Colored Powder Photography

One of my good friends and artistic inspirations is Reid Strauss. She is an absolute visionary, always full of the coolest and most creative ideas!!!

A couple days ago we gathered her adorable daughters together (or did we drag them kicking and screaming…I can’t remember which?). In any event, they somehow got volunteered to be our victims as we headed out to Folly Beach for a super fun photo shoot!

Reid had ordered some organic biodegradable colored powder for us to play with.Ā  Made out of corn starch and natural dies, it was completely water soluble and wouldn’t harm the environment. When we started, the girls had no problem pelting each other with the fine grains…but when it was their turn, not so much! Just kidding!!!Ā  They were in fact quite enthusiastic and so much fun to work with, which I appreciated. Once they saw how cool the shots were coming out, the competition was ON!!!

It was an overcast gray day. But this was supposed to be all about COLOR!!!Ā  Gray just wouldn’t do. So I switched my Nikon D5 to tungsten white balance, which of course added an electric blue tone to the sky. Then I covered two of my Nikon SB-5000 Speedlights with orange CTO gels, which are thin colored filters for flashes.Ā  For protection, each flash was placed in a zip-loc bag. Using one flash as my main light, and the other as a rim light, I was able to give the skin tones a nice “sunset glow” to them, which contrasted beautifully with the electric blue sky.Ā  I used the compact and lightweight Nikkor 24-120 f4 VR lens so that I could keep my distance and move quickly. From that point on, it was just a matter of getting everyone’s timing down as they hurled fists full of colored powder at each other!!!

Many thanks to Reid, Sydney, Jacqueline, and Trinity for such a fun evening!!!

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The Firestone Family on Kiawah Island

If there was ever “the perfect” family portrait session, this was it! The lighting was perfect. The weather was perfect (cool and dry after a hot and rainy summer). And the family was perfect!!!

I couldn’t have asked for a nicer, kinder, “funer” (I can make words up, right?), and more beautiful family to work with! Ian and Kim have been vacationing on Kiawah for many years now. They love it down here. In fact, Ian even contemplated a job transfer to the lowcountry so they could live here!Ā  It hasn’t happened yet…but they still come down to visit every chance they get.

We met up at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island about an hour before sunset. The warm summer sun was just entering golden hour.Ā  A few clouds hung like jewels decorating the clear blue sky. And the air was cool and calm.

I had so much fun getting to know this beautiful family. Their two boys were simultaneously super sweet, yet full of pep and energy!Ā  We laughed and played games, and came away with so many wonderful memories. Many thanks to The Firestones for being such a pleasure to work with!!!

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Danielle & Mike’s Collage Recreation

Many moons ago I had the pleasure of photographing Danielle & Mike for a creative collage idea of theirs!

They had bought a new home and wanted some artwork depicting a low-country scene for a long empty wall. Being quite the creative genius that he is, Mike had suggested a series of 4 images, showcasing a panoramic marsh scene, but that included a photo of the two of them in one of the 4 images. I loved the idea and it turned out awesome!!!Ā  Check it out here:Ā Ā https://chrisandcami.com/mike-danielle-at-james-island-county-park/.

Fast forward to today and guess what? Mike and Danielle decided it was time to update their wall to include their beautiful 6 year old daughter! šŸ™‚Ā  Deciding to change it up a little, we chose a twilight beach scene this time. We had a fabulous time together on Folly Beach last night. And the new collage recreation turned out fantastic…

 

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The Hamrick Boys on Isle of Palms

It’s been a few years now, but I remember photographing the Hamrick boys like it was yesterday! In fact one of their shots graces our website: https://chrisandcami.com/gallery/families/. So we did a fun “recreation” of the original shot. Can you tell which one it is?Ā  šŸ™‚

The boys were so much fun back then…and are still a hoot today!!! In spite of the whipping wind and overcast skies, we decided to be adventurous and go for it. I’m so glad we did! The texture of the skies really ads a cool mystique to the photos.Ā  Plus we had the entire beach to ourselves!

It was so much fun catching up with Robin and her energetic entourage! I can’t wait to do it again in a few years!!!

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Russell Family at The Ocean Course

I did a little “rain dance” in my car on my way out to Kiawah Island last night. I was under a clearing in the sky. But all around me dark storm clouds threatened!

It must have worked because the rains held off just long enough for The Russell’s and I to squeeze in an AMAZING family portrait session at The Ocean Course! We may have had to dance around a few raindrops here and there. But the empty beach, the dramatic light, and the SPECTACULAR sunset was so worth it.

I had so much fun with the Russell Family! Their positive energy and adventurous spirit truly paid off. Lots of families would have walked away at the sight of those clouds. But they decided to go for it…and I’m so glad they did! We had an absolute BLAST and came away with some incredibly beautiful images to commemorate their time together this summer. šŸ™‚

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Wrede Family on Isle of Palms

I owe a HUGE “Thank You” to Patrick & Gina Maloney for their kindness in recommending us to their friends Doug & Chrissy!!!

While vacationing here on IOP, they wanted to do a fun beach session with their family. It was supposed to happen last night. But the CRAZY storms and lightning that covered our city had different intentions for our evening. So we pivoted to this morning and it turned out BEAUTIFUL!!! Last night’s rain had cooled things off a bit. And the cloud cover gave us a gorgeous soft palette of light to work with.

I had so much fun playing with Doug & Chrissy’s adorable kids. And we came away with some fabulous images to commemorate their time together!Ā  šŸ™‚

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Cripe Family on Kiawah Island

It rained all day…gray and dreary. But just before it was time to meet up with the Cripe Family for their family portrait session on Kiawah Island, the rain moved off and the skies cleared up!Ā  šŸ™‚

Now living in Indianapolis, James had done his residency in Charleston at the Medical University of South Carolina years ago. So when they decided to take a little vacation, they decided to try Charleston!Ā  The whole family had a great time relaxing on Kiawah Island, where little Caden absolutely fell in love with the ocean. We could hardly keep him out of it!

I had so much fun hanging our with this beautiful family, and capturing these fond memories of their time together. I think we’ll be seeing more of the Cripes in the future!!!

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Evans Family on Kiawah Island

Last year was the first year we had missed our annual “Evans Family Sunrise Shoot” on Kiawah Island for half a decade. It’s been so much fun watching their kids grow into young adults over the years! Having that gap last year made me realize how quickly they grow. I could hardly believe how big Quinn had gotten!!!

In the wee predawn hours, a pocket of rain rolled up the coast. But luckily the storm moved on just in time for us to enjoy a really peaceful morning! Temperatures were mild, having been cooled off by the rain. And there was a quiet calmness on the beach I hadn’t experienced in a while…almost no wind at all!

As usual, Geraldine had everyone dressed in coordinating outfits, all lined up and ready to go on schedule! From blue-hour till breakfast, we had so much fun clowning around and capturing fun images of their amazing family.Ā  It was wonderful to experience another sunrise together!

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Huntington Family at Ocean Park

The Huntington family is growing!!! Last year I got to photograph their family portraits when they were only three. Mason is a super happy bundle of energy. And this year they added sweet adorable little Emma! šŸ™‚

I had so much fun catching up with them and photographing some updated family portraits together. We met at the picturesque Ocean Park near The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island. It was a beautiful morning with soft light, mild temperatures, and lots of wildlife activity all around us.

CONGRATULATIONS to Will & Rebecca on their new addition!!!

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Conaghan Family at The Ocean Course

Oddly enough, none of the Conaghan’s, nor myself, are big golf fans. With a family history from Scotland, you’d think that was kind of strange. But guess what! We all shared a passion for “The Beautiful Game” of soccer…or “true” football as it’s known overseas. šŸ™‚

Still, the famous Ocean Course was close to their summer vacation home on Kiawah Island. And it has one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the Charleston area! So we met there and had a FANTASTIC evening of fun and fellowship while photographing a variety of family portraits together!!!

Many thanks to the Conaghan Family for being such a kind and delightful group to work with.

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Sutton Family on Seabrook Island

I’d like to say a HUGE “Thank You” to my friend and amazing photographer, Michael Cyra, for recommending me to the Sutton Family! They were SO MUCH FUN to work with!!! šŸ™‚

From Arden, NC, The Suttons gathered the whole family together and decided to wrap up their year of celebrating 40 years together with a beach vacation. This was their first time at Seabrook Island…and I don’t think it will be their last…everyone seemed to be having a BLAST!

Originally, Rene’ had planned for the family shoot to be a big surprise. She was going to tell the kids they would just set up a camera on a tripod and take their own picture. Then I would come swooping in to save the day…HA! But her daughter started asking about hiring a professional to do it. So Rene’ had to let the cat out of the bag. šŸ˜‰

I arrived on a beautiful evening, the day after Hurricane Isaias had rolled through. Everyone was so organized, and dressed so perfectly for our beach shoot. All the kids were absolutely adorable. They couldn’t have been a nicer family to work with!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Rene’ and Kenny!!!

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Guin Family at The Sanctuary

I had so much fun photographing the Guin Family at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island again this year. They have easily become one of my favorite repeat-families to work with!!! Everyone’s enthusiasm, encouragement, and positive energy is so refreshing! šŸ™‚

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