The Citadel Foundation Holiday Gala

The Citadel Foundation knows how to party!!!

This year’s Holiday Gala was held inside the Johnson Hagood Memorial Stadium event hall. Everyone arrived all decked out in their finest Christmas sweaters and festive holiday outfits. Upon entering the double-glass doors, they were greeted with my portrait station. Everyone got into it and had so much fun capturing nice formal portraits in front of the Christmas scene that the staff had set up. After each portrait, we printed out a beautiful 5×7 and placed it in an elegant folder for them to take home as a party favor. Everyone also received digital copies that they could text, email, and share on social media.

Many thanks to Riviere and her team for organizing such an awesome event!!!

Christa’s 50th Birthday Bash at John Holiday Alumni Center

It was an absolute pleasure to photograph Christa’s 50th Birthday Bash at The Citadel’s John Holiday Alumni Center last weekend. I first met Christa at The Citadel Foundation event earlier this year. She was so much fun and such a joy to be around. When she reached out to ask if I would photograph her birthday party, I was so excited! It was such a fun evening and I’m so glad I got to be a part of it!!!

Fran’s 70th Birthday Party

It was such an honor capturing all the fun memories of Fran’s 70th Birthday Party this weekend! Kayla from Anderson Event Design did an amazing job planning every detail. Olivia from the Country Club of Charleston did a wonderful job with the food, drinks and decor. And the latin band from Miam absolutely crushed it!!!
 
Many thanks to my friend David Archer for the referral.
 
And Happy Birthday to Fran! You are a true gem!!!

Seamon Whiteside Christmas Party at Hibernian Hall

Seamon Whiteside is such a fun company to work with. They have a culture that exudes positive energy and enthusiasm. The management team really cares about it’s people. The friendships and work relationships within their staff are genuine and true. All this becomes self-evident at their Holiday Party each year!

This year’s gala was a fabulous Hawaii-themed event at the Hibernian Hall. Cindy from Eventfully Yours Charleston had completely decked the place out with palm trees and pineapples. And TruSol from East Coast Entertainment absolutely rocked the night away!

CONGRATULATIONS to all our friends at Seamon Whiteside for another successful year!!! Here’s looking forward to many more good times in 2023…

Charleston Trident Association of Realtors at The Dewberry

An historic event took place at the Installation Reception for The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors earlier this week. For the first time in the history of CTAR, an African American woman was voted in as president! It was a pleasure photographing this wonderful event at The Dewberry Hotel. Congratulations to Katesha Breland and all the other inductees!!!

The Righteous Gemstones Wrap Party

Cami and I had an absolute BLAST providing an interactive photo-activation in front of The Redeemer this weekend!!!

The Redeemer is the name of the monster truck featured in the popular HBO series, The Righteous Gemstones.  The show features John Goodman, Danny McBride, Adam DeVine, Cassidy Freeman, and many more colorful characters.  After completing filming for the season, the cast and crew gathered at the Firefly Distillery for a private “Wrap Party” to celebrate. The truck was placed on the lawn, where we set up lights, laptop, printer, and a fog machine. Throughout the evening, cast, crew, and guests would stop by and do photos in front if the setup, which we instantly printed and handed to them in an elegant black portfolio.

There were food trucks, drinks, dancing, and tons of other activities going on. But once people started seeing the photos we were producing, the line never stopped! The photos were a HUGE HIT…and we loved every minute of it!!!  🙂

Many thanks to Andrea and her team for making it all happen, and to my friend Matthew for the kind referral.

Amelia’s Graduation Celebration

Maybe it was that night we “slumber partied” on the living room floor at Byron & Kathleen‘s house when our plans to go camping fell through? Maybe it was that week of paddling canoes through the mosquito-infested Okefenokee Swamp together? Or maybe it’s that Africa-Connection that Kathleen and I share, having both been raised as MK’s in the Heart of Darkness? Regardless, The Whites and The Smiths have become more than just friends…they are family. And thus, Byron & Kathleen’s daughter, Amelia, has been like the daughter Cami and I never had!
 
So it was with great joy that we received an invitation to Amelia‘s Graduation Celebration at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC!!! This beautiful, loving, intelligent young lady graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies (minor in Business Administration), and already has a great job working in her field with a company based in Denver, CO.
 
Another neat part of the weekend was that Amelia’s person, Kellie, also graduated in the same class. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology (minors in Psychology and Anthropology). Amelia and Kellie have known each other their entire time at Winthrop. It’s been wonderful to watch their friendship grow and their relationship blossom!
 
Amelia is an AMAZING young lady! And we can’t wait to see what incredible opportunities lay ahead for her as she begins this new chapter in her life…

Trident Medical Center at the Francis Marion Hotel

Every year for the last I-can’t-remember-how long, I’ve had the honor of photographing this WONDERFUL holiday party for the Trident Medical Center!

Deborah and her team have created such a warm and festive atmosphere for this event. And they’ve fine-tuned every detail to make it a nun night of celebrating the holidays and celebrating the close of another amazing year of healthcare! Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention her partners at the Francis Marion Hotel, who always do an AMAZING job. Gillian and Ariana are just incredible people, making sure every detail is attended to.

CONGRATULATIONS to the entire staff at Trident Medical Center for another fantastic year!!!

American Board of Criminal Lawyers

Last evening couldn’t have been more beautiful! Fall has finally arrived in Charleston. We had a gorgeous sunny day, and a comfortably cool evening for the annual American Board of Criminal Lawyers event.

It’s always been a pleasure to photograph this event. And this year was no different! Everything was absolutely perfect…from the amazing band to the delicious food, from the creative decor to the friendly staff.

Many thanks to Andy & Cheryl’s Savage for their generosity in opening up their lovely home for this event, and for inviting me to be a part of it!!!

Charleston Trident Association of Realtors

As a full-time professional photographer event photographer in Charleston, I work in a LOT of different venues. Harborside East has a really interesting blend of a modern exterior with lots of glass and metal, and a rustic interior with its beautiful wood finish and eclectic chandeliers. Plus it as one of the best views of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, the Charleston Harbor, and the setting sun over the city skyline!

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing the annual Oyster Roast for the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. Congratulations to Ann Whalen, voted Charleston Realtor of the Year, and to David Grubbs, voted Charleston Commercial Realtor of the Year! Also, many thanks to Weeks & Irvine, South Carolina Federal Credit Union, and all the other great sponsors.

For more information on CTAR, visit http://www.charlestonrealtors.com/.

Wild at Wingswood Gala

Photographing the annual Wild at Wingswood gala for the Charleston Center for Birds of Prey is one of my most anticipated events of the year!

It’s a very unique fundraiser, where live raptors, owls, and other beautiful birds soar through the air, gliding silently over guests and attendees under the big tent!
The Avian Conservation Center and the Center for Birds of Prey are doing AMAZING things for our natural world. If you’ve never been, they are open to the public on most Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You’ve GOT to check this cool place out and see for yourself why nature lovers from all over the country speak so highly of this gem, located just a few miles outside of Charleston!

Check them out at http://www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/.

Pinckney 50th Wedding Anniversary

Photographing the Pinckney’s 50th Wedding Anniversary at The Gillaird was a true joy for me! As many weddings as I’ve photographed over my career, my wish is that EVERY ONE of those couples is able to one day celebrate the love they share the way Chris & Bea did this night!!! 🙂