Fine Art: Destination Wedding and Romance at The Dye Club

November 12, 2015 by Carl Kerridge

When it comes to my fine art passions, I’ve learned to love seeing out of state phone numbers, and especially those out of country!

I love destination weddings. I love being the photographer to welcome couples to the Myrtle Beach area. This groom initially contacted me because he wanted to buy a fine art print from SeaBlue Restaurant for his bride to be, Wendy. Then he asked if I shot weddings. Needless to say, everything progressed from there. We customized a unique package for them that included less pictures than I usually deliver allowing me to produce the documentary style they desired and emphasize fine art pieces in my post production.

Just picture it: The Dye Club with their beautiful Royal Oak furnishing’s and tasteful elegance. When it comes to fine art, what more could you ask for?

The Dye Club is a private country club that sits near a beautiful lake on one of the top local golf courses. It has a very low country classic style to it. Crafted into a single level structure, it has rich decorations, a gold leaf ceiling and a large wrap around veranda porch. Though the day had threatening clouds, the weather never altered the couple’s mood. They were super laid back and more than anything looking forward to the reception. They said “I do” between rain showers to a backdrop of beautiful colors with a close group of family and dear friends. To get that fine art feel, we moved around the property using the blooming azalea and gardenias for Wendy’s bridal and the couple’s portraits. In a beautiful irony, the wedding colors and Joe’s tux matched all the blossoms around The Dye Club, an unplanned phenomenon!

Both Joe and Wendy wanted a non-stop party. Joe Durivage, of Myrtle Beach DJ’s, guaranteed a rockin’ party and everyone danced, literally until midnight. The toasts, the dip, the dancing, I tell you Mounties know how to have a good time! One thing I will always take away from their wedding will be how intimate it all turned out. It was truly the little things that mattered, and oh those little things, how wonderful they are. The bride’s daughter was the maid of honor, and the groom’s best man was his son. In front of their dedicated friends and family, a memorable wedding gift was given. The bride’s daughter presented a source for future memories – it was a hand-made carved wooden photo album, delicate in the most loving way.

How did I pick the favorite photo? Well, it was hard…scroll down to find out

The Wedding Umbrella and The Dunes Club

November 5, 2015 by Carl Kerridge

It was back in 2005 that I shot my first wedding at The Dunes Club and recently, I have been refurbishing film images to create a digitally mastered photo album for that first wedding client (yes people do order albums ten years on).

The Dunes Club is one of the most classical an authentic locations in Myrtle Beach. The club house sits on top of a large lawn nestled by our beautiful ocean and with one of the Grand Strands finest golf courses it offers amazing natural backdrops, shady over-hangings, and playful ideas for the couple. That is, until the rain nymphs decided to tease and play with us, yep you guessed it, it poured with rain all day long.

As wedding photographers we have be be able to improvise and get creative, working with whatever location and lighting that we have available to us. We had the locker rooms, a hallway, and then the mother of the bride brought out umbrellas. Thankfully the mentality of this couple – a “can-do” attitude – was clearly able to adapt and overcome. Two people who were happily together no matter what obstacles were put in their path.

Before the ceremony, I hadn’t seen such a physical display of “bubbling over” from one of my brides, but Emily…she was too excited to contain herself! At the alter, the pastor couldn’t read the vows quick enough. At the reception, one male guest come up to her and exclaimed, “I think you were the happiest bride I’ve ever seen!” and I believe we all would have toast to that.

Though the weather taunted and played its tricks all day, it wasn’t long into the reception that the evening colors peaked through the clouds, bringing a wedding gift in the form of a mini rainbow. I rushed our bride and groom across the soggy lawn to capture the image but the fleeting moment had passed, leaving nothing but a sweet memory and a stormy looking sky.

The overall emotion between the couple was contagious, their happiness emulated in everyone they choose to share their special day with. I wish them much more for their future for I know, “every morning they will wake up with the intention of making the other happy” for the rest of their lives.

Vendors

The Dunes Club – http://www.thedunesclub.net/weddings—events

Entertainment – http://www.myrtlebeachdjs.com/

Florist – http://flowersintheforest.com/

Cake – http://www.pinterest.com/cmauldin12/cakes-and-pies/

Stunning senior portraits meet model portfolio

October 28, 2015 by Carl Kerridge

This beautiful young lady wanted to mix her traditional senior portraits with some fashion model portfolio shots. We split the session between two locations (The Myrtle Beach State Park and Market Common) to add some variety and ended up with a huge variety of shots to satisfy her senior needs and hopefully to get her started on a modeling career. She’s a petite model at 5ft 1″ but has great style, the poise and body awareness of an athlete and a beautiful smile that will take her undoubtedly take her far. We wish you all the best Eva and look forward to our next session with you to help build out your portfolio and comp card.

To check on availability for your senior portraits please contact us at [email protected]

Seniors I have a question for you – if you could shoot anywhere for your portraits where would you choose to go?

Sunnyside Plantation: When a Hurricane Attends a Wedding

October 22, 2015 by Carl Kerridge

In this case, Joaquin was fashionably late and luck acted like a lady at Sunnyside Plantation

I work in a lot of different conditions and scenarios. I am a documentary-styled photographer, after all. I constantly try to push my limits and break my barriers by shooting in new and challenging settings. However, Hurricane Joaquin definitely tested my normally cool and calm demeanor. I was worried the entire week prior: Would my couple be able to host their celebration outdoors? Would the 20 inches of planned rain stall off long enough for them to say, “I do”? Would we get flooded out and have to scramble up the moss covered live oak trees? or Would they simply have to move the 200 guests to another last minute location?

Luckily, that was not the case. Rain sprinkled as the bride got ready and miraculously everyone remained calm and collected at Sunnyside Plantation. We danced around the wedding family – sneaking candids and spicing up our photography with the bride’s custom engraved Converses and “Gangsta” socks.

The ceremony began with the groom and the couple’s two dogs walking to the alter. When the bride emerged from Sunnyside’s front door, everyone broke into smiles and cheers. When their officiant asked, “Who gives this woman to this man?” never has their been a more appropriate response! From the side of the guests’ seats a “woof woof” arose that declared with certainty that “Who” was Him! We all broke into laughter, the timing was perfect! Catch the wedding video to see for yourself!

Oysters and craft beer entertained the guests for the cocktail hour. In the meantime, we photographed the newlyweds against Murrells Inlets’ marsh under heavily overcast skies. As always, we hugged and congratulated the couple, encouraging them to share a few moments by themselves. As we returned to the tent, the family shenanigans had begun with a group pyramid pose – apparently their family tradition at every gathering.

Joe Durivage of Myrtle Beach DJ’s disco’ed the dance floor with over 120 songs, encouraging everyone to bust a move and get their groove on. Everyone was dancing, even the whip and nae nae rain dance appeared and my assistant and I naturally boogied down with the crowd (I’m not known as the dancing photographer for nothing). Southern hospitality, BBQ, and speciality drinks combined with the ‘happy go lucky’ attitude of all the guests made this one of the most fun weddings ever.

If I described how the night felt as I was packing up, it would be like this: a cake topper with the bride and groom high five-ing one another. That is Allison and Roddy: best friends, husband and wife, and devoted dog lovers. Congratulations and best wishes to the awesome couple!

Wedding photography in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina wedding photographer, wedding photojournalism, event photos, Sunnyside Plantation, Murrells Inlet wedding, Fine art wedding images

Vendor list

Sunnyside Plantation – http://www.facebook.com/SunnysidePlantationSC

Inlet Affairs – http://inletaffairs.com/

Myrtle Beach DJ’s – http://www.myrtlebeachdjs.com/

Digity Media: Music & Photography Rock Myrtle Beach

October 21, 2015 by Carl Kerridge

Digity Media: 1000 T-shirts, 1000 Memories, Definitely over 1000 Pictures

Who hasn’t heard of the KZQ, WAVE 104.1, STAR 92.1, and Hot Talk 99.5? That’s Digity Media. We hear them while we go to work, pick up our kids, and meet up with friends. I first met all of the radio hosts over the summer, at their meet and greet session in North Myrtle Beach. What better way to connect with the community than welcome listeners to meet them with cash giveaways, souvenir t-shirts, and awesome candids?

Speaking of reaching out, this morning I was reminded again how supportive Digity Media is to the locals. After the horrible flooding that swept the Grand Strand, our local radio stations starting promoting charity drives and local fund raisers for victims and survivors. Many homes and belongings were damaged as Hurricane Joaquin barreled through South Carolina, the radio hosts were motivators for all of us to get out and help one another. The more time I spend with them, the more I love being around them.

Over the summer, we explored the natural habitat of Digity Media personnel for lifestyle and business portraits. Later we ventured to our local House of Blues for more diversity. This would prep me for the upcoming tour. A headline band was coming to Myrtle Beach and Digity Media was rocking the backstage with them.

Photographing AWOLNATION, Family of the Year, and Irontom at House of Blues wouldn’t have been possible without Digity Media and the KZQ crew. Starting with AWOLNATION’s meet and greet, the night passed by in the blink of an eye. I was thrilled to weave in and around the surf of people for every photojournalistic opportunity. That action shot is beyond addicting. In portrait photography, you want to eliminate many imperfections and present a beautiful image. In concert photography, it’s that raw imperfection that will grab you and allow you to hear the speakers explode!

I went on air last week to talk about the premiere of my ‘Refraction’ Art series on WAVE 104.1. It was comical, I loved sitting there talking with Tommy and Korby. It never felt like a radio interview, if anything I couldn’t keep from snickering into the mic. They make radio feel like home, or maybe its just because I’m English! If it hadn’t been working hours, I think we could have popped a few cans of brew too.

Thank you guys for all that you do and who you are, Cheers!

Visit my Website, follow me on Instagram, or find me on Facebook to see upcoming projects, learn more about my art series ‘Refraction’, and get involved with local businesses!