Engagement Portraits at Charleston Air Force Base

I photographed Maura and Rob's engagement portrait at Charleston Air Force Base a while ago. But I recently came across this portrait session, and I thought it would be a good fit for summer.

Maura, who works with my husband at Ingevity and her fiancé Rob who works at the Air Force Base and is in charge of the cargo on these giant planes were a dream to work with!  My assistant Mea (a College of Charleston student) and I met the couple at the Charleston Air Force Base on a Sunday afternoon. Rob had to go through a lot of red-tape to get us all on the base.

It was my first time seeing one of these giant aircraft close up and the size is mind-blowing. Living in Charleston, SC, we see these planes in the air all the time, and they fly very low and slow. I have no idea how they stay up in the air? 

We set out to take creative engagement portraits that were unique to the location, and I think we nailed it! We also had some pretty stunning subjects to work with! 

Elopement Photography in Charleston, SC

I recently added an elopement package to my price list! For $900 I offer 1.5 hours of photography, an online gallery for viewing and ordering prints and the high-resolution files. That is a great deal! 

I love photographing intimate weddings because they are so comfortable and relaxed. Leah and George were married in February at Planters Inn in downtown Charleston, SC with, only their parents and Georges brother in attendance. It was a sweet elopement, and I was honored to be a part of such a happy family memory. 

Leah and George are planning a bigger wedding party with friends back home in Massachusetts in a few months. 

Family Beach Portraits

I have been photographing family portraits at the Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, and Folly Beach for the past 15 years. One of my first jobs in Charleston was at a portrait studio, Portrait Innovations in Mt. Pleasant. There I learn posing techniques for large group portraits and individuals of all ages. I also picked up tricks on helping young kids smile and engage with the camera. 

Now that I have two young girls 6 years and 7 years I have discovered even more tricks on helping kids relax and smile in front of the camera. I also have a greater appreciation for the planning process of a family portrait. From the clothes selection to timing everything perfectly so all the kids are happy. 

If you haven’t already, be sure and visit the home page of my website and sign up to receive my Family Portrait Clothing Guide. There you’ll learn tips on selection clothing for your portrait that will help your family look more cohesive in a picture and let their personality’s shine.

Be sure and schedule your family portrait as soon as possible. Summer sunset portraits fill up fast, especially on holiday weeks. You can fill out my contact page or give me a call 843 442-0802.

Wedding Day Timeline Advice

I can not stress enough that every wedding is unique and it should reflect your personality’s and your family traditions. I am not a cheerleader for a first look; I am a traditionalist. I love that classic chic-flick moment when the groom lights up as he sees the bride walking down the aisle for the first time. My heart skips a beat just thinking about it. However, there are plenty of advantages to a having a first look lighting and photography wise so would never discourage a first look if it fits your personalities. 

Assuming you are not doing a first look a good rule of thumb is to plan the ceremony two hours before sunset. That way you have plenty of time for family portraits and couples portraits following the ceremony. Your guest will get to enjoy the sunset during cocktail hour and just as the sun sets you will be starting your reception. When the lighting gets low guest will hit the dance floor!! 

Here is a sample wedding day timeline for a TRADITIONAL May wedding with a 7:30 sunset. 

2:30 Photographer arrives

3:30 Hair and makeup are complete bride steps into her wedding dress

4:00 Bride, bridesmaids, and brides family take portraits outdoors

4:00 The groom, groomsmen, and grooms family meet the second photographer at the ceremony site for portraits

4:45 The bride is tucked away in the church and groomsmen start escorting the guest to their seats 

5:30 Ceremony begins

6:00 Ceremony ends

6:15 Family portraits begin

6:30 Cocktail hour begins

6:30 Couples portraits begin

7:00 The family and the couple join cocktail hour

7:30 SUNSET

7:30 The reception begins with a first dance

8:00 Dinner is served 

9:00 Toast, cake cutting, father daughter and mother son dances

11:30 Exit

Here is a sample wedding day timeline for a May wedding with a FIRST LOOK and a 7:30 sunset. 

2:00 Photographer arrives

3:00 Hair and makeup are complete bride steps into her wedding dress

3:30 First Look with Bride and Groom

3:45 Bridal party portraits / Bride and groom portraits

4:15 Family Photos

4:45 The bride is tucked away in the church and groomsmen start escorting the guest to their seats 

5:30 Ceremony begins

6:00 Ceremony ends

6:30 Cocktail hour begins

7:15 Couples portraits at sunset

7:30 SUNSET

7:30 The reception begins with a first dance

8:00 Dinner is served 

9:00 Toast, cake cutting, father daughter and mother son dances

11:30 Exit

Charleston Engagement Portrait Tips

I can’t recommend booking an engagement session with your wedding photographer enough. It’s an excellent opportunity to get to know your photographer, who you will be spending a ton of time with on your wedding day. 

I love walking couples around finding inspiring backdrops for photos and chatting about their backgrounds and relationship. We also talk about their wedding day plans, and I learn so much about what aspects of their wedding day they are most excited about. Oh yeah, we also get some great photos!

A Downtown Setting

The biggest tip I can give you is mornings rule! Whether you are planning your engagement season in Downton Charleston or another city, the best time of day is always first thing in the morning. The streets are clear of pedestrians and cars. You will have a clean backdrop for your portraits without tourist or delivery drivers walking through the background. There will be fewer cars on the street; how romantic is it to kiss in the middle of a charming, sunlit and empty street! It is even better with a little privacy. So mornings are ideal especially so on Saturdays and Sundays. When the majority of people are sleeping in or enjoying a leisurely morning at home. 

The Beach

I’m a beach girl through, and through so naturally this is one of my favorite locations for an engagement session. The biggest tip here is to plan around the sun. The lighting is softer, more colorful and most importantly flattering at sunrise and sunset. If you are both morning people sunrise is a great option. Usually, it is less windy in the mornings so your hair will look it’s best and depending on the time of year you will avoid the crowds. Random beachgoers in bathing suits are not as prevalent early in the morning. If your not morning people don’t fret, there are several beach locations around Charleston that are secluded I can suggest. 

A Park or Plantation

FWI most parks and outdoor venues in the Charleston area charge a fee to use the property for an engagement session unless your ceremony will be on site. The property coordinators usually like a few weeks notice and often require that you photograph your engagement portraits on a weekday or first thing in the morning on the weekends to avoid running into an actual bride and groom or another wedding party on the property. With a park or plantation setting, there is more flexibility on lighting. The trees provide shade and even lighting for several hours but usually within two or three hours of sunset or sunrise is ideal light. That's when you see the sunlight spill through oak trees or dapple the background of a couple embracing.

Make it Personal

Engagement portraits are all about documenting a time in your life when you are coming together as a new family. What is unique about your relationship? Do you like to go sailing together, do you both fish, do you love to eat tacos or ice cream? Is there a fun, unique setting that can be incorporated into your engagement portraits that will make them uniquely yours? If you have a dog that means the world to you and your fiancé bring them along. You can ask a friend to pick up or take your dog for a walk halfway through the portraits so you can get a few with and without your furry friend. Finally, outfit changes are welcome. Bring on the fashion!