Charleston Family Photographer – Chris and Cami Photography

Lincoln’s Bat Mitzvah

Congregation Emanu-El (and many other synagogues) restricts photos during Mitzvah ceremonies primarily to maintain focus, reverence, and sanctity of the religious service. It’s a way of preventing distractions for the family, clergy, and community…and ensuring the Bat Mizvah feels present. For these reasons, most congregagions allow dedicated photo sessions before the service for professional photos.

With Lincoln’s Mitzvah coming up this weekend, I joined her and her family on Friday evening for one of these photo sessions. We met at Emanu-El, where the beautiful campus offers tons of great spots for family portraits, as well as portraits of Lincoln in her elegant black dress. As the sun began to set, we went inside to meet up with Rabbi Ravski, who graciously gave us access to the sanctuary where I could get shots of Lincoln while she practiced her speach and read from the Torah.

It was a lot of fun getting to know Lincoln and her family! It was an honor capturing these special moments for them. And I can’t wait to finish editing and sharing the photos from her party on Saturday!!!

Stovall Family on Daniel Island

Capturing family moments is always a joy! I had the pleasure of photographing the Stovall Family this week at their stunning home overlooking the marsh on Daniel Island. It had been 8 years since they had family portraits done. But this year was special since their daughter is a rising high-school senior, and they wanted some senior portraits for her. The picturesque setting provided the perfect backdrop for this memorable session, creating a serene atmosphere that showcased the family’s love and connection.

Using my Nikon Z9 paired with the versatile Nikkor Z 24-120 f4 lens allowed me to capture the beautiful details and emotions during our time together. The natural light streaming through the trees was complemented by my Godox AD200 flashe, ensuring every shot was perfectly lit. I utilized a Glow EZ Lock Softbox to soften the light, creating a flattering and warm ambiance that highlighted their amazing smiles.

Throughout the session, we shared laughter and stories, making the experience not just about photography but about celebrating the family bonds. The Stovall Family’s warmth and enthusiasm were contagious, making it a truly enjoyable shoot for me, and making me feel like part of the family. I even kicked the soccer ball around with the boys while we waited for their daughter to change!

I’m grateful for the opportunity to create lasting memories for the Stovalls in such a breathtaking location…preserving these special moments for years to come!

AD200 Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Charleston Senior Photographer Chris & Cami Photography Daniel Island Children Photographer Daniel Island Family Photographer Daniel Island Portrait Photographer Daniel Island Senior Photographer DJI Mavic 3 Pro Flashpoint Godox Mt. Pleasant Children Photographer Mt. Pleasant Couples Photographer Mt. Pleasant Family Photographer Mt. Pleasant Portrait Photographer Nikkor Nikon OCF Off-camera Flash Senior Portrait Photographer Senior Portraits Speedlight Z9

Shannon’s Nursing School Graduation Photos

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and photograph Shannon to celebrate her graduation from nursing school at Emory University School of Medicine. It was an exciting milestone, and I was thrilled to capture this special moment in her life. We explored the scenic backdrop of historic downtown Charleston, where we made stops at the picturesque Joe Riley Waterfront Park, the charming French Quarter, and the iconic Rainbow Row. Each location offered a unique flair that perfectly complemented Shannon’s vibrant personality.

For this session, I relied on my trusty Nikon Z9, renowned for its high resolution and stunning color rendition. The camera pulled out every detail, presenting Shannon in her best light. To enhance the natural beauty of the moment, I occasionally augmented the available light with a Godox V860II speedlight, ensuring that her radiant smile and the scenic backgrounds shone brightly in the images.

Capturing these moments for Shannon was a joy, and I am honored to be part of such a significant celebration. Congratulations, Shannon, on your remarkable achievement! I wish you all the best as you embark on your nursing career.

Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Charleston Senior Photographer Chris & Cami Photography Flashpoint French Quarter Godox Joe Riley Waterfront Park Mt. Pleasant Family Photographer Mt. Pleasant Portrait Photographer Mt. Pleasant Senior Photographer Nikkor Nikon OCF Off-camera Flash Rainbow Row Senior Portrait Photographer Senior Portraits Speedlight Waterfront Park Z9

Gracie’s Senior Portraits at Hampton Park

When my friend Melissa reached out to ask if I would photograph her cousin’s Senior Portraits, I said ABSOLUTELY!!! We’ve known Melissa since the early days when we first moved back to Charleston. She and Cami used to work together at Picture This One Hour Photo and Dennis Munn Photography! Who remembers where THAT was?!? Fast forward and here we are, still connected after all these years. 🙂

I met up with Melissa, Gracie, and her sister at Hampton Park on a beautiful summer evening. Gracie was an absolute joy to work with! It was fun to tap into her energy, excitement, and sense of adventure. Plus it didn’t hurt that she was absolutely gorgeous!!! We moved quickly, and managed to explore the whole park, while still switching into three different outfits. What a pleasure it was to catch up with Melissa, and photograph these beautiful memories of this special time in Gracie’s life!

Everyone say CONGRATULATIONS to Gracie!!! We wish her all the best as she embarks on this next big adventure in life…

Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Charleston Senior Photographer Charleston Senior Portrait Chris & Cami Photography Hampton Park Hampton Park Family Photographer Hampton Park Senior Photographer Hampton Park Senior Portrait Mt. Pleasant Children Photographer Mt. Pleasant Family Photographer Mt. Pleasant Portrait Photographer Mt. Pleasant Senior Portraits Nikkor Nikon Senior Portraits Z9 Zf

Bales Family at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island

I love an adventurous family!!! In spite of the afternoon thunderstorms, the radar indicated there “might” be a break in the showers just long enough for us to get our family beach session in. So I called Tammy and she said “LET’S GO FOR IT!!!” 🙂

I met up with the Bales’ clan at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. With ages ranging from 15-21, and potentially serious relationships blossoming, who knows when the next time everyone will be together again? Some will be heading off to college? Others might be starting their own families soon? Maybe one of them decides to travel Europe next summer? You just never know at this age. So it was particularly rewarding to be a part of this wonderful evening, with the proud grandparents surrounded by their lovely daughters, their handome sons-in-law, and all their amazing grandchildren!

The weather was touch-and-go, with dark clouds all around us, and dim lighting conditions to work with. But strategic use of higher iso settings on my Z9, combined with careful use of an off-camera Flashpoint eVolve 200 flash, brought out the gorgeous colors of their outfits, and lit up their beautiful smiles. The photos actually turned out extra dramatic as a result! The best part was, the rains stayed away long enough for us to complete our session. I’m so glad we took Tammy’s advice to go for it!!!

Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Chris & Cami Photography Flashpoint Godox Kiawah Beach Photographer Kiawah Beach Portraits Kiawah Children Photographer Kiawah Couples Photographer Kiawah Family Photographer Kiawah Island Photographer Kiawah Photographer Nikkor Nikon OCF Off Camera Flash Speedlight The Sanctuary Z9

Garman Family Beach Portraits on Kiawah Island

What a SMALL WORLD!!!

Last evening I had the pleasure of photographing beach portraits for the Garman family while they were vacationing on Kiawah Island. The amazing part is they are from Troy, OH…which is where Cami is from!!! In fact, Cami’s family lived on Dorset Rd…which is where one of the Garman daughters and her family lives! I met Cami while she lived in Troy. We were married in Troy. And one of her brothers still lives in Troy. What a cool coincidence to meet up with this beautiful family from “back home”!

The afternoon showers swept through Kiawah earlier that afternoon, cooling things off a bit for us. Plus the beautiful clouds and nice soft light left behind from the storm made for a lovely evening to be on the beach. We could still see the distant lightning lighting up the sky across the ocean as the rain clouds drifted away.

Many thanks to Moxie and her family for bringing back fond memories of Troy for me!!!

Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Chris & Cami Photography Flashpoint Godox Kiawah Beach Photographer Kiawah Beach Portraits Kiawah Children Photographer Kiawah Couples Photographer Kiawah Family Photographer Kiawah Island Photographer Kiawah Photographer Nikkor Nikon OCF Off Camera Flash Speedlight The Sanctuary Z9

Eva’s Bat Mitzvah Portraits

In a few short months, I’ll have the honor of photographing Eva’s bat mitzvah!!!

Bat mitzvah is Hebrew for “daughter of commandment.” When a Jewish girl turns 12, she has all the rights and obligations of a Jewish adult, including the commandments of the Torah. From that date forward, she takes her place in the Jewish community. This milestone in her life, called a bat mitzvah, is often celebrated with creative projects, meaningful gatherings, a special ceremony and of course a joyous celebration afterwards!

To help commemorate this special chapter in Eva’s life, her beautiful family joined her for a fun photo session at Hampton Park. She’ll be able to use these photos in her announcement cards for her celebration later this year. But more importantly, the whole family will have these wonderful memories preserved for all eternity, as Eva grows from this amazing girl she is today into the even more incredible woman she will become!!!

Charleston Bat Mitzvah Photographer Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Chris & Cami Photography Flashpoint Godox Hampton Park Mt. Pleasant Bat Mitzvah Photographer Mt. Pleasant Children Photographer Mt. Pleasant Family Photographer Mt. Pleasant Portrait Photographer Nikkor Nikon Nikon USA OCF Off Camera Flash Speedlight Z9

Muro Family at Wild Dunes Beach

I’ve been photographing the Muro Family at their annual vacations to Charleston for many years. But each year it seems there’s always someone missing. Whether a family member was studying abroad, traveling, or just sick…it we always seem to be missing someone. But this year, we actually had EVERYONE TOGETHER!!!

It was so much fun catching up with the Muro family. They always treat me like family. And photographing their beach portrait session is always a highlight of my summer!!!

AD200 Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Couples Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Charleston Senior Photographer Chris & Cami Photography eVolve 200 Flashpoint Godox IOP Isle of Palms Beach Photographer Isle of Palms Family Photographer Isle of Palms Portrait Photographer Mt. Pleasant Children Photographer Mt. Pleasant Couples Photographer Mt. Pleasant Family Photographer Mt. Pleasant Portrait Photographer Nikkor Nikon Nikon USA OCF Off Camera Flash Wild Dunes Beach Photographer Wild Dunes Beach Portraits Wild Dunes Family Photographer Z9

Katie’s Senior Portraits

Katie and her family were down here on vacation from Ohio. And she wanted some senior portraits that were “different” from all her friends. So we met up downtown and walked around the French Quarter, capturing a variety of cool shots of her with some Charleston cityscapes. The following day, I met up with her and her family at Magnolia Plantation for a little more of the “plantation feel” in her photos. Katie is a big photo-buff. So it was fun capturing her with her camera, and sharing a few photography tips as we walked around the beautiful property.

CONGRATULATIONS Katie! We wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter in your life!!!

Chalmers Street Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston French Quarter Charleston Portrait Photographer Charleston Senior Photographer Charleston Senior Portrait Chris & Cami Photography Dock Street Theater French Huguenot Church Magnolia Plantation Nikkor Nikon Philadelphia Alley Z9

Cyrus Family on Kiawah Island

This was the 7th Year in a row that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the Cyrus family during their annual vacation to Kiawah Island! Back when we started, little Emma wasn’t even born…and Mason was less than a year old. My have they grown!!! 🙂

We kept to our tradition of meeting at The Ocean Course at sunset. The skies had an etherial haze…apparently from the massive forest fires enveloping Canada this summer! But with the unseasonably mild temperatures, and beautiful warm light, we didn’t complain. It was so much fun to catch up with this beautiful family! We had a BLAST and came away with tons of great shots to commemorate another year…

Beach Portraits Charleston Beach Photographer Charleston Beach Portraits Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Chris & Cami Photography Kiawah Beach Portraits Kiawah Children Photographer Kiawah Family Photographer Kiawah Island Ocean Course Kiawah Island Photographer Kiawah Photographer Nikkor Nikon The Ocean Course Z9

Sophia’s Senior Portraits

I had a lovely conversation with Sophia’s mom, who was looking for some fun family photos, as well as senior portratis of her oldest daughter before she headed off to college. We decided to meet at Waterfront Park downtown, exploring the surrounding French Quarter and nearby Rainbow Row. The previous day’s rain had cooled things off nicely. So we ended up with a PERFECT day!!!

Sophia was absolutely stunning! Plus she was on the cheer team. So she was adventurous enough to handle all kinds of fun poses with ease. My favorite is the one from the drone, with her laying down on the cobblestone surface of Middle Atlantic Wharf. Her three sisters were a ton of fun as well. And I could tell Jen and Nick were incredibly proud of all their girls!

CONGRATULATIONS Sophia!!! We wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter in your life…

Charleston Children Photographer Charleston Family Photographer Charleston Portrait Photographer Charleston Senior Photographer Chris & Cami Photography Cobblestone Street DJI Mini 3 Pro Mt. Pleasant Children Photographer Mt. Pleasant Couples Photographer Mt. Pleasant Family Photographer Mt. Pleasant Portrait Photographer Nikkor Nikon Pineapple Fountain Rainbow Row Waterfront Park Z9

Grant’s Senior Portraits at The Citadel

A couple years ago, I had the pleasure of photographing Senior Portratis for Grant’s two older brothers. They were twins! And they also graduated from The Citadel. I felt incredibly honored that Grant’s parents were so pleased with his older brother’s portraits, that they remembered me and called to book me for Grant’s portraits too!

It was a beautiful afternoon for our shoot. Grant had a great sense of humor, was super friendly, but clearly had leadership and organizational traits as well. He had some excellent ideas of shots he wanted, which were meaningful to him. And we worked quickly to be able to squeeze in 3 outfits into what would have normally been a 1 outfit session!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Grant! Whatever military project you land on after graduation is going to be lucky to have you.