One of my favorite parts of wedding photography is taking bridal portraits for brides. Over the course of the 1-2 hours we’re out taking photos, I get to know the bride’s movements, how she feels while being photographed, and find the best angles. I truly believe it’s a process to get a great portrait of someone. Initially, there’s that tension and uncomfortable feeling between subject and photographer as we don’t really know each other and taking someone’s photo can be an intimate process. On the technical side, I’m scrutinizing for the right background and the best light, and on the personal side I’m trying to make the subject feel comfortable with hopes that her true personality will come out.

I really enjoyed photographing Valerie shortly before her wedding. We began at The Cistern on the College of Charleston campus and found some beautiful spots with lots of green and of course the historic buildings. Then we headed out to Folly Beach for a few as the sun was going down. I have not photographed out at Folly a lot, though I know it’s a popular spot. But there were great wispy clouds in the sky and a nice ethereal feeling.

These are some of my faves:

Liz and Bladen were married last weekend in the consummate Southern wedding at Boone Hall Plantation. Stacey Fraunfelter of Red Letter Events put together a stunning weekend for these two and had every detail covered. The ceremony was held in front of the house at Boone Hall. After the ceremony, guest strolled down to the Cotton Dock for Firefly sweet tea vodka cocktails and the sunset. Annie of A New Leaf Studio did the flowers. Ashley Bakery made the most delicious wedding cake.

They had a large wedding party full of their friends and family and they arrived at Boone Hall in an historic trolley. Jebb and I had a wonderful time photographing their wedding. Here are a few of my favorite shots:

Liz wore a dress from the Gown Boutique on Daniel Island. They have a wonderful selection of designer dresses.

I had just gotten an inquiry from BRIDES Magazine asking me if I had any photos of grooms wearing fun socks. And I had none! So when I saw Bladen’s preppy argyles, I had to get a shot.

These weren’t just blue bow ties. These were blue South Carolina bow ties with little palmetto trees on them!

Look at this good looking wedding party! The girls wore Lula Kate bridesmaids dresses in a most gorgeous shade of blue.

This was taken as Bladen watched Liz sign the wedding license.

The ceremony took place in front of the house at Boone Hall. The house and the grounds of Boone Hall have been in both the mini-series, North and South, and the movie, The Notebook.

Remember these cufflinks? These were a gift to Jason back when he and Hannah were married in October. He wore them again for Bladen and Liz’s wedding!

Liz’s mom checks out her newly married hand.

Liz & Bladen Brannon

The signature drink for the cocktail hour was a Firefly sweet tea vodka drink in mason jars. There’s nothing more refreshing than that.

The first dance inside the barn at the Cotton Dock.

It was a dancing crowd!

The band even managed to get Bladen on stage.

The band, The Mighty Kicks, hails from Orangeburg. They rock!

They said farewell under an arch of sparklers and left in a royal blue Bentley.

I don’t know how I got so lucky, but somehow I got on a streak of photographing some really fun Carolina Tarheel grad’s weddings this past year! I think my name got bounced around and keep it bouncing as Carolina girls are lots of fun! (I should know, I was a UNC girl once myself, though only for a semester before I transferred to SCAD.)

Courtney and Pete had an early evening ceremony at Lowndes Grove on a gorgeous Saturday in May. They decided to see each other before the ceremony so that they could go ahead and take as many of the group shots before the ceremony as they could. Courtney and Pete had their own private rendesvous on the balcony to see each other for the first time on their wedding day. This meant that after the ceremony, there were only a handful of photos to take and they could enjoy the cocktail hour. I loved this and I think it relieves a lot of the stress the bride and groom feel about wanting to get to the reception as soon as possibe.

Sara Cavallon of Something to Celebrate was the wedding coordinator and she is always fun to work with. I’ve never met a coordinator so un-stressed.

I snapped a few shots of Courtney getting ready inside of the house at Lowndes Grove. I love how excited she was!

Pete leads the groomsmen.

The flowers were created by Luke Wilson of Fleur.

The ceremony was held under this great oak tree along the Ashley River. It was a perfect spot for the early evening ceremony.

Courtney’s veil was notorious for blowing in the breeze. I love it!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Jespersen!

For some reason, this reminds me of Cape Cod. Alas, it’s Charleston.

Lowndes Grove at dusk.

The cake was displayed by the winding staircase inside the house. And it was delicious!

This was a crowd that could party all night long. And as soon as the band started up their 80′s set, no one could stay still!!!

In March, I had the pleasure of taking Courtney Guildford’s bridal portrait at Lowndes Grove, where she and Pete were married two weekends ago.Since the wedding has already happened, I wanted to show you some of my favorite shots from the bridal portrait! And in a day or two, I will post photos from their weddig, so stay tuned.

This is one of my all time favorite dress shots. I love how it shows the intricate detail and beading.

The house atLowndes Grove has this awesome spiral staircase. This reminds me of 20′s Hollywood glamour.

On the setee in the yellow room.

Courtney brought along her parent’s vizsla, Sophie. Her mom and I had totally bonded over our obsession with our vizslas and I was excited she was there for a few portraits. She definitely reminded me of Bella.

Here’s the back of Courtney’s dress, which is just striking!

I love the natural smile!

And the fly away veil.