Close Enough For A High Five - Warbirds in Ninety Six SC

Editor of the magazine says, "Travis, you ok going up in an 80-year-old WW2 plane for us to make pictures of another WW2 plane?"

I said sure. I'm not afraid of heights and I had heard of the operation in Ninety Six, SC that flies the planes. Good people.

I get there and the pilot goes over safety guidelines, including how to open the canopy for photography during the flight and use the parachute if needed.

What no one told me is that after we took off, the other plane, at left, was going to fly up beside us and be close enough for me to toss the pilot a sausage biscuit.

I yelled out to the pilot in front me "Whoooooooa Dude! Is this supposed be happening? He's close enough to give us a high five."

He said it was perfectly normal. "We're good!" he said.

Thank God cause I though I was about to go break bread with Moses. (Photo by Travis Bell)

Interesting Note: The previous owner of the airstrip was a retired stuntman for James Bond movies. No joke. Right in little ol' Ninety Six.

Launch Shot - Hootie at Bulls Bay Tournament

South Carolina's Gene Zeigler watches his bunker shot head towards the hole during Tuesday's Hootie at Bulls Bay tournament in Charleston. 

For more sports images, visit my website.

(Photo by Travis Bell)

Barnes & Noble Opens in Columbia

Thanks to Barnes & Noble for hiring me to photograph their opening weekend at the new Garners Ferry location in Columbia, including the space before opening the doors and after.

Amazing staff to work with and there's something interesting to photograph at every turn.

(Photos by Travis Bell/for Barnes and Noble)

Visit my website for images from my events portfolio.

Shining Swing - Darius Rucker Intercollegiate on Hilton Head Island

South Carolina's Vairana Heck pushes through a swing during Wednesday's Darius Rucker Intercollegiate tournament at Long Cove Club on Hilton Head Island. 

Below, Rucker, congratulates the team on a strong showing. (Images by Travis Bell) 

Rocket In The Sky

North Carolina's Elly King blasts through the air after exploding off the vault during Friday's gymnastics meet in Clemson. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

Cruise Control

The Tiger glides up and down the court on a scooter while wearing goggles during a break in action of the Clemson - Florida State men's basketball game at Littlejohn Saturday night. (Photo by Travis Bell)

Tarheels Gymnastics

North Carolina's gymnastic team celebrates after a solid performance on the beam against Clemson Friday night at Littlejohn Coliseum. (Photo by Travis Bell)

LSU Fights Back To Upset Gamecocks

LSU's Hunter Dean dunks over South Carolina during second-half action in Columbia Saturday. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

For more of my sports action images, visit my website. 

GG Jackson Returns to Columbia

Former Gamecock GG Jackson hugs a staff member during halftime of the LSU game in Columbia Saturday. The Memphis Grizzlies rookie was in town as part of the South Carolina Legends Weekend. (Photo by Travis Bell)

Catherine Templeton Is Running For Congress

Thanks to Charleston's Catherine Templeton for asking me to create portraits for her campaign. Catherine is running for Congress. 

Photo by Travis Bell. For more of my portrait work, visit www.travisbellcreative.com

Clemson Goes On 24-3 Run To Beat Miami

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell gives a few words of encouragement to Ian Schieffilin during Wednesday's game against Miami. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

PJ Hall drops of two points against Miami. The Tigers went on a 24-3 run in the last 7 minutes of the game to beat the Hurricanes. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

She's More Than Just a Fan

Thanks to my friend and photographer Jeff Blake for this photo from a recent Gamecocks men's basketball game. During a timeout, I asked Coach Staley what goes through her mind when she's watching a men's game. 

She said "I'm just a fan today Travis. No stress. I just enjoy the action." No joke. 30 seconds later she was yelling at one of the USC players, saying "Protect your teammate. Protect your teammate!!!" 

I guess it's just in her blood. #myfavbasketballcoachalltime

Gamecocks Promo

South Carolina's Raven Johnson and the Gamecocks are hosting a battle against UConn Sunday. (Promo from X)

(Photo by Travis Bell)

View more Gamecock images on my website. 

Electric Day at The Statehouse

Linemen gather in Columbia Thursday during the S.C. Electric Co-op Day At The Statehouse. Over 300 statewide co-op members had their photograph made with the governor and also met with legislators. (Photos by Travis Bell) ©Copyright

For more event and portrait images visit my website. 

Rock Stars at The Statehouse

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney and South Carolina head football head coach Shane Beamer spoke to legislators today about NIL at the statehouse. (Photo by Travis Bell)

Visit my sports portfolio for more images of Clemson and South Carolina athletics. 

Rainbow in The Mist

While driving from Columbia to my hometown Lancaster Tuesday, a flash of light sparked across the water as I was crossing the Nitrolee Dam bridge.

I thought, "Maybe that was rainbow" but I wasn't sure. 

I turned around and came back to discover is was a rainbow, so I had to stop and make this picture. 

Bonaparte gulls (the smaller birds) migrate at the dam this time of year. 

The mist was exploding off the water, going as high as the dam, creating the rainbow. 

Photo by Travis Bell ©Copyright Protected Image

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