Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
Charleston’s Daniel Velasco (912/441-6499, velascodaniele@gmail.com) is giving bridal portraits new verve. The Venezuelan illustrator came to the Lowcountry via the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts in 2012. His work popped up locally at Charleston Fashion Week in 2014 when his painted fabrics hit the runway; this past January, he moved to the Holy City for a post at the Art Institute, and in March, his backdrops rocked a fashion shoot for Charleston magazine. But the engaged set is likely to get most from his Instagram feed (@D.Velasco), where über-chic bridal portraits pop up time and again.
The bubbly professor says he loves being around the positive energy that a Big Day brings. “It’s inspiring, joyful,” Daniel says, “and everyone around the marrying couple is truly happy. Plus, her dress is worn only once, so she’s like Cinderella going to the ball.”
Daniel tackles portraiture live on-site or he works from photos. Recently a bride commissioned him to craft images of her with each of her attendants, which she’ll gift to the bridesmaids. Most often though, he says, grooms or friends of the couple hire him. The gift of glam? Sign us up.
Pieces are typically 9x12 inches and start at $75.
Illustration by Daniel velasco
