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 *

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.

The Citadel First Salute Ceremony

One thing I love about my job is that every day is different!

Yesterday I got to photograph the First Salute Ceremony at The Citadel. I was commissioned by Christian’s parents to capture the event for them. He chose his dad, who was a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marines, to give him his First Salute. It truly was a touching moment in this young man’s life. The emotions shared by father and son were palpable, as Christian’s dad told him how proud he was of him.

It was an absolute honor being a part of this special ceremony for this amazing family. I’ll never forget it!

Headshots for Fifth Third Bank

It was a pleasure photographing headshots for the group at the Fifth Third Bank yesterday!

Max Bluestein’s Bar Mitzvah at Emanu-El Synagogue

As a professional photographer, it is always such a pleasure to capture important moments in people’s lives. Last weekend, I had the honor of photographing Max Bluestein’s Bar Mitzvah at the Emanu-El Synagogue, as well as the ensuing reception at Founder’s Hall in Charlestowne Landing. I must say that it was an experience I will never forget!

The Emanu-El Synagogue is a stunning location.  I was truly impressed by the beauty and the feeling of reverence of the place. The architecture, the lighting, and the ambiance of the synagogue were simply amazing. I was thrilled to have such a lovely location to capture these special moments for Max and his family. The décor was elegant and tasteful, with traditional elements that added to the spiritual significance of the event. You could tell that Rabbi Ravski had a special connection with the young man. It was heartwarming to see Max and his family come together to celebrate this special occasion!

After the Bar Mitzvah ceremony, the reception at Founder’s Hall was a joyous occasion. The hall was beautifully decorated by Sha Sha and her amazing team at Loluma. The food and drinks were exceptional. The fun activities and fantastic dancing went on all night long.  DJ Ede and Naquan kept everyone on their toes!  I loved seeing all the guests having such a wonderful time!

Many thanks to Rabbi Ravski at Emanu-El, Sha Sha and her team at Loluma, Michelle Metzler at Founder’s Hall, DJ Ede Moran and Naquan, Jenna at Cru Catering, Getem Twisted photo booths, Alpha Lit letters, Eventworcks, and everyone else who helped make this day a huge success! Also, a HUGE shout-out to Ryan, Sharyn, and Abby for loving and supporting Max through this special time in his life!!!

Capturing such special moments and memories for Max and his family was a great privilege for me. The beauty of the synagogue, the fun family portraits afterwards, and the exciting reception all made for such a memorable event. I felt truly blessed to have been a part of such a momentous occasion. CONGRATULATIONS, Max!!!

Morgan & Ryan’s Wedding at The Citadel Beach Club

What a GORGEOUS day for a wedding!!!

I got to know Morgan & Ryan, and their adorable son, Wyatt, at their fabulous engagement shoot last year:  https://chrisandcami.com/morgan-ryans-engagement-session-at-hampton-park/.  So I was super excited to be covering their amazing wedding at The Citadel Beach Club!

With blue skies, puffy white clouds, a gentle ocean breeze, and perfect temperatures, you couldn’t have asked for a nicer day.  Surrounded by close family and friends, they tied the knot on the grand lawn with pelicans soaring overhead, and the southing sounds of the ocean in the distance.  A lively reception with great food, friendly fellowship, and crazy dancing followed inside the ballroom.  Bruce even sang a surprise solo to his beautiful daughter during the toasts!  But my favorite part was when Morgan, Ryan, and I snuck out to the beach for some sunset photos with a bottle of bubbly!  😉

Many thanks to Keri of Keri Seay Events for all her help keeping everything on track.  And a huge shout out to all the other vendors for making Morgan & Ryan’s day so special!

CONGRATULATIONS Morgan & Ryan!!!  We wish you all the best as you begin this new journey together…

John & Shelby’s Surprise Proposal at White Point Garden

Pinch me!!!

In case you missed it, Cami and I had the UNBELIEVABLE HONOR of photographing Shelby Rogers’ beautiful surprise proposal by her incredible boyfriend, John. I can’t begin to explain how touching it was to be there and capture this special moment for these two amazing humans!!!

Please help me in CONGRATULATING them, and wishing them all the happiness in the world as they begin this new journey together…

The Citadel Foundation at The Gaillard Auditorium

It was an honor photographing portraits for The Citadel Foundations Annual Sponsor Donor Dinner at The Gaillard Auditorium. With almost 600 cadets and their sponsors in attendants, it was a fantastic event!

* Shot with Nikon D5, Nikkor 24-70 f2.8, Sony XQD cards, Lenovo laptop, Darkroom software, DNP printer, Flashpoint transmitter and speedlights, Westcott umbrellas, Manfrotto stands, Savage backdrop *