Wednesday, August 31, 2011  -  Weddings

January 14th - Shrine of Immaculate Conception, Atlanta, GA
February 10th - Charleston Harbor and Resort, Charleston, SC
February 25th - Huguenot Loft, Greenville, SC
March 31 - Westin Hilton Head Island, SC
April 7th - Augusta Manor, Greenville, SC
April 28th - Boone, NC(Aaron)
April 21st - Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 5th - Charleston Resort and Marina, Charleston, SC
May 6th - Mary's Cottage Falls Park. Greenville, SC
May 12th - Tryburn Country Club Durham, NC
May 18th - Shipyard Beach Club, Hilton Head, SC
May 19th - Furman Chapel, Greenville, SC
May 19th - TBD Columbia, SC (Aaron)
May 26th - Columbia Hall Chapel, Decatur GA
May 27th - Summerall Chapel, Charleston, SC
May 27th - The Battery(Aaron)
June 1st - The Arbors, Cleveland, NC
June 2nd - Burlington Falls Private Residence, Franklin NC
June 30th - Greensboro Country Club Greensboro, NC (Aaron)
July 14th - Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms, SC (Aaron)
July 28th - The Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
September 1st - Peace Center Ampitheater Greenville, SC
September 8th - Grand Dunes Ocean Club, Myrtle Beach, SC
September 15th - Sawyer Family Farmstead, Cashiers, NC
September 23rd - Aspen Meadows, Aspen Colorado
October 6th, 2012 - Buck Ridge Plantation Orangeburg, SC
October 13th, 2012 - Island House Charleston, SC
October 18th, 2012 Creek Club at Ion Mt. Pleasant, SC
Dcember 8th, 2012 Summerour Studio Atlanta, GA

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012  -  Publications

I had the pleasure of shooting a wonderful wedding for Stacey & Mark last November. I was so pleased to hear that High Cotton viewed the reception photographs and wanted to use them for their website!!!! This is totally off subject, but the name of this restaurant brings back memories. I remember shooting my first event at The Biltmore, and telling my grandmother about it. In her Black Mountain, North Carolina voice, she said, "Well you're in High Cotton now!" So funny when I think back on that time. I switched careers from corporate BellSouth to being a photographer. That was 12 years ago, and the phrase "High Cotton" to me isn't about the venue, but the people and the art of my documentation.


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Tuesday, February 7, 2012  -  Weddings

Laura Lynn + Carter Wedding

Venue: Shrine of Immaculate Conception Atlanta, GA
Reception: Georgian Terrace
Hair: Ty Elland
Makeup: Chad Shakar, Saks Fifth Avenue, Phipps Plaza Atlanta
Dress: HeidiElnora
Florist: Benny Campbell Attalla Florist
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Car: Wedding Trans 1958 Bentley
Band: Mo' Sol

January, mainly known for new resolutions and cold winters, brought forth a fabulous wedding with spring like weather. Working with Laura Lynn & Carter was such a delight. From the Rehearsal Dinner to the Wedding, I really appreciated the kindness I received from each family. It was like Christmas all over again! I mean I wasn't opening up a stocking full of little surprises, but the event did have this incredible family atmosphere. There were good tidings coming from every direction. The Georgian Terrace event planner, Hannah, coordinated with me in a very professional and humble way. I also received much support from the wedding coordinator, Pat at theShrine of Immaculate Conception. It was phenomenal how everything fell into place. Every photographer gets bombarded by coordinators, sometimes at the fault of themselves. I personally respect the rules and regulations of the church and try to keep the ceremony as sacred as possible. I don't use flash during the ceremony. I'm not going to light up a formal church wedding like a John Travolta disco floor; how tacky!! Just a couple of flashes when the bride and groom exit to balance the light from the alter. It's the bad photographers that give coordinators a prenotion that we're all disrespectful and unruly. I so appreciate the coordinators who give us the respect as individuals. When we all work together for the bride and groom, our clients receive a much better wedding experience.











































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Tuesday, February 7, 2012  -  Engagements

Lauren and Adam came down from Chicago. Adam had never seen the ocean so Lauren brought him down to Folly Beach. An excerpt from Lauren's GTKY FORM

"Adam was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer in February of last year, so needless to say, it's been a long year. Adam finished his last chemotherapy treatment in early August, but was scheduled for two more lung surgeries as his lung biopsy came back positive for cancer. This was a very intense surgery where they'd have to crack his ribs and collapse his lungs, leaving him in ICU for a few days and the inpatient unit for a few more after that. He had already gone through the first surgery, which brings us to two weeks later, when he was scheduled for his second one. It was the weekend before surgery, and Lauren went shopping with Adam's sister and mother for a family friend of Adam's who had just recently had a baby. While they were out, the plan was that Adam would change Lauren's oil on her car, but it turns out that he had a different plan. When they came back from shopping, Lauren assumed Adam would be out back finishing up her car, so she ran upstairs to throw the things she had bought on the bed and was planning to run back outside to say hello. Instead, she ran upstairs to see him on one knee with a ring in his hand, rose petals on the floor, candles lit, and a huge photo collage that he had made that said, "Marry Me?" in the middle. So perfect!"













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Thursday, August 25, 2011  -  Weddings

Hello Everyone. My web developer is working on a new AMAZING site for me. The blog and everything will be a part of one site, rather everything being spread out. Facebook has also taken over my time rather than blogging. Not that I even FB a lot either. Sorry guys I have really concentrated on shooting amazing weddings. I do want to share my experiences with you all. So I think my new website, being centralized, will assist me in the blogging arena. NEW GALLERIES...NEW PLACES....AMAZING PHOTOS.

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Thursday, August 25, 2011  -  Engagements

My camera was delivered from Canon Professional Support and was thrilled to have it back for Bethany and Andy's engagement. HOWEVER, Canon resets all your settings for cleaning and testing. For all you stalkers out there dying to know my settings, I only have one. I like focusing with the AE Lock button and separating focus from shutter. So there you have it no special settings to discuss. Sorry to disappoint, but it's not fancy settings and Photoshop that I love, it's the pure and natural documentation. Anyway, I have to give a huge shout out to Bethany and Andy, not only are they a great clients, but displayed patience as I took the time to call Canon Professional Support. Are you KIDDING ME, while I am on an engagement session. Why did they get all complicated with the 5D Mark II and Custom Functions. Anyway there are two CF settings that have to be adjusted in order for you to AE Lock focus. So complicated I had to call back more than once. Oh well. I took it in stride and so did Bethany + Andy. Here's a couple shots from our downtown Raleigh shoot.



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Monday, August 31, 2009  -  Personal


Since communion at Lifepoint, I have been talking to Cade about getting saved. A few weeks had passed, but after service Sunday, Cade ran up to me and asked "Dad are we going to talk to Pastor Phil"? My immediate thought was "about what", but I instantly remembered and said, "Ohhhhhhh yes." Cade walked with a smile and was so proud to be getting saved. After the church cleared I discussed with Pastor Pike what was on Cade's mind. Cade replied, "I wanna get saved and have Jesus in my heart". His words simply melt me. With an overwhelming feeling of joy, I was fighting back tears. Cade and the Pastor went to his office and what came out was a bright and wonderful smile. I wasn't there when Jonah was saved. He was on a church retreat. So the feeling as a father was overpowering. I could only imagine what our Father feels when a soul is saved. I am soooo proud and soooooo blessed.

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Monday, February 16, 2009  -  Speaking

Going back to Newberry, SC is always a pleasant experience. My childhood rests in that small little town and it's comforting knowing many memories of my past are safely tucked away in Newberry. I was so excited to have the opportunity to get involved within the photography class. Inspiring some of the your artistic minds, and showing them the possibilities of following through within the arts. I was surprised when Mrs. Price called me and asked to be the Commencement Speaker for the 2008 graduating class last year. It was a huge honor. Speaking across the country and having television appearances may have been easier compared to a stadium filled with proud parents, loved ones and my old high school principal, Mr. Floyd. I didn't have anything written but I knew what points I wanted to make. Not having notes also gave me the opportunity to have constant eye contact with the students. Many of my friends asked "What are you going to talk about?" I guess the thought of a wedding photographer speaking in this surrounding isn't typical. So I tried to inspire, and deliver a heartfelt yet sincere message.




NHS 2008 PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST WINNER

I also want to thank the Photography Class Students who participated in the "Bucket List" Photography Contest. Students were assigned the task of taking photographs of our Senior Citizens. The winning image is below.


Special thanks to all my Chicago colleagues who judged all the prints.

2008 PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST JUDGES

Kelly Moore
David Wittig
Tina Carter
Anne Ruthman


Also here are a couple of students from the photography class. As I spoke about taking a subject from it's normal lighting conditions and putting that subject in brilliant light, makes you tend to perceive that person in a more positive perspective. Here are a couple of photography students who I had the pleasure of placing in that brilliant light. Photographs are such a great tool to reflect on. To look at ourselves in this brilliant light constantly can be such a key ingredient to our success. Thanks to all the students of Newberry High School. If you guys need anything let me know.



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Saturday, February 14, 2009  -  Travel

The warmer weather is definitely finding it's way back to South Carolina. I am more than ready to feel some sun. I must say that after speaking to many of my friends they share the same feeling. With America's status on tilt, people are ready to get out of the house. Away from the gloom and doom news that plagues are TV's. I'd much rather hear the ocean waves crashing against a foreign coast line than talk show hosts debating the stimulus plan.

The last time I felt this deep desire for a vacation, I went to see a good friend of mine Kelly Moore last summer. Not only is Kelly a wonderful photographer, he also is an avid wakeboarder. With the temperatures scorching in South Carolina, I jetted off to Chicago to escape the heat. Kelly and his wife were very hospitable and so nice. (I have found these characteristics in many Chicagoans, and it very much reminds me of home.) However I do recall an early wake up call at 7:00 in the morning. It was a subtle tap tap on the door, followed up with whispers. "Charles....you up" After I moaned and rolled over another whisper; "Dude it's glass" He of course was referring to the lake. I thought he flipped his lid. However, as I stumbled my way over to the windows I discovered what Kelly meant. That morning was an absolute great experience. To board on an endless sheet of water, was an amazing experience. Thanks Kelly for the memories you are welcome in SC anytime.


Kelly put on a show!!!


TUBE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!


The ever so lovely Nancy Beale. Engaged to my good friend and fellow Wedding Photojournalist David Wittig



Another colleague and good friend Tina Carter.






I had a great time staying at the Burnham Hotel. Loved the architecture, the view of the city, the vintage rrom keys, and the breakfast was delicious. I got back into the city from Kelly's lake house just in time. A thunderstorm swept through Chicago and lightening blistered through the sky. Sorry no photos of the lightening, but I do have these.





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Wednesday, February 11, 2009  -  Engagements

Jill and Sterling have planned an absolutely gorgeous wedding at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. With the wedding scheduled on April 25th the weather will be perfect. I can totally visualize Jill and Sterling facing each other with the ocean in the background. The seagulls swirling in the distance, the wind blowing her veil as the two of them exchange rings. The moments captured will be exquisite. Can't wait!!!

Jill and Sterling met and reside in NYC. Since NYC has a sentimental value for this couple, they flew me up for their Engagement Session. Here are a few shots.










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