Last week I had the opportunity to join an all-star team of amazing photographers to document all the action and adventures of a really neat corporate incentive trip on the island of Maui. While there, we took the opportunity to spend a few extra days driving the famed Road to Hana, hiking in Haleakala National Park, relaxing with Hawaiian green sea turtles on Ho-okipa Beach, and photographing the amazing sunset from the dormant volcano’s picturesque summit.
Dan & Lauren’s wedding was extra special to me because of the shared African Connection!
I was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cami and I have also traveled to Tanzania a couple of times. So when Lauren contacted us about photographing her wedding to Dan, a wonderful man she met and fell in love with while working in Kenya, I was absolutely THRILLED!!!
“That’s awesome that you were born in the Congo and have been back to visit Africa!! It’s a beautiful continent. I work with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, specifically with programs that empower women and girls from marginalized communities. I also teach some theology classes at the Presbyterian University in Nairobi to folks who are preparing to enter pastoral ministry. I love it!! I lived in Kenya for the first time the year I graduated from college, and I have loved it ever since. Dan is Kenyan – we met back in 2009 when I was serving as a student minister in Nairobi during my last year of seminary. We spent a lot of time in (really) long distance while I served a church in New Jersey, and he worked in Nairobi. Then I moved back to Kenya last year – and now we’re getting married in June! We couldn’t be more excited!!!”
Dan & Lauren were married at the picturesque Tanglewood Plantation. Their celebration was a bland of African culture and American tradition. It was so cool to not only capture the joining of these two beautiful people in love, but also witness the coming together of two families from different continents.
Many thanks to my good friend and amazing photographer Steve Roos for the kind referral, to Bailey Stone of By Invitations Only for keeping everything running smoothly, Southern Way Catering for the delicious food, Emerald Empire Band for the awesome music, Brian Urbish at Tanglewood Plantation, and all the other wonderful people who had a hand in making this magical day come true.
To see the complete collection of Lauren & Dan’s photos, head over to: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/laurenanddan2.
CONGRATULATIONS Lauren & Dan! An African wedding blessing we used to say is “Where there is love there is no darkness.” May your hearts always be full of light as you begin your new journey together!
Carrie is a child-hood friend of our friend Tonya. (Many thanks for the kind referral, Tonya!) I was looking forward to finally photographing Chris & Carrie’s beautiful family beach portraits with great anticipation!
Although it poured the entire afternoon, Carrie & Chris must be living right! The skies finally opened up just in time for us to have a beautiful session on the picturesque beach at Isle of Palms. 🙂 To see more of their photos, visit http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/p804066145.
We had so much fun! Their adorable dogs, Daisy and Derby, were wonderful to work with. And the rains started back up just as we were leaving. What great timing!!!
Laura has been working with Cami and I for several years! She’s our second-shooter, our confidant, and our friend. We were overjoyed when she found true love in Ryan. But our excitement DOUBLED when Ryan told us he was planning to ask for Laura’s hand in marriage, and that he wanted us to capture it!!! 🙂
It was easily the most AMAZING secret proposal I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. Laura’s friend, Shelly (who’s wedding I photographed several years ago) was also in on the surprise, keeping Laura busy up until the perfect moment. Plus, to top it all off, my good friend and incredible photographer, Peter Finger of www.peterfingerweddings.com, joined in to capture the excitement from yet another angle, as well as sneaking a few fun shots of me setting up! Ryan & Laura literally had a TEAM of behind-the-scenes characters working together to pull this off. How appropriate since they are the most loving, giving, and wonderful people to be around!!!
I can’t tell the complete story NEARLY as beautifully as Laura can. I was literally tearing up as I read it!!! So head over to her blog to experience their wonderful story for yourself: http://gallerybylaura.com/blog/2018/06/04/the-most-life-changing-secret-proposal-i-have-ever-been-a-part-of-my-own/.
CONGRATULATIONS Laura & Ryan!!! May you find love, joy, and laughter for the rest of your lives with every step you take together!
One of the joys of my job is celebrating life’s moments! It’s been such a pleasure to photograph Tatjana & Scott’s engagement photos…capture their beautiful wedding…and now create these beautiful maternity portraits for them. 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS Tatjana & Scott! You two are going to be the best parents ever!!!
Christopher & Jenna are two very special people.
With big hearts, loving smiles, gentle souls, and kind spirits…you’d be hard-pressed to find two nicer humans on the planet. But most importantly, together Christopher and Jenna are absolute soul-mates!!! So it was with great honor and extreme pleasure that I got to photograph their beautiful wedding last week. 🙂
Christopher and Jenna picked South Carolina Society Hall as the picturesque backdrop for their intimate wedding. The alter was so carefully decorated with gorgeous floral bouquets. And the great hall was filled with soulful guitar music from Chris’ talented group of musicians.
Through heart-felt tears, and joyful laughter, Christopher & Jenna exchanged their wedding vows. Afterwards the three of us had lovely walk-about through the surrounding historic streets and quaint alleys for a fun couple’s shoot.
We returned to find our venue completely transformed into a reception hall, complete with excitement, energy, and dance music! With an emotional first-dance, amazing toasts, and joyful cake-cutting, we launched into a celebration of family, friendship, and undying love!!!
For more of their photos, check out: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/jennaandchristopher2. And to hire an INCREDIBLE guitarist for your wedding or event, head over to: www.tevesguitar.com
CONGRATULATIONS Jenna & Christopher! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together!!!
Last month I got a lovely call from a VERY proud mother, asking me to photograph her son’s Surprise Proposal to his beautiful girlfriend!!!
Originally from Kentucky, Huston and Holly are currently in the Rally/Durham area attending dental school together. After whisking through their last patients of the day, they headed down to Charleston for what Holly thought was just a relaxing weekend get-away.
Their first stop in town was the beautiful Magnolia Plantation. Unable to hold the secret any longer, Huston proposed to Holly on the famous white bridge, surrounded by tall cypress trees with Spanish moss blowing in the breeze. She said YES!!! 🙂
Later that evening, we met at Washington Square Park for their authentic engagement shoot on the very same day they became betrothed. It was fun re-creating Huston’s brave gesture of undying love on bended knee. Both relieved and excited at the same time, we then enjoyed a lovely walk around the old historic downtown district, capturing beautiful images of the two lovebirds along the way!
CONGGRATULATIONS Holly & Huston!!! You are true soulmates! We wish you both the greatest of happiness as you begin your new journey together.
Jeff & Taylour originally met at a friend’s Ugly Sweater Christmas Party about 4 years ago. They dated for a while…but somehow strayed and went their separate ways. Whey they reconnected about 2 years ago, sparks ignited, and everything just clicked!
This weekend they booked a fun weekend get-away at an Air B&B in downtown Charleston. Jeff reached out to me several weeks ago and we began hatching plans for the perfect Secret Proposal!!! The best part is, he COMPLETELY kept Taylour in the dark…even having friends of hers tell her “it” wasn’t happening in Charleston.
This morning, before all the tourists rolled out of bed, Jeff had a private carraige pick them up at their Air B&B. Their driver was in on the covert plans and brought them to White Point Garden where he let them get off to “stretch their legs” in the park.
Jeff and I had already pre-arranged the perfect location for him to propose underneath a gorgeous avenue of old oak trees. Leading Taylour to the magic spot, he dropped to his knee and asked her to be his bride!!! It was SO COOL!!! I have never seen a bride-to-be so completely shocked before! Taylour was so surprised that she was absolutely shaking afterwards!!! 🙂
To see the rest of their photos, visit: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/taylourandjeff.
CONGRATULATIONS Jeff & Taylour! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin your new journey together!!!
What a fun evening with one of our FAVORITE families!!! Many thanks to the Gadol Family for enduring the gnats and no-see-ums to capture these wonderful family portraits on Folly Beach. And a special thanks for treating us to dinner with you guys afterwards! 🙂
To see more of their beautiful photos, visit http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/p379364885.
Cami plays tennis with Caroline. So it was a real treat when Caroline asked us to photograph their family portraits this year!!! 🙂 Here are a few of my favorites with their beautiful twin girls during their fun family session at White Point Garden…
This weekend I had the pleasure of photographing the Rowland Family on John’s Island. To see more of their photos, visit: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/p808783292.
Ronald’s brother is the priest at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. So we met there to use their beautiful gardens as the backdrop to our fun photo shoot. It was absolutely GORGEOUS!!!
Their daughter, Kathy, who organized everything as a gift to their parents, said they have never had a professional family portrait done together. I was truly honored to capture these precious memories for this wonderful, kind, and loving family!
Christopher is the most AMAZING guitarist I know! Plus he’s a kind spirit and a gentle old soul. I love hanging out with this guy: www.christopherteves.com.
I was SO EXCITED a few weeks ago when Christopher told me he and Jenna were engaged! Even more so, I was absolutely honored when he asked if I would photograph their wedding!!!
Yesterday the three of us met down by the Folly Beach Pier, which is where he proposed to Jenna. Jenna is absolutely stunning, vibrant, and full of life! She’s super creative, and a joy to be around. I loved getting to know her. And I can’t wait to photograph their beautiful wedding!
To see more of their engagement photos, visit: http://chrisandcami.zenfolio.com/jennaandchristopher
We had a BLAST photographing their sunrise engagement session. We even captured a couple re-enactments of Christopher’s proposal in the very spot where he asked Jenna to become his wife! 🙂
