Export Exchange Conference in Detroit

Nearly 200 international buyers and end-users came together in Detroit last week, eager to meet and build relationships with more than 300 domestic suppliers in attendance over three days of educational sessions and networking opportunities.

Held every two years by USGC and RFA, Export Exchange is the nation’s premier international trade conference focused on the export of U.S. coarse grains and co-products. This record-breaking event in 2014 attracted buying teams from 33 countries, including all of the top U.S. international grain markets.

As voices for U.S. farmers and agribusinesses – and trusted ambassadors for free and fair trade with customers around the world – the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association were excited to host this event to help expand established export markets and establish new markets.

It was my pleasure to be the official photographer again for this amazing event!!!

Team from US Grains Council Tours Iowa Corn

One of my favorite parts about my job is that no two assignments are the same. Last week I got to photograph something really cool, educational, and unique!

The US Grains Council assigned me to document a delegation from Mexico as they toured Iowa corn farms, export facilities, and ethanol plants. This team was part of a program leading up to the Export Exchange Conference. Held every two years by USGC and RFA, Export Exchange is the nation’s premier international trade conference focused on the export of U.S. coarse grains and co-products.

Many thanks to the US Grains Council for their hard work and dedication to helping the American farmer. Much appreciation to the Renewable Fuels Association for their advancement of renewable fuels in our country.  And thanks also to the fine folks at Iowa Corn for their hospitality and leadership on this program.  I am honored and humbled at the opportunity to work with such amazing organizations!!!

Reid & Paul’s Halloween Shoot at Bethany Cemetery

This morning I had one of the coolest, most unique photo shoots I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing!!!  🙂  I met up with Reid & Paul and their amazing kids for a fun After-Shoot at historic Bethany Cemetery.

A HUGE thank you goes out to the super creative Reid for all her creative stylized ideas, props, and pets. A special thanks also goes to the rest of the family for braving those CRAZY mosquitoes…HA!

CONGRATULATIONS Reid & Paul! You guys are so perfect together!!!

Elika & Jonathan at Boone Hall Plantation

You won’t believe it…but Elika & Jonathan finally tied the knot this weekend!!! 🙂

I’ve been looking forward to this wedding with much anticipation ever since the fabulous we had together at their engagement session. Elika & Jonathan are the warmest, most caring, downright lovable couple on the planet! Just being around them makes you want to be a better version of yourself. The joy they emanate, and the love they share, is truly special!!!

Their ceremony was held at the picturesque Boone Hall Plantation on a day that couldn’t have been any prettier. Guests marveled at the beauty of the venue…until Elika walked down that aisle in her Cinderalla gown. After that, all eyes were on her! Even their adorable dog, Kato, couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Elika. But my favorite part was how Jonathan’s smile was filled with pure love and total adoration for his stunning bride!

The rustic Cotton Dock was the location of their reception. It had been decorated so elegantly! Delicious food, incredible music, and joyful laughter made the scene complete. The whole affair was an AMAZING celebration and I’m so honored to have been a part of this special day! Many thanks to Rachel at El Events for the kind referral and for her undeniable gift. Many thanks also to Laura, my incredible second-shooter.

Check out the rest of the photos at http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/elikaandjonathan.

CONGRATULATIONS Elika & Jonathan! Wishing you all the best as you begin your new lives together. God has so many more wonderful things in store for your future together!

Zugunruhefest at the Center for Birds of Prey

I recently had the pleasure of photographing this AMAZING event at the Center for Birds of Prey:

“Welcome to Zugunruhefest – the Southeast’s most comprehensive migration-focused birding festival. Zugunruhe (zu – gun – rue) is a German word derived from Zug (move, migration) and Unruhe (restlessness). This state of restlessness is commonly noted in migratory animals, especially birds.

As fall approaches and instincts prevail, birds are compelled by this silent call to take flight to their wintering grounds. As part of the Atlantic Flyway, the Lowcountry serves as a predictable thoroughfare for migrating raptors and shore birds during fall migration passage. Exploiting the Center’s strategic location, Zugunruhefest will afford numerous opportunities for observers, both novice and advanced, to experience fall migration from an exceptional vantage point.

In addition to onsite vendors and children’s activities, the festival will include three days filled with naturalists, ornithologists, and educators leading bird walks, flight demonstrations, informative lectures and programs, and more. The festival will culminate with a panel of avian experts in a round-table discussion and reception.
Significantly, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which provides over-arching legal protection for all migratory birds, is marking its Centennial this year, a fitting context and milestone to recognize as we celebrate the wonders of migration.”

I hope you’ll consider coming out for this incredible festival next year!!!

Alex’ Bachelorette Weekend

A few weeks ago I had the BEST TIME photographing Alex’ Bachelorette Weekend!!!

When her sister, Blaine, contacted me about covering it for them, I loved all the fun, creative ideas she had! The weekend started out with a welcome dinner and a party-dress-up at Edmond’s Oast. From there we hit up several bars on King Street for live music and fun partying. The next morning found the girls on Pedicab tours that ended with Lingerie Luncheon at The Watch Rooftop Kitchen. Then after a little siesta time back at The Mills House, we hit up Candlefish for their scented-candle-making party.

The whole weekend was just perfect! All the ladies were a BLAST to work with! And Alex was absolutely the sweetest young lady on the planet!!!

Fisher & Whitehead Families at Colonial Lake

I always love photographing the Fisher Family! We go way back. Which means I’ve had so much fun watching their family grow over the years!!! 🙂  Over the weekend, I met up with Holly, Clint, and Kate at the newly renovated Colonial Lake in downtown Charleston for another family portrait session with them.  They even brought their four-legged family members!

As an added bonus, they also brought their good friends and former neighbors, the Whitehead family. It was so neat to meet another wonderful family that’s just as fun, friendly, and full of life as the Fishers!

We all had a BLAST and came away with some beautiful images, just in time for a dramatic sunset over the Ashley River!

Chris & Mandi’s Secret Proposal at Middleton Place

I feel like a SPY!!!

Chris and I have been in cahoots for several weeks now, planning his really cool surprise wedding proposal to Mandi. Chris is an incredible guy! Everything he’s planned out, down to the finest details, has all been to make Mandi the happiest girl in the world. I think it’s so honorable when a man does that for his future bride!!!

Yesterday, the big day finally arrived! It was Mandi’s birthday. Chris had planned it that way so she wouldn’t suspect he was proposing until the last minute…pretty sneaky! They drove down for a fun weekend get-away to Charleston. The first stop on their list was to visit Middleton Plantation for a relaxing tour of the gorgeous gardens before their dinner reservations.

Before they arrived, I took all the picnic items, and the painted pumpkins, and set them up under the oak tree Chris had selected for “the spot”. With eyes on the target, I was able to follow the Mandi & Chris as they strolled around the grounds, sneaking a few shots as they went. Once they began approaching the picnic area, I got myself hidden and waited for them to come into view

With heart pounding and hands sweating, I gripped the camera and captured a ton of great shots as Chris asked Mandi to be his wife! Photographing all the cute moments of their picnic was a delight. Finally I came out of hiding so that we could create some beautiful engagement photos of them in the gorgeous “Magic Hour” right before sunset!

CONGRATULATIONS Mandi and Chris! May your lives be full of joys too numerous to count!!!

Amanda & Alicia’s Lifestyle Shoot

With all the mayhem leading up to their BEAUTIFUL wedding (which was featured in Borrowed & Blue by the way), Amanda, Alicia, and I didn’t get a chance to photograph their engagement session. So instead, Amanda had this really creative idea to do a post-wedding “lifestyle” shoot in their home! We had SO MUCH FUN hanging out and creating these awesome images of life, love, family, and togetherness!!!

Head-shots at The Cedar Room

Yesterday I photographed another fun set of head-shots in The Cedar Room at The Cigar Factory! Lee & Associates is one of my favorite corporate clients. Plus I always love working in this beautiful space!

Shot with Nikon D4, Nikkor 70-200, an SB-5000, and 4 SB-800 flashes.

Dawson’s 1-Year Cake Smashing

I had so much fun photographing Graham’s 1-year old Cake Smashing 4 years ago. So when Whitney & Logan called to schedule Dawson’s Cake Smashing photo shoot, I was super excited! 🙂

We had a blast photographing family portraits on a gorgeous morning at a beach on Isle of Palms. Eventually we wore the little guys out and decided it was time to feed them some sugar. This is always my FAVORITE part!!!

Congratulations, Dawson…you’re a “Big Boy” now! 😉

Head-shots for ATI

Advanced Technology International (www.ati.org) is an organization that builds and leads technology development collaborations. They help team members reach consensus, establish priorities and produce technology solutions.

Working with their marketing department was a real pleasure. And everyone I photographed was super nice and fun to work with! We set up and photographed head-shots all morning, as well as a team photos and group shots.  Many thanks to Rebecca for all her help coordinating everything!

Being a technology solutions company, ATI wanted a clean and modern style to their shots. We accomplished this using six Nikon SB-800 remote flashes, a Nikon D4, and a Nikkor 70-200 f2.8.   All the wireless off-camera flashes were controlled by an SB-5000 using RadioPoppers for communication.  Everything was tethered to a laptop so individuals could view their images immediately after their shoot.

If you, or an organization you know, is in need of new head-shots or executive portraits for marketing and promotional material, we’d love to hear from you!