Columbia, SC Wedding Photographer-Magan and Sabino

Congratulations to Magan and Sabino, who were married recently at Duke University with the reception following at The Washington Duke Inn. Duke Chapel is one of the most gorgeous chapels I've ever seen.

Some really fun moments at the near the end as Sabino sings "You Shook Me All Night Long".

©2013 Travis Bell Photographers

Steve Spurrier Jr Portrait-Columbia SC Photographer

Each year around this time, I run all over town photographing the Gamecock football coaches and their families for the USC Athletic Dept.

To say that these families are busy is an understatement. I've always been impressed with these folks, who, as a couple, somehow pull off an intense coaching job and raise children at the same time.

The Steve Spurrier Jr. family is no exception. This year, we decided the patio outside the coaches' office at Williams-Brice would make for a good backdrop.

On the way over, I got a text from Mrs. Spurrier saying that the Kenny Chesney concert was being set up in the background and that this could pose a problem.

Fortunately, thanks to technology, we were able to remove cranes, equipment and other elements out of the background to clean things up.

Photographing this many children at once isn't easy. I was amazed at the patience the Spurriers had.

It was also a treat getting out some of my father's lighting gear. I set up the umbrella that he used in his studio in Lancaster for years for this picture. My father, who ran Bell Studio for 30 years in my hometown, used to come down to Columbia to photograph assignments at USC.

Thanks for taking a look at the blog.

©2013 Travis Bell Photography

Kind Words From The Ol' Ball Coach

I was thrilled this week to receive an endorsement from coach Steve Spurrier and his wife Jerri. 

"We are so proud to recommend our photographer and friend, Travis Bell.  He has taken so many wonderful pictures of our families and events at the University of South Carolina.  They are all so special and he is not only talented...but...patient also.  He has an amazing background in all fields...not just the football field."


-Jerri and Steve Spurrier.

Columbia SC Wedding Photographer-Matt and Amanda

Congratulations to Matt and Amanda, who were engaged recently. A few favorites from their session a few days ago in Columbia. (Images by Travis Bell, ©2013)

www.travisbellphotographers.com

The Proposal

Sunday, I proposed to Beth in front of Tillman at Clemson University.

She said yes!

Beth attended Clemson and works for Clemson so it turned out to be the perfect spot. She was totally surprised. We met while serving together on Gov. Jim Hodges' staff years ago.

Many thanks to Bart Boatwright of The Greenville News (pic below) for these amazing images. Bart is a good friend and covers Clemson sports for the paper. He's one of the best photographers I've ever known.

Boatwright

Also, I have to thank Bart's friend Matt, who played a role in surprising Beth. I told Beth I was going to be meeting a rep from a publication company that is creating a calendar and wants a shot of Tillman for the publication. Matt (who pretended to be the rep) and I stood in front of Tillman and acted like we were talking about the photography while Beth was in the car.

After he left, I asked Beth if she would help me with some of the photography. I asked her if she would hold up a compass and told her we needed to photograph the compass in order to take readings to produce a panoramic image of Tillman.

After a minute or so of walking around and capturing the readings, Beth stopped for a moment to read the description on the Thomas Green Clemson statue.

When she turned back around, I asked her if she could hold something and showed her the box. I have to admit it was so much fun watching the look on her face! She was shocked!

I knelt down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

Below is a composite that shows everything.

It was a day we'll both never forget. Thanks to everyone who made it happen. All images ©2013 Bart Boatwright.

Columbia Metropolitan Magazine-Mary Mac

I'm thrilled to have work in Columbia Metropolitan magazine's annual wedding guide.

Below is a favorite from several of the images used. You can see more images from Mary Mac's bridal session/wedding and another wedding beginning on pg. 89 of the publication.

Thanks for visiting our blog.

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