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

As most of you know me and follow my blog, Erica my assistant has been pretty much blogging and being the face of the company lately.

If any of you really know me you know that I’ve recently went through something major in my life involving myself and my husband. Things are well now and we are making our way towards a recovery. Things are better than they ever have been and we are working heartily on making sure it stays that way. A succesful marriage really does take work. Just b/c you love someone, doesn’t always mean all the chips just seem to fall into place easily, sometimes you need to set them in their places and sometimes on more than one occcasion.

I want to really thank everyone who was there for me when my days were dark and the tunnel was further away than I could have hoped to climb out of. Several really great lessons came from such an awful tragedy (yes, I consider what happened tragic) and this involves finding myself on a path with God I had de-railed from several times from. I also found the good in people I knew was there but the ones that really stepped up to be there to help me when I felt so alone and isolated. This is from the neighbor mowing my grass in the rain to the outpouring of friends trying to get me out of the house and out to dinner with them. The influx of texts to make sure ‘You’re doing ok’ and several of those ‘It’s more than Ok to eat as much ice cream as you want through this’. The ones that sent me emails and calls that they, themselves had been there and were there to hold my hand whenever I was ready. My sister in law that talked to me every day and maintained the most positive energy with me  and of course, my mom who has this no nonsense flair that basically stated that – in a nutshell – that I need nothing – never forget that strength is within yourself, call on God for help and help you will receive.  It’s a shame that lessons such as those and God is once again found in such pain but none the less the lessons are there and therefore the messages must be received.    This is why Erica has stepped up and made sure everything was done and all my wonderful clients were tended to. If you had gotten responses lately, you have been talking to Erica. Thankfully, I haven’t been much of that person anyone would really want to associate themselves with. I’m finally starting to see light again and some will frown on me talking about this so openly but I’ve always been an advocate for being genuine, open and REAL. I can only  hope if someone needs help or feels like they are alone and they happen along this blog, they don’t feel the need to be too brave to ask for help.  Being strong is one thing, but strength is asking for help when it’s needed. And for the sake of being human, offer a helping hand or open heart. It goes much further than you just might ever know.

Without making this philosophical and plentiful of thine self – I will just say that Rob and Katie’s wedding was so moving. Katie was one of those emails that came through that just touched me tremendously. She had been through a few duds before she found her perfect dud[e]. She kept up with me and would send me these random emails sometimes when I really needed someone to just be there and funny how her email would come when I was hurting.  And b/c of this I formed this bond with Katie and felt like an old friend who had arrived to shoot her wedding.

Her family was so warm and endearing. Every time I turned around they were all laughing at each other. It was hard not to find yourself as one of them instead of observing them. Due to their lebanese heritage Rob had to present her mom a Dowry. I am a little sad I wasn’t able to photograph the miniature goat he gave for Katie’s hand. I have a little bit of a fetish with goats and little farm animals. I hope to one day have my own organic farm to tend to. I would have loved to photograph this little baby goat for their album.

Katie decided this was going to be a home made wedding and she put in the work of all the decor. She created all of the bouquets and all these special touches and flair – yup, Katie. That’s a talented girl – for my talent sure doesn’t lie in making anything but photos. I’m sure if you like what you see – she’d be happy to work something out with you for your own wedding or event. Don’t let me forget to mention that Rob did make this sign for the wedding. He added his own spice to their day. I’m sure he’s available for hire as well.

You know this wedding was sweet when behind the camera – I was bawling my own eyes out at how tender the ceremony was.The touches from both of them, the loving way they looked at one another and the desire to get to one of those cupcakes.  Love to you both. Best wishes from Erica and myself. XO