Sprinkle/Anderson Family Portrait at Palmetto Bluff by RIM Photography

First of all, I’ve got to say, what a fantastic extended family the Sprinkle and Anderson clans make! What a perfect setting too, for them to have a chance to fellowship while spending a long weekend together in a beautiful home at Palmetto Bluff. 

Bride Linda Sprinkle, who could easily have a second career in destination wedding planning, found a spectacular Village Home that welcomed guests with antique pine floors, high vaulted ceilings, cozy fireplaces, and spacious screened verandas. When not running out the door to hop on their bikes, Sprinkle’s nephews could be found soaking in the ambience of a huge family room with its wall-size home theater system.

The families blended together seamlessly as they sipped wine while sharing stories and laughter around the large wooden dining table or lounged comfortably in oversized sofas in front of a roaring fire. 

Linda had everyone dress in jeans and white shirts for family portraits amidst the panoramic vistas of the lowcountry visible right outside their back door. Large oak trees and hanging Spanish moss provided the perfect backdrop for their family pictures. 

Everyone was a sport too, about the unusually chilly weather. With a high of forty degrees, and the temperature dropping steadily, family members shed coats and mufflers for group poses during which they were more than happy to snuggle in tightly and think warm thoughts before running back to the warmth of their coverings. 

We got some great photos in that last hour before sunset. Here are some of my favorites:

Photos by Renee Ittner-McManus/RIM Photography.

Spring Valley Baptist Church’s Carolina Christmas Celebration by RIM Photography

What a great way to celebrate Christmas this year as the photographer for Spring Valley Baptist Church’s Carolina Christmas Celebration right here in northeast Columbia. I had the best view in the house as I roamed from balcony to center aisle, to the up close and personal stage side view during the final dress rehearsal for this annual production.

It really is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas that goes beyond the expected nativity scene. Come to think of it, I don’t think there was a nativity scene in this modern-day production that weaved a wonderful story of the rediscovery of Christmas through dance, comedy, drama, videos, a 100 member choir, full orchestra and even falling snow.

Spring Valley Baptist Church member Brad Fleming served as my personal guide, leading the way through the backstage catacombs, making introductions, and most importantly, toting a very heavy bag of spare camera gear. Thanks, Brad!

What a great ambassador for the church! There wasn’t a person who passed by that he didn’t know by name, occupation and role in the Christmas production. And he had something nice to say about everyone we met. I gotta admit that there were some wonderfully friendly folks at this church, chief among them Rick McCollum, Minister of Music and Worship at Spring Valley Baptist who somehow pulls together this huge production each year and does so while staying calm, cool, collected and enthusiastic.

Dancers in 1950s costumes perform with an Elvis-style Frosty during the North Pole Live scene.

Snow falls on stage during a Charlie Brown Christmas scene.

Minister of Music and Worship Rick McCollum directs the orchestra and 100-member choir during the finale.

Be sure to check out the church’s website around mid December this year so you don’t miss out on the opportunity to scoop up a free ticket for the 2009 production. Y0u won’t want to miss it!

Photographs by Renée Ittner McManus with RIM Photography.

Alan, Michael and Jennifer Miskewicz Wilson’s family portrait by RIM Photography

I had the privilege on a recent Sunday to photograph  Jennifer Miskewicz Wilson, her husband Alan, and their baby son Michael.

You may recognize Jennifer from her days as a senior news reporter for local NBC affiliate WIS-TV. She left recently to join Lexington Medical Center as its public relations manager. Coincidentally, another favorite client, Rep. Nikki Haley, also just joined the Lexington Medical Center team, serving as  assistant executive director of the Lexington Medical Center Foundation. More importantly, Jennifer’s a fellow Mizzou grad (Go Tigers!), having graduated from the best journalism school in the world (we’re journalists, you can trust us on this!): University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. If you don’t believe us, just ask the real senior WIS-TV reporter Jack Kuenzie. 

While a few years separated us at our alma mater, we had met and gotten to know each other covering various assignments in our roles as local journalists. I remember the first time she told me about a guy she was dating who was serving overseas, and with whom she was clearly enamored. That guy turned out to be the man she would marry. 

Alan, son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, was then serving as an Army National Guard intelligence officer in Iraq. When he returned and they married, I was fortunate enough to be their wedding photographer and document their day. It’s still one of my most favorite weddings I’ve photographed and can be seen under galleries at my website. 

So, having witnessed the beginning of their life together, I felt especially blessed to photograph them and their son Michael as they enter this new stage of life.

We gathered at the West Columbia Riverwalk, part of the Three Rivers Greenway project, where the beauty of the natural surroundings offered a variety of eye-catching backdrops. 

Jennifer and Alan both have a keen photographic presence and do so well in front of the camera, but let me tell you, baby Michael stole the show. That kid is the cutest thing around! He was so happy and content the entire time, not a peep out of him, probably because he was so mesmerized by the river. We finally had to move from our original location right next to the water because he was so fascinated with it, he couldn’t take his eyes off of it long enough to pose with the family. 

That turned out to be good for Nate the dog’s sake, who had been tethered to a tree during the first part of the shoot, but made it to the family picture by virtue of our seeking higher ground. Not only did the change of venue please Nate, Jennifer was more than happy to climb the side of the hill after teetering on unsteady rocks and nearly losing a shoe to the river. 

We found a beautiful background next to the Gervais Street bridge, then just waited for arbitrary passers-by to catch Michael’s eye so he’d look up and smile. We had some wonderfully willing strangers resort to making faces to get his smile to last long enough for a few pictures. 

What I really needed was a Jennifer clone behind me to keep him smiling, because that boy adores his mom. When we placed him on a blanket for a few quick shots sitting by himself, he smiled and laughed and giggled non-stop. There were so many great images, it was hard to choose, but this is a favorite of mine:

 

Photographs by Renee Ittner McManus/RIM Photography.

Nikki Haley: Family Portrait by RIM Photography

I returned from the Isle of Palms Sunday with just enough time to catch my breath, unpack, and reorganize my gear as I took off for what has become an annual affair: the Haley family portrait.

I was introduced to SC Rep. Nikki Haley  two years ago while photographing for her campaign, and was immediately impressed. I don’t know when I’ve ever met someone who is so bright and capable, so dedicated to public service, so “up” on issues affecting Lexington County and our state, and yet so approachable and “real.” 

I met up with the Haleys at the Lexington home of Nikki’s gracious parents: Dr. Ajit and Raj Randhawa. We spent the next 45 minutes traipsing around their ample backyard, choosing picturesque alcoves nestled among sun-filtered trees to provide just the right backdrop for their family portrait.

I do all my family portraits and engagement sessions on location. People seem to behave so much more naturally in nature versus a studio setting. I love the freedom of movement it provides and the ability for us to be spontaneous as we get inspired by our surroundings.

With family portraits, the challenge is usually getting every family member to look good at the same time. Not so with the Haleys. While Nikki must be used to smiling on cue (makes me think of the penguins from Madagascar, “Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.”), husband Michael, daughter Rena and son Nalin seemed like old pros as well.

After the family session, we took a few minutes to photograph Rena and her little brother Nalin. With their bright eyes and dark complexions, these kids could be models on the cover of any magazine. We had fun posing around the Crepe Myrtles and other greenery, but I thought this waterside portrait really set off their eyes.

Photos by Renee Ittner McManus, owner RIM Photography.