Turner Family in Australia

Cami and I have had so much fun hanging out with the Turner Family in Australia!!!

Cami and Kylie became instant life-long friends when they met at a CISV exchange program in their formative years. They stayed in touch, visiting each other whenever they could, even though they lived half-way around the world. Cami came back to stay with Kylie’s family in Australia over Christmas break one year. Kylie came to stay with Cami’s family in Ohio for a semester of high-school another year. And Kylie even came back to the US to be the maid of honor in our wedding!

It’s been some 25 years! But we finally made it to Australia so Cami and Kylie could be reunited, and so I could meet Kylie’s family. 🙂

While we were together, I took the opportunity to photograph some fun family portraits! Kylie’s daughter, Hayley, is an absolutely GORGEOUS young lady, both inside and out. As she said during the family shoot “we know who the REAL talent is in this family”…HA! It was a funny moment, but so very true. Hayley took to the camera like the superstar that she is!

Cami and I had a BLAST in Australia and can’t wait to come back for more!!!

New Zealand Travels

We had an absolutely BEAUTIFUL time in New Zealand.

Thank you so much Laura and Kevin for your generous hospitality. It was so much fun catching up with you, and experiencing this amazing island you now call home!

Here are a few favorite images from our week together…

New Zealand Harness Racing

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing New Zealand Harness Racing at the Nelson Harness Racing Club! It was so cool to capture these magestic animals in fierce competition, the pomp and circumstance surrounding this age-old sporting event, as well as the “best dressed” fashion contest. Many thanks to Laura and the Wild Tomato publication for this rare opportunity!!!

The Australian Open

It was a true thrill to be able to photograph the action at the Australian Open this week! I’m not only a tennis and sports photographer, but also a longtime fan and avid player of the sport. This has been a “bucket list” item for me to check off the list!!!

Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, volunteers, organizers, sponsors, ball kids, media, and everyone else who helped make this awesome event possible.

The Lawn Tennis Association of Australasia was formulated in 1904 in order for Australasia to be eligible to contest the Davis Cup competition and for Australia to host the region’s Championships. 1926 saw a name change to Lawn Tennis Association of Australia and Sir Norman Brookes became President for 29 years. It became the Australian Championships in 1927 and the Australian Open in 1969.​​

Fast Facts:

  • The Australian Open was first played at the Warehouseman’s Cricket Ground in St Kilda Road, Melbourne in 1905 as The Australasian Championships
  • Since 1905, the Australian Open has been staged in five different cities: Melbourne (62 times), Sydney (17 times), Adelaide (14 times), Brisbane (8 times), Perth (three times), as well as in New Zealand (two times)
  • In 1972 Ko​oyong Lawn Tennis Club became the permanent home of the Australian Open due to Melbourne attracting the biggest patronage
  • In 1984, the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia became a company, and then in 1986 began to trade as Tennis Australia (TA)
  • TA is the governing body for the sport of tennis in Australia. The organisation exists to promote tennis and conduct domestic and international tournaments on behalf of Australia, including the Australian Open, Davis Cup and Federation Cup
  • TA and the Australian Open moved to its new, permanent home at Flinders Park (now Melbourne Park) in 1988
  • The tournament was not held between 1916 and 1918, or 1940 and 1945, due to international conflicts happening at the time

Loghry Family in New Zealand

Cami and I had an AMAZING time photographing the Loghry Family in their spactacular new home of New Zealand!

From artistic photos of their girls on a picturesque dock at Nelson Lake to modeling photos on famous Wharariki Beach, from aerial drone photos outside their adorable home to family shots at Queens Court park…it was an absolute pleasure capturing these wonderful memories for this beautiful family.

Kevin and Laura are such good friends that took us in and treated us like family. Their adorable daughters are so fun and full of life. Thank you all for such an INCREDIBLE time in your gorgeous new home of New Zealand!!!

Charleston Winter Wonderland

During the recent Charleston Winter Story, schools were closed, businesses shut down, and law enforcement asked everyone to stay off the streets!

Having lived through the brutal winters of Michigan and Ohio, I’m quite comfortable driving in snow. But I wasn’t about to place my life in the hands of other drivers on the road, some of whome may have NEVER seen so much of the fluffy white stuff in their lives!

I obediently stayed at home. But I had lots of beauty to observe and enjoy out of my office window! It may have been cold outside. But the fluttering and flirting of the wide variety of beautiful birds in my back yard warmed my heart! 🙂

Lucy’s Newborn Photos

Having photographed her older sister’s newborn session a couple years ago, it was a distinct honor to be able to finally meet little Lucy, and photograph HER newborn portraits this week! 🙂 CONGRATULATIONS Claire & Doug. She is absolutely beautiful!!!

Mazirow Family on Kiawah Island

It was too chilly and dreary for a beach session. But this was the ONLY day the Mazirow Family would be all together! We bravely switched to “Plan B”, selecting the beautiful views overlooking Osprey Point Golf Course from the deck of their gorgeous rental house as our new photo location. That way, everyone could take brakes to run inside and warm up if they got too cold! 🙂

The secluded deck area was shrouded in trees on all sides, which kept the wind off. But this also prevented any light from filtering through. I quickly set up an array of Nikon SB-800 flashes, firing through giant 60″ Westcott umbrellas, to emulate the warm glow of a late afternoon daylight.  All flashes were triggered by RadioPopper transmitters.  The amazing Nikon D5 did the rest.

Everything turned out beautiful! And the Mazirow Family was so fun to work with!!! CONGRATULATIONS to Ann and Art on their beautiful, kind, and loving family.

Lindsey & Brian at White Point Garden

I first met Brian and his family when I photographed their beach portraits about six years ago. I can’t describe how excited I was when Brian and Lindsey picked me to be their wedding photographer!!!

I owe a HUGE thank you to his mom, Nicole, for keeping my contact info all these years, and letting me know about the exciting news of Lindsey & Brian’s engagement.

These two love-birds have been dating since high-school. True love is a real gift! I’m so happy for Lindsey & Brian, and so excited for what life has in store for them ahead. CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!!

Anderson Reynolds & Stephens

Anderson Reynolds & Stephens, LLC, is a statewide civil litigation defense firm that represents individuals, their businesses, corporations, insurance carriers and government entities in a wide array of disputes.

I’ve had the pleasure of being their photographer for many years. They are a great group of people who truly take their customer’s needs to heart!

Here are a few images from the latest assignment I had for them, photographing updated head-shots and new group photos of the attorneys.

Haik Family on Isle of Palms

It’s been several years now since I last photographed the Haik Family. I was absolutely THRILLED when they called to let me know they were coming back to Wild Dunes and wanted some updated family beach portraits! The best news of all was finding out that their oldest daughter is engaged! CONGRATULATIONS Miranda & Mason!!!