Export Exchange 2024 – Reception

It was an absolute pleasure to be invited back as the official photographer for Export Exchange 2024 last week. The event was held at the Omni Fort Worth in Texas, with over 500 attendies from over 35 countries.

Export Exchange is an international conference that allows overseas attendees the opportunity to build relationships with U.S. suppliers of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn, sorghum, barley and other commodities, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in grain sales. Export Exchange is a biennial event, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association, and Growth Energy, to offer an opportunity for education of and introductions to members of the U.S. grains production and export industries.

At the end of Day 2, a fantastic western-themed reception was held at the famous Billy Bob’s Texas near the Stock Yard. We had everything from photo ops on a Texas Longhorn Bull and a trick rope performance, to a live bull riding show and line-dancing classes. It was fun to see everyone relax and unwind after a long day of presentations!

Export Exchange 2024 – Day 2

It was an absolute pleasure to be invited back as the official photographer for Export Exchange 2024 last week. The event was held at the Omni Fort Worth in Texas, with over 500 attendies from over 35 countries.

Export Exchange is an international conference that allows overseas attendees the opportunity to build relationships with U.S. suppliers of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn, sorghum, barley and other commodities, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in grain sales. Export Exchange is a biennial event, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association, and Growth Energy, to offer an opportunity for education of and introductions to members of the U.S. grains production and export industries.

Day 2 was all about education and networking. The day began with comments from Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of the US Grains Council, as well as a warm welcome by Dan Hunter from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Dan was followed by keynote presentations by Chris Bliley of Growth Energy, Norma Ritz Johnson of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Scott Richmanof the Renewable Fuels Association, and Alejandra Castillo of NAEGA, among others.  Plus there were several networking breaks in between so attendees could visit booths and make connections.

Export Exchange 2024 – Day 1

It was an absolute pleasure to be invited back as the official photographer for Export Exchange 2024 last week. The event was held at the Omni Fort Worth in Texas, with over 500 attendies from over 35 countries.

Export Exchange is an international conference that allows overseas attendees the opportunity to build relationships with U.S. suppliers of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn, sorghum, barley and other commodities, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in grain sales. Export Exchange is a biennial event, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association, and Growth Energy, to offer an opportunity for education of and introductions to members of the U.S. grains production and export industries.

Day 1 started off with everyone registering for the meeting, mingling, and networking while vendors set up their tradeshow booths.  I also photographed all the team group shots from the various countries.  Then everyone met up for a fun Welcome Reception.

Caleb’s Senior Portraits

When was the last time you reconnected with an old friend? As the saying goes, “Make new friends, but keep the old. Some are silver, some are gold.”

Cami and I had the pleasure of reconnecting with our good friends, Jim & Re, this week. The last time we had seen them was when we photographed their daughter McKenzie’s senior portraits in March of 2023. So it was with great excitement that we met up with them to photograph their son Caleb’s senior portraits!!!

Caleb has grown into a handsome young man with a booming voice and an infectious smile! He works and hangs out in downtown Summerville a lot. So that’s the location he picked for his session. It’s a really cool area with lots of great backgrounds. Plus we ended up with beautiful golden-hour light that evening. We all had so much fun and came away with a ton of great shots for Caleb!

CONGRATULATIONS on completing this huge milestone in your life, Caleb! We wish you all the best for an exciting and successful career with the military!!!

Fran’s 70th Birthday Party

It was such an honor capturing all the fun memories of Fran’s 70th Birthday Party this weekend! Kayla from Anderson Event Design did an amazing job planning every detail. Olivia from the Country Club of Charleston did a wonderful job with the food, drinks and decor. And the latin band from Miam absolutely crushed it!!!
 
Many thanks to my friend David Archer for the referral.
 
And Happy Birthday to Fran! You are a true gem!!!

Charleston Parks Conservancy

As a professional photographer, I’ve always been drawn to the vibrant landscapes and historical charm of Charleston. Recently, a select group of photographers had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the Charleston Parks Conservancy, capturing the essence of some of the city’s smaller, lesser-known, pocket parks.
From the lush greenery of Tiedemann Park & Nature Center to the colorful blooms at Susie Jackson Freedom Memorial Garden, to the formal structure of Theodora Park, each location offered a unique canvas. The Conservancy’s dedication to preserving and enhancing these green spaces is truly inspiring, and my goal was to reflect that beauty through my lens. I used a variety of tools, capturing aerial drone shots with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, colorful details with the Nikon Zf, and unique black-and-white shots with the Infrared-converted Nikon Coolpix A.
Working alongside the Conservancy allowed me to explore the intricate details of each park…from the historic black iron gates to the carefully curated gardens. It’s a privilege to contribute to the mission of promoting these precious spaces and encouraging more people to experience their beauty.
I’m excited to share these images and hope they inspire others to discover the wonderful parks that make Charleston truly special. Many thanks to Darlene, Kellen, Sam, and Ali!!!

NAEGA Conference in Winnipeg, Canada

I’ve never been to Winnipeg. It’s a beautiful, walkable, picturesque city, that seems to be plaqued by inclimate weather. This was also my first time in Manitoba…which is the 5th province of Canada of been to.

I was in town to photograph the North American Export Grain Association conference at the Alt Hotel. NAEGA is a not-for-profit industry trade association promoting policies, rules and commercial practices that support efficient international trade in grains, oilseeds and their derived products. Established in 1912, NAEGA’s members include private and publicly owned companies and farmer-owned cooperatives that export agricultural production to customers around the world. Their work benefits consumers, farmers and people working the trade.

I had previously worked with Alejandra, the president of NAEGA, at a former organization. So it was an absolute honor to work with her again and photograph the NAEGA conference for her!

Wailin’ Wayne Weekend

When I travel with the Moto Photo Adventures team, we stumble onto some pretty interesting sights. Whether it’s the town of Mt. Airy, Andy Griffith’s home town, and where the town of Mayberry is based on…the abandoned Athens Lunatic Asylum…or the ghost town of Thurnton where a once booming coal industry has long since dried up…there’s always something interesting to photograph along the way.

I carry a pocket-sized Nikon Coolpix A, that has been converted by Kolari Vision Infrared to “see” infrared light. Plus I always bring my trusty Nikon Zf, a retro-styled full-frame mirrorless camera with impecable image qualtiy. For aerial shots, I carry a compact DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. And of course I’m always grabbing snapshots with my phone when neither of those are handy. 🙂

Here are a few of my favorite shots from our latest trip to the Wailin Wayne Weekend in Ohio. We had an AMAZING time, catching up with old friends, and making new ones along the way…

Taj & Michael at The Lakehouse at Bulow

Taj & Michael contacted me back in January about photographing their intimate wedding at The Lakehouse at Bulow.

Bulow Plantation is a beautiful log cabin venue on a serene lake with a gorgeous bridge extending out to an island covered in pine trees. Because they love nature and the great outdoors, Taj & Michael had initially thought about a beach wedding. Then they fell in love with the idea of getting married amongst the majestic pine trees. But Michael took it one step further and had some beach sand brought in so they could still get married in bare feet on a mound of soothing sand…the best of both worlds!

Taj & Michael were an absolute joy to be arround! Their positive energy and kind spirits made it evident why they had so many close friends who had traveled far and wide to celebrate with them. Their love and connection to one another shone in their eyes. I had so much fun capturing all the special moments of their Big Day!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Taj & Michael! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together, with or without shoes…

ICGA Annual Grassroots Summit

Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is singularly focused on supporting sound policy development and pro-farmer legislation to support long-term profitability for corn growers. ICGA works to support state and federal policy on increasing blends and access to renewable fuels, decreasing regulatory burdens on Iowa’s livestock industry, improving Farm Bill programs, promoting trade policies and so much more.

It was a real honor to photograph this year’s ICGA Annual Grassroots Summit, which is one of the many opportunities for delegates to get involved and make their voices heard. Attendees get an in-depth look at the issues facing the corn industry, debate key policies that impact their farm, help set the direction for the organization moving forward and get to know other corn growers from across the state. This year’s event was held at Prarie Meadows Hotel & Casino in Altoona, IA. Keynote speakers included Secretary Mike Naig and Governor Kim Reynolds!

Many thanks to Shannon, Amanda, and Rachel from the ICGA communications team for bringing me on board to capture all the energy and excitement of this amazing conference!!!

Coastal Carolina University for DWG Consulting Engineers

On the evening of July 23, 1954, a group of citizens met in the Horry County Memorial Library to discuss a daring proposal – the creation of a new local college. Later that year, 53 students are enrolled, taught by a handful of part-time faculty, with classes meeting after hours in Conway High School. Today, a diverse population of more than 10,800 students from across the country and around the world engages with a world-class faculty, enjoy an inspiring cultural calendar, and share in a community of 112 student clubs, organizations, and honor societies. The University now offers 72 undergraduate programs and 21 graduate programs. The University campus comprises 115 main buildings on 621 acres in Conway, SC, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach.

As the university grows to meet modern demands, DWG Consulting has been instrumental in upgrading and expanding the buildings and infrastructure of the campus. It was an honor and a pleasure to photograph some of theese projects for DWG’s protfolio.

Joe Daning Amphitheater for Trident Construction

Located behind Goose Creek’s City Hall, the new Joseph S. Daning Amphitheater opens on Sept. 6, 2024. With exciting amenities including a food truck court, pavilion, concert stage, dance floor, public restrooms, and lakeside views, the new amphitheater will encourage people to gather as a community and enjoy a variety of public performances. Its open-air design provides for a unique and memorable experience whether you’re performing or soaking up the atmosphere as a spectator. For more invormation and a calendar of events, check out: https://www.cityofgoosecreek.com/joseph-s-daning-amphitheater.

With the Danigh Amphitheater in its final stages of construction, Trident Construction arranged for me to go out and photograph the project for their portfolio. I lucked out with a beautiful day, with warm afternoon light, blue skies and puffy white clouds. All images were photographed with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, plus the Nikon Z9 with either the 14-30 f4 or 24-120 f4 Z lenses.

Many thanks to Anna for coordinating schedules and organizing everything for this assignment!