Jessica's Bridal Session

Congratulations to Jessica and Dave, who were married today at Millstone at Adam's Pond. Here are few favorites from her bridal portrait session.

What It's All About

Saturday's assignment took me to Murrells Inlet to photograph David and Sarah's wedding.

Some really nice emotion could be seen as Sarah walked down the aisle. We love the wedding magazines since they're such a great source for planning but you won't see raw, unplanned emotion like this in the magazines.

You can't plan emotion like this.

This is why I love photographing weddings.

This is what it's all about.

Congratulations to David and Sarah.
©2012 Travis Bell

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my dad, who would have been 70 today. (Photo by Sherri Gardner Broughton/The Lancaster News)

ABC News Assignment

Got hired by ABC NEWS to photograph the DNC in Charlotte Thurs. night. Here's one of my images of Scarlett Johansson on US Weekly.  http://www.usmagazine.com/hot-pics/scarjo-for-barack-201279

Hayden and H20 - Columbia SC Photographer

A few favorites from Hayden's swim/portrait session Wednesday. Hayden's mother asked me to photograph him for family history. ©2012, Travis Bell

Mary Mac's Bridal - Columbia, SC Wedding Photographer

A few favorites from Mary Mac's bridal session. Congratulations to her and Jaime, who were married this past Saturday in Columbia. (Images by Travis Bell, ©2012)

Steve Spurrier Jr Family - Columbia SC Photographer

Today's assignment took me to Northeast Columbia to photograph Steve Spurrier Jr's family for the Gamecocks Athletics Dept. What a treasure we found with this tree, which allowed us to pose the family in an interesting way. (Photo by Travis Bell, ©2012, All Rights Reserved)

Columbia, SC Photographer - Under the Hood - Canon 1D Body

Here's a look under the hood of my original Canon 1D. No wonder these digital pro cameras need to be worked on once a year!

This was the first digital camera I used for a wedding in 2003. I used it for about five years before retiring it. 

Canon 1D 4MP body (Photo by Travis Bell, ©2012)

Columbia, SC Photographer - Engagement Session - Stephanie and Mike

A few favorites from Stephanie and Mike's engagement session on The Horseshoe today. (Images by Travis Bell, ©2012)

Columbia, SC Photographer - Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Came across some gorgeous light Sunday evening right after sunset while photographing Christi and Mike's wedding at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston.

 If you're planning your wedding, when possible, try to schedule your reception to start at daylight and go into the evening. It gives us a chance to use a lot of natural light and create images like this one.  (Photo by Travis Bell, ©2012)

Columbia, SC Photographer - The Emotion - Alexa and Todd

Some amazing emotion from the groom at Alexa and Todd's wedding in Columbia recently. The groom had just read a letter from the bride.

We capture moments like this so the couple can remember how they felt the day of the wedding. We love the wedding magazines as they are great resources but they don't show the emotion that takes place at weddings.

Thanks for taking a look at our blog!!! (Image by Travis Bell, Copyright 2012)

Columbia, SC Wedding Photographer - Cricket Newman Designs

What a magnificent job by Cricket Newman over at Cricket Newman Designs at Alexa and Todd's wedding at The Members Club at Woodcreek. Images by Travis Bell. ©2012

Wedding Tips-Find Some Sunlight-Brookgreen Gardens

Brides, if you're planning a rehearsal and/or wedding and you want great images, plan your wedding around having some sunlight during some or most of your event.

Look for places where the sun will set on the venue. Have your reception at a time when you'll have some sunlight in the beginning. If you have the option, look for churches that have lots of windows that let in light.

There's an old saying that "God's light is better than man's light."

It's true. Your images will be brighter, have more color saturation and look more natural.

I just came away from a wedding this past weekend with some of the best images ever and one of the reasons is because at the rehearsal, ceremony and reception, there was a lot of sunlight.

Just some food for thought if you're planning. Below is an example from a the wedding, which was at Brookgreen Gardens.

Columbia SC Photographer - Road to Columbia - Mandy Powers Norrell

What a great campaign photo shoot with Mandy Powers Norrell this week. Mandy is running for The House. (This image is under copyright)

Columbia SC Photographer-Gamecock Women's Tennis

Could not believe the weather we were blessed with Wednesday. 71 degrees! Got the assignment from USC to photograph the women's tennis team vs. Clemson. Here are a few favorites. (Photos by Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina)

Mary Mac and Jaime Cuellar

A favorite from this morning's engagement session with Mary Mac and Jaime. What a fun couple and we had 70 degree temperatures in early January! (Photo by Travis Bell, Copyright)