Blog | Mezzaninehttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/2024-03-28T22:09:59+00:00BlogCharleston SC Elopement at the Hotel Bennett and a Private Mount Pleasant Home2020-11-22T12:39:02+00:002024-03-28T18:10:48+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/charleston-sc-elopement-at-the-hotel-bennett-and-a-private-mount-pleasant-home/<h2>About the Charleston Intimate Wedding by Elopement Photographer Brian D Smith</h2>
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<p>Carson and Mike hired me a year prior to their wedding date. They had the full wedding planned with a big venue and all the trimmings. What they, and none of us, anticipated was getting married during a pandemic. With grace and good spirits they changed their wedding plans, downsized the entire event and had a wonderful time eloping in the beauty that is May for a Charleston SC wedding. </p>
<p><img alt="35mm film portrait of bride and groom in front of charleston sc wedding venue hotel bennett" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00067_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the Venue and Intimate Wedding Locations</h3>
<p>Carson and mike got ready at the Hotel Bennett, right in the heart of downtown Charleston's' bustling upper king street district. We had a first look right out in front of the hotel, photographed the bridal party, did a quick stroll around downtown for some portraits before the rain set in then went to a private, waterfront home in Mt Pleasant for the elopement ceremony and reception. </p>
<p><img alt="35mm film portrait in downtown charleston at hotel bennett elopement by film wedding photographer brian d smith" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00084_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h3>Why You Should Elope in Charleston South Carolina and Why a Downsized Wedding is Just as Special</h3>
<p>I'm so grateful for my 2020 couples that took the pandemic in stride, embraced the changes to their Covid effected Charleston wedding and decided to switch things up with grace and style and have a small elopement or intimate wedding. I photographed quite a few elopements this year and one thing that rang true was that there was no special feeling or magic lost in a smaller wedding. In fact, at times, they felt more special and more rooted in what is really important on a wedding day...the couple, their love, and those closest to them who have witnessed that love grow. So, if you are thinking about changing up your wedding plans, cancelling, or postponing, please give me a call and ask me why elopements are so special in the Holy City. An elopement can be anything and I think that is the beauty of it. You can make it a small wedding or something entirely non-traditional and as long as you are happy the moments and wedding photographs will be beautiful. </p>
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<h2>Why I Shoot Film as a Charleston Wedding and Elopement Photographer</h2>
<p>Film is special. It's special to me for many reasons, but at the end of the day what is most important is the impact the image makes. All of the special reasons that I love film, shooting it, feeling it, waiting for it to return from the lab, coelesce into a beautiful image that makes a statement on me the second I view them for the first time. I shoot medium format and 35mm film, mostly kodak. I prefer to let the character of the images do the talking, so if you have any questions about film wedding photography, please just ask! It's one of my favorite things to talk about. </p>
<p><img alt="bridal portrait in charleston sc at golden hour on 35mm kodak portra 400 film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00101_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="mt pleasant charleston wedding couple eloping on the water shot on kodak portra 800 medium format film with hasselblad 202fa and 110mm F2 lens" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00243_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="dreamy portrait of a charleston sc bride in front of hotel bennett on 35mm kodak portra 400 film shot with canon eos 1v" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00075_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc elopement couple first look by film wedding photographer brian d smith photography" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00017_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Why You Should Hire Me as Your Charleston Film Wedding Photographer</h2>
<p>You won't find another photographer, destination or in my hometown of Charleston SC that challenges himself more or pushes his creativity further than I do. I have an appreciation for the timeless and the classic, but strongly believe the great art is the most timeless of all and echo that in the amount of experimentation I do in my work as a destination wedding and portrait photographer. Humbly speaking, I'm the hardest working wedding photographer you'll meet. I have a style that transcends Charleston, SC and have received nationwide recognition for my film work because of it. Ask yourself if you want your wedding photos to look like every one elses, perfect curated perfection, or if you want an artful story to be told. If the latter has your heart, then it's likely that you'll have mine. </p>
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<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Bridal Fashion Editorial at Charleston's Historic William Aiken House2019-12-12T11:44:29+00:002024-03-28T18:17:12+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/bridal-fashion-editorial-at-charlestons-historic-william-aiken-house/<h4></h4>
<p>Most of my inspiration from my wedding work comes from fashion styling and photography. I discovered a lookbook for a korean wedding dress designer and was instantly inspired. The spread felt high fashion, yet timelessly romantic. I wanted to create something similar, but with a focus on utilizing the colors of one of Charleston, South Carolina's most unique wedding venues, The William Aiken House. I planned the colors and mood of the shoot around this house, and matched the colors of the the shoot's segments to that of the house. My other focus for the shoot was creating something beautiful, yet entirely unique for the Charleston market. Charleston tends to be light bright and beautiful and my style has a bit more grit and mood. I wanted to marry my love of fashion portraiture with that of my bridal/wedding work. I selected two Carol Hannah gowns for the shoot because of her roots in Charleston and because, quite frankly, they were works of art. They matched the color palette of the editorial and had the modern dramatic touches that you'd expect from a designer gown. All images were shot on 35mm film, my favorite medium. </p>
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<h4>Thanks to this wonderful team of vendors!</h4>
<p>Photography: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Photography</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/">https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/</a></span></p>
<p>Planning + Design: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://peperevents.com/" target="_blank" title="http://peperevents.com/">Peper Events</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/peper.events/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/peper.events/">https://www.instagram.com/peper.events/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fabulous_fete/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/fabulous_fete/"></a></span>Florals: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://freshweddingsandevents.com/" target="_blank" title="https://freshweddingsandevents.com/">Fresh Weddings and Events</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/freshweddings_chs/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/freshweddings_chs/">https://www.instagram.com/freshweddings_chs/</a></span></p>
<p>Venue: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.holycityhospitality.com/historic-rice-mill/" target="_blank" title="https://www.holycityhospitality.com/historic-rice-mill/">The William Aiken House</a></span><span> </span>/ <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/historicricemill/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/historicricemill/">https://www.instagram.com/historicricemill/</a></span></p>
<p>Hair + Makeup Artist: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.wildivorybeauty.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.wildivorybeauty.com/">Wild Ivory Beauty</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wildivorybeauty/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/wildivorybeauty/">https://www.instagram.com/wildivorybeauty/</a></span></p>
<p>Accessories: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://modelbride.com/" target="_blank" title="https://modelbride.com/">Model Bride</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/modelbride/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/modelbride/">https://www.instagram.com/modelbride/</a></span></p>
<p>Hair Pieces: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/frolainbrides/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/frolainbrides/">Frolain Bride</a></span></p>
<p>Gown Boutique: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.maddisonrowsouth.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.maddisonrowsouth.com/">Maddison Row South</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/maddisonrowsouth/">https://www.instagram.com/maddisonrowsouth/</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/maddisonrowsouth/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/maddisonrowsouth/"></a></span></p>
<p><span>Gown Designer: </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.carol-hannah.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.carol-hannah.com/">Carol Hannah</a></span><span> / </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/carolhannahbridal/">https://www.instagram.com/carolhannahbridal/</a></span></p>Variation in Expired Film - Kodak Ektachrome E100SW2019-07-16T16:55:58+00:002024-03-28T22:09:59+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/variation-in-expired-film-kodak-ektachrome-e100sw/<p>I never had much interest in expired film as I was learning. I didn't want the unpredicatbility of it, but as I began to hone my film photography skills I became intrigued by the grain and grit of expired film. I love grain in photos. I love a bit of crushed contrast and color shifts. 35mm film is my favorite medium for some of these reasons. In the perfect light, 35mm is beautiful. In less controlled conditions, 35mm is a bit unpredicatble and gritty. </p>
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<p>I received 2 rolls of 15 year expired Kodak Ektachrome E100SW in an ebay auction for a contax T3 that I purchased. I did a little research on the film and brought a roll along for a bridal shoot I did in a golden grass field. I thought the warmth would bring extra life to the golden ladnscape. This was also only the second time I had ever shot color positive film. The first time was through an old TLR when I was just starting out shooting film. Let's just say the results were terrible. Fast forward to this roll of 15 year expired Kodak E100SW shot through my Canon EOS IV and I was blown away by the results. </p>
<p><img alt="kodak ektachrome E100SW expired 35mm film michigan canon eos 1V bridal portrait" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/ektachrome-e100sw-35mm-film-canon-1v-4_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p>The colors were perfect and til this day remain my favorite color palette that I have ever experienced from a roll of film. The tall grass was a beautiful shade of yellow gold, while the greens remained a true to life color. The warmer tone colors, like the red in her hair, seemed to glow with this magnificent shade of orange. Honestly, If I could buy 100 rolls and have them guaranteed to look like this, I'd do it in a heartbeat. </p>
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<p>Color positive film is a sensitive beast. The colors change slightly depending on the direction of lighting that you are shooting in. Shot side lit and the tones were a bit less vibrant and slightly cooler. Purple/blueish tones could be seen in the highights. All of this is pretty standard for ektachrome film, as I have come to experience. </p>
<p><img alt="kodak ektachrome e100sw 35mm film side lit cool tone michigan bridal portrait expired" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/ektachrome-e100sw-35mm-film-canon-1v-1_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p>Again, here we are slightly more side lit and the colors are less vibrant, but still pleasing and beautiful. </p>
<p><img alt="kodak e100sw bridal portrait field fall golden expired film 35mm canon eos 1v" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/ektachrome-e100sw-35mm-film-canon-1v-3_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p>Now we take a look at the other side of the expired film coin. What happens when it is less well cared for, when it isn't stored cold or frozen. After getting my 35mm results back, I immediately purchased 20 rolls of medium format 120 E100SW off ebay with unknown storage conditions. I brought 1 roll with me on a trip to the canary islands. This time I wasn't quite so lucky with the end result, but I actually ended up liking the rendering. It had this surreal pink and blue split toning, likely from a fogged base layer of the film. A tiny bit of color correction, mostly reduction in magenta, and the images were beautiful. The below two images were shot on my Fujifilm GF 670 folding rangefinder.</p>
<p><img alt="kodak medium format 120 ektachrome e100sw expired film canary islands fuji gf670" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/snowdonia-mallorca-canary-kodak-film-ektar-portra-leica-gf670-49_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>All of these medium medium format, canary islands images were shot metering for highlights -1 stop</p>
<p><img alt="Kodak E100sw gran canaria canary islands maspalomas sand dunes expired film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/snowdonia-mallorca-canary-kodak-film-ektar-portra-leica-gf670-65_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>See how beautifully surreal the results were! Now, fast forward a few months and I had the idea that the film stock would make a cool portrait series. I loaded up a roll in my Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex TLR and and shot a few portraits of friends, indoors and out. The results this go around were far from pleasing. </p>
<p><img alt="kodak e100sw zeiss tlr film pink expired poor colors improper storage humidity" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/04452_03_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The base layer of the film appears to be heavily fogged here. This roll was from the exact same pro-pack as the ladscape shots. In the shot above there is only about 1.5 stops difference between the highlights and shadows. I metered highlights -1 again. </p>
<p>Here is an outdoor shot in late morning sun, front lit. </p>
<p><img alt="kodak ektachrome e100sw zeiss tlr outdoors ballet portrait expired medium format film greenville south carolina" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/04452_05_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I hadn't gotten any of the above shots back from the lab before an idea struck me for a shoot that blue and pink tones would be perfect for. I wanted to do a portrait shoot, mimicking the mind of a child and I thought this to be the perfect color pallet for the job. I wanted a slightly surreal result, but was still expecting something closer to the landscape shots than the above two portraits. Here are the results, straight scan and corrected. All metered highlights with 1 stop difference between shadow and highlights.</p>
<p><img alt="straight scan expired kodak e100sw medium format film fogged pink color positive" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/04453_05_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>A bunch of split toning later, and I was able to salvage something closer to what I had originally intended. </p>
<p><img alt="corrected expired scan of a charleston studio portrait onkodak ektachrome e100sw medium format expired film through a zeiss ikoflex favorit tlr" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/kodak-e100sw-comparison/1906-bethany-studio-e100sw-expired-charleston-kodak-film-childs-play-11_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I will be hestiant to use this batch of film again, as the magenta tones were just so overpowering to really salvage any decent color rendering. Next time I shoot it, I will do it through one of my more modern cameras. My Zeiss Ikoflex Favorit TLR has never given me indication that the shutter speeds aren't timed perfectly, so I don't want to blame it, but it's possible it was off by a stop. Looking at the negatives and checking with Photovision Prints techs, the images appeared to be overexposed, exacerbating the fogging of the pink base layer. I was quite surprised at how dense black the negatives were, indicating overexposure on color positive film, given that there was only 1 stop difference between shadows and highlights in the studio. </p>
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<p>I've got a lot of rolls of this stuff left, so I want to find a use for it. Next time I will expose it slightly less and see what I get. I also have another pro pack, from a different purchase, of E100SW medium format that I am anxious to try. That's the thing with expired film, I suppose...it can be so rewarding and unpredictably beautiful. However, if you are spending so much hard work and time to put together a shoot or capture the right light over a landscape, do you really want to risk it?</p>
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<p>This article was also featured on the Shoot It With Film Blog. They've got tons of great film content. Check them out!</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://shootitwithfilm.com/experiments-in-shooting-expired-film/" target="_blank" title="https://shootitwithfilm.com/experiments-in-shooting-expired-film/">Shoot It With Film - Experiments In Shooting Expired Film</a></span></p>
<p></p>Local Fall Florals and a Michigan Bride - Styled Shoot2019-01-15T11:39:35+00:002024-03-28T18:21:42+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/sleeping-bear-national-lakeshore-michigan-fall-floral-bridal/<p>There isn't much I love more than a Michigan Fall. The colors, the smells and the light all come together to provide a sense of peace and calm. I spent my 2018 summer up in Michigan, living out of my family's small lakeside cottage, photographing weddings. Northern Michigan is special to me for so many reasons, but the fall is nearly indescribable. I wanted to create an homage to the feeling of a Michigan fall with a styled bridal shoot. </p>
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<p>MODEL: Samantha, Insta @daisyraetravel | FLORALS: Derek at The Floral Underground, Insta @floralunderground, <a href="https://floralunderground.com/" target="_blank">https://floralunderground.com/</a> </p>
<p>DRESS BOUTIQUE: One Oak Bride, Insta @oneoakbride, <a href="http://oneoakbride.com/">http://oneoakbride.com/</a> | DRESS: Kim from @truvellebridal, <a href="https://truvelle.com/">https://truvelle.com/</a></p>
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<p><img alt="fall-michigan-ring-sun-flare-florals-sony-a7iii-model-bridal-styled" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/projects/sam-fall-floral/1809-michigan-sam-fall-film-field-styled-bridal-56_web.jpg" width="400"/></p>
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<p>I met Sam, the model, on facebook and worked on two projects with her, all in the same day. We were photographing for 8 hours that day and she could not have been better to work with. We bonded over music tastes and a love for travel, and I cannot wait to reconnect with her when I return to Michigan for the 2019 summer. The flowers are from The Floral Underground, a traverse city based floral designer. I found Derek and his company on facebook, as well, and instantly knew he was the right fit. He had a background in competitive floral design, and I knew he would be able to take a vision and run with it. His knowledge of local michigan florals was exactly what I needed. He did justice to the beauty of Michigan's historic lakeshore, and exceeded my every expectation. The gorgeous dress and silk shawl came from the wonderful folks at One Oak Bride in downtown Traverse City. Annie and Renee are wonderful people, and they've curated a lovely boutique environment fitting for one of, if not the most, importrant decision of a Bride's wedding planning. I cannot recommend their boutique or their services enough. </p>
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<p><img alt="kodak-ektar-michigan-fall-lakeshore-styled-bridal-film-gf670" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/projects/sam-fall-floral/1809-michigan-sam-fall-film-field-styled-bridal-46_web.jpg" width="400"/></p>
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<p>This shoot produed one of my happiest experiments in film to date, and probably my favorite results from film to date. I shot a roll of 15 year expired Kodak Ektachrome E100SW through my trusty Canon Eos 1V. I had never shot color positive (reversal) film before, let alone something 15 years expired. The results blew me away. There was a orange/golden warmth to the images that I've never before seen in a film stock. It perfectly captured the glow of a fall sunset, and lit Sam's hair with the most beautiful shades of gold. I am going to write a full blog post on my experiences with this film stock soon. </p>
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<p><img alt="kodak-e100sw-ektachrome-expired-film-35mm-fall-michigan-empire" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/projects/sam-fall-floral/1809-michigan-sam-fall-film-field-styled-bridal-50_web.jpg" width="400"/></p>
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<p>I hope these images provide you a sense of Michigan's beauty, but as I tell everyone that asks - "you just have to see it"</p>