Kristen and Chris

Another great recipe. two people head over heels in love + loving friends + adoring family= perfect wedding.

The Israel family love the home grown tomato


The humble tomato, not the mealy tasteless ones that can be at found at most supermarket's but the giant odd shaped, juicy variety which are grown in gardens all over America.

This week we've eaten tomato sandwiches, with, mayonnaise and fresh basil. Made bruschetta over pasta. Tonight I'll make salsa, by adding lime juice, home grown cucumber and lots of cilantro, served over rice. Yum, Yum.
some great recipes at Project Foodie

At last I've got my etsy.com store up and running, this is my initial upload, over the next few days I'll be fully stocked. Feel free to buy lots of prints:-)

Talking of remarkable things, 15 years ago the part of Charlotte where I now live was all beautiful countryside and has now been transformed into the typical suburban sprawl, chain restaurants, supermarkets, nail salons and other assorted uninspiring generic establishments (with the exception of Trader Joe's which is awesome) and now behold an oasis in our midst, a produce stand.

Fresh flowers, big juicy tomatoes and every summer vegetable and fruit you can imagine all grown locally and good, good people to serve you.

There is nothing more irksome and a total bore to me than mediocrity, on the other hand I get so, so excited when I discover something remarkable such as this incredible and inspiring lady, introduced to me by my friend Andy Jackson of Portal Films who himself is a remarkable artist.

Her name is Jenifer Altman, take time to check out her blog Nektar and Light and her photography website. I can't stop looking at it....

I had a ridiculously good time shooting Kaitland and Jay's engagement session at an undisclosed location in South Carolina, this area is full of history and natural untouched beauty. Gothic church ruins, pirates, stories of hidden treasure, wild animals and a fun and great looking couple.

This is my very cute neice Lidiya shot at the beach last week. She was born in China but speaks with a Cherryville accent, very cool:-)

My new friend Gary Beams' family entered The Kat 96.9 competition to have Kellie Pickler perform a mini concert in their backyard. They won.
Kellie sang her heart out, is incredibly talented and was very, very sweet.

I had the honor of shooting my buddy Matt Francis' beautiful family in celebration of their new arrival due anytime now.

Matt is not only a great friend he's also an amazing wedding film maker, check out his work, and he's the founder of The Savvy Bride.

The big moment

Being the flower girl is huge

Taylor and Keith's Elegant Wedding


High school sweethearts and in love.

photographers note: Ilford 3200, rated at 2000, Nikon F100, 35mm 2.0 lens

A few of the wonderful things Jodie Pannell has done with my photography....

The Pannell Girls


I love going to my clients homes and getting to see what they do with my pictures, it also puts into perspective how precious those moments are, you'll never get them back to that age again. Ever.

Melissa and Randy

This has to be one of the sweetest weddings ever, seven in attendance including me. Melissa and Randy's ceremony took place under a tree in Freedom Park. Awesome....

Lorraine and Saunders' wedding is featured on Style Me Pretty today.Yeah !!! Style Me Pretty is considered by many to be the ultimate wedding blog Abby Larson and her friends are amazing and really know their stuff, for wedding ideas and who's who you need not look any further. Unlike most online wedding resources vendors in the Little Black Book are limited to just a few per category, stringently researched and have to be recommended by participating LBB folks.

BTW. I'm in the Savannah directory for those Hilton Head weddings:-)

Bridal Portrait in Asheville, NC.

Kristen (above) her mum and I successfully dodged the rain found the end of the rainbow (for real) and had an amazing shoot on the Blue Ridge Parkway this last weekend.

There has been quite a buzz about my return to analog photography recently and film photography in general really seems to be creating quite an interest with clients and photographers alike.
Style Me Pretty have just posted a story check it out here.

A Wonderful Family

Teresa, John and Nicole Fetch are truly one of the most lovely families ever. Nicole is one of Ferris' bff's and Teresa and John are the most faithful and serving people I've ever met.
What a privilege it is to do life with them

Interview

Check out my interview on my friend and fellow film shooter Tanja Lippert's Keep Film Alive blog, be sure to also check out Tanja's work she is truly an amazing photographer a wonderful lady and an inspiration to me.

Carrie and Pat

Pictures speak louder than words (as they say)

Click To Play

Super 8 Film


Check out my friend Lindsey of Black Daffodil Films awesome vintage super 8 film that she shot with Rodney and myself at Caroline and Chads wedding in March.

Lindsey describes her passion best: soulful art of wedding and event cinematography. I am a hopeless romantic with a heart for the vintage, stylish, original and YES--imperfect.

Killer stuff Lindsey

moments found


Christy and Rodney's beautiful wedding at the fabulous William Aiken House in Charleston.
Once again the girls at A Charleston Bride did a phenomenal job with the design and getting us the best vendor meals ever.



note: I had better go easy on the adjectives, it's not even June yet and I've almost used up my supply:)

Meet Liz

I was trying to think of all the nice things to say about our new right hand woman, like what an amazing photographer she is etc. All I really need to say is Liz just gets it!

Hear Me

I was recently interviewed by Scott Sheppard for Inside Analog Photo Radio.
You can listen or download it here.

If you need more analog inspiration check out my I Luv Film blog.

I think I'm supposed to blow my own horn


For some reason the British hate to brag but...I've been named Charlotte Magazines 2009 Best of the Best Kids and Family Photographer, I'm actually quite flattered and very honored. Thank you!

A special shout out to Tiffany and Kristin of Weddings and the City for their amazing design on Nina and James' wedding and to The Place for Fowers for the awesome floral design. Killer stuff..

Nina and James' wedding day at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens was as perfect as it could be, the girls at Weddings And The City did a truly amazing job with the design
Nina and James' overflowing love and excitement really made the day for me, after all is'nt that what it's all about.

Lorraine and Sanders wedding at the Legare-Waring House in Charleston this past Saturday was as about as perfect as it gets, a gorgeous bride, a handsome groom, fun and loving family and friends + incredible wedding design by Melissa Barton of A Charleston Bride and wonderful Liz my assistant.

This is the first of two posts from the very elegant Thomas wedding starring Caroline and Chad at The Citadel and The Mills House in Charleston.

This was the first full bore Slate + Israel team shoot featuring Rodney Slate, yours truly and Lindsey Slate Broere shooting vintage Super 8 film.

This is 6 month old Amelia, who is just about as cute as it gets and she has the coolest hair on any baby I've ever seen.

A few of my favorite shots from yesterdays engagement session with Carrie and Pat. No need to feel nervous about you upcoming session, relax get all lovey dovey and have fun.

This storyboard is from Nina and James engagement session, the bench is where James proposed.

Miss Ella Grace is One.....

A few maternity shots of the beautiful Sabrina and her hubby, she is an amazing hair stylist and is the owner / creative director of the Orange Olive salon in NODA

These two cute, cute boys belong to my friend Marcello who by the way is an amazing photographer and designer.

Can't have one without the other, some vintage Tin Type Sophia.

Ferris did a book report on Eleanor Roosevelt and presented it today in full period clothes and hair.
These shots were taken at 8:00 this morning just before I took her to school, thought I'd do a little pseudo wet plate photography, not exactly period accurate but close enough.

However, this summer I will be offering alternative process photography for my portrait clients. Details soon.

These are a few of my favorites from my friend Michael and his beautiful bride Kate's wedding in Fort Worth, Texas. Michael is an amazing guitar player and plays in the band GoDeep.

Traci and Chris had a big time at their beautiful intimate wedding in Key West, surrounded by close family and friends.

I've been digging around the archives and found this image of Ferris ans Sophia which is one of my all time favorite pictures of the both of them, I took it perhaps 4 years ago and proudly displayed in our house. BTW. Don't be satisfied with looking at your photos on a computer screen print them and enjoy them, every day.

This weekend we're shooting a gorgeous wedding in Key West + Beth and I get to have a mini vacation. Yeah!!!

I posted this slideshow last year, worth another look I think...

Kristen Vining and I are getting ready to launch a Pictage Users Group here in Charlotte and had the opportunity of going to Asheville and participating in and share with the the brilliant Asheville PUG plus we got to see snow.

Taylor and Keith's e-session on a beautiful rainy day... downtown Concord

I'm looking forward to a joyful, healthy and prosperous 2009 for all my friends and clients.
Here's a little nod to 2008