Meet Katie and Zac, from Michigan
I absolutely love the concept of a Baby Moon, and what better place than Charleston to take one? It's the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy yourself, explore, eat a bunch of great food, and why not take some maternity photos also? Our food and bev industry is thriving with all the best comfort food and fine dining, so there is really something for everyone here. This is your last opportunity to really escape the usual and life at home as just husband and wife before you add in your little bundle of joy. So take that time to sleep, listen to the ocean, walk and explore, do it all!
Katie and Zac were actually staying with a friend living in Summerville but they wanted a landscape unlike what they could find in their home state of Michigan so the beach was definitely the obvious choice. Now being that it's January, it was COLD. I mean, I'm usually in a hoodie and thick leggins this time of year and for whatever reason I just wore a t-shirt. These two being from Michigan were goose-bumped chilly, but totally took it like champs. Especially Katie who changed dresses FOUR times in my pop-up tent. I think it might have been about 50 degrees, which you know, doesn't seem that bad but the wind does add a crisp factor for sure. Either way, we decided on Sunset because of the drive they had from Summerville, and the fact that usually its a little warmer then.
The Morris Island Lighthouse portion of Folly Beach was an obvious choice for them for me for a number of reasons. First, because I knew after looking at the tide charts that it would be low tide at sunset which is the most ideal time to work in this location. Second, they opted for the Full Story package of mine that for maternity allows for a couple of dress changes. This location on Folly is unique in that you can make the Golden Hour last much longer than most other spots because of its variety and dense tree population which doesn't exist anywhere else here.
That said, for a sunset session I start with the lush landscape available along our walk out, which is usually about a 10-15 minute walk depending on your pace and how much you'd like to admire the graffiti on the road. Lesson learned warning- That brush as a lot of sand burrs and Zac and I learned that the hard way sooo.... Take caution if you're planning on being barefoot there.
My next stop in this spot during sunset is along the sea wall and dunes. Just as the sun starts to go behind the mound of sand there it provides the perfect cover for shaded portraits. These first two dresses were actually Katie's own, purchased from Amazon which is a success story in itself. I know too many people that have't had good luck with Amazon dresses (myself included) so I was really impressed at how perfectly they fit her!
Oooohh and then as the sun sets and you get that real Golden Hour light and color, it's like magic. I love seeing the sky change, I feel like it's a surprise every day what color you might see and if there are clouds or not. I think that's honestly what I like best, too. I like that every client has a different sky, because everyone has a different story. So no fake sky fillers here obviously, it's all nat-u-ralll.
You see that lush landscape now? It's the perfect backdrop. And I'll also add, this is why it's only great to go a low tide or close to. The tides actually reach the dunes here at high tide because of the erosion so unfortunately none of this is really possible during that time frame. It's also rare to have all of this to yourself. This area of Folly Beach has become so popular in the last few years you're almost always fighting for a good spot without several other people in the background of your shot. Not that I have any problem sharing, it's just more time consuming in post production. This was the only time I've had this beach all to myself in almost 3 years and I can thank that winter chill for that!
Also, can we talk about this dress for a minute- This is the Winter White "Grace" gown by Chicaboo and it's one of my most requested gowns from my client closet. It's perfect for winter obviously, but it's just so flattering in all the right places. Katie could rock any shape dress but I really felt like this one fit her personality, too.
Okay and get ready for this, sometimes you stumble upon things that are truly magical and you don't know how they got there. Like this swing! I mean I haven't been out to the Lighthouse in quite a while so I could just be late to the party but I was tickled to death to find this and had to use this for their session. It was worth it.
The last dress here was just a bonus shot for us both. I brought it for the color and because I didn't have it modeled just yet, and the sun was pretty much gone but it was so worth it for one last change. Katie rocked this mermaid silhouette and color.
I just have to say that I really enjoyed myself during this session. During the slow season sometimes we as photographers try to recover from our fall burn out and they were just the perfect couple to get me back into being creative. I love hearing about my couples and what they do, and getting to know them. It was so relaxing and satisfying to create these amazing portraits for them to remember their trip and their journey to becoming parents.
Best wishes Katie and Zac on your upcoming bundle of joy!