ESPN Charleston Classic

"The second annual Charleston Classic is in the books, and Miami has bragging rights. Led by James Dews (22 points) and Dwayne Collins (17), the Hurricanes outlasted South Carolina 85-70 in the championship game. Collins, who also grabbed 15 rebounds, was named MVP of the tournament. Miami outscored the Gamecocks 11-5 in the final 2:25 to clinch the Charleston Classic crown, won by Clemson in the first year."

Here are a few of my shots from the finals as I documented the event for ESPN...

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!

US Women's National Soccer

Soccer was "my sport" growing up. I think there was a period in high-school when I slept with my soccer ball! ;-) I played at Kalamazoo College and Spring Arbor University before injuries sidelined me and the Tennis bug hit me. But I'll never loose my love for "The Beautiful Game"! So it was with pleasure that I got to photograph the US Women's National Soccer Team in their 1-0 win over Canada at Blackbaud Stadium, their last home game before heading over seas this summer.

USA Eagles Rugby World Cup Qualifying

The USA Eagles rang in America’s birthday with a clutch 12-6 victory over Canada in the first match of a home-and-away Rugby World Cup Qualifier series at Blackbaud Stadium on July 4th. It was a privilege being one of the photographers again. I got a taste for the raw violence that is synonymous with this sport last year when I photographed the USA Eagles' defeat by the French. I wouldn't want to play the sport, but it's a lot of fun to photograph! :-) For more on the USA National Rugby Team, visit www.usarugby.org.

Charleston Sports

Though we're mostly known for our creative wedding imagery, I thoroughly enjoy photographing a number of professional sporting events every year. This is the latest newsletter from the Charleston Metro Sports Council. Check out their brand new website at www.sportscouncil.org !

I just wanted to thank Kathleen Cartland for the AMAZING job she does in bringing these high caliber sports to Charleston. Without her, I wouldn't have these amazing opportunities to photograph world class athletes, Olympic champions, and sports phenoms! I also want to thank her for the kind write-up in the newsletter!

"An award winning team, Chris & Cami offer a deep assortment of products and cover a wide variety of subjects. Notable sports assignments include; Family Circle Cup Tennis, Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika, World Cup Soccer USA Women vs Mexico, The Miracle Match (Pete Sampras vs Jim Courier), AVP Charleston Open, Bausch & Lomb Championships, SoCon Basketball and Baseball Tournaments, Charleston Battery Soccer, Sr. PGA Championships, and many more."