A December proposal at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, complete with a little stealth, an unexpected cheering squad, and sunset portraits on the beach. Relaxed, joyful, and full of connection.

A December Proposal at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island | Austin & Olivia

Newly engaged couple sit together on the beach at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island

You’re planning your photo session in Charleston and trying to decide between the beach and downtown. Both are beautiful. Both would give you amazing photos. So how do you choose? I’ve photographed couples at both locations. Here’s what I tell everyone who asks: there’s no wrong choice. But there is a choice that feels more […]

Beach Session vs Downtown Session: Choosing Your Perfect Charleston Photo Location

Beach Session vs Downtown Session

Every family has those trips they return to again and again. The same beach at sunrise. The same town where mornings start slow and evenings stretch long. The same traditions that feel simple while you’re living them, but somehow grow more meaningful with each passing year. I’ve come to believe that these travel traditions are […]

Why Your Family’s Favorite Travel Traditions Deserve to Be Documented

Why Your Family’s Favorite Travel Traditions Deserve to Be Documented

You know that moment when you’re trying to schedule your family photo session in Charleston and you freeze? Morning or evening? It feels like such a small decision, but it matters more than you might think. As a Charleston family photographer, I help families figure this out all the time. The right time slot can […]

Morning vs Evening Sessions: Finding the Best Fit for Your Family’s Personality

Morning vs Evening Sessions

When I photograph a wedding, my goal is always the same: to tell the full story of your day. The intimate moments, the quiet glances, the joyful chaos, the beauty of your venue, and the energy of the celebration all deserve to be remembered. Ground-level images capture the emotion and connection between people, but to […]

Telling the Whole Story: How Drone Coverage Complements Ground-Level Wedding Photos

Drone images

Life doesn’t change all at once. It shifts quietly, year by year, in ways that are easy to miss when you’re living inside it. One season blends into the next, and suddenly you look back and realize how much has changed. That’s why I believe so deeply in annual photo sessions. They aren’t about perfection […]

The Case for Annual Photos: Why Capturing Each Stage Matters More Than You Think

Annual Photos

If you’re planning a surprise proposal, I know you want it to feel real, emotional, and smooth. I hear this all the time from couples who reach out to me. You want that first reaction captured, but you don’t want your partner to notice a camera or feel watched. You want to stay calm, enjoy […]

Why a Proposal Photographer is the Best “Secret Guest” You’ll Ever Invite

Over the years, I’ve learned that the most meaningful photo collections don’t happen in a single session. They grow with you. They tell your story in chapters, capturing who you are at different moments in your life. That is why I love helping couples and families build a personal photo library that reflects all the […]

Building Your Photo Library: Engagement, Family, and Travel

For families who want their photos to feel warm, relaxed, and filled with meaning, historic Charleston offers an unmatched charm. Every street corner seems to hold a sense of romance and history that beautifully complements the emotion of family photography in Charleston. It feels like stepping into a story that’s both timeless and deeply personal. […]

Why Historic Districts Create the Most Romantic Family Session Backdrops

family session in Charleston

When you’re vacationing in a beautiful location, there’s no better way to remember your time together than with a vacation portrait session. These portraits aren’t just photos; they’re memories you’ll treasure long after your trip is over. If you’ve booked a vacation portrait session with me, you’re already on the right track to creating something […]

Vacation Portrait Sessions: What to Pack and How to Prepare

Vacation Portrait Sessions