Cyrus Family on Kiawah Island

It’s hard to believe it has been 8 years since I started photographing the Cyrus Family!!!

Each year, this beautiful family vacations on Kiawah Island, taking a break from their daily grind in Greenville to spend a week at the beach, making memories together. It has been such an honor for me to capture these memories for them year after year. Watching Mason and Emma grow into these amazing, happy, and healthy kids has truly been a joy!!!

This year we met at The Sanctuary Hotel. Between the butterfly garden, the enchanted forest, the spectacular architecture, and the gorgeous beach…this location truly offers a huge variety of great backdrops! It was a fantastic evening. And we all had so much fun together!!!

(Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 24-120 f4S, Godox AD200 off-camera flash, and Manfrotto supports)

Attorney Headshots for HSB Law

It was a pleasure welcoming Attorney Ashley to the team at HSB Law today! She was on her 3rd day of orientation. And part of the process was getting her official headshot taken for the company website!

I set up a high-key backdrop lit with a single speedlight. I added a 60″ Westcott umbrella with 2 speedlights as my main light. And I balanced that with a 60″ Westcott umbrella with 1 speedlight on the other side of the camera as fill. Last but not least, I added a strip reflector under her chin to lift the shadows and help the eyes pop. I shot with a Nikon Z9 and Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 II.

Ashley was wonderful to work with, and the images came out great!!!

Mayci & Josh – Surprise Proposal in Hampton Park

Photographing surprise proposals never gets old for me. Josh’s unforgettable proposal to his high school sweetheart, Mayci, was another reminder of why I love what I do so much. From the very beginning, this one felt extra special—not only because of the thought Josh put into it, but also because of a wonderful connection to past clients.
Josh is the nephew of Jenny Yokoyama, one of my all-time favorite brides, whose beautiful wedding to Nate I had the privilege of photographing years ago. Jenny, now the owner of Gritty Gal Marketing, and I have continued to collaborate over the years. So being part of her nephew’s proposal made this experience even more meaningful.
Josh, Jenny, and I spent months planning every detail to ensure everything went off without a hitch. He chose the stunning avenue of crape myrtle trees draped in Spanish moss at Hampton Park specifically because Mayci loves trees and nature. This magical location perfectly set the tone for this very specail and romantic moment. I stayed tucked away, capturing everything as it naturally unfolded. When Josh dropped to one knee, Mayci was completely surprised—and overjoyed. Of course, she said yes!
Afterward, we explored the park together, creating relaxed, authentic engagement portraits. Towards the end, we zipped over to the nearby Brittlebank Park for a few final shots with the sun setting across the Ashley River.
It was such a joy getting to know these two soulmates…Josh, a hardworking roofer, and Mayci, a dedicated nurse. Josh absolutely nailed his mark, when he turned and dropped to his knee. Before Mayci knew what hit her, waves of disbelief and emotion took over! She was absolutely stunning in her bimini blue summer dress. These two are building an amazing life together in Greenville, SC.
Moments like these are exactly why I love what I do.
(Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 24-120 f4, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 400 f4.5, Godox V860II off-camera flash, Manfrotto supports)

Key Risk Insurance Presidents Club

I had the pleasure of photographing the Presidents Club Awards Banquet for Key Risk Insurance, held at the beautiful Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. Set along the coast, the resort provided a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere that was perfect for celebrating the company’s top performers.

The evening brought together an outstanding group of professionals for a well-deserved celebration of excellence and achievement. From the moment guests arrived, there was a sense of excitement and appreciation in the air. Events like this are always a joy to photograph, as they strike a great balance between polished presentations and genuine, candid moments shared among colleagues.

Throughout the night, I focused on documenting a variety of moments. During cocktail hour, I set up a Portrait Station where each couple could get beautiful portraits in their elegant gowns and snappy suits! From there, we all moved into the ballroom, which looked fabulous! From candids during dinner, to the award presentations and speeches, to the in-between interactions that truly tell the story of the event…I had such a great time! Capturing those authentic connections is always one of my favorite parts of photographing corporate gatherings like this.

A big part of what made the evening run so smoothly was the incredible planning by Experience Holy City. Lee and her team are always fantastic to work with, and their attention to detail ensured that every aspect of the event came together seamlessly.

It’s always an honor to be trusted to document such meaningful celebrations, and I truly enjoyed working with the Key Risk Insurance team. The Presidents Club banquet was a wonderful evening from start to finish, and I look forward to the opportunity to work together again in the future.

Shot with Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 II, Godox V480 (x2), Godox AD200 (x2), Godox V860II (4), Manfrotto stands and supports.

Samantha, Tiffany, and Chanlee at Hampton Park

There’s something really special about reconnecting with old friends through photography, and this session at Hampton Park in downtown Charleston was one of those moments I’ll always appreciate. I first met Samantha years ago on a mission trip to Tanzania, and we’ve stayed close ever since. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing some meaningful milestones for her, including her beautiful destination wedding in Arkansas.

Now a full-time veterinarian living in Maine with her husband, Samantha made a trip back to Charleston this week to reunite with two of her closest friends. Tiffany and Shanlee were both bridesmaids in Samantha’s wedding, so there was plenty of history and laughter to go around. The two sisters flew in from Arkansas, and the three of them created what felt like a reverse bachelorette party—just a relaxed, joy-filled time to reconnect and celebrate their friendship while exploring historic Charleston.

I’m grateful she asked me to commemorate this occasion for them with a fun photo shoot. I photographed the session using dual Nikon Z9 bodies, paired with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 II and 70-200mm f/2.8 II lenses. A Godox AD200 in a medium octabox helped shape the natural light beautifully. It was a perfect afternoon, making memories with an incredible group of friends!

The Citadel – Academy of Engineers Awards Banquet

I had the pleasure of photographing the Academy of Engineers Awards Banquet held at The Citadel, one of Charleston’s most iconic and historic campuses. The event took place at the beautiful Holliday Alumni Center, providing an elegant setting that perfectly matched the prestige of the occasion.

The evening brought together an impressive group of engineers, leaders, and distinguished guests to celebrate outstanding achievements within the field. From the moment guests arrived, there was a strong sense of pride and camaraderie in the room. It’s always rewarding to document events like this, where meaningful recognition and genuine connections are at the forefront.

Throughout the banquet, I focused on capturing a mix of candid interactions, formal group photos, award presentations, and the overall atmosphere of the evening. The formal setting, combined with the energy of the attendees, created a great balance of polished moments and authentic expressions.

For this event, I worked with a dual-camera setup to ensure complete coverage. I used a Nikon Z9 paired with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 II for versatility, while a Nikon Zf with the Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 II allowed me to capture tighter, more intimate moments from a distance. This combination gave me the flexibility to move seamlessly between wide scene-setting shots and close-up storytelling images.

Lighting was key in bringing the room to life. I used six Godox off-camera flashes strategically placed around the space to create consistent, flattering light on the stage and throughout the venue. These remote flashes were controlled from the Godox V480 flashes on each camera, and helped give the images more depth and dimension than would otherwise be possible with only using on-camera flash.

It was an honor to document such a meaningful evening, and I always enjoy working in a setting as timeless as The Citadel.

NAEGA Conference in Nashville

The mission of the North American Export Grains Association is to promote and sustain the reliability of commercial agricultural exports. NAEGA is the global leader in shaping commercial solutions rooted in contractual expertise, commercial knowledge and industry innovation. The organization maintains a steadfast commitment to outcomes that are risk proportionate and science based.

It has bee my pleasure to photograph the annual NAEGA conference for 3 years now. This year’s program was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nashville, TN. After remarks from the leadership team, including Matt Hopkins and Alejandra Castillo, three Senior Advisors were recognized for their years of dedication and service. There was a brief board meeting to discuss the business of NAEGA. And finally, the Trade Outlook Program included a number of excellent speakers and panelists from the US and Canada. After the closing remarks, I had the pleasure of photographing a group photo of all attendees, a Board of Directors photo, and a variety of headshots for those who needed an update.

(Nikon Z9 x2 Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 70-180 f2.8, DJI Mini 3 Pro)

NAEGA Conference in Nashville

The mission of the North American Export Grains Association is to promote and sustain the reliability of commercial agricultural exports. NAEGA is the global leader in shaping commercial solutions rooted in contractual expertise, commercial knowledge and industry innovation. The organization maintains a steadfast commitment to outcomes that are risk proportionate and science based.

It has bee my pleasure to photograph the annual NAEGA conference for 3 years now. This year’s program was held in Nashville, TN. The evening before kicking off the annual meeting, a heart-warming Senior Advisor Dinner Reception was held at the NashHouse Southern Spoon & Saloon in honor of the three gentleman who have passed down their wisdom and knowledge over the years!

(Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 70-180 f2.8, DJI Mini 3 Pro)

NAEGA Conference in Nashville

The mission of the North American Export Grains Association is to promote and sustain the reliability of commercial agricultural exports. NAEGA is the global leader in shaping commercial solutions rooted in contractual expertise, commercial knowledge and industry innovation. The organization maintains a steadfast commitment to outcomes that are risk proportionate and science based.

It has bee my pleasure to photograph the annual NAEGA conference for 3 years now. This year’s program was held in Nashville, TN…which is one of my favorite cities in the US. I had so much fun capturing the heart and soul of Nashville’s downtown music scene during some down time one evening!

(Nikon Zf, Nikkor Z 24-120 f4, DJI Mini 3 Pro)

Renewable Fuels Association – National Ethanol Conference Closing Reception

Once again, it was an absolute pleasure to photograph the National Ethanol Conference for the Renewable Fuels Association!

The National Ethanol Conference (NEC) is the most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. Past events have welcomed industry leaders from across the United States and 20 countries. Since 1996, the Renewable Fuels Association’s NEC has been recognized as the ethanol conference for the latest, most timely information on marketing, legislative, and regulatory issues facing the industry. With numerous networking opportunities, more business meetings are conducted and more contacts are made at this conference than at any other ethanol conference world wide!

This year’s conference was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando Florida. After all the meetings, speakers, and panel discussions, it was time to relax and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather. The “Havana Nights” themed closing reception was a huge hit and a great way to wrap up another successful NEC conference!

Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 70-180 f2.8, DJI Mini 3 Pro

Renewable Fuels Association – National Ethanol Conference General Session

Once again, it was an absolute pleasure to photograph the National Ethanol Conference for the Renewable Fuels Association!

The National Ethanol Conference (NEC) is the most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. Past events have welcomed industry leaders from across the United States and 20 countries. Since 1996, the Renewable Fuels Association’s NEC has been recognized as the ethanol conference for the latest, most timely information on marketing, legislative, and regulatory issues facing the industry. With numerous networking opportunities, more business meetings are conducted and more contacts are made at this conference than at any other ethanol conference world wide!

This year’s conference was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando Florida. Day 2 was filled with networking, keynote presentations, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and special guest speakers.

Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 14-24 f4, Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 70-180 f2.8

Renewable Fuels Association – National Ethanol Conference Welcome Reception

Once again, it was an absolute pleasure to photograph the National Ethanol Conference for the Renewable Fuels Association!

The National Ethanol Conference (NEC) is the most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. Past events have welcomed industry leaders from across the United States and 20 countries. Since 1996, the Renewable Fuels Association’s NEC has been recognized as the ethanol conference for the latest, most timely information on marketing, legislative, and regulatory issues facing the industry. With numerous networking opportunities, more business meetings are conducted and more contacts are made at this conference than at any other ethanol conference world wide!

This year’s conference was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando Florida. After photographing a team photo for the RFA staff, Day 1 concluded with two very nice receptions. The first was to honor women in leadership rolls throughout the ethanol industry. Immediately following that, we all joined the official Welcome Reception for good food, and great networking.

Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 70-180 f2.8