Family Fun in Legacy Park

I (Mell) was in Greenville for a week taking care of my mom who had a hip replacement. She’s an awesome teacher who started and lead the vocational program for special needs children at her school. After surgery, she really wasn’t up for pictures. However, I did have the joy of spending time with and photographing a family close to my heart. I also got to be 3 years old again and play with bubbles in the park! Thank you guys

Let’s just say if there are bubbles, play dough, or coloring involved, count me in.  Here are just a few of my favorite moments with them in the new Legacy Park in Greenville:

Whatever it takes!

This evening I had a killer beach session with Maria & Jorje. Such a sweet couple and they said they were up for anything and didn’t mind getting wet…so I took their word for it! Haha!

Next time I’ll remember to bring towels and a change of clothes!  (But it was SO worth it!) These portraits of Maria & Jorje are sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

The artist at work:

The artist’s work:

We make it look so serious….but I assure you, when the waves crashed over us, there was plenty of yelping and laughing involved!!!

Palmetto Christian Academy Prom 2009

I had so much fun hanging out & photographing portraits for the Palmetto Christian Academy’s pre-prom party this past Friday evening! What a great looking bunch! (Seriously!)

I continue to be impressed with everyone I’ve met (students and faculty) at PCA. I recently photographed a character shoot for their upcoming performance of Diary of Anne Frank.

Remember….our studio does rocking senior portrait sessions! ALSO we are looking for senior models for our 2010 marketing….so, the next 5 PCA Seniors (or seniors-to-be) to call our studio get a FREE portrait session (just mention that you read our blog!)

http://charlestonportrait.com/#/pcaprom/

Everyone sing Happy Birthday to Damien…

 Ladies, meet Damien. He’s 5′ 11” and enjoys long walks on the beach and good Italian food………just kidding. (But only sort of!)

Aaaaaaanyway, Sunday was my good friend Damien’s birthday,  and of all things, I was able to talk  him into letting me take his goodlookin self out for a photo shoot!

We had lots of fun and took pictures all over the downtown area! We had WAY too many good ones to choose from by the end of the evening, but I guess that’s nothing to complain about! Damien was so much fun to photograph…he’s easygoing and relaxed…and c’mon girls you gotta admit he’s also easy on the eyes!

So now I need your help picking the overall favorite!  (There is a poll at the end of this post so go vote!)

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7. 
I can’t decide if I like it better in color or black & white!
What do you think?

   

 

If you are viewing this post on Facebook, you can click on the poll here: http://richardbellphotography.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/everyone-sing-happy-birthday-to-damien/

5 Year Anniversary Pictures!

Kaitlin and Robert got married 5 years ago on January 3rd, 2004 at Summerall Chapel.  Their wedding was one of the first weddings I shot after taking over the Studio from my dad, and their album was the first flushmount storybook ablum that we produced by special request for Kaitlin.  That storybook was the forerunner for our entire present album product line.  So Kaitlin and Robert are a big deal for us around here (I still have a picture of her haning in the studio!).

Robert is finally back from serving our country in the Middle East, and they came to downtown Charleston to stay at the French Quarter Inn, where they stayed their honeymoon night. 

AND THEY BROUGHT COLLIN, their 10 month-old little boy.

So of course we did a family portrait shoot right there at the Inn.  It was great to see them again, especially on such a special day.  Here are a few of the shots:

Baby Grace’s 7 month downtown shoot.

We did quite  a few shoots downtown over the holidays, so I thought I’d post some previews from a few of them.   This one is baby Grace who is getting regular portraits for her first year.  We went downtown to Waterfront park for this shoot.  Did very well and is getting to that age where she has a lot of great expressions.  Happy New Year, Grace!

When the light is right, this is a great spot for a real Charlestonstonian picture.

Julie & Blake = one hot couple!

One Sunday evening back in April, I (Valerie) had the pleasure of meeting Julie and her husband Blake downtown for a fun lifestyle portrait shoot! They’ve been married for a few years now, and decided it was time to have new pictures made.

Per special request, I am reaching back into our archives (8 months of shoots ago is a “long time” for us, haha!!!) – and posting a few. Here ya go, Julie!

A few of my favorites from their shoot:

 

Darby takes on downtown Charleston

When you’re 18 months old,  your legs are made for walking and running, but sitting still makes you cranky. Rocks are one of your favorite toys, and your photographer has to be ready for your split second adorable poses. Darby was no exception, and Nathan and I had the pleasure of photography her family recently around Waterfront Park in downtown Charleston. Thank you so much for playing outside with us! Here are some of our favorite shots from the shoot:

Darby on the go with her rock

You can't cross the street without holding someone's hand, but you can definitely sit in it with your parents for a fun family shot.

Darby and her family were so fun and willing to try different things like this.

The best way to end a day downtown is laughing and playing in the grass. This is one my favorite shots from the day.

Baby Sophia’s portraits, downtown and in the studio!

First of all – you know how much I love babies!!!! (<–four exclamation marks’ worth, apparently)

It’s such a blessing to have the opportunity to continue a relationship with my once brides-and-grooms who are now parents by taking photos of their children! I shot Laurie & Mark’s wedding at Middleton Plantation back in June of 2007, and now they have precious baby Sophia who is now 7 months old!

We started at Waterfront Park, in downtown Charleston’s historic district and then we went back to the studio for a few more photos of Sophia in her Christmas outfit!

The Grinnell Family!

Sophia loved playing in the leaves!

She is so expressive! Happy girl…

(And she LOVES smiling for her Daddy!)

I sneaked in one of me and Sophia.

And then….we headed back up to North Charleston our studio session!

Doesn’t she look like a Baby Gap ad in this pic?

* * * And this one is my personal favorite! * * *
(Trust me, this shot wasn’t easy b/c she only cried for these 2 seconds the whole shoot so I had to be quick!)

Fun Family Portraits, downtown Charleston

A couple of weeks ago (before this crazy cold snap!) I had the pleasure of doing a downtown family session with the McCrackin family! We started at Waterfront Park, and walked over to the Customs House steps and a few neat back alleyways!

The kids were a little shy at first, but tons of fun after we all warmed up to each other! Along our walk, there was an art gallery on East Bay St. with a dog inside.

“How much is that doggie in the window?”

By the end of the shoot, it was all silliness….which if you ask me, is so much fun! 
(I love this pic of the kids being goofy!)