Boone Hall Family Shoot

I met Holly while shooting assignments for her at the Charleston Regional Business Journal.  We’ve been friends ever since and I’ve had the pleasure of photographing her and Clint’s family for several years.  Originally it was just their 4-legged kids, now they have a beautiful 2-legged one too.  J  We met at the historic Boone Hall Plantation just down the road from their house.  The early morning light was just perfect and we had a great time roaming the grounds and stopping for different shots.  At one point, when I had everyone set, including 2-dogs and a 1-year old girl, this huge (think grayhound) bus slowly wanders down the famous Avenue of Oaks that was my backdrop…and proceeded to stop right behind us to let it’s FULL contents of elderly tourists out behind us!!!  How inconsiderate was that?  They could have just as easily pulled up 15 feet closer to the mansion and been out of our shot!  But that’s the fun of working in a public environment.  We rolled with the punches, moved on to a new spot, and came back to that one after everyone had dispersed. 

Tamarae & David at Fort Johnson Baptist

Tamarae & David finally tied the knot last weekend after about 6 years together.  They met freshman year at George Mason, where Tamarae may or may not have stalked David until he made her his girlfriend.  J  She is such a bubbly, fun-loving extrovert, has a flare for the dramatic, and enjoys drama and art.  While he is quiet and reserved…that is until you get to REALLY know him.  He sings, writes music, and plays in a band.  In fact, he recorded and sang the song they did their first dance to.  They complement each other so well.  Which made their wedding day a true joy for me to be a part of!  

The wedding was held at the gorgeous Fort Johnson Baptist Church.  Afterwards we went downtown for a fun photo shoot, where they were picked up by Palmetto Carriage for a quiet ride to the historic Francis Marion Hotel for their reception.  I got to work with some of my favorite vendors, including Jeff Bradt Video, Cakes by Kasarda, Jay Maxwell’s Music by Request, the Mike Wolk Jazz Group, Seithel’s Florist, and of course the fabulous Caroline Bean from the Francis Marion.  Tamarae’s dress came from Blush, the bridesmaids dresses were from the amazing LulaKate, and the gentleman were outfitted at Berlin’s Tuxedos.  Everything went as smooth as could be.  After watching the fun Music Video at www.chrisandcami.com/blog, head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of their photos.

Tamarae & David, it was such an honor and a pleasure being part of your special day!!!


 

Folly Beach Family Portrait

Tasha & Joe took a little R&R last week and rented a place on Folly Beach.  They’re expecting TWINS!  J  So to celebrate, their growing family, they brought their “other” family member, Titan, out for a fun Family Portrait Session on the beach.

Moody Air Force Base

Monday I had a really neat opportunity to use my Creative Lighting System.  The amazing folks at TranSystems, who I’d done a similar shoot for at Shaw AFB, called to ask if I’d be willing to drive to Moody AFB in Valdosta, GA for this one.  Turns out they are up for an incredible award due to the efficiency and “green” design of this new dorm building.  I was honored and jumped at the opportunity.  I photographed all day, doing lots of Interior/Architectural images in and around the property.  But of course the “money shot” was going to be at dusk.  This was the last frame of the night.  I had a total of 8 – SB800/SB900 flashes blazing.  Each had a ½ CTO filter on it.  Most were triggered by my trusty RadioPoppers (though the closer ones just used regular old line-of-sight CLS).  I shot this about 20 minutes after sunset with a Nikon D3 and 14-24 f2.8 at 14mm.  By the time I’d packed up and headed home, it was a very long but rewarding day! 

Ashley & Sherrod at Trinity UMC

The hot, sticky, summer heat gave way to a gentle respite last weekend…just in time for Ashley & Sherrod’s Big Day!  J  I met up with Ashley at the historic Wentworth Mansion, where Sherrod had proposed to her in early November.  Fittingly, we had also photographed their Engagement Portraits in this picturesque B&B.  Sherrod met up with us there the two of them exchanged their First Glance before the mayhem of the wedding day began.  Then it was off to Trinity United Methodist Church, the oldest in South Carolina, where they were married in a beautiful service.  Their reception was held at the South Carolina Society Hall, a venue with great character that I always love working in! 

To see the fun slideshow of their day, visit www.chrisandcami.com/blog.  And to see the rest of their Online Gallery, head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com.  

CONGRATULATIONS Ashley & Sherrod!  May you forever stick to each other like glue…



Faces of Romania

As days turn into weeks…and weeks turn into months…I often catch myself thinking of the amazing people I met in Romania.  It’s hard to believe that was July and we’re now moving into September!  So I thought I’d post some of the images that gripped me the most from that amazing experience.  Not surprisingly, they were all images of the beautiful faces I met along my journey.  Enjoy!

Bethany & John at the I’On Creek Club

Last weekend, Bethany & John were married at the picturesque and peaceful I’On Creek Club in Mt. Pleasant.  They had the good luck of a little rain on their wedding day.  But it certainly didn’t dampen any spirits and cleared up in plenty of time for us to zip downtown for a fun photo shoot with the weddig party before the reception.  Bethany & John are from Ohio.  And they are major Dog Lovers.  So when we first started talking back in February, we had that much in common!  But then…Bethany told me how important getting great photos of her wedding day were to her…I was hooked!  J  We had a FANTASTIC time finding some really cool “Iconic Charleston” locations to get some great photos in.  Then it was back to the Creek Club for a really fun, laid back, northern style party!

Check out the fun Music Video of their day at www.chrisandcami.com/blog.  Then head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of their Online Gallery. 

CONGRATULATIONS Bethany & John!  We wish you all the best for a beautiful new journey together…

 

Carolina Christian Church

Cami & I are members of C3.  Last weekend Pastor Randy asked us to do a few snapshots of everyone that’s involved in a ministry position at the church.  So we had a little fun with it…brought a colorful seamless background Sunday morning, set up the Creative Lighting System, and did a full-on fashion photo shoot.  I shot with one of the Nikon D3’s tethered to a laptop, then transferred images to the media team to add bio info and project on the screen.  As you can see, everyone let loose and really had a great time!  Pastor Randy just started a new series called “Big Questions, Real Answers”.  You’re welcome to join us!!!  

 

 

Shelby & Jim at the I’On Creek Club

Last weekend, Jim & Shelby hosted one big CRAZY PARTY at the I’On Creek Club!!!  Oh, and they also got married.  J  The amazing Stacey at Red Letter Events coordinated everything.  Fred & Rob filled the air with soulfull sounds during the ceremony.  DJ Rob Duren rocked the house at the reception.  Granvilles Catering served the masses in style.  Paula from Buy The Bunch infused a gorgeous pallete of color.  And Ashley Bakery created a work of art for desert.  Check out the fun Music Video of Jim & Shelby’s day at www.chrisandcami.com/blog.  Then head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com to see the rest of the “evidence” of their beautiful event. 

 



Romanian Orphanage

One of the reasons for going to Romania was because I had offered my services to photograph the children in the orphanage at Campulung.  These kids had probably never had a professional portrait taken of them in their lives.  As we all know, having a great portrait of yourself can do wonders for your self-esteem!  What better way to share with someone who speaks a different language than you do, that they are loved unconditionally and that they are uniquely and wonderfully made, than to give them a beautiful portrait of themselves?!? So I brought a small lighting kit with 2-Manfrotto 5001B light stands, 2-Westcott Collapsible Umbrellas, and 2-SB800 strobes.  All of this stored perfectly into my ultra-compact lighting kit, which you can see here with the rest of the gear I took:  https://chrisandcami.com/blog/2010/07/30/packing-for-romania/.  I used a white window curtain with the sun back-lighting it for a nice high-key background.  Along with this setup, we brought a small Canon Selphy die-sub printer, thanks to Erika.  I set my D3 up so that one CF card slot was recording RAW files, and the other was recording a duplicate medium sized JPG file.  As I photographed each child, Terry would take the card with the JPG image, help them pick out their favorite, and instantly pop out a print for them.  Then Erika would take it over and help them place it in one of the colorful frames she’d brought.  They LOVED IT!!!  We were so blessed to see the excitement on their faces as they walked out and showed their portrait to their friends.  J

 

Isle of Palms Family Beach Portrait

The Blalocks are spread out all over the country…Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania.  So it was very special for them to be able to come together for a family vacation here in the Charleston area.  I was honored that they contacted us about photographing their family portrait on the beach across from the house they had rented on IOP.  We laughed, got wet, and had a great time creating some fun memories.  J

Laura & Kyle Do It on Folly Beach

After courting her for a while, Kyle proposed to Laura over Christmas last year.  Soon wedding plans were in full swing and through their fabulous wedding planner, Emmy at Peacock Events, I was the lucky photographer they picked to cover their special day!  J  Laura is a teacher…and you all KNOW how much I love and respect teachers!  Her and Kyle live in Greer, where they’ll be returning after their fabulous Jamaica Honeymoon.  Laura & Kyle rented a beautiful home on the marsh side of Folly beach where they could do their “I Do’s”.  As it turns out, it was the home of my good friend and fellow photographer, Charlie Thiel!!!  The late afternoon summer showers held off juuuust long enough for the ceremony and a few photos on the lawn.  And they didn’t dampen the fun atmosphere and crazy party that ensued!  I had a great time and LOVED being a part of Laura & Kyle’s beautiful wedding day.  To see their fun Music Video, head over to www.chrisandcami.com/blog and click on the first image.  To see their Engagement Portraits and the rest of their Wedding Photos, head over to www.chrisandcami.zenfolio.com.  CONGRATULATIONS to Laura & Kyle…may you have a LIFETIME OF DREAMS together!!!