This is always such a fun event to photograph every year!
My friend and amazing photographer, Gary Coleman, is the lead shooter, and this is his client. But it’s too big a job for one photographer to cover. In fact, he had 4 of us shooting the event this year. I was assigned to cover the preparations and the “celebrity portraits” of VIPs, once they were in costume.
Everyone was so much fun to work with…and we had a BLAST!!!
Over the years, I’ve developed some wonderful relationships within the photography industy. Charleston…and South Carolina as a whole…has a wonderfully supportive cummunity of photographers. If a client contacts me and I’m not available, I find out what they are looking for and recommend several photographers who I know personally, and trust to do a great job for them. Frequently, that good karma comes back to me!
Last week, my friend and amazingly talented photographer, Clark Berry, passed along one of his clients for me. Clark is from Columbia, and photographs headshots for McCabe, Trotter & Beverly, P.C. But when they opened a new branch in Charleston, Clark’s schedule was too tight to drive all the way down here for one headshot. So he recommended me! He also sent me samples of how he photographed the ones in Columbia, what lights he used, and even a behind-the-scenes photo of his setup.
From that information, I was able to meet up with attorney Jim Lady at the new office, and capture a variety of headshots that mirrored the style Clark had used on the original photos!
Photographing a milestone event is always a special experience, but there’s something truly magical about documenting a Bar Mitzvah. Recently, I had the privilege of capturing the joy and traditions of Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah at the historic Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue. Between the vibrant family moments, the rich traditions, and the unique fusion of spirituality and fun…Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah truly was unforgettable.
The day began at the breathtaking Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, a sacred space that has stood as a pillar of Jewish heritage for generations. As the natural light streamed through the stained glass windows, I captured candid moments of Ryan’s family and friends gathering to witness this rite of passage. The air was filled with a sense of reverence, as the young man embarked on his journey into adulthood. The ceremony itself was a beautiful blend of tradition and personal significance. Ryan flawlessly recited his Torah portion and shared reflections on the values he holds dear. The synagogue echoed with melodies of ancient prayers, creating an atmosphere of spirituality that resonated with everyone present. The emotion on Ryan’s face as he received blessings from family and community members was a testament to the significance of this milestone.
Later that evening, the atmosphere shifted as guests made their way to the Harborside East for the carnival-themed reception. The transformation was nothing short of magical – vibrant colors, whimsical decorations, and the lively energy of a carnival greeted everyone as they entered. From cotton candy stations to classic carnival games, the reception exuded an atmosphere of pure joy. As a photographer, capturing the exuberance of a carnival-themed celebration presented a delightful challenge. I documented the laughter and camaraderie as guests tried their luck at games, enjoyed delicious carnival treats, and danced to the beats of lively music. The eclectic mix of traditional Bar Mitzvah customs and the playful spirit of the carnival created a dynamic visual narrative that told the story of Ryan’s unique celebration.
Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah celebration at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue and the carnival-themed reception at Harborside East was a perfect blend of spirituality and festivity. The photographs captured not just moments frozen in time but a rich tapestry of tradition, joy, and the unbreakable bonds of family and community. It was an honor to be part of such a joyous occasion, and I’m grateful to have been a part of documenting these memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
Many thanks to Sha Sha at Loluma for creating this magical narrative for me to document! And CONGRATULATIONS to Ryan!!! Well done, young man.
The rains cleared up just in time! Which left us with a perfect fall day to photograph new headshots and marketing photos for Seamon Whiteside. Many thanks to Lia for organizing everything, and keeping us all on track!!!
While visiting family in Troy, Ohio, we had the pleasure of photographing a team photo for the Sunny Brooke Equestrian Center! It was a pretty uggly, gray, and overcast evening. But with a few speedlights and warming gels, we added a little extra punch to create a beautiful portrait for these adorable young ladies!!! Many thanks to Noelle for inviting us to capture it for them!
It was an honot to photograph a few updated features that SMHa Architects made to the Seabrook Island Club last week. We ended up with a beautiful day, and had fun capturing the fresh landscaping, new bar features, and re-designed ADA entrance. Many thanks to Marie for all her hard work coordinating everyone’s schedules!
It’s been a real privilege to work with the law firm of Pierce Sloan Kennedy & Early over the years. I first worked with them while photographing an article for Super Lawyers Magazine that they were featured in. We hit it off and I’ve enjoyed creating headshots and team photos for their attorneys ever since!
This morning I captured some new group shots for them with the Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 24-120 f4, and Sony XQD cards. The color and clarity of this new camera system just amazes me. And the high-resolution sensor will ensure they get a beautiful print of it, regardless of how big they enlarge it!
It was such a pleasure catching up with the Powell Family at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island last evening for their annual photo shoot!
It was an extra special evening because “Nana” Suzanne was celebrating her birthday this week. And adorable Eloise just joined the family a couple months ago! 🙂
As is common during Charleston summers, a late afternoon shower popped up. But it sailed on out of here just in time for us to still have enough light for our beach session. It helped cool things off as well, which was nice. But the best part was, it left a beautiful rainbow behind for us to admire!!!
We had an amazing time last weekent, photographing a beautiful destination wedding in Madison, Wisconsin. Since our flight home wasn’t until late the following afternoon, Cami Smith and I spent the morning enjoying the peaceful Olbrich Botanical Gardens before leaving town. What a delight!!!
* Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, Nikkor Z TC1.4, Nikon Z30, Nikkor Z 105 f2.8 Micro, Sony XQD cards
It’s hard to believe how fast kids grow up!!!
Photographing the Whitmer Family over the years has been a real joy. I remember when the grandkids were just that…little kids! Fast forward to today, and the oldest, Grace, is going to be a senior in high-school. How did that happen already?!? 🙂
After a rainy, ugly weekend, the sun popped out and gave us some gorgeous light to work with. Everyone was in high spirits. And we had so much fun exploring Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park together!
Many thanks to Milt for his hard work organizing everyone’s schedules to make these photo sessions happen. He and Karen always make me feel like part of the family. 🙂
Lupus is debilitating. It affects each person differently. Which, for doctors and researchers, makes the disease very challenging. Lupus is one of the more complex autoimmune diseases known to science. And for years, the world’s best minds have worked tirelessly to find a cure.
“The Lupus Research Alliance is going to take the very thing that infuriates us about the disease and make it the one thing that becomes its cure. Decades of pioneering research has brought us to this moment. We’ve advanced science to the point that will allow us to look at each patient as a single case, to study their individual immune system and analyze the complexities of the disease as it exists within them. In the future, this will allow us to better treat that patient with precision medicine — giving the right treatment for the right person. The root of the problem has become the pathway to the cure.”
It was my pleasure to photograph the annual LuCIN Meeting (Lupus Clinical Investigators Network) at the Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms this week. The conference was held at the beautiful new Sweetgrass Inn. The program was brought to fruition by Lupus Therapeutics and the Lupus Research Alliance. You can find out more about this awful disease, and the passionate men and women who are striving to find a cure, at https://www.lupusresearch.org/.
* Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 14-24 f4, Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, DJI Mini 3 Pro, ThinkTank cases, Flashpoint flashes, Manfrotto supports, and Sony XQD cards *
