeous! I can see why Cody is smitten. But the truth is, their love runs even deeper. Finishing each other’s sentences, stealing knowing glances at each other, laughing quietly and hugging each other as we explored avenues of oaks draped in Spanish moss…I could tell these two truly share something special!

Visit http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/kcandcody to see more of their delightful photos.

CONGRATULATIONS Cody & KC!!! We wish you two all the best as you begin your new journey together!

Laura & Ryan’s AWESOME Proposal on Daniel Island

Laura has been working with Cami and I for several years! She’s our second-shooter, our confidant, and our friend.  We were overjoyed when she found true love in Ryan. But our excitement DOUBLED when Ryan told us he was planning to ask for Laura’s hand in marriage, and that he wanted us to capture it!!!  🙂

It was easily the most AMAZING secret proposal I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. Laura’s friend, Shelly (who’s wedding I photographed several years ago) was also in on the surprise, keeping Laura busy up until the perfect moment. Plus, to top it all off, my good friend and incredible photographer, Peter Finger of www.peterfingerweddings.com, joined in to capture the excitement from yet another angle, as well as sneaking a few fun shots of me setting up! Ryan & Laura literally had a TEAM of behind-the-scenes characters working together to pull this off. How appropriate since they are the most loving, giving, and wonderful people to be around!!!

I can’t tell the complete story NEARLY as beautifully as Laura can. I was literally tearing up as I read it!!! So head over to her blog to experience their wonderful story for yourself: http://gallerybylaura.com/blog/2018/06/04/the-most-life-changing-secret-proposal-i-have-ever-been-a-part-of-my-own/.

CONGRATULATIONS Laura & Ryan!!! May you find love, joy, and laughter for the rest of your lives with every step you take together!

Jenna & Christopher at SC Society Hall

Christopher & Jenna are two very special people.

With big hearts, loving smiles, gentle souls, and kind spirits…you’d be hard-pressed to find two nicer humans on the planet. But most importantly, together Christopher and Jenna are absolute soul-mates!!! So it was with great honor and extreme pleasure that I got to photograph their beautiful wedding last week. 🙂

Christopher and Jenna picked South Carolina Society Hall as the picturesque backdrop for their intimate wedding. The alter was so carefully decorated with gorgeous floral bouquets. And the great hall was filled with soulful guitar music from Chris’ talented group of musicians.

Through heart-felt tears, and joyful laughter, Christopher & Jenna exchanged their wedding vows. Afterwards the three of us had lovely walk-about through the surrounding historic streets and quaint alleys for a fun couple’s shoot.

We returned to find our venue completely transformed into a reception hall, complete with excitement, energy, and dance music! With an emotional first-dance, amazing toasts, and joyful cake-cutting, we launched into a celebration of family, friendship, and undying love!!!

For more of their photos, check out:  http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/jennaandchristopher2.  And to hire an INCREDIBLE guitarist for your wedding or event, head over to:  www.tevesguitar.com

CONGRATULATIONS Jenna & Christopher! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together!!!

Holly & Huston’s Charleston Wedding Proposal

Last month I got a lovely call from a VERY proud mother, asking me to photograph her son’s Surprise Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend!!!

Originally from Kentucky, Huston and Holly are currently in the Rally/Durham area attending dental school together. After whisking through their last patients of the day, they headed down to Charleston for what Holly thought was just a relaxing weekend get-away.

Their first stop in town was the beautiful Magnolia Plantation. Unable to hold the secret any longer, Huston proposed to Holly on the famous white bridge, surrounded by tall cypress trees with Spanish moss blowing in the breeze. She said YES!!! 🙂

Later that evening, we met at Washington Square Park for their authentic engagement shoot on the very same day they became betrothed. It was fun re-creating Huston’s brave gesture of undying love on bended knee. Both relieved and excited at the same time, we then enjoyed a lovely walk around the old historic downtown district, capturing beautiful images of the two lovebirds along the way!

CONGGRATULATIONS Holly & Huston!!! You are true soulmates! We wish you both the greatest of happiness as you begin your new journey together.