Trident Healthcare Holiday Party

It’s been our pleasure to photograph the Trident Healthcare Christmas Party for the last several years. They are such a great group. And the couples really seem to appreciate having a nice portrait of themselves, all dressed up in their festive attire!

Aside from setup shots of the banquet hall, and candids of the party, for most of the guests the highlight is our print-on-site Portrait Station! I’ve included a few behind-the-scenes shots of my setup. But basically, I create a mini-portrait studio, using wireless Nikon SB-800 flashes, Manfrotto light-stands, and Westcott umbrellas. I photograph each couple with a Nikon D5 and a Nikkor 24-70, while it’s tethered to my Lenovo Yoga laptop via Adobe Lightroom. After shooting a few test shots before guests arrive, I create a custom preset in Lightroom (including parameters such as white balance, exposure, and contrast) so that every shot comes out perfect and consistent. After capturing two or three quick shots of each couple, I bring them over to the laptop, where they get to immediately see the images and pick out their favorite. I then print out a beautiful 5×7 portrait of that image using the high-speed DNP DS-40 Dye Sublimation Printer, slip it into an elegant black folio, and hand it to them. Couples LOVE the instant gratification of being able to walk away with their portrait in hand!!!

We always enjoy working with the amazing team at Trident. I can’t wait to do it again next year!!!

CTAR Market Forecast Conference

Last week I was honored to be invited back to photograph the annual conference for the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. Their Market Forecast Report was held at the beautifully renovated Charleston Marriott.  With an excellent panel of speakers, delightful live music, and lots of networking opportunities, the evening was a huge success.  Many thanks to Claire and her team for including me in another amazing CTAR corporate event!!!

Earl Klugh’s Kiawah Weekend of Jazz

It was an absolute pleasure to be invited back to photograph Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island again this year. I always enjoy photographing this amazing event with my good friend Michael Cyra.

Besides the great Earl Klugh, other amazing artists on the stage included: Chris Botti, Peabo Bryson, Deniece Williams, Patti Austin, Najee, The Rippingtons, Adam Hawley, Al Turner, David Lee on the Rocks, Joe Alterman, and many more! As always, Richard Todd did a great job as Master of Ceremonies.

I’m already excited and looking forward to next year!!!

Center for Birds of Prey Annual Gala

Last week I was thrilled to photograph a fundraising gala for an important cause! Aloft at the Cedar Room was this year’s annual celebration of the Center for Birds of Prey, the amazing team that works there, and the incredible work they do for our planet and the wonderful creatures we share it with!

Kara Bale from the Center for Birds of Prey writes: “What a wonderful night! Aloft at the Cedar Room was a fantastic event. The Cedar Room is a beautiful space which allowed guests to enjoy and celebrate the beauty, mystery, and wonder of wild birds while contributing to their conservation and our own future. The energy in the room was amazing! Here’s a quick snapshot of our evening for those of you who could not attend. We would like to extend another special thanks to our top sponsors including Coastal Expeditions, Benefitfirst, and The Boeing Company and to the many others that made this event possible. More photos to come from the very fabulous Chris Smith!!!”

It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this great evening again. I can’t wait for next year!!!

Audrey & WD at The Island House

Audrey is one of the fabulous members of the Education Team at the Center for Birds of Prey. I’ve had the privilege of working with her many times at various events over the years. She’s super smart, crazy fun, loves the outdoors, has a big heart, and plays soccer. I love her to pieces and was absolutely honored when she asked me to be her wedding photographer!

I met William (or “WD” as his friends call him) for the first time at the wedding rehearsal. It was like bumping into an old friend. He is so laid back, easy going, accepts you for who you are, and loves to laugh. WD shares so many things in common with Audrey…he’s passionate about fishing, being outdoors (especially if it’s on the water), and oh yeah…he plays soccer! These two are a perfect match made in heaven!!!

Their beautiful wedding and reception were held at The Island House, a picturesque venue overlooking the Stono River. Everything was delightfully decorated with a bohemian fall theme. Even the weather cooperated with temperatures dropping pleasantly into the high 60s, down from the oppressive heat of the high 80s it had been in weeks prior.

Audrey was just stunning in her gorgeous gown with its intricate lace backing.  WD was quite dashing in his gray suite and bow tie. One thing I absolutely LOVED (and that you’ll notice in the progression of photos) is how the low lying layer of clouds lifted RIGHT AT THE END of the ceremony as these two beautiful souls exchanged their vows! It was truly magical how the sun popped out, shining on their smiling faces, right at that moment. Like I said, these two are a match made in heaven!!! 🙂

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

I also loved how they incorporated Audrey’s Scottish heritage into their celebration. From the bagpipe processional, to special family members flying over all the way from Scotland to be here for their special day, it was really neat to have that international touch.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make Audrey & WD’s wedding so special!

Lynn at The Island House
www.islandhouseevents.com

Jayme at Brand Bars & Events Wedding Planner
www.brandbars.com

Keith at Café Catering
www.cafetogochs.com

Sierra at BevSafe
www.bevsafe.com

Mary & Kit at Lotus Flowers
www.lotusflowercharleston.com

Nick at Lowcountry Entertainment
www.lowcountryentertaimentsc.com

Ashley at ABCD Cakes
www.abcdcakes.com

Eden at Snyder Rentals
www.snydereventrentals.com

Shauna at Moxie Salon
www.facebook.com/Moxiesalonmtp

Lowcountry Valet
www.lowcountryvalet.com

Jim Saint John
Family friend and Officiant

CONGRATULATIONS Audrey & WD! We wish you all the best as you begin your amazing new journey together!!!

“A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage kerchief,
May you be healthy all your days.
May you be blessed with long life and peace,
May you grow old with goodness, and with riches.”

~ Gaelic Wedding Blessing

Fundraiser for St. Andrews Family Fitness

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing a fun fundraising event for St. Andrew’s Family Fitness Center. Their longtime director, Kevin Walsh, had suffered a heart attack while at meetings out west. It was so neat to see everyone coming together and rallying to help his family with medical costs and help speed him towards recovery!

Jamie & Brian’s Fendley Farmstead Wedding

One day, about 8 years ago, Jamie was at work processing client invoices when the phone rang. A nice man on the other end of the line had called to pay his bill. But by the end of the phone call, they’d had such a nice conversation that Brian, the man on the other end of the line, told Jamie she sounded so nice on the phone that he’d love to get her number and call again! She agreed. And the rest, as they say, is history.  🙂

About 7 years ago, Jamie was the Maid of Honor in Melissa & Kevin’s beautiful wedding, which I was honored to photograph at Middleton Place Plantation. Jamie & Meilissa have been best friends since forever! As the girls continued to hang out, Brian and Kevin soon developed a lasting friendship as well. Thus I thought it was so fitting that Brian eventually asked Kevin to be his Best Man!

Jamie & Brian’s beautiful fall wedding was held at Fendley Farmstead in the foothills of Canton, GA. The cool fall weather made for such a cozy experience, as family and friends gathered to celebrate the lives of these two AMAZING people, and the love they shared. It was such a joy for Cami and I to be there to capture all the exciting moments of this wonderful day!

CONGRATULATIONS Jamie & Brian! We wish you all the best as you begin this new journey together!!!

Export Exchange 2018

Earlier this week, nearly 200 international buyers and end-users descended upon Minneapolis, Minnesota for the Export Exchange. Over the 3 day conference, attendees were able to meet and build relationships with more than 300 domestic suppliers, while also benefiting from educational sessions and networking opportunities.

The event was co-sponsored by the US Grains Council, the Renewable Fuels Association, and Growth Energy. Notable keynote speakers included:
– Roger Watchorn of Cargill Agriculture Supply Chain North America (CASCNA)
– Dr. Robert Johansson, Chief Economist at the Department of Agriculture (USDA)
– Florentino Lopez, executive director of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program
– Mark Slupek from the Office of Trade Programs (OTP) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
– Dr. Kurt Rosentrater, executive director of the Distillers Grains Technology Council
– Dr. Daniel Whitley from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
– Daniel R. Pearson, principal of Pearson International Trade Services, LLC

It was an honor to be invited back as the official photographer of this amazing conference for the second time in a row!

Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare Conference at Kiawah Island

Alvarez & Marsal is the consulting firm known for asking tough questions, listening well, digging in and getting their hands dirty. They are fact-driven and action-oriented. A&M uncovers and implement the right solution, at the right time, in the right way. They provides global leadership, problem solving and value creation for companies across industries and around the world.

This week I had the pleasure of photographing their annual conference at Kiawah Island Resort. All the meetings and social functions took place at The Sanctuary, one of the most amazing event spaces in town. One of my favorite keynote speakers was David Feherty, who enjoyed a successful professional golfing career, earning 10 victories, and competed in the 1991 Ryder Cup.

In addition to all the meetings and networking, the event included a few fun activities. The golf outing at the famed Ocean Course was a huge highlight! With Hurricane Michael bearing down on us, a beautiful window of sunlight opened up just long enough for everyone to complete their rounds on these historic greens.

Many thanks to Michelle and Shanna for including me in this amazing event. It truly was an honor to work with their incredible team!

Horizons Unlimited North Carolina Event

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending and photographing the Horizons Unlimited traveler’s meeting at Iron Horse Lodge near Robbinsville, North Carolina. This is an event that I look forward to with great anticipation every year!

I packed my trusty Honda CB500X with my camping kit, camera kit, and a few day’s supplies. On the ride up, I made a detour to Givi USA in Charlotte to have replacement engine guards installed when my originals developed a defective hairline crack. I stayed with my friend Jenn and her awesome family for the night.  Jenn is a fellow TASOK student from our days growing up in Zaire. On the second leg of the trip, I took the scenic route down the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Iron Horse Lodge.

Horizons Unlimited was founded in the 80s by Susan and Grant Johnson during their RTW, or “Round The World” adventure. It’s a wonderful resource for overland travelers, especially those tackling grand trips on their motorcycles. But more importantly, it’s a fantastic gathering of kind, creative, and like-minded individuals who are full of life and passionate about this great planet we live on and the amazing people we share it with!  Horizons Unlimited has gatherings all over the world.  This particular one in North Carolina, hosted by Mike Kilpatrick, was celebrating it’s 15th Anniversary this year!

In addition to photographing the event, I also led a couple photography presentations.  I always enjoy sharing my love for photography with others!  Check out more details about the event at: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/north-carolina-2018. And check out the events page to see if there’s a meetup near you. Hopefully I’ll see you at one soon!!!

As always, it was a wonderful weekend. And I look forward to coming back next year. 🙂

The Calm Before the Storm

Before Hurricane Florence hits Charleston, I had a chance to go downtown and photograph a few images of the calm before the storm. The place was a ghost town!!!

US Grains Council at the Denver Zoo

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing the 58th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting for the US Grains Council in Denver. To celebrate a successful and productive meeting, we had a wonderful and entertaining gala at the Denver Zoo!!!