Wedding Best, Trash the Dress

June 29, 2016 by Carl Kerridge

This is how to include your hubby in a raunchy ‘Trash the Dress’ shoot – Rin and Jeffry style!

As soon as the Bride showed up, I knew that this couple was going to be wild and fun. We first met for coffee and immediately threw out just about all the traditions, no minister (just a notary friend), no DJ (ipod rooftop in Garden City), no Isle to walk down (both guys and gals had there own side to enter from), hand written vows, barefoot (toes touching the water), no engagement shoot, no bridal, private first look at Huntington State Park. Of all these things, that I loved about this unique beach wedding, it was the idea of a trash the dress shoot the day after the wedding with our intimate couple that really enticed me to work with this couple.

Bride “Let’s walk down the beach far enough to be private and end up soaked”

Me (inner monologue “hell to the yeah”) “Totally cool, I just need the camera to stay dry”

Here are some sneak peaks of these two love birds as they roll, splash and chase!

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.

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

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/

Couture for the Cure

October 28, 2014 by Carl Kerridge

Couture for the Cure 2014 ‘Bohemian Bliss’

I do not know many families that have not had the suffered from the loss of a family member to some form of cancer. I lost both my grandmothers too early so it was an emotional evening for me to witness such beauty and strength of community supporting the survivors of Breast Cancer and the fight to find a cure.

Little White Dress hosts this amazing event each year to raise awareness and funds for the local chapter of Caring in Our Lifetime which provides support for women along the Grand Strand who are battling breast cancer and need financial assistance. The event brings to together so many key leaders in the wedding community – which has grown leaps and bounds as Myrtle Beach becomes more and more of an ideal destination for couples, but it seems that the folks with a heart for service remain the same and I had the privilege of not only seeing their smiling faces, but their tears as well at this moving tribute last night.

I cannot say enough about Nichole, Brenda and their amazing team at Little White Dress. Not a stone left unturned – their eye for detail and their dedication to service shined through from the champagne reception to the chocolate cream puffs (which I could not help but try just… a few).

It was also a special treat to see my very own wife modeling in the show – and she also got to wear her own wedding dress! Not many guys get to see their wives walk down a runway with their wedding dress on AFTER the wedding, so I felt pretty darn lucky.

It was great to work with fellow photographer, Lisa Young, who I have known for years. We shared some laughs and felt honored to be called to capture these images for such a great cause. Check out Lisa’s Facebook Gallery here.

To see my full gallery of images click here