Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue

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.

Headshots at Trident Construction

Today was a fun day, meeting lots of happy people. I had a great time photographing all the updated headshots for the team at Trident Construction!!!
(Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, Flashpoint strobes, Manfrotto stands, Westcott umbrellas, Lexar XQD cards)

Nicki & Mark’s Maggie Valley Wedding

Love is a journey. For Nicki and Mark, that journey led them to the breathtaking Barn Star Event venue in Maggie Valley for their destination wedding. As a photographer, I had the incredible privilege of capturing the magical moments of their special day, where love, laughter, and natural beauty collided to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Nestled on the outskirts of Maggie Valley, the Barn Star Event venue proved to be the perfect canvas for Nicki and Mark’s love story. Surrounded by the majestic Smoky Mountains, the family-owned venue exuded rustic charm and natural elegance. The picturesque landscape provided a stunning backdrop for every photograph, from the intimate ceremony to the lively reception.

The ceremony was a symphony of emotions, set against the backdrop of the rolling hills and clear blue skies. Nicki, radiant in her elegant gown, walked down the aisle escorted by her best friend and soon-to-be-husband. Their spirit-led exchange of vows under the open sky, with the mountains as witnesses, was a truly magical moment that I was honored to capture.

One of the highlights of photographing Nicki and Mark was the opportunity to explore the venue’s scenic surroundings for stunning portraits. The couple’s genuine joy and love for each other were evident in every frame, whether against the rustic barn, under the arbor, or against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains. The natural light played its part perfectly. And as day turned to dus, we were able to create magical and timeless images that truly reflected the essence of their love.

Photographing Nicki and Mark’s destination wedding was a journey into love and beauty. The combination of a picturesque location, a wonderful couple filled with true love, and the unique details of their celebration resulted in a collection of images that will forever tell the story of their special day.  I’d like to give a HUGE Thank You to my cousin, Beth of Beth Brown Photography for capturing the drone photos during the ceremony!

CONGRATULATIONS Nicki & Mark!!! We wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin this new journey together…

Charleston Trident Association of Realtors at Hyatt House Charleston

I love working with the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors!!!

When Jessie from CTAR asked me to cover their women’s conference at Hyatt House Charleston, I jumped at the chance! Not only were they going to be inducting new board members, but their keynote speaker was none other than Dale Smith Thomas. Her message of being a winner by choice is so powerful, and delivered with such great humor, it just sticks with you. Everyone left with that evening with smiles on their faces, and a real “go get-em” attitude! If you get a chance, check out www.winnersbychoice.com and go see this powerful motivational speaker any chance you get!

Many thanks to all the CTAR staff and all the vendors for making this event possible!

Nicole & Julian’s Rainbow Row Engagement Session

Nicole & Julian scheduled their engagement session to be EXACTLY one year from the day of their wedding. How cool is that?!?

We had so much fun getting to know each other, exploring Waterfront Park, the French Quarter, and Rainbow Row, as we captured beautiful images together. I loved hearing about their wedding and how excited they are to be married. They truly are perfect for one another! After I sent them the photos, Nicole & Julian wrote such a kind and generous review:

“They are the best!! They edit the photos so quickly and are very responsive. Chris made the whole experience easy and fun (and this is coming from someone who hates getting their photo taken!) you will not be disappointed with them!”

I can’t wait to be there for Nicole & Julian’s wedding next year!!!

Premier Physical Therapy

Jill and her team at Premier Physical Therapy are AMAZING!!! Not only are they wonderful clients and fantastic friends, but they are also our personal PTs when our aging bodies need help. 🙂

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of photographing headshots for a few new team members, as well as a new group photo for their annual Christmas Card. This year’s theme is “Getting Pumped for 2024”!!!

Caloudas Family at Daniel Island Club

Cami and I love re-connecting with old friends.

We had the privilege of being Greg & Meghann’s neighbors for many years…as well as the honor of photographing their wedding! Even though we moved, and they moved, we still stay in touch. Last week we went over to their house for “portraits and dinner”.  🙂

In between brief showers, we captured some fun portraits of their beautiful family on the front porch. Then during another break in the weather, we zipped over to the Daniel Island Club for some shots with the dramatic post-storm sunset! While we were there, we picked up dinner and brought it back to their house for a lovely evening of fun fellowship!

Greg & Meghann are such wonderful humans…and we are grateful for their friendship!!!

Gracie’s Senior Portraits

I’ve been photographing Gracie’s family for over a decade. Every year they vacation down here on Seabrook Island, during which we pick a fun spot around town to meet up for a fun photo session.  I just photographed their family earilier this summer.  But this weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of photographing an entire session just for Gracie!

It’s been such a joy documenting Gracie’s life from when I first met her as a shy little girl! Watching her grow into this beautiful, confident, inteligent and independant young lady makes me so honored that her family welcomed me into their lives and allowed me to preserve all her life-stages along the way.

I know Grace’s parents are so proud of her! And I am SUPER EXCITED for what the future holds for her. Keep an eye out for this young lady…great things lie ahead. And please help me congratulate her on achieving this fantastic milestone!!!

Fulcrum Staffing at Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park

Fulcrum staffing helps the accounting industry by finding qualified staff who can fill much needed positions at different firms, especially during the hectic tax season!

I’ve had the pleasure of being their photographer for a couple years now. Yesterday I met up with them at the Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park to photograph a couple new team members, and some updated group photos. They are SUCH a nice group of kind and friendly individuals! We had a BLAST!!!

The Kunitzer Family at Hampton Park

Several years ago I had the great honor of photographing Mary & Ryan’s amazing wedding: https://chrisandcami.com/mary-ryan-at-st-andrews-church-at-the-citadel-beach-house/. Yesterday I caught up with them at Hampton Park, where I got to meet their adorable 5-year old daughter. We had so much fun, exploring the beautiful grounds and capturing some fun family portraits of this amazing family!

Bri & Andrew’s Wedding at The Oasis

Cami and I have been looking forward to Bri and Andrew’s wedding for a long time!  Andrew is Cami’s awesome nephew. We were so happy when he found his soulmate in Bri. Together they have built a wonderful life together, which includes their adorable little daughter, Marley!

Their wedding day turned out to have the most perfect weather any bride and groom could ever hope for…sunny and seventies with blue skies and puffy white clouds. It was held at The Oasis Conference Center in Loveland, OH…a picturesque venue right on the golf course.

Bri was absolutely stunning in her cathedral length gown and flowing lace veil! My favorite part of her enseble was her cool blue Converse sneakers! Andrew was looking sharp too, in his charcoal suit and white bowtie.

The service was really special, and included a unique unity ceremony, where Bri and Andrew brought a sapling from their yard which was set on a table under their arbor. During the service, they each took turns pouring mason jars of soil from his family home and her family home, which they combined with the soil already in the pot from THEIR home!

CONGRATULATIONS Bri & Andrew! We wish you all the best as you begin this new chapter in your lives!!!

Luke’s Senior Portraits

When Nikkole contacted me about photographing their son’s senior portraits, I was super excited!
Their family is from Indiana. But Nikkole and Luke’s dad, Larry, have instilled a valuable trait in Luke’s life. He prioritizes “experiences” over “things”. And since Nikkole and her husband, Chad, were going to bring Luke to the Lowcountry for some college visits, they thought it would be neat to have his senior portraits taken in a brand new environment, completely different from where all his friends back home were having theirs done!
We had a BLAST and came away with so many fun portraits to commemorate this special time in his life. CONGRATULATIONS, Luke!!!