Tag Archives: photography
Beach Wedding in the Outer Banks
Christine and Mike’s wedding took place on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Their July wedding ceremony was at Our Lady of the Seas and was followed by a reception on the waterfront at the Inn on Pamlico Sound. Both settings provided beautiful locations for the wedding. The couple had a youthful energy that really shines in the photographs.
Look for a separate blog post on the beach portrait session with Christine and Mike at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
A picture is worth a thousand words, here is Mike and Christine’s wedding story.
Garden Wedding Photography
Jillian and Landon’s July wedding took place on the scenic grounds of the Manor House at King’s Charter in Hanover County. Following a garden ceremony the couple and I had a few moments to capture some intimate wedding photographs before the reception began. We had fun exploring the grounds and as a result got some great photos for the couple’s album.
Beach Portrait Session: Capturing the Colors of the Sea
Subject: Mark and Beth by the sea in Hatteras on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
This beach portrait is a glimpse into the casual, intimate life of the couple. Mark and Beth are avid ocean athletes and are passionate about the sea and all the life and mysteries within. The lines of the photo are clean and non-traditional and work powerfully together. The colors really capture that feeling of a great summer beach memory.
As a professional photographer, the mid-day sun can be a real challenge. Often, powerful lights are required to ‘overpower’ the sun’s bright light. More practically, a type of diffuser is used to block some of the sun’s direct light. The diffusers come in many different shapes and configurations. I have to admit this is the first time I have used a beach umbrella as a diffuser. Not only does it serve to help manage the bright sun, it also serves as a visual element adding to the photograph’s overall composition.
Wedding Photography Charlottesville, VA
This summer wedding took place near Charlottesville , VA in Orange which is bordered by Albemarle County and Madison County.
The wedding was held on a beautiful farm with lots of family and friends in attendance. The couple, Victor and Amanda, were terrifically fun to work with. Their casual but zesty vibe made the event one to remember.
On the family farm the opportunities for unique photographs were numerous. From the open sky to the tranquil pond to the grassy knoll for the reception, the location just worked perfectly for the event.
The pair requested a very casual photography effort when we had our client meeting before the wedding. Neither wanted a lot of formal posed shots, just wanted the bulk of photos to be casual and candid. As a professional wedding photographer I take the desires of the couple very seriously and want to make photography a pleasurable part of the event, not a consuming element of the day.
The farm hosted the majority of guests for camping around the pond where the ceremony was held. The newlyweds spent their first night together in five-star (Scotty Sportsman) accommodations – waterfront.
Thanks Amanda and Victor for being such a pleasure to work with. Congratulations on your marriage. I look forward to sharing the collection of your wedding pictures with you soon.
Photographing Strong People
While in Myrtle Beach for the Thanksgiving holiday, I was invited by friends to attend a power-lifting competition. Never having been to an event like this I figured I should jump at a chance to shoot something new. Besides, I wanted to see our friend’s brother set a new world record. Yes world record. The event is sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union and many of the athletes in attendance are competing for world records. Having a chance to photograph a new sporting event is always at the top of my list.
The event hosted competitors ranging in age from pre-teen kids to masters. The oldest competitor was aged 76 years young. Also, Special Olypmic athletes are represented at this event.
Being a competitive athlete for many of my adult years, I can appreciate the amount of effort these competitors put into reaching an event like this. It was apparent that many of these athletes are serious about their training practices and maintain a unique focus.
Photographing Flat Day on Hatteras
For the most part, our travels to Hatteras Island involve chasing after a promising wind forecast, or a hopeful swell. For us, the activities on the island mostly revolve around getting blown around by the wind or tossed around by the waves. Or, both.
Today was one of the days where you are able to catch up on work or projects or just laze around. Me, I had to go into work for a couple of hours today. After getting away from work, I made some stops by to see friends and take it easy and snap some photographs.
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- Cape Hatteras photography
The beauty of the island is glaringly apparent when the elements are at rest and I actually take time to slow down and soak up the incredible scenery. I had hoped to catch the clean waves before they dropped off, but managed to get sidetracked before I could make it back home to pick up my wetsuit and surfboard.
Since I had my camera with me, I took time to capture some shots of the island in all of it’s glory.
As the sun set Kim and I went for a short paddle board session on the sound. The water is crystal clear and quite cold – we have had constant northern winds for the past two weeks.
I also managed to get a few shots for an ongoing project I am working on.
Aloha.
Beach Wedding Bridal Portraits
So whenever I get a chance to shoot portraits on the beach I like to try many different poses as long as the bride is up to it and comfortable. Most brides are open to a photographer’s createive ideas, and working with a relaxed bride always makes my job easier. Then, if the other factors fall into place the shoot goes that much better.
With these shots, the light was just about perfect and the setting was ideal. I hardly used fill flash on these, except for a few that I was working to make the bride really stand off from the background, since the evening sunset provided a wonderful warm glow. I have been wanting to shoot in the sea oats that grow in the dunes on Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I have had ideas swirling around that I finally got to test.
I was very happy with the results after this shoot. Wedding photography can be a little stressful at times and keeping the bride (and photographer) relaxed is important. When you do get one that is at ease, the job goes much smoother.
Working on more weddings in the Outer Banks I am excited to see what opportunities I can create with the endless beauty of the area.
Aloha.
Kite boarding in Cape Hatteras
After a long wait for ridable wind, it seemed like a long wait, more like a couple of days, the wind picked up and people were on the water getting their fix. While waiting (and hoping) for the wind to build a little bit more, I took my camera into the shallow waters of Kite Point in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to shoot a couple girls that were throwing some nice moves. Not having a water housing for my camera(s) limits my shooting abilities near and around water. So I continiue to work in knee to waist deep water praying that nothing bad happens.
Welcome back to Cape Hatteras
After a hectic week catching back up in Richmond, VA working on the house, yard, job, wedding photography, and some mountain biking, I came back to Hatteras last night.
Being a weather junkie, I have been watching the Island’s weather from Richmond, and the weather has been a little crazy down here the past few days.
Northerly winds have been kicking up a decent swell and lots of rain has been dumping all over the island. News reports indicates somewhere 8″-9″ between yesterday and this morning. This made the morning commute somewhat more interesting.
All of the water on the roads (and yards, parking lots, and just about everywhere) was from rain. Not storm surge or swell. All rain.
Luckily the Subaru made it through with no problems. I was more than a little late getting to work, but that is part of life here on the sandbar.
Aloha.
Tropical Storm Danny
With our latest storm sitting right off the coast here in Cape Hatteras, the expectations for severe weather have actually waned just a bit. Orignially, the storm predictions estimated the disturbance progressing into as high as a Category 2 hurricaine with chances of a direct hit to the Outer Banks areas. Things are still moody and rough, but not severe.
The storm has failed to strengthen into any appreciable threat. Unless you plan to enter the water. Of course, as wind/water junkies we (Kim, myself, and most of our friends) we fully intent to enter the water. All of the current warnings are for moderate to high rip current threat. The wind will not get much over 40mph and the storm swell is somewhere around 10 feet. Perfect conditions for ‘playing in the water’.
About the only rideable location for the SE winds today was the ‘point’ of Cape Hatteras. Yes. The little tip of land where the sandbar makes an almost 90 degree turn to the west and creates a south-facing shore. With the storm swell and wind direction kiters and wind surfers alike were taking advantage of what little riding there was. The waves were very disorganized and sloppy. Part of me was itching to get wet and ride the waves, but the other 99% of me was not in much of a hurry to get out there.
I was happy hanging out on the beach with my cameras and friends to watch as most of the kiters eventually slipped further and further downwind until they walked back up the beach. Besides, I’m saving my energy.
With the wind direction predicted tomorrow it should make for nice surfing. So it is off to bed for me… I need my rest. I haven’t been this tired for this many days since performing long range patrols as a young Marine.
Aloha.
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