Charleston Shines With Tourists

Charleston is a beautiful and very special place.  When I worked down in the historic district sometimes I did not notice much of the beautiful details.  This can easily occur when you are driving home and have your mind elsewhere.  That is why it is important to get out and walk your city.  I saw so much more of Charleston walking around that I named my photography program "At Street Level."

Lately, I have been holed-up in The Preservation Society of Charleston at 147 King Street, at the corner of King and Queen Street.  My work is displayed on a  counter top in their back room that is full of many well-known Charleston artists.  It is an honor to be in such good company.  The Preservation Society has allowed me to set up a display just inside their front door so I can show my work and talk about it to visitors.  Just this week I have chatted with visitors from Chicago, Minnesota, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Washington D.C., South America, France and on and on.  Everyone comments that we live in a beautiful, walkable city.  And you know, they are absolutely right.

Charleston, to our visitors, is the beautiful old homes along the "Battery", Ft. Sumter, the Yorktown, the Hunley as well as all of our surrounding beaches and communities.  Charleston is a multi-faceted town that has world class galleries as well as restaurants.  It is a place of which all residents can be proud.  We have weathered hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and horrendous economic times but always seem to emerge better and stronger and more beautiful.  Along with all the physical beauty and history, Charleston also has some of the finest people in our country.

Soon the kids will be back in school.  In a few weeks the weather will turn a bit cooler and it will be a much more pleasant time to stroll around Charleston and reacquaint yourself with some of our sights.  Take the opportunity and you won't be disappointed.

I am proud of what Charleston has become, a real world-class community with world-class residents.

Michael Kaynard is a local photographer who lives in West Ashley.  His photos can be seen at Kaynard Photography.  He can be contacted at mkaynard@gmail.com or 843-412-2299.