Julie & Howie's Wedding at The Citadel Beach House

I can't believe it's been EXACTLY one year since Howie & Julie first filled out that contact form inquiring about our photography services for their wedding! A few months later I got to photograph their AMAZING e-session on Seabrook. It feels like this all happened just a few weeks ago! Where does time go?!? :-)

I originally met Julie & Howie at a Johnson & Wales Alumni Event that I was photographing. We hit it off right away because we have a lot in common...we love dogs, the great outdoors, and hanging out with friends ALMOST as much as they do. Their cool website reads:

"It’s no wonder Julie and Howie fit together so well. They will often take off for a weekend with their dog Riley for mountain biking, hiking or camping on one of the many islands around Charleston. They enjoy taking friends out on the boat to experience the amazing sunsets that only Charleston can offer! And if Howie has any reason at all to fry a turkey, you can rest assured -- he will! Truly two kids at heart, these two love to have a good time with good company!"

I had an UNFORGETTABLE time photographing Julie & Howie's wedding. My favorite parts were Riley's role as the ring bearer, the dramatic beach shoot, and the surprise fireworks display at the very end. After the slideshow, Click Here to see rest of the wedding photos. CONGRATULATIONS you guys!!!

Claudette Bell

Recently I had the pleasure of photographing the AMAZING low country artist, Claudette Bell. Those are her beautiful paintings behind the lamp and above the mantel. Her husband, Bill, has commissioned me to do several shoots for his company. So it was neat to see their beautiful home and get to meet his lovely wife. Visit her website at http://www.claudettebell.com/ or stop by Spencer's Art Gallery and the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery where her fine work is featured.

Amity & Ryan on Folly Beach

Amity & Ryan are good friends of Kerri & Wes, who's wedding I had the privilege of photographing earlier this year. Their daughter was the ADORABLE Flower Girl in the wedding! So it was fun to get to work with them again in creating these family memories. :-)

The Character of Color

"One very important difference between color and monochromatic photography is this: in black and white you suggest; in color you state. Much can be implied by suggestion, but statement demands certainty… absolute certainty."
- Paul Outerbridge

PGA TOUR Nationwide Championships at Daniel Island

Matt Every, the former University of Florida All-American, posted a 5-under 67 Sunday to outlast Michael Sim (teeing off on the 17th), who has had the most dominating year in the 20-year history of the Nationwide Tour! This win at the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at the Daniel Island, was his first since joining the tour last year.

"I've always felt I'm talented enough to win," Matt said. "I couldn't have waited any longer to do it though, I'll tell you that. I'm going to enjoy it."

Matt and Michael join 23 others to make "THE 25", the top players on the money list at year's end. Chad Collins finishes the year No. 2 on the money list. And Blake Adams (chipping out of the sand trap on the 12th hole) finishes the season No. 3 on the money list with a Nationwide Tour record for the most money won in a single season without a victory.

I had a great time photographing the action this year. Many thanks to Kathleen Cartland and the Charleston Sports Council for sponsoring me and helping bring the Nationwide Tour back to Charleston! And thanks to Mike Saia and the entire team at the Family Circle Cup for the help in organizing the event!

Tara & Will's eSession

I had an AWESOME Engagement Shoot with Tara & Will the other day. Will drove all the way down from Charlotte to make this thing happen. YOU ROCK, Will! It was one of those days that less "adventurous" couples would have called off due to weather...kind of overcast with pockets of rain throughout the day. But Tara & Will were all hyped up to create some unique and dramatic images. I get excited when clients are willing to push the envelope a little bit! Everything just clicked and the three of us knocked this one out of the park! :-)

Apryl & Ben at The French Huguenot Church

Apryl & Ben were a kind referral from my friend and wonderful fellow photographer, Karyn Iserman. We originally met on Valentines Day last year. As much "in love" as these two are, I thought that rather fitting. :-) Since then I've enjoyed getting to know them through their fun Engagement Session and Apryl's gorgeous Bridal Shoot. We photographed the Bridal Shoot on historic Church Street since that's where Ben proposed to Apryl. Awww....

Apryl grew up in Charleston. Ben's family moved around a bit, but finally settled here. The two met in high school. But they didn't really start dating until they re-connected at a football game during her senior year of high school when he was home visiting from college. How romantic!

Their wedding day was absolutely perfect. After a rainy week, the weather was beautiful! They were married at the very photogenic French Huguenot Church downtown. The fabulous Melissa of Charleston Celebrations kept everything running smoothly. And the reception was at the Society Hall, just a few blocks away, where the Mighty Kicks rocked the house!

Apryl & Ben were so much fun to work with and so photogenic in front of the camera! Click Here after watching the slide show to see the rest of their photos. CONGRATULATIONS, Apryl & Ben!!!

Amy & Evan at The Mills House

Amy & Evan were married at The Mills House on Saturday. My good friend, Robbin, was helping me cover the action. We had a BLAST from the minute we got there until the Carriage whisked the happy couple into the night. :-)

I photographed Amy & Evan's eSession out on Folly Beach earlier this year. They did such a great job that we ended up with tons of fantastic images. So we picked a bunch to put in one of our popular Photo Guest Books, which was a hit!

Amy & Evan went to MUSC together, working there before moving to Richmond, where Amy is a nurse and Evan is a Doctor of Internal Medicin. They are so AMAZING together! After the slideshow, Click Here to see the rest of their photos.

CONGRATULATIONS Amy & Evan!!!

Amy & Evan's Rehearsal Dinner Party

Amy & Evan had a fun-filled weekend! Even though the main event was on Saturday, the party started on Friday!!! :-) Here are a couple shots from their Rehearsal Dinner party at McCrady's Restaurant.

Nikon D3s Announced

Last night Nikon announced the release of the BRAND NEW D3s. The new pro-series camera capitalizes on the formidable D3 features, adding increased ISO capability to 12800, a dedicated Live View button, and a built in sensor-cleaner. But of most interest to me is the addition of HD Video capability.

Check out this really cool multi-media video created by legendary Sports Illustrated photographer, Bill Frakes. As a special note, Bill will be conducting a workshop this weekend at the Charleston Center for Photography. I've met him a couple times and he's an AMAZING photographer. So if you want to learn from the master, sign up right away!

Just One Light

I couldn't resist! Here's a hilarious spoof on the classic Larry Bird vs. Michael Jordan "Nothing But Net" commercial for McDonalds. With two of the biggest lighting gurus on the planet, Joe McNally and Scott Kelby, it's a hit!

Rindy & Josh at Blessed Sacrament

Last Saturday turned out to be a gorgeous day! What better place to be than at Josh & Rindy's wedding! I've had so much fun getting to know them over the last year through our get-togethers, phone conversations, engagement session, Rindy's bridal shoot.

Josh proposed at Disney World by having the divers in the big tank at dinner hold up a sign asking Rindy to marry him! Isn't that AWESOME!?! He and Rindy's brothers are really in to motorcycles. Since I used to be a motorcycle fanatic myself (owned a half-dozen or so in my life) we had an instant connection. Plus Rindy's Dad is a big photo buff...how cool is that?!? On top of all the mayhem of planning a wedding, Rindy was studying for her MCATS....now THAT's impressive!

Josh and Rindy have been dating since middle school. They truly are a match made in heaven. After the slideshow, CLICK HERE to check out the rest of their pictures. CONGRATULATIONS you guys!!!

Rainy Day Bridal

While Bill & Kelli were visiting the "C&C B&B" last weekend, they had a bridal shoot get rained out. So Kelli called to see if they could use our studio since the bride was from out of town and couldn't easily re-schedule. We had a BLAST "playing" that afternoon. :-) Here's Bill shooting a dramatic shot of the bride in a sexy pose on high-key with. He looks pretty comfortable there while Kelli's over fixing the veil and doing all the REAL work....HA!!!

Photographers & Friends

Our good friends and fellow photographers, Bill & Kelli Nixon, stayed at the "C&C B&B" last weekend while they were in town shooting a couple weddings. They used to live in Charleston but have gone bi-coastal on us...living in Colorado and jetting into town for assignments every month or so. We miss them!

P.S. I love how Marley is right there at our feet...he ALWAYS thinks he's the center of attention whenever people are around. :-)

Beach Portraits at The Sanctuary

I had a really neat Portrait Session at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island the other day. The Sommerville's were such nice folks, the kids were adorable, and the light that day was simply magical!

Jenna & Amit at Patriots Point Pavilion

Jenna & Amit are a rare couple! During their fun Engagement Shoot downtown, I discovered just how well they fit together, and how full of life they both are. So I know I was going to have a BLAST on their wedding day...which TOTALLY came true!!! :-)

I caught up with each of them at their respective beach houses. Then we headed over to The Pavilion at Patriots Point. The weather was perfect...light breeze, not too hot, just right! It's always a pleasure to work with Amanda at Southern Chic Weddings...and today was no different.

The reception was held under the Big Tent. With an exceptional selection of music (way to go Amit), and a guest appearance by the most amazing Billy Joel tribute soloist I've ever heard, everyone had a great time. Click Here to check out all the photos.

My heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to Amit & Jenna!