Mary Elizabeth and William

Congratulations to Mary Elizabeth and William, who were recently married at Litchfield. A few favorites from the ceremony.

Vista Lights Bridal Show

Fun time photographing these girls Thursday night as part of Vista Lights in downtown Columbia. The show featured a Renaissance theme and was brilliant as always.

Candice

Many thanks to Jennifer for asking me to photograph her daughter, Candice, Saturday at the USC-Florida game. Candice, a senior, is a Coquette and performs on the field before the game and at halftime. Jennifer wanted to preserve family history and capture her daughter's experience on gameday at Williams-Brice.

This image is one of the many reasons I love photographing daytime football. You can't get light like this at night!

Addy Portraits

Such an honor to be asked by Addy's mother to create softball portraits in Chapin Tuesday evening. Couldn't have asked for better conditions to make pictures. Thanks for taking a look at the blog. (Photos by Travis Bell, Copyright)

ESPN ACC Basketbal

Today's assignment took me to Charlotte to photograph ESPN's ACC Basketball Media Day. Here, Jay Bilas hosts a roundtable with six of the twelve coaches, including UNC's Williams, Duke's Coach K and Clemson's Brownell. (Photo by Travis Bell/ESPN, Copyright 2011)

The North Stands-Columbia SC Photographer

Shooting from the camera deck at Williams-Brice Saturday presented some fun opportunities for images. Below, the student section in the north stands comes alive with towels during kickoff. The effect for this picture was done in camera, not in Photoshop. (Photo by Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina)

Fisheye High in The Sky

Saturday's assignment took me to Williams-Brice Stadium to photograph the Auburn game. This is my 21st season of photographing Gamecock football.

Part of the assignment was creating a panoramic from up high so I camped out on the camera deck. The lens used for this image captures a full 180 degrees, so even though you're looking straight at the 50-yard line, you can see the Columbia skyline to the far left!

Used the same lens for a self portrait afterwards.

Thanks for taking a look at the blog!

A Moment With Dad-Columbia SC Wedding Photographer

What an emotional moment between Brittany and her father as dad saw her in her dress for the first time. I consider it a great honor to be included in such special family moments on a wedding day.

One of our new missions with this blog is to show brides the images you don't usually see in bridal magazines. These publications want to show you products that make your wedding unique. This is definitely a must when planning your wedding. 

 What they don't show you are the spontaneous, emotional images that are there to be captured on your big day. (Photos Copyright 2011 by Travis Bell)

Jill and Nathan-Columbia SC Wedding Photographer

Congratulations to Jill and Nathan, who were married in Newberry on Saturday. (Photo by Travis Bell)

One Boy and The Force-Columbia SC Wedding Photographer

My son, Hunter, was ready to take on the world, slay dragons, you name it, during his six-year-old portrait session Friday night. Each year, when I create his portrait, I try to show something about what he likes. Needless to say, he is locked in to the Star Wars movies right now.

The lighting for this was so much fun. We also brought in a fog machine for effect. Thanks for taking a look. (Image, Copyright, 2011, Travis Bell)

Wedding Tips - Is One Photographer Enough? The Choice is Yours

One?

Two?

Three?

How many photographers do you really need to document your wedding?

Brides ask this question all the time.

There’s a handful of reasons why one is plenty. And there’s another list of reasons why two is better than one.

It really comes down to what you like and what you may or may not need.

Below are some great examples of what a second and even third photographer can do as the couple exits the reception.

I have to admit that I get jealous sometimes of how the second and third shooters can take risks that I can't.

In the first image, I'm photographing the bride and groom as the get showered by guests.

As the lead photographer, I have to come away with a clean, direct image that shows the scene. I can't risk that the image is blurry.

In this image, the second photographer is capturing the same moment from another angle.

What makes this image unique is that the shooter has slowed the camera settings down, which makes the bird seed and even the bride blur a little.

A nice effect to show the energy and excitement she's feeling.

In the final image, the third photographer has zoomed in tight on the couple, using a similar technique that the second shooter used, slowing the camera down, which creates a soft effect on the couple.

Some brides may love these artistic images. Some may not. It just depends on your style.

A second or even third photographer can take risks that the lead photographer can't. If you enjoy these artistic, energetic images, then an additional photographer may be a good choice for your wedding day.

ESPN's National Signing Day

Wednesday's assignment took me to Charlotte to serve as the official set photographer for ESPN's National Signing Day broadcast. Below are a few favorite images. Some of the highlights were former Florida head coach Urban Meyer serving as an analyst for the first time and #1 recruit Jadeveon Clowney of Rock Hill stopping by for an interview. (All images Copyright 2011 ESPN)

Closet or Shrine

Today's assignment took me to ESPN's studio in Charlotte to photograph a taping of The Experts. One of my favorite parts of the studio is the helmet closet. It's where they keep all of the helmets for each BCS team. It's interesting to watch visitors to the studio who are getting a tour. It's one of their favorite areas as well. They often get quiet and gaze into the room with interest, turning this closet into somewhat of a shrine.

Excited about going back Wednesday to photograph National Signing Day. It's always fascinating to watch how the ESPN crew pulls everything together to make the show go so smoothly. Former Florida coach Urban Meyer will be a part of the talent and my first assignment will be making a portrait of him in studio.