Adam & Kasie | Charleston, SC Engagement Photography

Meet Duncan, he's the coolest dog in Charleston.  A week before this session we didn't know if Duncan was going to be around due to an illness.  We are all very relieved that he's is feeling somewhat better.  His proud parents are Adam and Kasie, this session post is really about them :)  They've been dating for EIGHT YEARS and will be getting married in Charleston this August!  It's been a great pleasure to have gotten to know Adam, Kasie, and Dunc over the past year or so.  I'm looking forward to seeing them as husband and wife...and dog!  For our session we met at Hampton Park for a picnic, a marina, then downtown.  I had a blast photographing them, they are both very laid back and were ready for an adventure(see bird pictures).  Thanks Adam and Kasie for inviting me to be a part of such an exciting year!!

Adam proposed to Kasie with a song he wrote and played!

Completely candid, they really have this much fun together!

The birds!

Downtown

Charleston Magazine January 2012 | Editorial Photographer

Now that the February issue has hit the stores, I can share my January, the History issue, work with you from Charleston Magazine. 

For the Channel Markers section, I photographed "Red Summer" and the stack of books at the bottom left.  "Water To My Soul," "Monsters In America," and "Janie Mitchell, Reliable Cook"

I always enjoyed shooting for Style File.  This issue was highlighting accessories from local museums and institutions.  These were very interesting pieces.  The large on in the middle is actually lace covered in gold, crazy.  I photographed the compass key chain(2),  "The Longest Curl" pendant(4), and the SC Historical Society blazer buttons(5).

For this issue's Dining Guide, I learned how to make cheese!  The Cheesehouse located in West Ashley, invited us to photograph their production process.  It was a very detailed and interesting process.  Then I photographed and ate the final products.  These great, local cheeses can be found at Goat.Sheep.Cow and Avondale Wine and Cheese.

Can I just say I LOVE the Love It shoots!  These are done in the studio where I get to set up all the lighting and equipment.  It's always exciting to see what items the Advertising Department brings in.  I really never know what to expect, but am always pleasantly surprised.  For this page I photographed 1, 2, 3, and 5.

For this part of Love It, I photographed 6 and 7.  Now that's variety!

Lauren & Luke | Charleston Wedding Photography

Here's Lauren and Luke!  They are both from Philadelphia, PA , where their wedding celebration will be held.  We toured around historic downtown Charleston to photograph them in some key spots.  I don't want to show too many of those landmark shots, because some will be used as decorations at their wedding, we'll let their guests be surprised :)  Lauren and Luke were great together, so upbeat and exciting to be around.  I love hearing people talk about their weddings, it's such a fun time of imagining and planning.  After our time downtown, we found a romantic sunset on Folly Beach.  Thanks Lauren and Luke for sharing this part of your wedding fun with me!

A Day In The Park | Charleston Family Photographer

Meet my wonderful neighbors!  Ever since I met them, I thought, "I need to take their pictures!"  Colten is on his way to being 5, and Hayden just turned 3!  Colten sat so nicely for me and smiled his best smiles.  Hayden flashed those eyes and her pearly whites just enough for me to capture her!  Nicole and Paul do such a great job with them, look how great all of them are together!  I could definitely feel the love.  Thanks for sharing your afternoon with me, it was so fun!

Halley & AJ | Charleston, SC Wedding Photographer

Meet Halley, AJ, and their sweet dog Grady!  Halley and AJ will be getting married in Charleston this September.  We spent a warm Saturday(in January!) in downtown Charleston.  First we played with Grady at the Battery/White Point Gardens.  Then Ashley(Maid of Honor) took Grady so we could go explore Legare Street, Halley's favorite.  Halley and AJ really did their homework, they had so many ideas and special spots for pictures.  Did I mention they were pros for the camera?  Both were so comfortable with each other and so in love!  I really enjoyed getting to know you both!  Enjoy your photographs and the rest of the wedding planning.  I'm looking forward to September!!

 Grady!

 Their shoes were perfect...and her diamonds!

 Stealing kisses

Charleston Magazine, December 2011 | Editorial Photographer

Charleston Magazine of Gulfstream Communications gave me a great opportunity to spend three months working with and learning from them.  At the end of September, I began as a Design Intern in the Art Department, but within the first day I became a design/photo intern.  Through my experience photographing products, wine bottles, food, and anything imaginable I learned so much! 

Photographing "The Drink" was my first off site assignment.  At McCrady's I got to photograph bartender, Morgan Chapman, and "Edward's Eye Opener."  Here's what's in the magazine!

In this same issue I photographed for the "Style File."  We had at least 30 aprons and these were the ones chosen for print.  I shot the gold sequin one(2), red polka dots(3), and the artsy apron(5).  Individually styling and photographing each of these aprons was a great experience.

I look forward to sharing more editorial work with you, as these magazine come out.

Top 10 Photographs of 2011

As I look back on 2011, I'm filled with gratitude!  Each of my clients have blessed me by trusting me with their special moments.  For these opportunities, I am so very thankful.  These ten images are some of my favorites from this past year.  They range from a newborn session to wedding days to my travels.  Some were chosen because of their composition and lighting.  Others were chosen because they capture a monumental time in the person's life.  Others were chosen because they make my heart flutter, just to realize...I'm living my dream.  I welcome 2012 with arms wide open, my hope is that you will do the same.  Thank you for your support, trust, site views, comments, and encouragement.  I appreciate each of you. 
And now for the TOP 10!

10.

This wedding party photograph makes me smile because they were all so comfortable with each other and enthusiastic for Jasmine and Andy.  It's not overly posed and I think that's why I like it more every time I see it.

 9.

I snapped this shot on my own wedding day...this is my husband, Jeff.  We thought our friend was joking with us when he told us he locked the keys in our getaway car after the decorating.  We didn't have a spare key.  We didn't know the code number to open the door.  We did have several friends that stuck around and played games to pass the time until the pop-a-lock man came.

 8.

Here's Meredith!  This fun photograph was shot in downtown Greer, SC.  These were her seniors portraits, I think this is one says "I'm ready to take on the world!"

 7.

Annie Rice has expressions that will melt your heart over and over again!  This was taken in downtown Charleston, SC to celebrate her adoption into the Prikazsky family.

 6.

Over the past few years I have been in awe of the "First Look."  It helps the wedding day run so smoothly and the bride and groom get to have a special time together before the ceremony begins.  Christina and Blake had such a precious reaction to each other it had to make the Top 10.

 5.

In February, my family welcomed Vincent Cole into the world!  He has continued to bring us joy and laughter.  This image is from his newborn session shortly after Vincent's grandfather learned they were namesakes.

 4.

There were so many feelings in this image.  I remember feeling anxious that Perry would see Courtney's reflection in a mirror or something crazy like that.  All of the bridesmaids were on Courtney's side of the door ooooing and awwing.  There was a lot of excitement going on, but if you just look at that picture...you see a young man and woman ready to embark on their life as husband and wife.  This was taken at Furman University's Daniel Chapel in Greenville, SC.

 3.

Yosemite Valley National Park in California is a breathtaking landmark.  While traveling across CA, my mother and sister spent a day riding bikes and touring in the valley.  I stopped for this shot of my bike with the famous Half Dome towering in the background.

 2.

This image makes me smile every time.  By this time I had spent an evening with these ladies at their rehearsal and dinner and we had spent the morning together as they were getting ready for the wedding.  They all had such fun personalities that complimented Melissa's.  I feel like this shot captures the essence of bridesmaids, they are true friends.  This was shot in Jacksonville, Fl for Jordan and Melissa Floro's wedding.

drum roll please...

 1.

As a photographer, I'm constantly presented with split second decisions.  As we rolled up to the reception at Lake Lure Inn & Spa in North Carolina I quickly asked Blake and Christina to stay on the trolley as the rest of the wedding party was exiting.  Here is our result, a photograph of a husband who absolutely adores his new, gorgeous wife.

I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and check out my post.  Come back soon!

Goodbye 2011, hello 2012!