The Righteous Gemstones Wrap Party

Cami and I had an absolute BLAST providing an interactive photo-activation in front of The Redeemer this weekend!!!

The Redeemer is the name of the monster truck featured in the popular HBO series, The Righteous Gemstones.  The show features John Goodman, Danny McBride, Adam DeVine, Cassidy Freeman, and many more colorful characters.  After completing filming for the season, the cast and crew gathered at the Firefly Distillery for a private “Wrap Party” to celebrate. The truck was placed on the lawn, where we set up lights, laptop, printer, and a fog machine. Throughout the evening, cast, crew, and guests would stop by and do photos in front if the setup, which we instantly printed and handed to them in an elegant black portfolio.

There were food trucks, drinks, dancing, and tons of other activities going on. But once people started seeing the photos we were producing, the line never stopped! The photos were a HUGE HIT…and we loved every minute of it!!!  🙂

Many thanks to Andrea and her team for making it all happen, and to my friend Matthew for the kind referral.

Frito Lay Headshots at Wild Dunes Resort

As part of our contract to cover Frito Lay’s Atlantic Region Rollout Meeting at Wild Dunes Resort, we were asked to provide headshot stations for anyone needing an updated portrait.

Over 200 employees signed up…and we had a very short window in which to photograph them before the general session began! So I reached out to my good friend Jason of Docent Prodigy to double up with me. Jason is my Moto Photo Adventures partner-in-crime (check out our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/motophotoadventures), and an amazing photographer in his own right!

We set up our “double-trouble” studio in the Boardroom at the Boardwalk Inn, using a Savage Studio Gray backdrop in a diagonal pattern to allow more shooting space on each side. Each station included a Z9, Flashpoint trigger, 2 Flashpoint Speedlights in a Westcott 60″ umbrella as the main light, 1 Flashpoint Speedlight in a 43″ Westcott umbrella as the fill light, and 1 Flashpoint Speedlight in a Westcott Apollo Strip soft box as a kicker light. Everything was placed on Manfrotto supports, held down by BoaBags for safety. In one station, the Z9 was mounted with 24-120S f4 lens (set at around 105mm). In the other station, the Z9 was mounted with a 70-200G f2.8 (also set around 105mm). Everything was shot at ISO 400, f5.6, 1/200, with the flashes dialed to 1/16 power. These settings ensured fast recycle time and no risk of running out of battery power in spite of such a large group.

Even though we had calculated a window of approximately 2 minutes per person, our task was made even more challenging when we were told we also had to rename each person’s headshot to include their region, first name, and last name. This meant each camera had to be tethered to a computer. We used Lenovo Yoga laptops for the task. But since Lightroom doesn’t yet support tethering to the Z9, we used Nikon NX Tether software for the job. It’s a simple, clean, and robust program. And the best part is, it allows you to press a shortcut key to bring up a renaming dialogue box before you shoot each person. This allowed us to input each person’s region, first, and last name into NX Tether before each client. Thus, each image was being automatically renamed by the program while it was transferring to the laptop.

The system worked beautifully, everyone was so friendly, and we had a BLAST!!!

Many thanks to Kate at Destination South, Jason with Docent Prodigy, and Donna & Tracey from Frito Lay for all their help. I couldn’t have done it without you!

Rosen Hagood Open House Event

“Personal attention. Know-how. And seven decades of South Carolina legal experience. That’s Rosen Hagood.”

After ten years at their Meeting Street location, Rosen Hagood has relocated to the Charleston Gateway Center at 40 Calhoun Street. To celebrate 75 years in business, and to introduce this new “home” to their clients, the award-winning law firm held a fantastic Open House Event at their new office this week.  It was my pleasure to cover the event!

Back in 1947, Morris Rosen founded the firm on Broad Street. In 1985, Brew Hagood became partner. In 2022, Rosen Hagood celebrated 75 years of South Carolina legal experience and leadership.  This driven and dedicated team received six Tier 1 rankings and one Tier 2 ranking in the 2023 U.S. News “Best Law Firms” list!!!

Alex & Hannah’s Surprise Proposal at White Point Garden

Alex’s heartfelt email arrived on my desktop back in July: “I’m looking to propose to my girlfriend on the evening of either 11/11/22 or 11/12/22 and would love to have the surprise proposal photographed.”. (I owe my good friend and amazing photographer, Michael Cyra, a HUGE Thank You for recommending us to him!)

This contact sparked a wonderful series of emails and phone conversations with Alex, in which we concocted a secret plan of action. Alex & Hannah were going to be visiting Charleston that weekend. We decided that after a fun tour of The Aquarium, he was going to let her know he had arranged for a private walking tour around historic Downtown Charleston for the two of them. And they had to meet their “tour guide” under a certain tree at White Point Garden.

When the big day arrived, I got to the park ahead of schedule, and set up my spot. Due to the wind (remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole that had passed through days before), Alex and I had to call an audible. We needed to reverse their positions so that Hannah’s hair wouldn’t be blowing in her face! 🙂 Alex handled the change of directions with confidence and discretion…expertly guiding Hannah to a beautiful spot on the lawn, underneath the avenue of oaks that line the edge of the park.

Dropping to his knee, Alex delivered a beautiful speech, and asked Hannah to be his wife. SHE SAID YES!!! The park was filled with tons of tourists, who all noticed what was going on, and broke out in applause afterwards! It was such a special moment.

Following their surprise proposal, Alex, Hannah, and I enjoyed a wonderful stroll through the park, into the surrounding old historic district, ending up along The Battery for some dramatic shots with the sun setting in the distance over the Ashley River!

CONGRATULATIONS Alex & Hannah!!! We wish you all the best as you begin this new journey together…

Ally’s Senior Portraits

I had so much fun photographing Ally’s high-school senior portraits yesterday!

Ally is an adorable young lady, with a beautiful smile, a bubbly personality, and tons of energy!!! Not only is she beautiful, she’s also brilliant, hoping to study Marine Biology at the University of Georgia. And to top it all off, she’s an athlete…hoping to make the college baton twirling team!

CONGRATULATIONS Ally! We wish you all the best for a bright future ahead…

Another Awesome Wild Dunes Event

I always enjoy working with my good friend and amazing photographer, Gary at Coleman Photography!

This was the second event I shot for him out at Wild Dunes Resort this weekend…and it was absolutely AWESOME!!! We had covered this awards conference for many years up until the pandemic put things on hold. But this year it was back…and bigger than ever! It was so much fun catching up with their amazing staff that we haven’t seen in a couple years.  🙂

My kit for covering the event included the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Nikon Z9 (x2), 14-30S f4, 24-70S f2.8, 105G f2.8 Micro, Flashpoint flashes, Manfrotto stands, and Westcott modifiers.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners!!!

Dart Container for Gary Coleman

I always enjoy working with my good friend and amazing photographer, Gary at Coleman Photography!

This week we tag-teamed to cover several events for the Dart Container Summit. Gary had me cover the rooftop reception and awards banquet at the new Sweetgrass Inn on Isle of Palms. This new property is part of the beautiful Wild Dunes Resort.  The views from the rooftop deck outside the Indigo Ballroom are AMAZING!!!

It was a fantastic evening of fellowship and fun, which I covered with the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Nikon Z9 (x2), 14-30S f4, 24-70S f2.8, 105G f2.8 Micro + FTZII, and Flashpoint flashes.

First Headshots with New Nikon Z9

The Nikon D5 has been my go-to camera for headshots and corporate assignments for many years! The files from that camera have just been so clean and noise-free that I thought it would be impossible to beat.

Now that I’ve had some time to test out the Z9, I am REALLY impressed. The images are even sharper. The eye-detect auto-focus system adds a whole new level of accuracy.  And the higher resolution sensor captures even MORE detail. Nikon’s new flagship camera has definitely earned it’s place in my bag!!!

(Nikon Z9, Nikkor 70-200 f2.8VRII + FTZII, Manfrotto stands, Flashpoint trigger, 4 Flashpoint flashes, Westcott Apollo 50″ softbox, Westcott Apollo strip box, BoaBags sand bags.)

Trident Literacy Association 50th Anniversary Gala

What a milestone event!!!

I had the pleasure of photographing the Trident Literacy Association’s 50th Anniversary Gala this weekend. The evening was full of music, keynote speakers, awards presentations, a fundraiser, and a live auction!

The incomparable Carolyn Murray served as Mistress of Ceremonies. The keynote address was delivered by the eloquent British Robinson from the Barbara Bush Foundation. And the lively Tom Crawford served as auctioneer when the bidding began.

Many thanks to Lee & Taylor from Experience Holy City for helping make sure everything ran perfectly. And a huge “thank you” to Joanne and Judianne from the Trident Literacy Association for bringing me in to cover The Golden Gala!

Shot with Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor 14-30 f4, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, Godox flashes (x8)

Lindsey & Brock’s Fairytale Wedding

When Lindsey & Brock described their hopes and dreams for the wedding they were planning at their parent’s pine tree farm out in the middle of the country, I had NO IDEA what a beautiful “fairytale wedding” it would turn out to be!

Lindsey tells a funny story about how she and Brock met! They both attended the same gym for 2 years.  But they never spoke to each other during that time. After she move to a different gym and started dating on Tinder, she noticed he was on there too. Back when she was at the other gym, she had heard he had a girlfriend. So she messaged him to say “why are you on a dating app when you have a girlfriend?”. To her surprise, Brock let her know they had broken up a while back. And pretty soon Lindsey & Brock became an item!!! 🙂

Last weekend the Big Day finally arrived! Entering the property down a long avenue of oak trees, a beautiful arbor had been constructed on the front lawn where the wedding would take place. The giant work shed had been transformed into a gathering area for cocktails. And the massive oak tree over by the lake had been beautifully decorated for the reception. There was even a white tent, a stage, and a dance floor set up for the band to kick things up a notch when the time came!

As she walked down the white aisle runner, Lindsey was absolutely STUNNING in her elegant wedding gown! The light danced and shimmered off her cathedral length veil. Smartly dressed in a classic gray 3-piece suit, Brock couldn’t keep his eyes off of her! Surrounded by their closest friends and family, Lindsey & Brock exchanged their heartfelt vows under beautiful blue skies, shaded by the canopy of trees overhead.

After family photos and couples portraits, Lindsey & Brock joined everyone for a few cocktails before heading over to the oak tree by the lake where their reception awaited. As dusk turned to dark, the silent oak came alive with thousands of twinkling lights strung among the branches. It truly was a magical experience to be together, enjoying their first dance as husband and wife, embraced by the outstretched arms of this gentle giant above!

After a delicious meal with warm company, The Significant Others helped everyone shake off the evening chill. Their foot-stomping, arm-pumping, classic rock and pop tunes had everyone on the dance floor all night long!!!  But eventually it was time to send Ken & Barbie…er…I mean Brock & Lindsey off.  And what a send-off it was!!!  Between the bright red classic Buick “escape vehicle”, the fancy fireworks lining the avenue of oaks, and everyone cheering them off…it certainly was a night to remember.

Cami and I would especially like to thank her cousins, Beth & Ken, for recommending us to Lindsey & Brock. It was such an honor being a part of this special day for this AMAZING couple!

To Lindsey & Brock…we wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin this new chapter in your lives!!!

Lindsey & Brock’s Rehearsal Dinner Party

My heart is overflowing! This weekend was filled with palpable excitement, heartfelt tears of joy, and a fairytale story of true love!

It all started with Lindsey & Brock’s Wedding Rehearsal at Forsyth Park in Savannah, GA. After rehearsing their vows for the day ahead, we strolled through the park, capturing a few beautiful portraits of this amazing couple as the sun’s final rays of golden light sifted through the trees.

The ensuing Rehearsal Dinner Party at 700 Drayton Restaurant was the perfect cap to a delightful day together. Everyone was in high spirits with anticipation of the day to come. And there was a palpable buzz of excitement in the air, as everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening of fellowship and celebration for Lindsey & Brock.

With dreams of the big day ahead, here are a few favorite images from Lindsey & Brock’’s Wedding Rehearsal.  I can’t wait to share their amazing wedding photos as soon as they are done! Stay tuned!!!  🙂

Export Exchange Conference in Minneapolis – Day 3

With 500 attendees from over 50 countries, The Export Exchange is an international conference held in Minneapolis, that provides 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. The speaker line-up for this year’s conference was a “who’s who” array of experts in the industry, with a variety of programs to educate and build awareness of environmental sustainability, weather patterns, the world political climate, historical data trends, and the benefits of U.S. products. Event sponsors from all over the country were also there, displaying products, answering questions, and building relationships with buyers.

In addition to hosting the conference, The U.S. Grains Council sponsored the attendance of international trade teams from more than 30 countries that will see the U.S. grain supply chain firsthand before and after the conference.

Day 3 of the conference capitalized on all the informative presentations and relationship-building from the previous two days! There were many more powerful presentations, as well as panel discussions for everyone to attend. Plus there were many new connections established during the networking breaks. The day culminated in a fun group shot of all the amazing people on the US Grains Council team that made this whole conference possible! It was an absolute pleasure photographing this year’s Export Exchange!!!