Charleston Family Portraits in the historic district with the Knowles Family!

(post by Valerie Schooling)

Last Thursday, after having to reschedule twice due to rain, I finally got to meet Sharon, Wade and Millie downtown Charleston for family portraits! The weather was perfect (finally!)

We had so much fun! We went on a “walk” around some of my favorite spots downtown, and took portraits along the way! Here are a few of my favorites:

The Knowles Family

Millie has so much personality and was so fun the whole time!
(Her mom said she was asking if we could do the photoshoot again the very next day, haha!)

And here’s a closeup of Miss Millie:

You can view their whole album of photos through the month of November here: http://knowles.photoherald.com/index.php/view_event.php

Lisa and Rodney’s wedding at the Inn at Middleton Place; Charleston, SC

(post by Valerie Schooling)

Though I’ve been to the Inn at Middleton Place many times for receptions and rehearsal dinners, this was my first experience photographing a wedding ceremony on the grounds!

I’m sure you remember how terrible the weather was on Friday the 24th (record amounts of rain!) but Saturday was absolutely gorgeous! (Which was perfect for all of us because it was also my birthday!)

Lisa and Rodney’s wedding ceremony at the Inn at Middleton Place had the most amazing marsh view, all of the trees were covered in spanish moss, and the temperature outdoor was ideal!

Here are a few of my favorites from their day:

You can view Lisa and Rodney’s full wedding album design: Click Here

Kara and Stephen’s wedding at Lexington Baptist Church and the Columbia Marriott

(post by Valerie Schooling)
On October 11th, I packed up all my photo-gear into the miata, and traveled to Kara and Stephen’s wedding in Columbia! Their wedding ceremony was at Lexington Baptist Church – a very neat church! Their reception was at the Columbia Marriott, and it was super classy.
Kara and Stephen are model wedding clients! I couldn’t have asked for a more happy, fun, photogenic and in-love couple. In fact, the whole wedding party was a lot of fun!
I absolutely adored Kara's dress! (So unique!)

I absolutely adored Kara's dress! (So unique!)

Stephen and his groomsmen in front of Lexington Baptist Church.

Stephen and his groomsmen in front of Lexington Baptist Church.
Party in the limosine! (Columbia Marriott or bust!)

Party in the limosine! (Columbia Marriott or bust!)

In between the wedding and the reception, we took a little stroll around the Horseshoe at USC!

In between the wedding and the reception, we took a little stroll around the Horseshoe at USC!

Kara and Stephen's fabulous first dance!

Kara and Stephen's fabulous first dance!

You can view Kara and Stephen’s full wedding album design: Click Here

Duffy and Chris’s Wedding at the Marriott Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The clouds on this rainy weekend parted long enough for Duffy’s wedding on the Beach to turn out just as they were praying for (and they prayed a lot!).   Duffy Pew married Christopher Crapps (yes, it was the Pew-Crapps wedding, and they’ve heard every joke possible on the subject, so leave it alone) on October 11, 2008 on beautiful Hilton Head Island Beach at the Marriotte Resort and Spa.

The ladies got ready in the Honeymoon suite, which was huge, and offered some great opportunities for portraits.

The ladies got ready in the Honeymoon suite, which was huge, and offered some great opportunities for portraits.

The ceremony site offered all of the view and feel of getting married on the beach, without actually having to drag an expensive dress throguh the sand.  Good pick for the ceremony site!

The ceremony site offered all of the view and feel of getting married on the beach, without actually having to drag an expensive dress through the sand. Good pick for the ceremony site!

I'm a sucker for this shot.

I

A sand ceremony is always a MUCH better idea for a beach wedding then a candle.

A sand ceremony is always a MUCH better idea for a beach wedding then a candle.

These two had such great expressions the whole day.  You could tell they kinda liked each other.

These two had such great expressions the whole day. You could tell they kinda liked each other.

You can view Chris and Duffy’s full wedding album design: Click Here

Tom and Angela’s Trash the Dress Session

Tom and Angela had a simple destination wedding at the Gazebo on the Battery at White Point Gardens in Downtown Charleston, SC.  Eleven people total made it an easy and fun affair with little to-do, but a lot of great pictures and an album I’m very proud of.

Angela and Tom had their first glance at Stolles Alley off of East Bay Street, not far from Rainbow Row.  It was a beautiful moment.

Angela and Tom had their first glance at Stolles Alley off of East Bay Street, not far from Rainbow Row. It was a beautiful moment.

1) Secure your dress well (I'll leave it at that) 2) hang on tight to your ring (don't worry, they found it).

Right after the ceremony, (at Angela's Request) they went to Waterfront Park for pictures in the Fountain. Amazing pictures, but two pieces of advice: 1) Secure your dress well (I'll leave it at that) 2) hang on tight to your ring (don't worry, they found it).

They had their private 11-course dinner at McCrady's Restaurant, located on this alleyway off of East Bay.

They had their private 11-course dinner at McCrady's Restaurant, located on this alleyway off of East Bay.

You can view Angela and Tom’s full wedding album design: Click Here

Renee & Derek’s wedding at First Baptist Church & 28 Bridgeside

(post by Valerie Schooling)
I am reminded daily (sometimes hourly) just how much I love my career…and Renee and Derek’s wedding was definitely one of my favorite weddings of the year!  I loved shooting their rehearsal dinner at the William-Aiken House on King Street, downtown Charleston.
The William-Aiken House is an abosolutely breathtaking location for any event, and I absolutely loved the lighting under the tent for Renee and Derek's rehearsal dinner!
The William-Aiken House is an abosolutely breathtaking location for any event, and I absolutely loved the lighting under the tent for Renee and Derek
Another fun one of Renee and Derek from their rehearsal dinner at the William-Aiken House
Another fun one of Renee and Derek from their rehearsal dinner at the William-Aiken House
Renee and Derek outside First Baptist Church, downtown Charleston, SC

Renee and Derek outside First Baptist Church, downtown Charleston, SCThe view of the Ravenel Bridge from their 28 Bridgeside reception location was absolutely BREATHTAKING at sunset!

Gorgeous sunset, wonderful view, and a couple in love...what more can you ask for?

Gorgeous sunset, wonderful view, and a couple in love...what more can you ask for?

The band, The Men of Distinction, has got to be the most FUN band I've ever seen...definitely the most entertaining horn section!!!

The band, The Men of Distinction, has got to be the most FUN band I

Their wedding cake was made by my favorite wedding cake artist/designer here in the Charleston area, Elaine's Events. Their cake-topper was really neat too!

Their wedding cake was made by my favorite wedding cake artist/designer here in the Charleston area, Elaine

And just in time...their sparkler leave!

And just in time...their sparkler leave!

You can view Renee and Derek’s full wedding album design: Click Here

Anthony & Sarah’s wedding at Holiday Inn, Folly Beach

(post by Valerie Schooling)

It’s always a blessing to be a part of a friend’s wedding. I have known Sarah for about 5 years now (we have been friends since I lived in Johnson City, TN) and lucky me – she chose me to be her photographer! Anthony & Sarah are such a sweet couple and they had a very lovely beach wedding on Folly Beach with their reception at the Holiday Inn!

October 4, 2008

There’s always a special romance with beach weddings. Especially at sunset!

Sarah and Anthony’s wedding party was small and very fun!
(Also, I shot her maid of honor’s wedding almost 2 years ago. It was great to see Janelle & Austin at the wedding.)

The perfect leave for a perfect couple! Have fun in Jamaica!

 You can view Sarah and Anthony’s full wedding album design: CLICK HERE!