Tomme Hilton Gallery » Charleston SC Wedding Photographer and the life that shadows.

The Wikoff’s came down to vacation here in our lovely city and I am so stoked I got to be their photographer.

I’m loving family photos more and more every time I do them. I moved away from my family a long time ago and I miss family IMMENSELY. So, I get to interact with all these families and if even for a short time makes me feel warm and fuzzy. And sometimes they are nice enough to me to make me feel part of their circle.

They loved the red sofa. And I’m still laughing at how this has become my signature thing. I gotta admit, it’s cool though. On every shoot the couch always adds aLOT of *BLING* to every shoot. Even after I’ve used it SOoo much, I still never get tired of seeing the shots I do with it.  Grandma had a great spot to sit and it really stood out from the beach.

Everyone ran around Grandma and she just sat back relaxing. (My kind of girl!- although I would prob have a pina colada)…….Like I said before– I’m on a motion kick. I’ll get tired of it I’m sure, but I love to play with things- keeps my mind interested and motivated.

Jodi and Chris have such a cute family. They were such hotties themself… but their hands were photogenic enough to take this shot.  I like abstract stuff. I know not everyone prefers those kind of shots, and I came to realize I shoot some fun for me and some traditional for everyone not on board. That way, we are all content.

I think eventually I got on their nerves. They tried stepping on me a few times. 

The boys had a few moments with their Grandma.  I don’t know if it’s age that gets the best of me, but I know I’m at a point in my life that sometimes when I look back at pictures like these (kids with their grandparents) it nearly chokes the emotion to the lump in my throat of how short life can be and how to make every minute count. And then I think about my job as a photographer. I always try to photograph in my heart like this may be the last photograph anyone ever may have of someone in their life. I feel like my job is fun and interesting ( I get to meet THE coolest people EVER!) but that it’s also being a documentalist that makes the work that I do not just fun and exciting but also a monument in someone’s family history. That gives utter importance to my work. Which gives me meaning.

And, ahem…..I’m not only on a motion kick… but I’m loving the vintages right now. I like the look of the 70′s photographs which have a yellow/red hue and even scratches and blemishes.  I like this one of Jodi and Chris in front of the kids while they play. A reminder that marriage should always be first in a couple’s lives.

Man, I’m feeling awfully philosophical this evening. Never mind me, must be PMS. I heard a commercial earlier and got teary eyed.  My kids make fun of me for being such a wuss, so I have to hide my sobs when I watch a sad movie.  They just think I get a terrible cough when we go to Blockbuster. (all that dust on the shelves).

As you can see, Jodi is in a house full of testosterone. I let the boys be boys and Jodi, well she got to be a girl still and twist her hair.  She don’t need those muscles to flex strength at her house. I’ll bet one look from her and she has more muscle than all those guys combined!

Jeez. We turned around and Jodi and Chris had CHANGED clothes and were compromising on the sofa. Good thing it got a good use. *Disclaimer* This was in no way shape or form prompted from me.

Thanks Wikoff’s for some family fun. You guys were a ton of fun, not to mention beautiful.

Until later, blog peeps…

xoxoxoxoxo

So I’ve been working on a movie poster.  We will be involved in a movie, a western that will take place in the Tahoe area. As a matter of fact- they are looking for actors in the role still not cast.  If you are interested, please email the director forbesfilm@hotmail.com and ask for the info. It’s a great acting opportunity, but also a great travel opportunity. I will be doing still photography on set and look forward to seeing a place as beautiful as Lake Tahoe. I’m stoked about being able to travel to somewhere other than Ohio for a change.

The character is married and I used this shot to emphasize his relationship with his wife. He is a strong family man and felt it was important to showcase his first affinity, his wife.

I turned these in to be selected for the official movie poster and am interested what will be used. 

Which one do you like best? Yeah, I’m not sure either…..I like abstract and artsy shots like the first one a lot but I’m not sure which one the director will find best suits what he is looking for.

More to post later.

xoxoxoxo

Meet Andrea and Sean. They came down from PA b/c they love our area so much, to get married. It is a very sentimental place for the two of them and Sean happened to tell me that Andrea had been born in Louisiana and that the swamp ran deep in her blood.

She came over on canoe to meet him. The weather was really beautiful, and the bride- not so bad either.

They got married under the gazebo by the swamp- and the weather held out pretty well- I mean, it is August here so what can you expect? But the good thing about it was no mosquitos.

The bridal party was fun! and all their loved ones drove down to be with them for their wedding- and that meant alot to them. I’m always looking for odd ways to play and have fun!

And in her spare time, Andrea is an Olympic runner- much to Sean’s dismay………

The great thing about Sean and Andrea is- the pictures meant EVERYTHING to them and they gave me so much time to do photos- that I couldn’t have asked for more. They definitely did the planning to include me into their day and as a result, we really got some kick ass stuff!

Last but def not least is some great lighting towards the end we HAD to use. Thanks Andrea and Sean, I loved spending your day with you and I can only hope that all my brides and grooms will allow as much time and plan me into their day the way you did- it benefits both of us so much.

Until later xoxoxoxo

Meet Nikki and Eric! How cute are these two? They will be getting married in October. Nikki is a midwest girl and part of the Clemson clan that I love. And Eric has these blue eyes that are dreamy. Take a look…..

She is maybe 5 feet tall while he is about 6’4″. Needless to say, we sat alot. . I put together this little motion collage that I thought was cute.  Nikki was running in heels on cobblestone! She is way more woman than I could ever be.

We find some cool stuff along the way at times and they just HAVE to be used. Such as this window.

I am on a motion fetish right now, so it may get redundant. I go thru creative phases where I push myself to do odd things- go figure.

And last but not least, only b/c I’m in a hurry……..b/c I could post more…..

Thanks for your patience guys. I loved getting to know you better. Can’t wait til October!

Incredibly behind in my postings. If you haven’t seen your session up yet, I apologize and will get some of these up and posted soon.

Here’s some images from a bridal session with Crystal. Her and Josh will be getting married at Wentworth Mansion in September. The camera LOVED her. Well, look how hot she is. The great thing about Crystal is she was up for EVERYTHING. That’s really the key in great  photos. I see it. You do it. If you are reluctant and don’t want to do some adventurous stuff, then the photos will just be that.  She had a great attitude about it all and was so excited to be there modeling, looking gorgeous. She is funny and smart and I’m so excited to be working with her.

Here goes……

I couldn’t resist. I saw this book in the hotel room and was just calling out to me. I’m cheesey and very random with some things that just hit me. Sometimes, Ok most times there is no rhyme nor reason to my madness.

We actually got so many great shots that it’s so hard to pick what to put on here. I’m tellin’ ya- if you are willing, the photos will be fun. I do get some resistance at times and the photos turn out as good as you are willing. For instance, at first Crystal thought I was nuts to ask her to sit on this table- as you can tell it had just rained…. the table was a bit unstable and it was somewhat wet. But, I said to trust me and she would be safe. She did and this is what I got.

She looked very fashionable to me so we emphasized that. She was small and beautiful and it didn’t take hardly ANY coaching to draw out from her what I needed. It came really natural for her.

I also got some great light that I thought looked AMAZING.. I’m a sucker for these sorts of things.

And we saw a black cab that had a european flair- and this just kind of happened.

The hotel itself was really fab. It was where Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe stayed on their honeymoon when they married here on Sullivan’s Island.

This is a stair case that I loved. The shape of it alone is so interesting. It draws you into the photo.

And one more, the row of trees and symmetry are something I love to emphasize as well.

Can’t wait for the wedding! See you in September for more fun, Crystal.