Samantha & Todd’s Arkensas Wedding

It was an absolute pleasure to photograph Todd & Samantha’s wedding in Eureka Springs, Arkansas!
We met Samantha when she was brave enough to go on a mission trip with us to Tanzania, back in 2011. She had never met any of us. But she bravely jumped on a plane from Fayetteville and met up with us for the overnight flight to Africa. We fell in love with her the instant we met her! She is full of spice and everything nice. A lifelong friendship was born that trip!!!
Samantha later met Todd while she was in vet school. She brought him to Charleston for a visit, and we fell in love with him as well! Todd is a true gentleman, a good and kind human being, and absolutely perfect for Samantha. Thus it was a great honor for us to be invited to capture all the beautiful moments of their special day!
Even though their original plans were thwarted by the pandemic, Samantha and Todd were finally able to have their wedding celebration at the Blue Springs Heritage Center in Eureka Springs like they had originally dreamed of doing. Their reception was held at the famous Crescent Hotel.
Samantha and Todd are such a beautiful couple and we couldn’t be happier for them! We wish you both all the happiness in the world as you begin this new journey together!!!

 

 

 

 

Jillian & Jard’s California Wedding

It was such a privilege to be a part of Jillian and Jard’s beautiful wedding celebration in Anaheim, CA!!!

When they got engaged a couple years ago, their amazing Aunt Nancy asked me to be their photographer as her gift to them. Nancy and Jillian’s mom, Margie, grew up in the Congo and went to TASOK, as did my brothers and I. Being in a foreign country together, the bond between missionary families is strong! So much so, that we referred to our friend’s parents as “Aunt” and “Uncle”, even when there was no real relation. And that bond of being missionary kids together stays on long after leaving the country our parents served in. This is one of my favorite parts of being a “Third Culture Kid”! So it was with great honor that I gladly accepted the opportunity to photograph this joyful occasion for their family!!!

The wedding was originally planned for last year. But as we all know, last year came to a screeching halt! Jillian and Jard were still able to become man and wife on their original wedding date, albeit in a very small intimate ceremony. But fortunately, the venue, and all their vendors, were still available for June 13th of 2021, which was EXACTLY 1 year from their original date. So their wedding celebration was also their 1-year Anniversary!!! How cool is that?!?

It was such a pleasure to catch up with the Allans, the Chapmans, the Sharps, and others of the “Congo Community” at Jillian and Jard’s amazing wedding! And it was such an honor to be there for this AMAZING couple to capture this special time in their lives! CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together…

Hannah & Tyler’s Oregon Wedding

A couple years ago, I had the great privilege of photographing Dan & Linda’s oldest son’s wedding. Last week, it was an absolute honor to photograph their youngest son’s wedding!

When the big day finally arrived, it was absolutely gorgeous. And Hannah was simply stunning in her wedding gown! Because she and Tyler love hiking and exploring the great outdoors, we had arranged for the wedding party photos to be done at Smith Rock State Park. What a dramatic way to start their day!

Hannah & Tyler’s amazing wedding was held at Dee Bar Ranch in Powell Butte, just outside Bend, OR. Family and friends had gathered from far and wide to help these two celebrate their marriage vows with a heartfelt ceremony in the great outdoors, which they love so much. Even Hannah’s brother, who was in the middle of hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail, took a break and rented a car to drive all the way home for the event!

CONGRATULATIONS Hannah & Tyler!!! You two are so perfect for each other! It was such a pleasure being a part of your special day and capturing all these beautiful memories for you. Cami and I wish you both all the happiness in the world as you begin this new journey together!!!


Moffett & Kevin’s Wedding at The Gaillard

Last weekend I had the pleasure of helping my friend and amazing photographer, Josie Strong, cover Moffett & Kevin’s wedding at The Gaillard Auditorium. Check out Josie’s beautiful work at www.josiestrong.com!

Moffett & Kevin actually had TWO wedding services. They had a Sikh wedding, followed by an Indian style cocktail hour. Then they had a Catholic wedding, followed by a traditional wedding reception.

It was a long day.  But Josie and I had so much fun working together,  getting to know this beautiful couple, and capturing their amazing day!

Jeremy & Kyle’s Folly Beach Wedding

We’ve known Kyle from back when we were neighbors down the street from his amazing parents, Cathy & Gary. Some of our fondest memories include dinners out with their family, handing out candy together on Halloween, and sitting on their porch late into the evening on lazy summer days.  We are honored to call Cathy & Gary our friends!

When Kyle told us he and Jeremy had gotten engaged, we were SO EXCITED for them! Their relationship has blossomed and matured over the last few years. They are such a great couple. And we love seeing how incredibly happy they are together! 🙂

Although their big wedding plans got curtailed due to the pandemic, they just couldn’t wait to get married! They are saving the “BIG PARTY” for next year when things get back to normal. But last weekend they shifted their ceremony to an intimate beach-house venue on Folly Beach. While their closest family and friends gathered around them in love and support, they exchanged their vows on a gorgeous fall afternoon. With bare feet and bow-ties, touching hand-written vows, tears of joy, and the Atlantic ocean as the backdrop, it truly was a beautiful ceremony!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Jeremy & Kyle! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together…

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Heather & Rick’s Folly Beach Wedding

What a joy it was to witness the outpouring of love at Heather & Rick’s wedding last weekend!!!

Heather & Rick had originally planned for a big wedding in Virginia with all their family and friends gathered around them. Unfortunately with the pandemic still a threat, they felt it was important to cancel those plans. Instead they decided to get married in an intimate service in front of an adorable beach house they had rented on Folly Beach. 🙂

The weather that morning wasn’t looking good. But minutes after I had arrived, the rain broke and we seized the opportunity at hand. Heather & Rick must be living right, because the skies stayed dry JUST long enough for us to have the ceremony and capture some beautiful beach photos of this amazing couple!

CONGRATULATIONS Heather & Rick! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together…

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Hanna & Kenny’s Wedding – The Lake House at Bulow

I had the pleasure of photographing Kenny’s brother’s wedding when Kevin and Melissa were married. Hard to believe it’s been 10 years ago now! So you can imagine my excitement when Hanna & Kenny asked me to be a part of their special day too!!!

With the current climate surrounding this pandemic, they weren’t able to have the larger event they had initially planned. But Hanna & Kenny stayed flexible, and stayed focused on the true meaning behind a wedding…their families, their commitment, and their love for one another! Re-focusing their energy into a more intimate event, this amazing couple came up with an absolutely delightful celebration! And the best part is, they are still planning to host all their friends and family for a big reception next year at a special “vow renewal”!!!

Everything was held at The Lake House at Bulow, formerly known as Bulow Plantation. It’s a wonderfully rustic venue on a quiet lake, surrounded by woods and wildlife, with an enchanting island in the middle all covered in tall pine trees. The ceremony was held on the deck, with fun family photos to follow. Then Hanna & Kenny took off with me for a fun little photo shoot around the property while cocktails were served. A relaxing dinner on the spacious lawn rounded out the evening.

Hanna was absolutely stunning in her gorgeous gown. She always has a radiant smile and a bubbly southern charm. I love how she always says “please and thank you” to everyone she meets. 🙂 Kenny was quite dashing in his tux. He’s the strong silent type, but with a dry sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye. These two are absolutely perfect for each other…true soul mates indeed!

Today is our anniversary…Cami and I were married just 25 years ago today! And so I want to share with you both a very special wish…that your lives are as filled with love, laughter, and happiness as mine has been since marrying my best friend all those years ago. CONGRATULATIONS Hanna & Kenny!!!

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Kati & Brett in Beaufort, SC

Returning to the “scene of the crime” was so much fun!

While serving his country, stationed in Beaufort, Brett proposed to Kati near one of the park swings downtown at Waterfront Park. Although they now live in Ohio, they thought it would be so much fun to have their Engagement Photos made in the same park where they got engaged! 🙂

Cami and I met up with Kati, Brett, and their adorable girl, Leah, near the old historic district.  Kati looked so cool in her cowboy boots.  And Brett even got his hair cut for the big occasion…HA! We had so much fun walking around this charming southern town, capturing fun images of them as we went. We lived listening to them relive their time in Beaufort, and having them show us the spot where they got engaged. The icing on the cake happened when the skies opened up for a brilliant and dramatic sunset over the harbor!

CONGRATULATIONS Kati & Brett! We are so excited for you two, and can’t wait to be there for your wedding next year!!!

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Brittny & Chuck at Folly Beach Pier

With just over a year to go until their wedding, I met up with Brittny & Chuck this morning for some sunrise engagement photos at the Folly Beach Pier!
 
We didn’t get to see the sunrise. But it turned out to be a REALLY cool morning with a deserted beach, a thick fog, and an eerie silence all about. It was almost like the beach was totally reserved for us!
 
Brittny & Chuck were absolutely ADORABLE!!! In spite of getting up at 3:00 AM, they were full of energy, laughing and flirting with each other throughout the shoot. We had so much fun together. And I can’t WAIT to capture all the beautiful moments of their wedding day!  🙂

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Aerial Drone Shoot for Docent Prodigy

I always love working and collaborating with my friends!

Earlier this week, Jason at Docent Prodigy, asked me to join him on a photo shoot for one of his clients in the solar power sector. We drove up to Orangeburg and had an AMAZING time working together. Jason photographed head-shots and team photos for the company.  (I grabbed a behind-the-scenes drone-shot of him in action when I brought the aircraft in to swap out batteries.) Meanwhile, I captured aerial photos and video footage for Jason to use in creating a promotional video for his client. It was an incredible spectacle to witness all those thousands of solar panels! Jason and I commented on the way home how lucky we are to have such cool opportunities in our line of work!

Many thanks to Jason for letting me be his wing-man.  🙂

If you need an amazing photographer, videographer, or video editor, I highly recommend Jason at http://docentprodigy.com/.  And if you’re a photographer in need of an FAA Certified drone-pilot to add an extra dimension to what you’re offering your clients, I’d love to work with you!

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Laura & Terrell at Azalea Drive Church of Christ

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a dark cloud over many couple’s wedding plans. But Laura & Terrell stayed positive and came up with creative ways to still become husband and wife on their selected wedding day!

Instead of the big wedding and reception with 150 guests they had planned, Laura & Terrell were married in a beautiful, intimate ceremony with just a few special family members and friends, where pastor Brown at Azalea Drive Church of Christ led a touching service.   Laura & Terrell also created a live Zoom meeting for other guests to still be able to bear witness to this wonderful celebration. And of course they still had me photograph it so that they could have their special memories of this day, and put together a fun slideshow to share at their reception whenever they are able to have it once social-distancing regulations are relaxed.

After the ceremony, a few of us drove downtown to photograph some beautiful portraits of Laura & Terrell in Waterfront Park and the surrounding old historic French Quarter. We had so much fun! And the best part was, the nearly empty park and city streets gave us plenty of freedom to be creative without fighting mobs of tourists. See…no matter how bad things get, there’s always a silver lining if you look for it!  🙂

To see the rest of their photos, visit: https://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/lauraandterrell

CONGRATULATIONS Laura & Terrell! What an incredible story you’ll have to tell your grand-kids someday. We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your amazing new journey together!!!

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Alexx & Joseph at Wesley United Methodist Church

CONGRATULATIONS to Alexx & Joseph!!! They may have to hold off until the fall to have their big reception. But instead of cancelling their wedding, this beautiful couple decided not to let the corona-virus keep them from becoming husband and wife!  🙂

It was such a pleasure being there to capture Alexx & Joseph’s vows for them. They are such an adorable couple!  The only people present were the 5 family members and myself. I took all the proper precautions to maintain social distancing and practice safe hygiene. So there was no chance of spreading the virus. Yet we could all be there to celebrate with them as they enjoyed their special day, joining together in holy matrimony.

After the ceremony, Alexx’s dad (who owns Midway Tours Limousine Service) drove them to several picturesque spots near the church for some photos. It was a gorgeous day out. Joseph was looking sharp with his sweet-grass rose for a boutonniere. And Alexx was absolutely stunning in her Cinderella-style wedding gown!

Alexx & Joseph, we wish you all the best for a wonderful life ahead as you begin your new journey together!!!

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