NAEGA Reception at the Embassy of Mexico, Washington D.C.

As a professional photographer, I thrive on the energy of events that celebrate industry, culture, and collaboration. Recently, I had the honor of photographing the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) Reception held at the Embassy of Mexico in Washington D.C. This event was a remarkable blend of networking, diplomacy, and a celebration of agricultural trade.

The evening was set against the stunning backdrop of the historic embassy building, one of a set of row houses known as the “The Seven Buildings”. At one point, the Declaration of Indipendance was held in this location. And during the aftermath of the War of 1812, President Andrew Jackson and his wife lived here while the White House was being rebuilt!

As guests arrived, the air was filled with lively conversations, laughter, and the clinking of glasses, reflecting the networking among industry leaders and stakeholders from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. My focus was to capture the essence of the event – the connections being forged, the exchange of ideas, and the shared commitment to strengthening trade relations. I moved through the crowd, photographing candid moments of discussions, smiles, and handshakes that highlighted the evening’s spirit. The formal speeches provided another layer of storytelling, with dignitaries emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the agricultural trade sector.

A warm welcome was made by Carlos Ochoa, Minister for Agricultural Affairs. Excellent presentations were made by Ambassador Fajer, as well as Alejandra Castillo, president of NAEGA. The attentive expressions of the guests and rounds of aplause made for powerful images, encapsulating the night’s theme of unity, understanding, and progress.

The NAEGA Reception was not just another event; it was a celebration of shared values and aspirations. I’m excited to share these images, capturing the spirit of partnership that will shape the future of North American grain exports.

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!!!

Exploring Yemassee in Infrared

Had an AMAZING shoot this morning at Cotton Hall Plantation with the incomperable Thomas Malphrus!

I brought my Honda CB500X, named Trinity, with me to the assignment. After I was done, we took the long way home…exploring the southern charm, deep history, and whimsical beauty of that area. Some of our stops included: Cotton Hall Plantation, Tomotley Plantation, Old Sheldon Church, Brewton Plantation, and Bluff Plantation (also known as Forest Gump Drive).

All images shot with Nikon Coolpix A, converted to 720nm infrared by Kolari Vision.

Shem Creek Infrare & Aerial Photography

By commission of a client of mine looking for artwork to go in her new home, I went out to photograph some images of Shem Creek a few weeks ago.

The original request was for some of my fineart infrared photos. For those I use a special camera. It’s a Nikon Coolpix A, which is a compact rangefinder camera with a large DSLR sensor in it! The camera has been converted to see IR light by a company called Kolari Vision. It was a beautiful day and I got some great Infrared shots, which the client ended up hanging as 40×50 Acrylic prints in her home.

If you have an old digital camera you don’t use much and would like to convert it to Infrared, here’s the link:  https://kolarivision.com/?ref=74.  For a $10 OFF discount, use Coupon Code “chrissmith” at checkout.

While I was there, it was just too perfect a day not to fly the drone. I just couldn’t resist!!! 🙂

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Old Abandoned Stono Church in IR

I went for a ride with my friends and fellow photographers, Mark, Daniel, and Kraig last weekend.

I brought my Nikon Coolpix A, which has been converted to see Infrared light by Kolari Vision. It’s an amazing little camera with a super sharp 28mm f2.8 lens and a large 16MP DX sensor.

Here are a few shots from the old abandoned Stono Church off Hwy 165…

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Global Ethanol Summit – Washington DC

A few months ago, I had the honor of photographing the Global Ethanol Summit at the Captial Hilton in Washington, DC.

The Summit was an invitation-only meeting for Minister level officials and senior level industry leaders, ethanol producers, and refiners across global ethanol markets. It was an engaging event with, with approximately 350 attendees, about the benefits of creating or expanding ethanol policies with a role for trade. Expanding on previous regiounal events, this year’s Summit builds on current momentum of increased global ethanol trade.

Orchestrated by the US Grains Council (USGC), the event was held over the course of two days, and packed with informative general sessions, leading keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and dedicated trade time. The Global Ethanol Summit was a great opportunity for attendees to hear from thought-leaders on the future of global ethanol use and to build partnerships with industry professionals.

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Smith Family in Hiawassee

For the holidays, Cami and I were able to get together with two of my three brothers and their families. We drove up to Dan and Linda’s house in Hiawassee, GA. A day later, my brother Eric and his family from Ohio also joined us there.

We had a great time catching up with everyone, playing games, watching old reruns of Star Wars episodes, and going on fun hikes. It was a fun few days of rejuvenating old family bonds.

The only regret was that our brother, Brian, and his family couldn’t be there. But we were able to Facetime with Brian and my parents while he was visiting them in California!

Washinton D.C. Infrared

While on assignment covering a conference in Washington D.C., I had some free time to hang out with an old schoolmate who lives there.

Eric and I rented those little electric scooters you find everywhere in big cities these days, and rode them all over the National Mall. It was great fun!

I brought my little Nikon Coolpix A, which I had Kolari Vision convert to Infrared many years ago. Here are a few of the shots I captured of Washington D.C. in Infrared…

Beetlejuice Fashion Shoot

Reid is one of my FAVORITE “creative collaborators” in Charleston!!!  She is so artistic and has such a great sense of humor!

One day while out exploring on my motorcycle, I found this amazing old church ruins with a decaying piano in the middle of the sanctuary. I pitched the idea of a fun fashion shoot to Reid. She loved it!  Wrangling her three beautiful daughters, Sydney, Jackie, and Trinity to model for us, the game was on. They brought their beautiful pet boa constrictors, great props like the vase of old dead roses, and some outlandish outfits from places like Goodwill and who-knows-where!

We had an absolute BLAST and came away with a fun collection of images. Many thanks to Reid and our three gorgeous models!!!

Drayton Hall in Infrared

Drayton Hall, the iconic 18th-century estate in the South Carolina Lowcountry, is vital to our understanding of early American history. It’s also one of my favorite plantations in Charleston!

Founded in 1738, Drayton Hall is the nation’s earliest example of fully executed Palladian architecture…and the oldest preserved plantation house in America still open to the public!!!

I recently had the pleasure of exploring and photographing the property with my Infrared Camera. It’s a special Nikon camera, converted to be able to “see” a frequency of light that’s beyond the range of human sight. I’m always pleasantly surprised by the surreal images it creates! Please enjoy…

Appomattox in Infrared

Last weekend I had a speaking engagement at the Horizons Unlimited event near Appomattox, VA.  It’s a fantastic group of adventure travelers from all over.  Here’s a link to the event, including a write-up of my two presentations: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/virginia-2017.

While I was there, a group of us riders took the opportunity to tour historic Appomattox Courthouse, where the surrender of the Civil War took place.  I brought my Nikon Coolpix A camera, which has been converted to infrared.  I thought it was a neat medium for such a historic location.

The Battle of Appomattox Court House, fought on the morning of April 9, 1865, was the final engagement of Confederate Army general Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia before it surrendered to the Union Army under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.

The signing of the surrender documents occurred in the parlor of the house owned by Wilmer McLean on the afternoon of April 9. On April 12, a formal ceremony marked the disbandment of the Army of Northern Virginia and the parole of its officers and men, effectively ending the war in Virginia.

Edisto Island

Cami and I spent a week in a wonderful, secluded, log cabin on Edisto Island last week.

We were there for our annual business planning, affectionately called the “Chris & Cami Photography Summit”. But we also use the time to unplug, reconnect, and refocus.

As part of that process, I was able to take time to visit some favorite scenic spots like the beautiful avenue of oaks at Botany Bay Plantation, or sit on the porch and photograph the happy songbirds that came to the feeder for a snack. Here are a few of my favorites from those quiet times of reflection.

Our Fine Art images make great decorative pieces for the home or office, and are fantastic gifts for friends and family. Some of these images have been added to the gallery at: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/fineart. Enjoy…