Officially a Charleston Wedding Photographer… someone pinch us! That has been a dream of ours for years to actually say out loud. With the whirlwind of emotions lately with the announcement we’re moving to Charleston, South Carolina and that Rachel’s pregnant, reality has set in that we’re moving our business cross country. Not a neighboring city or  near by state, as far away from California that’s physically possible. Its like starting our business from scratch. The funny thing is a few weeks before the announcement, a creative in our field told us, “You girls need more Spanish Moss in your lives!”, and we couldn’t have agreed more!

We had less than a week before it was wheels up for us to play a Charleston wedding photographer. Plans were we would have three days on the ground and we needed to make as many industry connections, shoot as many sessions, and get comfortable with the area and locations in that amount of time, because we wouldn’t be back before the actual move. We hit the ground running!

Our first day in Charleston was absolutely breathtaking and we would drive the streets in aw of it’s beauty! Our first meeting was with the Emily Kotarski, the AMAZING custom wedding dress designer in downtown Charleston. Even finding our way to her studio off the main road, we when through these old brick walled ally-ways, through this adorable courtyard, and then upstairs and old 1600’s colonial house. Every step was a dream! Meeting for the first time, having met over the phone just the day before, Emily welcomed us into her business with open arms and helped us create the most ideal Charleston bridal session we could have ever dreamed of! We left with three dresses (that’s right THREE), total custom designs. Watch out world, Emily Kotarski is the next big designer name to look out for!

Next up, hair and makeup! We had the honor of meeting and working alongside Jessica Kendall, owner of Beauty Asylum, one of Charleston’s most sought after bridal hair and makeup stylist! We got to hang out at the hotel together and watch her work her magic (and love her to pieces!), transforming our beautiful friend Breana Intlekofer, into an ideal southern bride. With the final touches of stunning jewelry and hairpieces by the famous Emma Katzka, and the most exquisite floral creation from Roadside Blooms, we were ready!

Throughout the afternoon we visited White Point Garden for the vast openness and mossy trees right along the waters edge of the Charleston coast. We then wandered the historic buildings of the College of Charleston, where were we just taken away by it’s lavish gardens, ethereal stairways, and the most welcoming front porches. We ended at Hampton Park, hiding from the hot summers day, and humility like we had never experienced before, clinging to the low hanging moss trees. Every moment of this day will be etched into our minds forever! We cannot wait to have our feet firmly planted there later this year as a Charleston Wedding Photographer!

Here is a sneak peek, both film and digital images, of our first day in Charleston!

Dress :: Emily Kotarski

Hair & Makeup :: Beauty Asylum<

Hair Piece & Earrings :: Emma Katzka

Florist :: Roadside Blooms

Model :: Breana Intlekofer

Charleston Wedding Photographers :: Laura & Rachel Photography