Amanda & Tim at Planters Inn

She’s an OT.  He’s a PT.  They work for the same company.  They have a chocolate lab.  They drove all night to get here from Ohio.  They are TOTALLY IN LOVE!!!  Amanda & Tim, along with their closest family and friends, came to Charleston for a beautiful, elegant, and intimate Destination Wedding one week ago today.  Their ceremony was held in the gorgeous courtyard at the historic Planters Inn.  The always amazing Christy Loftin directed and officiated the service.  While the one and only Nikolai Svishev provided acustical accompanyment on his magical 8-string guitar.  Laughter and lively conversation filled the room during Amanda & Tim’s Peninsula Grill reception.  The food was AMAZING!  Plus the center piece at each table was an original cake from Kaminski’s “most excellent” desserts…yummm!!!  Visit www.chrisandcami.com/blog to check out the Music Video of Amanda & Tim’s Big Day.  Then head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of their Online Gallery.  CONGRATULATIONS Amanda & Tim!

 “It has been said that we need just three things in life: Something to do, something to look forward to, and someone to love.”   – unknown 



Ashley & Sherrod at Trinity UMC

The hot, sticky, summer heat gave way to a gentle respite last weekend…just in time for Ashley & Sherrod’s Big Day!  J  I met up with Ashley at the historic Wentworth Mansion, where Sherrod had proposed to her in early November.  Fittingly, we had also photographed their Engagement Portraits in this picturesque B&B.  Sherrod met up with us there the two of them exchanged their First Glance before the mayhem of the wedding day began.  Then it was off to Trinity United Methodist Church, the oldest in South Carolina, where they were married in a beautiful service.  Their reception was held at the South Carolina Society Hall, a venue with great character that I always love working in! 

To see the fun slideshow of their day, visit www.chrisandcami.com/blog.  And to see the rest of their Online Gallery, head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com.  

CONGRATULATIONS Ashley & Sherrod!  May you forever stick to each other like glue…



Bethany & John at the I’On Creek Club

Last weekend, Bethany & John were married at the picturesque and peaceful I’On Creek Club in Mt. Pleasant.  They had the good luck of a little rain on their wedding day.  But it certainly didn’t dampen any spirits and cleared up in plenty of time for us to zip downtown for a fun photo shoot with the weddig party before the reception.  Bethany & John are from Ohio.  And they are major Dog Lovers.  So when we first started talking back in February, we had that much in common!  But then…Bethany told me how important getting great photos of her wedding day were to her…I was hooked!  J  We had a FANTASTIC time finding some really cool “Iconic Charleston” locations to get some great photos in.  Then it was back to the Creek Club for a really fun, laid back, northern style party!

Check out the fun Music Video of their day at www.chrisandcami.com/blog.  Then head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of their Online Gallery. 

CONGRATULATIONS Bethany & John!  We wish you all the best for a beautiful new journey together…

 

Jennifer & Robert’s Storybook

“All I can say is WOW!!!!! It looks amazing!!!! It is above and beyond what I had expected. We are extremely pleased with what you have done.”Cami & I finished designing another beautiful Storybook the other day for Jennifer & Robert.  This was Jennifer’s reaction.  J  I had such a wonderful time at their wedding.  Jennifer & Robert are just the coolest couple in the world!  Sometimes when we’re in the design stages, pages just seem to connect and the story of their day just flows together beautifully.  See more from their wedding at https://chrisandcami.com/blog/2010/05/05/jennifer-robert-at-the-unitarian-church/.  Here are a few pages from their book.

 

See the Difference

It’s not uncommon for Cami & I to hear of someone that’s decided to let their friend, uncle, or cousin photograph their wedding.  This might be due to budgetary concerns or that the friend or relative wants to break into the photography business and needs portfolio material.  While we totally understand these reasons, we encourage couples to consider all possible outcomes and be truly certain that this is what they want before making the final call. 

There are definitely some wonderfully talented friends and relatives out there.  Plus advancements in camera technology make it easier for part-timers to get descent shots on occasion.   Just know that there IS a difference in hiring a full-time professional to cover a once-in-a-lifetime event!  While both can certainly point and push a button.  Only a professionally trained full-time photographer is going to create a high percentage of visually stunning images every single time.   Put the most advanced camera in front of an untrained eye and you get cave drawings.  Put a point-n-shoot into a master’s hands and you end up with a Rembrandt!

We are long-time members of the Professional Photographers of America.  Check out this PPofA video featuring Jeff & Julia Woods.  Cami & I frequently attend lectures, do workshops, and train with high-end professionals from around the country like Jeff & Julia in order to hone our craft.   Simply having professional photography degrees isn’t enough.  We are constantly striving for perfection and pushing to fill our pool of knowledge to overflowing.

Here are the 10 Toughest Questions to ask your photographer:  http://www.ppa.com/findaphotographer/10_things.php

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. 

 



Laura & Kyle Do It on Folly Beach

After courting her for a while, Kyle proposed to Laura over Christmas last year.  Soon wedding plans were in full swing and through their fabulous wedding planner, Emmy at Peacock Events, I was the lucky photographer they picked to cover their special day!  J  Laura is a teacher…and you all KNOW how much I love and respect teachers!  Her and Kyle live in Greer, where they’ll be returning after their fabulous Jamaica Honeymoon.  Laura & Kyle rented a beautiful home on the marsh side of Folly beach where they could do their “I Do’s”.  As it turns out, it was the home of my good friend and fellow photographer, Charlie Thiel!!!  The late afternoon summer showers held off juuuust long enough for the ceremony and a few photos on the lawn.  And they didn’t dampen the fun atmosphere and crazy party that ensued!  I had a great time and LOVED being a part of Laura & Kyle’s beautiful wedding day.  To see their fun Music Video, head over to www.chrisandcami.com/blog and click on the first image.  To see their Engagement Portraits and the rest of their Wedding Photos, head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com.  CONGRATULATIONS to Laura & Kyle…may you have a LIFETIME OF DREAMS together!!! 



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!

Brittainy & Nate at St. Luke’s Chapel

I first met Brittainy & Nate last August.  They are friends of Whitney & Ryan, as well as Amy & Seth, both of whom I photographed their weddings.  So I owe a HUGE thank you to these guys for encouraging Brittainy & Nate to check out our website.  I’m so glad I got a chance to work with them and preserve all these beautiful moments of their special day!  I had SUCH a hard time narrowing down my favorites for the blog!!!  J

Brittainy & Nate were married at St. Luke’s Chapel…one of my favorite churches in town.  I love the dramatic wooden rafters and quaint courtyard.  Brittainy went to MUSC Pharmacy School, so the chapel, which is located on MUSC campus and is affiliated with the school, was a great choice.  Chaplain George Rossi, also of MUSC, did a beautiful job with their ceremony.  Afterwards, Brittainy & Nate made a stop down at Waterfront Park for some really cool portraits.  I LOVE IT when a couple appreciates what I do enough to give me just a few moments alone with them so that we can create something special together!!!  Afterwards we met everyone at Cottage on the Creek for a fun-filled evening reception.  One of my favorites is this last shot of them on the top deck at dusk with Shem Creek below and the dramatic sky behind them.   After watching their Music Video below, head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of their wedding photos, engagement portraits, and Brittainy’s beautiful bridal portraits.

Brittainy & Nate, CONGRATULATIONS!!!  You guys were AWESOME!  I had so much fun on your wedding day and wish you all the best for a beautiful new life together… 



Featured Wedding on The Wedding Row

I’m so excited!  The wonderful folks at The Wedding Row just emailed to let me know our photography of Tara & Will’s Wedding at the Daniel Island Club was just FEATURED on their popular wedding blog at:  http://theweddingrow.com/?p=3287&cpage=1#comment-582.  If you get a second, check it out and leave some luv…

Lisa & Clay’s Charleston Wedding at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church

I have had such an honor getting to know Lisa & Clay over the past year.  Their wedding last weekend will stay with me forever!  Lisa is a teacher here in Charleston.  Clay is a speech therapist.  So they both have a huge heart for helping kids.  They are both such genuine, sweet, and compassionate individuals…you couldn’t find a more adorable couple!  When I first met them, they’d been dating about a year.  Their friend Lizzie gets props for inviting Lisa to join St. Michael’s where they met.  And their friend Charlotte had the honor of introducing them.  Clay picked her ring out on his own (it’s GORGEOUS!) and totally surprised her by taking her up to the church bell-tower right at sunset and proposing to her.  I’m a hopeless romantic at heart…so stories like this really get me.  J

The wedding day was absolutely perfect.  My good friend and fellow photographer, Kellie McCann, joined me on the big day.  We met up with the girls at The Marriott where they were getting ready.  The ceremony was at the beautiful and historic St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.  Afterwards we did wedding party photos at White Point Gardens on The Battery.  And finally we ended back at The Marriott for a rockin’ reception.  Check out the music video with some of my favorite shots at www.chrisandcami.com/blog.  Then head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of their wedding gallery.

CONGRATULATIONS Lisa & Clay!  You guys are AWESOME!  May God bless you as you begin this new journey together…