On Location in Historic Columbia, S.C. by Jackie McLeod
Recently, McLeod House Studios photographers shot a bridal portrait session in historic Columbia, South Carolina. It was a picture-perfect location with Matt and Megan — a picture-perfect couple.
Our photo shoot took place at the landmark Sheraton Hotel/ Palmetto Building. The building, formerly a bank, was constructed in 1913, and then rehabilitated in 2008. When renovated, the original hardwood floors, ornate tile mosaics, woodwork, and vault were preserved.
Megan is a former pageant girl, whose achievements are nothing short of impressive.
After winning three back-to-back crowns, Megan earned a chance to compete in the 2002 America’s Homecoming Queen Pageant in Anaheim, Calif., where she again took the crown and received a full college scholarship. Later, she was crowned Miss Greater Greer USA, Miss Columbia USA, and took the title of First-Runner-Up three years in a row at the Miss South Carolina USA pageant.
Megan’s many years of pageant training became obvious during the photo shoot as she intuitively knew how to engage the camera and commanded the space.
We took advantage of the massive vault door by placing Megan square in the middle. She wore a strapless, Casablanca gown, custom earrings by Stefanie Somers and Steve Madden heels. Matt was her perfect compliment, wearing a Dunhill suit and shoes by Gucci.
We photographed the couple in a variety of poses throughout the hotel – including on the espresso leather couch in the lobby and inside the hotel elevators. Then, we stepped onto picturesque Main Street for additional portraits of the couple embracing in the evening light.
Our “landmark” photo shoot in Columbia wouldn’t be complete without a stroll to the Sylvan Building, formerly the Central National Bank. In 1905, brothers Gustav and Johannes Sylvan, Swedish immigrants, rehabilitated the location and turned it into a jewelry store, which remains today. The Sylvan Building is reputed as the first significantly large building established after the Civil War. In front of the Sylvan Building stands one of only two Seth Thomas-made street clocks, which are replicas of a clock in the town square of Bern, Switzerland. As dusk fell, we concluded our photo shoot with several pictures of the couple in front of this iconic clock.
From the architectural details of the buildings, to the lovely evening light, in a historic Southern town, and working with a beautiful and adventurous couple – all of the elements came together to make this location photo shoot exceptional.
More photos from this shoot can be found at McLeod House Studios on Facebook.
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References
Starwood Hotels Online.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1783
Historic Columbia Foundation, Main Street Walking Tour Brochure.
http://historiccolumbia.org/
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