…here I come – AGAIN.  For the past few days I have been attending the Southeastern Professional Photographers Association conference in Athens, Georgia.  SEPPA is a convention that brings together ten southeastern state (& Puerto Rico) photographers associations.  Part of the convention is a juried print competition.  In the competition I hung “four for four” portraits which clears the way for me to named International Photographer of the Year.  This will be “official” at the annual convention of the Professional Photographers of America in Nashville in January.

One of the four images was a watercolor commission for Dr. Kathleen Skelly of her daughter.  You have seen this portrait in Strasburg Children in Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah.  This portrait also received first place in children’s portraits at the Georgia PPA convention in September.

The other three images we created in Valletta, Malta, Vatican City, and Pisa, Italy.  Soon you will be able to purchase some of these as new additions to my Healing Art Collection.

  This is a tremendous honor!  Like all of the awards and commissions I receive over the years that get a tremendous amount of press – I remind myself and you that I create masterpieces everyday thanks to you!

When you want a masterpiece I am your artist of choice and that is the most important recognition, award or reward of all!  Even in challenging economic times you continue to invest in my heirloom art of you and your family.  THANK YOU!

Often many of you and my peers ask me why I continue to put myself through the torture of juried art competitions and attend conferences and training workshops.  The answer is simple – YOU EXPECT IT and DESERVE IT.  My slogan is “Experience the Difference”.  I have to work very hard everyday to make sure I live by this because it is not just a catchy slogan it is my way of life.  Staying up with trends and cutting edge technology allows me to stay on top of the industry.  The juried competitions allow me to prove to myself, my competitors and more importantly YOU that I can “hang” with the best in our industry.  Photography and art is a very fluid industry.  It is truly a GROW OR DIE business.

Being the best in any profession takes commitment, dedication and lots of hard work.  Photography is no different.  When you commission me again or for the first time – you should expect no less.

Thank you for selecting me to be your families portrait artist!

Today, Savannah and Brain’s engagement announcement ran in the Statesboro Herald.  I am so honored that they have commissioned me to photograph their engagement, Savanna’s bridal and their August wedding.  They are a super sweet couple that are as much fun to be with as they are to photograph.  I wanted to share their engagement announcement with all of you. 

Click here to see their video from the engagement session.

Much of last week I was in Atlanta shooting one of my favorite annual commercial events.  EXPO 2009 is an event coordinated buy the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia and introduces high school, technical school and college students to the wide range of career opportunities in the construction field.

It was a power packed few days and featured some of the biggest names in the construction industry in the south.  I am honored that they commissioned me again for this exciting educational conference. 

Here is a short video to show all of you that did not attend what you missed:

Tripp’s proposal to Marissa is legendary at the Mansion on Forsyth hotel in Savannah.  They are planning a private summer wedding at the Mansion and have commissioned me to photograph their wedding.  They are one of only three incredible couples that I have accepted wedding commissions for.  That should tell you how special they are to me!

Since it all started at the Mansion – what better place to photograph them for their engagement session than where it all began.  Enjoy the video of our favorites.

Often you have heard me talk about Dave Ramsey and his book, “Total Money Makeover”.  The meeting will be simulcast all over the world on Thursday night.  We will be attending the one at First Methodist Church in Statesboro.  You can go onto his web site, put in your zip code and find the closest one to you.  He is going to share with us why he has chosen NOT to participate in the recession – instead he is following God’s plan.

  Really now – I think you are the ONLY person not in Downtown Statesboro at this very moment.  Don’t worry, there is still time to save face.  Celebration South food and entertainment festival is going on until 10PM.  More great bands are on cue and there is LOTS of great food and DRINKS!  Here are a few pictures so you can see what you are MISSING.  See you downtown Statesboro!  

Jim Galloway, one of our favorite writers for the Atlanta Journal read a recent post on my blog and used the video for a story in the AJC.

I am always amazed at how well read our blog is.  This is just another example of how many people enjoy the blog – even outside of Statesboro.  Let me now how much you enjoy the blog by making a comment below.  You can also share any stories on the blog now on Face Book, My Space or your favorite social networking sites..with a click of the button – at the bottom of each blog post.

Click below to read Jim’s story in the Atlanta Journal:

You Can’t call it campaigning if you haven’t announced!

A footnote to the story.  DeWayne is a proud Democrat – I however am a VERY proud INDEPENDENT – both politically and professionally.

Today is the day to be in the Boro.  We started the day with an incredible farmers market and we are continuing our day downtown with Celebration South Music Festival until 10 PM tonight.  While you are in the Boro – drop by Dingus Magees and help them celebrate their 30th anniversary with $3.99 chicken baskets.  EVERYONE is here but YOU!

Come on DOWN!

Thought you might like to see what DeWayne and Edie Grace have been up to while I am shooting on location in Atlanta this week.  Our good friend Wayne Dasher hosts a great event each year honoring local law enforcement.  This event has grown to become a VERY large event.  Thousands turn out – including all the politicians running for local, regional and state offices.  Last night, DeWayne and Edie Grace got to meet most of the candidates for Governor (announced and unannounced).  It was a great event – good food and wonderful fellowship.  Sorry I missed it – but somebody has to work!

More importantly I want to join Wayne in recognizing and honoring all the men and women of law enforcement who put their life on the line for us daily.  My brother, Jason Long is an investigator for the Bulloch County Sheriff’s office.  So I know first hand the sacrifices he makes for all of us.

Hopefully, the troopers will read this and be kind to me as I race home from Atlanta today – to get to Relay For Life.  My goal is to be back in time for the survivors walk.  Join me there!

Here is a video from pictures DeWayne and Edie Grace took last night:

On the way to shoot a day of sessions in Metter today I passed this double billboard.  It was so wild to see a double billboard filled with my images for some of my clients – IHS Pharmacy and Sea Island Bank.  Currently I have nearly 10 billboards up throughout the area featuring my images.  How ironic to see two together like this.

Keep me in mind when you need to give your business marketing images the extra edge that you expect from your portraits that I create for you and your family.

I want your marketing to soar above your competitors – because I understand that the better you do – the better I will do.  So let me help you take your business marketing to the next level.  If I am your families portrait artist – then you will get the best value and internationally honored creativity.  Contact DeWayne or I at info@lorigrice.com to get a quote today on your businesses’ marketing photography needs.

Commercial photography is not something we market and offer first to our family of clients businesses.  In this economy, we want you to capitalize on market share growth so we will all come out of this so much stronger!