And so this is Christmas

Christmas was just a really awesome time this year.  Thanks Suz, Gary, Meg and Nicola for driving all the way south - you made it extra special.

Couldn't Resist This One

It's funny - when you come away from a wedding with 1,000+ images to edit, it can feel like a daunting task, but as you work through them, you keep chuckling at the memories.  This was one of them. If you've ever photographed kids and tried to pose them or persuade them to cooperate, this will resonate with you.  We even thought to bribe with M&M's but then some far-sighted soul was quick thinking enough to realize that chocolate insides, red outsides and white dresses probably wouldn't be a great combination ....

Congratulations Brooks and Rosa

Here are some images from a storybook wedding on Saturday - a picture perfect day.  Congratulations Brooks, Rosa and Morgan :)

Metanoia's 10 year Jubilee Celebration

Last night Metanoia, a North Charleston based non-profit with a mission to effect positive changes in lives and communities celebrated 10 years at a fundraiser held in the Montague Terrace.  It was a truly diverse group of people who came together for the occasion.  The children involved in the program performed song and dance routines and everyone enjoyed the evening.  For more information about Metanoia and their work, click  here

McLeod Magic

I have photographed McLeod Plantation many times through the seasons and over the years, but I just can't stay away when the oaks are shrouded in an early morning fog.  So it was this morning, and I found myself dressed for work, picking my way gingerly through the brush and stickers, looking to capture yet another facet of this James Island treasure.  Here are a couple of the images.

Gideon and Euphrates (aka Evie)

Euphrates came home last Sunday after two weeks in the Neonatal ICU at MUSC.  She is doing so well and the little family is settling down to life as normal with 4 instead of 3.  We took these photographs this morning to commemorate this special time.  Gideon loves his sister and he is going to be an awesome big brother.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all

I have so much for which to be thankful. Let me count my blessings ..... I ran out of fingers and toes :)

In anticipation of a big meal later on, I took Logan down to the beach for a walk early this morning.  It was low tide and the wind was brisk and cold.  We were at the Folly Beach County Park end of the island and I marveled again at the way nature has just reclaimed what man built.  Even at low tide, part of what used to be the parking lot is buried and underwater.  Happy Thanksgiving America!

Aerial Art - Creeks and Marshes of James Island

Well today was certainly no day to be outside, so I worked on some older images, selecting some for the new gallery that will be online soon.  Here is one that I liked.

High Tides Changing the Landscape - again

Sunrise Park is one of my favorite places to visit.  There is always lots to watch; birds, kayakers, fishermen, boaters, dogs and their owners.  The pond where I so often watch egrets, herons, and wood storks wading and catching their food has been getting stagnant due to a buildup of sand which has prevented the fresh water from flushing it out on a regular basis.  No more, thanks to the 8 foot tides that we have been experiencing lately.  This morning I was thrilled to see that the water has broken clean through and created a wide opening - awesome!  I can't wait to go back at low tide and see it all clean with fresh water and fresh fish for the birds!

Charleston: Pretty as a Painting

I am working on a new website that will be dedicated to aerial photography.  Sometimes aerial photography is taken from such a height, that you may as well be looking at a Google map for all the aesthetic pleasure it affords, but I am trying to find a niche that presents aerial photography as being artistic too.  I'm hoping to reach markets like tourism, construction, planning, real estate, etc.  Any service industry that would benefit from presenting Charleston and the lowcountry from a different, but still very attractive perspective.  I will also have a gallery on this new site for artistic renderings of aerial photography.  Here is an example of historic downtown Charleston.

Wreck of the Jacaranda

I was sorting through some images and found a few favorites from my many trips to South Africa.  This is of the Jacaranda, a 2,000 ton Greek coaster that ran aground under mysterious circumstances (some say it had to do with insurance money) off the Wild Coast of South Africa, specifically the Qora River Mouth.  The spot is pretty inaccessible and you have to hike a good ways along the beach to get to it, so it has remained relatively untouched over the years. Local herds of Nguni cows wander through there, a few hikers, and one or two photographers like me, but otherwise it is a wild and unspoiled coastline. I played with it to give it a painted look.  Think it might be nice on canvas .....

Welcome Euphrates Eve Jourdain

We are excited to announce the birth of precious Euphrates Eve Jourdain, sister to big brother Gideon and my second grandchild.  Those of faith, please pray for her - she needs surgery to correct a blockage in her intestine and will later need heart surgery.  She is a fiesty little munchkins, born today at MUSC.  Congratulations Leigh and Josh - God is good.

Cleaning up Harbor View Road

I'm not sure whether November 3rd was some kind of national "clean-up day", or whether it was a more localized effort, but James Island Mayor Bill Woolsey, some of his council members, the Boy Scout Troop #44, the Cub Scout Troop #111, and parents all gathered in our neighborhood early Saturday morning and set out from there to pick up trash up and down Harbor View Road.  Thank you very much - it looks great. It would be nice if it would stay that way for awhile ....

Coastal Carolina Fair 2012

I suddenly realized that this was the last few days of the Coastal Carolina Fair and I really wanted to go.  Since this was the only opportunity I would have before it left town on Sunday, I headed out there after work and enjoyed a beautiful evening watching everyone having a very good time.  Here are some of the images.

Farewell HMS Bounty

HMS Bounty in Savannah, GA May 2012

HMS Bounty off the coast of Charleston, SC May 2012

I am so sad about the sinking of the Bounty.  What a tragic end to such a grand lady.  My heart goes out to the family of the crew member who didn't make it, and my prayer is that by some miracle they will find Captain Robin Walbridge.  What else is there to say ..

Paul, Laura & Donovan

Paul and Laura are expecting their second child within a couple of weeks, so we quickly took the opportunity to photograph them as a threesome before their daughter arrives.  We bribed Donovan shamelessly with jelly beans to encourage his participation!