Ali's birthday

We had a great time celebrating our daughter Alison's birthday yesterday. Ali is a super young lady and Betsy and I have been blessed with two wonderful kids.
Ali is at an extremely exciting time in her life as she prepares to finish college with an international studies major and head off on what will be her fourth trip to Europe. She'll be spending a year in Switzerland as an au pair as she endeavors to become fluent in French.
We had a nice dinner at a Japanese restaurant before the cake and presents at home.

Happy Birthday Ali!

Time for some cake

Celebrating with Alison and Sean

Rhythm & Moves

Over the course of my career, I've had the opportunity to photograph some of the best athletes in the world - Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Brett Favre to name a few.
But I'm always blown away by the athleticism, artistry and grace when I photograph the dancers from the North Carolina Dance Theatre (NCDT).
I've been documenting these dancers for more than a decade and I had the opportunity to photograph the dress rehearsal for their upcoming show "Rhythm & Moves." The performances run tonight through Saturday at the Belk Theater.
Charlotte is so fortunate to have such a talented dance troupe led by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and his wife Patricia McBride.
The show includes pieces by Mark Diamond, Alonzo King and Uri Sands, whose dance includes an assist from the West Charlotte High School marching band.
I worked along side Charlotte photographer Jeff Cravotta. Jeff does most of the promotional work for NCDT and he is a talented corporate and portrait photographer.
Dancer Ayisha McMillan, who I've been lucky to photograph several times over the past few years, will be giving her final performance in the show and I want to wish her well. She is incredibly talented and is a super nice person. I know she will have great success as she transitions into marketing for NCDT.
You can see more of my dance images on my corporate and editorial website. Just click on the dance section.

Good luck Ayisha!

Katherine and Dave in Charleston

What a great weekend in Charleston!
I arrived Thursday and scouted some portrait locations downtown before playing golf on Friday with fellow photographer and good buddy Jim Gund.
Jim then worked with me as a second photographer Saturday for Katherine and Dave's wedding. They were so much fun and so easy to photograph. You could tell how much they cared for each other and they both had smiles on their faces all day long.
I started taking pictures as the ladies got ready at the cottages at the Belvidere Club & Resort. The cottages and the setting are fantastic.
The wedding took place at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, an amazing old historic church on Broad Street. Thanks to wedding coordinator Nicole DeNeane who made everything run smoothly.
After the wedding the couple took a carriage ride around downtown and we were able to get tons of pictures at the great Charleston locations. Thanks also to Dennis from Charleston Coach for being so patient and allowing us time to get the the photos.
The reception was in another excellent visual setting at the Patriots Point Links (The Pavillion at Patriots Point) just over the Ravenel bridge in Mt. Pleasant.
Pam Paciaroni from Stephen Duvall Catering & Events handled things at the reception and everyone had a great time.
Katherine had planned things out so well and it really made a difference in giving us time to get the pictures she wanted. The couple and their families were so personable and nice that it was a pleasure working with them.
Thanks guys and have a great time in Hawaii!

Katherine and Dave after the ceremony

Some shots around town

The Battery

Jim got some photos of me hard at work

At the Belvidere cottages

A present from Dave

A moment with mom

Off to the ceremony

Carriage ride

Dennis from Charleston Coach gave a great history lesson

Friends give a cheer as the carriage rolls by

I hope my insurance is paid up

At Charleston Waterfront Park

They are so happy

Give us some Blue Steel

At the cocktail party

Flowers by Tiger Lily

Grand entrance

The Pavilion at Patriots Point

Katherine's sisters were so ready but she faked them out!

End of a great night

Historic Pairing at The Wachovia

No, I'm not talking about my son Sean and I - but we did make an appearance at the Charlotte golf tournament.
Michael Jordan was paired with Tiger Woods in Wednesday's Pro-Am and they drew huge crowds. What a unique opportunity to see two of the greatest icons in sports in one place.
I had covered The Wachovia for The Charlotte Observer for the first four years of its existence. This was my first year attending as a fan and I welcomed a chance to hang out with my son Sean.
It was strange walking around with a point-and-shoot and a small telephoto lens. (I would usually carry three cameras and at least one huge telephoto lens).
Sean and I had a great day and he was able to score a few autographs. I snapped a few shots as we wandered around the course.
The Wachovia has become a fantastic event and it draws the top players in the world.

Tiger tees off

"His Airness" has a smoke

Tiger had some sweet Nike spikes

Sergio Garcia works the crowd

Super Bowl QB Peyton Manning was in a good mood

Adam Scott

Phil Mickelson blasts from the sand for a birdie

Tiger takes a break

Big John Daly lets one rip

Sean gets Adam Scott's autograph

Sean and I (thanks to the guy who snapped the photo!)