This month I had the honor of having the cover image for Beaufort Lifestyle Magazine, and it looks great. But it's funny to me the difference in perspectives between different people for what images should be chosen. The subject of this month's issue is Sarah Sanford Rauch, sister of congressman Mark Sanford. The cover image looks great, but often what I think are the best images are not chosen at all. The same goes for photo contests. Which goes to show that photography is not a science, but an art, and as such it's subject to the opinions and emotions of the viewer. So here are a couple images that are my favorites from the shoot, but nevertheless didn't make the cut.

Jessica and William got married yesterday at the Summerville Presbyterian Church in Summerville, South Carolina. Originally the plan was to get married at Hunting Island State Park near Beaufort, but between the possibility of thunderstorms and the 95 degree heat, the venue was changed last minute. It was definitely for the best. The location was great, and everything came together. I've done some trash the dress sessions before, but I've never done a trash the bouquet (I think we might have invented that yesterday). Jess beat Will over the head with the bouquet for some truly hilarious shots. Here's a couple shots from the wedding, one serious, the other fun. Enjoy.

The great thing about summer here in South Carolina is that, unlike most of the country, weddings slow down due to the heat, and I can focus more on doing engagement pictures. Now, I love shooting weddings, but sometimes it's great to be able to spend time with a couple and just have a good time. There is no pressure of family and friends around, and we can all just have a good time and be creative. We can pick great locations, and there are not time constraints of getting the pictures done before dinner is served and toasts start. I've been able to do a number of engagement shoots in the past few weeks in some very different locations, from the ruins of an 18th century church north of Beaufort, South Carolina to a pre-dawn shoot in downtown Savannah, Georgia. Here are just a few of the ones I like from recent shoots.