~ Halloween ~

Halloween is such a fun holiday, and I had a great time hanging out with friends! Click here to see the slideshow and check them out: the pirates, the "hot dude" with the unibrow (ha), the chicken, Darth Vader, and many more!

We had lots of treats for doggies and kiddos.

There were lots of scary and cute costumes!




and great decorations...

--- President George W. Bush ---

Today was an exciting day because President Bush visited Charleston Air Force Base! I think I must have taken a million photos. Click here to see the webshow with more photos.

While we were waiting for Air Force One to arrive, my friend Tammy and my friend Jamie's husband (Col. Fields) were able to chat with Governor Mark Sanford. Although slightly envious, :) I was snapping photos for them from afar.

Ahhhh....after hours of energized waiting, we were thrilled to see the President's plane finally arrive.

I think this guy needs a hug! :) ha It's always fun to watch the secret service men (and women too!) In the background, you can see everyone approaching.

President Bush, Congressman Brown, Governor Sanford, and Colonel Joerger arrive and greet the crowd.

President George W. Bush...

I think the President is checking out the crazy girl with the sign taking a million photos. Yes, that would be me.

This is just after the President shook my hand and autographed my sign. I was soooo excited!

My husband (Brian) and my friend Bonnie and I pose with my autographed sign.

Oh...and I just found this one online. It was taken by Mic Smith, who just happens to be my fav Post & Courier photographer. This is me trying to take pictures AND hold my sign. :)

--- Jane & Jerome's "We Will" Session ---

Yesterday I met Jane and Jerome downtown for an engagement session. It was my first time meeting them, and I enjoyed spending time with them. Fortunately, Jerome is not a navigator, (ha - private joke) but a nuclear I can't remember what at the naval base - which means he is pretty darn smart! Jane taught 2nd grade before her recent move to Charleston so we had something in common right away. You can see their slideshow here.


We started out shooting in the cute little courtyard behind High Cotton.



and just for fun...a "photo booth" style strip! :)


I loved this cute, little window and the splash of color.



I love this one...

In front of the pineapple fountain...

--- Three Generations at the Cistern ---

I had a great time Saturday morning with Olivia, her mother, and her grandmother. Many of you know that I taught elementary school for nine years, and I always love having the opportunity to photograph children! You can see the slideshow here.

Three generations...

Olivia's mom brought out the bubbles and the ball, and we had a great time playing!

...and there was lots of tree climbing going on!

Not only is she just the cutest...but Olivia is a sweetheart!

Check out the big, brown eyes!

--- Jaime & Jay at the Cistern ---

I met Jaime and Jay at the Cistern to do their "getting to know you" session. I like to do this with all couples before their wedding because it makes for much better wedding day coverage! Jaime and Jay will be married in the spring at Boone Hall. You can see their slideshow here.

Jaime and Jay are just so cute. They finally got together after taking turns playing hard to get with each other! :)

I love the muted colors, the architecture, and the iron at the cistern.

Although I often interact with couples a lot more during their initial shoot, I like to have them get comfortable with me so that they can "ignore" me on their wedding day and know that I will get great moments without them even realizing I am doing it.

Hmmm...I think Jay realized the whole photo thing might not be so bad after all when he found out I wanted him to snuggle up with Jaime! And by the end of the day he was promising to do cartwheels at his wedding! :) ha



And a few more...

Jennifer's Bridal Session on Wadmalaw Island

Wednesday afternoon I headed out to Wadmalaw Island to shoot a bridal session for Jennifer. She will be having a destination wedding in Jamaica in a few weeks and wanted some bridal portraits on this beautiful lowcountry property! You can see her slideshow here.


Jennifer was so pretty and versatile. I can't believe how many different looks we got from one location.

Being a true southern girl, I love the look of spanish moss...


and I loved all the bright red we were able to bring into a few shots!

Caryn & Jeff's Myrtle Beach Wedding

Caryn and Jeff were married at Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach. Pine Lakes is nicknamed “The Granddaddy” because it is the oldest course on the Grand Strand. You can see all of their photos here. Or, you can see their slideshow here.

Caryn's dress was so pretty - the lace design around her waist was beautiful!

I love this portrait of Caryn.

and Jeff...

the girls...

and cute, little Emily...

~~~ Daufuskie Island Wedding ~~~

Jennifer and Jason decided to have an intimate wedding at Daufuskie Island, and I was so happy to travel there for the first time for their wedding. I can't wait to go back sometime for a golf weekend - three finishing holes on the ocean! After checking out their photos below, be sure to watch their slideshow.

Before we met, Jennifer told me she was not photogenic and hated having her picture taken. But for the record...Oh my gosh! She was a natural in front of the camera - and so gorgeous! :)

And Jason was great too! Of course, his eyes lit up a little when I said, "Why don't you play pool and I'll get some pics." And then we decided to line up three balls to show their wedding date.

As Jennifer and Jason were walking over to the greens for some photos, I saw the sun coming through the trees and snapped a quick shot in hopes of getting some cool flare spots. I never would have predicted that a flare would encircle them in such a cool way. And a rainbow to the left to make it even more cool. In fact, rainbows and butterflies were everywhere that day - that has to be a good luck sign!

Ahhh....newlyweds relaxing and having some quiet time by the ocean. Actually, I think they were being attacked by sand flies - but that doesn't sound as romantic. :)




A little fun with croquet on the lawn before heading inside...

I was going for drama in the pic with direct lighting.