Fotorecord: Jim Gund

Showing posts with label Jim Gund. Show all posts

Friday, January 11, 2008

A Great Year!

Today marks the anniversary of the beginning of a journey.
It was one year ago that I left the friendly confines of the newspaper industry to move out on my own as a freelance photographer.
What a year it has been!
I've enjoyed working with my wife Betsy as we opened a studio in Davidson, NC, and worked to adjust to a new lifestyle. We are lucky to have a talented associate in our company photographer Laura Mueller.
After more than 20 years working at three newspapers, it's been great not having to report to someone else's office each day.
It also made me think back to the start of this endeavor. As wedding photojournalism or a more documentary approach became popular, I became interested in doing weddings about six years ago. I started doing them on the side as I continued my full-time photography job at The Charlotte Observer.
I got excellent advice and guidance from fellow journalists who had switched to wedding photography. People like Matt Mendelsohn and Gary Allen, two great photojournalists who were gracious with their ideas and experience. Also Mike Colon, an amazing wedding photographer who didn't know me from anyone when I called looking for suggestions. He spoke to me at length offering more advice.
I've also been lucky to be involved with the Wedding Photojournalist Association from its beginnings. I've watched David Roberts build the group into an amazing resource for photographers who utilize a similar documentary approach.
Along the way I've seen other former newspaper shooters like Christobal and Kathleen Perez (Azul Photography), Andrew Niesen and Rachel LaCour Niesen and Mark and Erin Adams (LaCour) and Roger Winstead make a big impact with their wedding photography. Former Sports Illustrated photographer and my good golfing buddy Jim Gund and his fellow Charleston photographer Mic Smith (Lowcountry Photojournalism) have joined the fray.
Asheville is a hotbed of wedding talent with people like my friend, one-time client and now Rockstar photographer Corey McNabb, the amazing Parker J., James and Jenny Tarpley (Visio Photography), and Regina Holder to name a few.
It's a great time to be a wedding photographer with so much excellent work being done by so many creative people.
We have been blessed with fantastic clients and we are looking forward to some incredible events this year.
It's been a great year - Cheers!
The journey continues...

Friday, August 10, 2007

Quick Vacation

We just got back from a quick family trip to Seabrook Island near Charleston.
And while we picked one of the hottest weather stretches in recent history, everyone had a good time as we kicked back for a few days.
I had a chance to play some golf at Kiawah Island with friends Mic Smith and Jim Gund. Mic's friend Steve rounded out our foursome as we took on Osprey Point on a smoking hot afternoon.
Kiawah and Seabrook are next to each other so we all ventured over to Kiawah one day to look around a bit. We also went to Charleston, took every opportunity to eat great seafood and got in some beach time.
It was nice for everyone to spend some time together before Ali heads off to Switzerland this week.
(These photos were all taken with Betsy's Nikon point-and-shoot.)

The sun slowly sets over the clubhouse at Seabrook Island

The Sanctuary is an amazing hotel on Kiawah Island

The view from our front deck

It's not unusual to see all types of wildlife on Seabrook Island

Sean, Ali and Betsy enjoy the beach

We all had a nice walk on the beach one night

Monday, May 7, 2007

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!