| I absolutely LOVE my brides and grooms! Even on a gloomy overcast day that had a slight drizzle, Cristan and Allen were still up for their scheduled engagement shoot. I totally left it up to them and after receiving the thumbs up I quickly grabbed an umbrella and headed downtown. I have been reluctant shooting downtown in Falls Park because everyone photographs there but Cristan and Allen hold the downtown area dear to them. That's where they first met and presently reside. So why not? I can capture unique images that others haven't? I am The Storyteller, right? Well, with a willing bride and groom and an open perspective I know we achieved the look we wanted. Thanks to Cristan and Allen...Enjoy your slideshow. |
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I am so pleased to have met Elisabeth and Joel. They are truly fascinating and such a delight to work with. We traveled to Wild Dunes and Sullivan's Island for an engagement shoot. Regarding engagement sessions, I try to keep it simple and feed off the mood of the couple. Even though I "set up" the shot, I still let moments and personalities flow naturally. Joel and Elisabeth did an awesome job being themselves, and love how they interact with each other. Joel happens to be an avid triathlon participant, and is also an official Iron Man. Elisabeth is so personable and her soft charm really embraces you. A perfect contrast for Elisabeth and Joel. Enjoy the slideshow below.
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Winning In Vegas
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Awards
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"The Perfect Storm"
Every year WPPI, Wedding & Portriat Photographers International , have a photographer's convention filled with vendors from all over the world as well as print and album competitions. With over 12,000 attendees and thousands of print entries I am so blessed to announce that "The Perfect Storm" was given an "Accolade of Excellence" and was displayed with all the other 16x20 winning prints. It was given the highest score at of all the South Carolina photographers. I was so surprised, because it was the only print I entered. "The Perfect Storm" was taken on Folly Beach during a slight drizzle moments after Penelope and 2nd Lt. David Abdiel were pronounced husband and wife. The print will also be published in the Best of 2008 WPPI Album. |
| Can you get more excited than this? |
| Here are some night shots of Vegas. |
| The water show is spectacular and I was lucky to have a corner room over looking the water show each night. I went to sleep every night to the show in sync with Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman singing "Time to Say Goodbye". Not a bad way to fall asleep. Below are shots at the top of the Eiffel Tower. |
Dancing In the Moonlight - 8th Place
Saturday, March 8, 2008 - Awards
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| Becoming a member of the WPJA was a great accomplishment. Now to have my name recognized among other professional journalist, is an unbelievable blessing. My 2nd winning image from 2007 is from Lucy's and Ben's Wedding. While the sun faded I increased the shutter to create a silhouette of the Father/Daughter Dance. The photograph took 8th place in the silhouette and shadows category. This is an international contest with entries that come from all over the world. such as Singapore, Italy, England, Australia, and Malaysia. The 11 judges are highly respected and have accomplishments galore like Dennis Brack, who is the President of the White House News Photographers Association. He has photographed U.S. Presidents from JFK to present, and like Renee C. Byer who received the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography. For the judges of this caliber to acknowledge my life's work and mark my documentation as award winning is a wonderful feeling of affirmation. Many thanks to the WPJA and also to Lucy and her Father. |
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Cynthia + Patrick
Sunday, March 2, 2008 - Weddings
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Cynthia contacted me last year and had planned an eventful wedding for May 31st. There was only one catch. Her father is a Colonel and is currently fighting the War on Terror. We had no idea if he would get orders to come back home, but On January 22, 2008 an excited Cynthia sent me this email.
"So my dad and his troops are finally in Afghanistan and I have gotten word from him that, yes, May 31, 2008 will actually work out! Praise God! This is surely nothing short of a miracle and God's provision. Anyway, thanks for working with me and being flexible."
Unfortunately the joy didn't last long. On January 24th here was Cynthia's following email.
"Oh, what a difference a day makes: elation has now become tears. My fiance just informed me three hours ago that he will be deploying in about a month-- no later than March 1-- for Afghanistan. He was told this around 3 o'clock this afternoon and called me around 9 PM this evening. The details of his mission for deployment and the ratio of survivors from previous groups with the same assignment scares me to my core. There is no set return date: all I know is that he will be gone at least seven months."
Cynthia informed me that she consulted with her father and he stated, "Don't wait on me. I want you two to be able to call each other husband and wife." A fathers love from abroad giving his blessing to Cynthia and Patrick was so honorable. Although I have never met her father, I hold him in high regard and have the outmost respect for him. With a father's blessing and diminishing time, Cynthia planned a very small intimate wedding. Not the lavish May wedding she so wished for. Her mother sewed all night and replaced her wedding dress with a vintage suit. Family and friends came from different states and the couple exchanged there vows at Le Jardin Blanc in Douglasville, Ga.
Lastly here is an email from Cynthia after viewing her photographs.
"Dear Charles,
I am still just an enamored and engaged with all of the pictures as I was the first time. It feels like a dream-like experience: here we were months ago scrolling through your web site, completely captivated by the pure essence of the emotional experience you were able to capture on film and now, we are a part of that. I can look at each picture and recall my exact thought and feelings at that moment and suddenly it all comes back to me and I'm crying or laughing with the same exuberance all over again.
There's a look Patrick gives me-- I can't really describe it other than when it appears on his face, I just suddenly know it and what it signifies. It's as though the deepest most private part of his soul is reaching out through his eyes and touching mine-- bad description, but you get the point.
The aloof "look" first appeared for the three months after he first told me he loved me and has come and gone ever since with various guest appearances at occasions such as random date nights, when he proposed, etc. I can't make it happen, it just does, but I have always wished that at some point in time it would be captured on film so I would have proof. That look is the most wonderful--I'm at a loss for words. At times I wonder if my mind hasn't embellished the reality of "the look," but you managed to get a picture of it on film. That one picture gives me all of the feelings as if he's really here in front of my face, looking at me that way. I know the next few months will go by quickly and slowly, but I will have that image to look at which I know will make it bearable.
You truly have a gift and I cannot thank you enough for sharing your gift with us."
Cynthia thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer. Your story of sacrifice inspires me, and your words of praise affirm my life's work. God's speed to Patrick and his safe return, as well as your father.
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| Cynthia contacted me and stated that Patrick wanted to take this particular photo with him overseas. I am touched deeply and complimented with Patrick's gesture. |
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