Rebekah + Dayton [Charleston, SC]

For the longest time, I have wanted to do a photo session in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Last week, I finally got to visit that c-h-a-r-m-i-n-g city and photographed not one but TWO photo shoots. I was in photographer’s heaven with that scenery, let me tell ya. Rebekah and Dayton are dear friends of mine, and they just celebrated five years of marriage. These photos commemorate their anniversary and the journey they’re on. (I actually photographed their engagement session 5+ years ago, so it was extra special to do this shoot.)

The story of how they met makes me laugh every time: about six years ago, Rebekah and Dayton met at a mutual friend’s costume party….it turns out, Rebekah was pretty much the only one who actually dressed up. Slightly awkward! But she spent the evening confidently walking around as “Daisy” from The Great Gatsby. It didn’t take long for Dayton to notice her, but it DID take a while for him to convince her to go on a date. After a few weeks, she agreed…and now they’re more in love than ever, and they have a ridiculously cute 1 year old (you’ll see his photo at the end!)

These two happened to be vacationing in Charleston the same week I was! We had a blast walking along the Battery and continually gushing about downtown Charleston (and we had never seen so many dog-walkers and joggers in one place!) I could gush on and on about my friendship with Rebekah; we’ve known each other since we were babies, and whenever we see each other it’s like no time has passed.

Enjoy the photos, and if you ever get a chance to enjoy Charleston, DO IT!

The lighting was ethereal in this spot, and I'm so glad we stopped for a while. Rebekah, you are so elegant, and Dayton, you are rockin' those coral shorts and look great! The houses along Rainbow Row are so colorful and fun!  I adore this house color!! Family shot in front of Rainbow Row. That's their little guy, Jude, who was such a trooper on the shoot (since they were vacationing, they didn't have a sitter nearby. He's such a happy, content child!)

John + Kim

Hellooooo, Springtime! Who else has been enjoying the stunning, Spring blossoms? I spotted this gorgeous tree on the side of the road and knew it’d be the perfect background for Kim and John’s photos. These two are adorable, and they made my job effortless. The sky was overcast, but then a few minutes into our shoot, the sun peeked out and provided the most delicious golden lighting!! This session is a bit unique: Long Orthodontic Associates (LOA) has asked me to photograph mini sessions for some of their patients to show off their snazzy smiles (post treatment.) Then LOA can use these photos as patient testimonies, for advertising, etc. And of course John + Kim can enjoy these around their home. Don’t miss the last few pictures, where we included their ADORABLE son, Caleb. And they're expecting their second child in late summer--doesn't Kim look fabulous??

Kim, you're gorgeous--such a natural in front of the camera! So good at the "model" face, John! Oh goodness, Caleb's cute little cheeks!

Breakfast With Rend Collective

When I stumbled upon Rend Collective Experiment’s music video for “Build Your Kingdom Here,” I just sat there staring with my jaw open. It was so quirky. So raw. A breath of fresh air. Watch it here and be prepared to smile. (And yes, that is indeed an instrument that they MADE—using a pie pan. And enjoy the eclectic gypsy theme!) It’s not unusual for me to begin my morning with their Campfire album (which was recorded in their home of Northern Ireland. Around a campfire. On a beach. Doesn't get much better than that!) The album's worshipful mood helps set the tone for the day ahead of me, and I am so thankful for R.C. and their passion for God. Last week a friend invited me to a private R.C. concert at our local radio station this morning. At 7:30am, these four band members treated us to some spunky, meaningful tunes as we enjoyed a yummy breakfast with each other. The studio audience consisted of about 50 of us, but it was streamed live on the radio. The band had incredible, natural energy for that hour of the morning—they weren’t able to luxuriously sip coffee like the rest of us.

Gareth, Ali, Patrick, and Chris, thank you for encouraging our souls this morning. It was great chatting with you guys, and you are ALWAYS welcome back in Lancaster.

EDIT// I'm feeling spontaneous, so if you would like to win Rend Collective's "Campfire" album, enter this random contest: 1) Like my business page on Facebook 2) Leave a blog comment here, telling me your fav Rend Collective song or something of the sort...and include your email address. 3) Like this link on my FB page. I'll choose a random winner Wed evening and send the album via itunes.

They're so ridiculously creative that they even turned old luggage into a drum. And the instrument Gareth is playing has a pie pan attached to it...

So much enthusiasm, despite the early morning!

"Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here

We pray"