Studio Session

Did a quick studio session today for Dan, a local businessman looking for some promotional photos.
Dan and I hit it off right away as we chatted about our mutual loves of golf and music. (His wife recently gave him an awesome birthday gift as he got to play Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of the best courses in the world.)
My son Sean has been helping me lug equipment as he learns more about photography. (Sean actually had his first photo published in the newspaper at age 13 when he got a great shot while working with me at the Carolina Panther training camp.)
We also had some fun taking some pictures as he helped me adjust the studio lights. I was also trying to show him how you can change the mood of the photos by using one light instead of two.
We did some standard head-and-shoulders photos of Dan and then did a few that were a bit more relaxed.
Dan was great to work with and I'm hoping we can get together for some golf in the near future.

Sean looking serious as we set the lights

The many faces of Sean
We utilized one light for the second shot and two lights for the other two

Standard head shot

More interesting lighting with a relaxed pose

Photography Night

Betsy and I made a quick trip to the Triangle Wednesday to catch a talk by Raleigh photographer Missy McLamb.
My friend and fellow former newspaper photographer Christobal Perez and his wife Kathleen of Azul Photography organized the Photography Night, an ongoing event for education and networking for photographers.
More than 50 people turned out to hear Missy speak about her inspiring project documenting a woman with breast cancer. Missy, who is often credited with helping bring documentary style wedding photography to the state, has a thriving wedding photography business. People came from all over, including another friend, Regina Holder from Asheville, who made the trip with Dana Andreasson of Conover. Regina made about an 8-hour round trip!
We had a chance to run into a few old friends as well as meeting some new ones. Betsy snapped a few photos with her point-and-shoot.
Thanks to Christobal and Kathleen for a great event!

Azul's Kathleen and Christobal Perez

Bruce Mayhill, Shane Snider and me

Crystal Coast Celebration

We made a trip to Morehead City this weekend for the wedding of Laura and Mike. Laura lives in Charlotte but she has many family connections to the coastal community.
Betsy, Sean and I headed out Thursday to get some beach time and I photographed the rehearsal dinner Friday evening. The weekend was action packed with a variety of events and activities for the wedding participants.
The First United Methodist Church, where Laura's parents had been married, was the wedding site. The Coral Bay Club on Atlanta Beach was the venue for both the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. Tammy Fendick, general manger at the club, did a excellent job organizing both events.
I had a great time working with Laura, Mike and their families.
(Remember to click on the photos to make them larger.)

Laura and Mike

Rehearsal dinner

Mike talks with Emory the flower girl

Laura's mom and grandad

Laura looked fantastic

Laura wore the same veil as her mother

Laura, her sister and new sister-in-law before the ceremony

The Coral Bay Club

Lots of dancing

North Tower jams

End of a great party

Father's Day blessings

I had an excellent Father's Day and I hope all you dads out there did as well.
After church in the morning and a portrait shoot in the afternoon, Betsy and the kids made a great dinner with steak and shrimp as I took in the end of the U.S. Open.I had a nice conversation with my dad in the morning and I am thankful for all of the things he has taught me along the way. Talked to my mom later in the day and got caught up on some changes in her life.
I got some awesome gifts including a gift certificate for golf (always useful), some racquetball stuff that Sean and I are going to try to figure out, and a golf lesson at the Dana Rader Golf School. I've photographed Dana in the past and her school is one of the best in the country (there go my excuses).
Of all of my roles in life, there is none I cherish more than being a husband and father.
Thanks for a great day guys!

The loot

A Beautiful Dance

I had the pleasure of working with Caroline and Ted Saturday. The two Carolina grads live in the Boston area but they had their wedding here in Charlotte at the Belk Chapel.
Caroline is an amazing dancer and she was on the UNC dance squad in college. The reception, held at Byron's South End, was a lively event with tons of great dancing. Caroline even did a special dance for her new husband. Joey and Kristen, a fun DJ crew from Split Second Sound, did an awesome job of keeping everyone moving from the "So You Think You Can Dance" contest through the couple's last dance.
Caroline and Ted were both so much fun to work with and everyone had a great time.
Thanks for everything and good luck!

Caroline and Ted outside Belk Chapel

Having some fun getting ready

A kiss from mom

Ted gathers his thoughts before the service

Ryan the ring bearer

The best man dropped the ring and they had a good laugh

Pretty light on a pretty bride

The butterfly stuck around for awhile

Outside Byron's South End

Kristen and Joey from Split Second Sound

Flower girl Chloe wows the crowd

Dance off

This young guy had some serious moves

Everyone got in the act including this graceful couple

End of the night kiss