Fine Art Photography: Rain on the Wedding Day

November 19, 2015 by Carl Kerridge

Love and Fine Art-

It has no limitations and touches gently in every way.

Before I was contacted about the wedding, I knew Hillary from SeaBlue Restaurant. When I saw her, I always felt as if I were chatting with a friend. When I first met Hillary and Adam together, their personalities just bubbled in front of me. The fact that they knew my fine art from the restaurant was great. They loved my style from the get go, they wanted fine art compositions, lots of black and whites and to have fun, tons of fun.

One thing I remember from their engagement shoot was how easy they were to photograph together. It was obvious which way he was going and which way she was going. They just molded together. As a wedding photojournalist of Myrtle Beach, every image spoke volumes of their dedication to and for each other. And the morning of their wedding? Smiles, jokes, and (of course) shots!

It’s one of the best good luck omens for there to be rain on the wedding day. The sky kept at bay as the bride and groom said their “I do’s,” and their family and friends “returned to the sea” blessings and best wishes for the happy couple. We ended up waiting for the limo to pick the bride and groom up. In the meantime, I shared a nice moment with the couple just talking about their favorite things. It was just another chance to get to know them better. Then… we started placing bets on how the party was about to go down.

Arriving at SeaBlue Restaurant for their reception, the coupled entered with a dance that set the mood for the entire evening – light-hearted, fun, and hilarious entertainment. Everyone was on the make shift dance floor, tables were moved to the side and even the furniture became a prop to help you shake it – which gave new meaning to Momma’s got her groove, and Papa’s got a brand-new bag.

You should know that it did, indeed, rain.
How do you pick a favorite image? It gets harder the closer I become to my couples. Scroll to the bottom so see the beauty between them!

If you would like to see more of my fine art pieces visit my Website or find me on Facebook.

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/

Engagement photos- water themed session

July 17, 2014 by Carl Kerridge

Recent engagement photo sessions have leaned towards multiple locations and outfit changes so the couple can enjoy several settings and have tons of great images to choose from. Both Kristy and Sebie have a love of water and boats so for their engagement session we started at the lighthouse in Little River and worked our way towards ‘the point’ at Cherry Grove, with a quick stop at Vereen Gardens just across the State line in to North Carolina.

I loved this couple because they were fun, laid back, definitely had their own style and because they gave me the freedom to mix it up and be creative with both the location and styling. Not only that Kristy didn’t get too mad at me for ruining a pair of her shoes as we trudged through the marsh to get shots by the water (thanks for that!).

They also both loved vibrant and saturated colors so this entire session does not have one Black and White photo, quite possibly a first for me. Enjoy.

Be sure to scroll all the way to the end to see my choice for “best pic of the day.”

My favorite pic of the day used the abstract patterns in the shadows on the Lighthouse wall to make sure both her smile and that precious ring were both glowing in the suns natural light.

I hope you enjoyed these nautical themed engagement photos, to book your session at the location of your choice call or contact us via email.

Favorite photo of the day

Wedding Photojournalism meets Homemade Love in Mount Pleasant, SC

April 3, 2014 by Carl Kerridge

You know it’s going to be a great wedding when you walk up to the house and the bride is outside finishing the decorations and the groom is inside cooking three different kinds of BBQ. Not to mention that pretty much the ENTIRE wedding experience was handcrafted by the bride and her family and friends. This was one of the most colorful and creative weddings I have had the pleasure to be a part of, an open book for unique wedding photo ideas. Oh, and when your wife and son are also invited to the wedding because your wife is friends with the brides sister – extra, extra bonus.

My bride Megan told me that she tallied up close to 400 hours in putting together the decorations and details for the wedding. I am sure some of her unique ideas will wow and inspire you as you look through my favorite images from the day. Her stylish wedding dress? Sorry, ladies – you won’t find this one in the bridal boutiques. She had her mother and grandmothers dresses taken apart and then put back together again – her gown being the epitome of “something borrowed.”

The setting was intimate. A rented beach house where the family stayed for the whole week across the street from the ocean just outside of Charleston, SC. Megan and Phillip asked everyone in attendance to wear white and beige – which made the colorful world she created for their big day stand out even more. From me her only request was to capture the color, and fun in a photojournalistic wedding style and not worry about your typical beach wedding photos.

I hope you enjoy these fun shots from the day as much as I enjoyed being a part of the whole experience. I thrive on creativity so when I have the chance to be around creative people – it is fuel for my fire!

Be sure to scroll all the way to the end to see “My Favorite Shot” of the day and also links to the amazing vendors that helped make Megan and Phillips day so special.

Shot of the day

I myself am a yogi so when my bride added to her contract notes that she wanted to incorporate a yoga pose I said “Absolutely”. Here’s she’s on top of the hot tub cover as it was the only area with clear space.

Photos – Carl Kerridge Photography
Dress – Brooke Priddy, Ship-to-shore
Flowers – http://www.gardeniafloral.com
Hair & Makeup – Pink Dot Beauty Bar
Cupcakes –Sugar Bakery
Catering – Phillip Couture (groom) & James Benyshek (best man) – Culinary Extraordinaires at Large!
Paper Mayhem – Megan Munday (bride) – Currently recovering from paper projecting overload.