PAALS, Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services, is an amazing group of folks who train dogs to assist people with varying abilities to live more independent by providing them with assistance dogs. Most of the dogs are primarly placed in South Carolina and go on to assist children with autisum, soliders with PTSD and individuals with special needs.
These photos show the dogs in training, (it takes two years to train these dogs) at restaurants, working with a client at her job, and with soliders. One of the commands that the dogs, who are going to assist soliders who are suffering with PTSD are taught, is a command called "cover". The dog is taught to watch behind the solider, to basically have his/her back.
These dogs are really amazing. If you would like to learn more, or volunteer or donate please go to their website, www.paals.org.
Brent and Erica are the cutest couple. I mean, just look at them, they are so sweet.
They wanted to do some photos to give as gifts and we headed out to Lake Murray.
Brent wasn't sure what to expect and didn't think he would enjoy the session, figured he could just kinda gut it out. I am happy to say that at the end of the session, Brett kept talking about how much fun he had. I mean, part of an afternoon walking around and kissing your sweetie, not a bad way to spend the afternoon.
Here are a few of my favorites.
I love going to this event.
Mostly it's because of the dogs.
This event, The Grand American Hunt in Orangeburg. Dogs as far as the eye can see. All hounds, Blueticks, Redbones, Mountain Cur, Plotts, Black and Tan and more than I can name.
When I was growing up, the first dog I ever owned came from the Fredericksburg Dog Mart. A similar event, but dogs of all kinds could be had.
Here are a few of my favorite photos from the event in Orangeburge this year.
Brent and Erica make a great couple. I had such a good time with them at Lake Murray. Here is a quick sneak peek from the session.
After having the opportunity to photograph Heather and Chip's wedding, we decided to do some fun and casual family portraits a few weeks later. Talk about fun and easy going it this family, they were a joy to photograph!
I am so excited to share Joe and Jordane's wedding at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston. I photographed Jordane's sister's wedding so was delighted that I would get to see everyone again on such a wonderful day.
Chip and Heather had a wonderful wedding at the Yacht Cove clubhouse at Lake Murray. With a Fall theme and a Bluegrass band it couldn't have been a sweeter celebration.
This Saturday I was happy to find myself surrounded by dozens of dogs. Big dogs, little dogs, dressed up dogs you name it dogs were everywhere. It was Poochapalooza, an annual event that includes a 5k run, doggie poker walk, costume contest and mini clinics to help with your dog training.
It was a fantastic event that raised money for both PAALS an amazing organization that helps to train dogs for children and adults with physcial disabilities and social needs and the Heartworm project that provides medical care for shelter animals in need.
Here are a few of my favorites and more will be posted for download at www.poochapalooza.net.
The Miss South Carolina and Miss Teen South Carolina pageant are being held this week in Columbia at the Township Auditorium. People bring signs and banners to cheer on their favorites.
This is the 75th anniversary of the scholarship pageant and you can vote for your favorite contestant for the People's Choice award--just go online and "Like" your favorite contestants video on The Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization's Facebook page.
Here are a few from Wednesday nights event. The final will be held on Saturday.
Buffalos, year-round fresh on the vine tomatoes, chickens and goats and well I could go on and on but all of these things were part of the Upstate Farm Tour. The event, sponsored and coordinated by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, www.carolinafarmsstewards.org, to find out more about local farms in your area that you can support.
Here are a few of my favorite photos from Hurricane Farm, Live Oak Farms, Buffalo Farms and Split Creek Farm. Hope you enjoy.
I can tell it's Summer time, not just because of the longer days but also because I have been shooting a lot of baseball. Here are some of my favorites so far.
Eric and Lindsay are a wonderful couple.
The two met at the University of South Carolina, where Eric played soccer, and they have been in love ever since. They wanted to do their session at the Horseshoe with their "foster" dogs (they work to help socialize and raise dogs for Palmetto Animal Assisted Services). And of course, Eric couldn't resist throwing back on the jersey and heading over to the Graveyard, USC's soccer pitch.
I love getting to photograph families. Don't get me wrong I love pets and engagments too, but families are so much fun. The K family has some amazing daughters, all funny, beautiful and smart as whips. I could have spent the entire afternoon talking to these kids. They were just great.
We took advantage of the great weather and went to the Isle of Palms for our session.
The W family was looking to have some photos made to use for Christmas cards. So we headed to this quaint little park in Mt. Pleasant and had a blast. The boys are simply adorable.
The other day I went to the Western Carolina Fair, in Aiken, SC to take some pictures of Senate Democratic candiate Alvin Greene. He was going to be campaigning so I tagged along with a New York Times reporter.
I'll say he spoke to a few folks, but he really seemed to enjoy playing the games, winning prizes--including a little trumpet, eatting some fair food and wondering why the Democrats had an empty booth at the fair. He also had his caricature done.
It was an interesting few hours.
You can read the story at www.nytimes.com.
