Anna and Chett had a beautiful wedding last weekend at the Carolina Yacht Club, so I’m happy to finally post some of Anna’s portraits from February. It’s hard for me to keep anything under wraps for too long, especially a portrait session at Lowndes Grove! I loved Anna’s long veil, she looked so elegant and and I’m all about the V neck gown this season, too.
My adorable nephew attends Sundrops Montessori and I donated a portrait session to their Holiday auction last year. The Whitney family bought the auction item and opted to do their pictures on the beach. It was one of those humid, summer days where it looked like the sky was about to open up and drop torrential amounts of rain but it never did. The clouds were thick, fluffy and grey and the lighting was spot on perfect for an afternoon at the beach.
Ooh la la! I have been itching to post this portrait for weeks but I had to wait to spill the beans until the lovely bride was married this month. Here are a few of my favorites, be sure to hop on over to The Wedding Row to see more of Jen’s bridal portraits!
Emilie is hands down a total stunner, and she’s one of those women that has no idea how gorgeous she is. She usually runs from a mascara wand like it was steamed okra. I had so much fun working with her at Boone Hall for her bridal portrait and her gown from the Gown Boutique is one of my favorites!
Emma and BJ were married last weekend at Litchfield Plantation and we photographed the lovely bride there earlier this year for her formal portrait. The grounds of the plantation are beautiful but I also love the charming carriage house with its exposed brick walls, original hand painted wall coverings and delicate moldings. I only wish it was closer to Charleston!
Rachel and Chad are so in love!!! I hardly had to ask and they just ran out to the beach together and romped around like giddy teenagers.
Congratulations you two lovebirds. I had a fantastic time chasing after you on the beach!
I photographed Courtney’s portraits in March and I’m so excited to finally post them. She graduated from law school last weekend and a friend shot her wedding yesterday, I hope it was a fantastic event! Congratulations Courtney, I loved meeting you and having the opportunity to photograph you in such an amazing setting!
Leave it to Hannah and Matt Alexander to achieve baby perfection. Henry made his debut on December 5th and he’s figured out how to charm the ladies in no time. I fell under his spell this morning when he woke up from his nap all smiles and sunshine and hammed it right up for me. Total. Baby. Perfection.
It’s always a treat to check in annually with my friend Ellen’s boys, Luke and Jack. They’re 18 months apart and bursting with energy. We romped around Hampton Park recently and they entertained me to no end. What cracked me up the most was Jack, the youngest, was constantly poking, teasing, or tackling Luke. I did the same thing to my big brother ages ago just to see his temper flare up but he’s 7 years my senior so the outcome wasn’t nearly as cute.
February’s arrival has me thinking about Valentine’s Day! As a tribute here are some of my all time favorite smooches.
Kelley was a stunning bride and I was thrilled to shoot her bridal portrait recently at Lowndes Grove. She wore her grandmother’s gown which was also worn by her mother almost 30 years ago. I’m always amazed that a gown can be preserved and altered and then shared with later generations, but that may just be because my own wedding dress has red wine stains all over it. Good thing I have boys, I guess. Kelley’s gown was altered to be sleeveless but she had an elegant lace bolero made to cover her arms during the ceremony. Add some killer blue Louboutins, a bouquet blooming with roses and peonies, and it makes for an exceptionally elegant bride.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend! Drink some eggnog for me.
My darling niece popped by last week for a quick visit. I still find it hard to believe I’m related to somebody so cute and blonde.
I shoot bridal portraits months ahead of the wedding date and it is so difficult not to post the photos once I’ve finished editing them! The bride usually shares them with a few friends and family but I have to wait until the wedding date passes to post anything. Gately and Mikell were married earlier this month and I’m so excited to finally post some of Gately’s portraits! We did these in the middle of June and somehow Gately kept her cool while I turned into a red hot pool of sweat. She’s a pro! Stay tuned for their fantastic wedding photos!
I spent a sticky August afternoon at my friend Heather’s fantastic downtown apartment frolicking with her 15 month old son Coleman. Coleman is just 6 months older than little Marcus and I’m amazed (and somewhat scared) of how much he can do on his own. Open doors. Slide bolted locks. Climb up on the bed. Get down off the bed. And run, run, run.
He’s also learned that good things come in little blue boxes. VERY important.
Coleman still sleeps in his crib but he has a big boy bed in his room that he adores playing on. (Note to self: overstuffed pillows can provide toddlers with endless entertainment.)
Meanwhile, Coleman provides the entertainment for Rosebud.
I went home and did the same thing. Thanks for a fun afternoon, Coleman!
I’m so in love with these new books, they make great sign in books for your reception and it’s the perfect way to display an engagement session. Both of these books are going to be used as sign in books so I’ve left a good bit of blank space in the layouts.
The books are available in 7×7, 8×10, 12×12 and 13×11 sizes. The smaller book is 8×10 and the larger one here is 12×12. You have the option of a dust jacket or wrap around image for your cover. Both come with your name on the spine and a photo on the back cover.
The 12×12 is a pretty good size, particularly when you consider my model/babysitter Harriett is 6 feet tall.
The small books also make great thank you gifts and parent’s albums, and all of the books can hold up to 160 pages. Yep, that’s a lot of pictures.
I spent another lovely afternoon this month at Boone Hall Plantation shooting Gately and Mikell’s engagement photos. All of the azaleas were in full bloom and it was delightfully brisk considering the fact that we’re well into spring down here. And I’ve fallen head over heels for their sweet dog Harlow, who was surely in heaven bounding through the tall grass and meandering down oak alley like it was her own backyard.
I taught photography at the College of Charleston a few years ago and aside from educational discounts on products I got from Apple, the I thought the best perk was meeting lots of potential interns. You always need free help, right? I was wrong. The best perk was getting a call from an old student who just got engaged. I had kept in touch with Claire Griffin because she worked for the Spoleto Festival after graduating, but nothing could prepare me for seeing her in a GOWN. A girly one with LACE. We did her bridal portrait at 14 George St, the incredibly restored home in downtown Charleston where the Spoleto offices are located. 
Claire also held her wedding reception at 14 George this past weekend. Bellissima! Best wishes, Claire!
Ashley and Chris braved the cold this Saturday to shoot some engagement photos at Waterfront Park. Chris proposed on the swings so they were all sweet and nostalgic about the location in spite of the wind and bitter temperatures. And when would they ever have the chance to play with a 5 foot snowman in Charleston again?
After an hour or so I couldn’t feel my fingers so we popped in to Fleet Landing to warm up. And being that Valentine’s Day was Sunday it was only appropriate that Chris picked up a palmetto rose for Ashley along the way. 
Congratulations Ashley and Chris, can’t wait for the big day this summer!
Last week I had the pleasure of photographing Cal Fairfield, a precocious and leggy 8 week old who is solely responsible for reshaping the growth chart curve. Seriously, he’s as big as my 4 month old. When he finally woke up his mom Catherine dressed him in a sweet little linen outfit, I love the little buttons and collar.
Quick change into a cute Western style number and he suddenly looked like a little man.
The hat was a little cumbersome so we took it off for a few shots. Here he’s all, “Had a rough day, can you get me a cold one?”
Cal is such a lamb chop and a really strong little guy. When they left I think he went for a quick jog over the Cooper River Bridge.
Marni is a nationally recognized wedding and portrait photographer. Her style emphasizes candid, honest moments that capture a true glimpse of her subject’s personality. Specialties include location portraits, fine art printing and custom book design.
