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.

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!

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.

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 some of my other favorites from the session!

This year, it seems, we are getting more calls from seniors and parents about their dissatisfaction with the school photographers.  They are lured in to getting ordinary portraits, because they think they are “required” to use the school photographer.  At many schools, the school photographers contract FORCES you to use them for your year book formal picture.  However, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE ANY ADDITIONAL IMAGES from them.  Why blow your budget on pictures that look like everyone else’s – when you can experience the Lori Grice difference?

With Senior packages beginning at ONLY $400 (which include a design and clothing consultation, a minimum ONE HOUR SESSION with me (LORI GRICE), and $300 portrait credit to use for purchases of any size portraits you would like from wallets to walls.

There is one catch – I limit the number of senior sessions, so I can spend the time I need, to help create some of the most important portraits of your life – as uniquely different and creative as you are!  If you are serious about having the most incredible Senior portraits possible this year – you MUST call 912-764-7274 now and get on the list!

Keep watching for AWESOME Senior sessions posted here of your friends and peers.  I am having a BLAST with the seniors this year!

Amanda comes from a family filled with very talented people.  Her sister and brother are both on the west coast – pursuing their dreams of acting and writing.  Both of them had better watch out – because little sister is going to make her mark also!  I think all of you will agree when you watch her breakout modeling portfolio video, A.K.A Senior Portraits.  I had a blast, photographing Amanda on locations in Savannah and Statesboro. 

Thanks Amanda for “experiencing the Lori Grice difference” and allowing me to photograph your senior portraits. 

These portraits are some of the most important portraits of your life.  Why settle for the ordinary – when you can get EXTRODINARY?  We still have a few senior sessions available for most schools.  Email info@lorigrice.com or call now at 912-764-7274 to get on the list.

We do limit the number of seniors from each school – to ensure your senior portraits will be as uniquely creative and different as you are!  If we did not limit them – then your portraits would look like everyone else’s!

Thanks Kristin for “experiencing the Lori Grice difference” and allowing me to photograph your senior portraits. 

These portraits are some of the most important portraits of your life.  Why settle for the ordinary – when you can get EXTRODINARY?  We still have a few senior sessions available for most schools.  Email info@lorigrice.com or call now at 912-764-7274 to get on the list.

We do limit the number of seniors from each school – to ensure your senior portraits will be as uniquely creative and different as you are!  If we did not limit them – then your portraits would look like everyone else’s!

Gil Riggs stands with the bus he used to

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By ROGER ALLEN Herald Correspondent

    Bulloch County resident Gil Riggs has driven a public school bus for the past four years. Considering his skills behind the wheel, some would say Riggs is a natural bus driver.
    Actually, Riggs is so good at what he does that he has won the Bulloch County Bus Rodeo skills competition the past two years.
    This rodeo requires Bulloch County public school bus drivers to perform the most difficult of maneuvers that they may have to deal with while out on their routes. Rodeo drivers actually drive their regular buses in the competition.
    According to Riggs, the challenges consist of the “Straight Line,” in which contestants must drive between five sets of tennis balls set 25 feet apart with two inches of clearance.
    “Parallel Parking,” in which drivers are required to park within 18 inches from the curb in a space only five feet wider than the bus.
    Finally, there is the "Offset Alley," in which drivers must shift lanes in spaces that are shorter than the length of your bus. That means the front end of your bus is in one lane while the rear of your bus is still in the other.
    After winning the Bulloch County competition last year, Riggs went on to take second place in the George State Bus Rodeo. That qualified him to go on to the International Bus Rodeo, where he finished in the top half of the best school bus drivers in the United States and Canada.
    During the 2010 Georgia State Bus Rodeo competition, from which he just returned, Riggs earned a fourth place finish out of 57 drivers from across the state.
    Riggs is not the only one in his family who loves bus driving: while he has regular route at Mattie Lively Elementary School, his wife, Kathy, drives substitute bus routes for the county.
    The Riggs’ had operated Regency Photo in Statesboro for a good many years until the slowing economy forced them to close the store. Having been self-employed for 25 years, Riggs said it was a shock to have to enter the job market.
    However, getting a full-time job did have some real benefits, like health insurance, and a regular paycheck. Gil and Kathy have two boys: Josh, who is currently enrolled at Ogeechee Technical College; and Will, who works for Wal-Mart in Statesboro.
    Paul Webb, director of Transportation for the Bulloch County School System, said: "Gil is like so many of our drivers. He works hard at getting better with his skills; he loves the children; and he takes great pride in being a safe driver”
    Webb added, "All of Bulloch County’s bus drivers are proud of his Rodeo accomplishments over the past two years. Bulloch County has a long tradition of drivers doing well in that competition and he is continuing that legacy."

(Gil is my uncle, who inspired me to become a professional photographer.  Gil merged his business, Regency Photo, with our studio last year.  He continues to be an inspiration to me.  He has always encouraged me to be my very best – no matter what God put in my path.  He is leading by example – by being his best – at everything he does.)