Thank you for dropping in to visit our much loved Blog!! We are extremely excited about it and encourage any feedback that you might have.
I am Carmen Ash Coblentz and I will be your narrator! I am a professional photographer based out of Charleston and Myrtle Beach, SC. This photographic journal will give you an insight into who I am as an artist and get to know me personally!!
"A child is born with the natural ability to dream and create. We then spend the rest of our lives forgetting how." ~ Picasso
"Remember always, you have not only the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Sarah and Brian are tying the knot in Myrtle Beach, SC on June 5, 2010. For their engagement session, they chose to go to Sarah’s family’s home on the river in Conway, SC. The property was absolutely gorgeous; a photographer’s dream! Sarah and Brian were great to work with, and their 9 week old English Bulldog Dottie made it that much more fun. Even with the rain, the images came out perfect!
What a cute little wiggle butt!
This was our 2nd session in the baby collection and Mr. Chad is growing like a weed! He’s around six months and full of energy! He made it through an entire hour of hard work in the studio!
Kristen and I have been best friends since about 1 1/2 years old, when we met at nursery school. I wouldn’t have dreamed of anyone else shooting her wedding or taking my place as a bridesmaid, so I was both!!
Kristen moved to Charleston, SC to attend the College of Charleston and decided to stay after graduation to work. She moved around a couple of times, and little did she know her final apartment would lead her to her husband! Ellis moved into the same apartment complex soon after starting his Coast Guard career. With a mutual love for dogs, Kristen adopted a spunky golden lab and Ellis a lackadaisical St. Bernard. While out walking their new best friends, they met! The dogs hit it off right away and they were forced to go to the dog park many, many times!! That weekend they spent hours walking their dogs, and starting a friendship that would quickly grow. As sappy as it may seem, Kristen knew Ellis was the one for her; I also agreed the first time I met him!
Eventually, Ellis received orders to move to Norfolk, VA. As hard as it was, this only made their feelings deeper and confirmed what they knew to be true all along. Ellis proposed to Kristen in Virginia Beach two days after Christmas 2008 and on November 14, 2009 they were married.
Kristen, I am so so proud of who you have become. You are beautiful inside and out, and I love you more than words can describe. You have been a dear friend for almost 25 years. I can’t wait to raise our children together and watch our hair turn gray! God has blessed you with an amazing man. A man who adores you and will be an awesome father. Always RESPECT him.
Ellis, I couldn’t have ordered a more perfect man for Kristen. You are loving, godly and patient. I can’t wait for you guys to be close by, so that we will be able to get to know you better. Always LOVE her.
I love you both. Enjoy some of my favorite moments from your wedding and don’t miss the slide-show at the end!
I wore that feather veil at my rehearsal!
Caleb and I stole their “get away cart” for a quick joy ride!
Ceremony: Belin Methodist Church, Murrells Inlet, SC
Reception: Litchfield Country Club, Litchfield, SC
Flowers: Mark Gladden with M. Gladden Designs
Cake: Janet Adams, The Cake Lady
In today’s economy and with this new digital age of photography, the amount of “professional photographers” has more than doubled! It is scary to me that there are people that like to take pictures, have bought a camera, and are now “professional” because they are charging for their services! For all of my current and potential clients, please be aware of these people, especially when it comes to your wedding day. These moments in your life can not be recreated and shouldn’t have to be!
Tips for choosing your photographer:
- Ask to see 2-4 entire weddings or shoots: Anyone can throw a portfolio together of their best images!
- Get their references: I can’t stress this enough. Our entire company is 85% referral based. If brides and the other vendors love the photographer, you probably will too.
- Get to know the photographer: The photographer/client relationship is very important, it hopefully lasts a lifetime. You want to make sure that they have the technical and communication skills to shoot the wedding, and also the personality to make the day run smooth. You will be working with them ordering prints, designing albums and all the other goodies that go along with wedding photography, so make sure you click.
- Equipment: They should have back ups for cameras, lenses, and lights.
With that being said, enjoy the video below! (click below)
Caleb and I decided this past weekend to watch the sunset for the first time since we’ve lived in Charleston! It was absolutely beautiful and we will be making these walks a normal thing!
Their Story:
“River Church began with Todd and Lori Magouyrk. The couple felt a calling from God to start a new community of Christ-followers that would be rich in discipleship and a pure, Biblical pursuit of God. As they shared their vision with others, several families and young adults found themselves compelled to jump on board to help turn the vision into reality.
After a great deal of prayer and counsel, it became clear that the city of Charleston was the destination for this group of wanna-be world-changers.
Beginning in March of 2009, these families and young adults, all from the metro-Atlanta, Georgia area, began uprooting and moving to the West Ashley community.
By September, 2009, more than 15 adults and a dozen children had moved to town and found friendship with a few dozen Christ-followers who shared the vision. They began “doing life together,” meaning they encouraged one another, prayed for one another, shared meals together, dreamed together.
The intention is that River Church will cultivate a lifestyle where those who seek God will find him in the context of real friendships, intentional discipleship, and sincere, exciting worship.”
Check them out on the website for more information! www.RiverChurch.com
The Amazing River Church Staff!
Melanie and Damian’s story starts back in grade school, where I also met them. Over the years their friendship grew, and while at college, it became a strong love for each other. After college, they moved to Charleston so that Melanie could attend MUSC, and soon decided to tie the knot!
They exchanged wedding vows on November 7, 2009 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Broad Street in Charleston, SC. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Francis Marion Hotel.
Damian’s uncle is the famous fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo. Carmen designed the bridesmaid’s and mother’s dresses for the wedding.
Carmen & Carmen!
Shannon and Jay were married this past October at the breath taking Pearl River Hilton in New York. Recently, they decided to make a trip to Charleston, SC for a trash the dress session. For their session, we started down town and worked our way towards Folly Beach. We had so much fun, with Shannon’s dad as our chauffeur! We would spot an awesome backdrop/building and all jump out of the car! Take a look at some of my favorites below and on the slideshow…
On a side note, Shannon’s beautiful dress is from the famous Kleinfeld Manhattan, the bridal store from “Say Yes to the Dress.” We have her dress for sale in our Charleston studio if anyone is interested!
Carmen Ash Photography named Best of Weddings in
THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS 2010
Charleston, SC 1-24-2010—Carmen Ash Photography is pleased to announce they have been selected as a 2010 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section in The Knot magazine and online at Weddings from The Knot, the number-one wedding resource that’s most trusted by brides.
The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. From New York florists and Seattle bridal salons to DC makeup artists, engaged couples will find detailed feedback on local wedding businesses reviewed by thousands of newlyweds who had great things to say.
“This is such an honor and surprise! We are so lucky to have such amazing clients. Thank you so much!” Carmen Ash Coblentz
Katie Gallimore and Jim Ed Lane were married on September 26, 2009 at the Pawleys Island Chapel. The chapel sits on stilts in the marsh, so from the inside the only thing you see around you is the marsh! It’s a breath taking place to begin a life together as husband and wife.
Katie’s long time friend Ross works for Vineyard Vines. He had these ties specially made for their wedding! Some of the images will be in there next catalog!
Weddings at Pawleys: Karen Clark
