Pawley’s Island Paradise: The O’Rorke Family

{Pawley’s Island Photographer}

I was so excited when this family contacted me this summer to ask if I would photograph them again!  Not only had I had the chance to get to know them last summer during their extended Sullivan’s Island getaway, but this year they invited me to come to their vacation house on Pawley’s Island.  Pawley’s Island is only and hour and a half from Charleston, but it feels worlds away with its laid-back, “arrogantly shabby” vibe.

The trip up Highway 17 North started in the rush hour congestion of Mount Pleasant, but once I hit the Francis Marion National Forest I could literally feel my blood pressure slowing and the tension ebbing away.  It’s a beautiful, peaceful stretch of highway dotted with farms, sweetgrass basket stands and sweeping marsh views.

Arriving at their beachfront house, I was greeted with barefoot children clad in seaside colors who were ready to show off their funny faces and silly moves. Since it was high tide, we drove over to the public beach at the southern tip of the island so that they could have more room to run and so that we could take advantage of the gorgeous dunes there.  Unfortunately, the biting flies had other ideas, and we were quickly chased back to the refuge our cars.

We returned to the house because the kids HAD to take turns swinging in the genuine Pawley’s Island rope hammock hanging on the back porch (if you’ve never had a lazy summer afternoon nap in one of these, you are truly missing out!).  Finally, we headed out to the crabbing dock to catch sunset over the creek (and a good old dad-swing out over the water, each of them not entirely sure he wasn’t going to let go).

It was like a mini-vacation for me, as I had the most delightful time with the O’Rorkes.  I knew that this was my last session of the summer, and I was a little sad to depart this sleepy little island and leave all of the golden summer goodness behind me . . . but this session was the best way to cap off the season, and I know that I will definitely make the trip back sometime soon!