Light Bending 411 Encore

I’ve been getting such WONDERFUL feedback from the Wireless Lighting Workshops I’ve been teaching.  THANK YOU to everyone that has participated and made it such a success.  I’ll be teaching my “Light Bending 411” course again on November 6th!  I’ve been asked by The Aroostook F-Stops, an extremely active photography club in northern Maine, to come do a full-day program for them.  The club’s fearless leader, Tom, has been so organized and fun to work with.  His wife is a fellow alumni from The American School of Kinshasa (TASOK)…so we’ll have lots of catching up to do!  Since Cami spent several summers in Maine and has many fond memories from this beautiful part of the country, we’ll be going up early and taking some much anticipated R&R.  We’ll fly into Portland and wind our way up to Aroostook, hiking and sightseeing in places like Acadia National Park, and staying in quaint B&B’s along the way.  I’m truly excited and look forward to sharing my enthusiasm with these wonderfully talented photographers in Maine!!!

Boone Hall Family Shoot

I met Holly while shooting assignments for her at the Charleston Regional Business Journal.  We’ve been friends ever since and I’ve had the pleasure of photographing her and Clint’s family for several years.  Originally it was just their 4-legged kids, now they have a beautiful 2-legged one too.  J  We met at the historic Boone Hall Plantation just down the road from their house.  The early morning light was just perfect and we had a great time roaming the grounds and stopping for different shots.  At one point, when I had everyone set, including 2-dogs and a 1-year old girl, this huge (think grayhound) bus slowly wanders down the famous Avenue of Oaks that was my backdrop…and proceeded to stop right behind us to let it’s FULL contents of elderly tourists out behind us!!!  How inconsiderate was that?  They could have just as easily pulled up 15 feet closer to the mansion and been out of our shot!  But that’s the fun of working in a public environment.  We rolled with the punches, moved on to a new spot, and came back to that one after everyone had dispersed. 

Folly Beach Family Portrait

Tasha & Joe took a little R&R last week and rented a place on Folly Beach.  They’re expecting TWINS!  J  So to celebrate, their growing family, they brought their “other” family member, Titan, out for a fun Family Portrait Session on the beach.

Robbin & Leighanne at Folly Beach

Yesterday Cami & I did a fun “Dual Photo Shoot” with our good friends Robbin & Leighanne of Robbin Knight Photography!  We went out to Folly Beach where we took turns photographing each other for our respective Christmas Card photos.  First Robbin & Leighanne would set Cami & I up with our golden retriever, Marley, and photograph us.  Then we’d do the same for their family.  It was a BLAST and we had a lot of fun trading who was shooting, who was watching “the kids”, and who was playing with the squeaky toy.  Afterwards we took the dogs, the kids, and our tired selves to a dog-friendly restaurant on the island and had a great time relaxing on the patio with the cool evening breeze and wonderful conversation.  Here’s a couple of my favorites of the Knight gang.  You’ll have to wait until Christmas to see ours!!!  J

Jessie & Phil at DeBordieu Colony

It was a peaceful, sunny drive to Pawley’s Island last weekend to photograph Jessie & Phil’s wedding.   I first met Jessie & Phil at Julie & Howie’s wedding last year where they were guests.  We hit it off right away partly because Jessie is the owner of Pawley Paws Grooming & Supplies and loves animals as much as Cami & I do.   

They met each other through Howie and mutual friends.  After dating for a while, Jessie took Phil with her on an annual trip to visit her friends in New Jersey.  They all knew she was serious about him when she did that.  But they had no idea Phil had plans of his own…he asked her to marry him that weekend!  J  As they say, the rest is history.  The amazing pair were married at the picturesque Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church.  And their reception was held at the gorgeous DeBordieu Colony Beach Club.  Blossoms Events provided the beautiful bouquets and floral arrangements.  Incredible Edibles created a fabulous wedding cake.  Cape Fear Photo Booth company brought lots of fun entertainment.  And the Triple Lindy Band, one of my favorite for sure, filled the air with foot-stompin’ tunes all night long!  After watching their Music Video at www.chrisandcami.com/blog, head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of their Online Gallery. 

CONGRATULATIONS Jessie & Phil!  You guys inspire me to be a better person and a better husband.  YOU ROCK!


Jim & Re’s Family

Jim & Re befriended us back when we all attended Ashley River Baptist together.  Jim and I are big geeks, so we have lots in common.  Re is quite the artist and a big photo buff.  Plus we have several mutual friends in common…like the amazing Nathan Bell, and wonderfully talented James Riley.  A few days ago we did a little walk-about at Waterfront Park and I photograph some shots of their handsome son and beautiful daughter.  We had an AWESOME time catching up and creating images of their kids. J

 

Folly Beach Maternity Portrait

Faith & Michael Bessinger (yup, of the famous BBQ restaurant in town), are friends from our old Sunday School class at Ashley River Baptist.  When they called to let me know they were expecting their third and wanted to do a Maternity Family Shoot on the beach with me, I was THRILLED!  Here are some of my fav’s.  J

 

Low Country Golden Retriever Rescue

Everyone meet Daisy!  J  Kate from the Low Country Golden Retriever Rescue brought Daisy over to “play” with us at the studio today.  She’s a real sweetheart, calm, behaved, and SUPER loving!  As you know, we got our beautiful Marly from the LCGRR program and highly recommend them if you’re ready to adopt.  And we couldn’t think of a more deserving dog than Daisy!!!  Head over to their website and check out her bio… 

Low Country Retriever Rescue

“Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot little puppies.”
                                                       – Gene Hill

 

Cami & I are animal lovers.  She volunteers with the Charleston Animal Society.  Plus we recently started donating our services to the Low Country Retriever Rescue organization by photographing Goldens that are looking for a new home.  This is Mimi.  She’s been abused, shot at, and found wandering the highways all alone.  But you would not believe what a sweetheart she is…not a mean bone in her body even after all that!  We adopted our beautiful Marley from the LCRR and encourage you to do the same.  (Check out his picture at https://chrisandcami.com/blog/2009/08/28/introducing-marley-2/.)

Jessica & Tevin’s Folly Beach Engagement Shoot

I met Jessica & Tevin at the beautiful cove by the historic Morris Island Lighthouse on Folly Beach the other to photograph their Engagement Session.  It was looking a little dicy with the weather.  But between my enthusiasm and their energy, we decided to go for it!  About half way out I bumped into my good friends and fellow photographers, Jennifer Bearden, and Tammy & Kevin Bevins, both heading back in from their family sessions.  Jennifer even gave me a hard time about the plastic ziploc baggies I had covered my remote flashes with in case they got wet!  But I knew that days like these often yield magical bursts of dramatic light before the sun bids fairwell for the night.  WOW did we get one of those bursts!!!  ABSOLUTELY awesome skies for an absolutely wonderful couple.  In fact we had so much fun towards the end that I can’t even show you some of the steamier shots from the end of the shoot…J

Cancelled Family Shoot turns into Fine Art

Friday night I met a really great family for a beach shoot we’d planned at Folly.  Unfortunately, weather didn’t cooperate and we had to reschedule.  That’s the FIRST TIME that’s happened to me in like six months or more!  L  As I was starting my drive home I saw a scene that just stopped me in my tracks.  Braving the crazy winds, drizzly rain, and distant lightning, I ran out and grabbed a couple timed exposure of a rarely deserted beach. 

 

Shelby & Jim at the I’On Creek Club

Last weekend, Jim & Shelby hosted one big CRAZY PARTY at the I’On Creek Club!!!  Oh, and they also got married.  J  The amazing Stacey at Red Letter Events coordinated everything.  Fred & Rob filled the air with soulfull sounds during the ceremony.  DJ Rob Duren rocked the house at the reception.  Granvilles Catering served the masses in style.  Paula from Buy The Bunch infused a gorgeous pallete of color.  And Ashley Bakery created a work of art for desert.  Check out the fun Music Video of Jim & Shelby’s day at www.chrisandcami.com/blog.  Then head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of the “evidence” of their beautiful event.