SUM KAI Creative, Marianna Way, Bluffton, SC (2026)

03/17/2026

I cannot believe we are coming around on Sage and Blake’s anniversary and this is my first time sharing their wedding photos! It was such a joy to document their intimate wedding at Colleton Point in Bluffton, SC.

Their day was all love. The energy was vibrant, relaxed and infectious in the best way.

Sage and I first met working at Hilton Head Coffee Roastery and now we both work full time in the wedding industry. It’s been such a joy to grow alongside her and capture this special time in her and Blake’s life.

Their first look was so sweet and sentimental and their party was an absolute blast. I am so lucky to have such legendary local clients!

Planner //
Florals //

2027bride dock weddingdressinspo lowcountrywedding sunset

Charleston wedding, Lowcountry wedding, dock, sunset in SC, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island SC, Beaufort, wedding inspo, couples photos, storytelling photography

03/11/2026

One of my favorite things about the Lowcountry is the diversity of landscapes it offers. During Serena and Matt’s wedding day in Palmetto Bluffton and Gascoigne Bluff, we were surrounded my oak trees, palm trees and the serene marsh.

It served for the perfect backdrop for a lovely and vibrant wedding day. While getting ready, the girls were singing and dancing around the kitchen and the guys were chilling together and took a moment for presence and prayer before getting whisked away by the day.

The talented vendor team made this day all the more special!

Planning & Design
Florals
Tenting
HMU
Cake
Ceremony
Videographer .creative x
Photographer .creative

hhiweddingphotographer

03/06/2026

A cozy morning in Hampton Park in Charleston, SC with Annika & Ian. Our time started with coffee at before we headed across the street to shoot some photos together.

Our session was playful, dynamic, and fun, allowing Annika and Ian’s true personalities to shine. I helped the couple style their outfits by providing plenty of inspiration. I used to think what you wore wasn’t a big deal, but the more I shoot, the more I’ve come to appreciate the importance of outfits and styling.

I recently changed the structure of my sessions to devote more time and energy to supporting the planning process and tending to the little details that make all the difference.

For most of the couples I photograph, it’s their first time being in front of the camera outside of school pictures. When we collaborate to document this season of life, my intention is for you both to feel confident, cared for, and comfortable.

When you show up prepared, in an outfit you know looks good, it completely changes the tone of the session. That confidence allows you to move with ease so you can focus on what really matters.

Hire a photographer you trust throughout the entire process, from curation and creation to gallery delivery. Your memories are worth all the extra effort.

Link in bio to inquire about couples sessions in the Hilton Head Island and Charleston area.

jcrew hiltonheadislandphotographer hhi hiltonheadislandweddingphotographer charlestonengagementphotographer charlestonweddingphotographer

Charleston Engagment Photographer, Charleston Film Photographer, Hampton Park, Charleston Love, J. Crew Inspired, Couples Photos, Hilton Head Island Photographer, HHI Photographer, SC Photographer, Film, Storytelling

02/25/2026

BRANDI 01.31.206

It was a rare snow day on Hilton Head Island when we documented Brandi’s maternity photos inside the Campbell’s cozy home.

Brandi has embraced this changing season with such grace that it was truly inspiring to document this intimate and evolving chapter for her and Kevin.

I’ve been enjoying some creative sessions over the slow season and am stoked to dive back into weddings this weekend.

02/11/2026

A winter wedding in Charleston, SC at the beautiful William Aiken House. It was so lovely celebrating Kevin & Jill and the unity of their incredible families.

Documenting their wedding day was like weaving sentiment, celebration and unconditional love into a gallery that felt true to their candid connection. There is just something so magical about a winter wedding!

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it means to not only prepare for a wedding but to prepare for a marriage. Getting married is about so much more than the aesthetic elements of your wedding day. It’s celebrating all the challenges you’ve conquered together, the clarity you’ve discovered when deepening your connection, and learning again and again that love is limitless.

When you look back on your gallery, I hope you feel proud of the love you share. How beautiful and strong it felt when you said your vows. How powerful it is that it brought so many people together to celebrate and support you and your partner.

If you want to be reminded of these feelings when flipping through your wedding photos, I’d love to connect. Link in bio to submit an inquiry.

Planner //
Florals //
Venue & Catering // William Aiken House
Photogrpahy // .creative
Rentals //
Ceremony music //
Tent //
HMU //
Lighting //
Dress //
Suit // B. Campbell Custom
Heaters //
DJ // Becca
Stationary //

01/22/2026

It’s funny how unbelievably awkward it is to introduce yourself online but hellloooo here I am! I’m Summer, the lady behind the lens.

I’m grateful to capture love stories around the world but mostly in my hometown, Hilton Head Island, SC. I live in the Lowcountry with my fiancée, Christian, whom many of you know and love. He’s a talented videographer and we’re lucky to work together often.

I enjoy a simple life. My favorite days are spent consumed by a book, hanging out at the beach or adventuring somewhere new. I’m currently obsessed with the Wolf King series, black tea (though I’m typically a matcha gal) and Sabrina Carpenter. I just got back from Boston visiting my sweet sister in law and I’m plotting a trip to Europe to visit my cousin.

My dad is from Maui and my parents fell in love on Oahu so we were raised on aloha on our little island in the Lowcountry.

I’m stoked to be shooting primarily weddings and couples this year but love taking on any projects that inspire me. My approach to photography is laid back so you and your partner feel comfortable being yourselves and confident we are documenting the moments you dreamed of.

Whether you’re a friend, fellow photographer, past or future client, I’m happy you’re here & I’m excited about an adventurous year ahead. I’ll be sharing my travel dates soon tuned so stay tuned for upcoming availability!

Photos 1&2 by .film the rest by

elopmentphotographer mauiphotographer destinationelopement northcarolinaphotographer italyengagementphotographer montanaphotographer charlestonphotographer

01/16/2026

When looking back on 2025, one of my favorite projects was the Off Course Dinner with

Off Course is an immersive dining experience in remote areas of Palmetto Bluff. Think culinary artistry, devine wine and a serene back drop that fills your heart with love for the Lowcountry.

My fiancée, Christian, and I teamed up for photo + video coverage of this beautiful evening and it was truly a joy to capture. Every detail of was thoughtfully curated to bring the guest a personal and peaceful experience.

Planning & Design
Florals
Videography
Culinary Team .cosgrove.31 .rubiocastillo

hiltonheadphotographer floralinspo oaktrees spanishmoss lowcountrylove

01/13/2026

It’s your second week of back to back wedding vendor calls and all the packages are starting to blend into one. You’re constantly weighing which option will give you the best value for your investment.

The search for the right wedding photographer can feel endless, overwhelming and expensive. You don’t want to make the wrong decision but you’re not totally sure what defines the right decision.

Is it a longer list in their packages? Is it their experience at your venue? Is it your planners recommendation?

Nothing is more valuable than the way we spend our time and who we spend it with. Held in the arms of compassion, captured through a lens of love and observed through eyes of constant care is the Sum Kai experience. A wedding day that feels calm, joyful and spacious enough for honest emotions to unfold. A gallery that reflects true connection, intimate in between moments and artistry in what could be ordinary.

We all want our photographer to get it. To understand the vision we can’t exactly pinpoint. To convey the feeling that’s nestled in our hearts as we make a lifelong commitment. To capture the moments we might miss and document the moments that will be seared into our memories forever.

That experience is not in the bullet points, the portfolio or the recommended vendors list. It’s in the feeling you get when you have a face to face conversation with someone who sees your spark. It’s trusting your quiet intuition when it says “this feels right”.

If this has nudged you closer to that feeling, I’d love to connect with you about capturing your wedding day. Start the conversation via the link in bio.

These photos are from Serena and Matt’s beautiful wedding day in Palmetto Bluff and Gascogne Bluff in Bluffton, SC. More movements from this lovely fall wedding coming soon.

Thank you to the talented vendor team 🤍

Planning & Design
Florals
Cake
Ceremony
Videographer .creative x
Photographer .creative

01/05/2026

After years of cultivating a love with your partner that’s honest, sacred and uniquely yours, you feel overwhelmed about hiring a photographer that is going to tell your love story in a light that feels true to you.

You’re looking for someone who listens with intention, sees your story through eyes of love and carefully creates alongside you.

You’re tired of seeing the same trendy or overly posed portraits and keep running into dead ends when looking for a photographer in your area to document your engagement and wedding photos. Photography feels like a big investment and you’re not ready to put down a deposit with anyone just to check it off your list.

You don’t need to keep doom scrolling until you finally find the perfect fit. You need to share openly and honestly about your connection and vision, have a face to face conversation and trust your gut when it’s nudging you to move forward.

To start the conversation with me about engagement or wedding photos, submit the inquiry form via the link in bio. We’ll set up a time to connect and if everything aligned, we’ll get your session booked.

hiltonheadweddingphotographer couplesphotosinspo couplesphotographer whimsical etherealbride 2026brides 2027brides hhi dirtybootsandmessyhair 777luckyfish

12/09/2025

It’s my last week in the office before heading to my favorite place! Christian and I will be heading to Kauai, Oahu and Maui and we are so stoked. I have limited availability if anyone wants to shoot together. 🤍

It’ll be our first time in Kauai so if you have any recs, please leave them in the comments!

If you’ve been wanting to reach out about your 2026 or 2027 wedding, get your inquiries in this week so we can talk about the details. I’m also booking couples and family session for 2026.

We wrapped up our last wedding of the year this past weekend in Charleston and it was an absolute dream. I feel so lucky to work with all you wonderful people.

I’ll be sharing some of my favorite projects from the year in upcoming posts and am excited to wrap up 2025 as a fiancée!!

11/24/2025

The biggest sale of the year is here! Shop my prints for 30% off via the link in stories. I relaunched The Kai Collection with new additions from Hilton Head Island and our recent trip to Maine. There are photos for the dreamers, the adventures, the surfers and those nostalgic for the Lowcountry.

If we’ve worked together before, enjoy 30% off of the prints in your gallery with the code “BLACKFRIDAY”. The photos we create together are meant to be printed and cherished for lifetimes to come. Let your love live on through physical photos that make you nostalgic for how sweet these fleeting seasons of life are.

I review every order myself to make sure it comes out just the way you’re dreaming of in heirloom quality. This is the perfect time to order Christmas gifts, prints for your gallery wall and photo books to savor your meaningful memories from 2025.

Don’t miss out on this limited time offer! Xx

11/05/2025

Haley and Tanner got engaged on a beautiful fall night in Hilton Head Island. Their proposal was intimate and exciting, and the post-yes portraits were unhurried and peaceful, simply soaking in this sweet time together.

There is nothing quite like the newly engaged bubble — full of serenity and bliss. The start of forever and a celebration of everything that’s unfolded leading up to that special moment.

There are so many moving pieces when planning a surprise proposal. My approach focuses on connection over perfection. Documenting monumental moments in a way that feels natural, sacred, and memorable.

It was such a joy to capture Haley and Tanner’s love story at such a beautiful time. These photos are memories, nostalgia sparkers, and heirlooms to pass down for generations.

If you’ve been thinking about booking an engagement session for 2026, go ahead and submit your inquiry, as my prices will be increasing in the new year. Can’t wait to hear from you!

SUM KAI Creative

03/17/2026

03/11/2026

03/06/2026

02/25/2026

02/11/2026

01/22/2026

01/16/2026

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11/05/2025

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