Nester Family on Seabrook Island

We had a smaller crowd this year. Some of the Nester clan couldn’t make it. Even though they were missed, we still had a BLAST!!!

I had so much fun catching up with Jeff & Suzanna, who’s beautiful wedding I had the honor of photographing all those years ago. Their kids are growing like weeds and starting to show off their personalities. And in spite of a couple health-hiccups this year, their parents are doing great!

We met up at our usual spot on Seabrook Island. The landscape out there has changed quite a bit from their vacation last year…various storms and tides have shifted the sand and dunes considerably. In spite of the usual summer afternoon thunder-storms, it turned out to be a GORGEOUS evening!  We got some awesome shots!!!

Many thanks to the Nesters for all the years of fond memories together! We love you guys!!!

Sweigart Family Senior Portraits

It’s been five or six years since I last photographed the Sweigart Family. But I recognized them instantly…in spite of how much the kids have grown!

Back on Kiawah Island for vacation this summer, we met up at The Sanctuary to update their family portraits. Plus since their middle daughter, Kara, is going to be a senior in high-school, we thought it would be fun to capture some unique senior portraits for her. Being from Pennsylvania, this would give her some beautiful lowcountry scenery in her portfolio of images that none of her friends back home will have! 🙂

We lucked out with a GORGEOUS evening! Everyone was so much fun and so into the shoot! We came away with a wonderful set of photos to memorialize this special time in their family’s life!!!

Mary Beth & Bryant’s Darlington Wedding

Mary Beth & Bryant are SUCH an amazing couple!!! I owe my good friend and amazing photographer, Steve, a huge “Thank You” for recommending me to these two!

I’ve had so much fun getting to know Mary Beth & Bryant in the months leading up to their special day. A few months back, they even made a special trip to Charleston, where we had a BLAST capturing some killer engagement photos for them. You can check those out at: https://chrisandcami.com/mary-beth-bryant-at-brittlebank-park/.

Last weekend the Big Day finally made it! Arriving at their house where Bryant and the guys were getting ready, everyone was laughing and joking and having a great time.  That’s the way a wedding day SHOULD be, right?  I then met up with Mary Beth and the girls at Norman Cosmetics where they were getting ready. The excitement and energy in the salon was fabulous. I could tell we were in for quite a celebration!

Mary Beth looked absolutely STUNNING in her gorgeous wedding gown! I must say, Bryant looked quite dashing, himself. The two of them enjoyed a fun First Look underneath the huge arches of the Darlington Courthouse. We also went on a creative little mini-shoot around the town square, eventually meeting up with the rest of the wedding party for some group shots. After a grand-finale in front of the famous mural, everyone headed over to the church for the main event!

Mary Beth and Bryant had chosen St. Matthews Episcopal Church to exchange their wedding vows. I absolutely love the church’s amazing stained glass windows and rich wooden interior. The wedding was simply beautiful!

Following the ceremony, everyone headed over to South of Pearl for the real celebration!!! South of Pearl is an excellent reception venue in town, a remodeled old historic home with lots of amazing architecture, and a beautifully manicured lawn in the back. There was eating, dancing, cake, cookies…you name it!  Everyone had an AMAZING time! And the dark threatening clouds even parted ways just in time for some dramatic portraits of this sweet couple at sunset.  🙂

To check out all the photos from their Big Day, visit https://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/p522914086.

CONGRATULATIONS Mary Beth & Bryant!!! We wish you all the best as you begin this beautiful new journey together…

Tru Hotel by Hilton

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing the brand new Tru Hotel by Hilton in Orangeburg, SC for the Naman Hotel group! As always, Dexter and Kristi from the marketing team were fabulous to work with. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. And the breakfast spread they are famous for was delicious!

Field Trip to Bulls Island

If you like birding, pristine hiking, beach combing, and a chance to get away from the mainland, then Bulls Island just might be for you!

On behalf of the Center for Birds of Prey, and in association with Coastal Expeditions, earlier this week I had the pleasure of photographing a fun field trip with a group of students from Cainhoy Elementary School. In spite of living in the Lowcountry, some of these kids had never seen the ocean. So, imagine the wonder and amazement in their eyes as we explored Bulls Island together, the crown jewel of the Cape Romain National Wildlife System!!!

Many thanks to Daniel at the Avian Conservation Center for getting me on this project, and Captain Nick from Coastal Expeditions who was our amazing tour guide for the day.

Siemon Whiteside Development Projects

Variety is the spice of life, as they say. That’s one of the reasons why I choose NOT to be pigeon-holed into one particular genre of photography. Instead of doing the same thing over and over again, day after day…for me each day is full of unique assignments and new challenges!

Recently I have really enjoyed working with Siemon Whiteside, photographing a number of their projects. SW is a leader of environmentally conscious, low-impact advancements in engineering and site design. They are known for how they blend civil engineering civil engineering and landscape architecture to create beautiful yet functional holistic environments.

From wide sweeping landscape shots, to tiny detail images, to aerial drone photos…capturing the essence of these projects always pushes the limits of my dexterity and creativity. I absolutely LOVE that!!!

Samantha and Todd’s Extended Engagement Session

Flying in all the way from Missouri, it was just wonderful to see our good friend Samantha again last weekend! It was also such a pleasure to finally meet her fiance, Todd. He’s an amazing guy! They are absolutely perfect together!!!

Recently graduating from Veterinarian School and Dental School, respectively, Samantha and Todd can finally turn their attention to wedding plans. It’s an absolute honor that they have selected Cami and I to capture this special time in their lives for them.

As part of that process, we hosted them here in Charleston for a really fun extended engagement session! The entire weekend could be described as part reunion (we haven’t seen Samantha for several years), part introduction (we had so much fun getting to know Todd), part vacation (Samantha and Todd were celebrating finally earning their degrees), part tourist trap (Cami and I made sure to take them to all the best tourist attractions and iconic restaurants in town), and of course part engagement session (we photographed beautiful portraits of them all around Charleston everywhere we went). As such, we had an absolute BLAST the entire weekend, while capturing more variety than any other engagement session we’ve ever photographed!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Samantha and Todd! We love you guys, and can’t wait to be there for you on your beautiful wedding day!!!

DHG Leadership Conference, Part Deux

The second part of the Dixon Hughes Goodman Leadership Conference was even more fun than the first! With all kinds of team-building activities, motivational speakers, and fun entertainment, everyone had an amazing time!!! Everything culminated in a fun party at TopGolf to celebrate another awesome conference.

DHG Leadership Conference

One of my favorite events to photograph each year is the Dixon Hughes Goodman Leadership Conference!

This year the program was held at the AC Hotel in Charlotte. It’s a really cool venue in the heart of the city, boasting a beautiful conference room, delicious food, and the highest rooftop bar in town!

The first day of the destination event was an absolute BLAST!!!

Ally & Matt’s Celebration at Pawleys Plantation

Exactly one week ago today, Ally & Matt finally tied the knot!!!

I’d been looking forward to Ally & Matt’s wedding for a VERY long time! You see, I’d had the great honor of photographing Matt’s Secret Proposal to Ally way back in 2017: https://chrisandcami.com/ally-matts-surprise-proposal-at-magnolia-plantation/. Having been there at the beginning, when Ally said “Yes”, and Matt slipped her gorgeous engagement ring onto her finger, I was SUPER EXCITED to have been there at the end when Ally said “I Do”, while Matt placed her wedding band in its rightful place. 🙂

Matt & Ally’s wedding celebration was absolutely AMAZING!!! Ally and her bridesmaids got dolled up at her parent’s beautiful home in Myrtle Beach, while Matt and his groomsmen got their duds on at the Litchfield Golf and Beach Resort. It was a great honor for me to photograph their amazing wedding ceremony at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Garden City! It was a beautiful service, full of laughter and tears, attended by close friends and loving family. A joyful reception followed at Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, where DJ Scott Reise cranked things up until we had a full-on mega party going!

I’d like to send out a huge thank you to Annie, Chantel, Peggy, Scott, and all the other amazing vendors who came to gether to make Ally and Matt’s big day so perfect. Many thanks also to my good friend Robbin, for helping me capture all the special moments of their beautiful day.  To see the rest of their photos, visit:  https://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/mattandally.

CONGRATULATIONS Ally & Matt!!! We wish you all the best as you begin your new and exciting journey together!

Playing Tourist

Today was an absolutely PERFECT day to be “Playing Tourist” in Charleston! I had the pleasure of working with my good friend, and amazing photographer, Gary Coleman, as we covered a fun incentive trip for one of his clients. The first part of my day included covering a sailboat trip out on the breezy and picturesque Charleston Harbor. The second part included a wonderful walking tour through the old historic district, led by the lovely Joyce Sauls.

Home on the Marsh

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of photographing this delightful home on the marsh, tucked away in the back of Brickyard Plantation, for our good friend and amazing real estate agent, Pat Broghammer.

Indeed, Pat isn’t just a friend, she’s also OUR agent! She helped us sell our previous home, and helped us find our current one. Plus we had the honor of photographing her daughter’s wedding! Check her out at www.iwanttoliveincharleston.com. We highly recommend her!!!