Love in Bloom - a Garden Celebration

I know it can be stressful planning an outdoor wedding or reception and it can make you wonder if it is worth the added pressure.
Well Caroline and Chris's reception in the incredible garden at her parents Charlotte home proved that sometimes a roll of the dice can have a great payoff.
Everything came together with perfect weather, music, food and, of course, this wonderful setting that Caroline's mother, Susie, and her entire family have helped nurture over the years.
Caroline and Chris are both Master of Divinity students at Princeton Theological Seminary and they had a beautiful service at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
I worked with the bride's brother, Chip, many years ago at The Charlotte Observer and he has gone on to travel the world as a freelance documentary news photographer based in New York City.
It was hard to do the setting justice in any single photograph but here are a few images from a truly delightful event.

Caroline and Chris

Caroline waits before the service

Caroline and her dad prepare to walk down the aisle

The service at Covenant Presbyterian Church

Chip keeps his niece Whitney busy

The backyard rose garden

Caroline's parents celebrate

Chris and niece Mary Evans

Caroline dances with niece Whitney

David from The Blue Thistle did some of the arrangements

Caroline with her grandfather

It makes you want to "shout"

A little dance in the garden

Appropriately they were showered with petals from the family's rose garden

Ballet Photography (Romeo and Juliet)

I was able to put my Nikon D3 to the test Wednesday night and was once again blown away by the results as I photographed North Carolina Dance Theatre's Romeo and Juliet. The ballet is a feast for the eyes with incredible dance performances combined with beautiful costumes. I've been photographing dance for more than a decade and this camera offers features that allow me to take photos that weren't possible before.
This performance of Romeo and Juliet is a world premiere and NCDT president and artistic director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux has put together a talented team for the production. Included are set designer Howard Jones, lighting designer and director of operations Nate McGaha and costume designer A. Christina (Stia) Giannini, whose work was a joy to photograph.

A 360-degree kiss (high degree of difficulty)

Beautiful costumes by Stia Giannini

Randolph Ward soars

Waiting to go on

Anna Gerberich, front, and Seia Rassenti

David Ingram and Traci Gilchrest in the lead roles

Traci Gilchrest

Jhe Russell, left, and Randolph Ward

David Ingram

Wachovia Championship Photos

This past week was a change of pace I spent my time documenting some of the best golfers in the world at the Wachovia Championship here in Charlotte.
Tournament officials hired me to get behind-the-scenes shots of this fantastic event and I enjoyed seeing many old friends at Quail Hollow.
I've covered several major championships over the years and the Wachovia ranks right up there with the best of them.
Even though Tiger Woods was injured and unable to defend his title this year, thousands of fans turned out and great weather conditions prevailed.
Anthony Kim, a talented 22-year-old, dominated the event his 272 total earned his a 5-stroke win.

The scene at the 18th green Sunday

Stewart Cink blasts out of trouble

Ian Poulter struts down the fairway

Jason Bohn chips in to end his Saturday round

Some nice early morning light

Playing from a fairway bunker on the 1st hole

Phil Mickelson works on his game

Ben Curtis hits his second shot to the 5th green

Phil Mickelson always draws huge crowds

Stewart Cink celebrates a long birdie putt on the 17th hole

The crowd applauds Cink's shot Saturday

Sunday's sunrise service included a bagpiper

The mowers were out in force preparing for Sunday's final

Jason Bohn, who finished 3rd, tries to coax his putt into the hole

Anthony Kim enjoys his walk up to the 18th hole

Just 22, Kim has a bright future following his 5-stroke win