For those of you who have been living under a rock (or maybe do not have a school aged girl living in your house) you may not know that Miley Cyrus – AKA Hannah Montana  is filming her “break out” movie in Savannah.  The move titled “The Last Song” has begun filming on Tybee.  They have transformed the pier area into a sea food festival – complete with a carnival with real rides set up on the beach.

One of our client’s sons is involved with the movie and his mom worked it out for Edie Grace, DeWayne and I to come on set yesterday as extra’s.  We spent the day on the beach with Miley.  Edie Grace was in HEAVEN.   When Miley first came up to her and winked at her and waved at her - Edie Grace was definitely star struck!  I thought for a second that Edie Grace was going to pass out.  But she survived it!

I was amazed at the level of detail and the transformation of the pier by the production team.  It was really neat to see the “behind” the scenes of a major motion picture.  It certainly helps you understand why the ticket prices are so high!

It is our understanding that they will be continuing to call for extra’s throughout the filming which ends in August.  You can learn more about being an extra by visiting the Savannah Film Office by clicking here.  It was a very long, HOT day – but it was well worth it for Edie Grace to have the opportunity to see Miley up close and personal.  Several of the pictures posted here, you will notice the crowds and the paparazzi.  Edie Grace was allowed to see first hand how hard Miley really works and how challenging it is to be a star, as a teenager, when your every move is being watched.  Most importantly, she now understands that this larger than life person - that she is a HUGE fan of is a real person – just like her.

A couple of weeks ago when we were in New York Edie Grace was fortunate to get to see Prince Harry and President and Mrs. Obama.  That was a wonderful experience for her – but it pails in comparison to this.  It did create the opportunity of some great dialog with her.  She now realizes that these are ordinary people who have experienced some extraordinary opportunities.  This confirms to her that she can be anything she wants – if she works hard and continues to apply herself in school. 

Miley was so personable on set and was really sweet to all the children on the set.  It was refreshing to see how she handled herself and how she just loves to blend in with everyone there.

Our hope is that this movie has the impact on Tybee that “the Book” had on Savannah.  Thanks Stephanie and Jacob for the opportunity!

Birthday’s are fun – but there is nothing like the first birthday.  No year of your life do you change more physically than your first year.  Making the commitment to document this incredible year artistically and professionally is a must.  Thanks to Madelyn’s parents for allowing me this wonderful opportunity.  It has been so much fun watching her grow and develop this year.  Here is a recap of our incredible year with Madelyn.

Each year I seek out the most Extraordinary seniors in our area.  If there is nothing about you that is ordinary and no part of you can be expressed with the same senior pictures that ALL of your friends are doing….then you don’t want to miss our Senior Portrait Session SALE!!!  Just to make it a little more convenient… we are having a ONE DAY SALE on senior sessions all this week!  Mom’s, remember this is your child’s LAST formal portrait opportunity before their wedding. Click here and check out some seniors from past and present.  

Here’s the 411:  Purchase a senior package of $520 (or up) and you will receive a video of all of your fav images AND (44)-wallets of your very favorite image to give to all of your BFF’s!   (those two freebies are worth $225!!!…so you get $745 worth of portraits for $520…pretty cool, huh?)

Don’t just sit there…book your session!!!  You can email us, facebook us, call us or send a carrier pigeon…whatever works for you…but the deal is this special is JUST till Friday (6.19.09) @ 5pm OR the first 25 seniors that purchase sessions!

Almost daily one of you comments on a portrait that I have created for your doctor’s office.  Thankfully LOTS of wonderful doctors commission me to create portraits of their family – to share with you in their office.  One of the busy doc’s said to me recently – that having portraits of his family and children in his lobby and throughout his office – allows them to connect with their patients in unique ways.  He went on to say that through the portraits – he becomes more human – more real to the patients.  They relate to him as a dad and husband – a real person – more than just their doctor. 

One local doctor, took this to a WNL (whole new level) recently when he commissioned me to create a watercolor painting for his lobby – commemorating the milestone of 10 years of service to his patients and community.  We have photographed Dr. Dalsania’s family since they have arrived in Statesboro.  It has an honor to document his families wonderful journey in our community.  You have seen his children in my lobby, the mall and on my marketing material.  He and his family have been so touched by my photography – he felt that sharing a piece of my artwork – created of his family – was a perfect way to commemorate his success in Statesboro.

I spoke with him recently and he completely underestimated the impact the watercolor would have on his patients.  He also is stunned at how it immediately transformed his lobby.  The painting gave it a much warmer, personal feel.  EVERY patient mentions the portrait when he enters the room to greet them. 

Beside the portrait in Dr. Dalsania’s office is a small plaque with this challenge to his patients:

In 2008, Dr. Sergio Dalsania celebrated a milestone in his career. This year marked his 10^th anniversary as a physician. Dr. Dalsania commissioned Master Photographer Lori Grice to create this portrait of his family in celebration of this milestone. As a husband and father, Dr. Dalsania is very blessed. His love for his family is contagious. This love of family and compassion is transferred to every patient that chooses him as his or her physician. He appreciates and accepts the incredible responsibility of guiding you in understanding and implementing a healthier lifestyle. His goal is for you is to create many more incredible memories with the ones you love – like he has documented artistically in this watercolor painting.

Enjoy this day for the gift that it is and share something wonderful with someone you love today!

Thanks Dr. Dalsaina for allowing me to be your families portrait Artist!

Shortly after we arrived in New York we noticed LOTS of police around our hotel.  We walked around the city and made it over to Rockefeller Plaza.  I noticed the marquee for the famous Rainbow Room.  We were standing there taking pictures when a secret service agent stepped over and asked us to step across the street.  Moments later we found ourselves in the middle of a flurry of activity.  At first we thought it was the President – but we quickly realized (when he stepped out of the SUV) that it was Prince Harry.  This was so neat.  We had met his mother, Princess Diana, in London on our honeymoon in a similar chance event.  I could not be a paparazzi photographer.  I was so caught up in the moment that I missed several great photographs both times.

We walked a few blocks and saw lots and lots of police – along with barricades.  People were lined up everywhere and it was buzzing that the President was coming.  We walked up to where some news cameras were stationed and at that moment – again we found ourselves in the middle of another flurry of activity.  I turned around and noticed that they had closed the sidewalk a block behind us – but allowed us to stay.  (I guess they noticed my camera and assumed that I was part of the media.)  We heard the roar of the crowd – the cheers and then we saw the limousines.  Again – I missed some great pictures of the President and First Lady.  They were going to see a play.  As they got out of the car – the paused and waved to the crowds.  The street erupted in cheers and excitement.   

One of the reporters walked over to us and interviewed DeWayne.  As usual, he had lots of great things to say.  He told the reporter that you could not beat the price of admission for a show that was more exciting than a Broadway play.  For the next few days – every time we turned on the TV we saw DeWayne.  They also interviewed a very attractive lady standing near us.  She turned out to be Meryl Streep.  Now I am curious who all the other “celebrities” we standing in that area with us?

Walking back down the street we noticed again a flurry of activity.  One of the reporters told us that this evening was the summer solstice.  It is the only night of the year that the sun lines up perfectly with the streets between the buildings in New York.

This all happened within the first few hours we were in the city.  Our friends told us that you never know who you might bump into.  I thought we might see Donald Trump – but never a real Prince and the First Couple.  No matter how you feel about politics or the Royal family – this was a pretty awesome experience.

Edie Grace always thought it would be super cool to design her own Barbie.  Well thanks to a little magic from FAO she did it today.  They have a really neat computer system which allows you to walk through the steps of designing your very own Barbie.  Once you complete the process, your Barbie is featured in a special run way show and then she is presented to you in her own custom case.  All of this takes place right before your eyes with a little Barbie and FAO magic.  How many times did you dream of creating your very own Barbie as a girl?  The entire experience is larger than life.

Just a few more steps down New York’s Fifth Avenue we stepped into the doors of the flagship Tiffany’s.  I have always dreamed of owning a piece of jewelry from Tiffany’s.  One of my favorite places to photograph is the chapel on Jekyll Island that features the Tiffany stained Glass, a gift from the original Tiffany family.  It is one of the few original Tiffany signed Stained Glasses still in existence.  A few weeks ago, a client of mine shared how as a child she would travel into the city with her parents and walk through Tiffany’s and dream of owning a piece of jewelry from there. When she received a recent promotion – she was finally in a position to achieve this dream.  She flew to New York and made the purchase she had dreamed of.  I have studied their exceptional customer service – complete with the WOW of the little blue box with the perfect hand tied bow and matching bag.  Well today, I received a surprise early birthday gift from DeWayne and Edie Grace.  They have been planning this visit for months.  I am still in shock.  I do not feel worthy!  Now the experience is complete.  Every time I wear my gift I will remember how powerful and wonderful today’s experience was!  What a great DAD and husband Edie Grace and I share.

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Edie Grace got to pick lunch today so she treated us to lunch at the Cafe inside American Girl Place.  The dining room is so incredibly cute.  It over looks 5th Avenue and 49th street.  They have special seating for your American Girl doll and they make EVERYONE feel like a princess (and prince).  I think we were the only folks there not celebrating a birthday.  What a great place to have a birthday party!  The four course meal was exceptionally planned.  The napkin holders doubled as keepsake hair band ribbons.  So the next time you want to have some mother/daughter time or you want to feel like a little princess again – I highly recommend lunch at the AGP.

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This is our first trip back to NYC since September 11th and it was even more powerful than I imagined.  Edie Grace was 4 months old when the attacks occurred.   I purchased a book with photo’s of the attack and went through it with Edie Grace.  You simply can not understand the magnitude of it all – until you stand there.  From there we took the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and back.  Lunch at Pier 17 and then we walked the entire Brooklyn Bridge.  After dinner we took in the M&M and Hershey stores on Times Square and people watched for a while. This city really doesn’t sleep!

  I think Edie Grace is a natural for Broadway!  The lights and the energy in a city that never sleeps is pretty amazing.  We visited the NBC studios in Rockefeller Plaza, Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Times Square and of course – Toy’s R US.  They have an operating Ferris wheel inside the store.  That should give you and idea of how big the store is.  The weather is perfect and the crowds…WOW – where did all these people come from?

Of course we are in New York so we have to do a little (LOT) of shopping!  Since part of this trip is a reward for a great year in school and a celebration of Edie Grace’s 8th birthday – she was allowed to pick the first place to go.  She has been saving for months for us to take her American Girl Place “Emily” to the store.  Of course the store is located on the renown 5th Avenue adjacent to Saks Fifth Avenue.  Three stores of incredible – breathtaking – marketing genius!  They have everything you can imagine for American Girl dolls, including a hair salon, photo studio, restaurant, gift shop, bakery, etc..etc.  We were lucky to get Emily in with one of the TOP American Doll hair designers at the salon.  After a nearly TWO HOUR wait it was her turn.  She got a fabulous do and she also was brave enough to get her ears pierced. 

We spent nearly THREE hours in the store.  It was a wonderful experience for all of us – even DeWayne enjoyed it and did not complain (well maybe a little) about being in one store for three hours.