Awards Banquet for US Foods

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners!!!

It was a pleasure capturing all the energy and excitement at the US Foods Sales Awards Banquet this weekend! I loved photographing this event last year in Charleston. And they loved the photos. So when they asked if I’d drive to Charleston to photograph this year’s program for them, how could I refuse?!?

Arriving early, I captured a few establishing shots of Savannah and Marriott Savannah Riverfront, where the gala would be held. There was a cocktail reception in the hotel’s atrium. Then it was on to the ballroom for dinner, speeches, and awards. I also photographed a few headshots and portraits for key winners. And finally everyone transitioned to drinks and dancing to close out the evening.

Everyone at US Foods…from the staff, to the attendees, and even the leadership…are so kind and friendly. I had a BLAST and can’t wait to photograph it again next year!!!

Trident Healthcare Christmas Party at The Gaillard Auditorium

After ten years of hosting their annual Holiday Party at a well-known hotel in Charleston, Trident Healthcare finally outgrew the space. With over 350 guests attending this year’s event, the move to The Gaillard Auditorium was a good one!

As with previous years, I set up a portrait station near the check-in table, where couples could get their photographs taken in front of the Christmas tree. These were then printed as 5×7 portraits and mounted in an elegant black folio for them to take home has their party favor from the event. When I wasn’t photographing couples portraits, I captured candids of the evening, including the awards presentations for those who showed outstanding achievements within the hospital system.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners! And Happy Holidays to all the attendees…

CTAR Installation Luncheon at I’On Creek Club

I had so much fun photographing the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors 2023 Installation Luncheon at the I’On Creek Club this week! It was an exciting day…with fun fellowship, great food, excellent advice from all the speakers, and the swearing-in of next year’s officers. CONGRATULATIONS to all who were elected!!!

Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue

Photographing a milestone event is always a special experience, but there’s something truly magical about documenting a Bar Mitzvah. Recently, I had the privilege of capturing the joy and traditions of Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah at the historic Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue. Between the vibrant family moments, the rich traditions, and the unique fusion of spirituality and fun…Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah truly was unforgettable.

The day began at the breathtaking Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, a sacred space that has stood as a pillar of Jewish heritage for generations. As the natural light streamed through the stained glass windows, I captured candid moments of Ryan’s family and friends gathering to witness this rite of passage. The air was filled with a sense of reverence, as the young man embarked on his journey into adulthood. The ceremony itself was a beautiful blend of tradition and personal significance. Ryan flawlessly recited his Torah portion and shared reflections on the values he holds dear. The synagogue echoed with melodies of ancient prayers, creating an atmosphere of spirituality that resonated with everyone present. The emotion on Ryan’s face as he received blessings from family and community members was a testament to the significance of this milestone.

Later that evening, the atmosphere shifted as guests made their way to the Harborside East for the carnival-themed reception. The transformation was nothing short of magical – vibrant colors, whimsical decorations, and the lively energy of a carnival greeted everyone as they entered. From cotton candy stations to classic carnival games, the reception exuded an atmosphere of pure joy. As a photographer, capturing the exuberance of a carnival-themed celebration presented a delightful challenge. I documented the laughter and camaraderie as guests tried their luck at games, enjoyed delicious carnival treats, and danced to the beats of lively music. The eclectic mix of traditional Bar Mitzvah customs and the playful spirit of the carnival created a dynamic visual narrative that told the story of Ryan’s unique celebration.

Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah celebration at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue and the carnival-themed reception at Harborside East was a perfect blend of spirituality and festivity. The photographs captured not just moments frozen in time but a rich tapestry of tradition, joy, and the unbreakable bonds of family and community. It was an honor to be part of such a joyous occasion, and I’m grateful to have been a part of documenting these memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Many thanks to Sha Sha at Loluma for creating this magical narrative for me to document! And CONGRATULATIONS to Ryan!!! Well done, young man.

Charleston Trident Association of Realtors at Hyatt House Charleston

I love working with the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors!!!

When Jessie from CTAR asked me to cover their women’s conference at Hyatt House Charleston, I jumped at the chance! Not only were they going to be inducting new board members, but their keynote speaker was none other than Dale Smith Thomas. Her message of being a winner by choice is so powerful, and delivered with such great humor, it just sticks with you. Everyone left with that evening with smiles on their faces, and a real “go get-em” attitude! If you get a chance, check out www.winnersbychoice.com and go see this powerful motivational speaker any chance you get!

Many thanks to all the CTAR staff and all the vendors for making this event possible!

Plastics Industry Association Conference

I had never heard of the Plastics Industry Association. But when my good friend and amazing event planner, Kristyn Norton, contacted me about photographing their annual conference, and told me the big kick-off was at a local park where attendees would be volunteering their time to pick up plastic trash I was hooked!

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain. This Fall Conference is an annual event that brings the industry together to discuss, learn, and grow. This year’s conference was held at the Charleston Marriott. The program was designed to help participants network with other industry leaders and gain insights into the plastics industry’s future, how it may impact their business, and how to make plastic products more sustainable and recycleable. From receptions to meals and offsite excursions – the conference also encourages participants to meet other leaders from different sectors and backgrounds, build relationships, find mentors, and learn about new opportunities.

It was a real pleasure photographing this conference and working work with this fun, friendly, and knowledgeable group!

Iowa Corn Grassroots Summit

I’ve discovered that farmers are the nicest people on the planet!!! So it was with great pleasure that I accepted Shannon’s request to come to Des Moines to photograph the annual Grassroots Summit for the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

Shannon and I met at one of the US Grains Council events that I’ve photographed over the years. She worked with her team in arranging all the details to get me to their event at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeney, just north of Des Moines, Iowa. So I owe her a HUGE Thank You!

Most of the delegates and guests at the event are local farmers. So they were able to drive to the event. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces from photographing other conferences involving the farming and grains communities. To be honest, I’ve begun to think of many of these folks as my friends!

Luckily the weather was absolutely gorgeous, which allowed me to start my coverage with a few drone shots of the venue. When covering such conferences, I like to tell the “story” of the day from start to finish. A few cool establishing shots from the DJI Mini 3 Pro are a great way to do this. Next I switched to a pair of Nikon Z9 bodies, rotating between the Nikkor 14-30 f4 Z, 24-70 f2.8 Z, and 70-200 f2.8 Z as needed. For additional lighting, I brought 6 Flashpoint Zoom Li-On II strobes.

After getting registered, everyone had time to mingle and catch up with one another. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, kicked things off with a fantastic keynote address. There was a delicious luncheon before delagates began debating and discussing various topics. Then Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg raised some fantastic points during his keynote address. After more discussions it was time for dinner. And finally we transitioned into the highlight of the program, the Awards Banquet!

It was a long day, but super fun and rewarding! I hope I get asked back to photograph it again next year!!!

Lupus Clinical Investigators Network Conference

Lupus is debilitating. It affects each person differently. Which, for doctors and researchers, makes the disease very challenging. Lupus is one of the more complex autoimmune diseases known to science. And for years, the world’s best minds have worked tirelessly to find a cure.

“The Lupus Research Alliance is going to take the very thing that infuriates us about the disease and make it the one thing that becomes its cure. Decades of pioneering research has brought us to this moment. We’ve advanced science to the point that will allow us to look at each patient as a single case, to study their individual immune system and analyze the complexities of the disease as it exists within them. In the future, this will allow us to better treat that patient with precision medicine — giving the right treatment for the right person. The root of the problem has become the pathway to the cure.”

It was my pleasure to photograph the annual LuCIN Meeting (Lupus Clinical Investigators Network) at the Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms this week. The conference was held at the beautiful new Sweetgrass Inn. The program was brought to fruition by Lupus Therapeutics and the Lupus Research Alliance. You can find out more about this awful disease, and the passionate men and women who are striving to find a cure, at https://www.lupusresearch.org/.

* Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 14-24 f4, Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, DJI Mini 3 Pro, ThinkTank cases, Flashpoint flashes, Manfrotto supports, and Sony XQD cards *

CTAR Women’s Council Spring Social

What a beautiful day for a Spring Social!!!

The Women’s Council from the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors held their annual Spring Social at The Ritual Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge yesterday. This beautiful venue has great views of downtown, overlooking Marion Square. The weather was perfect. The food was terrific.  And everyone had an AMAZING time!!!

Many thanks to Clair and Jessie for all their hard work putting this great event together!

* DJI Mini 3 Pro, Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 14-30 f4, Nikkor Z 24-120 f4 *

AIG Awards Banquet at The Westin Savannah

I love it when the weather forecasters are completely wrong…in my favor! 🙂

Last night I had the pleasure of photographing a fantastic reception and awards banquet for AIG Insurance at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. Earlier that day, I spoke with Erika, the amazing event planner from Destination South. It looked like the cocktail hour on the Harbor Lawn was going to be completely rained out. Luckily, the wet weather went around us…and we had a lovely evening with gentle breezes flowing across the Savannah River.

AIG is the American International Group, a leading global insurance organization providing a wide range of property casualty insurance and other financial services. They offer world-class products and expertise to businesses and individuals in approximately 70 countries and jurisdictions. The organization is committed to using their insights and leadership to not only manage risks, but to make real positive differences in every community they serve.

This reception marked the conclusion of the final full day of informative meetings and insightful presentations. It was fun to see everyone relax and enjoy the company of the new connections and lasting friendships they had made throughout the week!

* DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8, Nikkor Z 14-30 f4, Flashpoint flashes (x6), Manfrotto supports, ThinkTank bags, and Sony XQD cards *

Bird Songs at the Avian Conservation Center

Last night I had the honor of photographing the annual Bird Songs event at the Center for Birds of Prey!

The evening known as Bird Songs, now in its eighth year, has become one of our most anticipated social events in Charleston.  Featuring some of Nashville’s most talented singer/songwriters, it’s an intimate experience combining cocktails and dinner with music and stories.  This year’s headliners were Matt Alderman, Aaron Goodvin, Phillip Lammonds, and Nicole Croteau.  But of course the REAL stars of the show are the owls, hawks, and other beautiful birds of prey that mingle among guests, soar overhead, and coo softly in harmony with the music!

A particularly special feature at this year’s program was the releasing of a Bald Eagle that had been injured and brought to the Avian Conservation Center for surgery and rehabilitation.  It was so moving to watch Jim Elliott, the center’s Founder and Executive Director, release this majestic creature back into the wild!

Presented in the round, in a relaxed and comfortable setting in the Owl Woods area of the campus, this event has sold out every year!  Make sure to check their website early to get a seat for next year’s performance:  https://thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/events_calendar/.

The Citadel First Salute Ceremony

One thing I love about my job is that every day is different!

Yesterday I got to photograph the First Salute Ceremony at The Citadel. I was commissioned by Christian’s parents to capture the event for them. He chose his dad, who was a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marines, to give him his First Salute. It truly was a touching moment in this young man’s life. The emotions shared by father and son were palpable, as Christian’s dad told him how proud he was of him.

It was an absolute honor being a part of this special ceremony for this amazing family. I’ll never forget it!