Photography Blog
1/31/26
Fresh fallen snow resting gently on a palm leaf—an unexpected view here in South Carolina. In this moment, everything feels slower, and perfectly still. Even in contrast, nature finds harmony, reminding us that tranquility often shows up where we least expect it.
#FreshFallenSnow #SouthernWinter #PalmAndSnow #QuietMoments #NatureContrast
1/24/26
Within the quiet center of this yellow tulip, light gathers softly.
What looks simple from a distance holds layers of detail, patience, and grace up close.
#YellowTulip #TulipLove #FloralPhotography #NatureCloseUp #MomentsOfPeace #NatureMeditation #SoftLight #BeautyInDetails #CalmVibes
1/18/26
Our Lady of Mepkin stands in quiet grace at Mepkin Abbey—13 feet of hand-carved Carrara marble symbolizing love, protection, and peace. Beneath a canopy of ancient live oaks, her gentle presence invites pause and reflection. Here, time softens, words fall away, and in the sacred stillness of Mepkin Abbey, grace is simply felt. #mepkinabbey #monckscorner #hiddengem #peaceful #SC
Mepkin Abbey
1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
1/15/26
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site in Summerville is one of those places that rewards stillness. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, this park feels timeless—especially when it’s quiet and undisturbed. In those moments, wildlife slowly reveals itself.
I’ve only spotted the resident woodpecker once, but the encounter left an impression. Ever wonder why woodpeckers peck? It’s not just noise. These fascinating birds drum to search for insects hidden in bark, carve out nesting cavities, and even mark their territory. They play an important ecological role, though their persistent tapping can sometimes leave visible damage on trees—and even wooden structures.
Nature, history, and quiet discoveries all come together here, reminding me why this place never gets old. #nature #wildlife #forest #birdwatching #woodpeckerwatch #naturelovers
1/4/26
Nestled along the peaceful waters of Hanahan, South Carolina, John R. Bettis Boat Landing Park is a hidden gem for nature lovers. A scenic boardwalk, stroller-friendly trails, shaded picnic tables, and dog-friendly spaces make it an ideal spot for fishing, photography, or simply unwinding by the water.
From flocking White Ibises to solitary herons, coastal wetlands are alive with character. The White Ibis—brilliant white with a curved red bill—feeds socially in shallow waters, while the Little Blue Heron matures from snowy white to slate blue, remaining shy and elusive. Towering above them all, the Great Blue Heron stands as North America’s largest heron, hunting patiently and nesting high in treetops.
#birdwatching #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturelovers #explore #beautyofnature
1/1/26
Happy New Year!
2026 No reinvention required—just a deeper commitment to who you already are.
As the sun rises, let it remind you to honor your values, trust your voice, and walk your path with intention.
No filters. No forcing. Just showing up authentically steady, real, and evolving at your own pace.
Like the sunrise, your light is meant to be seen exactly as it is. Uniquely different but still beautiful…
#happynewyear, #stayyou, #trustyourvoice, #motivation
12/27/25
Sunrise in North Myrtle Beach, SC—soft waves, pastel skies, and a peaceful start to the day.
#morningvibes, #sunrise , #dawn, #beautiful, #sky, #chasingthesun
12/25/25
May this Christmas bring moments of calm, gratitude, and connection. Wishing you warmth and joy today and always. 🤍🎄
#MerryChristmas, #HolidayVibes, #TisTheSeason
12/14/25
Where three rivers meet, nature thrives. The ACE Basin—formed by the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto rivers—is one of the largest protected wetlands on the Atlantic Coast, home to endangered wildlife, historic rice fields, and endless opportunities to explore and reflect. I took this photo off US-17S heading back to Charleston, SC.
#acebasin #landscape #tranquility #peace #nature #serenity #photography #naturephotography #peaceful
Monochrome Monday - 12/1/25
The Hollings Cancer Center’s Edwin and Barbara Pearlstine Healing Garden offers patients and families a quiet space to reflect and recharge—a beautiful tribute endowed in Barbara’s memory.
“The Lady In the Garden” was given by the Shapiro Family in April 2008.
#publicart #art #sculpture #sculpturegarden #contemporaryart #modernart
Photography blog
11/29/25
Last year around this time, I visited Boneyard Beach, part of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. There’s something truly otherworldly about standing there as dawn breaks. This hauntingly beautiful shoreline—where time, tide, and nature’s patience have sculpted a forest stranded in the sea—feels like stepping into a living artwork.
As the first light spills across the horizon, twisted and gnarled branches rise like silhouettes against a pastel sky, creating a scene that’s equal parts eerie and breathtaking. It’s a photographer’s paradise: an ever-changing dance of light and shadow, weathered wood and rolling waves.
Can’t wait to go back.
#sunrise #beachphotography #oceanview #nature #shoreline #coastal #landscapephotography #beachlover
Monochrome Monday - 11/24/25
Looking for your next coastal escape?
Head to Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve—where marshlands, maritime forests, and shoreline meet. Enjoy lighthouse views, fishing, photography, and encounters with threatened sea turtles and shorebirds. Nature thrives here! 1750 E Ashley Ave, Folly Beach SC 29439
#preservation #history #coastal #nature #beach #seaside
11/13/25
“It’s a new dawn It’s a new day It’s a new life for me, ooh And I’m feeling good”
Feeling Good by Nina Simone
I was listening to this song while out on Isle of Palms. Dawn is one of my favorite times to photograph landscapes. There is a tranquility about a new dawn the surpasses all understanding. When you need to enjoy the goodness of life, I challenge you to go out and watch the start of a new day. You can’t help but feel good afterwards. Have a great day!
#sunrisephottography #goldenhour #sunrise # sunriselover #morningsun
10/31/25
Happy Halloween! Let’s finish the month with pumpkins. Monochrome is one of my favorite forms of photography. This was a box of mini orange pumpkins. The use of black and white photography emphasizes the shape, texture and form. There’s nothing like a pumpkin on Halloween.
Have fun out there tonight and be safe!
#HappyHalloween #Halloween #SpookySeason #October #Pumpkins #PumpkinsPatch #TrickorTreat
10/26/25
MOJA Art Exhibition has an amended schedule due to the construction and renovation. Avery Research Center for African American History will have art on display until 2nd January 2026. The City Gallery will reopen November 14th with an opening reception from 5-7pm with works on display until 2 February 2026. Come out and show your support.
#art #artexhibition #artgallery #contemporaryart
10/17/25
It’s that time of year again. October the second month of Fall, and Pumpkin season. I have been visiting Pumpkin Patch at St. George Episcopal Church for a few years now. The Pumpkin Patch is located at 9110 Dorchester Road with hours of operation of 10am -6pm until the 31st of October. If you still need a pumpkin swing by.
Pictured are the elf house pumpkin, large pumpkins and mini pumpkins.
#fall #autumn #autumnvibes #pumpkins #pumpkinpatch #october
9/23/25
Monochrome Monday - 9/22/25
During my daily walk, I noticed this flower. I was taken by the petal shape and detail. Little did I know, Garden Cosmos are a very popular flowers due to it’s low maintenance and annual flowering. They are grown very successfully in gardens around South Carolina.
#gardencosmos #flowers #garden #bnw #bnwphotography #monochromephotography #flowerphotography #naturephotography #gardening #beautifulflowers #cosmoflowers
9/11/25
Today is the 24th Anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attack. The United States of America was shaken to its core. I was serving at Pope AFB now Pope Field at the time. This memory will live with me forever. The global response of active-duty members during this time of crisis was remarkable. I took this photo near Pitts Street in Mount Pleasant, SC. It’s a beautiful sunset of remembrance.
#NeverForget911 #RememberTheSky #UnitedWeStand #sunset #remembrance
9/5/25
Melton Peter Demetre Park is one of my favorite places to catch the sunrise. This is the only city owned waterfront park on James Island, SC. The views are magnificent! The Battery, Patriots Point, Ravenel Bridge and Fort Johnson are easily identified. You can also see several churches in the downtown skyline. (St Philip’s, St. Micheal’s, and Cathedral of St. John the Baptist). They have trails, docks, picnic area, and a pier. This park is enjoyable at any time of the day. The peacefulness at sunrise is top tier!
#sunrise #sunriselovers #daybreak #nature #beautiful #JamesIslandSC #SouthCarolina #explorecharleston
8/14/25
Fall is the season for Gulf Fritillary in South Carolina. The medium orange butterfly is often confused with the Monarchs. I found this butterfly beautifully flawed. There is a lesson here for us all, Flawed, Flying and still beautiful.
Taken at Sunflowers of Oakbrook, Ladson SC @SunflowersofOakbrook
#butterfly #gulffritillary #nature #beautifullyflawed #flowers #garden
7/23/25
Over the weekend, I got to visit one of my to go Downtown Charleston restaurants with a good friend. If you come to Charleston, SC and don’t visit Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar you are missing an experience. The Restaurant is in the heart of downtown next to waterfront park. You can do a meal and a stroll with ease.
Fleet Landing’s menu has a little something for everyone. The menu includes all the Southern classics like Fried Seafood Platter, Crab Cakes, Shrimp and Grits, and Po-Boy Sandwiches. However, on this visit I ordered Blue Crab Dip and Lowcountry Seafood Pasta. We ordered the Stuffed Hush Puppies as well, but it wasn’t to our liking. It was taken care of promptly by the amazing wait staff.
The dish that knocked my socks off was The Lowcountry Seafood Pasta. It was delicious, and I finished every morsel. The dish is fettuccini, shrimp, scallops, crawfish, mussels, andouille sausage, asparagus, tomatoes, parmesan tossed in a creole butter sauce. I usually order the Whole Fried Flounder, if you know then you know. This dish might be my new favorite.
#food #foodie #instafood #yummy #foodphotography #delicious @fleetlanding
7/15/25
On July 12th, I had the pleasure of attending Watercolor Painting with Laurie Candelaria at Park Circle Community Center, North Charleston, South Carolina. For those who don’t know, I started painting as a teenager. This was my first experience returning to my first love and it was very enjoyable. The class had something for everyone, even those of us in the beginning stages. Laurie follows up after the class with an email, and supplies list to continue your painting journey. If you’re looking to explore a watercolor class, visit Laurie Candelaria Art (@lauriecandelariaart) – Instagram
#watercolor #art #painting #watercolorpainting #watercolorart
4th of July 2025
I took this picture on Daniel Island, South Carolina. Annually, The Exchange Club of Daniel Island and local charities will display 1,000 American flags called Field of Honor. The flags are displayed from June 22nd to July 7th. It’s a beautiful display and a wonderful way to honor our heroes and independence. #4thofjuly #4thofjulyweekend #independenceday #fireworks #america #summer #freedom
Monochrome Monday - 6/23/25
I was cleaning up my hard drive and came across some old photos. The nostalgia of the telephone booth. Most telephone booths in the United States were phased out by 2008. While traveling the back roads of Hwy 17 in South Carolina I noticed this phone booth and had to stop. It was along the roadside, but I had to have some images. Here’s my favorite.
#blackandwhitephotography #nostalgia #nostalgic #telephone #payphonesstillexist #phonephotography
Monochrome Monday - 5/19/25
Somedays all you need is a walk outdoors. The fresh air and tranquil breeze can change any mood. I photographed this tree with the moss blowing in the breeze. During editing, I played the the midtones, and shadows but still left it monochrome. #outdoorwalk #trees #spanishmoss #monochrome #bnw #blackandwhitephotography
2025 Piccolo Spoleto Art Exhibition
Look ya’ll we did it! 2025 Piccolo Spoleto will be on view May 23-June 8 from noon – 5pm at the City Gallery, Charleston SC. #art #juriedart #piccolospoleto #spoleto #charlestonsc #charlestonartist
Monochrome Monday - 5/12/25
National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition featured artists from around the nation. The 19th annual exhibition was organized by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department and presented as a component of the annual North Charleston Arts Fest.
Pictured is Hyperbolic Portal (corten steel) by Bob Doster (Lancaster, SC)
#monochrome #blackandwhitephotography #outdoorsculpture #outdoorexhibition #sculptureart
Happy Mother's Day
Just in case you didn’t receive flowers today, here are some I grew myself. Amaryllis are my labor of love. Pictured are my Pink Amaryllis in full bloom, I hope your Mother’s Day was just as beautiful. #mothersday #mom #love #mother #flowers #amaryllis #pink amaryllis
"A Look Up"
Bons Secours St. Francis Hospital has a meditation garden and I recently had the opportunity to visit it. It is a peaceful and tranquil garden and serves as a place of reflection. Here’s a look up in the grove of trees. #meditationgarden #trees #bonssecoursstfrancis #peaceful #landscapephotography #naturephotography
Monochrome Monday - 5/5/25
Irises are a popular perennial known for their iconic shape and usually showy flowers. The name comes from the Greek name for the goddess of the rainbow. This striking flower comes in many stunning colors and are magnificent in any garden. #flowerphotography #flowerlover #spring #irisflower #irisphotography #blackandwhitephotography #bnw #monochrome
North Charleston Arts Fest
Here are my two pieces featured in North Charleston Arts Fest 2025. This festival is a 5-day event highlighting artist in the surrounding areas. Events include Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Literature. Admission is free to all events. You can find a full schedule at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.
Ekphrasis: Bulls Island is a part of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. The barrier island, which is only accessible by ferry, has miles of pristine beach. This forms the longest undeveloped coastline on the east coast called Boneyard Beach. Boneyard Beach, on the northeast corner, is renowned for its sun-bleached, downed trees, which create a striking “graveyard” appearance. This location exemplifies the ongoing struggle against the surf, highlighting the dynamic and changing aspects of the natural landscape.
#northcharelstonartsfest #artfest #northcharelstonsc #monochrome #blackandwhitephotography #explorecharleston #charlestonliving
A Monarch on a Baltimore Ballgown (Abutilon)
Cypress Garden is a famed nature preserve and garden located in Moncks Corner, SC. The Butterfly House at Cypress Garden is where this image was photographed. This image shows a Monarch Butterfly resting on a Baltimore Ballgown (Abutilon). The Baltimore Ballgown (Abutilon) is a plant known for its maple like leaves and beautiful bell-shaped flowers. This flower is an heirloom from the Biltmore Estates in Ashville, North Carolina.
Monochrome Monday - 3/24/25
Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston founded in 1809. It is the fourth oldest church on Charleston located at 342 Meeting Street, Charleston SC. The church fashioned in a Jeffersonian style embodying the era of the 18th century.
#history #historical #blackandwhitephotography #monochrome
#monochromephotography
Monochrome Monday
Cypress Gardens is a 170 acre preserve, and garden located in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, United States. The garden was originally part of Dean Hall Rice Plantation. The centerpiece of the garden is the acres of blackwater bald cypress tree and tupelo swamp, which is surrounded with both boat and foot trails.
#nature #blackandwhitephotography #bnw #monochrome #cypresstree #cypress #tree #water #treephotography #cypressgardens
Monochrome Monday
Champagne Bubbles Orange Iceland Poppy showcases vibrant orange flowers adorned with red hues and yellow centers, blooming from late spring to mid-fall. These striking flowers are ideal for cutting and are presented in a monochrome style, highlighting their uniqueness and charm. #flower #flowers #blooms #poppies #poppy #flowerphotography #nature #blackandwhitephotography #bnw #monochrome
The Garden Lights at Middleton Place
Experience Middleton Place Gardens at night, a unique opportunity to explore America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Enjoy a captivating walking journey through illuminated pathways and garden rooms, enriched by the history and culture of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, as vibrant colors and designs breathe new life into this breathtaking setting. The Garden Lights at Middleton Place. #middletonplace, #charleston, #explorecharleston, #southcarolina, #lowcountry, #historicpreservation, #chstoday, #charlestonliving
White Camellia
