Goody No Shoes | Charleston Beach Photographer
Posted on June 27, 2011
Ah, summer! It’s that time again. (In case you couldn’t tell from the triple-digit heat index.) What April was for Charleston brides, June and July are for vacationing families. It’s so fun meeting people who are soaking up a week of salty seaside leisure. Goody’s family is from Rock Hill, SC, and his children live in Charleston and Rochester. The New York crew had an especially memorable week since it was their daughter’s first beach trip. She wasn’t too fond of posing with the clan, but she had big fun toddling all over the sand. I love the doting grandparent shots!
If you’re looking for a Charleston beach photographer, contact Jennifer. Even an ordinary day can be momentous!
Monica + Casey | St. Philips and The Sanctuary at Kiawah
Posted on June 22, 2011
Once upon a time, a doe-eyed West Virginia girl fell for one of the handsome Lavin boys. Love, adventure and travel followed. He asked him to marry her. Magic ensued.
That may seem a little dramatic, but after spending several days documenting their perfect wedding weekend at The Sanctuary at Kiawah, it really was like a fairy tale in so many ways.
Monica’s recommended vendors include The Sanctuary at Kiawah, Gown Boutique of Charleston, Berlins (groom’s attire), Colucci’s Jewelers, Tiger Lily Florist, Cakes by Kasarda, Soul Function Band, letterpress by Heather Forsythe.
And after you swoon over the wedding, check out earlier posts to see their engagement session and Monica’s morning in the bridal suite.
Five minutes until showtime! Finger-pointer attempts to direct the bridesmaids.
Chills. We had chills! Entering the narthex, the choir was belting out angelic strains. They sing at only a couple of weddings each year. Since Monica is a choir member, they sang for her wedding. Want to know what it sounded like? Watch the wedding in “The Sound of Music.”
The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat!
Casey, the consummate entertainer, treated everyone to a rousing rendition of “Piano Man.” The crowd went wild!
More dancing, as is always the case when Soul Function plays. Then a final group hug to wrap up an amazing weekend. Sweet Monica was one of several people in the huddle saying she just didn’t want it to end.
Faceless Friday #21 | Fathers and Daughters
Posted on June 17, 2011
With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, I was thinking about fathers and daughters and how several of the brides I’ve worked with missed out on having their fathers walk them down the aisle. Some lost their fathers earlier in their lives, and for others, it was much closer to the wedding day. I’m sure that in either case, it is still heartbreaking to be celebrating a new phase of life without the presence of Dad, and without having him to cut in on the first dance.
On a brighter note, it is touching to see brothers, cousins and dear family friends step in to usher a bride down the aisle and lend her a supportive shoulder. And in the case of today’s Faceless Friday image, there is so much joy in seeing families embrace their in-laws as their own. On Monica’s wedding day, she gained not only a wonderful husband, but a loving father-in-law. I love this post-wedding moment they shared at St. Philips.
Happy Father’s Day!
Photographer’s Birthday Wish List
Posted on June 16, 2011
After a hopping spring photographing lots of wedded bliss, I can honestly say that I’m pretty set with my gear lineup these days. Over the past couple of years, I have slowly added to my lens collection as I’ve earned money, and I now have two full-frame cameras, a nice range of prime lenses and one zoom that’s proven useful in tight spaces at events and receptions. (And how did I live without my 27″ iMac?! Love it.)
But like most photographers, there are always a few other things that would make me giddy should I happen to pull a coat out of storage and find a $1500 bill in a pocket. And with a birthday approaching, I figured it couldn’t hurt to document my wish list.
Things were simpler for my first birthday back in '69.
First up, in the name of professional development, is this Visual Supply Co. workshop featuring Jonas Peterson and Sean Flanigan, among other very talented photographers, brand wizards and graphics gurus. Let’s face it — photographers could easily spend all their profits attending workshops in hopes of having remnants of greatness rub off on them. I’ve yet to travel to any conferences or workshops, although I have gleaned goodness from a few informative classes online. While I know it would be a fun few days to just revel in the creative process with people whose work is so inspirational, it doesn’t seem like a realistic priority as a play-at-home mom of two energetic tots.
But, if I had a spare $1500, I would beg my hubby to cash in some miles for a free ticket to San Francisco. I might even encourage him to join me for the weekend prior to the workshop and we could make a quick trip back to Point Reyes (one of our honeymoon spots) and dinner at Manka’s Inverness Lodge. Alas, the workshop fee (and lodging) would just be the beginning. Surrounded by talented photographers and designers, I would surely succumb to an expensive “re-branding” in hopes of defining my vision and brand and playing with the big kids. Guess I better stick to exchanging ideas with local photographers and studying online resources. For now.
Second is this stealthy retro camera, the Fuji X100. Another camera, you say? Sure! At the end of last year, after deliberating for a while, I bought a Canon G12 hoping to score an awesome point-and-shoot with great image quality and manual options that would keep me from feeling guilty about not hauling my hefty camera bag everywhere. The macro feature is nice, as is the HD video. However, the images from my G12 often lack sharpness, and it’s frustrating. Also, the menus are so full of options that it’s a lot to navigate through. Even when I don’t mean to change my settings, I hit one of the tiny buttons that leads me into a maze of choices. (“Press 5 if you didn’t mean to Press 3. Press the Star key if you’d like to speak with a human.”) I just want to press the shutter button and take a photo! Occasionally, I miss a decisive moment because of this menu madness.
Enter the Fuji x100. Built like a tank, it’s compact and delivers superb image quality with high ISO. It’s a fixed 35mm, just like the old days. It wouldn’t be ideal for every type of shooting, but everything I read about the lucky people who’ve been able to get their hands on one makes me want one a little more. Fuji X100s are out of stock everywhere, and when a store gets a handful in, they’re already claimed by wait-listed people who have probably feel like they’ve won the lottery. Instead, they’ve “won” the right to purchase this $1200 gem. I want to be like them. Read these reviews by Ryan Brenizer and Steve Huff, and you’ll want one, too.
(Hmmm. Late-night brainstorm. I’m sure this ubercool cam is included on some lists of Father’s Day gifts for the dad who has everything. Maybe I could give one to my husband? Surely he’d let me borrow it.)
Third, is this camera bag. Clearly not as exciting as the previous choices, but I figured I should list something realistic. Actually, the quest for the perfect gear bag is a continual one for many snaphappy people. And we all have multiple bags for different purposes. What this Epiphanie bag offers is a means for safely toting a camera and a few lenses (and even my MacBook) in a bag that doesn’t scream “Expensive Photostuff Here.” There have been other girly gear bags that people love, but this one is a my fave blend of function and design with the bonus of groovy braided handles and a poppy color. For those occasions and meetings where I need to run an errand before doing something camera-related, this bag would be the answer. In fact, I could have thrown my laptop in it earlier today when I met with a bride. Instead I toted my tattered black backpack from my days as a Kodak rep.
In the rare event you’ve made it this far, thanks for “listening” to my self-indulgent babble about stuff I think I can’t live without. What’s on your wish list?
Caryn + Shawn | McCrady’s Wedding Reception
Posted on June 15, 2011
Check out this fun reception that proves you can have big style with a small guest list. You would never guess this fete was for just 25 people. Beautiful venue, fantastic food, live music, even a signature cocktail! Caryn and Shawn made sure their special guests enjoyed themselves at this McCrady’s wedding reception. Their ceremony was held across the Cooper River at the Tidewater Chapel. (Check out this post if you love hot pink and a preppy cop!)
Cue Ben Harper’s “Steal My Kisses.” Shawn made sure every guest was having a great time!
