Indigo Square for Seamon Whiteside

As Hurricane Dorian crawled up the coast to Charleston, I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to get this assignment completed for Seamon Whiteside.

Their amazing team of engineers and designers created the layout of the new Indigo Square multi-use complex in Mt. Pleasant, for which they’d won several awards. I had been tasked with capturing all the key features and amenities of the project for an upcoming presentation.

Luckily, the “calm before the storm” turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day! I was able to complete the assignment just before the weather turned ugly.  🙂

GOODBYE DORIAN!!!

Cami and I are safe and sound as this massive storm moves on away from us here in Charleston. Many thanks to all those who checked in on us all day. Now our thoughts and prayers turn to those still ahead of its path of destruction, as well as those left in devastation from its passing. Good night and be kind to each other…

MacNaught Family on Kiawah Island

It was one of the most beautiful days we’ve had this summer!

Instead of being overcast and gray, as so many afternoons have been lately, the sun was bouncing off beautiful cloud formations in the sky. Yet it was surprisingly cool compared to previous weeks  A gentle breeze was sweeping in off the ocean as the waves lapped the shore.

I met up with the MacNaught Family at their rental house just off the beach. Their three adorable children were excited for our shoot and ready to go! From the first family shots on the boardwalk as we made our way to the beach, to the candids of them playing in the sand as the sun slipped away…the entire session was so much fun!!!

Here are a few favorites from the evening…

Dilella Family on Kiawah Island

As the summer comes to an end, and schools start back up, I am critically aware that there are only a few “perfect” summer evenings left in the season. One of those was yesterday!

I met up with the Dilella Family on Kiawah Island on an absolutely perfect evening! The sun, which had baked the earth just hours before, had slipped into “Golden Hour”. And a gentle breeze was blowing off the ocean to drop the temps to “just right”.

The Dilella family was an absolute joy to work with! The grandkids were delightful and full of energy. It was such a pleasure capturing these beautiful family memories before their children head back to Cleveland.  To top it all off, as I was driving away I noticed these amazing crepuscular rays from the settings sun in the west, extending their fingers all the way to the rising moon in the east.  What a sight!!!   🙂

The Ocean Course Rainbow

Something truly magical happened at this family portrait session I had with the Cyrus Family at The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island!!!

Nester Family on Seabrook Island

We had a smaller crowd this year. Some of the Nester clan couldn’t make it. Even though they were missed, we still had a BLAST!!!

I had so much fun catching up with Jeff & Suzanna, who’s beautiful wedding I had the honor of photographing all those years ago. Their kids are growing like weeds and starting to show off their personalities. And in spite of a couple health-hiccups this year, their parents are doing great!

We met up at our usual spot on Seabrook Island. The landscape out there has changed quite a bit from their vacation last year…various storms and tides have shifted the sand and dunes considerably. In spite of the usual summer afternoon thunder-storms, it turned out to be a GORGEOUS evening!  We got some awesome shots!!!

Many thanks to the Nesters for all the years of fond memories together! We love you guys!!!

Sweigart Family Senior Portraits

It’s been five or six years since I last photographed the Sweigart Family. But I recognized them instantly…in spite of how much the kids have grown!

Back on Kiawah Island for vacation this summer, we met up at The Sanctuary to update their family portraits. Plus since their middle daughter, Kara, is going to be a senior in high-school, we thought it would be fun to capture some unique senior portraits for her. Being from Pennsylvania, this would give her some beautiful lowcountry scenery in her portfolio of images that none of her friends back home will have! 🙂

We lucked out with a GORGEOUS evening! Everyone was so much fun and so into the shoot! We came away with a wonderful set of photos to memorialize this special time in their family’s life!!!

Mary Beth & Bryant’s Darlington Wedding

Mary Beth & Bryant are SUCH an amazing couple!!! I owe my good friend and amazing photographer, Steve, a huge “Thank You” for recommending me to these two!

I’ve had so much fun getting to know Mary Beth & Bryant in the months leading up to their special day. A few months back, they even made a special trip to Charleston, where we had a BLAST capturing some killer engagement photos for them. You can check those out at: https://chrisandcami.com/mary-beth-bryant-at-brittlebank-park/.

Last weekend the Big Day finally made it! Arriving at their house where Bryant and the guys were getting ready, everyone was laughing and joking and having a great time.  That’s the way a wedding day SHOULD be, right?  I then met up with Mary Beth and the girls at Norman Cosmetics where they were getting ready. The excitement and energy in the salon was fabulous. I could tell we were in for quite a celebration!

Mary Beth looked absolutely STUNNING in her gorgeous wedding gown! I must say, Bryant looked quite dashing, himself. The two of them enjoyed a fun First Look underneath the huge arches of the Darlington Courthouse. We also went on a creative little mini-shoot around the town square, eventually meeting up with the rest of the wedding party for some group shots. After a grand-finale in front of the famous mural, everyone headed over to the church for the main event!

Mary Beth and Bryant had chosen St. Matthews Episcopal Church to exchange their wedding vows. I absolutely love the church’s amazing stained glass windows and rich wooden interior. The wedding was simply beautiful!

Following the ceremony, everyone headed over to South of Pearl for the real celebration!!! South of Pearl is an excellent reception venue in town, a remodeled old historic home with lots of amazing architecture, and a beautifully manicured lawn in the back. There was eating, dancing, cake, cookies…you name it!  Everyone had an AMAZING time! And the dark threatening clouds even parted ways just in time for some dramatic portraits of this sweet couple at sunset.  🙂

To check out all the photos from their Big Day, visit https://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/p522914086.

CONGRATULATIONS Mary Beth & Bryant!!! We wish you all the best as you begin this beautiful new journey together…

Tru Hotel by Hilton

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing the brand new Tru Hotel by Hilton in Orangeburg, SC for the Naman Hotel group! As always, Dexter and Kristi from the marketing team were fabulous to work with. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. And the breakfast spread they are famous for was delicious!

Field Trip to Bulls Island

If you like birding, pristine hiking, beach combing, and a chance to get away from the mainland, then Bulls Island just might be for you!

On behalf of the Center for Birds of Prey, and in association with Coastal Expeditions, earlier this week I had the pleasure of photographing a fun field trip with a group of students from Cainhoy Elementary School. In spite of living in the Lowcountry, some of these kids had never seen the ocean. So, imagine the wonder and amazement in their eyes as we explored Bulls Island together, the crown jewel of the Cape Romain National Wildlife System!!!

Many thanks to Daniel at the Avian Conservation Center for getting me on this project, and Captain Nick from Coastal Expeditions who was our amazing tour guide for the day.

Siemon Whiteside Development Projects

Variety is the spice of life, as they say. That’s one of the reasons why I choose NOT to be pigeon-holed into one particular genre of photography. Instead of doing the same thing over and over again, day after day…for me each day is full of unique assignments and new challenges!

Recently I have really enjoyed working with Siemon Whiteside, photographing a number of their projects. SW is a leader of environmentally conscious, low-impact advancements in engineering and site design. They are known for how they blend civil engineering civil engineering and landscape architecture to create beautiful yet functional holistic environments.

From wide sweeping landscape shots, to tiny detail images, to aerial drone photos…capturing the essence of these projects always pushes the limits of my dexterity and creativity. I absolutely LOVE that!!!