ATI Acquisition

It was an honor being the official photographer for the acquisition and merger between ANSWER and ATI yesterday:

“Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER), a public service research institute organized as a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to informing decisions that shape the nation’s future, today announced it has acquired South Carolina-based Advanced Technology International (ATI), a not-for-profit company that organizes and manages Research & Development (R&D) consortia on behalf of the federal government. Through this acquisition, represented by the law firm of Holland & Knight, ANSER gains approximately 165 employees bringing its total headcount to 515 and revenue growth increases to $500 million per annum…http://finance.yahoo.com/news/anser-expands-national-footprint-advanced-170000788.html“

Kyra & Jake’s Engagement Session

Kyra & Jake met when she started working at an Outback Steakhouse about two weeks before he left for Navy Nuclear Power School. Luckily, he was smart enough to get her number before he left!!! 🙂

They’ve been together about 2 years now. But they still act like they just got together…young, vibrant, and full of love! You can just tell they are a match made in heaven.

I’ve known Kyra for a while now that she manages The Art Mecca of Charleston, a wonderful art gallery in downtown Charleston that sells some of our fine-art images. She’s beautiful, full of life, and a real go-getter! Although I’ve met Jake, we haven’t had the chance to hang out. It was so much fun getting to know him as we explored some cool, iconic areas of downtown Charleston.

Starting out at White Point Gardens, we strolled through the French Quarter. We then went deeper into the hear of the city for a few shots along the historic Chalmers Street. And finally we headed over to the new Dewberry Hotel. The Living Room at the Dewberry is Kyra & Jake’s new go-to hangout spot. We had so much fun, and the staff was fabulous…even bringing them some Champagne for a toast.

To see the full session, visit: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/kyraandjake.

It was such an honor spending the morning getting to know with these two AMAZING people! We had a BLAST, and captured some wonderful images to showcase this special time in their lives. CONGRATULATIONS Kyra & Jake!!!

1 Camera, 9 Flashes

Last night I had the oportunity to photograph the Charleston Legislative Group before their first meeting of 2017.

With limited time, a confined space, and heavy foot traffic through the area, I elected to use an all wireless setup. This was a simple bank of windows in the study area of the Lowcountry Graduate Center. The last thing I needed was students tripping over power chords as they hurried past me on the way to classes and meetings!

For a soft bank of main lights, I mounted 2 SB-800 flashes on a Manfrotto stand with a 60″ Westcott shoot-through umbrella to camera right, and the same to camera left. These were set as Group A. For a kicker or rim light, I mounted a bare SB-800 on a tall Manfrotto stand and set it up high in the left corner, aimed back towards the group’s heads. The same setup was repeated on the back right corner. These were set to Group B. To add a little color to an otherwise drab background, I placed blue gels on 3 SB-800 flashes, and mounting them to one of my triple-threat brackets, atop another Manfrotto light. These were set as Group C and placed outside the building, aiming back at the blinds from behind. All stands were sand-bagged with BoaBags for safety.

The image was shot on a Nikon D4 on a Manfrotto tripod, tethered to a Lenovo Yoga laptop. All flashes were triggered by an SB-5000 on the camera, via RadioPopper Px radio transmitters. The final shot was cropped for 16×20 output, with space for graphics left at the top of the frame.

Lacey & Paul’s Secret Proposal

Paul is the epitome of a true gentleman!

Evidence of that is the care and attention to detail he put into a beautiful weekend for his future bride. I was honored to be a part of his plans to propose to the adorable Lacey! We emailed ideas back and forth, figured out the perfect timing, and talked on the phone to fine tune each and every step.

This past weekend, Paul led Lacey into a private courtyard at the historic Mills House in downtown Charleston. With all the staff “in” on the secret, everything went off without a hitch…even when Lacey almost derailed it by asking one of the bell hops to take a selfie with her phone. 😉  Somehow, Paul got things back on track and in a touching moment, asked Lacey to be his wife!!! Celebrating with champagne, a private serenade, and a candlelight dinner, I left the two love birds to enjoy their evening.

The following morning we met up for a fantastic walk-about through our picturesque city streets. Lacey took over the engagement session with her gorgeous smile, bubbly personality, and creative eye. Paul was proud as could be, and happily put up with all our crazy ideas and fun poses!  To see the rest of their photos, head over to http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/laceyandpaul.

Many thanks to my good friend and amazing photographer, Roxy, for the kind referral.  CONGRATULATIONS Paul & Lacey! It was such a pleasure being a part of this special day for you both!!!

Edisto Island

Cami and I spent a week in a wonderful, secluded, log cabin on Edisto Island last week.

We were there for our annual business planning, affectionately called the “Chris & Cami Photography Summit”. But we also use the time to unplug, reconnect, and refocus.

As part of that process, I was able to take time to visit some favorite scenic spots like the beautiful avenue of oaks at Botany Bay Plantation, or sit on the porch and photograph the happy songbirds that came to the feeder for a snack. Here are a few of my favorites from those quiet times of reflection.

Our Fine Art images make great decorative pieces for the home or office, and are fantastic gifts for friends and family. Some of these images have been added to the gallery at: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/fineart. Enjoy…

Waypoint Recovery Center

I always get an extra sense of gratification when I have the opportunity to work with a client who I know is making a difference in people’s lives. Photographing head-shots and promotional images for Waypoint Recovery Center was just such an assignment!

“Waypoint Recovery Center offers a comprehensive intensive outpatient program for drug addiction and alcoholism. Our goal is to collaborate, encourage, and support a changed lifestyle, fully independent from substance use.”

I set up my portable studio, complete with camera, lights, background, and laptop, at their office one morning. After each person had their business portraits taken, they were able to look through them on the laptop to make sure they were happy with the images. Everyone loved the instant gratification. And their favorite shot was sent off to our retouching lab to get cleaned up!

I’d like to give a personal shout out to the amazing folks at Waypoint Recovery Center. Thanks for EVERYTHING you guys do to help those folks looking to get their life back on track!!!

Byars Family at Hampton Park

My last family shoot before Christmas Break came on Christmas Eve day.

I met up with Kathryn & Brent’s family at Hampton Park, just in time for the light to turn beautiful, soft, and golden. Their three adorable girls were a real treat! We had so much fun laughing and shooting that I completely lost track of time. 🙂

Not only were they a wonderful family, but Kathryn is an amazing photographer in her own right! Check out her beautiful work at Kathryn Arvanitis Photography.

As we take a short break from shooting to go and visit with our families, Cami and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Michael’s Secret Proposal at the Barnett Family Christmas Party

It’s been so much fun planning and covertly strategizing with Michael over the last few weeks!

Last night I had the pleasure of photographing the Barnett Family Christmas Party. This fantastic event was held at the gorgeous Governor Thomas Bennett House. But the highlight of the evening was when Michael came up to me and gave me “the nod”.

Knowing exactly what that meant, I snuck out into the courtyard and hid behind a big crape myrtle tree. As soon as I was hidden, Michael secretly brought his beautiful girlfriend, Anne Louise, into the courtyard. While Anne Louise was distracted by his sister (all part of the elaborate scheme), Michael dropped to bended knee and asked Anne Louise to be his bride! 🙂

Of course the whole balcony of on-lookers broke out in applause! MUCH excitement arose upon their return upstairs. And the holiday festivities climbed to a whole new level as everyone celebrated this wonderful profession of love and commitment between these two!

CONGRATULATIONS to Michael and Anne Louise, and to the entire Barnett & Cotterill families! This is a HAPPY HOLIDAY indeed!!!

Photo Wall

At Chris & Cami Photography, we’ve offered our crazy, creative, and zany Photo Wall since before PhotoBooths became popular again.  Many thanks to Colliers International for using our Photo Wall at the Company Christmas Party this year!

The excitement attendees experience when they see their photos pop up on the screen is a huge hit. The instant gratification of receiving and walking away with a fabulous print of it is PRICELESS!  Instead of a tiny little photo strip, our guests receive a big, beautiful, full size 5×7 print. It’s even mounted in an elegant 8×10 folio to properly protect and showcase the image.

Our Photo Wall is NOT like those tiny, dark, cramped little booths that only hold 3 or 4 people. It’s a big, open, and inviting space that can easily fit a happy couple…or the entire sales team. Plus it’s manned and operated by a professional photographer who actually interacts, makes suggestions for fun poses, pumps up the energy, and helps people have a BLAST with the Photo Wall!

So whether you’ve already booked us to photograph your event and want us to bring the Photo Wall as an ad-on, or you just want to book us for the exciting Photo Wall itself, give us a shout! We’d be delighted to work with you…and your guests will thank you for it.

South Atlantic Bank

South Atlantic Bank’s new regional headquarters in Mount Pleasant is beginning to take shape. The in-ground items, including plumbing and electricity are in place and the concrete has been poured for the first floor. We will see the building “go vertical” as framing gets underway.

The 8,000 square foot, two-story building will house a full-service banking office on the first floor with space for tenants on the second floor.

It was a pleasure photographing head-shots for Michael Tawes the other day. He was responsible for locating and appraising the site of the new bank!  The setup consisted of 6 Nikon SB-800 Speedlights, 1 Nikon SB-5000, 2 Wesctott 60″ umbrellas, 1 Nikon D4, 1 Nikon 70-200 VRII, 1 Lenovo Yoga, and 7 RadioPopper Px units.

Charleston Trident Association of Realtors

The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors is an AMAZING organization that I’ve had the priviledge of working with over the last few years. This week I got to photograph their Installation Luncheon of their new inductees!

The Price Girls (see what I did there?)

This weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE set of siblings!

I’ve been photographing the Price family for many years. They always come up with the most unique locations, and the coolest outfits, and the craziest ideas. All four girls bring such unique talents and personalities to each and every photo shoot we do together. But one thing they have in common is what beautiful young ladies they all are…inside and out!

As always, we had a BLAST…and came away with some amazing images!!!   🙂