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

Monthly Archives: May 2009

May 27 2009

Well, hello there.

Ok, I’ve decided I need to be more consistent at blogging. I shudder at the thought of it, maybe bc I can’t imagine MY life to be THAT interesting in the first place but b/c of the amt of time blogging ends up taking. I usually feel like I can be more resourceful editing someone’s wedding or session. But, with practice I shall get better and more efficient… so I’m gonna keep it up until they come up with a drag and drop system *that I can afford*.. to make blogging a piece of cake.

BUT I have a ‘vision board’ that I use and it helps keep me on task. My number one on that vision board- as of today: BLOG EVERY WEDNESDAY……..my original Humpdate- plan-of- action. It somehow fell apart at the seams.. I’m picking back up and grabbing the sewing machine and we are back to being the wicked stepsisters.

Well, today’s fine post is brought to you by the poor photographer’s foundation. { trying to entertain myself.. get on with it already.. }

This is Wendi and Tom. We are getting married June 6th at Magnolia Plantation. Check out the link if you haven’t seem Magnolia already. Gorgeous. All those elements of Charleston everyone loves Charleston for.

Tom and Wendi: they are really fun – we ended up meeting for margaritas and time just flew…that’s when you know you hit it off with someone. You look up and before you know it, you are like .. ‘WOAH’.. I gotta get goin’….. I really look forward to their wedding. Here are some of their engagements.

I just love this soft blue on her..it looks like creamy, cotton candy goodness!

I’m always looking at lighting. How it affects what I’m shooting.. where it is. How I can use it or hide from it. Most of my couples when they see me aiming my camera AT the sun, they think I’m a little off. (Nah, me?)

I love this bldg. Everytime I can shoot at it, I end up spending lotsa time here getting shots b/c it looks great in color AND b/w… those stripes really add a cool element to the shots.

And, if you hadn’t noticed.. I have a thing for horizontal people. More often than not, this is how I try to get all my clients at one point in our relationship.

The sun sure went down quick that night.. you know that’s a good sign when that happens, it always feels more like hanging out w friends rather than being on a shoot and working…… somehow I usually end up lucking out with my brides being ppl I really enjoy hanging out with and getting to know.

Had to take this shot. They are getting married 6/6 so this just seemed to call to me.

That’s Tom and Wendi and we’ll be revisiting them as they are my next wedding. Look forward to the great images we get and the fun tales to tuck under our caps.

Send some prayers my way. Jim is still unable to find work.. he’s been laid off since November and hasn’t had any luck. He’s been posting resumes all over the country to no avail. He has a history in film, movies and writing screenplays.. but he was a liason with civil engineering and construction… he also has a CDL, but that is by far his last resort. He told me the other day he thought we were going to move to California…thought the prospects seemed to be better there. It scared me b/c it’s hard to start your own business from scratch and it definitely turned on my nervous factor. On the other hand, I do well with change. I think more often than not, good comes from change. You grow. You figure yourself out better… people just need a good shake up to re evaluate themselves occasionally. It wouldn’t be a ‘bad’ thing but I could certainly use some prayers and sending your guardian angels our way to see if they can work things out for him -HERE-. I’ve always been a firm believer in things happening for reasons..so if we did end up in California it wouldn’t be an awful thing – may take some getting used to but I always look for the positive in most situations. So if by chance, your guardian angel is bored b/c you’ve been so good.. have her come stop by our house and see if she can do some good here.

Come by and see me on Facebook and Flickr. I have a www.LoftNoire.com and www.TommeHiltonGallery.com page as well on there to keep up on the latest on each of the companies.

I am going to be such a consistent HUMPDATER…… Make sure you stop by each Wednesday to see the featured blog.

Until Next Time. I mean, Until next Wednesday. xoxoxo

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by Tomme

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May 27, 2009 - 10:40 pm

Joni - Tomme,
Sending good vibes, guardian angels, prayers, etc… your way.
I’ll send you a private email for some ideas.
Loved these new photos. Wow. You’ve got something very special!!
Joni

May 14 2009

It’s no surprise

How much I *LOVE, LOVE, LOVE* Jaime and Reggie. I really felt a true sadness the night I left their wedding because I had spent so much time with them and got to know them as people. And not just got to know them, but really LIKE them. Alot! I met Jaime, Reggie and Shannon (they are all a package deal) way back when. I missed our meeting due to a malfunction but everything just seemed to work out perfectly! I did engagements of them and bridals of Jaime that turned out so good, that I was DYING to post at least a few of them.

and it seems she got so comfortable that she started letting me know right off the bat.. her discontent for the shoot that day!

Ok, so I have a few fetishes. One of them are VEILS. Big surprise! I love the long ones b/c I love long and windy flowy shots, and I love this one that Jaime picked b/c it just adds so much flair and attitude to her photos. Jaime has an awesome sense of style and she even was on the same wave length with me to put RHINESTONES on her shoes on wedding day…. SQUEE SQUEE SQUEE x THREE!

How’s those cookies?

And the older gals enjoyed the presence of the activity.. look at the bright colors in that lineup. They cheered Jaime on as she headed to the chapel.

This is what she came down the aisle to. Reggie singing to her.

And this was the reaction by their f/f.

And I couldn’t resist putting this. I love grandparents!!

These books happened to be on the shelves and I thought they were pretty be fitting.

Here’s some of the boys and their GQ ness.

and this is all of the party

The lights went down but I used the streetlight here for dramatic lighting.. love this!

I happen to adore pink and green and pink and brown and Mrs. J happened to also have loved these colors. They just look happy. Without any aid from anyone or anything.. on their own, those colors just bounce!

And I’ve never had a best friend like Shannon is to Jaime. One at my wedding and to follow me every step of my stride in life….there is something very endearing to me about friendships that have lasted throughout the years. I have always wished I had this. Will anyone be my best friend? *I’m making that sad puppy face so you will be ultra tempted*

And truthfully I could spend all night blogging… the pictures were amazing, the friendships were heart pulling, the love Jaime and Reggie share for one another, the pink and the green, the rhinestones on the shoes, the roses, the veil, their spirit, their personalities, the fact that Jaime made a point to make photography the BIGGEST part of her wedding.. I think her quote to me was: ‘Basically, we got married for the pictures so you have all the time you need!’ Ah… that, is like angels singing from the heavens… when a bride knows what goes into great photos, time to walk around and discover great spots during the best lighting hours and granting you the time to be creative! Seriously there is NOTHING that could have went any better than this day went. And the bottom line is: I’ve made friends out of them and I hope to someday replace Shannon.. he he! Just kidding Shannon, I love you too!!

And also don’t forget that Reggie is a professional singer that sings at weddings. He is so good.. the link I have on my facebook really does him no justice. If you are thinking about that super ultra unique touch to your wedding, a professional singer evoking a mood is the way to go. If you are interested send me an email and I will put you in contact.

Ok….. Grey’s anatomy is on.. there is lots of guts and brains this episode so I’m writing this whenever the bloody parts come up.. but then there is that sound of the grossness that is unexplainable, that I keep trying to avoid. So needless to say, I am engrossed in the tube… this is the only show I ever watch so I better actually watch.

Until later! xoxoxo

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by Tomme

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May 15, 2009 - 9:47 pm

Patti - You are great! Your pictures reflect the fun and excitement felt by the bride and the people who attend the wedding.

May 15, 2009 - 10:28 am

Tonia - Ahh, Tomme … what hard work it must be to make us look beautiful when our hair is over 6 hours old and the sand fleas are making nests in it and crawling all over our skin! Haha …
You are amazing! (and Jim too.)
And you’re right … Jaime does have great friends. O:-)
Can’t wait to see the rest!

May 03 2009

La La La Lis

Spending quite a bit of time with Lis these days. We have shot together for every session we could and Lis is Soo easy to pose and photograph… sigh. She has that model quality to her. When we shoot models, models are always switching it up… moving their faces, their stances, their hands…. they are aware of all the things a camera looks for.. lighting, angles, lines, etc. Well Lis naturally would do this. She would hear the shutter and she would automatically begin to re position herself. She was really awesome..

I have been behind is editing and posting, so I am going to post her and Gene’s engagement session and she told me today that Gene has no idea about my sites and that he would never find her bridal pics. I hope she didn’t underestimate his google capabilities. So I am going to include both sessions.

I have to say…. I know guys don’t really look forward to their engagement sessions and I keep that in mind when I shoot. Men don’t like looking stupid so I try to keep in the back of my mind their cool ness.. and most guys tell me afterwards they didn’t really mind the shoot b/c there wasn’t all this cheesey, fake smiling… So, check out the super cool Gene.

This statue is where Gene proposed. I like how the angel is looking down at them… approvingly, of course!!

And now onto the bridals, which we did today…Lis wasn’t feeling great but she still looked like a million bucks.

I love the romantic grainy ness here… It was really sunnier than I had hoped for, but once in a while the sun would go in and we were ‘golden’.

And I realize this look isn’t for everyone… some will think it’s dark and dreary, but in another essence it’s dramatic and moody.. and Lis can pull off drama undoubtedly.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to get her on the ground or not. She had talked to someone at the boutique she got the gown and asked about cleaning after the shoot and they read her the riot act about ”trying” to clean it. So she was of course extremely apprehensive about getting the dress dirty.. but for being outside all day in and out of sprinkling.. that dress stayed pretty clean, I must say!