Ella at Magnolia Plantation

One of the many joys in my life is teaching and inspiring others who share my love for the art of photography.

This weekend I had the priviledge of mentoring Ella Crawford as she shadowed me for her 8th grade career day project in school. Since she loves wildlife, we spent the afternoon at Magnolia Plantation and it’s amazing Audubon Swamp Garden.  This beautiful young lady is more mature than most high-schoolers I know. She has a deep passion for art in its many forms. And she DEFINITELY has a gift!!!

Thank you for spending your afternoon with me, Ella! I wish you all the happiness in the world as you follow your heart and fulfill your dreams, whatever they may be.

Katie & Grayson at Magnolia Plantation

Last weekend, Katie & Grayson’s dream of a picture-perfect southern plantation wedding came true!!!

The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, and excitement filled the air! Magnolia Plantation was the gorgeous backdrop for the day. And Katie was absolutely stunning in her gown. What more could a photographer ask for?!? 🙂

To see the rest of their photos, visit http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/katieandgrayson.  And to see some of Katie’s beautiful bridal portraits, check out https://chrisandcami.com/katies-bridal-portraits-at-charlestowne-landing/.

Originally from Arkansas, Katie & Grayson are the most amazing couple you could ever hope to meet! Katie is a stunning lawyer and athlete, with an infectious laugh, and a fun mischievous streak. Grayson’s devilish good looks and strong-but-quiet demeanor could land him on the cover of GQ magazine someday. Together they are a match made in heaven!

Many thanks to my amazing second-shooter, Robbin, to Leanza at Magnolia Plantation, to Loraine at Invitation Only Charleston, to Angela at First Impressions, to John at Watering Hole, to Thomas at 326 Films, to Janice at Pretty Petals, to Steve at Coastal Hospitality, to Andrew at Classical Charleston, to Monica at Cake Sablee, to Ron at RCB Audio, and to the many other helping hands and smiling faces of friends and family who helped make this day so special!

CONGRATULATIONS Katie & Grayson!!!

“Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons,
but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead
and through all the years.
May happiness be your companion,
and your days together be good and long upon the earth.”
– Apache Wedding Blessing

Christina & Jeff’s Secret Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

Jeff and I have been covertly corresponding about his Secret Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend, Christina, since back in March!!! It’s been so much fun coming up with the perfect plan together. It really showed me how much he truly loves this amazing young lady!

The Big Day finally arrived yesterday. As they were enjoying the House Tour at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, I was getting the stage set and getting in my hiding place. When the tour was done, Jeff led Christina down a winding path and stopped underneath a gorgeous live oak tree. He read a wonderful speech he had prepared for Christina. Than got down on his knee to ask for her hand in marriage.

SHE SAID YES!!! 🙂

Afterwards we spent some time walking through the gardens, photographing fun engagement photos, and enjoying the evening together. Christina was so excited. She could hardly keep her eyes off her amazing new ring.  And she couldn’t stop hugging and loving on Jeff the whole time!  🙂

It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this special occasion for Christina & Jeff. CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!!

Super Secret Proposal

I recently had the exhilaration of photographing a SUPER Secret Proposal at Magnolia Plantation!

Due to privacy concerns, and the sensitive nature of the subject, I am not allowed to post any photos/videos of the proposal itself…especially since NOT EVEN the bride-to-be will know the whole thing was captured until he reveals it to her at their wedding reception! 🙂

However, I get a lot of questions about how I set up for Secret Proposals. Although the situation is different for each one, I thought it would be fun to share a few behind-the-scenes photos of how I set up for this particular wedding proposal.

We don’t normally provide video service. However the groom-to-be requested we add it to his package, which I was happy to do.  Here you can see the general scene as viewed from their perspective. Can you pick out my cameras from the landscape?!? I set up one Nikon D4 + 24-70 f2.8, shooting HD Video, to get a wide perspective of “the scene”. I set up a second D4 + 200-400 f4, also shooting HD Video, to capture tight shots of “the action”. And I laid in the reeds with the Nikon D810 + 70-200 f2.8 + TC14eIII to capture all the action in photos.

Normally after photographing The Proposal, the gentleman reveals to his new fiance that he’s secretly had the event photographed for her! That’s when I come out and meet them…SURPRISE!!! Then we do a fun little mini-engagement session together. In this case, since everything was being kept hush-hush and I wasn’t going to be able to meet them, I arrived early and blended in with the other tourists to capture “sniper shots” of them as they toured the property…holding hands, reading the map, taking selfies…before our timed rendezvous under the oaks.

Anyway, I thought you’d enjoy seeing a little behind-the-lens action. It was an awesome event to be a part of.  CONGRATULATIONS to the amazing couple!  I only wish I could be a fly on the wall at their reception when he surprises her with the video/slideshow from this special day!!!  🙂

Casey & Bekah’s Secret Proposal at Magnolia Plantation

It’s rare to find true love as genuine as Casey & Bekah’s!!!

A few days ago I had the pleasure of photographing Casey’s secret proposal to Bekah. He and I had been diligently planning every detail of this special moment for months! Finally the big day arrived…and it turned out absolutely PERFECT!!!

Casey had a full day planned out for the two of them, involving sight-seeing together, a picnic at the beach, and eventually a tour of Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. The grand finale of their fairy-tale day was him asking her to be his wife, on bended knee, under this beautiful cathedral of oaks.

“May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.”
– Irish Blessing

CONGRATULATIONS Casey & Bekah!