Featured in Smitten Magazine | Chesapeake Bay Wedding

Posted on May 9, 2013

Did you happen to catch the relaunch of Smitten Magazine? It is an awesome e-glossy full of wedding inspiration, practical ideas and lovely photography. And I’m not just saying that because Vanessa & Rob’s blissful Chesapeake Bay wedding takes up a few spreads. It is a gorgeous look book that you can peruse as much as you like without having it clutter your mailbox or requiring you to recycle it. It’s well worth half a latte, so go check it out on your desktop or iPad! Meanwhile, enjoy the feature. And I’m sure Rob & Nessa are enjoying married life despite the return of baseball season and the Yankees/Red Sox household rivalry. Their wedding weekend was a grand slam.

Chesapeake Bay wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith, featured in Smitten Magazine

Chesapeake Bay wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith, featured in Smitten Magazine

Chesapeake Bay wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith, featured in Smitten Magazine

Chesapeake Bay wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith, featured in Smitten Magazine

Chesapeake Bay wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith, featured in Smitten Magazine

I hope you’ll reach out using the social media links below. I still have some perfect weather weeekends open in Fall 2013, so please spread the word to your engaged friends and family members. Thanks!


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Featured | Moment Junkie

Posted on May 5, 2013

It’s been nearly two weeks since my trip to Vancouver for the fun and inspiring Canada Photo Convention, where I actually had a chance to meet Ryan Brenizer and Kyle Hepp, who curate one of my favorite wedding photography blogs. I’m always excited to score a feature on Moment Junkie, and The Switcheroo was no exception! Even though this moment was less about my timing and eye and more about the awesomeness of these zany attendants, this was the first I’d witnessed such spontaneous creativity. The crowd’s reactions were hilarious!

Carolina Photosmith Featured on Moment Junkie

Use the links below to follow my work, and please contact me when you’re planning a momentous wedding.


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Anna | Boone Hall Bridal Portraits

Posted on April 15, 2013

So this is Anna. In addition to being a statuesque and poised bride, she is a beautiful person. On her wedding day, when I arrived to photograph the girls getting ready, she was curling her cousin’s hair. She is strong, calming and giving. Nathan is a lucky man. Happy honeymooning, y’all!

Beautiful bride amid pink azaleas at a Charleston plantation. Timeless, elegant portraits by Carolina Photosmith.

Elegant black-and-white bridal portraiture. Timeless beauty at Boone Hall Plantation by Carolina Photosmith.

As seen in The Notebook. Beautiful bride looks like she owns the place. Wrought iron gates at Boone Hall. © Carolina Photosmith

Pinkalicious bridal portait amid plantation blooms. Charleston bridal portrait by Jennifer H. Smith.

Elegant and statuesque by a Charleston wrought iron plantation gate. Bridal portrait by Carolina Photosmith.

Charleston bride in camellias at Boone Hall. Natural, vibrant portraiture by Carolina Photosmith

Bride gives up a smug grin in her lace gown at a Charleston plantation. © Carolina Photosmith

Something blue. Garden flowers at Boone Hall Plantation for this elegant bridal portrait. © Carolina Photosmith

Elegant Charleston bride at Boone Hall Plantation. © Carolina Photosmith

Backlit bride by a sunlit pasture at Boone Hall. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.

Poised bride barefoot in her lace gown at a Lowcountry plantation. Southern elegance personified by Carolina Photosmith.

Sundrenched bride in veil on a glorious spring afternoon. © Carolina Photosmith

Wearing a lace v-neck gown from the Gown Boutique of Charleston, this bride posed amid plantation azaleas. © Carolina Photosmith

Veiled bride on a Charleston spring afternoon full of golden light. CarolinaPhotosmith.com

Bride is aglow amid mossy oaks on a spring afternoon in Charleston. Dramatic bridal portrait by Carolina Photosmith.

Anna found her beautiful lace gown at Gown Boutique of Charleston. If you enjoyed this Boone Hall bridal portrait post, please “like” it and follow my Facebook page for more springtime wedded bliss. Thank you!


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Sarah & Arthur | Goat Island Wedding

Posted on April 12, 2013

Now that spring has made its point of disregarding Punxsutawney Phil and his shady predictions, we can flash back to some weddings with rather different weather. Sarah and Arthur wed on a South Carolina barrier island the October day that Hurricane Sandy skirted our coast before doing horrific damage further up the Atlantic seaboard. Although I knew the couple was laid-back enough to roll with nature’s plan for their wedding day, I admit to being nervous seeing how downpours and gusty winds are not considered optimal weather when you make a boat hop to blissful haven with a few tents and large palm fronds as the only rain cover. The couple’s friends have a wonderful one-room cottage where the bride traded Gore-Tex for gown, but it was by no means a reception space.

I really enjoy shooting smaller weddings alone, but the night before the wedding, I posted to our local photographer forum that I was lacking confidence about my solo rainy-day skills. My peers responded with all the places they’d be shooting that weekend in the rain, and they encouraged me to deal with it as they would be doing (except I had neither an assistant nor walls). Wedding photographers have to anticipate how everything will unfold — that’s how we capture the moments. But the uncertainty of the weather had me running through various scenarios in my head. But all that anxiety was for nothing! I followed the bride’s lead, put on my cowgirl boots, stocked up my Pelican case and had some fun.

Magically, the rain stopped, the bluegrass band played and the most amazing purple skies appeared to coordinate with Sarah’s decor, lovingly coordinated by her two dear friends and mom. It was a pretty awesome day and one of my favorite weddings I’ve documented. And that’s not because they danced to Lyle Lovett, served crazy-good cupcakes or poured Dark and Stormies for their signature cocktail. You’ll see. It was more Sarah’s easy elegance and the adoration Arthur has for her.

Lego cake topper for Goat Island newlyweds. Nevermind Hurricane Sandy. © Copyright Carolina Photosmith

Bride preps at Stella Nova salon in Mt. Pleasant as her bridesmaids look on. © Carolina Photosmith

Bride gracefully transitions from salon to rainy boat ride to her barrier island wedding. CarolinaPhotosmith.com

The show must go on. Bluegrass musicians roll their equipment across a wet pier as Hurricane Sandy skirts SC coast.

Hurricane Sandy showered the South Carolina coast before doing serious damage further up the Atlantic seaboard. © Carolina Photosmith

Goat Island wedding. Rainy but lush and windy and wonderful. @Carolina Photosmith

Safe in her bamboo cottage, the bride celebrates with a toast before donning her gown. © Carolina Photosmith

The perfect ring bearer on Goat Island. Handmade wedding signs. Island wedding photography by Jennifer H. Smith.

Bride emerges from burlap curtain in her wedding day cottage on Goat Island, SC. © Carolina Photosmith

The bride's mom puts boutonniere on future son-in-law as a friend shields him from Hurricane Sandy showers. Island wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.

Bride made this awesome photo collage with her wedding date; her mom made beautiful bouquets of faux flowers. Goat Island wedding photography by Jennifer H. Smith.

Sisters embrace before Sarah walks down a hay-lined aisle at her barrier island wedding. CarolinaPhotosmith.com

Purple, plum and lush greens with burlap, wood and palmettos. Woodsy, floral wedding texture. CarolinaPhotosmith.com

Dad gives his daughter some wisdom before walking her down the aisle. Island wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.

The rain stopped, the bride emerged and married beneath breezy palmetto trees on Goat Island. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.

Bride is escorted down hay-lined aisle by both of her parents at this SC barrier island wedding. © Carolina Photosmith

Groom exchanges a glance with bride during wedding prayer. Island wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.

aphy by Carolina Photosmith.

Newlyweds embrace as guests applaud their tying the knot. Island wedding photography by Jennifer H. Smith

The rain stopped for the newlyweds to toast on the dock on the Intracoastal Waterway. CarolinaPhotosmith.com

The The Goat Bar served up the perfect signature cocktail for Hurricane Sandy's wedding day breeze-by: Dark and Stormy. © Carolina Photosmith

Waterside wedding portraits after the storm let up on this SC barrier island.

The Mom Face. We all make it. From babyhood to manhood. Unforgettable moments documented by Carolina Photosmith.

Ominous clouds make for dramatic wedding portraits. Romance marshside on spartina. CarolinaPhotosmith.com

Stormy day bride on a marsh of spartina grass. Lowcountry wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.

Fun wedding day portraits on a lush barrier island as Hurricane Sandy skirted by. © Carolina Photosmith

Groom cracks up with his brothers by the Intracoastal Waterway. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.

Newlyweds on a bench in a lush, windy forest of palmetto trees. And a seagull. © Carolina Photosmith

Purple Rain for Sarah and her prince. Gloomy island wedding day produced amazing skies at dusk! © Carolina Photosmith

Wedding cupcakes with a Lego cake topper. Lantern on a palmetto tree. © Carolina Photosmith

The bride's dear friends served as wedding coordinators for this perfect island wedding in South Carolina. @Carolina Photosmith
The bride and her parents had a blast on the dance floor at their island wedding. ©Carolina Photosmith
Wedding guest looks adorable dancing with her macrame wrap and groovy beads. Island wedding fun by Carolina Photosmith.

Groom rocks out on his air guitar to the delight of his bride and their friends. Island wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.

Happy newlyweds twirl on the dance floor at their amazing Goat Island wedding in South Carolina. © Carolina Photosmith

If you enjoyed this post or dream of your own island escape, I hope you’ll click “like” and share the goodness. Thanks for visiting my blog!


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Spring Has Sprung | 8 Days of Charleston Photography

Posted on March 25, 2013

For wedding and portrait photographers in the south, the winter months are welcomed as time to finish editing, refuel creatively, implement marketing ideas and brush up on new techniques. After I shot my last 2012 wedding December 28, January and February were quite leisurely. I think weeks went by where the only photos I took were on my iPhone. Turn the page to March — in like a lion — and bright new-growth greens signaled the end of my hibernation. Even though the warm weather has been fickle, colors are popping all over town, vacationers are hitting the beaches and happy couples are starting their married lives together. I had such a fantastic week photographing fun people! Now, as I hunker down for gobs of editing, here’s a glimpse of my first work week of 2013. Happy new year, y’all!

Ashley and Zach had the Charleston destination wedding of their dreams! They buried a bottle of bourbon at the ceremony site to keep bad weather at bay. Coincidence or no, March 16 was a glorious 72-degree day.

Ashley and Zach are married! Beautiful springtime wedding day portrait with pink azaleas. © Carolina Photosmith

Let the Charleston wedding festivities begin! By destination wedding photographer Carolina Photosmith.

Outdoor ceremony on a spring day. Pink and colorful! © Carolina Photosmith

With this ring. Newlyweds recess after Charleston outdoor wedding. © Carolina Photosmith

Yummy cocktails, fun dancing at Patriots Point wedding by Charleston Harbor. © Carolina Photosmith

Sassha and her clan moved from Maryland recently and booked a quick session to document her brother’s family visiting.
Backyard boys. Fun, relaxed outdoor portraits by Carolina Photosmith.

Colorful, relaxed family portraiture by Charleston's Jennifer H. Smith.

Timeless children's portraits in the great outdoors by Carolina Photosmith.
Hugs galore! Vibrant family portraits are perfect for Mother's Day gift.</p>
<p><div id=Lordy, lordy, Debbie's forty? No way. Sullivans Island Ladies Who Lush. © Carolina Photosmith

Glorious day to celebrate in the sun with this beautiful birthday girl on Sullivan’s Island!


Tuesday, I scooped up my friend and we met some girls at Poe’s for a beachy birthday lunch. If I ever turn 40, I hope I look that good ;-)
When the kids got home from school, we decided to soak up more sun by making a run to Freshberry for some fro-yo in the Jeep. Later, I made the breezy drive over to Boone Hall for a magical bridal portrait session. Can’t spoil the gown surprise though!

Copyright Carolina Photosmith.

Just a glimpse from this gorgeous bridal session.

Thursday after I got the kids off to school (thanks to my hubby/chauffeur), I made a little road trip to Columbia, where I met with parents of a Spring 2014 bride. (I’d met with their daughter in Charleston a couple of weeks earlier.) After my interview, I met a dear friend for lunch, then we headed back to her house and frolicked outdoors in the awesome yard. Her twins gave me a tour of their cool teepee. I fired off a few shots in the bright sun — loving this one of the play-at-home mom with her three wild little men.
Play-at-home mom and her three adventuresome defenders of the fort. © Carolina Photosmith

After lounging at my friend’s house, I headed to another part of Columbia to meet a bride who drove down from Charlotte to have her portraits taken at her mom’s friend’s home on a lake. I’d love to show you how she rocks her sassy short veil, but not until after her Seabrook Island wedding. Her bridesmaid Steph helped keep her gown pollen-free while her mom and her friends oohed, aahed and sipped bubbly.
The bride's mom and her friends sipped bubbly and chatted while I photographed Susan in Columbia, SC. CarolinaPhotosmith.com

Whew, busy week, and that’s not including The Knot mixer I stopped by on Wednesday night at Marion’s downtown. Delicious pomegranate champagne cocktail and a make-your-own trifle made for a nice dessert, but a gal needs sustenance during a week like this. Perfect timing for a lunch and book signing with the Lee Brothers, local boys who just published their third cookbook. They weave a good yarn of boyhood tales and culinary history while spreading the gospel of boiled peanuts and grits. And my husband treated me to the smothered pork chops and vinegar green beans from this book last night. Outstanding!
Lee Brothers lunch and book signing at Fleet Landing in Charleston.

Deviled crab, roasted asparagus and grapefruit with citrus vinaigrette. Yum! © Carolina Photosmith

The clouds and gloom threatened, but Friday evening went well with this adorable family from Connecticut. Their girls bravely ran barefoot even though it was a little chilly. And mom, seven months pregnant, was so at ease, even tossing her tots in the air as she toted daughter number three.

Fun family beach photography by jen@carolinaphotosmith.com

Timeless children's portraiture on the beach. © Carolina Photosmith
Lifestyle family photography on SC beaches. © Carolina Photosmith
Lifestyle family photography by Carolina Photosmith

Saturday morning, clouds looming still, I headed downtown to meet a former co-worker from my Blackbaud days. She’s continued to work for Blackbaud and lives in San Francisco, where she met Brian. These two have done some serious traveling together, and they’re finally settling down to plan a wedding. I loved seeing HP in her old stomping grounds again and meeting her handsome fiance. As we ambled back to our cars, it started sprinkling. By the time I got across the bridge, it was pouring.

San Francisco couple takes time out of family visit for some engagement photos in historic Charleston. CarolinaPhotosmith.com
Charleston engagement photography by Jennifer Hudson Smith. © Carolina Photosmith

Later on Saturday, I suited up in my rain gear and returned downtown to the gorgeous Unitarian Church for Tiffany and Jay’s destination wedding. Magically, the rain stopped just when we hoped it would, allowing for some portraits around town and preventing guests from getting soaked. These two are so much fun and wowed the crowd with their first dance. Here’s to the happily ever after, y’all!

From darkness to light. Staircase descent to church. Stunning wedding bouquet at church entry. © Carolina Photosmith

Till Death Do Us Part. Wedding Day portrait in historic Charleston graveyard by Carolina Photosmith.

Wedding party raises their signature cocktails on the balcony of Charleston's Mills House Hotel. www.carolinaphotosmith.com

Zaniest wedding party members switched outfits for reception entrance. Hilarious! CarolinaPhotosmith.com
I should have seen this coming — these two attendants were hilarious when they made the switcheroo before the couple and the wedding party was introduced at the Mills House reception.

Newlywed limbo at elegant and fun ballroom reception. © Carolina Photosmith.

So that’s it! I must admit I was a little relieved when yesterday’s family session was postponed due to rain and a sippy cup / black eye incident. But I’m grateful to be busy doing a job I love. Have a fave photo from this post? I’d love it if you’d leave a comment below. Please spread the word and follow my work using the social media links. Happy spring!


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