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.
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!
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.
Sassha and her clan moved from Maryland recently and booked a quick session to document her brother’s family visiting.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Posted on February 14, 2013
This morning, a favorite Charleston author, Mary Alice Monroe, posted some love-related quotes on her Facebook page with the goal of seeing who could properly attribute them. I was stumped on the majority of them, but the first one sounded so familiar I was sure it must be the Dowager Countess from Downton Abbey, maybe speaking of Edith’s recent jilting at the altar:
“Hearts will never be practical until they are made unbreakable.”
Boy, was I wrong! Of course it’s familiar, but it comes from that 1939 gem, “The Wizard of Oz,” when the wizard is telling the Tin Man how lucky he is to be free of the pain that comes with having a heart.
I could stay young and chipper
and I’d lock it with a zipper
if I only had a heart.
Anyway, I digress. Share some love today. Have a heart. Indulge in a delicious confection, revel in the beauty of a bloom. They don’t have to be gifted to you. Treat yourself. Or train your child to pick some colorful ones at the entrance of Whole Foods. (My little guy prefers this task to choosing veggies.)
Have you let the day pass without indulging in chocolate? Scoop up some tomorrow at a post-Valentine clearance! Even yummier at half-price.
If you enjoy pretty petals and rich chocolates, I hope you’ll click “like” below and share the love.
Posted on February 5, 2013
Ever since I shot Kameryn and Kyle’s engagement session downtown and in a Lowcountry park, I knew that their wedding day would be full of beauty and fun! Sweet families, beautiful bridesmaids in a dreamy blue hue, an adorable flower girl and a gorgeous Lowcountry venue made this Old Wideawake Plantation wedding perfect! A few rainshowers, lots of love bugs and some crazy dance moves made the day even more unforgettable.
A lot transpired between the first dances, the yummy barbeque dinner, the cake cutting and the initial dance floor action. But this came later:
After a brief rainshower at the ceremony and a downpour during the reception (where everyone scampered indoors temporarily), the dance floor got a bit messy. Oh, and ever wonder what happens to sparklers that get rained on? You’ll see.
If you like what you see, I hope you’ll help me spread the word to anyone looking for a fun wedding photographer. And use the email and social media buttons below to reach out. Thanks!
Posted on January 23, 2013
Monica and Jason are from Massachusetts and absolutely love living in Charleston now. (Having weathered a few winters in Boston myself, I can relate.) These two revel in the seaside lifestyle, mild temperatures, glorious sunsets and …each other. Their Folly Beach fete was fun, relaxed, fresh and colorful. Purple and aqua — such a refreshing seaside combo for a South Carolina beach wedding. Here’s to the happily ever after, y’all!
Accommodations, venue, catering by The Tides Folly Beach, gorgeous florals by Charleston Florist, bride and bridesmaids’ dresses from David’s Bridal.
If you’re a fan of orchids, lavender roses, sand in your toes and sunset surfing, I hope you’ll follow me on Facebook and keep me in mind for beach and wedding photography.
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