month: November 2009




Carolyn and Mark married Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte followed by an intimate reception at Del Frisco’s Restaurant.

It was a nice change of pace photographing this small gathering of family and friends. I always enjoy working at First Presbyterian and the wine cellar at Del Frisco’s was a cozy, elegant setting for the celebration.

Congratulations Carolyn and Mark! It was such a pleasure working with you and your families.

Carolyn and Mark outside First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte

Carolyn and Mark outside First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte

First Presbyterian Church offers a glimpse of history among Charlotte's modern skyline

First Presbyterian Church offers a glimpse of history among Charlotte's modern skyline

Carolyn greets her sister, Liz, as their mother looks on

Carolyn greets her sister, Liz, as their mother looks on

Liz tells her sister she looks beautiful as they wait in the bride's room at First Presbyterian

Liz tells her sister she looks beautiful as they wait in the bride's room at First Presbyterian

Getting ready

Getting ready

Carolyn with sisters Liz and Katherine

Carolyn with sisters Liz and Katherine

Mark prepares to make his entrance into the church

Mark prepares to make his entrance into the church

Late-afternoon sun warms the scene as Carolyn and her father walk to the front of the church

Late-afternoon sun warms the scene as Carolyn and her father walk to the front of the church

The ceremony

The ceremony

Carolyn and Mark celebrate following the ceremony

Carolyn and Mark celebrate following the ceremony

Carolyn glances at her new husband

Carolyn glances at her new husband

Photo op

Photo op

Portraits outside the church

Portraits outside the church

Having some fun taking pictures

Having some fun taking pictures

Carolyn's son Franco with his new cousin Anna

Carolyn's son Franco with his new cousin Anna

An artful cake arrangement at Del Frisco's

An artful cake arrangement at Del Frisco's

Carolyn and Mark share a quiet moment before their guests arrived

Carolyn and Mark share a quiet moment before their guests arrived

Cousins Franco, Norman and Dougie

Cousins Franco, Norman and Dougie

The wine cellar at Del Frisco's was a wonderful setting for the intimate dinner

The wine cellar at Del Frisco's was a wonderful setting for the intimate dinner

Sharing the cake

Sharing the cake





North Carolina Dance Theatre’s Innovative Works is a showcase of several contemporary ballets with diverse pieces on artist Henri Matisse and social media among others and pulsating music from the likes of Steve Ray Vaughan and The Chemical Brothers.

The works are visually stunning and it was a pleasure to photograph these incredible dancers in these unique productions.

Mark Diamond’s “Matisse” was innovative and beautiful as the choreographer intermingles the artist with subjects from some of his most famous creations. NCDT dancer Sasha Janes choreographed “Glass Houses,” which he said is a loose interpretation of today’s new media such as Facebook and MySpace, and how they impact individuals. He also utilized a sculpture from a former McColl Center for the Visual Art artist in residence, Shaun Cassidy, in the piece.

The shows start tonight at 7:30 followed by shows Friday and Saturday. They will also run at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12-14.

Mary Ellen Beaudreau is a muse in Mark Diamond's "Matisse"

Mary Ellen Beaudreau is a muse in Mark Diamond's "Matisse"

Justin VanWeest leaps across the Booth Playhouse stage in Dwight Rhoden's "Moody Booty Blues"

Justin VanWeest leaps across the Booth Playhouse stage in Dwight Rhoden's "Moody Booty Blues"

Rebecca Carmazzi and Addul Manzano in "Moody Booty Blues"

Rebecca Carmazzi and Addul Manzano in "Moody Booty Blues"

Rebecca Carmazzi glides across the stage

Rebecca Carmazzi glides across the stage

Rebecca Carmazzi and Addul Manzano

Rebecca Carmazzi and Addul Manzano

Justin VanWeest

Justin VanWeest

Jamie Dee waits to take the stage in "Tearing for a Cure" by Uri Sands

Jamie Dee waits to take the stage in "Tearing for a Cure" by Uri Sands

Sahsa Janes lifts Traci Gilchrest in "Tearing for a Cure"

Sahsa Janes lifts Traci Gilchrest in "Tearing for a Cure"

Kara Wilkes leaps

Kara Wilkes leaps

More Kara Wilkes

More Kara Wilkes

David Ingram and Kara Wilkes

David Ingram and Kara Wilkes

Kara Wilkes walks away from David Ingram in "Tearing for a Cure"

Kara Wilkes walks away from David Ingram in "Tearing for a Cure"

Anna Gerberich opens up "There Again, Not Slowly"

Anna Gerberich opens up "There Again, Not Slowly"

Alessandra Ball dances with Rebecca Carmazzi

Alessandra Ball dances with Rebecca Carmazzi

Sasha Janes lifts Rebecca Carmazzi

Sasha Janes lifts Rebecca Carmazzi

David Ingram leaps in Diamond's "There Again, Not Slowly"

David Ingram leaps in Diamond's "There Again, Not Slowly"

More David Ingram

More David Ingram

Anna Gerberich and David Ingram in the spotlight

Anna Gerberich and David Ingram in the spotlight

Dustin Layton plays the artist Henri Matisse and Traci Gilchrest is the inspiration for one of his paintings in Mark Diamond's "Matisse"

Dustin Layton plays the artist Henri Matisse and Traci Gilchrest is the inspiration for one of his paintings in "Matisse"

Dustin Layton leaps as Traci Gilchrest is framed onstage

Dustin Layton leaps as Traci Gilchrest is framed onstage

Mary Ellen Beaudreau in "Matisse"

Mary Ellen Beaudreau in "Matisse"

More from Mary Ellen Beaudreau

More from Mary Ellen Beaudreau

Kara Wilkes brings Matisse's "Blue Nude" to life

Kara Wilkes brings Matisse's "Blue Nude" to life

More from "Matisse"

More from "Matisse"

Rebecca Carmazzi gets warmed up backstage as she prepares for "Glass Houses" by Sasha Janes

Rebecca Carmazzi gets warmed up backstage as she prepares for "Glass Houses" by Sasha Janes

Justin VanWeest lifts Alessandra Ball in "Glass Houses"

Justin VanWeest lifts Alessandra Ball in "Glass Houses"

More from "Glass Houses," which incorporates a sculpture by Shaun Cassidy

More from "Glass Houses," which incorporates a sculpture by Shaun Cassidy

David Ingram and Rebecca Carmazzi in "Glass Houses"

David Ingram and Rebecca Carmazzi in "Glass Houses"

Taking a bow after "Moody Booty Blues"

Taking a bow after "Moody Booty Blues"





My family is blessed to attend Lake Forest Church, which has a creative staff that works to make messages innovative and relevant.

Music plays a vital role in our worship and the annual series Hope in a House of Blues brings in amazing artists to perform with our band.

Through a bit of luck and a connection with Lake Forest guitarist JB Eanes, the church brought in bluesman Larry McCray for an inspiring performance.

McCray has toured with such notables as The Allman Brothers, Buddy Guy and BB King, and his performance did not disappoint.

Bluesman Larry McCray at Lake Forest Church

Bluesman Larry McCray at Lake Forest Church

Larry McCray plays with the band at Lake Forest Church

Larry McCray plays with the band at Lake Forest Church

McCray plays a powerful rendition of "Soulshine"

McCray plays a powerful rendition of "Soul Shine"

McCray has opened for blues greats Robert Cray and the Allman Brothers among others

McCray has opened for blues greats Robert Cray and the Allman Brothers among others

Lake Forest band member JB Eanes works his guitar

Lake Forest band member JB Eanes works his guitar

McCray has a powerful voice to accompany his amazing guitar work

Blues is McCray's business, and, as the song says, business is good

The stage set added great atmospher for the House of Blues series

The stage set added great atmosphere for the House of Blues series

Lake Forest Worship Director Kyle Dillard leads a song

Lake Forest Worship Director Kyle Dillard leads a song

Vocal Director Reeve Coobs sings a solo

Vocal Director Reeve Coobs sings a solo

Dillard leads a song of worship

Dillard leads a song of worship

Lake Forest Pastor Mike Moses talks about "Doubt in the Ruins" as part of the House of Blues series

Lake Forest Pastor Mike Moses talks about "Doubt in the Ruins" as part of the House of Blues series