Guin Family at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island

It’s been a couple years since I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the Guin Family. But they made such an impression on me last time.  So I was super excited when Catherine reached out to let me know they were coming back to Kiawah Island this summer! 🙂

We met up at The Sanctuary Hotel on a GORGEOUS summer evening. Everyone looked amazing in their complimenting blue outfits. I was so bummed that their oldest son and his family couldn’t make it this year. But the rest of us had a BLAST and captured some fun family memories to commemorate this year’s family vacation!

The best part was, this was the 10-year anniversary of when Joe proposed to Catherine right on the same boardwalk in front of the hotel.  CONGRATULATIONS you two!!!

Aiken Eye Care

It was time for our annual eye checkup. So Cami and I headed over to our FAVORITE eye doctor, Dr. Lori, at Aiken Eye Care. We love her so much, that when she moved her practice from Charleston to Aiken, we decided to stick with her instead of finding someone new.

While we were there, we did some new marketing photos and headshots for Dr. Lori and her team!

Amanda & Bryan at Summerall Chapel

Amanda & Bryan are the sweetest people you could ever hope to meet!

Bryan graduated from The Citadel back in ’96. He and Amanda now live in Ohio. When they decided to get married, all he wanted was to be able to return to The Citadel and marry the girl of his dreams in the iconic Summerall Chapel! So Amanda planned a beautiful destination wedding to Charleston with just a few close friends and family. Bryan and Amanda each have kids. Which made it extra special as their blended family came together and made the long trip in support of this amazing couple!

Amanda and her girls got ready in the adjacent Mark Clark building before being picked up by a Rolls Royce to drive her around the quad to the wedding. Bryan got ready at Summerall Chapel, where he was able to greet guests and welcome everyone. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, including a special sand-ceremony at the alter, and a spectacular sword arch at the end. Afterwards, Amanda had arranged for a private photo session in Bryan’s old barracks! How cool is that?!? We then returned to their families back at the church for group photos. And finally, we headed over to Hampton Park where the newlyweds could enjoy a few minutes together before joining everyone for dinner.

CONGRATULATIONS Amanda & Bryan! We wish you all the best as you begin your new journey together…

Dillon Family at Edisto Island

When Bernadett contacted me about photographing a “surprise” family portrait session for her parents, I knew I had to be a part of it! The last time the whole family had been together in a photo was at her sister’s wedding 10 years ago!!!

Their family was vacationing in a beautiful rental house a few minutes from the beach on Edisto Island. So I met up with them at their rental house, where Bernadett and Nicol had sprung the surprise to their parents earlier that day…much to their delight!

A few thunderstorms had passed through that afternoon…and more were predicted for later that evening. So the skies were full of character, with interesting cloud formations rolling through. But the light was beautiful! And the kids were amazing!!! Everyone was so much fun to work with. 🙂

Many thanks to Bernadett and Monica for organizing this fun gift for their parents.

Victoria’s Senior Portraits at Morris Island Lighthouse

Kristin and her family are some of our favorite people on the planet! It’s been such a pleasure photographing her adorable girls over the years. I can’t believe how fast time flies!!!

Cami and I had so much fun photographing Victoria’s high-school senior portraits the other day! We met up with Kristin and her daughter at the Morris Island Lighthouse on Folly Beach. It had been raining all day. But we caught a break when the weather moved off-shore and the skies cleared up, creating a perfect window for us to do our shoot!

Victoria was such a joy to work with! She’s heading off to join her sister, Savannah, at Clemson University. She loves animals and plans on studying Wildlife Biology.  Since we’re big animal lovers too, we think that’s awesome!

CONGRATULATIONS, Victoria!  We can’t wait to see what amazing accomplishments await you…

* Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 24-120 f4, SB-5000 speedlight, Sony XQD cards, DJI Mini 3 Pro, Manfrotto supports, ThinkTank bags *

Powell Family on Kiawah Island

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!!!

Whitmer Family at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park

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 Clinical Investigators Network Conference

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 *

Headshots for Tenet Physician Resources

It was a pleasure photographing Haley for Tenet Physician Resources this week. I love how crisp and clear the Z9 renders images!!! I met up with Haley at the Dodds Durst House across from the East Cooper Medical Center. It’s a beautiful property with gorgeous oak trees.  She was a lot of fun to work with!

* Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, Flashpoint flash in Godox Glow softbox, Manfrotto supports, Sony XQD cards *

AIG Awards Banquet at The Westin Savannah

I love it when the weather forecasters are completely wrong…in my favor! 🙂

Last night I had the pleasure of photographing a fantastic reception and awards banquet for AIG Insurance at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. Earlier that day, I spoke with Erika, the amazing event planner from Destination South. It looked like the cocktail hour on the Harbor Lawn was going to be completely rained out. Luckily, the wet weather went around us…and we had a lovely evening with gentle breezes flowing across the Savannah River.

AIG is the American International Group, a leading global insurance organization providing a wide range of property casualty insurance and other financial services. They offer world-class products and expertise to businesses and individuals in approximately 70 countries and jurisdictions. The organization is committed to using their insights and leadership to not only manage risks, but to make real positive differences in every community they serve.

This reception marked the conclusion of the final full day of informative meetings and insightful presentations. It was fun to see everyone relax and enjoy the company of the new connections and lasting friendships they had made throughout the week!

* DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8, Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8, Nikkor Z 14-30 f4, Flashpoint flashes (x6), Manfrotto supports, ThinkTank bags, and Sony XQD cards *

Bird Songs at the Avian Conservation Center

Last night I had the honor of photographing the annual Bird Songs event at the Center for Birds of Prey!

The evening known as Bird Songs, now in its eighth year, has become one of our most anticipated social events in Charleston.  Featuring some of Nashville’s most talented singer/songwriters, it’s an intimate experience combining cocktails and dinner with music and stories.  This year’s headliners were Matt Alderman, Aaron Goodvin, Phillip Lammonds, and Nicole Croteau.  But of course the REAL stars of the show are the owls, hawks, and other beautiful birds of prey that mingle among guests, soar overhead, and coo softly in harmony with the music!

A particularly special feature at this year’s program was the releasing of a Bald Eagle that had been injured and brought to the Avian Conservation Center for surgery and rehabilitation.  It was so moving to watch Jim Elliott, the center’s Founder and Executive Director, release this majestic creature back into the wild!

Presented in the round, in a relaxed and comfortable setting in the Owl Woods area of the campus, this event has sold out every year!  Make sure to check their website early to get a seat for next year’s performance:  https://thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/events_calendar/.

Senior Portraits at The Citadel

It was an absolute pleasure meeting and photographing Josh for his Senior Portraits at The Citadel. We even got a few shots with his mom, one of his advisors, and his best friend!

Josh chose to attend The Citadel because he received a partial tennis scholarship. He has remained on the tennis team all 4 years. Joshua earned gold stars all 4 years, serves on the honor council, and is the academic officer for 1st Battalion. He is in the Baker School of Business. In the fall, Joshua will begin working on his MBA at University of Tennessee.

CONGRATULATIONS Josh!!! We wish you all the best on achieving all your dreams.