Blog | Mezzaninehttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/2024-03-29T11:51:36+00:00BlogCharleston SC Anniversary Session Portraits at Hampton Park on Film2021-01-05T21:44:42+00:002024-03-29T08:54:57+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/charleston-sc-anniversary-session-portraits-at-hampton-park-on-film/<h2>About the Dowtown Charleston SC Anniversary Session in Hampton Park</h2>
<p>Bronte and Bobby reached out to me through Instagram, finding me through a mutual love for film. They were interested in an anniversary session to celebrate 5 years of marriage and knew they wanted a film photographer for the task. The connection was instant. We bonded over our approach to film, pursuing it as an art and trying to craft our own paths and styles as film wedding and portrait photographers. We chose Hampton Park for the Charleston couples session because of it's lush greenery and plenty of space to move and play. </p>
<p><img alt="couple shot on kodak portra 800 medium format film during charleston sc anniversary session at hampton park" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0012.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Why Hampton Park for Your Charleston SC Couples or Portrait Session</h3>
<p>Hampton Park is a VERY popular spot for photographers in Charleston. You can hardly take a trip there without seeing at least 4 or 5 portrait sessions taking place, mostly engagements and family's. The few opportunities I've had to shoot there, I've absolutely adored the results. Its the best greenspace in Charleston and it's plenty big enough to stay out of people's way and find your own spots. Most of my Charleston engagement and couples sessions are shot downtown. That's the Charleston look afterall. Shooting downtown can be a bit hectic, constantly dodging people, always having to angle your couple just perfectly to avoid getting passers by in your shot. It can feel a bit restricting at times. I spoke with the couple and we both agreed that we were more drawn to greenery than streets and Hampton Park was the only choice! It has plenty of open space and the most beautiful oak trees and spanish moss in all of downtown. </p>
<p><img alt="hampton park downtown charleston sc couples portrait session on kodak 35mm portra 400 film with girl in vintage dress" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0030.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Just look at those oak trees and spanish moss!</p>
<p><img alt="couple running through oak trees in downtown charleston sc for anniversary portrait session on kodak portra 800 film and hasselblad" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0018.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h3>Why I Shoot My Charleston Couples Portrait, Engagement and Anniversary Sessions all on Film</h3>
<p>Film is always my preferred medium to photograph portraits and couples. Sometimes weddings require digital because of the pace and unpredictability, but couples and anniversary portrait sessions are a bit more relaxed and predictable and I can shoot the entire thing on film. For this portrait session, I shot a mixture of 35mm and medium format kodak film - more on my camera and film choices below. The main reason I shoot film is that I like what it does for my process and the end result, particularly the colors, are just undeniable. I feel more present and connected to the couple when I shoot film and the result is one of my favorite Charleston portrait sessions yet. </p>
<p><img alt="kodak tri-x 400 black and white medium format film portrait of charleston couple at hampton park" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0035.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>What Film Cameras and Film Stocks did I use for this Shoot</h3>
<p>I used two of my most trusted cameras, ones that I feel very connected to, and my go to film stocks. It's important to find cameras that you connect with. A camera that makes you feel good, feel cool, or feel creative can do wonders for your end result. It's also important that the camera feels natural and doesn't get in your way. No camera is perfect and there is always a compromise or a tradeoff, but these cameras find a great balance for me. Oh...and they also really deliver on results. </p>
<h4>Hasselblad 202FA Camera, 110mm F2 Lens, Kodak Portra 800 and Tri-x 400 Film</h4>
<p>This is my show stopper portrait camera. It feels cool to shoot, and the lens delivers the closest rendering to large format you can get in a medium format camera. You can find my full review of the camera system <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/">HERE</a></span>. I paired it with my favorite color 120 film stock, Kodak portra 800 and my favorite black and white 120 film stock, Kodak Tri-x 400. Portra 800 is so perfect for fall and anywhere with a ton of greenery. It has a slight blue/aqua tint to the shadows in greens that really render the scene with this almost dreamlike quality...oh and it's perfect for people with red/orange hair. </p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad 202fa portrait on kodak portra 800 film with charleston anniversary couple" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0008.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h4>Nikon FM3a, Nikkor 50mm F1.2 ai-s, Kodak Portra 400 35mm Film</h4>
<p>My nikon fm3a is probably the camera that I would keep if I could only keep one. There are cameras I love more, just for what they are (my leica and hasselblad come to mind). My nikon, however, just goes. It's so easy to use. It has the best metering system of any camera ever. It allows for easy double exposures, as you'll see below. Also, it's all manual, but still super quick to use so I feel like it lends itself really well to experimentation and movement shots. It's also super lightweight and features a 1/4000s top shutter speed. I pair it with my Nikon 50mm F1.2 ai-s lens and trusty portra 400 film. I took a few shots in the camera on Kodak P3200 35mm film as well that were left over from a previous wedding. </p>
<h5>Double Exposures on 35mm Film</h5>
<p><img alt="35mm film double exposure on kodak portra 400 35mm film of girl with orange sky overlay in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0042.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>To find out how I do these double exposures, click <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/how-to-twice-exposed-roll-of-35mm-film/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/how-to-twice-exposed-roll-of-35mm-film/">HERE</a></span>. </p>
<p><img alt="charleston couples portrait session double exposure on 35mm film with nikon fm3a and portra 400 of girl and guy " src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0046.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h5>Portra 400 35mm Film Portraits</h5>
<p><img alt="close up portrait of girl in charleston sc hampton park on kodak portra 400 35mm film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0011.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h5>Kodak P3200 Black and White 35mm Film Portraits</h5>
<p><img alt="kodak p3200 35mm film portrait of guy and girl motion blurred in charleston sc park during downtown engagement session" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0004.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Why You Should Hire Me as Your Charleston Film Portrait and Couples 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>
<p><img alt="black and white 35mm film ethereal expression portrait during charleston sc engagement couples session" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0033.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc couple under spanish moss oak tree at hampton park shot on kodak portra 800 film with hasselblad" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0006.jpg" width="600"/></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>Hollywood Glam Bride and Groom Portraits on Film in an Outdoor Studio2020-11-16T05:09:19+00:002024-03-29T08:11:50+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/hollywood-glam-bride-and-groom-portraits-on-film-in-an-outdoor-studio/<h2>About the Charleston SC Bride and Groom Portraits in an Outdoor Studio</h2>
<p>I have been photographing studio bridal portraits for a bit over a year, but had yet to do the same with a bride and groom. With the ucoming launch of my new portrait studio location, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Studio Sixty Reid</a></span>, and putting together my first bride and groom studio editorial, I knew I wanted to go big. I worked with a backdrop setup that had proven successful for me once before, and partnered with a few of my favorite vendors to create something that was all at once editorial yet romantically, classic. The idea was to echo old Hollywood style and the vibe of 1950s vogue. This era of fashion photography was the perfect blend of grit and glam. It was artful and experimental, but so well styled and photographed that it will always be classic. Afterall, true art never goes out of style. </p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad and kodak film portrait of a charleston bride and groom in lace cream dress and white dinner jacket tuxedo in outdoor wedding portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00061_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p><img alt="light leak 35mm film image from leica m-a of bride and groom in charleston sc wedding editorial" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00086_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the Charleston SC wedding real couple and models</h3>
<p>I met Sabine through a mutual friend a few years back and I used to work with Kris before I began my photography career. Ever since I found out they were a couple, I've been wanting to plan a shoot for them. When they got engaged, I reached out and learned that they were getting married in South Africa - where Sabine's family is from. However, they had to schedule their wedding for a long ways out because of uncertainty around international travel with Covid. I had a vision for a bride/groom portrait shoot in an outdoor studio where the backdrop blended into the surrounding foliage. I knew I wanted Sabine and Kris for the shoot, so I reached out to them with the opportunity to get some beautiful portraits before their 2021 wedding day. </p>
<p><img alt="close up 35mm film portrait of charleston sc bride and groom in outdoor portrait studio sixty reid" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00098_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the styling of the old hollywood wedding fashion editorial </h3>
<p>Fashionable styling is very important to me in editorial work, and I knew I wanted something cream/warm toned to stand out against the dark cloth backdrop. I have a good working relationship with Claire Pettibone, so I reached out to her about a dress I've long been wanting to photograph and I began planning. I paired the lacey, embroidered, sleeved dress with a classic Ivory dinner jacket tux. The resulting look is both fashionable, but timeless and traditional. It echoes 1950's hollywood vibes, my favorite era for fashion photography. Weddings and wedding photography in the south, Charleston specifically, tend to rely to heavily on tradition and bride's don't often take fashion risks. I styled this shoot to meet somewhere in the middle. If I have seen something before, I tend to look the other way. I want to see new styles, new ways of photographing couples, new methods for experimenting with portraiture. Thus, the idea of the outdoor studio was born. Studio bridal portraiture is timeless and always in style, and it's something I want to bring back in a big way to the wedding world. I constructed the studio outdoors to add another textural element to the scene. I played with different film techniques, exposing some of the film to light leaks, and shooting bride and groom portraits on Large Format Film...something I've never seen done before. I worked with a local florist to create complimentary bride and groom bouquets. I think the result is edgy, and gritty, and fashionable, but classical and timeless as well. </p>
<p><img alt="black tie wedding bride and groom film portrait with cream lace claire pettibone gown and white dinner jacket in charleston sc portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00067_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I had the idea of a bride and groom bouquet set to break down wedding traditions within the context of something so traditionally romantic. I love traditions for what they mean to people, personally, but am not too keen on traditions for the sake of the populous. Different and bold can be timeless and beautiful. This is a value I always strive to reflect in my work through styling, posing and use of color and contrast. </p>
<p><img alt="groom bouquet wedding flowers on kodak portra 800 film through hasselblad 202fa in charleston sc portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00052_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the outdoor portrait studio </h3>
<p>One of my Covid quarantine projects was to set up a studio outdoors, blending the backdrop into the surrounding foliage, but still retaining the classically romantic vibes of studio portraiture. It started out of a sheer desire to create during a time when the city was on lockdown and on location photography was frowned upon. I erected a backdrop in my lush green backyard outside my studio and what was meant to be a one time thing, quickly turned into an ongoing series of portraits. The setting was unique, classic yet whimsical, but what kept drawing me back to the setup was the lighting. I shot in the late afternoon / evening, with the sun backlighting the foliage and occasionally piercing through the cloth of the backdrop. The house behind me reflected the sunsetting light onto the front of the set, all at once providing front lighting and backlighting. In fact, each time I have posted photos from this project, I have been asked if they were artificially lit. </p>
<h4>Other outdoor portrait studio sets at Charleston's Studio Sixty Reid</h4>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/film-bridal-portraits-and-a-claire-pettibone-gown-in-an-outdoor-portrait-studio/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/film-bridal-portraits-and-a-claire-pettibone-gown-in-an-outdoor-portrait-studio/">Film bridal portraits in an outdoor studio and claire pettibone dress</a></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/creating-moody-editorial-fashion-photography-in-my-charleston-sc-backyard/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/creating-moody-editorial-fashion-photography-in-my-charleston-sc-backyard/">Moody fashion editorial in my Charleston SC outdoor portrait studio</a></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/fashion-editorial-in-a-backyard-portrait-studio/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/fashion-editorial-in-a-backyard-portrait-studio/">Vintage chic fashion editorial in an outdoor photography studio</a></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/charleston-south-carolina-portraits-in-an-outdoor-studio/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/charleston-south-carolina-portraits-in-an-outdoor-studio/">A vintage pink dress and building an outdoor portrait studio</a></span></p>
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<p><img alt="hasselblad 202fa and kodak portra 800 portrait of charleston sc bride by film wedding photographer brian d smith in an outdoor portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00034_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Charleston SC Wedding Vendors for the Bride and Groom Editorial</h2>
<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/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/">https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/</a></span></p>
<p>Set Design and Styling: <span>Brian D Smith Photography</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p>
<p>Floral Design: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.onalimbflorals.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.onalimbflorals.com/">On A Limb Florals</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/onalimbflorals" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/onalimbflorals">https://www.instagram.com/onalimbflorals</a></span></p>
<p>Hair and Makeup: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.wildivorybeauty.com/home.html" target="_blank" title="http://www.wildivorybeauty.com/home.html">Wild Ivory Beauty</a></span><span> </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>Venue: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Studio Sixty Reid</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/studiosixtyreid/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/studiosixtyreid/">https://www.instagram.com/studiosixtyreid/</a></span></p>
<p>Gown: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.contoursandcurls.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.contoursandcurls.com/">Contours and Curls</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/contoursandcurls/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/contoursandcurls/">https://www.instagram.com/contoursandcurls/</a></span></p>
<p>Gown: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://clairepettibone.com/products/pearle-gown" target="_blank" title="https://clairepettibone.com/products/pearle-gown">Pearle by Claire Pettibone</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/clairepettibone/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/clairepettibone/">https://www.instagram.com/clairepettibone/</a></span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p>
<p>Men's Attire: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.berlinsclothing.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.berlinsclothing.com/">Berlin's For Men</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/berlinsformen/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/berlinsformen/">https://www.instagram.com/berlinsformen/</a></span></p>
<p>Film: Kodak / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kodakprofessional" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/kodakprofessional">https://www.instagram.com/kodakprofessional</a></span></p>
<p>Film Lab: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://photovisionprints.com/" target="_blank" title="https://photovisionprints.com/">Photovision</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/photovisionprints/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/photovisionprints/">https://www.instagram.com/photovisionprints/</a></span></p>
<p>Models: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabine_hg/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/sabine_hg/">https://www.instagram.com/sabine_hg/</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kriswithak/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/kriswithak/">https://www.instagram.com/kriswithak/</a></span></p>
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<h2>Film Equipment and Techniques Used</h2>
<p>I shoot all of my work on Kodak film, both medium format and 35mm. Recently, however, I have started shooting large format as well! I tend to shoot a lot of cameras during weddings and editorials, all with a very specific purpose. I'll break down my film camera and stock selection, here. </p>
<p>1. Hasselblad 202FA + 110mm F2 lens - This is my favorite portrait camera. The F2 lens is contrasty but dreamy and it's the closest thing I've ever shot to large format without actually shooting 4x5. I shot two rolls through this camera, 1 portra 800 and 1 Kodak T-max 400. </p>
<p>2. Leica m-a + summilux-m 50mm F1.4 - This is a camera that I always tell myself I am going to shoot more but sometimes I just feel it slows me down. The results from the lens are simply outstanding, however. I shot 2 rolls portra 160 + 1 through this camera and 1 roll of portra 400. I even added in another element of experimentation and opened the film back when I finished the roll, before rewind. I LOVE the results. </p>
<p>3. Nikon Fm3a + Nikkor 50mm F1.2 ai-s - My favorite 35mm camera, and the cam I'd keep if I could only have one. During shoots like this, I typically use the nikon as either an experimental camera or close up camera. I shot kodak gold 200 in this cam. The lens tends to be much softer than my leica, so it's great for dreamy shots or injecting a bit of calculated imperfection into your images. </p>
<p>4. Contax 645 + 80mm F2 - I only shot this camera because It acted up on me in the prior shoot and I wanted to put a roll of Portra 400 through it to make sure it was still working. </p>
<p>5. Intrepid 4x5 Mkiii + Schneider symmar-s 210mm F5.6 - My first ever opportunity to shoot large format film portraits of a wedding couple did not disappoint. I shot 6 images and got 3 that I absolutely adore. Not bad for my first go around. Developed and scanned myself. Ilford Hp5 (i prefer tri-x but this is what I had around)</p>
<p><img alt="large format black and white film portrait of bride and groom in charleston sc outdoor studio backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00056_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="light leak 35mm film portrait of bride and groom in charleston wedding shot with leica m-a" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00025_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://ruffledblog.com/autumn-engagement-session/" target="_blank" title="https://ruffledblog.com/autumn-engagement-session/"></a></span></p>
<h2><span></span>Why You Should Consider Studio Portraits for your Charleston Wedding</h2>
<p>My pitch to couples for studio wedding portraiture is simple. You are likely going to get beautiful, traditional outdoor portraits at your wedding venue the day of your wedding, so why not mix it up and do your engagement photos, wedding day portraits, or couples session in studio. It's an oppportunity to strip away the distractions and extraneous elements. It's an opportunity to slow down and create something deconstructed and beautiful. My Charleston SC portrait studio, Studio Sixty Reid, focuses on creating experimental works, well styled, yet simple in their ultimate goal of showcasing you without any other distractions. Studio portraiture is classic. It's timeless. It's artistic and will never go out of style. No two results can ever be similar because when you strip away the beautiful venue, or the crowded downtown Charleston streets, what's left is only you, your love, and your style. </p>
<h3>When should you schedule your Charleston studio wedding portraits</h3>
<p>If you don't wish for one another to see your wedding attire before the wedding, you can schedule them after ward. Doing the wedding session in studio after your actual wedding day is a great way to focus less on portraiture the day of your wedding, meaning you can enjoy more of the spontaneity and cocktail hour. It's also a wonderful excuse to get dressed up in your wedding dress once more. If you wish to do them before hand, but still are unsure about seeing eachother's dress and suit for the wedding day, pick up a second wedding outfit. Maybe a bold suit, or a more playful dress. Alternatively, you could do the opposite and make it the most regal, black tie, over the top styled affair in contrast to a more understated wedding. Nothing is off limits. I help with coordination, styling, and set design to make it a truly one of a kind portrait experience. Studio bride and groom, bride and bride, groom and groom sessions make for a wonderful 1 year wedding anniversary celebration as well. </p>
<p><img alt="like leak 35mm film bridal portrait on kodak portra 400 film with close up red lipstich and bridal bouquet shot on leica m-a" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00042_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></p>
<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>Traveling Through Germany and Austria on 35mm and Medium Format Film2020-06-15T10:21:48+00:002024-03-29T11:51:36+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/traveling-through-germany-and-austria-on-35mm-and-medium-format-film/<h2>About the Trip Through Austria and Germany</h2>
<p>This trip started with an impromptu booking when my friend and I got a notification for a cheap flight to Europe out of Charleston SC. This is a pretty rare occurance, so when it happens, we usually snatch them up pretty quick. My friend and I are both photographers, so our schedules tend to be pretty flexible, especially in the off season for weddings. We called up our other photographer friend and an additional friend on top of that and the trip was booked. We were set to fly into Berlin in early March and stay for 2 weeks, traveling through Germany and the Dolemites of Italy. </p>
<p><img alt="burner first of the roll frame of a mountain in austria through a leica m-a 35mm film camera with kodak film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00020_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Unfortunately, the start of our trip coincided with the western spread of Covid-19. A week before our trip, it was announced that Italy was on lockdown at the borders. We decided to still fly into Germany, travel down through Bavaria and into Munich, then head into Austria and do some mountain hiking and snowboarding. We brought along plenty of hand sanitizer as a precaution, along with some clorox wipes for the plane. The virus hadn't quite spread significantly in Germany yet, and we would be spending most of our time in small mountain towns, so we weren't too worried. </p>
<p><img alt="hand sanitizer on kodak film during covid-19 travel to europe" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00121_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>What Cities in Germany and Austria Did We Travel To?</h2>
<p>We flew into Berlin and spent 2 full days there visiting art museums and exploring the food scene. We had a rental car, so it was quite easy to get around. After berlin, we drove down through Bavaria and stopped in the Oberpfalz region in search of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoigl" target="_blank" title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoigl">Zoigl Bier</a></span>. It's the only place in the world you can get the beer, so for a couple of beer enthusiasts it was a must stop. We then proceeded on to Munich for more museums and potentially some mountain hikes. The weather prevented us from doing some of the hikes we had intended on, but we still got to enjoy Munich's traditionally Bavarian food scene and visit it's museums. We then made our way to Austria where we stopped in Innsbruck for a few days of eating, drinking and hiking. Next was two days of snowboarding in Kitzbuhel that was cut short to one because of our concerns for Covid. It was at this point that travel restrictions were beginning to be announced. We packed up and headed to Halstatt, which was our intended next stop anyway. While in Halstatt, we started to plan our exit back to the states. We initially had planned to spend 2 days in Prague, but we decided to cut the trip short, and I am glad we did. We crossed over the Austria-Germany border just 10 hours before they closed it down. </p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="germany mountain view with 3 friends traveling in bavaria on kodak portra 160 film shot with leica m-a" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00097_web.jpg" width="600"/></span></p>
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<h2>Germany Travel Highlights and Favorite Cities</h2>
<p>I was so so excited to travel to Germany. I took German for 7 years in school and used to speak the language quite well. It's been a dream of mine to travel there and finally be able to practice my language skills. We flew into Berlin with the plan of experiencing the city's art scene. I enjoyed Berlin. The museums were wonderful, but there was something about the grunginess of the city that I didn't quite like. The highlight of Berlin, for me and my friends, was <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.koeniggalerie.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.koeniggalerie.com/">The Konig Gallerie</a></span>. The museum was hard to find, and I think my friends thought I was making it up. It is situated, seemingly randomly, in an apartment complex with little signage marking it's existance. Inside, it is pretty minimalist, so you likely won't spend a lot of time there, but I highly recommend spending a solid 30 minutes just sitting in there. The entire building is constructed of conrete and is an acoustic masterpiece. I've never experienced anything like it in my life. It's hard to explain, but you can hear the silence - that's the best way I can explain it. </p>
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<p><img alt="favorite german museum the konig gallerie museum in berlin germany on kodak gold 200 film with contax t3" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/46834_23_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Berlin Museums and Art Culture</h3>
<p>We visited several other museums in Germany like The Jewish Museum and the Hamburger Banhof. They were wonderful and are certainly worth a visit. For me, however, Germany was highlighted by the food and beer. We consumed a lot of beer in Germany and it was such a treat to taste all of the local styles of beer, actually in the regions of the world in which they were brewed. </p>
<p><img alt="3 liter beers in a brew hall in germany on kodak gold 200 film with contax t3" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00126_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://nano-kaffee.de/" target="_blank" title="https://nano-kaffee.de/">NANO KAFFEE BERLIN</a></span>! One of my favorite coffee shops I have ever been to. The aesthetic is pretty minimal but the coffee is nothing shy of fantastic. It was the second best espresso I have ever had in my life (the first, strangely being in Mallorca). We went to the coffee shop a total of 3 times in 2 days and consumed multiple beverages each time we were there. Their Costa Rican was one of the most complex cups of coffee I have ever had. I brought a bag home with me in my backpack. </p>
<p><img alt="nano kaffee berlin on kodak portra 400 film with leica m-a 35mm camera" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00072_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The Berlin Wall - It took a while for me to appreciate this one to it's fullest. We traversed the whole standing length of the wall, initially just admiring the amazing street art covering the remains. Eventually, however, the historical significance of it began to set in and you truly appreciate that it was only 70 years ago that this wall separated and divided an entire city / world. </p>
<p><img alt="berlin wall street art on black and white kodak tri x pushed medium format film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00043_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.visitberlin.de/en/memorial-murdered-jews-europe" target="_blank" title="https://www.visitberlin.de/en/memorial-murdered-jews-europe">Jewish Holocaust Memorial Berlin</a></span> - This was the most sobering and somber experiene of the trip. I knew of the memorial's existence, but wasn't quite prepared for the emotional impact it has on you. It's an emersive, art experience that truly overwhelms you with it's size and complexity. We spend quite a bit of time just wanedering through it's maze of pillars, constructed in memorium of all the millions of Jews that lost their lives during the holocaust. For me, this is a must visit. It's such an important historical event, and I think everyone should visit for a reminder of just how quickly societies can devlove into genocide. </p>
<p><img alt="berlin germany holocaust memorial on black and white 35mm film " src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00153_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Munich was amazing in it's traditional Bavarian charm</h3>
<p>It was certainly more picturesque than Berlin and had more of that Bavarian charm, while still feeling like a very international city. The highlights from Munich were a few museums, one being related to the Holocaust, and all of the traditional Bavarian food and beer halls. The image below was taken in <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.pinakothek.de/en/visit/sammlung-moderne-kunst-der-pinakothek-der-moderne" target="_blank" title="https://www.pinakothek.de/en/visit/sammlung-moderne-kunst-der-pinakothek-der-moderne">Die Pinakotheken Moderne</a></span> - Modern Art Museum in Munich Germany. I LOVED this museum. It was a nice mix of moern, contemporary art in the well known sense - like Andy Warhol and such. It also featured a lot of really amazing art pieces constructed out of industrial housewares and furniture that I found to be quite beautiful. </p>
<p><img alt="black and white film portrait of 3 friends in munich industrial modern art museum" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00035_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The building's architecture was stunning!</p>
<p><img alt="die pinakothek museum of modern art in munich germany architecture on black and white film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00044_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Me and my Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex Favorit camera on pushed tri x film. </p>
<p><img alt="self portrait on black and white kodak tri x film with zeiss tlr in die pinakothek museum in munich germany" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00040_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Austria Travel Highlights and Favorite Cities</h2>
<p>The highlight of Austria was it's beauty. Every town, even the smallest of towns, was clean and surrounded by mountains. The country is one of the most beautiful I have ever been to. So much of our trip was just spend pulling over for vistas traveling between our major destinations, like this mountainous lanscape, below, where we stopped off and made some sandwiches and had a few beers. </p>
<p><img alt="austria landscape on kodak portra 160 35mm film of mountain shot with leica m-a" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00017_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Skiing and Snowboarding in Kitzbuhel</h3>
<p>We spent a day snowboarding and skiing in the bavarian alps of Kitzbuhel. It was a surprisingly hot 70 degree day, so the weather was far from ideal for skiing, but the snow was still decent and the mountain was beautiful. The resort was the highest rated in Austria and for good reason. The views are amazing an there is a nice variety of slopes, from beginner to advanced. </p>
<p><img alt="oakley ski goggles on snowboarder sitting on mountain in Kitzbuhel austria captured on 35mm film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00104_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="kitzhubel ski resort on medium format kodak portra 800 film at top of mountain resort" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00008_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The mountains were so dynamic and seemingly everywhere. This stunning sunrise view was captured in Halstatt. Halstatt was really beautiful, but I think only deserving of a quick stop through, maybe a full day. It is pretty touristy, but the view is so unique that it's a must stop through on your journey. </p>
<p><img alt="halstatt lake view during sunrise on medium format kodak film overlooking lake and mountains" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00052_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>This was another quick pull off the side of the road shot, where the sky was setting so beautifully over one of Austria's mountainous valleys. </p>
<p><img alt="single cloud hovering over austrian valley with pink and blue cotton candy sky on kodak portra 800 medium format film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00047_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Innsbruck</h3>
<p>Inssbruck was beautiful, even though avalanche blasting kept us from being able to experience the high elevation hike that we had intended to. We found plenty to explore, however, and it's a surprsingly industrious and bustling town with good food and coffee. </p>
<p>The city was surrounded by mountains</p>
<p><img alt="innsbruck river with mountain on kodak portra 160 35mm film shot through leica m-a film camera and summilux 50mm lens" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00095_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>This image was captured at the highest point we could get to during our stay. Shot on Kodak portra 160 35mm film with my Leica m-a and Summilux 50mm F1.4 lens. </p>
<p><img alt="35mm kodak film landscape photograph of mountains in Innsbruck austria" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00096_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Photography Gear and Equipment Used During my Travels</h2>
<p>I traveled with only film cameras and my iphone for a few digital snaps. I travel light...like really light. I only bring a backpack with me and that needs to fit clothes for 2 weeks and all my cameras and film - so portability is a big factor in deciding what cameras to bring. I settled on the following cameras for my trip:</p>
<h3><br/>Contax T3 - The Ultimate Travel 35mm Film Camera</h3>
<p>My Contax T3 goes with me everywhere - no question. It's too small not to take. I don't use it as my primary camera, as I like a little more control over exposure and composition, but it never fails me. Exposure is always spot on and it fits in my pocket. I typically load it up with consumer film like Kodak Gold 200 for this trip. It's perfect for wider shots with it's 35mm lens and for quick grabs of my friends and I, especially with it's built in flash. </p>
<p><img alt="contax t3 film selfie in mirror on kodak gold 200 film in germany" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00028_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Leica M-A and Leica Summilux 50mm F1.4 Lens for Travel</h3>
<p>This is my favorite camera/lens combination (that and my hasselblad). I shoot it all with this camera. I photograph portraits and take it with me traveling. It's compact, though not very light, and the lens is so sharp that often times I don't even need medium format. I LOVE the colors of 35mm film. It has a classic feel and rendering that I just don't get with medium format, so I tend to shoot more 35mm when I travel. </p>
<p><img alt="wind farm in berlin germany on kodak portra 400 film shot with leica m-a" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00074_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex Favorit and Portra 800 and Tri X Film</h3>
<p>I brought along my Zeiss TLR for medium format. It's relatively small and I just love using the camera. Something about viewing the world through a TLR is so classic and enjoyable. I brought along this camera as my 'experimental' camera. I loaded it up, initially, with two rolls of pushed Tri X 120 film for some high contrast black and white film shots, then shot Kodak Portra 800 medium format film the rest of the trip. I love the look of underexposed film, so I rated the film at box speed of 800 iso and tended toward underexposure if I was between meter readings. Portra 800 loves light, so it can look muddy sometimes when rating it at box speed, which is precisely what I wanted. </p>
<p><img alt="underexposed portra 800 medium format film shot in halstatt austria with zeiss tlr" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/germany-austria/2003-germany-austria-travel-kodak-film-leica-m-a-zeiss-tlr-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Learn more about Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Destination Portrait, Wedding and Travel Photographer - Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></p>
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<h3>Follow My Travels on Instagram</h3>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesmithbrian/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/thesmithbrian/">@thesmithbrian on Instagram</a></span></p>
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<h2>For More Adventures on Film Check out My Travel Blog</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/travel/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/travel/">Brian D Smith Photography Travel and Film Documentaries</a></span></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 travel and telling stories on film. Travel became a priority for me when I left my engineering career to pursue photography and in the few short years that I have been in business, I've been to over 2 dozen countries around the world. I travel only with film, and find the permanence of the medium perfect for capturing life's memories and advanture. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or adventure anywhere in the world. No destination is off limits. </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 Destination Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Photographing The Ring Road on Iceland with 35mm and Medium Format Film2020-05-12T21:14:21+00:002024-03-29T03:40:06+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/photographing-the-ring-road-on-iceland-with-35mm-and-medium-format-film/<h2>About My Travels Through Iceland - The Earth's Other Planet</h2>
<p>My trip to Iceland was scheduled as a result of a clever layover on the way back from a trip through continental Scandanavia. As a professional photographer, and an avid user of instagram, I'd clearly seen a my fare share of Iceland images. It almost seemed like a foregone conclusion that it was a place I'd soon visit. Iceland was the last leg of a 4 week solo trip, and what was the third travel adventure I'd took part in since I left my engineering career behind and dedicated my life to photography. </p>
<p><img alt="iceland mountain on kodak portra 400 film pushed 1 stop with fuji gf670 portable medium format film camera" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-film-scandanavia-120_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p>I rented the smallest rental car I could find, which turns out was a bit sketchy at times, and drove around the entirety of the ring road in search of amazing views and all of Iceland's must sees. The car was a Hyundai i10, and to be honest...I loved it. Iceland is the windiest country in the world (no trees!) and there were times where I was driving around and a gust of wind would nearly knock the car across the road. I drove through 6 inches of snow on some lightly studded tires and climbed and descended icy hills and roads. I white knuckled the entire trip. Honestly, I was genuinely scared at times. I think that's what makes travel experiences so beautiful, though. - the discomfort to reach the reward. All that being said, if you plan to drive around the country rent a bigger car!</p>
<p><img alt="red hyundai i10 in iceland ring road during novemeber with fuji xt2" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-fuji-xt2-scandanavia-202_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>What time of year is best to visit iceland?</h2>
<p>I traveled to Iceland during the early part of Novemeber 2017. Although, it was beautiful and there is just something magical about that low horizon light, I probably wouldn't recommend November as my top month to travel to Iceland. The southern part of the country was beautiful...I mean beautiful! The light was golden and the snow was at a pleasing level, leaving some of Iceland's beautiful colors exposed. Novemeber, however, drenched the north in snow and most of the roads were shut down or too snowed in to traverse. The other downside of Iceland in November was that the sunlight was only available from 10am to 4pm. When you plan on driving around the entire country in a week, that doesn't lead to a lot of time to plan your destinations around otpimal light. Luckily, november light in Iceland is always beautiful, any time of the day. </p>
<p><img alt="iceland kirkjufell mountain on medium format kodak film in november covered in snow on fuji gf670" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-film-scandanavia-118_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The above image of Kirkjufell was shot at around noon and the light was managable reflecting off the snow. </p>
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<h2>What film gear did I bring to photograph Iceland?</h2>
<p>Iceland was my last ever trip that I brought along a digital camera. You might notice that all the images, save for 1 or 2 are film shots. I just prefer the look of film, the process of film and I don't particularly enjoy editing travel photos the second I get home. It's such a thrill to relive the moments when you get film scans back a few weeks later. For this trip I brought along my Fujifilm gf670 medium format, folding film rangefinder, my canon F1n (my first ever 35mm camera) with canon FD 50mm F1.4 lens and my Fuji XT2 with the 16mm F1.4. The XT2 is a lovely travel camera, but I just couldn't fall in love with it and sold it not too long after the trip. </p>
<p><img alt="fujifilm fuji gf670 film camera and canon F1n 35mm film camera traveling through scandanavia" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-fuji-xt2-scandanavia-44_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The Fuji GF670 is an amazing camera. It was a grail camera for me - a dream. I bought it as a gift to myself when I left my engineering career to pursue photography. I think it is the best medium format film camera for travel. It's not light, but it's so compact, versatile in that it can shoot 6x6 and 6x7 and it has the brightest and best rangefinder I have ever used. If you pack light like I do, you won't ever find a better medium format camera for travel. I'm writing a review of the camera and will post it hear when I do. </p>
<p>My canon F1N was my first 35mm film camera and something essential in my journey as a film photographer. It's beautiful, built like a tank, and I still have it to this day. It has been replaced in my daily lineup for various reasons, but the camera just never let me down and the canon FD lenses are cheap and excellent. It's also a heavy beast and maybe not the best 35mm film camera for travel. There are certainly lighter options. Today, I opt for a Leica M-A and Contax T3 duo to travel with. </p>
<h3>What film stocks did I shoot</h3>
<p>I brought along a few different types of film for this trip - moreso than I usually do because this trip ws at the beginning of my film photography journey and I was still experimenting. For medium format film, I brought along Kodak Portra 400, Kodak Tri-x 400 and Ilford Pan F 50 120 film. I shot all medium format film at box speed except for 1 roll that I pushed 1 stop. This actually turned out to be my 2nd favorite roll of the trip. </p>
<p>For 35mm film, I brought along Kodak Portra 800, Kodak Portra 400 and Tri-x 400. Kodak portra 400 was shot at 200, Portra 800 at 800 and the roll of tri-x was shot at 1600, pushed 2 stops - and it was freaking brilliant. My favorite roll of the trip ended up being a roll of portra 800 35mm film. At the time I got scans back, I didn't really fall in love with it, but years later they are my favorite travel photographs ever. Something about the grain and deep contrast just gave the country some grit and soul. </p>
<p><img alt="iceland sunset in november on kodak portra 800 35mm film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-film-scandanavia-189_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Where did I stay when I backpacked through Iceland?</h2>
<p>I stayed in Hostels and a few airbnbs the entire time I was in Iceland. Lodging was limited in the colder months, so do try and book everything in advance. This is typically opposed to the way i normall travel, as I don't like to plan, but it all ended up working out quite well. </p>
<p><img alt="iceland hostel loft backpacking and driving around the ring road" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-fuji-xt2-scandanavia-57_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p>
<h2>Learn more about Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Photography Portfolio and Information</a></span></p>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<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<span> </span>and portrait photography. 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.</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 Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>
<h2>My Iceland trip on 35mm film and medium format film</h2>
<p><img alt="snow covered iceland mountain on grainy black and white kodak tri-x 400 35mm film pushed 2 stops at 1600" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-film-scandanavia-286_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="Kodak portra 400 35mm film with canon F1N photograph of mountain in iceland during winter" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-film-scandanavia-196_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="kodak portra 800 35mm film image of iceland valley with canon F1N" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/travel/iceland/2017-film-scandanavia-142_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>February Downtown Charleston Engagement Session on Film2020-02-24T11:52:12+00:002024-03-29T03:19:14+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/february-downtown-charleston-engagement-session-on-film/<p>Meeting this couple comes with a funny little story. I was at a coffee shop with my dog and Nash and Amy were actually there meeting with another photographer to discuss their upcoming wedding. The meeting ended and as the other photographers were exiting a young boy sprinted by the coffee shop and Oliver, my beloved Aussie, barked at the boy. Nash, who was standing right next to me, muttered "your dog doesn't seem to like our wedding photographers". My response was "you know what, no he doesn't, let's chat". The rest is history. Nash, Amy and I hit it off and here I am taking their engagement photos in preperation for their wedding at the Thomas Bennet House later this year. </p>
<p><img alt="charleston alley engagement photos photography kodak film portra 800 hasselblad 202fa 110mm F2 " src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/1%20gen/2002-nash-amy-charleston-downtown-february-engagement-photos-film-00032_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>We absolutely hit it off once more during their engagement photos and what resulted were some of the most joyous, and easy going engagement photos I've taken yet. All shot on a mix of 35mm and medium format film, in beautiful downtown Charleston. The photos were taken at Philidelphia Alley, Chalmers Street, Rainbow Row and The Battery on East Bay. I can't wait to see these two hitched on May 2 2020, and see what magic we can create once again. Charleston South Carolina is full of beautiful wedding and engagement photo opportunities. There is a reason it is the number 1 wedding destination in the United States. </p>
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<p> </p>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>Chartreuse In Tuscany an Italian Inspired Elopement Weekend at Hotel Domestique2019-10-31T13:09:55+00:002024-03-28T18:22:26+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/chartreuse-in-tuscany-an-italian-inspired-elopement-weekend-hotel-domestique/<h2>SOUTH CAROLINA WEEKEND ELOPEMENT FEATURED ON MAGNOLIA ROUGE! </h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.magnoliarouge.com/inspiration/vintage-european-elopement-inspiration-in-the-hills-of-asheville/" target="_blank" title="https://www.magnoliarouge.com/inspiration/vintage-european-elopement-inspiration-in-the-hills-of-asheville/">Magnolia Rouge - Vintage European Inspired Elopement Inspiration in the Hills of Asheville</a></span></p>
<p>I had a vision to bring vintage, timeless European romance to the southern United States. The styling would be reminiscent of a more traditional era, yet retain the elements of sophisticated dress that's commonplace at European weddings. I expanded my search outside of my native Charleston wedding destination to find a wedding venue with a European flair. I found the Italian inspired Hotel Domestique and planned the entire shoot, with it as my aesthetic muse. It's most important for me to tell a story when I put together creative projects. That's why I decided on a weekend elopepment as the storyboard. It would take place in stages, reflecting a casual time away with all the intimacy of true love echoed in playful banter and sun-drenched relaxation. From poolside lounging to a picnic among the vineyard vines, and culminating in a sunset ceremony, I wanted the focus to be on the couple. It was meant to feel as if my presence as the photographer wasn't known. This helps keep the focus on the story and the true chemistry between these once total strangers. </p>
<h2>South and North Carolina Elopement Editorial Team</h2>
<p>Photography: <a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Photography</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/">https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/</a></p>
<p>Venue: <a href="http://hoteldomestique.com/" target="_blank" title="http://hoteldomestique.com/">Hotel Domestique</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hotel_domestique/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/hotel_domestique/">https://www.instagram.com/hotel_domestique/</a></p>
<p>Florals: <a href="http://www.laurelcreekflorals.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.laurelcreekflorals.com/">Laurel Creek Florals</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurelcreekflorals/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/laurelcreekflorals/">https://www.instagram.com/laurelcreekflorals/</a></p>
<p>Hair and Makeup: <a href="https://www.emilydawnmakeup.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.emilydawnmakeup.com/">Emily Dawn Hair and Makeup</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilydawnhmu/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/emilydawnhmu/">https://www.instagram.com/emilydawnhmu/</a></p>
<p>Pottery: <a href="https://eastfork.com/" target="_blank" title="https://eastfork.com/">East Fork Pottery</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eastforkpottery/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/eastforkpottery/">https://www.instagram.com/eastforkpottery/</a></p>
<p>Models: <a href="https://www.sterlingstreetactor.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.sterlingstreetactor.com/">Sterling Street</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/christigarland/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/christigarland/">Christi Garland</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/christigarland/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/christigarland/">https://www.instagram.com/christigarland/</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sterlingstreet/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/sterlingstreet/">https://www.instagram.com/sterlingstreet/</a></p>
<p>Dress: Vintage <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sustainablestylegvl/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/sustainablestylegvl/">Sustainable Style Greenville</a></p>
<p>Groom Styling: Vintage <a href="https://www.brooksbrothers.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.brooksbrothers.com/">Brooks Brothers</a> and <a href="https://www.jcrew.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.jcrew.com/">J Crew</a></p>
<p><img alt="asheville hotel domestique elopement wedding vineyard summer film contax 645" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/domestique/1906-hotel-domestique-vintage-tuscanny-chartreuse-styled-elopement-83_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The shoot came together in stages, thanks entirely to the creative team we assembled. Kendra, from Laurel Creek florals is an experienced wedding and arrangement florist who grows her own flowers on her farm outside of Greenville. She was inspired by seasonal blooms and hand dyed silk ribbons, with a continuous aspiration for and experimentation with new color palettes. Prior to the shoot she sent me images of Chartreuse ribbons and matching florals. I was at first a skeptic. The color was bold, and unconventional for the wedding industry. I trusted her vision, and it instantly became my favorite detail of the entire shoot. Christi was my female model, and my styling companion. I met up with her a day prior to the shoot and we scoured thrift stores, her own personal wardrobe, and vintage pieces from her Greenville based Sustainable Style to put the finishing touches on the wardrobe and picnic stylings. The pièce de résistance was her mother's vintage, hand sewn wedding dress which she stumbled upon days prior the shoot. The moment she tried the dress on, the shoot felt complete, and I knew that we'd successful carried out the vision I had been dreaming about for months. Emily Dawn created 3 distinct and effortlessly perfect hair and makeup looks to put the final touches on our three elopement vignettes. She paired the perfect rosy cheek and lips to accent the bold yellows by the pool. She created a soft, and playfully charming ponytail and red lip to bring casual elegance to our countryside picnic. Finally, a brilliant updo with her own exclamation of "my best updo yet" was a tall order to pair with such a dress, but again the creation was as magical as the sunset light catching the loose curls draped from either side. Sterling, a Greenville based actor, was our male model and the playful chemistry generator that truly made the shoot feel like an elopement between two smitten lovers. He told stories by the picnic of vacations to European chateaus in the south of Italy, eliciting giggles from their believable prose. He carried an infectious smile that proved contagious, even from behind my camera. He was styled with vintage finds, my own personal wardrobe and pieces from his own closet and signature garb.</p>
<p><img alt="hotel domestique elopement wedding photography contax 645 portra 400 film " src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/domestique/1906-hotel-domestique-vintage-tuscanny-chartreuse-styled-elopement-180_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h2>What I love About Hotel Domestique as a South Carolina Wedding Venue</h2>
<p>A special thanks is due to the lovely venue, Hotel Domestique in Traveler's Rest South Carolina. Sarah was a wonderful host, and allowed us all the time and space we needed to piece together our vision. It is truly a unique, and rare destination tucked away in the mountains of Traveler's rest between Greenville and Asheville. Hotel Domestique is large enough to host big weddings but it's remote location gives it a very intimate feel, perfect for weddings and elopements alike. The venue is inspired by italian vineyards and it is this aesthetic that makes it unlike any other wedding venue in South Carolina. It features a sprawling inn and a large back patio with a fountain that overlooks the vineyard and blue ridge mountains. It is one of the most beautiful wedding reception spaces I have ever had the pleasure to photograph.</p>
<p><img alt="hotel domestique south carolina wedding and elopement venue back patio with italian architecture in blue ridge mountains" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/domestique/1906-hotel-domestique-vintage-tuscanny-chartreuse-styled-elopement-23_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="hotel domestique bride and groom in vintage wedding dress and suit during south carolina wedding elopement featuring old world italian design" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/domestique/1906-hotel-domestique-vintage-tuscanny-chartreuse-styled-elopement-167_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p>Last but not least, I'd like to thank East Fork pottery and the beautiful coincidence that led me to them. I'd followed them for some time and long admired their branding, artistic creations and social media styling. Leaving a vintage shop in Asheville, 2 days before the shoot, I happened to walk by their downtown shop and noticed their seasonal color was a chartreuse green. I knew it was meant to be and they graciously lent me some of their handmade pottery to put the finishing touch on our romantic picnic.</p>
<p>Everything came together to tell a story: Chartreuse in Tuscany - Vintage European Elopement Inspiration in the Hills of Asheville.</p>
<p></p>
<h2>Why You Should Hire Me For That Venue</h2>
<p>I sought out Hotel Domestique intentionally as a south carolina wedding and elopement venue because I was completely enamored with and inspired by the european archicteture and styling. It had this old world, romantic charm that I just couldn't find at any other charleston, asheville or columbia wedding venue. Hire a photographer that is inspired by where they shoot. Hire a photographer who will be so enthusiastic and excited to photograph your south carolina wedding at Hotel Domestique. This shoot was a dream and a beautiful change of pace for a Charleston wedding photographer and I truly can't wait to photograph another elopement or wedding at this lovely european venue. Also, I just really really love the Blue Ridge Mountains!</p>
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<p><img alt="One of south carolina and north carolinas best wedding venues hotel domestique overlooking the blue ridge mountains with vintage fashion bride and groom during ceremony" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/domestique/1906-hotel-domestique-vintage-tuscanny-chartreuse-styled-elopement-141_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p>To see more inspiring elopement content, check out my Wavering Place South Carolina Elopement that was featured on Ruffled Blog!</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/fall-elopement-wedding-at-south-carolinas-wavering-place/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/fall-elopement-wedding-at-south-carolinas-wavering-place/">Wavering Place Intimate Fall Wedding Elopement</a></span></p>
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<p><span></span></p>
<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 wedding and portrait photography. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina or any destination abroad.</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 Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Contax T3 First Roll2019-07-16T16:47:10+00:002024-03-29T11:18:35+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-t3-first-roll/<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>*FIRST ROLL*</strong></h2>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>My first roll put through a camera that I dreamed about for some time. I have to admit, when I first got my hands on it, I didn't get it. I didn't like the autonomy of it. I didn't like the sloppy framing of it. The more I shoot the camera, the more I appreciate it for what it is best used for. It's a party camera. It's a quick candid camera. Stay tuned for an extended review on the camera, but for now here are the images from my first roll of film through the Contax T3. Shot on Kodak Portra 400 film. </p>
<p></p>First Roll Hasselblad H12019-07-16T16:39:58+00:002024-03-28T18:23:05+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/first-roll-hasselblad-h1/<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>*FIRST ROLL*</strong></h2>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>My first roll of film shot through my Hasselblad H1. All images shot on Kodak Portra 400 film with the 80mm F2.8 lens. I boguht this camera to be my primary wedding film camera. </p>
<p></p>First Roll Leica M-A2019-07-16T16:29:06+00:002024-03-28T18:23:07+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/first-roll-leica-m-a/<h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>*FIRST ROLL*</strong></h2>
<p></p>
<p>Images from the first roll I put through my newly acquired Leica M-A. These images were taken quickly over the course of a day, as I needed to test the camera quickly before I left on a europe trip. Stay tuned for my first impressions blog post on the M-A. All images shot with a Leica Summilux 50mm F1.4</p>
<p></p>September Wedding on Northern Michigan's Mackinac Island2019-03-13T21:05:55+00:002024-03-28T19:20:53+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/mission-point-mackinac-island-fall-wedding/<p>Aside from a trip when I was too young to remember, I had never been to Mackinac Island in all of my years of calling Northern Michigan a second home. In the summer of 2017, I finally decided to take a trip up there and was left in a beautiful time warp. It's a bit of a strange sight as you first step off the boat. You are greeted with an old timey village, no automobiles and strange sense of bewilderment as you realize that this small island is inhabited by a fair bit of permanent residents. There are so many hidden gems on the island - beautiful, pristine coastline and some amazing cliffside hiking trails. I left the evening of the day I arrived and drove back to my cottage in Bear Lake. </p>
<p><img alt="mackinac-island-northern-michigan-film-kodak-p400-portra-september-fall" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/carrie-scott-mackinac/bonacorsi-mackinac-island-summer-wedding-091418-200_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The following year, I had an inquiry for a wedding in September 2018. I was thrilled. I was excited to not only have a destination wedding, but also on such a charming and remote island. The wedding ceremony and reception were held at the beautiful Mission Point Resort. Carrie and Scott welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like family. They tied the knot and celebrated with their beautiful little girl on, honestly, the nicest weather day of the entire summer. I couldn't believe how beautiful the weather was. When you are staring out at miles of pristine, northern Michgian coastline on a sunny, 80 degree day, you can't help but be joyful. Congratulations Carrie, Scott and your adorable little one, and thank you so much for befriending me and letting me document your marriage. </p>
<p><img alt="mission-point-mackinac-island-baby-wedding-child-dress-white" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/carrie-scott-mackinac/bonacorsi-mackinac-island-summer-wedding-091418-183_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Images shot on a mixture of digital and Kodak Portra 400 and 800 film - 35mm and medium format</p>
<p><img alt="mackinac island mission point wedding bride groom portra 800 film fuji gf670" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/carrie-scott-mackinac/bonacorsi-mackinac-island-summer-wedding-091418-588_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>My Cousin's Colorful Kentucky Farm Wedding2019-03-12T11:53:44+00:002024-03-28T18:20:33+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/my-cousins-colorful-kentucky-farm-wedding/<p>I had the pleasure of photographing my cousin Julia's wedding on a farm in the small town of Maysville. It's strange photographing a younger family member. In your eyes they are always young. It's beautiful to watch family grow up, but strange at the same time, as they always seem young in your eyes. I grew up going to their family farm in a small town in Kentucky and it meant a lot to me to return and have the opportunity to photograph their story in that very town. There is so much overlooked beauty in America's farmland. Everytime I make the drive through kentucky and mid ohio, I am always fascinated with the beautiful golden light reflecting off the earth toned landscape. Here is Julia and Ryan's story - love in a peaceful Kentucky farm town. </p>