Family Portrait Shoot

Family portraits have become one of my favorite genres of photography.  It can be a challenge with large families and particularly with young children who really don't understand what it's all about.  Here are a couple of my favorites from a recent shoot out at Kiawah.

2011 Christmas Yards

I had meant to take more photos of decorated front yards, but somehow the time just got away from me.  We went for a drive this evening and found a group of West Ashley neighbors who went all out this year.

New Studio Lighting Effects

This evening I had Matt, Josh and Gideon in the studio to work on some new lighting ideas. Thanks guys for being so obliging - as always.  I did feed them :)

Gourd Harvest time in Ridge Springs, SC

Gourd farming has become less commonplace over the years.  They are used to house the Purple Martins (America's largest swallows) when they arrive from South America in the spring, and many crafters decorate them.  I started documenting this almost a year ago now and we have followed the planting season, the birds' arrival, their gathering at Bomb Island on Lake Murray in the fall, their departure for South America, and now the harvest of this season's gourd crop last weekend.  Here are some of those images.  Search my blog and photo website for more of this story.

Back to Shem Creek

The weather has been wonderful in Charleston, mild and sunny, so I took the opportunity to re-visit Shem Creek this evening.  I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.  This is a great place to live.

Spirit of the Lowcountry

I went downtown to the main library to check on my exhibition this morning and took these photographs for the record, mainly for Mum and Dad in SA :)  It would have looked more exciting if the room had been full of people, but this is not exactly a high traffic venue.  Nevermind, everyone's got to start somewhere, right?

Friday evening on Charleston harbor

The end of a good week and a beautiful evening over the harbor.  Do I wish I was on the cruise ship?  Mmm, not really, but it sure looked pretty as it sailed.

Bummer ...

I noticed this while running some errands this morning. The tree is very mature, doesn't seem to show any signs of stress, and the weather front that came through yesterday was a blustery nothing.  It just goes to show how random life can be. Fortunately the occupant of the house was not at home when it happened. You never know about that either, meaning we don't know what harm we have been spared because of the grace of God, so thank Him for what you don't know!

Annual GEL Christmas Oyster Roast

Food was great (thanks Tidewater Catering, again), weather was wonderful and everyone had a very good time.

Countdown to Christmas 2011

With Thanksgiving behind us, the days are flying by and soon Christmas will be upon us. Time to start preparing for this most special time of year. Gideon thinks it's a very good thing!

Pet and Owner Photo Shoot

When Lisa told me her dog was a Golden Retriever I knew it was going to be a fun shoot, but I didn't know the half of it. Sam arrived looking all spiffy and clean for his photographs, but we were persuaded (against our better judgement) to let him off his leash. Big mistake. Anyway, photographs are all about capturing what is, and so that was what we got.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would have posted this last night, but I was just too full and had to go to bed and sleep it off. Why is it that Thanksgiving has become an excuse for over-the-top gluttony! And why do I approach it with the best of restrained intentions, only to forget those intentions after one glass of red wine. There's a lesson in there somewhere, and it's not buried too deep. Oh well. I'll do better next year. Thanks Pam & Bubba for another awesome dinner.

My New Favorite Place

I love when I discover a really neat new place to photograph ... I had heard that the new Shem Creek Park was really nice, but I was blown away when I went to check it out today. This is really an awesome asset to Mount Pleasant.

Way to go Town of Mount Pleasant. Families were out enjoying the day with their dogs, babies in strollers, etc. A really class act and a great blend of commerce, recreation, and nature. I will be a regular visitor.

Foggy Morning at McLeod Plantation

I have been working on photographing McLeod Plantation for the CCPRC and have been waiting for some early morning fog for a different mood. This morning delivered.

Girltime

I spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon shooting Ella and Lizzy in the studio. Child photography can be unpredictable, but at the end of the day, we got some really nice shots. Here are a couple of them.

Mommy joined in for a couple at the end.

Gideon visits the Aquarium

So what do you do with kids on a miserable day? Now that I am a grandmother with regular babysitting duties, I am open to all ideas, but this was one obvious solution. Wide-eyed wonder on steroids - a very successful outing.

Suddenly it's Winter

At least in the Smokies. Charleston may wait a few weeks. This was the scene that I saw this morning when I arrived at the cove just before dawn - a winter wonderland. Also saw a big male Black Bear pretty close up, and more deer. Great day, but it's time to go home.

Yes there is still color in the Smokies

I arrived at the gates of Cades Cove before sunrise and joined the line that had already begun to form. I wasn't complaining; there were only about 10 cars ahead of me and last weekend a friend was here and there were 80 cars ahead of him. Later I headed to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail near Gatlinburg and it was a riot of color. The towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are just awful, congested tourist traps. It took me forever to find my way out of them. Townsend by contrast is just a normal country town. It has everything you need and it is very conveniently located to Cades Cove. Sparks Lane, Cades Cove

Middle Prong Little River near Tremont Regan's mill, Roaring Fork Motor Trail
Roaring Fork Motor Trail