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. 

 



Isle of Palms Family Beach Portrait

The Blalocks are spread out all over the country…Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania.  So it was very special for them to be able to come together for a family vacation here in the Charleston area.  I was honored that they contacted us about photographing their family portrait on the beach across from the house they had rented on IOP.  We laughed, got wet, and had a great time creating some fun memories.  J

Mollie & Vincent’s Wadmallaw Island E-Session

A couple days ago I met with Mollie & Vincent, who were in town on break from Furman University, to see if we’d be the right fit for them to photograph their wedding.  Not only are they the coolest couple on the planet, but we hit it off so well that they decided they wanted me to go shoot their Engagement Portraits right away!  So we zipped over to Mollie’s parent’s house, where they got changed.  The property is this beautiful red barn-style house on the marsh way out on Wadmallaw Island.  With the sun setting and sifting through the trees, the creek running through the marsh, the boardwalk, and that peaceful night sky…I was in heaven.  We got some AMAZING photos and had a blast traipsing all around her parent’s property.  We probably didn’t even get to HALF of it!  But Mollie could tell I was loving the place, discovering all kinds of neat spots to shoot in.  So she said she might let me do her Bridal Portraits out there too…WOOHOO!  J  I’m SO EXCITED for Mollie & Vincent!  I hope you guys have fun back at Furman…and we’ll see you guys next time you’re in town!!!

 

Surprise Sunrise Proposal on Kiawah Island

Just before I left for Romania I got a call from Corbin, who was secretly planning to propose to his girlfriend.  They are from Augusta, but were moving to Charleston that weekend.  He’d already convinced her that they should make their first morning in town a special one by watching the sunrise together and going to breakfast afterwards.  He even bought her a special beach dress to wear and made arrangements with The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island.  He’d seen my pictures of  Allison & Damon’s Proposal (https://chrisandcami.com/blog/2010/07/07/allison-says-yes-to-damon-on-kiawah-island/) and really wanted me to be there to capture theirs. 

Well, 5:00 A.M. came awfully early as I dragged myself out of bed to drive out to Kiawah.  But to experience such a beautiful moment between two people in love, within the stillness and calm of a deserted beach before dawn, and accentuated with the glorious rising of the sun…well, I have chills just writing about it.  Needless to say, the comfort of my bed didn’t hold a stick to the gravity of such a moment!  I felt truly blessed to be there.

After shooting his proposal incognito, Corbin brought Sarah over to meet me.  We laughed and I shared some of the pictures from the back of the camera with them.  Then as the sun rose into place, I shot a few “true” Engagement Portraits for them.  We had such a great time together.  Corbin & Sarah were so much fun to work with…even letting me talk them into getting a little wet.  J  CONGRATULATIONS to you both!

High-Key Headshots

Earlier this week I got to work with some of my favorite corporate clients at Colliers Keenan.  They’re doing some re-branding and decided to make all new headshots using a high-key white background.  I lit them with a single giant softbox and placed a reflector on the oposite side to open up the shadows.  The background was placed about 8 feet behind my subject and lit separately with an umbrella on each side.  I’ve found that when shooting high-key, it’s very important to light the background separately from the subject to really keep those whites clean and bright!