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.

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.

Recently, a friend asked me what we have been up to.  She went on to say that we have been awfully quiet.  We are not blogging like we normally do and we seem to be flying low.  She knew we were up to something and she was right!  For the better part of a year, DeWayne and I, along with GSU student Andres Montes and countless other volunteers in our community have been working on a dream to open a free health clinic in Statesboro.  If you know me, you know my passion (and often frustration) includes providing healthcare to our community.  So every spare minute, we have focused our energy on this incredible effort.

Last night, with the help of lots and lots of people, we opened the Hearts and Hands Clinic in Statesboro.  This clinic provides FREE dental, optometric and medical care to the “working poor” in our community.  It is not a clinic for indigents or people who have health care.  To be seen in the clinic, your income must be between 100 and 200% of the federal poverty levels.

A special thanks to Dr. Larry Hubbard (my stepfather), Dr. Jarrett Waldren and Dr. Les Kicklighter for donating their time last night to the clinic.

Here is a recent article in the Stateboro Herald that lists our board of directors and tells more about this incredible project.

Especially in these trying economic times – we are all looking for ways to help those who need it most in our community.  Together, we will continue to build a stronger community!

If you want to help there are lots of ways to get involved for medical and non-medical volunteers.  We are projecting the cost to be about $100 per patient and we have a goal of seeing 600 patients by year end.  If your civic organization, church, business or you personally would like to sponsor some patients – please mail your check, made payable to Hearts and Hands Clinic, to DeWayne’s attention at 34 East Main Street, Statesboro, Georgia 30458.

Watch for special offers over the next few months where we will be donating some or all of the proceeds from photography sessions to this effort.

Thanks in advance for your help with this wonderful project.

A friend of mine in Texas had it on her facebook page encouraging us all to repost it…

Feel free to right click it and post it on yours!

to all the Dad’s in my life…DeWayne, my Dad Rick, Larry {my step-dad}, Bob {my father-in-law}, Uncle Gil {he helped raise me} and Robert & Jason {my step-brothers}.

But a huge, special thanks to DeWayne…who does 24/7 duty with two of the highest maintenance girls God ever created!  DeWayne has his hands full keeping me and Edie Grace straight.  We are always needing his time, energy and of course…checkbook! 

Thank you, DeWayne, we love you more than you will ever know!

Please join us this Friday night as we celebrate Edie Grace’s 9th birthday.  There will be cake, popcorn, lemonade and fun Party Harbor bounces for your kids!

Seriously, though, no gifts.  Your company to celebrate what she means to us is truly the best gift we can receive.  If you feel compelled, we will be accepting small (very small) gifts for a charity.  Edie Grace has it narrowed down to two charities…she will let you know Friday night which one she decided on.

Friday, May 7th

5:30pm – 7:30pm

in the alley behind the studio

(F1RST Friday will also be going on so there will be tons of fun things to do in downtown!)

Friday, May 7th, Edie Grace will turn nine.  Honestly, I have been overwhelmed by this.  She will graduate from High School just days after she turns 18 so literally HALF of the life that she will spend with us is over!  Some of my friends say I am being negative when I say this, but I believe what this verse says:

Psalm 90:12 (New International Version)

¹² Teach us to number our days aright,
       that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

The wisdom I seek is to make each day with Edie Grace count!  Some days I do better than others…but I try harder each and everyday.  (Yes, Edie Grace received “Gracen” a baby girl goat a little early for her birthday from her Grandmother…so watch out O.C….LOL!)

To make it easier for you to capture memories of your family, I am doing a HUGE…probably once in a lifetime… SALE!!!  This one has a ton of fine print…but what do you expect with a sale this unbelievable???

$9 Sale!!!!

• The first three people that respond can purchase a studio session fee for $9 (regularly $100) and will not be required to make a minimum purchase
• The second three people that respond can purchase a studio session fee for $9 (regularly $100).  Their minimum purchase will be 50% less than normal.  (Normal studio minimum  order is $300…these folks minimum order will only be $150) This is not 1/2 price…just 1/2 as much required.
• The third three people that respond can purchase a studio session fee for $9 (regularly $100)  Regular $300 minimum order will be required.

Here is the fine print…and this offer may be subject to more restrictions…

• You must pay in full the amount you owe…($9, $159 or $309) when you call with a credit card…you can not mail us a check, drop a check by,  bring cash, ect.  Delta doesn’t let you…so please don’t ask for an exception on this special.
• Your session will ONLY be in the studio…on-location sessions DO NOT qualify for this unbelievable deal.
• Your session must occur on a weekday, BETWEEN (not before…not after) the hours of 10am – 5pm, Monday, May 10th- Friday, May 28th, 2010.  These are use or lose.  They can not be extended unless you have a doctor’s excuse.
•  Families with more than seven members will incur an additional charge.
• Your order will have to be finalized during your place order appointment.  You will need to bring all decision makers to the appointment with you.  You are welcome to add to your order for 48 hours after your viewing.
• The time/date stamp on the emails to info@lorigrice.com will determine where you will be ranked in the offer.  
• Children three and under can only be photographed for this offer before lunch. (no afternoon sessions)

Lots of rules, I know, but for a deal this good there just have to be some boundaries. 

So…why are you still reading?  You should be emailing! 

See you in front of my lens SOON!

YaY!

Here are my award and ribbon winning images:

Thank you, GPPA, for awarding my images the following awards:

Best of Show: Wedding/Social Events

American Society of Photographer’s State Elite Award

Kodak Gallery Award

First Place Award Bridal Portrait

First Place Fine Art Scenic

                                                                                Distinguished ~ Portrait of a Woman

                                                                                Judges Choice Ribbon {& other ribbons too}

Here are a few images of the awards.  I apologize…I took the award pics really quick because I was so excited about sharing all of this with you!  I am truly overwhelmed by all of this!  This is the cool part… 1/2 of these images are fine art pieces but 1/2 of these are from actual client sessions.  Thank you for sharing in this journey with me! 

Vote for Abby Hart!

Vote for Abby Hart!

Vote for Abby Hart!

We walked down to Sugar Magnolia tonight to get some of their AWESOME pizza and ran into Abby’s parents, Wayne and Cindy.  You may know Wayne from Gailey Trophy.  {he does a FABULOUS job!}  Since it is tax season for Cindy, it has been a pretty busy 2010!  Anyway…we were catching up and they told me that Abby has made the first cut in this contest and the votes for the final cut go through Sunday.  So…I said maybe some of my blog readers would be willing to help make a jr. high girl’s dream come true and vote for her tonight, Saturday and Sunday. 

Here is the trick, though, you can only vote once every 24 hours…not “once a day” so if you do vote tonight you will have to wait until after this time tomorrow night to vote again.

To register and vote for Abby Hart:

www.campelectric.com

Click on yellow bar that says “Rock the Camp Contest”

Scroll down and click on “enter”

Click Fan Registration

Follow directions to set up username and password (be sure to register as a fan and not a band)

When you check your email for the password click on the middle web address and it will take you to the screen to set up your own password.

Once that’s done it should take you to the screen where you can vote.  Scroll down and type “Abby Hart” in the white bar and search all.

Her song is “Raise Him Up”. 

She wrote this song herself.  How cool is that?!?

Thank you for helping Abby!