We made it!  I remember watching the Johnny Carson show through the years.  Johnny would randomly call a couple’s name and congratulate them on how many years they had been married.  Then he would always say. “and they have never had a fight!”.  DeWayne says that the only reason to have a disagreement is so we have an excuse to make up.

Twenty two years ago today – we said, “I DO” and for twenty two years we have DONE!  It is wonderful to be married to your best friend, partner in business, father to your child and favorite travel companion.  We certainly compliment each other well!  Together, there is no question we are much better than we could ever have been singularly.

Today, we are taking a break to celebrate how incredible the past 21 years have been. Did you catch that?  Bobby Bowden, when he speaks talks about how he has been happily married for 43 years…even though legally it has been 44.  LOL!

We have been blessed, beyond our dreams or imagination.  Here is too another 22 and then some!  If you are really bored, you can click here and read about our previous anniversaries: 21st anniversary,   20th anniversary,  20th anniversary Mediterranean Cruise 

This is our honeymoon hotel – in Paris, France.

Thanks to Savannah, Hilton Head, Sea Island, Tybee, Jekyll and St. Simons – being great vacation destinations – I photograph a lot of families while they are vacationing here.  From Historic downtown Savannah and Forsyth Park to the pristine beaches of our coast – it is a welcome change of scenery for lots of visitors.  They want to document, artistically their visit and a reminder of how beautiful and wonderful their escape was.

When I learned that we were going with DeWayne’s family to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for our family vacation, I wanted to experience the same with our family.  I began my search, like many of you, on the internet.  I searched for a photographer with a similar style as mine, similar education and professional background, similar standing and recognition in our industry and someone who has an established business as a career – full time photographer.  I wanted a real photographer who operates a real business.  I checked to make sure she had a business license, sales tax I.D. number and other indicators of a serious business professional.  My research pointed me to Regina Starkey, the owner of Honeysuckle Hills Photography.

I had met Regina a few years ago, when I spoke to the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association.  Her work is exquisite.  She was even featured on the cover of a Professional Photographer’s of America LOAN book a few years ago.  You have probably seen that book here at the studio…if not, let me show it to you next time. 

It was so much fun to experience this with DeWayne’s family, from a client’s perspective.  The session was fun and demanding!  I had to buy matching clothes for the entire family and iron them.  In addition, I had to make sure we all had matching accessories..and all the other details – that I put each of you through.  WOW – you are right, it is A LOT of work.  But the end result is breathtaking.  Here is a sneak peak from Regina.  We are working to finalize my order and will soon have more to share.

Thanks, Regina, for a wonderful photography experience.  As a fellow Master Photographer, she really creates works of art – that we will certainly enjoy for years to come.

If you are in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area – contact Regina and book a portrait session.  You have to plan ahead – because she is VERY popular and books out significantly in advance.

Of course, we all love football – especially the EAGLES!  I can not remember when there has been so much excitement for the Eagles.  Much of the excitement is because of the new GSU Head Coach Jeff Monken and the amazing team of coaches he has put together. 

Jeff and his wife Beth and their two beautiful daughters have settled in to Statesboro and love it here!  (and we LOVE having them here!)  I met them recently and photographed them.  As you can see, they are an adorable family!

Over the next few weeks – I will share portraits of each member of the new GSU coaching team – so you can get to know them and join us in welcoming them all to our community.  It is not too late join Edie Grace, DeWayne and I at the GSU games.  Get your season tickets now by clicking here to order.  GO EAGLES!

Every now and then you come across something so incredible that you want to share it with the world.  This blog is one of those things that we all should stop and read and share with others.

It is written by a wonderful friend of ours, Tripp Sims, to honor his late wife Gaye Gwinn Sims.  Tripp and DeWayne worked together at Northland Cable and later with then Secretary of State Lewis Massey.  Tripp is one of the sweetest, most incredible men you will ever meet.  He has an infectious personality that draws you in and makes you want to be his friend.  He brightens your day…just by being in his presence.  I am sure all of you can instantly think of someone in your life – like Tripp.

A few years ago Tripp met the love of his life, Gaye and they were married after a wonderful courtship.  Early in their marriage Gaye was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  This Sunday marks the second anniversary of her death.  She was only 44 when she went home to heaven.  As a tribute to Gaye, and to help remind each of us just how precious a gift life is, Tripp has created a Love Letter to Gaye (in the form of a blog) to honor her.  The Blog is entitled Translucent Gaye.  I encourage you to please take a second to click here and read a little bit of this blog.  I must warn you – you are going to need some tissues.  It is one of the most wonderful love stories you will ever read. 

Please join me in adding this to your Facebook wall and encourage others to do the same – so we can help Tripp honor the memory of Gaye on the second anniversary of her homecoming to heaven on Sunday. Click below on the SHARE THIS icon and it will give you an easy link to share it on Facebook, by email or other social media application.

Translucent Gaye
Webster Dictionary defines Translucent as free from disguise and falseness and permitting the passage of light. Gaye Gwinn Sims was my Translucent Beacon in the eight years I was immensely blessed to be her Love, Best friend and Husband. This Blog is a love letter to my Gaye.

Taylor was selected as a “Frills Girl” earlier this year.  I met her and photographed her for their marketing and for the Frills Prom Preview fashion show. She is so much fun to photograph.  She has also competed with portraits I created for her and has done very well, winning most photogenic at several pageants.  Enjoy this video of a a few of her favorite Senior Portraits:

Pratt completes the trilogy of brothers photographed by me for their senior portraits.  Pratt is really into vintage – FAST cars as you can tell from the portraits.  Enjoy this video from his senior session.

  It is so hard to believe that Edie Grace is entering the 4th Grade!  Last Friday was her first day of school at Pinewood Christian Academy – so of course, we continued with tradition and I took lots of photographs. (DeWayne and Edie Grace make me use my blog camera so I won’t embarrass them)  Our traditional photograph with her and Dad at the bus, on the first day, revealed to us how much she has grown from last year to this year (5 to 6 inches). 

You may have noticed that Edie Grace has a new addition this year, glasses.  Like her mom – she is entering into the world of glasses early.  Dr. Horace Deal was wonderful with her and encouraged us to allow her to pick whatever she wanted for her first glasses.  We did and she chose PINK.  Imagine that?

The most exciting part for Edie Grace (other than getting to see her friends) this is year is that she gets to change classes.  She has three wonderful teachers, Mrs. Dutton is her homeroom teacher, Mr. Perkins and Mrs. Bell.

For fun, here are the links to her first day of school blogs so you can see how fast she is growing:

Third Grade

Second Grade

First Grade

We hope you all have a great year this school year!

Enjoy their big day at the Mansion.  Beautiful venue…Beautiful couple…wonderful day!

Sam is an inspiring young man.  His aunt, Theresa, is one of my hero’s.  She has survived cancer THREE times!  She is such an inspiration to so many fighting this disease and so many other with struggles in their lives.  She has proved to be the same for Sam.  He loves things retro…cars…places…etc.  We shot this on location at Roy and Deborah’s farm – which is a photographers dream!  In fact, one of my favorite senior images this year, I created of Sam.  The portrait named “whippersnapper”  is now another Lori Grice award winning portrait.  The portrait was entered in the Georgia Professional Photographers Association’s juried competition earlier this year and did well. 

Enjoy some of my other favorites from the session!