John’s Retirement Roast on Kiawah Island

I haven’t laughed so hard, nor choked back so many tears, as I did at John’s wonderful Retirement Roast this weekend!

As a full-time professional event photographer in Charleston, I am so privileged to be invited into the most touching, most beautiful, most powerful, and most important occasions in people’s lives. Denise put on an AMAZING retirement party for her husband. All his closest friends and colleagues made the trek out to the Kiawah Island Club at River Course to celebrate this man, his integrity, his leadership, and his impact on their lives.

CONGRATULATIONS John on all your accomplishments!!!

The Ocean Course

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosted the 2007 Senior PGA and the 2012 PGA Championships. It will also host the 2021 PGA Championships. The Ocean Course is only the fourth course to have hosted each of the PGA of America’s major championships.

The Ocean Course gained instant notoriety as the host of the dramatic “War by the Shore,” a battle decided literally by the final putt of Sunday’s final match in 1991’s Ryder Cup Matches. In 1997, The Ocean Course hosted the World Cup of Golf, with the world’s finest golfers from 32 countries competing in the stroke play tournament. The inaugural UBS Cup took place on the course in 2001, and in 2003 the course hosted the World Golf Championships World Cup. The PGA Professional National Championship was played in June 2005.

Golf Digest named The Ocean Course “#3 Public Golf Course in U.S.”, #20 among “America’s Greatest Courses” and “America’s Toughest Resort Course.” It is one of only 17 “5-star” courses in North America in Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” reader’s poll. GOLF Magazine has rated it #4 in its “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list. The Ocean Course has achieved the designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by the Audubon Sanctuary System, and has recently been named “Golf Course of the Year” by the National Golf Course Owners Association.

The Ocean Course made its big screen debut in November 2000 when the movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance”, directed by Robert Redford, narrated by Jack Lemon, and starring Will Smith, Matt Damon, and Charlize Theron, opened at theatres nation-wide.

Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz on Kiawah Island

GRAMMY-winning guitarist Earl Klugh’s renowned Weekend of Jazz is returning to Kiawah Island once again this coming fall!

Since 2004, Earl Klugh has been bringing the world’s greatest artists together with jazz enthusiasts for his one-of-a-kind weekend getaways. You can only enjoy Earl Klugh’s exclusive Weekend of Jazz events at two Five-Star, Five-Diamond properties; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island.

Backing up my good friend and AMAZING photographer, Michael Cyra, it’s been a true honor to photograph what I call the “Earl Klugh Experience” on Kiawah Island for the past several years! Here are a few of my favorite highlights from 2015…

Gaydosz Family on Kiawah Island

I’ve been photographing the warm and loving Gaydosz Family for many years now. Many thanks to Maria for organizing these fun shoots!
 
Each year the family grows and expand. It’s so much fun watching the children as their personalities develop and they truly come into their own! This year we missed big brother Steve and his family, with a prior commitment. But I look forward to seeing them ALL back together again next year for more fun times!!! 🙂

Surprise Sunrise Proposal on Kiawah Island

Just before I left for Romania I got a call from Corbin, who was secretly planning to propose to his girlfriend.  They are from Augusta, but were moving to Charleston that weekend.  He’d already convinced her that they should make their first morning in town a special one by watching the sunrise together and going to breakfast afterwards.  He even bought her a special beach dress to wear and made arrangements with The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island.  He’d seen my pictures of  Allison & Damon’s Proposal (https://chrisandcami.com/blog/2010/07/07/allison-says-yes-to-damon-on-kiawah-island/) and really wanted me to be there to capture theirs. 

Well, 5:00 A.M. came awfully early as I dragged myself out of bed to drive out to Kiawah.  But to experience such a beautiful moment between two people in love, within the stillness and calm of a deserted beach before dawn, and accentuated with the glorious rising of the sun…well, I have chills just writing about it.  Needless to say, the comfort of my bed didn’t hold a stick to the gravity of such a moment!  I felt truly blessed to be there.

After shooting his proposal incognito, Corbin brought Sarah over to meet me.  We laughed and I shared some of the pictures from the back of the camera with them.  Then as the sun rose into place, I shot a few “true” Engagement Portraits for them.  We had such a great time together.  Corbin & Sarah were so much fun to work with…even letting me talk them into getting a little wet.  J  CONGRATULATIONS to you both!

50th Anniversary on Kiawah Island

A few days ago I had the distinct pleasure of photographing Jim & Pat, who were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a vacation to Kiawah Island along with their extended family.  Having recently returned from my own family reunion in Ohio, it was neat to witness the bonds and connections that were shared by all.  Next month marks 15 years for Cami & I.  Only 35 more to go and we’ll reach Jim & Pat’s status!!!  J

National Kitchen & Bath Association

I just found out the National Kitchen & Bath Association has featured an image I took (top of first page) for one of my favorite kitchen design clients…Signature Kitchens & Baths…in their 2010 Kitchen & Bath Style Report.

According to the NKBA, “The kitchen & bath are the most essential rooms in your home. You want these spaces to be comfortable and welcoming while reflecting the needs of your lifestyle and personality.”  The Mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide. 

CONGRATULATIONS to Jim & Linda McLain (owners), Mary Dodge (designer) and the rest of the gang at Signature Kitchens & Baths for their winning entry!!!

Kiawah Island Grandeur

I had another truly FABULOUS shoot for the creative folks at Solaris Inc last week on Kiawah Island.  These beautiful homes they build just blow my mind!  The imported front doors alone probably cost more than my vehicle!!!  J  This one had a rich French flair to it that I particularly enjoyed.

 

Kiawah Island Living

Last month I had an AMAZING shoot for Solaris Inc.  They are the leading builder of custom luxury homes on Kiawah Island!!!  One of the things I love most about being a photographer is the diversity of my day-to-day existence.  One day I might be photographing a famous lawyer, the next I’m photographing a beautiful baby.  One day I might be covering the Family Circle Cup, the next I’m covering a wedding.  Each set of circumstances is unique and interesting in its own way.  And each presents a different set of challenges.  But the best part is, every single problem-solving skill I learn on one assignment can be carried over and applied to another!  I love it!!!

Kristin & Eric at The Sandcastle

Kristin & Eric had a FABULOUS wedding at The Sandcastle on Kiawah Island last week! They live in Winston-Salem, but Kristin spent many fun summers on Kiawah during her younger years. So it was only fitting that she add yet ANOTHER wonderful memory to her collection of “Happy Days at Kiawah”! 🙂

Enjoy the slideshow then Click Here to see the rest of their Online Gallery.

CONGRATULATIONS, Kristin & Eric! You guys were AWESOME to work with!!!