A Day with Fer Juaristi | Photography Workshop

Posted on January 24, 2012

Earlier this month, I joined a handful of photographers to spend a day with Fer Juaristi, an incredible photographer based in Mexico. Charleston has no shortage of local photography talent, but it is rare that busy, celebrated photographers travel here to lead workshops. Most professional development opportunities for photographers are centered around the huge WPPI convention in Las Vegas, smaller PPA events and conferences like Imaging USA, which just took place in New Orleans. What a thrill it was to learn to “see” more like Fer and to share ideas with other photographers, including ones from NC and DC, who made the trek.

Fer is both energetic and relaxed, and he really challenged us to think in a new way. I am not the only attendee who prefers shooting during the “magic hour” for the day’s last, gentle warm glow. Imagine my surprise when Fer encouraged us to seek out the harsh light, and again when he was more focused on that bright light than our gorgeous Charleston backdrops. I look forward to using a few of his techniques to add a bit more drama to my repertoire.

Following are a few shots from the day, including a few faves from two sessions with our gorgeous models, Robert and Megan Lange, who are really just a couple of married artists in love.

This couple was patient with the eager paparazzi.

Here’s an idea. Check this awesome black tarp obscuring renovation rubble. Let’s shoot here! And leave out the gorgeous sky!

Cynical no more. Bug’s-eye view for the win.

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Sullivan’s Island Wedding | Second-Shooting

Posted on January 23, 2012

Although two more supersize blogs posts featuring gorgeous November weddings are in the works, I wanted to share a few images from a sunny wedding I second-shot on Sullivans Island with Ashley Gillett. We have had a very mild January in Charleston, but a dose of island sunshine is always a good thing. I loved the turquoise and red, the relaxed backyard reception, all the dancing, and of course, the cupcakes! Ashley, based in Asheville, NC, tells the full story here.

I got to hang out with the guys, which was a switch since I’m usually with the bride all day.

The couple shared a first look before the ceremony. Ashley had a great portrait session with them while I ran back to the church.

It was at this point, waiting for the church doors to open, that I asked the bride where her bouquet was.

It’s always fun to learn about a different wedding tradition like this Polish version of keep away. Everyone takes turns dancing with the bride and then creating a fortress around her. Hilarious! Once the groom broke in, he whisked his bride away to start married life.

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Nine Reasons I Love my iPhone 4S | Photographer’s Multi-Tool

Posted on January 18, 2012

I was always the gal who carried whatever little slippery call-dropping phone was free with my cell plan. While taking aquaculture photos (at a fish farm), my flip phone leapt like a hybrid striped bass from my pocket into a bait well. Despite my catlike reflexes, dismantling the phone in seconds and resting its pieces on my sunny dash until I could get home to a bag of rice, it was a catastrophic gear loss. (Well, not so much.) But I recall that being the opportunity to try and buy a better phone. Fast forward a few more years, I bought the iPhone 3G and was amazed — mostly because the buttons were actually visible and almost the size of a fingertip. Such a miraculous and useful idea!

Last fall, when the iPhone 4S was introduced, it just so happened my wireless contract was up for renewal. Although I’m not one to rush out to buy the latest technogadget, I stopped into the AT&T store near my house just to see what all the buzz was about. It was late in the afternoon, and I’d heard how people had preordered the 4S phones for weeks and had lined up at Apple stores in the wee hours. I waited about five minutes — long enough for my son to eat a free treat and sip some juice — before upgrading to the iPhone 4S. That $199 was very well spent.

I love my iPhone 4S for so many reasons. Here are nine of them.

1) I can point it into a dark paper bag and take a decent photo. Not that such an action is necessary, but it’s so liberating to leave the big camera at home. The impressive optics of the 4S elevate the term camera phone from gimmick to always-ready photo and video tool. The free Instagram app encourages sharing random snaps, and “phoneography” enables me to actually capture the shots I compose on a whim since that’s the way my brain works. Oh, and does anyone else use it for home decorating? Snap a photo of that lamp, chair or ottoman, and when you get home you can see how it looks in your space before you commit.

2) It comes with a charming assistant with a good sense of humor. Good help is hard to find, and I’m grateful to have my skilled intern named Siri. Sure, she moonlights, but I’m okay with that.

3) Sinatra said we should never be “without a song.” Whether the kids are cheering, “Tell Siri to play ‘What Kind of Cat Are You?’” or I choose a Pandora channel, I can play my faves in the car or during a workout. Speaking of exercise, I need more, and…

4) Did I mention it comes with a personal trainer? Nike Training Club is a fab, fast and free app for the ladies.

5) Face Time enables virtual tuck-ins. My husband is Up in the Air more than George Clooney, so this nifty Jetsonesque feature facilitates giggles with Daddy even while he’s on the road.

6) I can tell it to remind me to do things. And it does! With my sieve-like brain, I don’t have to wait until the perfect storm of productivity (synapses fire, paper procured, pen that works within reach). Instead, I just push the button and say, “Remind me to return the library books tomorrow.” And Siri does. Next, I’ll try, “Remind me to stop snacking while editing” and “Ask me if I’ve worked out yet.”

7) I can pin loveliness while I’m stuck in traffic. Not that I ever would. But I do enjoy a little Pinterest on occasion.

8) The handy flashlight can illuminate the depths of my purse or serve as off-camera lighting. Making me that much more like a female MacGyver.

9) I can tote my portfolio in pixels and respond lickety split to brides-to-be. With all the holiday engagements, I’ve had a flurry of inquiries this week. With a quick scan of the calendar (on my iPhone, of course), I can send an email, call prospects back, tweet a reply as quickly as Wonder Woman in jets off in her invisible plane.

There you have it. What’s the actual retail value of all this? Phone + camera + HD video + video chat + jukebox + personal assistant + personal trainer + scrapbook + flashlight + portfolio + email device + parking garage finder + restaurant locator + GPS + address book? Makes $199 look like a bargain.

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Charleston Wedding Photographer | A Year in Pictures

Posted on January 4, 2012

So it’s 2012!! As I ponder all my fave moments, fun clients and stunning celebrations from 2011, I’ve struggled with how to recap the year. Probably because I’m a little ADD. Or maybe because I can’t be impartial and curate effectively. But as a storyteller, this post has shaped up in its own progression, so I’ll roll with it. I enjoy most every moment of the wedding story and the wedding day – fun, nervous, poignant, tearful, jubilant, hilarious. Here they are, unscripted.

First, she fell in love with him. Then, she fell in love with a gown. Parties, plans, promises. Letterpress, lace, laughter. Sashes, stylists. Dinner, dancing. Here’s to the happily ever after! Thanks to each of my brides, their dashing husbands, and their gracious families for choosing me to document wedded bliss and everything that surrounds it.