Fall Family Portraits

Emily and I have really been enjoying all the family portrait sessions we've been doing lately. It is a nice change of pace from weddings and keeps us thinking about new and exciting ways to capture people, their personalities and their relationships. Check out some highlights from a couple recent shoots.


Elizabeth, Jeff & Bolen













Little Bolen was so cute trying to pick up that big pumpkin. Check out the whole sequence of events in the slideshow below.








Wanna know what prompted these priceless expressions? Check out the slideshow below to see.


Kids are lucky because they can do expressions like this and it's hilarious whereas adults looking like this would just look weird.


Luckily we ended the shoot on a happy note. :)






Kris, Steve, Jack & Kyra

Sig, the family pooch, was the model doggie and helped complete the family portrait.


...and was well thanked for his cooperation.













Jack and Kyra were some of the most well-mannered children we have had the pleasure of meeting. Of course we had to bring out a little of their goofy side for some shots too.









Steve's parents happened to be visiting so we included them in a few shots. They were such a happy couple and obviously still very much in love, which is always great to see.


Curtis & Emily
Kismet Photography

Traci & Lark's Engagement Portraits in Greenville, SC

We love it when couples come to us with ideas for their engagement portraits for two reasons. For one, it's usually something that is special to them and therefore the images will have more meaning for years to come. And two, it means they are going to be even more excited about the shoot since they had a hand in conceptualizing it.

Lark is a real foodie (of course it doesn't hurt that he works in the restaurant industry) and he personally knows the chef at the Westin Poinsett, where the wedding reception will be. So he thought it would be cool to do a little cooking action right in the hotel kitchen and we agreed! Nothing too elaborate, just something romantic like making chocolate-covered strawberries for his sweetheart, Traci. So after we had some photo fun in downtown Greenville and around Falls Park, we headed for the Poinsett kitchen.

Checkout the slideshow followed by some of the highlights below.







Traci & Lark loved this image because it is "so Lark" and from the short time we have known him, we would have to agree. The caption would read something like "C'mon man, seriously?!".











Love amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant kitchen. (Actually it wasn't that busy and Chef and an assistant were kind enough to help us fake it) Thanks again Chef! ;)


Now that is one appetizing (and extremely expensive) dessert plate! Kudos to Lark for his expert plating.




Curtis & Emily
Kismet Photography

Bunny & Justin's Engagement Portraits

Once in a great while you come across a couple that is so unique, both in personality and style, that it refreshes us as photographers creatively by challenging us to capture their personalities in an equally unique way. Lindsay (aka Bunny) and Justin make up that kind of couple. And we have really enjoyed getting to know them and facing that challenge head on!

They are very much kindred spirits that both appreciate the 50's, a mix of country, folk and alt-rock music, zombie movies and the fine art of professional wrestling. Because of their love for the 50's and uniqueness in general we found a spot for their engagement portraits that suited them perfectly. Its an old gas station (from the 1930's) that has been totally and lovingly renovated into a 50's diner/gas station/nostalgic meeting place for cruise-ins.





Bunny's Converse shoes are just a taste of what they (and their bridal party) wore for their wedding. If you think these are awesome, just wait till we post some of their fashionable footwear shots from the big day!





We thought what would a 50's diner-themed shoot be without a little milk shake sharin'! Luckily we guessed Bunny's favorite ice cream, cookies & cream.





"The Beard" as Justin is lovingly referred to by friends, couldn't help but get a little messy. He should do the next "Got Milk" ad and represent the bearded folk!


Check out Betty Boop checking out the smooch-fest. What a little voyeur! But then again, I guess that would make us voyeur's in a sense. ;)


Bunny makes the most interesting faces sometimes. Apparently this is her "butt squeezin face".





What an awesome jukebox and racing-themed album cover collection.







Bunny & Justin,

Well, we would say that we can't wait for your wedding but it's already happened. Now we just wish we could live the fun all over again! I guess we can settle for the excitement of showing you your album and images soon. ;) Congratulations again guys on an awesome wedding and have a blast in Nashville.


Curtis & Emily
Kismet Photography

Sarah & John's Wedding at Pretty Place & Larkins

This wedding was a first for us. We have had the pleasure of photographing at Pretty Place chapel several times and we have always been fortunate enough to have beautiful weather which allowed us to take advantage of the gorgeous view. Sarah and John's wedding broke that streak unfortunately but the on and off rain and lack of any kind of view at all didn't put a damper on this awesome couple's spirits. They were just happy to be sharing their day with family and friends and having a good time. And we were thrilled to be a part of it all.


We stopped by Furman on the way up for some shots with John and his guys. Thankfully the rain held off.




This was the view when we first got to Pretty Place. Not bad. But a few moments later, the rain really picked up and turned it all into a foggy void.


Not that that bothered Sarah and her girls in the least!


Dahlia did an amazing job on the flowers, as always.


The beautiful bride/cellist/rock star. Loved the flower detail in her hair.





These moments touched our hearts because Emily and I had a case of the sniffles and did the same thing during our vows! But it was dang funny for everyone to watch Sarah whip a tissue out of her dress pocket! Yeah that's right, a dress with a pocket! Did we mention it was custom designed for her by a friend of the family?!


The fog really rolled in during their sand/dirt ceremony and made an awesome silhouette. I say sand/dirt because it was actually sand from John's parent's yard in Florida and dirt from Sarah's parent's house in Maryland. What a cool twist on the pre-packaged, colored sand idea. Perfect for these two self-proclaimed "hippies".


The clouds finally parted just a little for their portraits.





Kathy & Co. did the tasty cakes (check out the amazing detail on the iPhone Groom's cake!) and Kim from All in the Details did the favors and decor. Great job once again ladies.



And of course John had to get a photo of his iPhone groom's cake on his iPhone. :)








Sarah's partners in crime music, Darby (on the right, also her partner in O Mello Cello Tree) and Amber performed an original song that Darby wrote for Sarah's Wedding day. All these girls are amazingly talented.








Sarah's mom surprised the happy couple with a rickshaw getaway ride. Thankfully they have covers for those things because it really started to rain when they left. Congratulations again Sarah and John!


Curtis & Emily
Kismet Photography