Millicent & Derien at St. Luke's Chapel

Millicent & Derien's wedding was absolutely FANTASTIC! I've put together a really cool slide show for them. So Click Here to check it out! They were married at St. Luke's Chapel, which is one of my favorite churches in Charleston. And the reception was at Alhambra Hall...one of my favorite reception sites! Add to that the fact that Millicent was such a beautiful bride and Derien was such a dynamic groom and...well...what more could I ask for?!? Well, I got a LOT more...try Panache Events to coordinate the day, Lisa Ferguson with flowers, Jack Harris as videographer, Royal Grand Events catering, and the one and only Sinclair Ray as "The Music Maker"! The whole day was just so much fun and everyone had a BLAST! Congratulations Millicent & Derien...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 G

Nikon just announced the newest addition to their lens lineup at Photokina in Cologne, Germany. It's the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f1.4G - a fast prime - YAY! I love working in low light with wide-open apertures to throw the background out of focus. I've been using its predecessor, the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 D, for many many years with great results. But the new rounded 9-blade diaphragm, faster focusing, Silent Wave Motor, and bayonet-style lens hood may mean it's time to upgrade this focal length in the ol' gear box!

What do YOU think? Leave me a comment if you think it's worth the upgrade...why or why not?

William's Newborn Portraits

I am SO HONORED to have been able to photograph William's VERY FIRST Portrait Session! Think about it. What an AMAZING feeling to be able to celebrate his LIFE with some beautiful portraits. During the session I was thinking "I wonder what kind of a man William will become...will he discover the cure for cancer...will he become the leader that brings peace to the whole world...who is this little guy going to become?" Then he went pee-pee. And I realized he was just baby that needed to be loved. :-)

Charleston Green Fair

The first ever Charleston Green Fair is coming to Marion Square in downtown Charleston on September 28th. I photographed Suzie Webster & Drew Franyo of Evergreen Concepts, who are responsible for organizing this fantastic event. It will be the largest green event in South Carolina. See the latest in green technologies and demonstrations on alternative energy, find out about growing green initiatives in our local and state governments and talk with citizens and business owners who are truly making a difference! Come to the Charleston Green Fair!!!

Franklin Graham Festival

This weekend our church participated in the Franklin Graham Festival. It was really cool with TONS of great music...Toby Mac (of DC Talk fame), Newsboys, Kirk Franklin, and Casting Crowns. Cami volunteered on Friday and Saturday while I had shoots. And we both attended Sunday with our friends Byron & Kathleen and their daughter Amelia. Click Here to check out a little slide show I did!

Deloitte at Osprey Point

I always enjoy working with the folks at Adventures in Charleston. So I was pleased when Hope called to ask if I could cover a conference for Deloitte at Osprey Point Golf Club on Kiawah Island. It was a packed evening with portraits of each couple, a group shot of all the attendees, and of course my favorite...pj style candids.

Chelsey & Talon at Harbor Grill

Chelsey & Talon's wedding was an inspiring day for me! I met up with Chelsey and her girls at the Hampton Inn on Meeting St. where they were getting ready. With a beautiful courtyard and the Charleston Visitor's Center across the street, I had a lot of neat areas to photograph in. Then I met up with Talon and his friends and family at the Harbor Grill (formerly Tucan Reef) and got some really cool shots in and around the modern architecture. The ceremony was beautiful, right there on the harbor overlooking the Arthur Ravanel Bridge that Talon's Dad helped build. And the reception was inside the Harbor Grill, a fitting location with it's beautiful view. Click Here to sign their Guest Book and see the rest of their photos. Chelsey & Talon, THANK YOU for allowing me to be a part of your day!

Jacci & Scott's Storybook Design

I just finished designing Jacci & Scott's Legacy Storybook. It came out AWESOME! I can't wait to see the finished book when it comes in...

Nikon D3 Shutter Release

This is REALLY COOL! Click on the photo and after the jump you'll see an AMAZING slow motion animation of a Nikon D3 Shutter actuation in progress!

Pictage Partner Conference in L.A.

So this week I've been feeding my soul, getting inspired, and learning a TON while attending the Pictage Partner Conference in L.A. My parents live out here so I come out early and had some fun times with them before the photography conference started. It's been AMAZING learning from the BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS in the industry like Corey McNabb, Mark Weisberg, Denis Reggie, Mike Larson, Gene Giga, Jay Goldman, Joe Buissink, Robert Evans, Mike Colon, Jim Hicks, and Emilie Sommer. This is Mike Colon and Jim Hicks after their inspirational message about giving-back through wonderful organizations like Thirst Relief. RIGHT ON, guys!!!

Sheena & Justin at Patriots Point Links

With a hurricane bearing down on Charleston the week before their wedding, Sheena & Justin called me with concern in their voice. I told them 90% of what we worry about never comes to pass! I said let's wait a couple more days before we panic. The short story is...their outdoor wedding at The Pavilion at Patriots Point Links was absolutely FANTASTIC!!! The day was beautiful and the aftermath of the hurricane's passing left us with a dramatic sunset and beautiful sky. :-) Needless to say, I had a WONDERFUL time photographing Sheena & Justin's wedding. I knew we were going to have a blast together back when we had so much fun together during their engagement shoot. Sure enough, it was simply a wonderful day all around! Click here to see the rest of their photos. CONGRATULATIONS you guys!!!

A Beautiful Kiawah Home

Last week Jay Sifly of Sifly Homes asked me to photograph one of his masterpieces out on beautiful Kiawah Island. It was an amazing home and the home owners were so kind, wonderful to work with, and totally opened their home to me to. So I created an impromptu portrait of their little girl for them. :-) Our longtime clients at Signature Kitchens and Baths, who I do lots of portfolio work for, did a GORGEOUS job with the kitchen space as always. The rest of the home was just STUNNING! Great job, Jay.

Lowcountry Housing Trust

I've been working on this really cool project for the Lowcountry Housing Trust. They are advocates for affordable housing and dedicated to making homes available to regular folks who don't have six-figure incomes. It's an AWESOME organization when you consider the epidemic of foreclosures going on across our country. Michelle Mapp has been wonderful to work with. And I get to work with one of my favorite art directors, the Empress of Creativity, Amy Reed of Helium, Inc.