Flash Freeze

I created this image at Erin & Jason’s wedding last week. Everyone was marveling at how dramatic the moon was that night. It didn’t take much prodding to get Erin & Jason to join me for a daring adventure to capture that drama in an image of them! šŸ™‚

Working with a minimalist amount of gear, I had my two Nikon D3’s, each fitted with a Nikon SB-900, plus one remote SB-800 on a Bogen 3333 stand I had used earlier for group photos.
I set the SB-800 off on camera right, zoomed to 70mm to concentrate the beam of light on them. I took the SB-900 off one camera and flipped it to remote mode (I LOVE how quickly you can switch modes on the 900 vs. the 800). This one was placed behind the couple for a rim light. I positioned Erin & Jason so that the street light in the distance was behind her veil. And there’s some landscape lighting on the famous Pineapple Fountain I liked.
To pick up the ambient light of the moon, street lamp, and landscape lighting, I used ISO 1600, f2.8. Even so, I was at 1/30th of a second. I was using the D3 with the 70-200. I had no tripod with me. So you’re probably thinking at that slow a shutter speed, this image is going to be blurry, right? Well, by carefully placing Erin & Jason so that all the ambient light was behind them, the couple was pretty much pitch black at this point. The only light hitting them from the camera side was the off-camera SB-800. This is VERY IMPORTANT! By doing this, I am essentially using the high-speed burst of light from the strobe to FREEZE them in place. At this point, the shutter speed of the camera is only affecting the ambient light, it has nothing to do with the exposure of the main subject. So even hand-holding that long lens at such a slow shutter speed, Erin & Jason are as sharp as a tack!
And that’s how you use Flash Freeze to save your behind when you don’t have a tripod with you! šŸ™‚

Erin & Jason at Harbor Club

Erin & Jason are friends of ours from St. Andrew’s Family Fitness Center where we work out. So it was extra special for me to be able to celebrate their wedding day with them AND capture all the joy of their Big Day!

It started at the Harborview Hotel with preparation photos of Erin, followed by their “First Glance” on the grand staircase. After that we spent some time in and around Waterfront Park creating some beautiful images. It was a gorgeous day, Jason was looking SHARP, and of course Erin was STUNNING in her wedding gown! We circled back around, ending up at the Harbor Club, where the wedding took place on the Pavilion as the sun was setting over the cityscape.

Later we noticed how dramatic the moon was that night. Erin & Josh were so adventurous and gladly slipped out with me to create an amazing image of them beside the Pineapple Fountain with the moon overhead! Click Here to check out the rest of their images. CONGRATULATIONS Erin & Jason!!!

Robin & Leif

Here’s a few of my favorites from Robin & Leif’s fun family session. They have the most ADORABLE kids, don’t they?!? It was a little stormy that day. But they decided to take a chance and were WELL rewarded. This is PROOF that days you don’t “think” will be good for portraits are often the BEST days for portraits. The drama of that sky just ads so much dimension to the images! šŸ™‚

Corporate Head Shots

I had a fun shoot for the folks at the David Gilston Insurance Agency the other day. This was my second time out to their office. I know, it looks like this was photographed in some expensive studio somewhere. But we have an AMAZING portable studio setup we take on location to provide studio-quality portraits to our corporate clients IN THEIR OFFICE! They love it because there’s no “down time” for their employees. Instead of each employee trucking over to our studio and wasting an hour of their time, we set everything up there and they simply walk down the hall when it’s their turn. It’s so cool because while I’m shooting, the images are wirelessly flying over to my laptop. So each person can review their images to make sure they’re happy with the results before going back to their desk!

If you work in an office environment, or know of any companies that would benefit by having professional, executive-style head-shots, please let me know. We are accepting new corporate clients!

Nicole & J.B. at Legend Oaks

I had the pleasure of being a part of something really special last weekend! Nicole & JB were referrals to us from Brittany & Mitch, two of my FAVORITE clients in the whole world! And I’m sure Nicole & JB will become the same. šŸ™‚

They are both so fun and full of energy. Nicole was absolutely beautiful on her wedding day. She had this radiant smile that is either indicative of a wonderful day at the salon…or true love! (I don’t think she spent the day at the salon…HA!) JB is such a great guy. We had an absolute BLAST together. Though he’s been in the US many year, he’s originally from France. And since I’d grown up in the Congo, where once upon a time I was pretty fluent in French…I had a great time slipping into his mother tongue every now and then.

Their ceremony was held at the scenic Legend Oaks Golf Club. And we all went to historic Middleton Place for pictures before heading to her parent’s fantastic spread for the reception. Though his family couldn’t make the journey, his Host Parents were absolutely wonderful…as were Nicole’s parents and brothers. I specifically selected the song for their slideshow to lend a European flare to their images. So enjoy the show! Then head over to http://www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/ to see the rest of their pictures. Alors, FELICITATION Nicole & J.B. !!!

Our Hearts are Sad

Abby & Dan were married at Alhambra Hall on July 28th, 2007. I remember their wedding like it was YESTERDAY! They were such a beautiful couple with so much joy in their hearts and a real connection with each other. I recently received the sad news that Abby just lost her battle with cancer. You can read her story here: www.mylifeline.org/abbadoo. Cami & I were shocked when we heard the news. Our hearts and prayers go out to Dan and her family during this difficult time.

It was an honor to have been a part of this special day in Abby’s life many years ago. Her passing is a powerful reminder to me that what I do is not just a job. Creating beautiful images that tell the story of special people, bonds of love, and the gift that is LIFE is something that I am humbled to be a part of!!!

Mandy & Jerry at St. Luke’s Chapel

Mandy & Jerry tied the knot last weekend! They are from the DC area, but Mandy went to CofC and Jerry lived in Goose Creek for a year during his Navy days. They both LOVE Charleston, so what better place to get married, right?

As always, Amanda of Southern Chic Weddings did a fantastic job of keeping everyone organized throughout the day. šŸ™‚ I first caught up with Mandy and the girls at the gorgeous Charleston Place Hotel for some preparation and pre–ceramony photos. Then I headed over to St. Luke’s Chapel to meet up with the guys and do photos in the beautiful courtyard over there. After the ceremony we zipped over to Waterfront Park for some really fun shots of the wedding party before ending up at the Old Exchange Building for the reception. Click Here to see the rest of the photos!

I had a FANTASTIC time with everyone! Mandy & Jerry couldn’t keep their eyes off each other, which I love! What an honor for me to be a part of their special day. CONGRATULATIONS you guys!!!



Mandy & Jerry’s Day-After Shoot

On Sunday afternoon, the day after their wedding, Mandy & Jerry met me for a “walk-about” session in downtown Charleston. I always enjoy these Day-After shoots because all the pressure is off the couple and they can truly relax and be themselves. Plus they aren’t inhibited by time or location. Clients often tell me their FAVORITE wedding photos are from their Day-After shoot! Shortly after our session Mandy & Jerry jetted off to their honeymoon…WOOHOO!!!

Katelyn & Seth

I SO enjoyed getting to know Katelyn & Seth and working with them throughout their wedding planning process. (Many thanks to the beautiful Rachel Clark for recommending us!) They are both really creative individuals! Katelyn even had a hand in designing her beautiful and unique wedding gown with Lula Kate’s, which I LOVED! And Seth, with his mad graphic design skills, personalized the cover of their Photo Guest Book, containing their favorite images from the Engagement & Bridal Shoots I had photographed earlier.

They were married at John Wesley United Methodist by the fun-loving Rev. Gary Phillips. And their reception was at the Elks Lodge in West Ashley with Sinclair, The Music Maker, keeping things hopin‘. Their friends and family were so much fun and the PACKED house of guests really let their hair down and had a great time. Click Here to see the rest of their photos!!!

Katelyn & Seth, it truly was an HONOR to be a part of your special day. Growing up as neighbors and sweethearts has given you a very special bond. Cherish that gift!

Apryl & Ben’s e-Session

Apryl & Ben have a couple months before their Big Day gets here. We tried twice before to do their Charleston Engagement Session…but both got rained out. Well…third time’s a charm!!! I had a GORGEOUS day, good spirits, and a couple that is SO CUTE and VERY MUCH in love! ;-)We started out at The Battery in downtown Charleston, walking up the rustic cobble stone section of Church St. Ben actually proposed to Apryl on this street! Then we zipped over to Folly Beach after a quick outfit change to catch the dramatic setting sun. We had a lot of fun. So I just know their wedding is going to be AMAZING…

Folly Beach Day-After Shoot

Kate & Dustin were married back in April. They wanted to do one of our popular “Day After” shoots, but it just didn’t work out back then. So…no big deal…we just did it three months later! šŸ™‚ They are SUCH a great couple and so easy to work with. You could tell they were every bit as much in love as the day they got married!!! I love that last image…really demonstrates how strong their bond is in spite of the turmoil that is our world around them.