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!!!

ABC of the Carolinas

It was out pleasure to welcome and photograph the Associated Builders & Contractors of the Carolinas in Charleston this week!

ABC of the Carolinas held their annual convention and marketing conference here under sunny skies and gorgeous weather. On the first day, my friend and amazing photographer, Gary Coleman, helped me cover the fishing tournament, Redfin Charters. Meanwhile, I covered the golf tournament at the Wild Dunes Harbor Course. On the second day, I photographed the conference, keynote speakers, and convention at the beautiful and picturesque Francis Marion Hotel.

Many thanks to Meredith for the kind referral, and to Pamela for all her hard work organizing the event. It was a pleasure serving this wonderful community of talented and hard-working men and women!

Maui 25th Anniversary Celebration

While exploring the famed Red Sand Beach in Hana on the island of Maui, we met this wonderful couple that was there celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary! So we did a fun impromptu photo shoot for them and their beautiful family. 🙂

Incentive Event in Hawaii

Last week I had the opportunity to join an all-star team of amazing photographers to document all the action and adventures of a really neat corporate incentive trip on the island of Maui. While there, we took the opportunity to spend a few extra days driving the famed Road to Hana, hiking in Haleakala National Park, relaxing with Hawaiian green sea turtles on Ho-okipa Beach, and photographing the amazing sunset from the dormant volcano’s picturesque summit.

100th Anniversary of the Edward C Levy Co

Last weekend I had the pleasure of photograhing a milestone celebration. The Edward C Levy Co is 100 years old!!!

“Inspiration and commitment were the driving forces that gave Levy its start in 1918. It’s the technology that we discover, explore, and apply that has earned Levy the reputation as a true innovator in industries around the globe.”

Many thanks to Judi and her team at The Anniversary Company for organizing this fun company picnic to commemorate the occasion.

New Orleans Aerials

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of photographing an EXCITING assignment in New Orleans! For security reasons, I can’t share those photos. But I did manage to get a few fantastic aerial views of the city during some down time.

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, also called St. Louis Cathedral, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the oldest cathedral in what would become the United States. The first church on the site was built in 1718; the third, built in 1789, was raised to cathedral rank in 1793. The cathedral was expanded and largely rebuilt in 1850, with little of the 1789 structure remaining.

The second is a view of the Mississippi River and downtown New Orleans over Woldenberg Park. Woldenberg Park was created in the late 1980s/early 1990s on land that had been occupied by old wharves and warehouses along the Mississippi Riverfront, in the upper French Quarter. It is named after philanthropist Malcolm Woldenberg (1896–1982) who helped fund the building of it.

Both images captured with a DJI Mavic Pro.

John’s Retirement Roast on Kiawah Island

I haven’t laughed so hard, nor choked back so many tears, as I did at John’s wonderful Retirement Roast this weekend!

As a full-time professional event photographer in Charleston, I am so privileged to be invited into the most touching, most beautiful, most powerful, and most important occasions in people’s lives. Denise put on an AMAZING retirement party for her husband. All his closest friends and colleagues made the trek out to the Kiawah Island Club at River Course to celebrate this man, his integrity, his leadership, and his impact on their lives.

CONGRATULATIONS John on all your accomplishments!!!

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!!!