Meet ROBYN & MATT:

Matt had his bachelor party the night before our engagement shoot.. for you future couples…. this is not the best time to decide to walk around Charleston in the elements if you aren’t quite feeling up to par.  But he cheesed it up for me quite well… and nearly got attacked by a pigeon but was all worth the while.

OH, the things you do for love!

Now, take a look at this couple-in-love before they TIED THE KNOT!

Had a whole lotta love the past few weeks, so much love I’m having trouble keeping up with it all. But I’m gonna start with Morgan and Michael.   Here’s their facebook image. I met Morgan when I met Brice and Kim one evening {{ Everyone know Kim and Brice? May 2 yrs ago they tied the knot! }}. She was introduced to me as the ‘artist sister’ of Brice. My ears perked up right away. An artiste? EXCITING! Her artwork is fabulous! And if I had her link I would include it.. but for now, I’m just going to tell you… she’s fantabulous good!

Flowy dress + Windy = YUMMY

I love her skirt.. she wore flowy, feminine clothes… and that seemed to photograph VERY well. It fit her eclectic, romantic whimsical nature. She has the fashion sense I always wished I could adopt.

That’s a GREAT looking couple. Magazine worthy.

One of my newest ventures is lighting. I couldn’t get enough of that skyline and how warm it was. This was prob about 830 in the evening and I picked up just the slightest warm light on the horizon and thought it looked so beautiful. I love how Morgan is just illuminated with some backlighting. SEXY.

Sigh. There it is again. I love these shots. Can’t deny.

Good night — please don’t forget to do a nice thing for one of our couples and lend them your vote!

Until next time

xoxoxo

]]> http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2009/10/whole-lotta-love/feed/ 1 http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2009/08/89/ http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/2009/08/89/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:32:22 +0000 Tomme http://www.tommehiltongallery.com/blog/?p=89 I am going to post photos and come back and ad lib later. I wrote this blog twice now and the computer locked up on me both times and deleted my info.

I am running short on time but will amend this to include a little bit of charisma, if I can find some.

Will add more later.

So.. how excited was I to do this shoot? Pretty daggone excited. I love challenging myself and stepping it up! And welcomed it eagerly!

I met Candice because she owns Yoj designs and events. She is a wedding planner locally here in Charleston, and does beautiful, customized work. You should check her out!!  I was initially struck by her warm friendly nature.  She has this GORGEOUS red hair and a smile that just makes the room glow.  We hit it off and was one of those meetings where we had to make ourselves leave b/c conversations flowed, it was like hanging out with an old buddy. We kept in touch back and forth in both our busy lives and she wanted to get together for margaritas. I thought it was b/c I was such a cool cat, but I soon learned that Erich had proposed and she herself was in the midst of planning her own wedding!! And she wanted no other than ME to shoot her wedding!!! I had to say. I was so flattered. She has access to numerous photographers and there are PLENTY in Charleston. For her to like my work well enough to hire me for her own wedding is one of the best compliments I’ve received.

So we talked…. Erich is in the Navy and they have a rich history on the water, and in the water. She certainly doesn’t seem like the ‘typical’ everyday bride. She told me she hired me for D.I.F.F.E.R.E.N.T!! *gasp, me?* .. so different we worked on.  I had always wanted to shoot underwater images so Candice was the perfect guinea pig. I know this isn’t for everyone but I love her willingness to be unusual! Fun for me. Awesome images for HER.

Might I mention, she also didn’t wear your everyday bathing suit.  Now, why would she? She had heels on, bright pink heels, I might add.. and a black dress that had a crinoline skirt, lots of jewelry and a hairpiece we kept fishing out of drains that resembled a peacock… she was going for fun and FAB! Mission complete.

The underwater housing for these cameras are Sooo expensive. I thought I might want to do this more often, but not sure I can afford to. Oh, I also don’t have a pool, but if you want to donate yours that’s one step closer. 

We had a sexiest hair toss competition. I dunno, it’s still a toss up!

And when Candice pointed her pruny, wrinkled finger at me…. I knew we were done! What a fun, invigorating shoot! I loved stepping it up! We will be getting married in April and I can’t wait. It will be a GALA affair, to say the least!

The event planning was smoothly ran by OOH ( Out of Hand) Events. 

The delish little well worth it calorie delights was thanks to delight petits. 

These things looked so amazing and I forgot to get one. Well seeing them now, at 1230 am makes me want to run to King St for a sugar rush. 

As the girls were getting ready in these cool green dresses. Trisha and Roz decided to sashay. I think AMTM would be impressed!

Does this give you an indication of how cool Trisha is? I mean, honestly.. I could have posted this as the first shot and you could just tell how much fun and spirit she has. She and I vibed so well from day one. She is upbeat and fun, and loves to dance. The girls danced most of the time they were getting ready. It was fun, energetic and I’m sure it kept her mind off being nervous. 

This was on our way to see Ryan for the first time. They met before the ceremony for their pictures and they both were SO nervous! It was so cute!  I get anxious for them when I do these shoots too.. how long they’ve waited for this moment and how much planning involved…..

So here is where the convict story begins. Ryan asked me to come to the gas station with them to get some brews. We decided to take a pic of the guys sitting down chilling out for a few minutes with their brew. WELL……..http

So the guys got this beer for the photo op. Some guys weren’t from here and didn’t know how easy going our Charleston Police Dept can be at times. smirk. So the cop car was a female cop who happened to pull in at the same time we started the pics. The guys, not thinking about anything but having to get there ON TIME got in the car with the beer, the OPEN beer can. You pretty much get where this is going, right? So, she had a SWELL sense of humor, I must add. She came right to the windows of the vehicle searching for contraband.. and whaddya know,  found what she was looking for!  Lotsa guys, in rare form, open beer and ready to party! Ugh, this wasn’t looking good for us. Ryan, in his best spirits tells her not to worry we were just doing SHOTS! I quickly intervened and let her know that we weren’t doing ‘shots’ but were taking photos! This could have went south fast! Needless to say, thankfully for those photos Ryan had proof as to why he almost didn’t make it to his own wedding! 

So, it’s 1:30 am and I have a bridal meeting in the morning so I am saying Sayonara? and Thanks to Trisha and Ryan for the amount of time you gave me. They are off to Paris for their Honeymoon!  

xoxo

Couple things first.  I want to tell you about LinkedIn . It’s a networking community to connect and get/give recommendations. I am there so come and link in to me. If I’ve shot your wedding and have been happy w your results, give me a recommendation. If you hated the job I did at your wedding.. well, you can just send me a nastygram instead. OUCH!

You can also find me on facebook.  I have a fan page where I post tips and information daily.   Any advice or recommendations you want to throw my way, you are welcome to add to my wall.  Ideas are communal. You guys are very resourceful so throw whatever you come across my way for another bride to benefit from or spawn another idea. 

And Mark Sanford. Sigh! Come on already!

/end of that rant before it begins.

Now, YAY! Candrea and Todd and some background info. 

I used to work with Candrea a long time ago, back in the day! I was thrilled she asked me to do her wedding.  I really had an advantage with her b/c I knew her so well. I knew what she liked and didn’t, and we could be open with each other about many things. At first she wasn’t sure about her engagement images b/c her nor Todd had really never had photos taken before.. so it was tough for them to see themselves in the images.  Here’s one on flickr .  And, I prob. shocked the stuffing out of her when I had them HORIZONTAL in the sand rolling around. Listen, that’s my goal ALL the time. The words I hear w my work.. Romantic, Sexy, Inspiring… I have a rep to live up to!!

I love how Erica was fanning out her dress and I got the movement. I love movement in photos, whereas some people thing they are flawed.. I actually do it intentionally most of the time. I love the human element of being moving it gives to the images.

If you’ve been on FB lately.. this is all redundant and you’ve seen some of these. But these are some of my favs.  The wedding was held at Dunes West . I had shot there once before but I quickly recalled why it was one of my favorite places to shoot. The sun goes down over the water behind this amazing oak tree with spanish moss being a careful attendant applauding in the wind.. it is really a majestic location….

They have this amazing window there and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I love this one of her…

Candrea’s G’ma and her reaction to seeing her in the dress. How cute is that?

I love Todd’s laugh. He is such a gentle kind BIG HUGE guy! He has a sincere warmth to him and I love that we caught this laugh of his. I couldn’t be happier for Candrea that she finally found the Ball to her Goof. I totally stole that from e harmony.

I had my wonderful second shooter, Virgil Bunao available to help who went to school with Todd so it was kind of fun for him and felt like a reunion of sorts. And Jim is of course sweating like a mad man with me, but there by my side the whole time. Thanks to the both of you. 

And, I just couldn’t get over how Candrea eagerly shared the stage w so many GORGEOUS bridesmaids. Holy SCHNIKES!!! Look how beautiful these girls are… 

I always ask my brides if we run short on time – what images are MOST important to them. Candrea has always had so many friends that I knew her answer would be her bms and gm, which have been good friends of them both for several years. So although they are time consuming, esp with large groups…. they are worth it. These are some of the favorited images.

I just can’t get over the wisp of flying hair on the far left corner of this image. Cracks me up!!

Candrea was telling me over one of our business meetings over margaritas (ahem) that her colors were apple green and yellow. I really wasn’t sure at the time how that would look together, I wasn’t reserving judgement but it just sounded unusual. But lo and behold. The colors were fresh and cheery and I love the girls dresses AND that she let them choose either strapless or straps. I really think she did a great job of visualizing her colors and making it all come together!!

Me and this lighting!! Which is new for me…….so I can’t get enuf of it. I love how dramatic and hollywood it looks. I usually don’t do much glam unless we are doing boudoirs… so this is my homage to glam photos.  What do you guys think? Do you like it?

Todd and his mom. I love how big and happy her smile is.

Candrea and her pops minus the fab lighting. ( you miss it don’t you? ) see.

The END.  

Congrats Todd and Candrea. I love you both. And I will certainly, absolutely take you up on the offer to go boating!! As soon as I get some weekend time.

Don’t forget to come see me on my fb page and LinkedIn. Even better, write a testimonial and let other brides know I do ‘meh, okay work’.  I was shocked to find out how many people check out reviews and testimonials before they hire wedding professionals, but it makes perfect sense and I would do the same.

Well, this blog has taken me a mere 6 hours so I’m outta here for tonight and will be back next Wednesday for another……..

HUMPDATE!!!! MUAH

Now, no joke. It’s been hot as hades – I have one coming up Saturday the forecast says it is supposed to be 99 degrees and that’s w/o the heat index. {{ smile }} – darn good thing that Charleston is a beautiful city b/c summer is hell!

So let’s talk about Lis and Gene’s wedding:

First of all vendors involved -

Cake:

http://www.rococogermanbakery.com/

Flowers:

http://www.framptonsflowers.com/

Reception Location:

Doubletree Charleston 

First of all, let me reminisce of what I remember most. Flowers – I thought her flowers looked so pretty and delicate that they belonged on a cloud with angels. I also remember the warmth of her family. Her dad was beaming every time I saw him. I remember LOTS and LOTS of smiles at this wedding. Sometimes I know people can get stressed  over the festivities –  but I think it was well known throughout what a wonderful gathering of people they love instead of worry about the minor details. There wasn’t one time that Lis wasn’t aware of it being a wonderfully great day.

They had a bag piper that led all the guests to the reception. How freaking cool is that? I mean, WOW! What a way to announce your love to the city of Charleston!

This was my favorite shot of the day.  A carriage? A bagpiper? It was such a fairytale.  I couldn’t resist this shot. And as many times as I got up and down in the carriage.. I should have quads of steel. I saw this wonderfully warm orange light peering around the buildings and knew I had to get this.

I also love this shot. This church is a great church to shoot at. It’s really gothic and has this eerie ethereal feel to it.  First Scots on Meeting Street in Charleston. 

What was exceptional about Lis is she was always aware of the camera. I loved it how she peeked over at me right before walking down the aisle. How cute is this shot?

I love to second shoot and I love having second shooters to help each other out. It’s fun working with new people and seeing how they work and learning from each other. For this wedding, I had 

Gwyneth Colleen  from New Hampshire come down and shoot with me. She is a really great photographer and I was really happy to have her come down for Lis’s wedding. 

Gorgeous bridesmaids.

The guys were kind of in a hurry. To get to the beer. 

I know you are seeing a trend… but I really like playing with light.. I love how it burst between them and highlights their silhouette. This lighting is really cool and it’s not the lighting you see run of the mill. This is hollywood glam effect. 

And b/c I have a MILLION grand images. I have to keep them/you wanting more so for tonight I shall sleep.

Congrats Lis and Gene. I hope you had fun in the Dominican. You are certainly friends of mine and I wish you the best of luck. Jim told me to tell you Lis that there wasn’t one time he put the camera on you that you weren’t glistening with delight. What a thrill for us to witness! xoxo

Until next week.

Flowers are by Bloom . And I thought they did a fabulous job with the flower arrangements. Cake is from Publix. And once again. I didn’t get to taste it. It was beautiful.   Catering was furnished by Carolina Caterers.

Magnolia has a Bridal Cottage that is newly renovated and really warm and cozy. I usually don’t prefer shooting indoors b/c of all the distractions, but this one and only time.. the room was an accessory and not a distraction! Hallelujah. Most bridal dressing rooms aren’t so great. So I have to give props, this was def the BEST I’ve ever seen.

The mirrors were all around for added light and kept getting great shots everywhere I turned. 

Tom getting his GQ on.

And Wendi getting hers on. Ok, so I will be HONEST here. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her hair piece which were delicate white flowers. I don’t know what kind of flowers, but they were simply pristine. AND, I’m a fan of her gown, it is cut so beautifully on her and on a personal level I really love classic designs and her gown is very classic. Good pick, Wendi. Looked amazing on you. 

I got to spend some extra time w the boys and I love doing groom and groomal party shots. The guys are there to party. And they bring the entertainment every time!

They both are super good looking and photograph so well. Oh, lucky me!!

Tom and Wendi met ahead of time to conserve time and I love when I get to be that up close and personal to their reactions to each other. That really is an emotional moment to witness. My heart always smiles really big although I’m clicking away!

And I can’t ever get over grandparents getting down and shaking loose. I love how much fun she is having.. look at her face. I happen to love my older folks and love getting the pictures of them having the time of their life. 

That’s how photojournalism works. You make great animated expressions. I catch them. 

I’m always trying to use the ring for as many variables as I can. I love her reflection.

Jim is an official hand model. Or thumb model. 

And nothing beats good old cigars for the boys. I love the smokyness and how it holds the light around it. Pretty cool. Well, I could go on and on, as I got lots of good images from the day. Tom and Wendi, best of luck to you. I feel damn lucky to know and to have met you and I hope we continue to stay in touch. Have fun in Cancun and I’m sorry we weren’t able to stuff me in the suitcase like we planned. Next time.

Until next week’s humpdates.

 First, I will yawn you to death with some boring whatevers about the newest and the latests in the life of…… you guessed it.

I am bringing on an assistant to help my already crazy life. I hope this person will be able to keep up with the quirks that I don’t want to have to keep up with.  I want them to be all around Wonderful, Truthful, Honest, have Integrity and Loyalty to the business I’ve created. That’s primarily important to me.  My work is trainable but I can’t train someone to be a good person and that is a MUST for my business. So, keep sending those vibes my way !!! Can you just keep including me in your prayers constantly? I’m sure there will always be something I can use a talk to the Angels about. Just make yourself a default prayer.. ‘God, I know that Tomme is out there somewhere and she is sure to need something or the other.. do you mind helping her out a little?’ I thank you kindly in advance. 

I also wanted to let you know that most bridal publications won’t accept work submitted BY photographers to publish. They will only accept submissions by brides. Hint, Hint. Free advertising! And would be cool to put magazine postings in all your neighbors mailboxes.. I’m sure they had no ideal how cool you really were. 

Por ejemplo: The Knot, Modern Bride, Charleston Weddings, Offbeat Brides, and the list goes on and on…

And now, today’s post  is brought to you by the ‘Can’t wait to play with more of my lighting photography sensei’…… and let’s showcase Emily and Ben. Who’s wedding was at Folly Beach, SC. 

Once again, Emily and Ben gave me so much time to do photos of them and were so patient, that I have Sooo many photos that are AWESOME, that this isn’t even a small percentage of them… woot, woot. I got to play and use some different lighting to shake things up for myself.. and in the process, I hope they love their story retold through my eyes. xoxo

Shoes !!!!!  Whether it’s rhinestones, or a broach, or just ANY kind of flair. I’ve always thought accessories add such a punch, so don’t forget your shoes!  Emily and Ben’s saying to one another is they love each other to the moon…  How touching is it they have this saying together? Love that. 

These are the details from the day. I was in rush mode and forgot to taste the cake. But it looked good!

We decided to meet beforehand to utilize time.  

The sun was going down and I was running out of time fast!!! … I don’t often get rings that have a shiny surface, most are a brushed metal, so I had to go with this one even tho there was almost zero lighting left. I had to get Emily reflected in the ring. Valiant effort!

Let’s not be naive. Group shots can be tough. They really used to be MY LEAST favorite part of a wedding.. groups can be hard and that’s no secret – people wander off, they aren’t happy about taking pics in the first place, but I made a pact w myself LONG ago that I wouldn’t let it defeat me and I’d  try to make it fun for everyone — I know it’s the least favorite part of the wedding– having to cheese for the cam. Why not make it as fun as we can. So, make sure your family is wanting to have a little fun and if they are stiff and squeeze their buttcheeks together too tight all too often then let me know and we will olan mills them…

Me, playing with light. In the dark. And you thought there were only a few crazy things to do in the dark, you pervert! 

They rented and stayed at the coolest beach house. It really had great lighting. Look how soft and warm it looks.. good job, guys. I’m sure when you were renting beach houses, you were thinking about me and the great lighting and that’s why you chose the house you did. I really appreciate that. 

And this was the last shot I got of the night. I was playing w my remote lights and it was PITCH black – I was trying to set up poses in the complete dark… so until the image was captured I had no idea how this looked. I was amazed. I LOVE this shot. I have SEVERAL, SEVERAL favorites of the night.. but this was a happy accident. 

Love you guys Ben and Emily. I am so glad I got to spend your day with you and our relationship is by far from over… thank goodness, generally I get all choked up when it’s a done deal w my brides. 

As for me… I will see you next week. 

xoxoxo

LOFT NOIRE. Which essentially means ‘The Black Loft’. I deliberated a name for a while and kept coming back to it. I like how mysterious and sexy it sounds. It kind of just rolls off the tongue. And really nothing is sexier than the french language. So Voila. ahem. I couldn’t help throwing that one in there… sorry, I got on a roll. Oh yeah, the studio is black so there is the rhyme to the reason.

And while most of my brides end up buying a package for the mister, it is an entirely separate entity.

I am still running a ‘pay the rent special’ until March 31st. Packages are half off until midnight, that’s the stroke of twelve am folks. If you lock in the rate, we can schedule the session anytime. I need to pay the rent peeps but I can’t give away my services eternally. I gotta feed the chil-ren too.  So send me an email if you are interested.

I am not going to post anymore images on this blog as it is offensive to those stuffy people that can’t see beyond bra straps..which is one reason I decided to separate myself as a wedding photographer and a boudoir artist. Some folks never see beyond the skin. Believe me kids, it’s just easier this way.