Friendship and a Photography Gift!

2015

Plays back like video film, spotlighting highlights in my friendship, personal life, and business growth. I can honestly say that we hit all of our goals last year, and I learned more about myself and the breath of my business than in any of the past 15 years in business. Becoming the Regional Director for South Carolina’s Professional Photographers of American has also added it’s charm, stressing the importance of staying inspired and recognizing the need to grow with a community of photographers.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the quality that comes from separating the person from the contract.

I want to talk, for just a minute, to all the lovely couple’s I had the pleasure to document this year. You have been inspirational to me. I want to let you know that I recognize your love in it’s many shapes and forms and that I see it’s most important element is friendship. Friendship is the foundation for hope and gratitude, it unlocks the door allowing for a deeper and more human connection. You were the greatest of friends to each other, that’s how you impacted me. If there was a theme for 2015, for you guys it would be rain…and the good omen it brings.

Every couple I met, I saw you and your stories of triumph, even against the odds. You would be able to hold it down even if it was in the midst of a hurricane. In your happiness, you all reminded me how grateful I am to have found my partner and how deeply rooted our friendship is at our love’s core.

So I want to say a special ‘Thank YOU’ and I want to pay it forward.

When you guys met me, I wanted to provide something for you that is so dear and special to me, something that goes beyond the business/client relationship. It’s called a ‘human experience’ and I have been creating more emphasis on building a friendship with my couples because I want it to be that personal. Getting personal allows me to get closer with confidence, to get to know who you are, and to be able to tell your story instead of only handing you pretty wedding images.

So let’s have some fun together to start off 2016. As a token of appreciation, I want to offer a special give away to my remarkable couples:

The couple with the greatest number of voting comments on this post will receive a stunning retouched 16×20 print for their first year as newlyweds. In addition, any couple that has over 50 votes will receive a $50 gift certificate to our A La Carte menu items. To all my readers, feel free to leave some love too because your are equally valued to me.

Tay and Roosevelt

A single tear rolls down the brides cheek at her wedding ceremony at The Myrtle Beach Train Depot Black and white posed couple on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

Sarah and Davis

Romantis hug from the groom with his bride on the golf course in Myrtle Beach Cake smash in brides face, wedding photography, photojournalism

Wendy and Joe

Loving look of a newly married couple under the live oak trees at The Dye Club in North Myrtle Beach Excited bride holding her flowers up in the wind at The Dye Club

Kathy and Alan

Guest clapping as the happy couple are announced at the alter in Pawleys Island Chapel Marries couple cruising in an old Morgan across the Inlet in Litchfield Beach

Hillary and Adam

Deep look of love for the happy couple after saying their vows on the beach Happy couple walking away from their beach ceremony in North Myrtle Beach

Allison and Roddy

Married couple with their two dogs under the live oak trees at Sunnyside Plantation Mom wiping away tears as shw watches her daughter kiss her new husband during a wedding ceremony

Mary and Stoney

ecstatic couple laughing after saying I do on the alter at Myrtle Beach First Presbyterian Church Happy couple in the limousine looking out the window

Amanda and Cash

Beautiful blue sky and palm trees for this couples first kiss Bride and Groom unwrap their presents from the father of the bride

Emily and Joey

Throwing umbrellas up in the air on the golf course at The Dunes Club Loving look at The Dunes Club for this happy couple

Stefani and Justin

loving couple kiss on the swing at sunnyside plantation Love written in sparklers with bride and groom under live oaks at Sunnyside plantation

Michelle and Patrick

Happy bride says I do at the alter in Trinity United Methodist Church in North Myrtle Beach Wild crazy wide angle shot of wedding party on New Years Eve

Every individual who comments will be entered into a separate giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card. Share to Facebook, Tweet about this post, and get creative with spreading the word!

I love a good laugh and I’ll be counting comments on ONLY this page’s comment section – one per person – until February 11th.

The Winner will be announced Friday, February 12th!

Everything isn’t about the perfect pose or the magazine-style shot. For me it’s about creating a memorable experience, one that my couples and clients will remember forever. I do this in hopes it will lavish a future that distinguishes between a photograph and a memory.

The Lucky Yoyo and Rabbit’s Foot

When it comes to connection and this new couple, I am lucky and…

I have Mrs. Cheryl Saito to thank for our introduction. She’s a local wedding coordinator whom I’ve collaborated with and created professional photography for in the past, including her oldest daughters wedding. After introducing me to Amanda and Cash, the couple decided to book their photographer a year in advance. To all new couples out there, I highly recommend this for two reasons. One, you guarantee you get the photographer of your choice and two, you have time to develop a relationship with your photographer – something I am lucky to have time for with many of my couples.

Our first meeting was at Abuelo’s and I quickly found out that we had more in common than I could imagine, we had all worked in the restaurant/service industry, liked margaritas, and had the same taste in music. They wanted to put most of their investments into making their wedding fun. Their most important aspects were the photography and having a live band. Talk about lucky, when I heard Tru Sol Band was their choice, it was just meant to be!

We put together a customized package, and Amanda created a Pinterest board to show me her tastes and style. Having plenty of time to discuss all of their ideas and working with them for Engagement photo’s made it super easy to work with them and it allowed me to gain their confidence in my style and professionalism.

Amanda and Cash were initially shy when it came to the camera, believe it or not, I had the pleasure of shooting their first professional portraits together. I couldn’t believe it was their first time! They were so nervous about what to expect, but as we walked through the session, in downtown Conway, they started to blossom out of their uneasiness. By the end they were joking, having a good time and they were noticeably more relaxed.

Then the wedding rolled around, it was so fluid that the day couldn’t have gone any better. We already knew one another, they were comfortable with me, and we all just moved together through their sacred day. It was lovely capturing a traditional Greek Wedding ceremony at The Breakers Resort. The reception? Total party animals! The groom became the party stopper with the wicked dance moves. Where oh where did that shy guy go!. The bride was beautiful and having a blast, and the brother….well the boy was the comedian, that’s for sure!

The most memorable part of their celebration was the line of communication and connection. The father of the bride hit every heartstring in the room, mine included. His toast wasn’t designed as a tissue moment, but everyone was crying as he told the story of him and his wife’s first date. He symbolized how special he thought this new union was going to be. “How special he knew his wife is, and how he felt the same way about Cash being the same person for his daughter.” The he presented the new couple the most unexpected gifts, the very same gifts he exchanged with is wife so many years ago – A wooden yo-yo and a rabbit’s foot.

Lucky tokens handed down from the past to the future. It was a coming together of a new family, a new future, and I was lucky enough to bear witness to the intangible emotional presence amongst us. If there was anything at all that connected human to human, it was there in that room. At that moment and for a split second, all there ever was, was love.

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Fine Art: Destination Wedding and Romance at The Dye Club

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

Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-26 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-Color-28 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-27 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-Color-54 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-39 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-Color-66     Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-52 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-57

Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-72 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-89 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-91 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-92 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-83    Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-Color-118 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-162      Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-153 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-122 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-BW-150 Carl-Kerridge-Photography-Wedding-Cousins-Color-239

Marketing: I’m often referred to as the dancing Englishman…

Marketing: Local Networking and Business Referrals

I’m the guy who gets to collaborate with awesome professionals and great clients along the Grand Strand. I strive to create the best work possible, deliver my products and then encourage my clients to talk about me. What do you need to have a successful referral based marketing system? In my experience, the theory stayed simple:

  • Have passion and be passionate about the services you are offering.
  • Deliver products with value in a consistent manner that exceeds your clients expectation.
  • Know who your clients are, and specifically who your clients are not.
  • Socialize and network. You need the balance in your life of work, home, and play.
  • Just because you can finish the job, doesn’t mean the relationship has to be over.
  • Be thankful. Practice, prep up, and meaningfully say “Thank you.”

 

Passion & Product

I believe that passion is a huge part of having a successful referral based marketing strategy. Simply put, you just aren’t going to be able to deliver the highest quality product if you don’t care about it or the people you’re delivering to in the first place. In the process of working with and for my passions, I want my work to speak for itself by consistently exceeding my clients expectations with the final products I deliver. This could mean simple things like buying gift baskets for couples, paying attention to presentation materials, and researching what will actually make a difference to the clients I am interacting with.

Clients

I choose to really like the people I work for and it’s a priority for me to tailor the experience to each individual client. How my clients feel when they first meet me sets the standard, it’s my job to keep and go beyond that level of expectation every single time. Sometimes it is as simple as delivering images one day ahead of schedule or surprising them with a “gift product” in addition to what they ordered. Another way is to include them in my business functions and updates with regular social media posts and newsletters. With the upcoming launch of my new art series premiering in November, I want and encourage my clients to come join me in a night of celebration, enjoy some wine and one of my favorite past times ‘dancing’. For me it boils down to this – it is my clients who mean the most to me, and they are who grow my business.

Socialize

Here’s a prime example of how referral based marketing has worked for me. It’s a brief case study of my contract with our local Coastal Carolina National Bank. My initial contact with CCNB wasn’t through making a deposit. For the past 8 years I have photographed Dancing With The Horry County Stars. It is a fund raising opportunity for our local Early College Education Program. I love getting to know the dancers and coordinators at “Star Events” and in 2014 a member of CCNB was one of our dancing stars so when the bank needed new professional business and lifestyle portraits, the organizer of DWHCS suggested me to the Board. After seeing my work ethic and style from DWHCS, CCNB’s dancing star vouched for my quality and character and hey presto another job landed from a business connection. 

Continuing the Relationship

My intention has never been to finish a job then say, “Well yep, thanks, hope you have a nice day too,” and show them out the door…It often takes time to establish great connections and relationships with businesses and keeping the channels of communication open after a photo shoot will often lead to additional future projects. In the case of CCNB the marketing director was great to work with, she introduced me to the work-family of the  banking institutions as well as their affiliates. So far this has lead to photographing portraits for Purses for Purpose and a partnership with Tideland Health to host a yoga event. I remember the marketing director coming in for a photo shoot with the Pelican’s infamous Splash and saying, “Today, we’re doing yoga!”. This same philosophy applies to wedding and portrait clients and has created sustainable and consistent for my company.

At the end of the day,

I remember and I am so thankful to be surrounded by such an amazing circle of inspirational business professionals. I am thankful for the local networking and referrals that I consider priceless gems. Please note that I’m not bashing direct marketing or companies the specialize in the world of social media. Their merits are obvious because companies wouldn’t have marketing teams if that approach weren’t effective. This article is my testimonial on the benefits of using referral based marketing. It is my strategy in the sample area of Myrtle Beach and as the years have progressed, I preferred to keep this my main marketing system.

Myrtle Beach photographer, Studio Photography, Splash, Pelicans Baseball, Yoga day, CCNB

 

I would love for you to answer this one question.  How has your business model shaped itself? Leave your comment below with one key example, thanks!

 

Carl Kerridge is a location and destination photographer based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He specializes in wedding,event and commercial photography. He is passionate about the fine art and photojournalistic aspects of photography. Traveling in and out of the United States, Carl has dedicated the past 15 years to studying/experimenting with his craft, teaching educational workshops, and advocating a global awareness through art. To learn more, visit his Website, follow him on Instagram or connect with him on Facebook.

 

 

Why start a blog now?

I have been earning a living from photography for 15 years now. Man, have things changed from just being able to pick up a film camera, learn about it and make a living. Well, I don’t think it’s ever been quite that easy, but 15 years ago you certainly did not have to worry about having an Instagram account intense competition not only with people but with the technology itself and of course what brings us here and now – blogging.

I have approached a milestone recently (ahem, turning the big 40!), my son Ellis is coming up on his first birthday, I have a new garden to tend, new dog and I have a new business model to focus on.  I have been thinking about all this and considering why add something else to it? Why add another project, like a blog for pete’s sake!! Well, another personal milestone is approaching this year – I will have spent exactly half my life living away from home. During that time, just over 20 years, I have travelled to and through 25+ countries from Australia to Ecuador and I have chosen to settle in South Carolina with my wife and start our family.

The journeys of a destination wedding and event photographer with a wild wanderlusting heart for travel are filled with adventures, craziness, color, long hours, amazing scenery and fascinating cultures that are certainly worthy of stories. However it is sharing my passion for what I do and what I aspire to do that I feel compelled to start this blog. With some roots now keeping me closer to home for at least the next 18 years or so, I must take my dreams to new heights. I want a place, a blank page if you will, a new creative outlet to highlight perhaps the most important journey I will ever take as a father, to continue to hone my craft and desire to capture the most important moments of your life and well, maybe to do some reminiscing as well.

Here’s a few favorites images from my life, my wife and our son, these are not the images I make a living taking.

 

Pregnancy portrait Baby portrait Myrtle Beach Mommy and baby yoga photo